:)

The title sums it all up... Some days just make you smile. :) Most days lately just seem to have been full of stress and take all of my focus and energy to get from one end of the day to the other. Today, for some odd reason, went really well... I got reblonded after dropping Adam off at school with his science project. Then I even had time to stop off for a mocha on the way to my appointment. As I was leaving the salon, it was clear that a goose evidently had too many berries and had a gastric accident all over my windshield. I just happened to be down the street from my favorite car wash place and still had an hour before I had to be at work. So now I have a nice shiny car and awesome looking hair! Then I got tons accomplished at work and got Adam to weapons class. I got into BB training, only to realize that I still need more than my share of work on kicking. Not falling over like somebody with an inner ear disturbance whenever I try a side kick would help, for starters. But I kept a good attitude about it and worked it out. When you leave class following an hour of head-locks and bear hugs, is it odd to not mind smelling like the sweat of a dozen other people? Yep, it was a great day! :)

Finding Balance

Saturday morning came very early last weekend, and I know I disappointed a few people by not showing up for the candidates' special training. Tonight, I disappointed myself by not going to weapons or adult class. Both times were my own decision and my own making because I allowed other things get in the way of my commitment.

The first disappointment resulted from a personal interference (i wanted more sleep), and the second from a work situation (I wouldn't let something wait until tomorrow). Both situations represent an imbalance.

I have a goal--gain my second degree black belt while supporting the candidates for first degree. In order to reach that goal, I need to find a way to balance the rest of my life so that it doesn't interfere with training. First idea, find a way to improve the quality of my sleep so that I'm not so tired in the mornings. Second idea, stick to a set schedule at work and finish on-time, allowing tasks to be re-prioritized for the following day if not completed.

I will not be at training tomorrow night as I have a family dinner to attend (making more time for family has been one of my personal goals over the last year).

See everyone on Thursday!

Day Off

Didn't come to class tonight - I needed the day off! I rolled last night at a seminar in Hillsboro with Dan and had a blast - but it was three days in a row of intense work out starting with Brandy's training Sat. AM...ended up staying up late last night - woke up late this morning - and my co -trainer for today's OIS class bailed! So I decided after being on my feet all day I needed a good rest. Looking forward to Wednesday night.

Tooth Fairy

Sarah here!

OK, so, this morning was torture!!!! First of all, I had to get up at 6 o’clock to go to the orthodontist. When we got there, the nurse took me and my dad back to this little room and they told my dad he had to leave because too many parents faint when watching their child’s teeth get yanked out of their mouth… YIKES!!! So he left and the nurse started making a big deal about how amazing my hat was that I made and that she would pay me to make her one and blah blah blah. So she lowered the chair down and put this weird think over my nose and said I can only breathe through my nose. The gas that came out of the thing on my nose made me feel really tingly and it kind of tickled. Then she put this thing on my finger that was hooked onto a machine that was making crazy annoying beeping noices. When the doctor came in he put these shots on the roof of my mouth and it hurt SO FLIPPIN BAD!!!!!! Then he left the room for a minute and my mouth got super tingly and numb and weird cuz I couldn’t feel it. Then he cut a hole in the roof of my mouth (which I couldn’t feel) and I felt a whole lot of pressure. Then he took some thin string that looks like fishing line and sewed my mouth back together. Keep in mind that the whole time my nurse is jumping around with this thing that she is periodically shoving in my mouth that sucks up my blood while telling me that I am “a pro” and “doing great” and “almost out” and that didn’t hurt much did it”. And my doctor who is actually pulling my teeth keeps asking me questions like “do you like sports” and “were you rooting for the packers?” and “you ever go fishing?” or “how did you make that hat?”. He moved to the other side of my mouth and this time he just shoved this metal thing against my tooth and it was out. Then my nurse actually showed me the teeth! Bleh…. It was gross. Now I’m home and I am every so often using some antibiotic. My mouth hurts real bad and it feels weird where the stitches are cuz I’ve never had stitches before. Idk if I’ll be in class but I doubt it. I haven’t taken a normal class in a while. Can’t wait to get back into the routine and see my team again!

TTFN!

CGN Sarah

Peaceful Warrior

          I couldn't make it to Mondays class.... yes I was sick. However though I did see a beautiful movie called Peaceful Warrior and It blew me away on how many lessons there were to life, your biggest hopes and fears. The main character was a gymnast trying to compete in the Olympics but he got into a motorcycle accident and shattered his femur so severely that his bone had to be replaced with a metal rod in his leg. Soon after the accident his own coach that has been with him for years gave up on him. He was wasting his life away in the beginning of the movie but after the crash he meets an old man at a gas station. This man teaches him so many things that this gymnast was getting stronger and stronger each day. My favorite part in the movie was in the beginning of his training when the old man simply asked him to sit on top of an old, broken down car in front of the gas station and told him, "Sit on that car and think of words that are worth hearing." There was also a scene where (almost at the end of the movie) where he was trying to find the old man to pick him up and bring him with to the Olympics. The gymnast went to the gas station and was never to be found and maybe that whole time the old man didn't exist. It was just the main characters positive push in his mind. This movie was based on a true story and yes the main character did get very far in life. He even wrote a book that inspired millions of people. (The movie made my mom cry!)

                         I WILL NOT ADMIT THAT I CRIED.........Zoe.........very beautiful story......         

WOW

The other day I stepped out of my comfort zone and it felt pretty good. I went to Lewis and Clark College and talked to some soon to be teachers about teaching middle school kids. It felt good for a couple of reasons. First, I did a favor for a friend, and that always feels good. Second, I went in really nervous and found out I had nothing to worry about. The class was awesome. The students were respectful had a ton of questions, and the hour ended before I knew it. I think I did pretty good. It goes to show that you never know how good you are at something until you try. At the college level you have the opportunity to have great philosophical conversations. I love the craziness of middle school but it's nice to know that I have something to offer to big kids too.

CGN JOhn

tough...

most can't get motivated and start something.. most can't get their thoughts into actions and move on 'em.. i can't shut 'em off! I feel like im always on go mode - go, go go.. not to say that's a bad thing but my head hurts =)

new thoughts, ideas, concepts.. disappoint when i can't achieve results or something turns out differently than i'd once thought.. but 'eh.. that's part of it.

i'm running behind on my push ups and situps.. think i'll go and do some.. this week should be great! looking forward to it!

-sbn