#6 - Aaaand...Back to Me

I thought we'd talk about me again.  The next item on the list is a "fun fact about me."  This one is actually tough for me, which is why there has been a delay in postings.  I don't know what other people would consider a "fun" fact.  I'll go with this little fact and you can categorize it as you see fit.  It is something that not many people know, though, so I hope you at least categorize it as "interesting."

When I was a freshman at The University of Texas, I decided to walk on the track team.  Not as a runner - I knew my place there would be last - but as a long and triple jumper.  I was pretty good in high school and I enjoyed it and they had a try-out, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  For six weeks I worked out with the team, but never saw a jump pit.  Despite my frequent request to just jump, the coach never let me.  She had me running miles upon MILES with the runners (while the field event competitors were practicing their respective events).  At the time, I didn't do miles upon miles.  The most I ever did was a quarter mile.  I did it fast, but that was it.  I didn't keep going.  So I was miserable.  It became evident to me that they had a "try-out" because they were supposed to and she thought she had all the jumpers she needed, so she was just going to run me to death.  Until I quit.  So after six weeks, I walked right back off the team.  And that season, I watched those jumpers.  And a lot of times I could have beat them with what I jumped in high school.  Her loss.

Truthfully, though, I never looked back.  I got a job that I loved and kept that job for the next seven years, which I would not have been able to do with being on the track team.  And I had a lot of fun ;-)

Change

"You must be the change you wish to be in the world."  -Mahatma Gandhi

This has always been a favorite of mine.  I think it is always relevant and is applicable in nearly every aspect of life.  Parenting, friendship, professional life, marriage...I think that if you don't like the way things are, you have all the skills and tools to change them.  You just have to apply those tools to gain the power to make the changes.  Whether it's political, legal, work-related or just amongst friends.  You start by setting the example.  You be the change.  Others will follow because we are a flock.  It's inherent to us.  Contrary to popular belief, you actually can make a difference. 

As you all know, I recently decided to take on the daunting task of organizing a 5K here to coincide with the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure.  Well, today I got an email from the Race organization with this quote, which is a new favorite:

"How wonderful it is that no one need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world" -Anne Frank

What are we waiting for, anyway?  Let's get going.

Goodnight Moon?

The next item on the list is a favorite book.  I'm guessing I'm not supposed to say Guess How Much I Love You or Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Twins or Dinosaurumpus, so I don't know what to do here.  Really, I don't have much time for reading books I actually choose.  A friend gave me a few books she had finished like three months ago (or more?) and I have yet to even open the cover.  The most recent book I read was The Help, by Kathryn Stockett, and I absolutely loved it.  But that was like six months ago.  It was funny and sad and relative to me and it made me appreciate Karina even more.  But it isn't necessarily my "favorite" book.  I don't really have a favorite book.  I have a favorite author - James Patterson.  I love a good whodunit and I really like his Alex Cross series, as well as his Women's Murder Club series.  Also, I have always thought I would enjoy working as a forensic scientist.  I know it could be really depressing and traumatic work, but once I got used to it, I think it would be really, really interesting.  If I ever went back to work, that is what I think I would want to try and do.  Except I want all of my work to be as interesting and important and dramatic as the cases in the Patterson books.  And maybe Morgan Freeman could be a detective I work with.  Bonus!

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#3

I know it's been a few days, but let's pretend I didn't miss any days and that it really is Day #3, OK?  So...a favorite TV show...hm...I'm admittedly out-of-the-loop when it comes to TV.  Since we don't get it live here, and really don't even see the previews to hook us on to a show, it's tough.  Plus, with the kids...I really only watch like three regular shows on Apple TV.  Grey's Anatomy, The Office, and The Biggest Loser.  I love Grey's for the drama and the totally believable and realistic personal and medical situations.  OK, just the drama.  I love The Office for a good laugh.  Could you even imagine working for Michael Scott?  I'm not sure how Jim & Pam remain fairly normal.  I'd have gone crazy a looooong time ago. 

Then there's The Biggest Loser.  I love it for the transformations it yields.  I hate that it's become such a "game" and that there have been a few bad apples the last few seasons.  I think they need to figure out how to get back to what they originally started trying to do - get people to lose weight.  Gaming aside, the show really does do amazing things.  It is not uncommon for me to cry during The Biggest Loser.  I just cannot imagine losing control of my life like that, and then the feeling they must get when regaining control is within reach and the responsibility that comes with that control.  They are completely overwhelmed.  I also love when Allison counts them down to go for a challenge and she drops her hand, like it's a drag race.  Like she can't just say "GO!", she has to give them the sign, even if they're standing right next to her.  Cracks me up every time.

In honor of The Biggest Loser, here's a picture of me, when I could have been a contestant:

If any of you actually scrolled down, excited that you were going to see a picture of me morbidly obese, then you are no longer allowed to read my stories.  Haters.  Truthfully, though, karma is going to get me for eating ice cream while I watch my favorite show :-)