So I'm taking Pilates this quarter and very much so enjoying it. Who knew that my muscles would enjoy working out so much?!
Today we started using our foam rollers.
PEOPLE! If you run/exercise at all and you don't have a foam roller, you don't know what you're missing!
http://www.amazon.com/Fit-36-Inch-Premium-Foam-Roller/dp/B0006OH4WC
Fantastic little buggers, they do amazing things without much effort. Trying doing a push up on one of those suckers!
More amazingly though, laying on it and rolling it back and forth against your muscles is wonderful. Hurts like hell when you are rolling over it, but 10 minutes after, your muscles are relaxed and no longer tense. It breaks up the "t-something or other" tissue that lays over your muscles, allowing your muscles to relax and do their job. My back does not hurt for the first time in weeks!
Get a roller!
April 21, 2010
January 22, 2010
Humble Heart
There is a song called "Little Things" by JJ Heller and every time I hear it I start tearing up. The lyrics go:
So my Biology teacher is being incredibly generous and offering extra credit for donating blood. I was talking to a class mate about it and mentioned how I didn't think I could because I get nauseous and hyperventilate when anyone sticks me with any needles.
Natalie said, "Yeah. I use to not donate either for the same reason. But I changed my mind 6 years ago when I was in a bad accident. I ended up in the hospital in a coma and needed several blood transfusions. I actually had to be in a wheel chair for like a month and slowly do physical therapy to regain my ability to move."
My jaw just dropped. Natalie looks like a healthy, extremely skinny, young woman who couldn't have a care in the world. Holy crap was my judgment 180 degrees off.
I felt like such an asshole after this and she really got me thinking about how selfish I had been about donating blood. Common, I can handle a little needle prick.
Ok, so the needle prick isn't what gets me. I started walking up to the donation bus today on campus and started getting a sick feeling in my stomach. However, I refused to back down. I could do this once. I think secretly I was hoping to get out of it by not having a high enough iron or something.
Nope, everything was fine and they set me up to draw blood. The second he pricked that needle into me (which doesn't hurt at all, btw) I started bawling. Couldn't help it. I just lost my self composure. Poor guy thought he had hurt me. But apparently, I "flow like a sieve" as he put it. They were all giddy at the fact that my blood flowed so generously.
10 minutes later I was done and introduced to Adele. In 1942 she was working in the State Auditors office, and her boss came around and picked 5 people and told them to follow him. So she did, nervously, and he led them to the American Legion Auxiliary office to give blood. She said that was first time she donated and did it ever since. Sweet thing gave me juice and a home made cookie and told us her stories. What a wonderful woman.
So I left the donation bus and got on the bus headed for home; feeling really good about myself. The next stop an injured Afghanistan veteran got on; leg in a brace and in crutches. My iPod was on at the moment and noticed he was talking to me. Took them out and asked him to repeat what he said.
"I just wanted to say hi to you," he said with the biggest smile. Just touched my heart.
Another woman got on the bus who looked like she needed a seat. So I got up and she sat down. Immediately, the vet got up on his crutches and asked the woman next to him to move her bag so he could sit there and I could sit down in his seat. I was blown away.
"I couldn't let you give up your seat, without giving up mine, " he said.
As he said that a little boy sitting across from us started asking his mom about the vet's leg. She started explaining how he was in the war and hurt his leg there. The vet started talking to the little boy about how he was in the Army and how he was ok with hurting his leg because he was helping other little boys like him. I was bawling at this point and trying my hardest to not have anyone notice.
The vet turned to me and said, "I'm just a sucker for little kids" with the same huge smile as when he said hi.
I had to get off the bus. I was in full tears at that point.
I fully believe God was telling me in that moment that it wasn't about me. Donating is never about you and how you feel after. Donating is about the vet, about the kid, and about Natalie. Donating is about the people in Haiti and the people who need it.
So, Lord, please take my humbling experience as my acknowledgment of your love, compassion, and influence of today. I pray I can be more like You as the days pass and that my heart can be humbled to open it even more. In Your gracious name, I pray. Amen.
But it’s the little things that make a difference
It’s the little things that show love
It’s the little things
A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters
There are not enough minutes in the day
I am crippled by the thought of wasting time
I don’t have enough money to heal the poor
So I don’t want to try
But it’s the little things that make a difference
It’s the little things that show love
It’s the little things
A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters
I’ll be praying for the widow all alone
Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread
It is not my fault that she is hungry
It’s my joy to make sure she’s fed
We are all related, children of the King
We may not have much, but what we have we bring
I am crippled by the thought of wasting time
I don’t have enough money to heal the poor
So I don’t want to try
But it’s the little things that make a difference
It’s the little things that show love
It’s the little things
A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters
I’ll be praying for the widow all alone
Sewing clothes for a loaf of bread
It is not my fault that she is hungry
It’s my joy to make sure she’s fed
We are all related, children of the King
We may not have much, but what we have we bring
Natalie said, "Yeah. I use to not donate either for the same reason. But I changed my mind 6 years ago when I was in a bad accident. I ended up in the hospital in a coma and needed several blood transfusions. I actually had to be in a wheel chair for like a month and slowly do physical therapy to regain my ability to move."
My jaw just dropped. Natalie looks like a healthy, extremely skinny, young woman who couldn't have a care in the world. Holy crap was my judgment 180 degrees off.
I felt like such an asshole after this and she really got me thinking about how selfish I had been about donating blood. Common, I can handle a little needle prick.
Ok, so the needle prick isn't what gets me. I started walking up to the donation bus today on campus and started getting a sick feeling in my stomach. However, I refused to back down. I could do this once. I think secretly I was hoping to get out of it by not having a high enough iron or something.
Nope, everything was fine and they set me up to draw blood. The second he pricked that needle into me (which doesn't hurt at all, btw) I started bawling. Couldn't help it. I just lost my self composure. Poor guy thought he had hurt me. But apparently, I "flow like a sieve" as he put it. They were all giddy at the fact that my blood flowed so generously.
10 minutes later I was done and introduced to Adele. In 1942 she was working in the State Auditors office, and her boss came around and picked 5 people and told them to follow him. So she did, nervously, and he led them to the American Legion Auxiliary office to give blood. She said that was first time she donated and did it ever since. Sweet thing gave me juice and a home made cookie and told us her stories. What a wonderful woman.
So I left the donation bus and got on the bus headed for home; feeling really good about myself. The next stop an injured Afghanistan veteran got on; leg in a brace and in crutches. My iPod was on at the moment and noticed he was talking to me. Took them out and asked him to repeat what he said.
"I just wanted to say hi to you," he said with the biggest smile. Just touched my heart.
Another woman got on the bus who looked like she needed a seat. So I got up and she sat down. Immediately, the vet got up on his crutches and asked the woman next to him to move her bag so he could sit there and I could sit down in his seat. I was blown away.
"I couldn't let you give up your seat, without giving up mine, " he said.
As he said that a little boy sitting across from us started asking his mom about the vet's leg. She started explaining how he was in the war and hurt his leg there. The vet started talking to the little boy about how he was in the Army and how he was ok with hurting his leg because he was helping other little boys like him. I was bawling at this point and trying my hardest to not have anyone notice.
The vet turned to me and said, "I'm just a sucker for little kids" with the same huge smile as when he said hi.
I had to get off the bus. I was in full tears at that point.
I fully believe God was telling me in that moment that it wasn't about me. Donating is never about you and how you feel after. Donating is about the vet, about the kid, and about Natalie. Donating is about the people in Haiti and the people who need it.
So, Lord, please take my humbling experience as my acknowledgment of your love, compassion, and influence of today. I pray I can be more like You as the days pass and that my heart can be humbled to open it even more. In Your gracious name, I pray. Amen.
But it’s the little things that make a difference
It’s the little things that show love
It’s the little things
A simple cup of water that can change the world
That can save our sons and daughters
January 14, 2010
Family
What makes family, family? Who is to be considered family and who do we categorize as friends, acquaintances, co-workers, etc...?
Yesterday I had a relative tell me I "need to make a point of going up to visit" my relatives on my dad's side of the family. "There needs to be a family picnic - to reconnect and have fun." At that point I stopped him with my retort, "But we don't like each other."
Seriously though, this whole idea of family has been constantly present this last year. Whom should I consider family, whom should I consider a relative, and whom should I not give a damn about at all? Is family those who are genetically linked to me? Is family those I love dearly?
With so many definitions, how can one accurately label family?
Was Euripides correct when he said, "Blood's thicker than water, and when one's in trouble, Best to seek out a relative's open arms"? (Andromache 1. 985, 425 BCE)
Or is Pope John XXIII wiser when he said, "The whole world is my family"? (Journal of a Soul, 1964)
I'm starting to understand that family is who you love and reciprocates that love. Family are those wonderful souls whom you stumble across in life that you can't live without. Relatives have a genetic connection, but family has an emotional connection.
Yesterday I had a relative tell me I "need to make a point of going up to visit" my relatives on my dad's side of the family. "There needs to be a family picnic - to reconnect and have fun." At that point I stopped him with my retort, "But we don't like each other."
Seriously though, this whole idea of family has been constantly present this last year. Whom should I consider family, whom should I consider a relative, and whom should I not give a damn about at all? Is family those who are genetically linked to me? Is family those I love dearly?
Websters Dictionary defines family as,
1 : a group of individuals living under one roof and usually under one head : household
2 a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clan
b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race
3 a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship
b : the staff of a high official (as the President)
4 : a group of things related by common characteristics: as
2 a : a group of persons of common ancestry : clan
b : a people or group of peoples regarded as deriving from a common stock : race
3 a : a group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation : fellowship
b : the staff of a high official (as the President)
4 : a group of things related by common characteristics: as
a : a closely related series of elements or chemical compounds
b : a group of soils with similar chemical and physical properties (as texture, pH, and mineral content) that comprise a category ranking above the series and below the subgroup in soil classification c : a group of related languages descended from a single ancestral language
5 a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children; also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family
5 a : the basic unit in society traditionally consisting of two parents rearing their children; also : any of various social units differing from but regarded as equivalent to the traditional family
b : spouse and children
6 a : a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera
6 a : a group of related plants or animals forming a category ranking above a genus and below an order and usually comprising several to many genera
b in livestock breeding (1) : the descendants or line of a particular individual especially of some outstanding female (2) : an identifiable strain within a breed
7 : a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters
8 : a unit of a crime syndicate (as the Mafia) operating within a geographic area
7 : a set of curves or surfaces whose equations differ only in parameters
8 : a unit of a crime syndicate (as the Mafia) operating within a geographic area
With so many definitions, how can one accurately label family?
Was Euripides correct when he said, "Blood's thicker than water, and when one's in trouble, Best to seek out a relative's open arms"? (Andromache 1. 985, 425 BCE)
Or is Pope John XXIII wiser when he said, "The whole world is my family"? (Journal of a Soul, 1964)
I'm starting to understand that family is who you love and reciprocates that love. Family are those wonderful souls whom you stumble across in life that you can't live without. Relatives have a genetic connection, but family has an emotional connection.
October 05, 2009
October 03, 2009
September 29, 2009
The MetaPhysical World of Wonder...
Oh, I love people. I love to people watch at malls and Walmart. It's freaking hilarious to watch how others interact and deal with people in different situations.
The other night we were at Freddie's getting groceries and putting them away in the truck. All of a sudden we see this chubby girl (and by chubby I mean, the child should not have been drinking the soda in her hands - yes I do judge) run out of the store and run up to a car, yelling (for all to hear), "NO! I get the front seat!" Now, we all have had those fights without siblings, especially in public. Who didn't create that embarrassment for your parents?? I feel that those moments are prepayments for all of the embarrassing public moments they will make when they are 90.
ANYHOW, this young, chubby demon starts throwing the biggest temper tantrum I have seen in a LONG, LONG time. Jumping up and down, fists wailing in the air, screaming at the top of her lungs, "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY!!!" Now, I think of mommy as term of endearment when children like to make sure their parents know they are cute. This was not the correct usage of this term, and I'm pretty sure that her mom did not think so either, because she yelled back, "GET IN THE CAR AND SHUT UP!"
Jerrod and I were laughing very hard and thanking the good Lord for not giving us kids.
Anyhow, so that brings me to today and class. I am taking an interpersonal communications class and it's actually very interesting. I have not been able to daydream once in class, which is unusual.
Today we had to bring in items to represent who we were and there was a good assortment of stuff brought: lots (LOTS) of people brought bibles, lots of pictures, and random stuff like movies, floss, peppers, shoes, etc... I brought a picture of a shelf in my room that holds a lot of knick-knacks that I find meaning in, a Mr. Potato Head dressed as a NY Yankee because of my competitive nature, my love of sports and the connection it has to Jerrod, and a toothbrush to show how neurotic I am about making sure I don't smell.
The winner on "Most Interesting Story" was a woman who held up a book. She started talking about how the book represented who she was growing up and her family and their importance. They would go camping at this particular lake, sit around the water when it was dark and stare up at the spaceships.
Did she just say f'in spaceships?!
Oh, yes. Because after that (when my attention was fully hers) she continued with this, "It was really interesting how the spaceships were all different sizes and how we had this incredible experience with extra-terrestrial beings. And that is a part of who I am, you know, connecting the metaphysical world with the physical world."
I was told once that curse words add no value or intelligent thought to words. But I could only think of curse phrases such as "Holy Sh*t" and "Are you f*ing kidding me?"
Please don't misunderstand. I believe that we are not the only beings in the universe and the universes connected to ours. I believe that our planet has been "contacted" by other beings in various ways. But I do doubt that there were space ships flying over this lake in Wisconsin like they were airplanes. And I can't believe she would share such ... intimate details with our class that have met 3 times total. How do you know there isn't a jerk like me in the class that will outwardly balk (cause I'm pretty sure I didn't have my poker face on when she said this) if you told me?
But it did give me a chance to ponder something different for today....
Space ships....
The other night we were at Freddie's getting groceries and putting them away in the truck. All of a sudden we see this chubby girl (and by chubby I mean, the child should not have been drinking the soda in her hands - yes I do judge) run out of the store and run up to a car, yelling (for all to hear), "NO! I get the front seat!" Now, we all have had those fights without siblings, especially in public. Who didn't create that embarrassment for your parents?? I feel that those moments are prepayments for all of the embarrassing public moments they will make when they are 90.
ANYHOW, this young, chubby demon starts throwing the biggest temper tantrum I have seen in a LONG, LONG time. Jumping up and down, fists wailing in the air, screaming at the top of her lungs, "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY!!!" Now, I think of mommy as term of endearment when children like to make sure their parents know they are cute. This was not the correct usage of this term, and I'm pretty sure that her mom did not think so either, because she yelled back, "GET IN THE CAR AND SHUT UP!"
Jerrod and I were laughing very hard and thanking the good Lord for not giving us kids.
Anyhow, so that brings me to today and class. I am taking an interpersonal communications class and it's actually very interesting. I have not been able to daydream once in class, which is unusual.
Today we had to bring in items to represent who we were and there was a good assortment of stuff brought: lots (LOTS) of people brought bibles, lots of pictures, and random stuff like movies, floss, peppers, shoes, etc... I brought a picture of a shelf in my room that holds a lot of knick-knacks that I find meaning in, a Mr. Potato Head dressed as a NY Yankee because of my competitive nature, my love of sports and the connection it has to Jerrod, and a toothbrush to show how neurotic I am about making sure I don't smell.
The winner on "Most Interesting Story" was a woman who held up a book. She started talking about how the book represented who she was growing up and her family and their importance. They would go camping at this particular lake, sit around the water when it was dark and stare up at the spaceships.
Did she just say f'in spaceships?!
Oh, yes. Because after that (when my attention was fully hers) she continued with this, "It was really interesting how the spaceships were all different sizes and how we had this incredible experience with extra-terrestrial beings. And that is a part of who I am, you know, connecting the metaphysical world with the physical world."
I was told once that curse words add no value or intelligent thought to words. But I could only think of curse phrases such as "Holy Sh*t" and "Are you f*ing kidding me?"
Please don't misunderstand. I believe that we are not the only beings in the universe and the universes connected to ours. I believe that our planet has been "contacted" by other beings in various ways. But I do doubt that there were space ships flying over this lake in Wisconsin like they were airplanes. And I can't believe she would share such ... intimate details with our class that have met 3 times total. How do you know there isn't a jerk like me in the class that will outwardly balk (cause I'm pretty sure I didn't have my poker face on when she said this) if you told me?
But it did give me a chance to ponder something different for today....
Space ships....
September 27, 2009
Congrats to Bubby!
He's reached his goal! He lost 10lbs! I'm so proud!
We've both been trying to watch what we eat, work out, and lose a little weight before our wedding and his surgury. He wanted to lose 10lbs before the wedding, I would like to lose 5lbs. He's almost completely stopped drinking pop all together. We haven't had pizza for a week now (which sadly is good for the two of us), and HE TRIED WHOLE WHEAT PASTA ON HIS OWN! I cannot tell you how HUGE that is. I had to ask him twice if he was sure. He got annoyed that I was double checking. :)
We have less than 2 weeks till our wedding. Things are getting accomplished and finished. My Groucho eyebrows are gone (woohoo!), my hair is cut, my Spanx are bought!
Funny story about the Spanx. I decided to put them on in front of Jerrod to show him what was worth $70. As I'm struggling to get this elastic wonder over my pillow-like body, he starts getting this look of horror on his face. As I finish and proudly do my "Ta-Da!" stance, he says to me, "We could have left that one a mystery."
We've both been trying to watch what we eat, work out, and lose a little weight before our wedding and his surgury. He wanted to lose 10lbs before the wedding, I would like to lose 5lbs. He's almost completely stopped drinking pop all together. We haven't had pizza for a week now (which sadly is good for the two of us), and HE TRIED WHOLE WHEAT PASTA ON HIS OWN! I cannot tell you how HUGE that is. I had to ask him twice if he was sure. He got annoyed that I was double checking. :)
We have less than 2 weeks till our wedding. Things are getting accomplished and finished. My Groucho eyebrows are gone (woohoo!), my hair is cut, my Spanx are bought!
Funny story about the Spanx. I decided to put them on in front of Jerrod to show him what was worth $70. As I'm struggling to get this elastic wonder over my pillow-like body, he starts getting this look of horror on his face. As I finish and proudly do my "Ta-Da!" stance, he says to me, "We could have left that one a mystery."
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