Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Me, an Olympian

Last Sunday, I had my neices and nephews over to go for a swim. My 5 year old nephew walked in the door and came face to face with the peg rack where I hang the finisher's medals from the races I've completed this year. He immediately zoomed in on the Disney Marathon medal, as it is shaped like Mickey Mouse.

"What is THAT?" he asked in amazement.

"Oh, that is a finisher's medal from the Mickey Mouse Marathon" I told him.

"Did you win?" he asked.

"No, I didn't win," I laughed. "Everyone who finishes the race gets one."

"But it's a GOLD MEDAL!" he said. "Only the winner gets a gold medal. I saw it on the Olympics!"

"Oh, yeah. It is a gold color. But it's not a gold medal. I didn't win."

"Yes you did!" He was becoming very excited. "You run really fast! You won and got a gold medal!"

"Oh, um, ok. I really didn't...."

He called out to his sister: "Kiki! Auntie won a gold medal in the Olympics for the Mickey Mouse Marthon!"

The two of them started jumping around the house cheering and whooping.

I looked at my sister in law, bewildered at how this had snowballed so quickly.

"Forget it" she said. "They've decided you won a gold medal in the Olympics and there's no way to convince them otherwise. Just let them think that."

I'm rather touched that they think I'm so wonderful!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Olympics and Charity

I am thoroughly enjoying the Olympics this year, especially women's gymnastics! Right aroud now is when my family and friends from childhood say "Oh, remember when you competed in gymnastics?" Yeah, I do. The gymnastics I did looks like a completely different sport than the crazy shit they do now! I'm amazed and inspired.

Which got me thinking to another flash of inspiration I had a long time ago.

Quite some time ago, I read about a person who inherited a sum of money and decided to give it all away to charity. She started a blog and featured a new charity every day for a year. I thought that was just fantastic! And though I certainly could not afford to give to charity ever single day of the year, I started to research and pick and choose charities to support and blog about.

Then life got in the way.

But life is better now. And thanks to those amazing Olympic gymnasts, I am inspired again.


Today's charity is Locks of Love.

Locks of Love is an organization that donates prosthetic hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children who suffer from medically caused hair loss. Diagnoses include alopecia areata, severe burns, skin disorders, and radiation treatments.

Donations to Locks of Love can be in the form of a monetary donation or a donation of hair. Hair must be 10 inches minimum and in a pony tail or braid. Dyed and layered hair is accepted, as well.

The cost of the wigs provided to the kids is quite high; oftentimes, hair donations that are not deemed to be quite what they are looking for are sold to offset the cost of making the wigs.

About a month ago, I sent a 16" braid to Locks of Love for my little contribution. Now I look like rock-n-roll Tinkerbell.

I think I got the better end of this deal!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

August Goals

And suddenly, it's August. Summer is simultaneously flying by and meandering at a leisurely pace. I guess that's what summer is all about.

July was a good month. 31 days ago I said that I finally felt like myself again thanks to the wonderful month of June and all June has to offer. Now, I'm happy to say that July ushered in even more good changes. I feel like in July, I have made a shift to a better version of myself. Life is good.

July Goals:

Spirit: Journal Daily: check! I've been doing a lot of journaling this summer, which I think goes hand in hand with all the positive changes I've been seing in myself.

Mind: Read 4 books from the bookhelf.  I read three. not bad

Body: 30 day ab challenge. didn't do all 30 days, but 24 of 30. Good workouts. Feeling tighter!
         Continue with Green Smoothies: Green smoothies and I took a sabatical this month. I just lost steam. But I do like em. I'll have to start that up again in August.
         Food Journaling: about half. I don't know why I always have a hard time with food journaling.

Work: continuing ed class: Done! The class wasn't exactly what I had expected, but it was good nonetheless
           no more than 45 hours per week: Happily, yes. I've mananged to cut back on my overworking tendencies.

Play: take neices and nephews to the beach: It rained on our beach day so we went mini-golfing instead
        One fun race event: I somehow made it to a couple concerts but no races this month.

Adventure: yoga retreat: Check! And double check! Really good weekend contributing to a nice shift in my outlook.             
                 One camping trip: fail. Tough trying to organize something around other people's schedule.


And onto August!

1) I'm jumping full force into the Clean Eating Challenge at Run to the Finish

2) Exercise daily...both cardio and either strength or yoga

3) Meditate daily

4) Put finishing touches on my teaching presentation for work

5) Falmouth Road Race! (have fun and run well)

6) Family Reunion! (I'm supposed to bring salad. Making home made clean dressings is my challenge)

 7) 4 books from book shelf!

8) Try out 5 or 6 new recipes

9) Go bike riding, roller blading, hiking, camping, swimming, and paddleboarding. (whew)

10) Get inspired with the Olympics and Paralympics in August!!