Monster

Photo credit:  www.vibe.com

I'm really rocking out to Eminem's, "The Monster," which features Rihanna.  I love the introspective lyrics and the hook sung by Rihanna.  The song's title is perfect for Halloween, but the song itself has an enduring quality.

Tuesday evening, while talking to a friend, our conversation became focused on my writing and the dang novels I've been working on (yes, there's actually more than one novel).  I've written the rough draft of the first novel and I'm now editing it.  I told her that I'm not enjoying editing because it felt like an uphill battle.  I knew that editing was going to be hard, but I didn't realize how hard it was. I originally thought it was hard to write things down and to make up a story, but it's even harder to reread what I've written and to try and make the story coherent.  I was telling her how I really miss the simple days when all I did was just free write down ideas, thoughts, sentences, and hope that it all made sense at some point.  I guess that's why I started a second novel.  In my second novel, I'm still forming the story line and just coming up with things to put on paper so that it becomes a story.

While talking with her, I referenced this song and how Eminem wishes for the simpler days before he was known.  Now, I don't know if my novels will ever be published and I don't know if anybody other than me will get to read my novels, but I understand where Eminem's coming from.  Regardless of whether there is fame or not, his song reminds me that I need to focus on the present and enjoy the writing process.  The present, the here and now, the creative writing process, that's what I'm loving.  I think I'm going to have to learn to love the editing process too.  I might not have love for the entire process later on and I don't want to look back and regret not enjoying the process as it is now (including the editing process), when it was all still so simple.

Check out Eminem's "The Monster" at this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDXXi19_7iE

If you want to read the lyrics, then go to this link:  http://rapgenius.com/Eminem-the-monster-lyrics

I'm Not Giving Up

Photo credit:  Facebook.com/AwesomeTakesPractice

How about you, have you given up on your dreams?

Barefoot Running

Photo credit:  http://www.usoutdoor.com/vibram-fivefingers/vibram-fivefingers-treksport-multisport-sandals-womens/
 

I purchased the shoes above, the Vibram Five Finger Treksport Sandal, for my Monster Dash.  The intent was to look like I had flippers on (of course, my co-worker had an even better idea that was way less expensive).  You would've thought that I did my research first before buying, but nope. After I got the shoes, I did my research on barefoot running and "minimalist" shoes.

 

I read a lot and learned some valuable information.  Barefoot running may not be for everyone, but the research seems pretty impressive.  I won't go into all of the science behind barefoot running, but I will highlight some of the things I found very exciting.  For example, when one runs barefoot, it's the forefoot, not her heel that strikes the ground.  Also, the human foot is an anatomical masterpiece and all the cushioning found in modern shoes may be turning some of our feet/leg muscles into mush.  What really got my interest was that barefoot running minimizes or reduces the impact to knees and hips.  Although my hip isn't hurting as much as before, it still gets sore after a run.  At the same time, I'm also worried about getting arthritis in my hip as I age.

With the hope of reducing the pain in my hip, I'm going to embark on a journey to find out if barefoot running and minimalist shoes are helpful.  If this type of running, and even walking, style helps my hip, I will change my entire lifestyle.  I hope to keep you updated.

If you want to find out more about barefoot running, please check out these websites:

http://www.builtlean.com/2012/10/17/vibram-five-fingers-review/
http://runbare.com/389/new-study-by-dr-daniel-lieberman-on-barefoot-running-makes-cover-story-in-nature-journal
http://www.runnersworld.com/running-shoe-reviews/less-more

 

Monster Dash 2013: Diving Around for Fun

I participated in the Monster Dash yesterday morning.  I was dressed up as a shark-attacked scuba diver, although I felt more like a dumpster diver (my costume was made from paper, foam and tape--and I used A LOT of tape).

For the last several weeks, the excitement in me was building up.  Those around me were well informed that I was super excited to participate in this year's race (I really didn't hide my excitement).  I didn't care that it would be cold outside nor did I care that I was only doing the 5k.  I was just so EXCITED and happy to participate.

The first year that I ran the Monster Dash, I followed through with making my costume but was very nervous because it would've been the first half marathon I was running.  Last year, I wasn't as excited because I participated in the 5k (I really wanted to run the half marathon) and didn't follow through with my costume.  This year, I participated in the 5k (due to hip issues) and I followed through with making my costume.  I also made a treasure chest and ran with it.  I even purchased the bare foot "five finger" running shoes to make it look like I was running in "flippers."   The real fun about this race is showing up in costume and getting to see what others are dressed up as.

The race was so fun and I'm glad that I do it every year with my co-worker.  I can't wait until next year.  Now, what should we dress up as in next year's Monster Dash?  Do you have any suggestions?

Honor Your Kaleidoscope Self

I came across a blogger who said that as humans, we are most happy when we honor our true nature.  Being yourself requires looking at all the colors that are within yourself and honoring the different aspects of you that's within.  All it requires is curiosity and awareness.

I'm noticing that among my family members, they each are opening themselves up to different aspects of their personality, something that wasn't there but is now present, and are trying new things.  For example, I would've never pictured my younger sister as someone interested in gardening, but this year she grew her own tomatoes.  I also never thought that my youngest sister would be as active as she is now, but she's participating in so many different races and triathalons.

As for myself, I'm finding that all of the my different aspects of me can coexist together.  For example, I don't drink alcohol, but that doesn't mean that I can't go out and dance the night away.  I'm acknowledging that I can fit new interests with my existing interests and, really, I'm the only person stopping myself.

So, I encourage you to honor your kaleidoscope self.  If you've been wanting to start a blog or write more often, then do it (write for yourself, not for someone else).  If you've been wanting to learn to sew or rebuild a car, then go for it.  You don't need to wait.  Honor yourself and do what will find you happiness.

So, how are you going to honor your kaleidoscopic self?

If you want to read the blogger's posting, please go here:  http://cauldronsandcupcakes.com/2013/10/21/your-kaleidoscope-soul/

Bird's Nest

[Alexandria, MN. Taken September 27, 2013.]

One Day: The Movie

I find the movie One Day to be very lovely.  The movie came to theaters in 2011 and stars Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess.  The movie's based on a book with the same title.  I don't think the movie was well received and I don't think there was a lot of advertising about the movie either.  I became aware of the movie when I saw the above poster at an airport, as I was boarding my plane.  It stuck in my mind and I finally rented the video in 2012.

The movie follows the relationship of Emma (played by Anne Hathaway) and Dexter (Jim Sturgess) over twenty years, and specifically focuses on July 15th of each year, the day that they both became friends.  I didn't think the movie was all that bad and I like it.  It made me think of soul mate connections (be it friendship or romantic) and moving on with life, even when one is forced to.  I love Anne Hathaway as an actor and Jim Sturgess is really cute in this movie.  I now want to go and read the book.

 

If you haven't seen this movie, I hope you check it out and let me know what you think of it.  If you've seen this movie, let me know of your opinion about it.

Friday's Quote: Edith Wharton

"There are two ways of spreading light:  to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."---Edith Wharton

There were moments in my life where I thought I had no light to share and believed there was no light to reflect (there may have been, but I couldn't see it).  During those moments, I felt my world shrouded in darkness and/or felt very lost.

It was also in those moments that I've seen the kindness of people shine through the darkness like a beacon of light to help me carry on.  Sometimes, it can be as simple as someone sharing their umbrella with me or something as extreme as someone barging into my life and sharing with me all of their sunshine (even when I didn't want it).  To each person that has brought their light into my world, to help guide me through the darkest moments in my life, I thank you.

It's always darkest before the dawn and I hope that I have enough light inside of me to spread.  At the very least, I hope I can try to reflect back all the light that is currently shining on me.

How do you spread the light, are you a candle or a mirror?

Three Musketeers

Wonderful Tonight

I've always loved Eric Clapton's Wonderful Tonight.  I love it.  The song is also one of my former beau's favorite song.  I've rarely associated him with a song, until this song came on the radio the other day and the first person I thought of was him.  It's funny how a song can transport one back to a certain time and/or remind one of a certain person.

 

Anyhow, the song has been stuck in the back of my mind for the last couple of days.  Regardless of the fact that this song makes me think of a former beau, I really love this song and wanted to share it.  The following is my favorite rendition of Wonderful Tonight:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUSzL2leaFM

 

Isn't Eric Clapton awesome?  Do you have a song that takes you back to a different time or reminds you of someone?

An Autumn Hike

Today was a gorgeous autumn day.  It was so beautiful that I couldn't bear to stay indoors.  The weather was perfect (around the mid-6os), the colorful leaves were fluttering in the breeze, and the blue sky was so intense that it was hard to take my eyes off of it.  So, I went out for a hike.

I went back to a trail near Taylors Fall, one that I had hiked several summers ago.  The difference between then and now, the weather.  It made all the difference in the world.  I don't know why I didn't realize it until now, but autumn is the best time to go hiking in Minnesota.  I didn't have to worry about ticks or fight off mosquitoes or even worry about constantly hydrating myself.  The cool weather kept everything perfect and it was a great hike.  The wonderful foliage was an added bonus.

Maybe I'll start a tradition every autumn and go hiking at least once.  Last year, I found Barn Bluff.  This year, I checked out Taylors Fall in autumn.  I hope to be able to get away sometime soon for another hike or two before it gets too cold.

Are you enjoying your day so far?  Do you have any hikes planned in the near future?  If so, where are you going?

Friday's Quote: Pablo Picasso

"Action is the foundational key to all success."---Pablo Picasso

For the last several days I've been at a conference among like-minded people from my profession.  I will say that my profession, especially the sector I work in, is hard work and a noble cause.  I don't forget the population that I serve, but the drudges of my profession can get me down and I can lose focus on why I'm even in this profession.  

Somehow, this time around, the conference has been good to my soul.  I don't know if it has anything to do with where I'm at in my life or if it was just a better conference.  Yet, it was wonderful to be reminded that our actions and future plans of action are foundational to successfully help the population we serve.  It will be time to go home soon, but it has been a good experience so far, and I'm glad to be reminded of the "big" picture and why I do what I do.

I hope you're having a great day.  I hope you can identify in your own life, actions that are foundational to your success.

Adventures of the Adventurous Kind

[My dear Friends, thank you for some wonderful memories!]

My Dear Friends,

Most of the time when I write, I write for myself.  Sometimes, I pretend that I'm writing for someone else.  Today, I write for two of my dearest friends.

For the past several days, two of my oldest friends visited me.  It was actually a reunion of epic proportions.  It had been 19 years since the three of us last saw one another.  We each have different personalities and lead very different lives.  Yet, once the three of us were together, it was as if time had stood still; we just picked up from where we last left off and moved forward.

I showed them what Minnesota had to offer, despite the rain and cloudy skies, and I even roped my Friend to take them drifting, like Tokyo drifting, on his boat.  (BTW, drifting on a boat is super awesome!)  We cooked, ate my birthday cake, and hiked.  I even took one of them (the other had an early departure) to Barn Bluff, one of my most favorite spots.  The three of us had so many laughs, shed some tears, and even created a new dance together.  We made new memories and promised one another that we would meet up every three years.

So now that my dear friends have departed from my home, but not my heart, I'm feeling a bit lonely, but not so lost anymore.  I am so thankful that they both made time to see me and spend time with me.  I am also so thankful for their patience, their understanding, and their friendship.  I don't know what the future will hold for us because we did lose contact with one another at various points in our lives, but I believe we all are going to keep holding on to one another.  Unlike some people that make friends easily and call every other person they meet a "friend," I know that these two are truly my friends in its most sincerest form.

Thank you, my dear friends, for truly brightening up my life, my day, and my birthday week.  Thank you.

P.S.  In three years, we're supposed to remember this song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF8BRvqGCNs
BUT, I think this should've been our song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeIJmciN8mo
I know this will be the song I will most remember: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtwQiueNLWI

Thanks TY.

Sometimes being with old friends and talking about the past helps me remember a memory in a positive light and reflect on what I was going through at that time.  I was talking with a dear friend and was reminded of my senior winter formal date, who was also my senior prom date, TY.

I asked TY to both dances.  Yeah, I really did.  I remember being scared, but I didn't think too much about it because if I had, I would've never gone through with it.  I recall being so shocked each time he agreed to go with me.  As I was telling my friend, TY was one of the "cuter" boys at school and if he had a girlfriend, she sure wasn't going to our school.  So, I thought to myself, why not?  Never mind the fact that he and I hardly ever interacted, he was a complete stranger to me, and we were totally different in many ways.

I won't go on and on about TY and my dates with him.  In my memory, I will always remember him as a perfect gentleman who gave to me some of the most beautiful corsages that I've ever gotten in my life.  I thank him, as brief as our time was, for helping make a girl feel beautiful and less of an ugly duckling.

What a Great Birthday!