+time can take its toll on the best of us, look at you - you're growing old so young

Right now my room smells like fresh laundry. My sheets are clean. My trash is taken out. And even though I long to have a home to take care of and decorate, I guess this will do for now... my happy little (residence hall) home!

+these are the places i will always go

"Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Isn't that the truest quote you've heard in a while? I am in the business of people - I work for a University, I live in student housing, I am a part of a family, I have a friends, I have professors and classmates. And this quote just hit home today. We can plot and plan for interactions and interviews and you name it, but  the continual habits of our day to day are what speak so loudly to others.

May I never be too short on time, too negative, too exhausted, too frustrated in my every day living... because that may be all that people are hearing, and that speaks louder than any way I try to articulate my intentions.

+how's that bricklayin' coming, how's your engine running? is that bridge getting built? are your hands getting filled?

"Running long and hard is an ideal antidepressant, since it's hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time. Also, there are those hours of clearheadedness that follow a long run."
-Monte Davis

+with all of my symphonies, in twenty-four parts

When I was in high school I listened to Switchfoot's song, "24" and thought how old that sounded. And now here I am. Oh, time! (And yes, I have been waiting to blog this song in relation to my birthday since I was 15.)

"Twenty four oceans, twenty four skies. Twenty four failures, twenty four tries. Twenty four finds me, in twenty-fourth place. Twenty four drop outs, at the end of the day. Life is not what I thought it was, twenty four hours ago. Still, I'm singing take me up in arms with You. And I'm not what I thought I was, twenty-four hours ago, still I'm singing take me up in arms with You. Twenty four reasons to admit that I'm wrong, with all my excuses, still twenty four strong." -Switchfoot

A week long celebration - Boulevard Wheat on tap, Josh Ritter's novel, Green Tea, Greta and Hot Chocolate on a cold Autumn night, a long run by the Kaw River.

Great friends, amazing food, and so much love.

Plaza 10K with my dad in Kansas City, MO

+oh love wash over a multitude of things

In the middle of a conversation with one of my students today, I thought to myself, "I am an adult." No wavering and no second guessing. I entered college over 5 years ago, and I am in a professional job. I may still be in graduate school, but I am not just a college student. I have being dealing with heavy issues these past couple of days. Issues that make me wish I had a degree or background in counseling or mental illnesses.

I am exhausted and reliant on caffeine more than I should, but I am living out my purpose and that is my ultimate measure of success. I would not have it any other way. But here are several items that made me feel grown up this month. 

1. Loving black coffee.
2. Getting mail from students I worked with who are now successful post-college.
3. Studying/reading gender theories and 'getting it.'

4. Babysitting for three adorable children, feeling at ease and comfortable and not scared.

5. Setting big goals, sticking to them, and endurance.

+forming the distance runner in me

Throughout the day I am a teacher, an administrator, a graduate student, a mom-of-sorts, a caretaker, an assessor of mental health, an emergency or crisis situation responder, a friend, a girlfriend, a daughter, a sister, a supervisor, and so on.  It make sense then, that I would want just one more identity, an identity that takes me away from all of these, even if it is just for a moment - an escape route, if you will. Not that any of these roles aren't important, fun, or necessary, but the mind needs a break. And so, an ode to running and an update on the marathon training is what follows.

I was made for long distance running. It suits me. The lessons in patience, in focused attention, in humility, in pleading for air up a steep incline, then the thrill of a down hill full of endorphins. The way fresh air hits my lungs and makes my whole body come alive. The way the first mile feels after just waking up from a good night's sleep. The mental preparation that goes into each and every long run. The dedication, consistency, and loyalty to the training regimen. The daydreams about crossing the finish line, being able to go one step further, one mile further. The beautiful scenery and the relaxation that comes with strong muscles and good posture.

I am at Week 8 of my training. (The marathon is in 10 weeks!) I hit my highest mileage this past weekend with at 12 mile run. Luckily, that run took place in Northern Minnesota at the Pequot Lakes on County Road 16. Fresh lake air and gusts of cool wind carried me along the trek along with a bottle of Gatorade and a couple of good podcasts. 2 hours was the duration of the run - crazy to think about running a marathon and how that run was shy of half of a full! The run was beautiful and I did another 7 miles two days later just because the scenery was so perfect and the air was so clean. This Saturday is a 13 miler. I am tempted to go the extra 0.1 to say I did a half-marathon. The longest distance I have ever run at one time? 13.1 miles. About to cross that threshold--this is a landmark for me! I thought I would be dying and having to push hard during all of this, but I have learned that following a training schedule to the letter is the key to keeping strong, healthy, and injury free.

Next step is experimenting with refueling during a run - the part that scares me about training. At 2 hours, a small bottle of Gatorade has been cutting it, but as I enter into 3 hour + territory, I will have to give my local running store a visit to see what sorts of Gu or jelly beans to get. I want to eat real foods like bananas or oranges, but have to figure out the logistics of carrying them on my training runs. I'll let you know what I end up with. Until next time, happy running or walking, or whatever it is you may be doing to treat your body well today!

Where I have been running over Labor Day weekend!

+canvas pictures

If you know me, you know I dabble in the photographic arts... I don't really think of myself as a photographer, but more of someone who really enjoys and appreciates good photos with good composition and lighting. Sometimes that means I try my hand at it, but more often than not, it means I spend countless hours looking at photos on blogs, websites, etc.

I have always wanted to try to print photos on canvas and cover my wall in them. However, with my graduate school stipend, it did not make sense to do so just yet. However, I recently had the opportunity to work with Canvas Pictures to try my hand at ordering my first canvas print! I decided to use a photo from the photo shoot that Kristine Neeley did of Devon and me over a year ago. I love the way it turned out. The lighting of the original gave the image an artsy feel and I love the expression of Devon's face in this one. I hung the canvas in my bedroom. Pictured below is the 8 x 10 canvas with the image wrapped around the edges.

 

Such a neat look in my bedroom. It is so nice to have artwork that is personal and meaningful.  A great product and great quality - definitely consider making your photos into artwork - I will appreciate this piece for quite awhile!