Time with Family

I used some of my vacation time this summer to visit my brother at his home in Kansas City. Actually, he and his girlfriend live in Olathe, Kansas...just outside of KC. We only had a few days, but it was a great vacation!

I enjoyed sushi for the first time. Went to a yoga session where I did my first head stand. Got to spend some good "out" time with John & Cati. Visited a winery one afternoon. Enjoyed a great Italian dinner with my parents. Introduced the whole crew to the way we make ritas here in Austin (Mike you'd be proud!)...and from what I can gather they're hooked! Was treated to a fabulous steak dinner...

And made a trip to the botanical gardens just outside of KC.

Where we played...

We laughed...

And we let Mom take photos of us (I think this is the 3rd try) ;-)

Thanks for such a nice trip, John & Cati...
I can't wait to host you both during ACL weekend!!

We're Bringing Sexy Back

Just Try...Put It Out There

I am trying to graduate this semester...
with my master's degree.
I only have my thesis left...
and it's making me crazy!

Seriously.

I'm sitting here in the library on campus right this second. I can't remember the last time I was actually working on school work in a library?! I have given up trying to get any semblance of work done at my apartment...and now, thanks to the internet, I'm not getting any work done at the library. Perfect.

I read a fun blog yesterday. It made me think about good sandwiches and dividing sandwiches, and corn. I still need to find out what my brother thinks about corn...but it was a funny thing to think about for a few minutes yesterday afternoon. I thought I'd write a whole blog about it...but I settled for contributing to the comment section on Ami's blog.

I've been writing on my blog, for all to see, for several months. I have never really considered myself a writer, but find that I have something to say from time to time. Not usually earth-shattering, but sometimes it hits a nerve. Regardless, it's me and it's what's on my mind.

One thing, though, that I still can't figure out about the whole blogging phenomenon is the non-commenter. I'm one of those really sad, pathetic people who actually forward their blog to their friends and family from time to time, hoping that someone will read it. I'm not now, nor will I ever be an ACTUAL writer who can rely on people checking in for updates.

But that is besides the point (and yes, I know it is "beside"...but I happen to like "besides" better). Please don't correct me on this one.

My point IS...I don't really understand the people who will reply to my email with really good stuff, but won't post a comment for others to see. Some of the feedback I get, really should be shared. Oftentimes it is something substantial to add, but they don't seem to want anyone else to see what they have to say. I don't know...maybe there is something a bit frightening about putting your words out there for other people to see and read...and judge.

I think it's fun to see what someone else is going to say about what I've said. I try to comment on other people's blogs so that they know they've written something that is good, something that is fun, something that made me think. It's nice to know that your words have reached someone...and you might find, maybe, if you return the favor, YOUR words will reach back.

Don't fake it, but if you can come up with something real, something witty (read: smart-ass), something that will make another person think or laugh (or even cry), well then...

Give it a try. That's all I'm sayin'.

Dog Days of August

This month seems very non-descript to me today, for some reason. There are no holidays, the heat is almost always unbearable which makes me want to stay inside, I’ve already taken my vacations, and I’m just waiting. Waiting for the students to arrive, waiting for the school year to start...waiting for something.

For eight years of my life, August has meant the beginning of volleyball season. I'd have my summer training behind me, and was hoping that I had worked out enough for the coaches not to kill me in the first weeks of the season. Some years I was in great shape, other years...not so much. I miss the excitement that came in being reunited with teammates who I hadn’t seen in months, telling stories from our time apart, putting on the fresh practice jerseys and new shoes. Seeing if we could still read one another. If we were still a team.

The awkwardness in the new faces of the freshman.
The adjustment to the new leadership of the upper classmen.
The thrill that came when I picked up the volleyball for the first time, again.

The days that followed that first practice back were some of the most intense days of pain I’ve ever felt in my life…every single year! This was nothing that my summer training could ever prepare me for…there was nothing that an ice pack or ice bath, for that matter, could remedy. This was part of the territory, part of the battle. This was the moment that separated the strong from the weak. We bonded through the pain. Who would push through the fact that they couldn’t even turn over at night without being woken up by the pain, let alone manage a flight of stairs? Laughing was no longer pleasant, and I was just praying that I had something to hold onto when I needed to sit down. A true competitor takes pride in this kind of pain. It means that you are getting better. When it comes down to it during the season, and the game is on the line…you have known pain, and you have overcome it.

This was my life for eight years. And now, it has been eight years since my last August preseason. This month has not been the same for me since I hung it up. Those moments still linger for me. Reminding me of the days that I would step onto the court and challenge someone, anyone to make me better. I thought of those days when I was running my first marathon this past February. Remembering what I had been through helped me push through the hardest part on that day.

I still think of those days, but now it is different…

No, August hasn’t been the same for me, but that’s okay. Time passes and things change. You have to take the good with you and keep moving forward toward the better.

I no longer have the goal of a National Championship set out before me every year. My goals are different. I hope to touch the lives of young people and encourage them to achieve their dreams. In each of their dreams, I reach mine.

Lucky for me…I’ll get to step onto the court one more time this month. I won’t be as quick, as explosive, or as talented. But it should be just as fun! Maybe even more so. This time I’ll appreciate every second of it…