Continuum of Greatness

I have always struggled with the fact that I have never been the "best" at anything. Sure I am good at somethings and okay at a lot of things, but I have never been the best skier or gymnasts, runner or yogi. I can play the piano, guitar and hit a high note once and a while in karaoke (especially after some liquid courage), but no one would come to me with advice on how to read music or the best technique down the ski slope. Even with school, I am not a 4.0 student and I am definitely not top in my class. To come to think of it, I am pretty average in my skills. If you look at my race stats, I fall in the 50 percentile. I am definitely not the worst student in class, but I am not getting the highest grades on any test, someone always gets a higher score than me, even if I get 100%.

I want to be an expert in something...ANYTHING. So this led me to realize something...

I have never put enough effort into something to be the best. Sure, some people have raw talent and with the same amount of training as me will always just be better, but to be an expert in something, even if you are the best piano player or the most talented gymnasts, you need to put the time and effort into "it".

I also started to realize that I like not being the best.
Okay, let me rephrase my statement up above. It's not that I like being mediocre, but if you already are #1, where can you go from there?

Yoga has put this concept in to perspective. In the past two and half years I have started practicing yoga on a regular basis. With more time and effort (practice), my practice substantially got better. So I started taking more advanced classes. There was always someone who could hold a handstand longer, stretch farther and/or was stronger. This frustrated me because I felt like I was not getting better. But when I bust out a handstand or some twisty move such as astavakrasana, non-yogis are impressed

astavakrasana

This also lead me to realize that when it comes to running, although I will never be able to do a 1h 30min half marathon, I can complete a half marathon, which is more than a lot of people can say.

I guess I should never say never, because I said I would NEVER run a half marathon, let alone a marathon and 22 half marathons and 1 marathon later...

my mom and I finishing the Portland marathon

Etta, me and Rebecca with our finishers T-shirt and medals from the Portland Marathon

Running buddies: Maggie, Sue, Kristen, Nichole and Victoria (Bloomsday)

Super Jock and Jill Half Marathon 2008

Lindsey, Rebecca, Etta and I after completing the 2009 Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Etta and I after completing the 2011 Seattle Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Chrissy, Nichole, Sue (marathon) and I after completing the 2008 Nike Women's Half Marathon

Etta, Shelly (1st half marathon), and I completing the Nike Women's Half Marathon 2010

The point is, I am not the fastest runner or the most flexible yogi, but I always have fun and there is always room to improve and something to look forward to. So I will keep being mediocre, but in the back of my mind, I will know that I am always impressing some and in return, someone will always be there to impress me (because how else will I have something to strive to, if I don't see my goal)

Mini Break

After a week of hell, I get 2 weeks off. By this I mean no big pending assignments or tests. Although I do have a quiz on Tuesday, so I guess my mind vacation isn't a full two weeks, plus I have to study for all the tests I have coming up.

I wanted to post some pictures that Shelly and I took last weekend from our cell phones. The beach in So Cal is quite beautiful. I can see the appeal of living here ;)

Pictures of MB from my cell phone

Shelly's picture of MB (Edited)

Here is my most exciting news for the week...I signed up for the Disneyland Half Marathon in Anaheim Labor day weekend with my mom and sis. My mom and I have been talking about running this particular race since I started doing half marathons in 2005, but logistically it never worked out. BUT NOW...I live only 4.3 miles away from Disneyland, so there are no excuses.

Add caption

Insert me running with the Disney Characters (Photo Disney Website)

This also means that I have to train. I have actually been running and I asked a few people in my class if they would like to join me in running on the weekends and they said yes!  

Anyone is welcome to join me on training runs, just hit me up!

Now back to studying for me! 

Trying to Keep Up

Wow the past couple of weeks have really flown by. I believe that I am 6 weeks into this semester and it has definitely felt completely different from the last.

1st of all I have held true to my promise to work out more often. I have been running at least twice a week and going to yoga twice a week. Exercising makes me feel good. But I have failed on going to bed at a decent hour. In fact, I think I have been going to bed even later than usual. Oops.

So here is a quick synopsis of my past couple of weeks.

My mama was in Delaware for work and couldn't fly home to Seattle due to Snowmageddon, so she finagled her way to LA so she could see my sister and I.

My Mom and I on her impromptu trip to LA

We also got to hang out with the Corre's!

It was really great having her in town. 

The next week was full of studying because Chris was coming into town to celebrate his 30th birthday and I wanted to be able to spend time with him. I had a few tests (and by a few tests I mean 4 exams and a presentation in 1 week), so I was trying to stay on top of my game. I had a practical test in wound management, so my classmates and I made wounds and treated them

Jenny, Justine and Leslie's wounds

The wound I treated. It was a Stage IV pressure ulcer in case you were wondering

A variety of different wounds

My Stage III pressure ulcer. She's a beauty isn't she?

Chris flew in on Friday (the 27th of January). It was amazing having him in town. On Saturday before our big celebration for Chris's birthday, we went to our local farmers market. I just wanted an excuse to post this picture.

Chris's large pickle he purchased at the farmers market

Later on Saturday night, to continue Chris's 30th birthday celebration we headed to Mid Evil Time...No words necessary. The next few pictures will sum up our night.

Chris is excited to be at Mid Evil Times 

Pete, Chris and Justin. Don't you just see the excitement on their faces for the show?

The king and his queen

The Group

The beginning of the show

The knights

The Fare

A flower thrown by a knight at caught by Craig

The knight night was awesome. We got to eat with our hands, drink lots of beer and celebrate Chris turning 30 years old. 

The next week was less than perfect. First of all Chris went back to Seattle, but to top it off, I had an exam Monday, Thursday and Friday, and a presentation on Wednesday. By Friday night, I was exhausted. My cousin Jessica was in town from NYC, so after a wonderful yoga class on Friday night, I headed up to Manhattan Beach to hang out with Shelly (my sis). We were totally planning on seeing Jessica that night, but with Shelly exhausted from work and my lack of sleep, we decided to meet the next day for lunch. We did just that. 

Shelly and I headed to Hollywood to eat at Off Vine. We had a lovely brunch in the sun (I can't believe it is February, gotta love the California sunshine) complete with mimosas.

Biker on the Freeway posing for a picture

The famous Hollywood sign

Shelly and I took a walk after meeting Jessica back in Manhattan Beach on the pier just as the sun was setting. This is why people live in California!

photo credit: Shelly Short

I was exhausted from the walking around (most likely my crazy week and the mimosas), so Shelly and I went back to her place to watch a movie and fell asleep on the couch.

Sunday was Super Bowl. I was cheering for the Giants and they won!!! My team never wins. I ate way too much (delicious) food and got to watch football - I do find watching football enjoyable now. If only tomorrow was a national holiday (the day after super bowl holiday - let's start a petition).

Beautiful 7 layer bean dip made by Karen O' Connor

So that sums up the last 3 weeks. Wow, on paper it doesn't sound as crazy, but all I know is that I am tired. This weekend was very necessary. I think I watched more TV this weekend than I did the entire last semester. My dad keeps saying "sounds about right for someone who is getting her doctorate." Okay I get it, this is not going to be easy, but a little sympathy would be nice ;).

One last thing. I thought this was funny...

One of my classmates Amy was wearing this t-shirt on Friday...I wanted to add this picture to remind everyone that one day soon I will be a Physical Terrorist Therapist, so I highly suggest you bring me gifts now ;)