tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88613664850389047062024-03-12T19:05:56.145-07:00eisparklzEisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-39303313063630265192012-07-06T12:10:00.000-07:002012-07-06T12:10:10.310-07:0011 Random QuestionsHey Guys -<br />
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I was tagged in <a href="http://ginadenny.blogspot.com/2012/07/11-questions.html">Gina's</a> blog to participate in 11 Questions. I didn't follow the rules - because I am a rule breaker, ya'll - so this is just answers to Gina's 11 questions.<br />
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It's my first vlog attempt (gotta love the spot youtube chose to freeze my face). I didn't have any editing abilities - I just kept stopping and restarting my camera, so there's no fancy bling off my super white teeth or general editing, so you get to hear my ums and learn a new word "enroached". :)<br />
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Enjoy!Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-47931040247206453052012-05-30T07:56:00.001-07:002012-05-30T07:56:36.400-07:00Why I Don't BakeI don't bake. Or cook actually. I occassionally grill, but not with like... stuff. Just the meat and the flame. I make cereal, toast, and pb&j. J does all of our cooking. The #1 reason for this is that I am accident prone. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cathtatecards.com</td></tr>
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Don't believe me? When I was 9ish, I was taking a chicken pot pie out of the oven to feed my brother and I dinner, and there was a hole in the pot holder. I burned my finger on the pan, and it made me flinch/jump so hard that my knee whacked the oven door, which then closed onto my arm - still in the oven. Then I went into shock. Luckily my 6 yr old brother came into the kitchen to see why I yelled, grabbed the oven door and ripped my arm out - skin still melted to the door. Ick. So I've been semi-afraid of the oven door ever since.<br />
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Then there was the time in 8th grade where I somehow stuck my hand into liquid sugar just as it was hardening, and in the time it took to flinch, had already hardened around my fingers. The principle's office was unfortunately right across the hall, and he had concerned parents wondering why a child was screaming primally in pain during cooking class. I was actually asked to not go back to Home Ec, and had to take a study hall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-02-02-GreaseFire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209px" rba="true" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-02-02-GreaseFire.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-02-02-GreaseFire.jpg">http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/kitchen/2011-02-02-GreaseFire.jpg</a></td></tr>
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The oven also once turned into a complete inferno when I attempted to CLEAN it. Then there was the time I was making myself eggs, when I accidentally sprayed the non stick stuff into the flame and my shirt caught fire. At one point, I was banned from everything but the microwave, and if J knew about the time the popcorn bag caught fire, I wouldn't have been able to use that either. The few attempts at dinner that I have tried have become epic failures only noteworthy for the story you could tell about them. In short, I don't cook.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.teamtbb.com/donnaphelan/files/2009/05/accident-prone-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252px" rba="true" src="http://blogs.teamtbb.com/donnaphelan/files/2009/05/accident-prone-1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.teamtbb.com/donnaphelan/files/2009/05/accident-prone-1.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
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This morning <a href="http://melbourneonmymind.com/">Melbs</a> mentioned that she had attempted to make a chocolate chip cookie pie, which didn't go well. My absolute favorite pie (actually the only one I like - reason #2 for not cooking is that I'm a very picky eater) is <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/kentucky-derby-pie-336902">Derby pie</a>, a Louisville classic that is presented for the Kenttucky Derby each year. I like it so much that my mom makes it for Thanksgiving and Christmas every year too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1E_rf_Ry01abvSLzdfrDXSj_c_Ljscjzn_tsHmQRYbq9m9s59DKeHCEssMwEOeu6hJxy9uw-7MNDdfHNyxFgQ8TrxVSMgVMcjUjJvS0o4j3OAbFARH3flY1MbYJj1c4VHxE0uX1Frwc/s1600/Derby+Pie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1E_rf_Ry01abvSLzdfrDXSj_c_Ljscjzn_tsHmQRYbq9m9s59DKeHCEssMwEOeu6hJxy9uw-7MNDdfHNyxFgQ8TrxVSMgVMcjUjJvS0o4j3OAbFARH3flY1MbYJj1c4VHxE0uX1Frwc/s320/Derby+Pie.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delish! Also,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1E_rf_Ry01abvSLzdfrDXSj_c_Ljscjzn_tsHmQRYbq9m9s59DKeHCEssMwEOeu6hJxy9uw-7MNDdfHNyxFgQ8TrxVSMgVMcjUjJvS0o4j3OAbFARH3flY1MbYJj1c4VHxE0uX1Frwc/s1600/Derby+Pie.JPG"> source</a></td></tr>
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When I found the recipe online, I looked over at the nutritional facts, and was shocked (in a good way) to find out that 1/8th of this pie is only 506 calories (I was guessing 2k+) and actually had 5g of protein. So I jokingly texted my brother with this information and told him I was going to bake one right now! (Bt dubs, he is actually an excellent baker - he had a cupcake bake off against 8yr old. Syd last summer and even SHE voted for his cupcake)<br />
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His response was:<br />
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<em>Rob: Wait, hold on a second.... Go through the checklist before you bake:</em><br />
<em>Rob: 1) Is the bottom of the oven full of highly flammable turkey grease?</em><br />
<em>Rob: 2) Is J there to tackle you out of danger should something go horribly wrong?</em><br />
<em>Rob: 3) Do you have the proper makeup tools to draw your eyebrows back on in the event of a fireball?</em><br />
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Thanks for the vote of confidence, Bro! Based on his feedback I'm going to go make myself some... chocolate milk. And probably papercut my tongue with the spoon while I'm at it.Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-33320777586740193742012-05-24T15:24:00.000-07:002012-05-24T15:24:39.232-07:00The spokesperson... but not the posterchild<strong>The Spokesperson:</strong><br />
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I promised I would follow back up on my experiences with Crossfit, and I’m shocked that 3 months have already gone by. To say that I love crossfit is possibly the understatement of the year. I don’t know what I did before it. The aspect that I like the most – and that I was least expecting – is the community. I’ve met a bunch of great people, and I’m enjoying the camaraderie. This weekend Crossfit Infernal participated in the “Crossfire Throwdown”, with Firebird Crossfit. So many people went just to cheer on the participants, and have a good time together (some of these pictures are of the event). There’s something special about watching people push themselves to their max, and being able to share the glory and the struggles with them. It makes you feel connected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-rxrSykGf62enLiK2f2JQsuWopzRRqUqzigZe_qWmJgxJT9ZcZ6XqHVu747yirk3ZWYgivQfKXvvxGgyvFM3ePxhE6lkZEj2v7hj1vyYyw8FWSC9fDGkOur676WEX7I5e6T5FAYBJdw/s1600/.facebook_1192155801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-rxrSykGf62enLiK2f2JQsuWopzRRqUqzigZe_qWmJgxJT9ZcZ6XqHVu747yirk3ZWYgivQfKXvvxGgyvFM3ePxhE6lkZEj2v7hj1vyYyw8FWSC9fDGkOur676WEX7I5e6T5FAYBJdw/s320/.facebook_1192155801.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Competitors from Regionals cheering on the last competitor - I LOVE this!</td></tr>
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I am still afraid almost every day, but I’m starting to relish the chances to challenge myself, and to get better. There is still an endless amount of work to be done, but I’m starting to see progress, and that makes me hungry for more.<br />
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<strong>3 Month Accomplishments:</strong><br />
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- I have successfully met my goal of crossfitting 6 days a week, even though it meant giving up running for awhile. I’m starting to bake running back in, because I still want to run the Summer Series over the next few months. <br />
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- After not running at all for 6 weeks, I broke my 5K PR time again this year – 34:XX, and crushed my 4.2 mile time in 47:06. It also felt easy. @Autamday and I have decided that after the hurt of crossfit, everything else is cake!<br />
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- I Rx’d a workout – and it was a Hero WOD – thanks ‘Randy’!<br />
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- I completed the 100 Lunge Challenge – 100 Lunges a day for one month – next up: pushups and planks!<br />
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- I’ve increased my Olympic lifting weights to *almost* Rx capacity. I’m up at least 20lbs in deadlifts, overhead lifts, cleans, and even +10lbs in shoulder press (my upper body’s nemesis)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT6w4uS2FVr816GefT5VH317UdLuXUgMX0feIGbwl8I2xqsISN2rMChQ6kpUtlPlXEB4PN6cJ4TwMZ9zsYCwXHTBqrT1j0vP4ekqJWIPnEZ6c89eIYF01Mz5ItHhhScg5egdzIKxX328/s1600/IMAG0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHT6w4uS2FVr816GefT5VH317UdLuXUgMX0feIGbwl8I2xqsISN2rMChQ6kpUtlPlXEB4PN6cJ4TwMZ9zsYCwXHTBqrT1j0vP4ekqJWIPnEZ6c89eIYF01Mz5ItHhhScg5egdzIKxX328/s320/IMAG0139.jpg" width="180px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the Crossfire Throwdown. In front, Vanessa. In red behind her, JRo. Both are Legit!</td></tr>
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<strong>But Not the Posterchild:</strong><br />
<br />
J has a new joke that every day I come home with a new bruise/gash/injury. It’s unfortunately fairly accurate. As the least graceful person on earth in the gym, I assigned myself bandaid duty. I have been able to avoid injuring anyone else, but not so lucky with myself. Ejemplos:<br />
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- In one week I had all of the crossfit stigmata – torn hands from pullups, bruises on my wrists from KB snatches, collar bone bruises from cleans, bruised knees from burpees/lunges, and gashes on my shins from box jumps fails<br />
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- I have permanent blue bruises on my collar bones from cleans and front squats. <br />
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- I recently dropped a 45lb barbell from over my head onto the middle of my back. Luckily just a scrape and a bruise, but there was a moment when I thought I broke my back – scary!<br />
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- I am the box monster’s bitch right now. After two painful falls, I’ve spent the last 8 weeks doing step ups until the scabs heal. One of the doctors who works out with me took pity on me and gave me a miracle patch that regrows skin, which was amazing, but I do have a 3+ inch cicatrix (you can’t call this baby a scar, as it’s one of those big wrinkly ones) on my left shin. The right shin is healing better – I’ll probably be able to call that one a scar, and it’s only 2 inches long. I will be wearing shin guards until further notice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZO18vZ3rgUbaRI6VPJa3GHKWVCRY98Vr99PrFd0x2JzWVFVGa9G-gR33PQhUTenwxnIt35QB7-gLMINab8w_USMQB2vFGojyObpCdN6Yitmixx1PYCBBMM7LIRKuCXkQL1eMNbKolmg/s1600/.facebook_626950266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZO18vZ3rgUbaRI6VPJa3GHKWVCRY98Vr99PrFd0x2JzWVFVGa9G-gR33PQhUTenwxnIt35QB7-gLMINab8w_USMQB2vFGojyObpCdN6Yitmixx1PYCBBMM7LIRKuCXkQL1eMNbKolmg/s320/.facebook_626950266.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coach Derek, with a cool 205 lbs over his head during the competition.</td></tr>
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<strong>Random Benefits of Crossfit:</strong><br />
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- My 50lb luggage feels pretty light now<br />
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- I can now open the RV gate on the side of the house without assistance<br />
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- Carrying the groceries in no longer seems like a daunting task<br />
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- I received a (now revoked) free pass to buy summer training gear at Lululemon<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAfR-JAJ38viBtR4jYbHicW6KcHMuOJn5QaX4yV9SO2odExzzf6f0hEY3LjWUUW-diOQeqs3OVzFzy_QM3zQRQIygbMgcqcJvb-H2vjr7W1cuhLSnhAC90YjUCricutR-d9UTBbeOlY/s1600/IMAG0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" qba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDAfR-JAJ38viBtR4jYbHicW6KcHMuOJn5QaX4yV9SO2odExzzf6f0hEY3LjWUUW-diOQeqs3OVzFzy_QM3zQRQIygbMgcqcJvb-H2vjr7W1cuhLSnhAC90YjUCricutR-d9UTBbeOlY/s320/IMAG0153.jpg" width="180px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man who revoked my Lulu pass is in black. His partner George is in red. Yes ladies, those arms come home to me. ;)</td></tr>
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<strong>Updates to 2012 Physical Goals:</strong><br />
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<strike>- Complete a marathon</strike><br />
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- Sub 29:24 5K – currently down to 34:XX. My plan is to do crossfit in the summer in the late afternoons, get acclimated to working out in extreme heat, and hope that the last 5 minutes just melts off. Much easier than doing sprint work and drills!<br />
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- Beat the Box Monster – I am going to slay this monster this year.<br />
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<strike>- RX a weighted workout</strike></div>
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- Switch to guy pushups yo – I’m *almost* there. I think the next 30 days challenge will make the difference.</div>
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- Do an unassisted pullup – A long way to go on this one. If I get it done by the end of the year, it’ll be a miracle.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie Foucher at Regionals - that's a 70lb dumbell. She's also like 5'4.</td></tr>
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<br />Every day is a chance to improve, a chance to get better. I'm relishing the opportunities to grow!Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-58224931882332935152012-04-23T09:55:00.000-07:002012-04-23T09:55:58.322-07:00Race Report: Pat's Run 2012<i>Note: Pat's Run is a 4.2 mile race that takes place each April in Tempe, AZ in remembrance of Pat Tillman, who played football for Arizona State University, and the Arizona Cardinals in the pros. He quit the NFL after 9/11, signed up for the Army, and was later killed by friendly fire. He was a renaissance man - a true intellectual - and I love that it's THE race of the year here. The majority of the 30,000 people who participate are not your typical athletes, and participate with their families.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">azcentral.com</td></tr>
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I had planned to run Pat's Run this year with Autam, as her hubs is out on military orders, and mine runs at the speed of light. Seriously, it is absolutely no fun to watch your partner disappear off in the distance. Then our <a href="http://www.crossfitinfernal.com/">crossfit box</a> asked for 100% participation, so I signed J and I up as members of their team. Autam waited a bit to sign up, and the race sold out this year (for the first time ever). J wound up giving up his bib, so that Autam could run with me <i>*Aww, tear, melting hearts, best. hubs. ever!*</i><br />
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As part of my plan to not suck at crossfit, I've been going to Infernal Monday - Saturday each week (thank God they are closed on Sundays) and consequently I have not run at all in 5 weeks. This was planned, and it's been good to challenge myself in other areas, but I was a bit worried about the impact on my running fitness. So, I had a plan (shocking no one).<br />
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Goal 1: Have a good time, remember Pat Tillman, enjoy watching and encourage all the *new* athletes try their best. I knew I could ACE this goal, and be happy overall. <br />
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Goal 2: Suffer the heat (oh yeah, did I mention it was 100+ degrees on Saturday), suffer being out of running shape, suffer weaving through the huge crowds of people, and finish in 60 minutes or less. This would still be a PR, but it would definitely indicate a rough day.<br />
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Goal 3: (Secret goal) Run hard, push myself to run without a walk break (which I've never done for four miles), beat the heat, hope my fitness has not disappeared, and race at the same really hard pace as the Sedona 5K in February - Finish in 50 minutes.<br />
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Goal 4: (SUPER SECRET - wouldn't even admit to it, if anyone asked) Be better than the Sedona 5K speed, run 11:30 miles - Finish in 48 minutes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVvsv18TwWbcXlgFM7P-KSUsfgGRqK2XRAa_mMGJqlzqRrfMvMnd86AoEKC9zbiSJ9K4e1MM38lCPcrEbTbTtAOHbckrtsp7DXQSz5Pl5n6Yw7xZwxDZ4VmmwlgL3CmJTuYJWyih2NVQ/s1600/156188_2966780055607_1444833814_32022861_2004345974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVvsv18TwWbcXlgFM7P-KSUsfgGRqK2XRAa_mMGJqlzqRrfMvMnd86AoEKC9zbiSJ9K4e1MM38lCPcrEbTbTtAOHbckrtsp7DXQSz5Pl5n6Yw7xZwxDZ4VmmwlgL3CmJTuYJWyih2NVQ/s320/156188_2966780055607_1444833814_32022861_2004345974_n.jpg" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was after, but still the light rail station...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We took the light rail in with some buds from Infernal, and as we were riding the train, Autam mentioned that her knees were giving her a bit of a hard time. That meant that we were instantly on Goal #1 for the day - no need to suffer if there was possibility for an injury. We got into Corral #17, and the race began. We then sat for 35 minutes before it was our time to get to the starting line. We could see people finishing as we were approaching the starting line - and it wasn't just the gazelles finishing. Normal people were done with the race before we even started. I was annoyed for about 0.2 seconds before I realized that it was super cool that the entire course was full of red shirts and people challenging themselves to honor Pat. <br />
<br />
<span id="goog_2021965134"></span><span id="goog_2021965135"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihspI59vw6c5XlIGCBNN9iZsIylL2gjvjmK1GLWrfmc9EubKyHlP4GasrcPtKQOnk36eX5_UgnnaNzCE6onEveLr8iF49YjHNPTrv2JWbIA9LhjPlcGnR2CYKgPSvIwmOgP1mrYrgnxSE/s1600/578557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Hhf_8ew8xUg_Bo1DjqUFt8cwfnhjeTdUF1ghNtEii2nR9rIsYLN9CvYOdYVNHEhy2dF6m2ZPNPVScxd20hl3EDKs-WjcMWGuO0fs1mQOx33ylGUUlXbeZvMJrJhXWo-eztfoztyKtV8/s1600/578557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Hhf_8ew8xUg_Bo1DjqUFt8cwfnhjeTdUF1ghNtEii2nR9rIsYLN9CvYOdYVNHEhy2dF6m2ZPNPVScxd20hl3EDKs-WjcMWGuO0fs1mQOx33ylGUUlXbeZvMJrJhXWo-eztfoztyKtV8/s320/578557.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">azcentral.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We started our race nice and easy, without really making a decision on when we would walk, but just knowing that we would say something if we wanted to. We wove through the crowds of walkers, strollers, the Cardinals mascot and team (seriously, it had to be 30000 degrees in that furry suit). We saw military and police teams running with full gear on. We saw people running in shirts and honoring their own loved ones. Did I mention that the race course was FULL?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjClSPc9e9kaT_TZJFK-yrBNheiqK5lznyFAMhByfnLVdMj3pGI3V8gK0rG3RJJpxGhNj0IBa9Mh4BAlH7OwUG_ECKyKIMqqvF_nWuolnKsWmVTHUtrqL29kBqirZeWw4-uR829GtEHyg/s1600/578615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjClSPc9e9kaT_TZJFK-yrBNheiqK5lznyFAMhByfnLVdMj3pGI3V8gK0rG3RJJpxGhNj0IBa9Mh4BAlH7OwUG_ECKyKIMqqvF_nWuolnKsWmVTHUtrqL29kBqirZeWw4-uR829GtEHyg/s320/578615.jpg" width="222px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">azcentral.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We just kept trotting along, checking in with each other, and enjoying the race. As we passed the second mile, I looked at my watch and saw that we at 22 minutes and change. My heart stopped. I mentioned to Autam that we were DEFINITELY PR'ing today, even if we walked the rest of the way. She told me later that my statement basically told her that we WERE running the rest of the way, and she sighed and settled in. That's actually not what I meant, but I'm glad her knees were up for the challenge. <br />
<br />
We did stop briefly at the water stops, because they were complete chaos, but otherwise ran the whole thing. It was an easy, comfortable run. The 5K point was 34:51 - a new PR at 5K! As we entered the stadium and ran to the finish, we grabbed hands and ran through the finish line together.You know, with everyone else.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NgB4JnM08pOWrjeOgN8HoE784xSAE8X2ctt3eaE-7uGiWsxDq-JOX7cNDfV-PdD_6Y4xZg9OtjBtxGmDGRritY_Ieyn87WIDt88VXOrCUTWpu7giEzwxqCgwKmlaP0LpTuh9MDhgMRM/s1600/578630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NgB4JnM08pOWrjeOgN8HoE784xSAE8X2ctt3eaE-7uGiWsxDq-JOX7cNDfV-PdD_6Y4xZg9OtjBtxGmDGRritY_Ieyn87WIDt88VXOrCUTWpu7giEzwxqCgwKmlaP0LpTuh9MDhgMRM/s320/578630.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finish Time: 47:06*<br />
<i>*Yes, that beat my super secret goal! It's a 13 minute PR. WOO!!!</i><br />
<br />
We felt like rock stars for the rest of the day, and it was a time I felt like I could actually admit to people and feel like they didn't think I was slower than a turtle. It also meant this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/images/2012/01/20120119-188620-doughnuts-610x458-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/images/2012/01/20120119-188620-doughnuts-610x458-17.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/images/2012/01/20120119-188620-doughnuts-610x458-17.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Updated Fitness Goals:</b><br />
<ul>
<li><strike>Complete a full marathon</strike> - PF Chang's Rock n' Roll</li>
<li>Beat the box monster at 20" - he's currently winning, but I.am.relentless.</li>
<li><strike>Rx a workout</strike> - a named hero WOD with weights, no less! Thank you Randy!</li>
<li>Switch to guy push ups - almost....</li>
<li>Do an unassisted pull up - if this one happens in 2012, it will be a miracle.</li>
<li>Complete a sub 29:24 5K - current PR 34:51 from Pat's Run split</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Plan for that sub 29:24 5K</b><br />
- Keep doing crossfit in the late afternoon through the brutal summer. This will keep me acclimated to horrendous heat<br />
- Run the Summer Series doggedly - keep pushing through each race, regardless of finish times. Know that a PR is probably not going to happen when it's 118 degrees out. Try for 2600 pts overall.<br />
- Run with the girls at GOTR in the fall - use their enthusiasm for speed work training.<br />
- Starting with Grasshopper Bridge 5K in late September, PUSH for the PR. Race at least once a month for the rest of the year in an attempt to get it. <br />
<br />
Oh, for those of you wondering - I did check, and Adrienne Pollard didn't do Pat's Run. I'm still marking her for Summer Series!Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-5942584511980888212012-04-17T12:51:00.000-07:002012-04-17T12:51:06.634-07:00World Book Night!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're following this blog, you know that my first true love is reading. Don't let my office space fool you - it's library first, workplace second. I love the feel of a book in my hands, I love snuggling in for a good story, and I mostly love sharing a great book with friends. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT3HzuYa6u_Ypwiw_ofhlrC88EG_W1uko_mChoIAWRxoEex8gxSsdXCgUBiqFOpe7ry6FedBcUcnaMgLxge_ZufznXV4pdmVX0cAFSMk9b6F3zwcfmf5cL8C2yXEVwZL2odlskmAZacA/s1600/stamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT3HzuYa6u_Ypwiw_ofhlrC88EG_W1uko_mChoIAWRxoEex8gxSsdXCgUBiqFOpe7ry6FedBcUcnaMgLxge_ZufznXV4pdmVX0cAFSMk9b6F3zwcfmf5cL8C2yXEVwZL2odlskmAZacA/s320/stamp.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love to share books so much that I even had a stamp made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I follow a bunch of book bloggers and bookish things on twitter, so when I saw a tweet about #WorldBookNight, "spreading the love of reading, person to person" I had to read more. You can too - </span><a href="http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The idea is awesome. Basically, people write a short essay for where and why they would give away free books to non-readers. They select from a list of 30 available books, and if they are selected to be a giver, new pristine (FREE) copies of the books are sent to the giver's local bookstore to be handed out on UNESCO's World Book Day - April, 23rd. (In case you're curious, 4/23 is the date of Shakespeare's birth and death, and Cervante's death.)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-URkCwipLytqZLLLs3QzqHqDCDkCgrEb-chQF2unXNDCUCOz4_kgrpUR1p5MXUS6a5O33QozERdE0O1o28Pm-NCyuSB1pEVZdnUUTtDcypNcJ6FVTH0xcXHhTSJq91zlpBLLEY9fz2M/s1600/books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-URkCwipLytqZLLLs3QzqHqDCDkCgrEb-chQF2unXNDCUCOz4_kgrpUR1p5MXUS6a5O33QozERdE0O1o28Pm-NCyuSB1pEVZdnUUTtDcypNcJ6FVTH0xcXHhTSJq91zlpBLLEY9fz2M/s320/books.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have 20 new pristine copies of the Book Thief. *Squeal*</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The really cool part is that the 30 books selected this year were not your typical <strike>snorefests </strike>classics. I've read about half of the books on the list, and I can tell you that they were all 4 star+ books. Some examples:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Little Bee by Chris Cleave </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The History of Love by Nicole Krauss </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*And the one I requested and was selected to hand out - The Book Thief by Mark Zusak*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can't wait to give these books to the Child Crisis Center here on World Book Night. I think the coolest part of the whole thing is that these books were printed specifically for the event, so they have a very special message of the front cover:</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQFXMY6MwK5W_-ILN5su6iS46PpyE29KYBj5NU0rFZVoK_cwJUx0WBdrHXNkq-rvsJaASq4N0BHAm5FAOya3IGsXxvtGXVpAFdL6ASO4DhUUekwkhRPkggg4sevlK3YCVKWJLhZOuwCs/s1600/insdecover.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640px" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQFXMY6MwK5W_-ILN5su6iS46PpyE29KYBj5NU0rFZVoK_cwJUx0WBdrHXNkq-rvsJaASq4N0BHAm5FAOya3IGsXxvtGXVpAFdL6ASO4DhUUekwkhRPkggg4sevlK3YCVKWJLhZOuwCs/s640/insdecover.JPG" width="360px" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the line "No one finishes a book the same person as when they started, whether filled with a new understanding of life or just happier for the hours lost in a good story" - what a great way for a non-reader to be introduced to the love! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also, let it be noted that they didn't cheap out on this. The Reader's Guide is there, a conversation with the author, recommendations for other similar titles - it's a quality paperback book. I know that World Book Night will be a huge success, and I'm looking forward to many years of sharing the love of reading!</span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-68459746229044229492012-03-22T12:21:00.000-07:002012-03-22T12:21:24.913-07:00Kids and Electronics aka Why I'm a Bad Parent<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The hubs and I have decided to get his 9 year old daughter a phone, to give to her when she comes out this summer. I understand that this may be a controversial topic, however this was <u>not</u> a decision that was made lightly, or rashly. The reasons for it are too personal for the interwebs, but for this particular situation we feel like it is the best choice for our family.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thesmartly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/CellPhoneKid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://thesmartly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/CellPhoneKid.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not my stepdaughter. Also <a href="http://thesmartly.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/CellPhoneKid.jpg">source</a>. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I *may* work for a large wireless carrier, and I may have had a line of service that was collecting dust which helped the decision making process. I may also have been able to procure the device for free during the St. Patty's holiday sale, and it's not going to cost me anything extra each month. I am also painfully aware that every other customer service call that my company receives starts with "My kid went over their allowance, and now my bill is $10,000..." so as soon as I got the phone, I started downloading games (fun and educational ones) and then started to put it on complete and total lock down.</span><br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.broadbandmobilebroadband.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mobile-Phones-siezed-from-Kerala-Jails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="251px" src="http://www.broadbandmobilebroadband.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mobile-Phones-siezed-from-Kerala-Jails.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.broadbandmobilebroadband.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Mobile-Phones-siezed-from-Kerala-Jails.jpg">Source</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She can only call specific numbers that are currently programmed into her phone. If she attempts to add a new contact, or call a number not currently listed, she's going to get an error message. If anyone tries to call her from a phone number not on her special dial list, they won't be able to get through. This also goes for text messages - sent and received. Yes, I am a genius.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her phone will actually stop working if she approaches her allowance threshold - voice, data, or text - and will not reset until the next bill cycle, so she physically can't go over her usage.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The phone is also set up so that she can't text or call even her special people during certain times of day - examples of where this would be important would be during school hours, after she's supposed to be asleep, etc.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">She can play the games that I've downloaded for her, but she can't download any new games, songs, movies (even free ones) unless I temporarily unlock her phone for her - which I can do remotely, since she's generally in FL and I'm generally not.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/57/7/AAAADOvywvkAAAAAAFd6uw.jpg?v=1246162076000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/57/7/AAAADOvywvkAAAAAAFd6uw.jpg?v=1246162076000" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lock, meet Key. *evil laugh* <a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/57/7/AAAADOvywvkAAAAAAFd6uw.jpg?v=1246162076000">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's where the 'I'm a Bad Parent thing' starts.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The final step was to add usage controls to the content she could see on the internet. The options were for ages 7+, 13+ or 17+. I started with the 7+, and tested it, and then the unbelievable happened.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The phone couldn't access Google.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Google is my best (imaginary) friend, people. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">This was inexcusable! How would she be able to answer the thousands of inane questions that go through a child's mind on a daily basis? She actually used google last summer to teach me a math problem I was struggling with at work. I swear, she looked up "How to do weighted averages in English" - kids are brilliant. This usage control was going to take that away?! The horror. I couldn't fathom locking it down. I couldn't take that potential knowledge from her.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So I moved up to 13+, and I tried again. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">She could get into Google, but she couldn't get into Wiki.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wiki is my back-up (imaginary) best friend.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So then I went to 17+, but she still couldn't access Wiki. So then I gave up. I removed the content usage control. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtGDTBH0jTA/T1DAclRpqjI/AAAAAAAAIo4/CJJ1jYspDXw/s1600/kids-running-in-field-blog-hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="164px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtGDTBH0jTA/T1DAclRpqjI/AAAAAAAAIo4/CJJ1jYspDXw/s320/kids-running-in-field-blog-hero.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*YAY Internet freedom!* <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RtGDTBH0jTA/T1DAclRpqjI/AAAAAAAAIo4/CJJ1jYspDXw/s1600/kids-running-in-field-blog-hero.jpg">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So here's where I want to ask you for your opinion. Do you think you should lock up knowledge to protect your children from accessing websites that could have foul content, or do you let them learn to enjoy learning, and teach them when they have questions about foul content?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>All comments are welcome, but try to be respectful of the fact that people have different opinions.</strong></span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-4987411860594346222012-03-09T06:28:00.000-08:002012-03-09T06:28:03.140-08:00My Personal Feelings on Kony 2012<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little secret for you all - If I was independantly wealthy, I would become an active advocate for </span><a href="http://www.girleffect.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Girl Effect.</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Since I'm not, I do what I can. I would not classify myself as a rabid feminist. I wear skirts. Even when I run. I love sparkles and pink. I don't think women should be exactly the same as men - we're not. But I do think girls should be given the opportunity to be educated. I do think girls can help their communities and economies with their own skills. And I do NOT think that girls should be raped and hacked up with machetes as a tool of warfare, and psychological domination. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My interest in the Girl Effect leads to a variety of subjects, and non-profits that I support. I was first introduced to </span><a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Women for Women International</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in 2007, when I signed up for a local race "Run for Congo Women" (and yes, it annoys me that it's not grammatically correct). WfW focuses on helping women in war torn regions receive an education - learning to read and write, but also technical skills - developing a skill, learning to run a business, understanding legal rights. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a passion for </span><a href="http://www.kiva.org/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kiva</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, where letting someone in the world borrow $25 can help them with their business - which they pay back, and you can give to someone else to help with their business. I've helped 89 inidividuals and groups of women to improve their businesses in 45 countries. I loan to Christian women, and Muslim women. I loan to women in the US and Uganda. Their repayments go to new loans, so they are really helping each other. I LOVE that. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to WfW and Kiva, I support <a href="http://www.refugepoint.org/">Refuge Point</a>. My SIL was one of the first people to come to the US after the Refugee Act was passed. She works for Refuge Point, who provide protection, health and community service to refugees and refugee camps in war torn regions of Africa. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Which brings us to Joseph Kony. Kony is a bad guy. He is the leader of the LRA, and has spent 27 years stealing children, turning them into soldiers, forcing them to rape and kill people, and has torn up several countries in Africa in his attempts at domination. <strong>The #Kony2012 campaign has one aim - to capture Kony, and have him stand trial for crimes against humanity</strong>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The Kony 2012 campaign by <a href="http://invisiblechildren.com/">Invisible Children</a> is easy. All it's asking for is that you be a voice. You don't have to donate, though you can. You don't have to contact your senators, though you can. All that is asked is that you watch a video, and share it. Your job is to create chatter - and if you're reading this blog, you can create chatter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Non-profit work is hard. It's often not as successful as people hope. If you want to see the good, bad, and ugly of grassroots work, I heartily recommend that you read Half the Sky, by Nick Kristof and Sheryl Wu Dunn. It shows how hard it is to do a good thing, even when you want to. </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">There's been some backlash that this is too easy. That it won't really accomplish anything. People like to poke holes. They like to feel superior. They like to say that a situation is too complex, that something is too simple. That it can't work. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But sometimes, to conquer an enormously complex issue, you need to start small - otherwise the task is daunting and paralyzing. Kony 2012 is as small and as granular as this specific issue can get. Catch one man. It won't solve everything. But if it works, it can show that Humanity outranks Politics. It shows us that together we can do a lot more than we can divided. And it creates a beginning - a roadmap - that we can use to get better, and deeper, over time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I believe in positive thought. I believe that we are all connected. I believe that if people push a positive idea, it can overtake a negative one. Some people call it collective consciousness. Some people call it group prayer. Some people call it hope. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My Dad told me when I was a kid that if I did something, I could assume that other people would do it too, but if I didn't do something, I had to assume that no one else would either. I'm choosing to do something. I'm spreading the message. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc">Watch the video</a>. Make a choice. Make Kony famous.</span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-8342910079978643592012-03-07T06:00:00.004-08:002012-03-07T06:00:14.984-08:00I'm still alive people, and I have a new obsession...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>This post is about my experiences at Crossfit Infernal in Chandler, AZ. They are not aware that I'm posting this, and my opinions are completely my own. If you're interested, you can check them out at </em><a href="http://crossfitinfernal.com/"><em>http://crossfitinfernal.com/</em></a><em>, or on twitter at @CFInfernal</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK, so about a month ago, I told you all that I was going to try </span><a href="http://eisparklz.blogspot.com/2012/02/doing-something-that-scares-me.html"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crossfit</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. Then I didn't post anything for a month, so I'm sure you thought I died attempting to do a hand stand push up, or something equally heroic.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://crossfiteastsac.typepad.com/.a/6a010534fc7768970b01156f3555a6970c-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://crossfiteastsac.typepad.com/.a/6a010534fc7768970b01156f3555a6970c-500wi" uda="true" width="239px" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hint: I can't do this </span><a href="http://crossfiteastsac.typepad.com/.a/6a010534fc7768970b01156f3555a6970c-500wi"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://crossfiteastsac.typepad.com/.a/6a010534fc7768970b01156f3555a6970c-500wi</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well I didn't die (yet). However, I absolutely <u>love it</u>, even though it still terrifies me, so I'm going to tell you why. <em>(Did you hear @autamday just groan, because she's heard me talk about nothing else for the last month? 'Cause I did. I heard her groan.)</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>My first day at "the box"</strong> (which I'll admit always sounds a littly dirty)</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I was immediately greeted by Will, in a very open and friendly way. He made eye contact, he didn't look at me and scoff. By the way, this is Will:</span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/?action=view&current=coaches_will.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Will Howard" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/coaches_will_small.png" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you thought that open friendly eye contact meant a lack of intimidation <a href="http://crossfitinfernal.com/">http://crossfitinfernal.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">He took me through a starter work out to get a handle on my (lack of) fitness. This included 500m row (cake), 400m run (I'm still slow at 400 m), 40 squats (surprisingly ok!), 30 situps (I was hoping for death about 15 in), 20 push ups (girly ones allowed, still stunk), and 10 pull ups (or as I like to call them, jumping up and down on a box while holding onto a bar)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">He was very encouraging and nice. His coaching was constructive and positive. He made me feel like I did a good job. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I stayed for the real workout, which J attended. About 4 minutes into it J was trying to be supportive, and I wanted to die of humiliation. We left mad at each other, and determined (again) that we cannot work out together. We also determined that this was completely my fault - which it honestly is.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;">Day 2:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Where I met Greg, one of the owners. He was possibly even nicer, and very welcoming. He told me to do "only" 75 wall balls, rather than 150, and let me do every 3rd monster truck tire flip, instead of every other one.</span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/?action=view&current=coaches_greg.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Greg Santilli" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/coaches_greg_small.png" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Greg. Totally not intimidating, right? <a href="http://crossfitinfernal.com/">http://crossfitinfernal.com/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My notes for this class said "I feel proud!"</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;">Day 3: Greg again</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">The workout was 30 handstand pushups, 40 pull ups, 50 kb swings, 60 situps (remember when I wanted to die at 15?), 70 burpees</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eileen: So... I can't do any of those things</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Greg: Give it a try. We'll scale if you need to</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eileen: *dies*</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eileen actually completed something along the lines of this workout in 22:15, which was approximately 12 minutes slower than her husband. She knows this, because the box has a white board where everyone's daily results are listed. This validated that they should not work out together, ever.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">My notes for this workout said "My knees were down on the pushup, even with the blue band (the heaviest assister) pull ups are still impossible, kb swings were at 18lbs, sit ups meh. Burpees had horrible form, I don't even know how people can do these. This was <u>really</u> tough - but I will get better."</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Coach Greg made sure to tell me after class that I had done a really good job. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Note: the next day, I was trying to make myself eggs, and I couldn't press the spray on the spray can down. True story.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;">Each class has gotten better, and I've been more and more confident that I can survive the class. I even attended a class with J last Monday morning, and I was not super self-conscious, and consequently we decided that maybe we can occassionally work out together. Yay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Overall What I Love:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love the coaches. They are all bad asses, but they ensure that the environment is positive, supportive, and community based. There's no egos in this place. I could see making friends here.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love that scaling is a part of learning. No one looks down on me for modifying a workout to my abilities. The coaches do make sure that I'm challenging myself, but will never ask me to do something I can't physically do.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love that it exposes your weaknesses, even the most unusual. For example, I am totally incapable of jumping with both feet at the same time. No, I swear, it's true. I cannot jump on a box with both feet. I can't jump rope with both feet. I can't frog jump with both feet. I can't jump through a tire with both feet. I always lead with one foot. Who knew that it was even possible to have that problem?! Still, now that I know this, I can work on it. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love that every day I need to have a pep talk with myself, and listen to inspirational music on my way, and read off my tools for being mentally tough to get in the door, but I've gone every time, and I feel like a rockstar when I leave.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love that they post the WOD's for the week, so I can youtube school myself on things like "What is a turkish get up?" and "What does AMRAP mean?"</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Related - there's a website <a href="http://www.crossfit.com/">http://www.crossfit.com/</a> that has amazing amounts of detail for the maven in me.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">I love that Bonnie (another coach) yells at my hubs, and he loves it. I also loved her face the first time I did a clean and jerk, and was so excited/amazed that I immediately dropped the bar and bear hugged her. I don't think enthusiastic hugging happens that much here.</span></li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/?action=view&current=coaches_bonnie.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Bonnie Atilano" border="0" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g301/dharju777/CROSSFIT%20INFERNAL/coaches_bonnie_small.png" style="padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 10px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 10px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She can also maybe lift more than he can...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">Updated Pysical Goals for 2012:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strike>Complete a marathon</strike></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Run a sub-29:24 5K, achieve 2600 pts in the Summer Series</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Stay under 150 lbs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Do an unassisted pull up</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Switch to real pushups, yo.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Beat the box monster at 20" - it's totally mental. I need to stop thinking and just DO it.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial;">Rx a workout (do it as actually prescribed) - which will not be happening this week.</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Arial;">I feel great challenging myself at something I'm not good at. Every day that I attend class is a victory, and I feel proud no matter how much I blew up the workout!</span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-4083519286553072692012-03-05T08:17:00.000-08:002012-03-05T08:17:34.360-08:0011 Random Questions<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several weeks ago, I was tagged by the beautiful and talented Gina at </span><a href="http://ginadenny.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is Not Your Blog</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, and asked to answer several questions. Generally, these questions are a bit lame, but hers were Phenominally Difficult, and it's taken me quite some time to digest, and answer honestly. So, without further ado...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. What was the greatest live music experience you've ever had? </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">My initial thought was the Incubus 4/20/02 concert, in So Cal - a home show, the kickoff to a new tour for Morning View, on a date important to some of their audience members (I've never smoked, but I get that it's a special day). It was awesome. They even played Certain Shade of Green, which is one of my favorites, and which they NEVER play live. Also, it was a great road trip with my girl @autamday.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Incubus_live_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180px" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Incubus_live_2007.jpg" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">But then I started thinking about it, and i realized that the greatest live music experiences that I had were when I was PLAYING the music. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>(note: For those new to my life, I grew up in a very talented musical family. My brother is a world class drummer, and my father was concert master of the Boston Symphony Orchestra as a teenager. I was never as talented, but I worked harder so that I could 'hang with the fam. I played piano from 5-9, then quit over a disagreement with my piano teacher, who thought Jazz was lame. I started playing alto sax at 11, and quit when I was 18 because I did not want to access the parts of my soul that were grieving over some family stuff. I regret it.)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>[</em></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Even more random note: I felt like Voldemort when I just said I regret it, but I actually do regret it, just in case it sounded cold and heartless to you too.]</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, I searched through the memory banks, and declared the most awesome live music experience as the Las Vegas band trip, when Jazz played Channel One Suite, the crowd went wild, and we felt like rock stars. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/77/96/5717196_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/77/96/5717196_1.jpg" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/77/96/5717196_1.jpg">http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/77/96/5717196_1.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. What was your worst date ever?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Guess who only went on one official date her whole life? To her husband? The worst part was that it started raining (people in AZ can hear the doom coming) and my wind shield wiper fell right off the car. These things happen when they only get used once every 600 days or so...</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. If money is no object, what would your dream vacation be?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've already done my dream vacation. I scraped my pennies together until I could spend the better part of a month touring China. It. was. awesome. Everything I've wanted to see since I was 4 years old. My second dream vacation would be spending several weeks in one of those houses in the water in Fiji. Kind of of Isle of Esme style, minus the whole throwing up and being attacked by my fetus part. Destroying bedroom furniture optional. :)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bestfijideals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fiji-Travel-Holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://www.bestfijideals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fiji-Travel-Holiday.jpg" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bestfijideals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fiji-Travel-Holiday.jpg">http://www.bestfijideals.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Fiji-Travel-Holiday.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. Would you rather live in a crowded city or small town?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I would rather live within my budget in a small town (hello, Gilbert, AZ), but if money were no object, my dream place to live would be Cambridge, MA (part of Boston, so big city). Second up would be Solana Beach, CA (in between Cardiff and Del Mar/Torrey Pines) on the beach.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. Would you be willing to murder one innocent person if you knew it would guarantee an end to all world hunger? </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Man here's where the tough ones started. I've been thinking about this for weeks. My answer is - Yes, because innocent people die from hunger every day. According to the <a href="http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats">World Food Program</a>, <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">925 million people do not have enough to eat, and undernutrition</span> contributes to five million deaths of children under five each year in developing countries - that's 13,698 children under 5 <u>each</u> <u>day</u>. So yes, I would murder one innocent person to save 925 million people from going hungry.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/graphics/hunger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228px" src="http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/graphics/hunger.jpg" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wouldn't you? <a href="http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/graphics/hunger.jpg">http://www.shc.edu/theolibrary/graphics/hunger.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>6. When did you last cry in front of somebody (who is not your partner)?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I cried my eyes out when I finished the PF Chang's Marathon in January - for all to see. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>7. Would you be willing to endure night terrors- every night- for the rest of your life if you were given vast personal wealth to use however you wish in exchange?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have night terrors already, so where's my money b*? Honestly, I hate having night terrors so much that I tell myself every night before bed "Deep, dreamless, restful sleep" and I'm generally able to turn them off. If I forget though... bad night ahead. First night terror was when I was 4, the statue of Mary in my Aunt Mariellen's dining room turned into the Quik bunny, who chased me around the house with a knife until he had sliced off every appendage I had and went in for the final thrust (you can imagine the impact on my religious feelings) The nightmare I have most often is a plane crashing on me. Always happens on a very sunny day when I'm very happy and with family. It's slowly falling out of the sky, generally on fire, and I can't tell which way it's going to fall, so I keep running this way and that until it crashed on me. You're welcome for these visuals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(note: I was going to put a picture of a plane crashing here, but when I googled it, my heart started racing. So... no picture.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>8. If you could choose the manner of your death- but not the timing- what would you choose?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">A way that would allow me to tell my family that I love them, but not prolong the agony for them (or me.) I can't get any more specific than that because I'm afraid I would test fate. Yes, I am superstitious, even though I'm not religious. </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>9. Would you rather switch back to black and white TV with only five channels, or no internet?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I would rather have no TV. I don't really watch it, and although I'd miss the Biggest Loser, and the Olympics, I could watch those on the INTERNET. Take my TV now, can we cure world hunger with that?</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>10. If you could use a voodoo doll to hurt somebody, would you do it?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, funny story. I may or may not have used voo doo dolls for people in the workplace. There was this one guy, Gregg, who drove me insane with his obtuseness, so I had a voo doo doll for him. I'd just pin him in the legs, no big deal. It was cathartic. Then one day I was talking to a coworker in NJ, who was telling me that she was waiting for Gregg because they carpooled, and I said "GREGG?! Gregg ******? Uh, I wouldn't sit within 10 ft of that guy, he drives me crazy!" and then she mentioned that since they were engaged to be married, it made sense to carpool. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Insert foot here*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">So, I sent them his voo doo doll for their wedding. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7bW375mrbT8jmD1krEIgRmwEJ3YeykMftVdnB3_L_E4FKyeaLfOMLIeOw_rz6uMsR2ksOOypwqX9J3IPR48TGYD65rq3lRWXaVeWcey4xbEMztKY90cFpEX0_J33Y8WpjHXa6wFvbpRX/s1600/voodoo-dolls-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7bW375mrbT8jmD1krEIgRmwEJ3YeykMftVdnB3_L_E4FKyeaLfOMLIeOw_rz6uMsR2ksOOypwqX9J3IPR48TGYD65rq3lRWXaVeWcey4xbEMztKY90cFpEX0_J33Y8WpjHXa6wFvbpRX/s320/voodoo-dolls-large.jpg" uda="true" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm shocked by how many voo doo pics have pins in the eyes, not cool people. Also: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7bW375mrbT8jmD1krEIgRmwEJ3YeykMftVdnB3_L_E4FKyeaLfOMLIeOw_rz6uMsR2ksOOypwqX9J3IPR48TGYD65rq3lRWXaVeWcey4xbEMztKY90cFpEX0_J33Y8WpjHXa6wFvbpRX/s1600/voodoo-dolls-large.jpg">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7bW375mrbT8jmD1krEIgRmwEJ3YeykMftVdnB3_L_E4FKyeaLfOMLIeOw_rz6uMsR2ksOOypwqX9J3IPR48TGYD65rq3lRWXaVeWcey4xbEMztKY90cFpEX0_J33Y8WpjHXa6wFvbpRX/s1600/voodoo-dolls-large.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>11. What if the voodoo doll was only able to annoy them tremendously (for example: causes pervasive itching of genitals while in public, causes slight ringing in ears at nighttime, etc), would you do it?</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I absolutely LOVE this idea. My favorite local bookstore - Changing Hands - has voo doo doll notepads, which I'll admit I've been eyeing for quite some time, but now I HAVE to get them. This is the Best Idea Ever!</span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-89357848249591367932012-02-06T09:04:00.000-08:002012-02-06T09:04:34.344-08:00Doing Something That Scares MeSeveral years ago, I stumbled upon a Chinese Elemental Profile test, which gave insight into personality traits, as they related to the five Chinese elements - earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/FiveElementsCycleBalanceImbalance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/FiveElementsCycleBalanceImbalance.jpg" width="281px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/FiveElementsCycleBalanceImbalance.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/07/FiveElementsCycleBalanceImbalance.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The goal is to have aspects of all five of the elements in balance, however, no one ever really attains that. The test was supposed to give you the element that you had in excess, and the element that you were deficient in, and then give you ways to balance it. However, these were (and still are) my results:<br />
<br />
You have an excess in Metal<br />
You have an excess in Metal<br />
<br />
Apparently, I'm so metal, that everything else is deficient. I've also learned that the rooster is a metal sign, and I was born in the year of the Metal rooster. Destiny?<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.verynice2.com/images/prod/512482-590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216px" sda="true" src="http://www.verynice2.com/images/prod/512482-590.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.verynice2.com/images/prod/512482-590.jpg">http://www.verynice2.com/images/prod/512482-590.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
What does Metal mean?<br />
Metal types are principled, disciplined, and structured, always striving to find order in chaos. Masters of inner meaning and ceremony, they love precision, and dislike conflict and disorder. By understanding the internal principles that guide outer reality, they create a world that fits their ideals. It is this ability to understand, deconstruct, and reconstruct high-functioning systems that is Metal’s gift to humanity.<br />
<br />
When Metal is in harmony:<br />
<ul><li>Methodical, disciplined, composed, honorable</li>
<li>Most comfortable working by the rules, within a principled structure</li>
<li>Able to find order in chaos, loving neat precision</li>
<li>Able to synthesize a lot of information to produce new systems of thought</li>
</ul>When Metal is in excess:<br />
<ul><li>Rigid, bossy and self-righteous (me? No one has called me bossy for at least 3 days)</li>
<li>Perfectionistic to the point that no one can meet their standards (guilty)</li>
<li>Distant and detached from others (true)</li>
<li>Resentful, judgemental, and controlling (yes, sometimes true)</li>
</ul>Metal’s Lesson: The world is not perfect, and neither am I<br />
<br />
*Record scratching to a halt* <strong><u>I'm not perfect?!</u></strong><br />
<br />
It gives a lot of great hints - things like surrounding myself with more colors and shapes (really, silver sparkly iridescent is a color!), eating cooling foods, exercising consistently, and the big one: trying something new. *shudder*<br />
<br />
<em>"Try something you have absolutely no idea how to do. By forcing yourself into uncomfortable situations where you are not in control and do not know the system, you can help to relieve yourself of Excess Metal."</em><br />
<br />
<br />
My anxiety level is rising just thinking about it. I'm actually sweating just writing this.<br />
Maybe this sounds like a good time to some of you, but this sounds like the worst kind of torture possible to me. Not be perfect? Be uncomfortable? Embarrass myself? Be uninformed? I don't do these things. I practice and practice and practice at home in private, until I feel like I can do well in the situation. Fear of imperfection can be totally paralysing.<br />
<br />
<strong>Which is why I'm going to start doing CrossFit.</strong><br />
<br />
CrossFit is a public, group fitness activity that focuses on strength, explosion, speed, and competition.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49DaGfYzWwNOaZY_ap7hFZGDg_MGlajT2x4CirhzlqemQr7hK_Otzt0X4M4AkXphxO6e8m3gpKV9D_AYpZkHGK5BpmgxiBM-HCMWaQuIF9bGJpYaEidRgk-oAuLPNj5nGASVlGS-lIAw/s1600/020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49DaGfYzWwNOaZY_ap7hFZGDg_MGlajT2x4CirhzlqemQr7hK_Otzt0X4M4AkXphxO6e8m3gpKV9D_AYpZkHGK5BpmgxiBM-HCMWaQuIF9bGJpYaEidRgk-oAuLPNj5nGASVlGS-lIAw/s320/020.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49DaGfYzWwNOaZY_ap7hFZGDg_MGlajT2x4CirhzlqemQr7hK_Otzt0X4M4AkXphxO6e8m3gpKV9D_AYpZkHGK5BpmgxiBM-HCMWaQuIF9bGJpYaEidRgk-oAuLPNj5nGASVlGS-lIAw/s1600/020.jpg">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49DaGfYzWwNOaZY_ap7hFZGDg_MGlajT2x4CirhzlqemQr7hK_Otzt0X4M4AkXphxO6e8m3gpKV9D_AYpZkHGK5BpmgxiBM-HCMWaQuIF9bGJpYaEidRgk-oAuLPNj5nGASVlGS-lIAw/s1600/020.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I am kind of afraid of all of those things. <br />
<br />
I am extremely competitive, but I have serious deficiencies in upper body strength, explosion, speed, and in enjoying group activities.To give you an idea, I just ran my fastest 5K ever this weekend - in 35 minutes. That would be like 11+ minute miles, and I was working my tail off. My legs are very strong, but I cannot do a pull up. I can't even do a real push up. I also don't wear bikinis.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/women-pic-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" sda="true" src="http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/women-pic-4.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/women-pic-4.jpg">http://orangecoastcrossfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/women-pic-4.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The scariest part of CrossFit is that it's not like I can practice at it and get better every week, because every. single. class. is. different. They never do the same workout twice. That means I will be totally uncomfortable EVERY TIME I GO.<br />
<br />
And yet - I'm intrigued by it. I know I could be stronger. I AM competitive. I have recently found that I am much stronger in endurance than I thought possible. I am feeling healthier than I've felt in 10 years, now that I've given up on procreation and let my body be post-menopausal. I feel <strike>a debilitating amount of fear</strike> excitement in challenging myself in a new way. It could lead to building confidence, pride, and hopefully some definition. Best of all, for the first time ever, it's a physical activity that J and I can do together.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossfitcentral.com/uploads/central/image/JessBio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188px" sda="true" src="http://www.crossfitcentral.com/uploads/central/image/JessBio.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossfitcentral.com/uploads/central/image/JessBio.jpg">http://www.crossfitcentral.com/uploads/central/image/JessBio.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> What I like in this picture is not her thinness, or tanness, or perfect hair, but her look of confidence. I want that. So I'm going to try it. I'll let you know how much I shame myself, and how long it takes me to trip, fall down, or hit my head. I'll also let you know how great I feel when I conquer my fear!Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-81640486497145636902012-01-27T08:40:00.000-08:002012-01-27T08:40:02.700-08:00Cultivativing Laughter, Song, and DanceIf you know me personally, you know that I am a huge fan of Brene Brown, and you have probably been tied down and forced to watch her <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html">Ted Talk</a>. If you haven't seen it yet, watch it. It's 20 minutes, and you can listen to it while you're cooking. It. changed. my. life.<br />
<br />
Brene is a shame researcher, and to steal from the blurb on the Ted Talk she"studies human connection -- our ability to empathize, belong, love. In a poignant, funny talk at TEDxHouston, she shares a deep insight from her research, one that sent her on a personal quest to know herself as well as to understand humanity. A talk to share."<br />
<br />
I've read all of her books (shocking no one), and actually took an online course on vulnerability that was amazing. There are many aspects of her research that have impacted me, but possibly my favorite has been re-introducing myself to cultivating laughter, song, and dance. Basically, letting go of being cool, and always being in control. (If this topic interests you, I also strongly recommend her book The Gifts of Imperfection, which is not self-helpy in any way).<br />
<br />
I used to be someone who was "free" in every sense of the word. If I thought something was funny, I would laugh out loud, and possibly smash my eye into a music stand, causing a black eye for high school graduation (true story). When I played, if I was into the music, I danced around on the stage, even if it was a competition, even when I was getting the stink eye from my loving music teacher. I danced on tables at rest stops (not in a kinky way, just in a full of exuberance way). I sang loudly and poorly. I was connected to my feelings, and I had a rare ability to be an emotional catalyst - if I was "feeling it" the whole room would start to feel the same sense of joyfulness. I was pretty hard to ignore.<br />
<br />
*note - in unrelated news, I had horrible teeth, which after 8 years of braces were eventually fixed. Unfortunately, I had pictures of these events, but I destroyed them all because I thought my teeth were ugly. Sigh. So, this is a pictureless post.*<br />
<br />
The sad thing is that my superpower emotional catalysm worked just as effectively on the other side of the spectrum. If I was pissed, the hairs on the backs of people's necks would start to stand up. If I was brooding, not only was it totally obvious, but it could get ugly. I went through a rough patch or two, or many. I didn't want to feel the pain of those experiences, so I stopped playing music - my connection to my own emotions. I didn't want to color the atmosphere with my own negativity, so I stopped projecting. I stopped tapping into myself. <br />
<br />
Eventually, I got over my rough patches, I found some peace. However, I continued to censor myself. I told myself that my emotions were too powerful, that I was a grown-up now, that people would think I was weird. But the reality was that I was afraid to feel. And by numbing the bad emotions, I was also numbing the good emotions. <br />
<br />
Then I watched this Ted Talk, and read this book. <br />
<br />
I've spent the last year working on my vulnerability - my willingness to feel in front of the people I care about, and not just in the shower by myself. It's been a remarkable process.<br />
<br />
I've reconnected with a friend who I missed dearly by choosing to reach out, to apologize for something that happened 13 years ago, even though I was terrified of being scoffed at, ignored, or derided.<br />
<br />
I've been able to establish a great connection with a new friend, who I allowed to enter my personal bubble about 5 years before admission is allowed, normally after rigorous testing, and development of trust. It's been wonderful, and fulfilling.<br />
<br />
My hubs and I have been able to talk with complete honesty and openness about huge topics that would change our lives forever, without worry of being judged, deemed unfit, or selfish.<br />
<br />
I've worked with a counselor, and been able to work through my relationships with my family, with my sense of self, and my fear of having to solve impossible problems.<br />
<br />
I danced, laughed, and sang publicly during a race when everyone around me was suffering, and I know I connected with at least that guy running in the hoola skirt, and the belly dancers. More importantly, I connected with myself. <br />
<br />
Do you ever let yourself dance with abandon? Do you sing out loud in the car, even when the people you love are in it? Do you allow yourself to feel the good stuff and the bad stuff? <br />
<br />
Seriously, watch the video.Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-15011314099397925822012-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:002012-01-23T14:37:03.659-08:00My First Marathon - The Long Version w/Pics<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race was awesome! The weather was perfect – started a little chilly and cloudy, and stayed that way throughout the race – which is huge when it’s AZ. There was no sun beating down the entire time. There was not a 40 degree difference from start to finish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a great time throughout the race, but it was the people who really made it. I met my Mom at mile 8 (the race went right past her house), and she rode her bike throughout the rest of the race with me. She carried water and electrolyte for me, since I was afraid that as a back of the packer, the race would run out (they didn’t). She also had snacks, lip gloss, sunscreen, body glide – things I wasn’t sure if I would need, but didn’t want to carry. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStTtbCSts61XoLmeoip_Owy_jz0eBqQfrcZXGia5ihvBnaAp0XbnQ7Kl6m8y3lBxSayWo9bzYyHshr5pIgG9wuPdKdOUhwNLl1cuEnCu_bF7cvqmEpi0aXmByjiWvLSCTjrTJTvmtj6U/s1600/mom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStTtbCSts61XoLmeoip_Owy_jz0eBqQfrcZXGia5ihvBnaAp0XbnQ7Kl6m8y3lBxSayWo9bzYyHshr5pIgG9wuPdKdOUhwNLl1cuEnCu_bF7cvqmEpi0aXmByjiWvLSCTjrTJTvmtj6U/s320/mom.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cannot make this picture go right side up, no matter how I save it. Ahh, technology.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She also met me at basically every mile to cheer me on, which was great. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The race ran past my friend KJ’s house at mile 15, and then again at mile 17. She and her husband were out there cheering me on, and made me an amazing sign.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkUjA_JZkeCsLgv8ie7qhmPzIfJ30Za8DVMfFMTe6J59YAEzLpNbKPCSiQBrFDqx4c5Gvc0FCXZ6VkpQESJOUQGXxScTuGsIS4_qmA4P4Qg9Oo7HWhWj7zwZ-RYgnNvpf9dPvFmBIPag/s1600/kristin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRkUjA_JZkeCsLgv8ie7qhmPzIfJ30Za8DVMfFMTe6J59YAEzLpNbKPCSiQBrFDqx4c5Gvc0FCXZ6VkpQESJOUQGXxScTuGsIS4_qmA4P4Qg9Oo7HWhWj7zwZ-RYgnNvpf9dPvFmBIPag/s320/kristin.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love that it was pink, covered in sparkles, had my name, and most of all – that she made it for me. She loves me for who I am (even if I am a person who sings Come on Eileen at the top of her lungs, in an incredibly sparkly skirt as she’s cheering me on).</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autam and J were scheduled to meet me at mile 24, and Autam was going to run the final two miles with me – which was actually quite a sacrifice, as her knees need to be rescoped . Instead, they surprised me at mile 22, which may have been the best surprise ever. I may or may not have been running in place at this point, but unlike most of the people around me, I wasn’t hobbled in pain, or stumbling around. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_1E-hI8VP2ACn8RjM2lJh6_8DXQjZ6GnA_fDWyL61wZcGa1FTc2PMQuck2UsjWnWu1PHcHsmfbR4dZedQFW1ruIU9f2HxCegs9Y4BeXMU6k-4k1UDBPyXYcCDB5NnintRooje4wR0Y/s1600/run+7.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9_1E-hI8VP2ACn8RjM2lJh6_8DXQjZ6GnA_fDWyL61wZcGa1FTc2PMQuck2UsjWnWu1PHcHsmfbR4dZedQFW1ruIU9f2HxCegs9Y4BeXMU6k-4k1UDBPyXYcCDB5NnintRooje4wR0Y/s1600/run+7.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">J hightailed it to the finish line, and caught me as I completely lost it after the race. He was so proud, and that actually made me feel proud of myself. He’s been so supportive of the entire process, and seeing him at the finish line was awesome. It was also great that he actually posted on facebook about the race – something he never ever does. Just showed me how much he cared.</span> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyywyZUVfmcVwoBtS4E0LJ-cwMcKo9v4HuTfnceaP-mZ-qghyk9xObu_xVNt3hB4455N_xqeu3LDhuTGhq-rix3GrAT8bIi5oPRtQkbuHxaPejs62iXBWfa9vr9DdWcfNgNneXDWS4Ivs/s1600/jandei.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyywyZUVfmcVwoBtS4E0LJ-cwMcKo9v4HuTfnceaP-mZ-qghyk9xObu_xVNt3hB4455N_xqeu3LDhuTGhq-rix3GrAT8bIi5oPRtQkbuHxaPejs62iXBWfa9vr9DdWcfNgNneXDWS4Ivs/s320/jandei.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I *may* have had to photoshop the "cold" part of this picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What went well:</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- My training:</strong> I started training with a good base – about 10 miles as a standard weekend long run for 6 months or so. I was diligent in following my plan, but I also was willing to be flexible to account for colds and travel. I did all of my scheduled long runs, and I felt great the entire time. My food intake was deliberate, and I focused on making sure I was getting enough protein and some fats (which I actually struggle with).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- The right clothes:</strong> There was a big part of me that wanted to wear some other clothes for the race – accessorize appropriately, wear my @Runprettyfar blossom top that speaks to me with it’s “Find Your Bliss” message – but I was training in this outfit, and I knew it was going to work. I wound up having no chafing (which may have been a result of coating my entire body in body glide, deodorant and/or sunscreen) and I didn’t even have a blister. It was the right choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- Enjoying the moment:</strong> For me, the training was the hard part. The race itself was the celebration, and I wanted to make sure that I fully enjoyed the experience. I danced with belly dancers, I was chased by cheerleading wild animals who shouted things like “You look tasty!” I sang at the top of my lungs, and played air guitar as I ran around (possibly annoying the other people on the course). I fully allowed myself to BE present, and enjoy the good stuff, knowing that it would carry me through the bad stuff. Then there really wasn’t any bad stuff, and I was glad I had taken the time to enjoy it all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>- Listen to your body more than the experts:</strong> I may have read every single possible article, book, blog, and tweet about running your first full marathon, and I also sent out random questions on the interwebs, and got quick responses from very supportive people. It was great to have that info, but the running community said over and over again – listen to your body, do what works for you. For me, the smartest move was to not gorge on pasta. I had a little, and I did it two nights before, rather than the night before. However, the leftovers were possibly the best thing I’ve ever eaten AFTER the race.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQuiqf89KpnTcbYKl5uJug5B34Ti8boq7Llvd_zajbIMzfs737tlUj8YNNeqFjJp-3CR3AbrMtHT8bEOLjTrl2EtkKLa1vShOXcyCZ1HGnpKIaJeu3VCoE8M5FgpLNfSyJuVOaGtUpUY/s1600/run+6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQuiqf89KpnTcbYKl5uJug5B34Ti8boq7Llvd_zajbIMzfs737tlUj8YNNeqFjJp-3CR3AbrMtHT8bEOLjTrl2EtkKLa1vShOXcyCZ1HGnpKIaJeu3VCoE8M5FgpLNfSyJuVOaGtUpUY/s1600/run+6.bmp" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What I learned:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Body glide is way better than Vaseline , and doesn’t stain your clothes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Wear the right sized underoos - just trust me on this one. If your undies are too big, it’s going to chafe in the WRONG places.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- I’m much stronger than I thought I was – there was no wall, there was no agony. It almost seems surreal because it went so well. There were several training runs on the tready, where I finished and then questioned myself – did I do my math right? Did I really just run for 5 hours? Cause I swear it doesn’t feel like I did… I am strong, and healthy. I am powerful. I always felt like I was strong and determined, but now I KNOW I am.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite race photo – of the finish! It’s hard to tell from the back but I was crying hysterically because the medical tent people were cheering me on so enthusiastically. They were also jumping up and down and doing YMCA, which for some reason was a very emotional song at that moment. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfa_ScoqDtyoweO2b0Tj0QFkjV7eLLZ41gA0RJ7xtENndBkNSmW8jY1jz4guLheA8WdPudqefEvEqKZDHTh8cj7CzqNQD0arDJwzUaB-QPq65XVgtuflWLJxTTm5xlRHG4HHhNt3ONsrU/s1600/finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfa_ScoqDtyoweO2b0Tj0QFkjV7eLLZ41gA0RJ7xtENndBkNSmW8jY1jz4guLheA8WdPudqefEvEqKZDHTh8cj7CzqNQD0arDJwzUaB-QPq65XVgtuflWLJxTTm5xlRHG4HHhNt3ONsrU/s320/finish.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course my favorite picture won't load correctly either.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Opportunities for Improvement:</span> </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Start the race on time. I was supremely annoyed that they were going to delay the race by 30 minutes because one light rail train was running late. I was even more annoyed because they didn’t bother to tell us this until we were all lined up and the gun was about to go off. I could have hit the portapotty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Don’t have the final miles of the race be the hilliest. There was one hill… one hill that was in the Papagos around mile 23, where I had the following conversation with Autam:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eileen: As long as we aren’t going up that hill in the distance, I’m going to be fine. This is a piece of cake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autam: You’re doing great!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(5 minutes later)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eileen: Please tell me we aren’t going up that hill?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autam: …</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eileen: No, please tell me the course doesn’t go up that hill?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autam… um…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Eileen: Shit! We ARE going up that hill. *&%$#@@%&I)(&%</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Autam: ….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- When the cheer teams are more tired than you are, it’s a problem. Seriously, watching cheerleaders really dragging ass, and hardly waving a pom pom as you trot by does not energize you in any way. I would have preferred no cheerleaders to tired ones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And finally - </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are the signs that my family made for me, that my mom used to cheer me on throughout the course. She then bullied J, Autam, and three random people to hold the signs up for a picture, making sure that they knew she did NOT want their faces in the pic! :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh73jZzaFTjM0V69eitcKckP_6sdeqkca8LAiy8XJhSLPuYxacCHmQTwUSZHadqoW3cFRFIqCYMGspDIQhHOVXNOmyVSiOv5N1y88N6d2R9yhMNM7uTnf0eZQKEbjqPisen5zOZ1oYy0/s1600/signs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360px" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUh73jZzaFTjM0V69eitcKckP_6sdeqkca8LAiy8XJhSLPuYxacCHmQTwUSZHadqoW3cFRFIqCYMGspDIQhHOVXNOmyVSiOv5N1y88N6d2R9yhMNM7uTnf0eZQKEbjqPisen5zOZ1oYy0/s640/signs.JPG" width="640px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-64713151615896869682012-01-18T03:08:00.000-08:002012-01-18T03:08:02.164-08:00Stop SOPA<a href="https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/">Tell Congress that you are against SOPA.</a>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-77300410853125375142012-01-15T17:17:00.000-08:002012-01-15T17:17:26.741-08:00My Marathon - The Short Version<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm going to be writing a longer post about the good, the bad, what I learned, that will be too wordy and longish, but for now, I will tell you how it went just by this short(ish) story.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One of my new years resolutions was to score 2600 pts at the Summer Series races. In order to put down a number I needed to do some extensive research - shocking no one - and while I was reviewing each of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 races, there was one woman who seemed like a good target. Her name is Adrienne Pollard (I don't actually know her, but this is the beauty of online results) and I decided to mark her this year. She's the woman I want to beat - or her times are.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Note: I'm very competitive, but I'm actually quite nice while racing. I always cheer people on, and try to be encouraging when people are suffering. I'm not like "Oh YOU'RE Adrienne Pollard? I'm going to eat you for breakfast. And then eat some breakfast." Really, I swear.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So I was just looking up my official time, which is about 15 minutes better than I was expecting (#winning!), but what made my day was the name directly below me on the results in my Age Group:</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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" 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</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I have a feeling that 2012 is going to be a good racing year!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
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</div>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-88035083989552368022012-01-10T06:00:00.000-08:002012-01-10T06:00:11.293-08:00My Mystery/Thriller Story...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During a recent run, the perceptive/hyper-aware side of me turned my run into a mystery/thriller. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I ran past a guy in a work truck, next to a power box. He sat in the truck the entire time I was running up the block, and decided to get out of the vehicle just as I was running by. I immediately grabbed my keys and put them in 'stab eye' mode in my hand, in case he came after me.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://byufan.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/qwest1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" rea="true" src="http://byufan.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/qwest1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://byufan.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/qwest1.jpg">http://byufan.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/qwest1.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was an icecream truck driving around the neighborhood. This may not seem odd, except for two things:</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. The icecream truck is NEVER in our neighborhood in the summer (I work remotely, I would know that music anywhere)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. It was approximately 38 degrees out. In Arizona.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allfoodtrucksforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213px" rea="true" src="http://allfoodtrucksforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/0035.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://allfoodtrucksforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/0035.jpg">http://allfoodtrucksforsale.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/0035.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm convinced he was a kidnapper. I felt an instant urge to call the police. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">As I ran past the back of a neighborhood, the distinct smell of bleach overpowered me. Keep in mind, I have no sense of smell - I could taste the bleach. It was powerful enough that it made my nose sting and eyes water. It was definitely not pool chemicals (they taste different). I wondered what blood stains they were cleaning up, and if they realized that it was dead giveaway that they were using copious amounts of bleach!</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thefitnesschronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bleach.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://thefitnesschronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bleach.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I opted out of google searching "mopping up blood stains". <a href="http://thefitnesschronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bleach.gif">http://thefitnesschronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/bleach.gif</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Finally, I saw large bags of fertilizer stacked around the neighborhood. What's that? You think it was just the fertilizer for the summer grass, and that's why the stacks were at the parks? I don't think so. I think it was to make explosives. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.plant-care.com/fertilizer-bags-stacked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256px" rea="true" src="http://images.plant-care.com/fertilizer-bags-stacked.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.plant-care.com/fertilizer-bags-stacked.jpg">http://images.plant-care.com/fertilizer-bags-stacked.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">At least that's what I thought as I wrote my mystery story in my head - and it helped me push that last few miles as I "ran away" from the bad guys. :)</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-4296388252021187292012-01-05T07:24:00.000-08:002012-01-05T07:24:01.950-08:00Things I Can't Make Up<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>* I solemnly swear that I am <strike>up to no good</strike> not exaggerating this in any way. Really, it needs no elaboration*</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What I am going to eat for lunch today:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1/2 piece of plain chicken</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 tortilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- handful of almonds</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.texmextogo.com/images/chicken-wraps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" rea="true" src="http://www.texmextogo.com/images/chicken-wraps.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Except without all the colorful stuff. Just the chicken and the tortilla <br />
<a href="http://www.texmextogo.com/images/chicken-wraps.jpg">http://www.texmextogo.com/images/chicken-wraps.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What my hubs packed for lunch today*:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 6 egg omelette with sausage, ham, and cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 3 pieces of chicken</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 2 tortillas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 2 hamburger patties</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 tofu burger patty</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 3 muscle milk protein shakes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 2 containers of yogurt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 2 packets of little kid string cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 baggie full of shredded cheese</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 container of barbeque sauce**</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 can of diet cream soda (why bother with the diet stuff at this point?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 bottle of gatorade-esque sports drink***</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.healblog.net/wp-content/uploads/binge-eating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="http://www.healblog.net/wp-content/uploads/binge-eating.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to wade through MANY pages of skinny girls eating cake to find this picture.<br />
<a href="http://www.healblog.net/">http://www.healblog.net/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>*Again, I promise this is completely accurate</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>**You may notice a lack of vegetables in our collective diets</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>***Lucky for me, he may eat an enormous quantity of food, but he pays the grocery bill, and also works out enough to be able to eat this mega lunch daily.</em></span>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-31056258334480779062012-01-02T09:20:00.000-08:002012-01-02T09:22:21.650-08:00Uncategorizing Me<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>*Note: For those following this blog for adoption information, that's not going away. I'm just going to be revealing more aspects of myself. No hard feelings if you're not interested!*</i></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am complex, yet constant. I do not fit into boxes well, though I've tried to squeeze into many - even boxes of my own creation. I no longer feel the need to pigeon-hole myself, so this blog is not about the runner me, or the prospective adoptive parent me - it's just me. The uncategorized me. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since I've never let the interwebs truly know me, I thought I'd give everyone a chance to catch up.</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>I am intelligent, but I'm not a member of the intelligentsia.</b></span><br />
I'm fascinated by quantum physics, and the Hunger Games. I read about brain science and love science fiction. I love anything to do with a cultural experience different from my own, which lures me into spending years trying to understand how Mao brainwashed millions of people during the Cultural Revolution, and also sucks me right into Harry Potter's universe.<br />
<br />
<b>I am a musician, but I'm not a musician.</b><br />
I grew up in the house of a jazz snob, and understand music theory at a post- doctorate level, but I haven't touched an instrument in 12 years. I love jazz and the emotional places it can take me, but I also love dirty gangsta rap and everything in between (and I mean everything - ska, hard rock, and I have a special love for funk). My iPod is schizophrenic. <br />
<br />
Random Note: I can't spell schizophrenic without help.<br />
<br />
<b>I am a professional, but I'm not professional.</b><br />
I been with a [sorry Internet - undisclosed] Fortune 500 company for 12 years. I hold a fairly important position in their day to day operations. The majority of my peers are 15 years older than I am. Yet, my worst nightmare is wearing heels 5 <strike>minutes</strike> days a week. I abhor wearing suits. I'm not a fan of manipulation or lying. I work remotely, which is to say away from people. I like that. <br />
<br />
<b>I am an athlete, but not an athlete.</b><br />
If I told you I could run for 5 1/2 hours straight, you might say "WOW". If I told you I can't even run a marathon in that time, you might say "WALKER!" and *pshaw* your way right to judgement. I'm ok with that. I run slowly, but I run. I am not a waif, I don't look like a skeleton, but I am at a very healthy weight for me, and I feel happy. I have "quads of steel" as @tmbrunnerfirst would say, I wear running skirts - sometimes with sparkles - and I have a blast out there with the 85 year old women. Someday I hope to be one of them. I don't run to win (obviously), but I do run for sanity, which may be even better.<br />
<br />
<b>I am a mother, but I'm not a mother.</b><br />
I don't have (nor will I have) any biological children. My husband and I are actively looking at CPS adoption, but we have put our process on hold until we feel like it's the right time for us. That doesn't mean that I don't know kids. I've been babysitting since I was 8, I was a posh nanny 'Real Housewives of Connecticut' style for years, I basically raised my brother - he may be hopelessly flawed, but he's happy, damnit - and I have a remarkable step-daughter, S. <br />
<br />
This remarkable step-daughter recently hit J and I up for money for a charity event, and pre-signed us EACH up on a website to donate funds (she did a really good job with the salesmanship, I'll admit). When I went on the website, there I was - listed as "Friend". <br />
<br />
<b>I am spiritual, but not religious.</b><br />
I believe in quantum physics - that we are all connected, and we have more of an impact on our environment and ourselves than we understand. I believe that we should be kind to ALL people, that we should be tolerant, and understanding. I don't believe in organized religion. I respect people who do, but it doesn't work for me. I should note here that I was <strike>kicked out</strike> asked not to return to the Catholic Church when I was 7. Apparently, owing to my curiosity of biology at the time, I asked one too many questions about the immaculate conception, and I may have alluded to the fact that if I got pregnant, and told my Dad it was a beam of light, that he would believe me because I was a good girl. It was my own Aunt who asked me not to come back to CCD. <br />
<br />
My biggest regret is that I didn't get the fancy white maryjane shoes with the little heels for first communion like everyone else. <br />
<br />
I *might* have concerns that I'm going to spontaneously combust each time I step over the threshold of a church.<br />
<br />
<b>I am socially liberal, but fiscally conservative.</b><br />
The only thing that is off-limits on my blog is politics. I may touch on a social issue, but I will not dissolve into Us vs. Them conversations, or talk about politics at all. I am informed, I hope you take the time to inform yourself. I believe that people allow politics to polarize their opinions society.<br />
<br />
I make decent money, and I don't believe in credit cards. I pay my bills first, my savings second, and if there's any left over, it generally goes to a bookstore, @runprettyfar, lululemon, or target. I can say probably, because any time I spend a $1 at a location not above, my bank turns off my debit card. This generally happens around Christmas, when I buy things for other people. It annoys me greatly.<br />
<br />
<b>I love social media, but not ALL of social media.</b><br />
If you follow me on twitter (@eisparklz), you know I tweet and retweet random stuff daily. I love it. I love the interaction, I love the pieces of info I read, I love finding people with my passions. It's a maven's dream.<br />
<br />
If you follow me on facebook, you know I haven't posted anything on my wall in months. I do check it about daily. I do read what others are doing. I do look at cute photos of friend's kids. I post comments on people's postings, but I just never post myself. Occassionally, my hubs will post pictures and tag me, and that's how you know where I am and what I'm doing.<br />
<br />
<b>I am a blogger, but I'm not a writer.</b><br />
Consistency, thou art a jewel (thank you Rhett Butler). I'm not making any commitments to writing daily/weekly/monthly, because I don't see myself as a writer. I understand grammar, but I don't understand the mechanics of telling a good story, or presenting information. So I'm basically just talking with my hands right now. Blogs going forward will be similarly just stream of consciousness. There will probably be pictures.<br />
<br />
These things are who I am, and who I'm not. Who are you? Do you hide your quirky self from the world, even as you blog/tweet/post on facebook?Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-8131471027377542112011-11-16T14:23:00.000-08:002011-11-16T14:41:55.794-08:00National Adoption Day - November 19thNational Adoption Day is this Saturday, November 19th. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, National Adoption Day is a special Saturday where courts open their doors, and judges (family court and otherwise) volunteer to hear and finalize as many adoption cases as possible.<br />
<br />
Maricopa County (Phoenix Metro) has had the largest National Adoption Day event for the last 3 years. Our teachers have told us that it is a carnival-like event. They have entertainment, games, face painting, photography, gift bags - and lots of kids who have their adoptions finalized. It's a great feel-good day, and there are tons of smiles!<br />
<br />
I've heard that it's a great day, and I think we're going to go downtown to see it in action. <br />
<br />
For those in Maricopa County, you can see the details here: <a href="http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/events/2011-11-19/maricopa-county-national-adoption-day">http://www.nationaladoptionday.org/events/2011-11-19/maricopa-county-national-adoption-day</a>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-7521125384566309312011-10-28T15:00:00.000-07:002011-10-28T15:00:00.364-07:00Family Photos...As part of our adoption process, we need to put together a life book. This book will be a representation of our family to CPS, and will be used during our "red flag" meetings - when a group of specialists (CPS, child advocate, our adoption specialist, and other family specialists) will review a child's file and determine the best set of parents that fit the child's needs. We will not be in those meetings, so the only visual of us will be this book. It will also be shown to the child to give them an idea of the family that will be adopting them. Although the courts will also have our exhaustive home study details, the pictures will speak volumes. In fact, our trainer mentioned that she was in a red flag meeting last week, and that the group had serious concerns with one of the families, because the grandparents "didn't look very happy" in their picture. I'm not joking. So pictures are super important. <br />
<br />
The only problem? We don't have any.<br />
<br />
Well... we don't have any good ones.<br />
<br />
There are several reasons for this. <br />
1. We don't take a ton of pictures except for when we travel. We generally travel together, which means there are rarely pictures of both of us in the picture.<br />
2. I'm not photogenic - or I'm actually way uglier than I think I am, but I'm going with not photogenic.<br />
3. J cannot smile on command. I wish I were joking, but he sucks at it. He looks like he's being tortured, or half asleep, or mad in every picture. So finding a pic that has both of us, where I actually look like a human being, and he is smiling is nearly impossible.<br />
<br />
Eileen, you must be exaggerating.<br />
<br />
You think so? We made a conscious effort to take photos during our recent trip to Boston. And here are some of the beauties.<br />
<br />
Cute picture of us at dinner in the North End.<br />
<br />
Attempt #1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ18j9dNGqJyqiYBVceu1iSu06G0S3i7JdUvMl_18PLiLtnTULtlSZyvRyK-V-2SVwNg15UVmA7-sFghseREruS0nBqdpwXyRatuzaySAuQpsRzES-Bbq4BRJlu-VklKJzsGaXxc93Ro/s1600/attempt1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQ18j9dNGqJyqiYBVceu1iSu06G0S3i7JdUvMl_18PLiLtnTULtlSZyvRyK-V-2SVwNg15UVmA7-sFghseREruS0nBqdpwXyRatuzaySAuQpsRzES-Bbq4BRJlu-VklKJzsGaXxc93Ro/s400/attempt1.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner with rainbows... (and yes this was a digital camera...)</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Attempt #2</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN4ndlbDZ99KqNnolXKK1tXoAYeX-XQwufsAb-MCNkOSqxaAyoSlKey3TZOjhk8rozKO_MQ_5gt6l_-v2Vx-C9hTrQJJHf3_pBKSGHz-lAp_ewKRSldqRb1zmVuSrvfsNjntspUEVzUE/s1600/attempt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGN4ndlbDZ99KqNnolXKK1tXoAYeX-XQwufsAb-MCNkOSqxaAyoSlKey3TZOjhk8rozKO_MQ_5gt6l_-v2Vx-C9hTrQJJHf3_pBKSGHz-lAp_ewKRSldqRb1zmVuSrvfsNjntspUEVzUE/s400/attempt2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blurry Couple.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Attempt #3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZXHjFb5szbm9OVQNNYWeZbEqXNsFpEbECeQKbxPcMgZoUTzSaDbb9EOIZ1bbjbHxWpndXkuxkwMlQqZsAE4NG9img-jMeNQhV1WAYGy_1vgGvLCTbgRrSeApugWaq70dWH-Th6NMQwE/s1600/attempt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZXHjFb5szbm9OVQNNYWeZbEqXNsFpEbECeQKbxPcMgZoUTzSaDbb9EOIZ1bbjbHxWpndXkuxkwMlQqZsAE4NG9img-jMeNQhV1WAYGy_1vgGvLCTbgRrSeApugWaq70dWH-Th6NMQwE/s400/attempt3.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the way, IRL I swear I do not have a double chin...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Attempt #4</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL16IBfi3Jh1OaWYIrSkktLdbmv1D6Heh_P0M3Lr4H0y1dsXPFzgBltQZFJ-Wh-RyUQLHgGFA_VHkz4NRhMFGpaK7BE0Sxtj1xs5LnjMGll8vdInp1J_t73egUyqNwkzbPKS8_91MiyQ/s1600/successkinda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHL16IBfi3Jh1OaWYIrSkktLdbmv1D6Heh_P0M3Lr4H0y1dsXPFzgBltQZFJ-Wh-RyUQLHgGFA_VHkz4NRhMFGpaK7BE0Sxtj1xs5LnjMGll8vdInp1J_t73egUyqNwkzbPKS8_91MiyQ/s400/successkinda.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Success?! You know, minus the fact that there is a statue of a man smoking cigars between us...and my chin is tilted up to prevent imaginary double chin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Normal Happy Couple: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizmhcodloCiyjlL_C7c8Pw1PiOKQ4BCCLAvN6x_GyzQQhpq2_58wCg-IHL2_XYVz8nEnIA7DesRg5x8Q7EyMTJFo88NCqgvv2R9htPd3aInqREIywuK7rGr5eAnBza93LtuhP690vLH4/s1600/normal+couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjizmhcodloCiyjlL_C7c8Pw1PiOKQ4BCCLAvN6x_GyzQQhpq2_58wCg-IHL2_XYVz8nEnIA7DesRg5x8Q7EyMTJFo88NCqgvv2R9htPd3aInqREIywuK7rGr5eAnBza93LtuhP690vLH4/s400/normal+couple.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Less Normal Happy Uncomfortable Shiny Couple:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqs2wfpazGf2jwhY9YSJuPLgzT1Nwcbxt8nPaiScD6dtb5oGPK98xks32pcaC2f1K0YAaGwHJTRRMo8RTTO5HT6DLCRQm0QWz0LuhFKnTMJMTdUotWeRxRa5ZpMQLPsWF-ed40TbNhxA/s1600/lessnormalcouple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqs2wfpazGf2jwhY9YSJuPLgzT1Nwcbxt8nPaiScD6dtb5oGPK98xks32pcaC2f1K0YAaGwHJTRRMo8RTTO5HT6DLCRQm0QWz0LuhFKnTMJMTdUotWeRxRa5ZpMQLPsWF-ed40TbNhxA/s400/lessnormalcouple.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Uncle D and Auntie V:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNrOJXUKbLPUJ20FTroI4mBRXYgG-IN2r1Vj5y6gnxudCs6cnY865BkdsDMiBcnT9CNvFJlXbuQd0e24KNmWgxy7ptWBGiHL3Tm_ErWqLms-ihdLZiOZS3h13zOkbRmJDhSzsPMgTKZE/s1600/UDAVcheck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNrOJXUKbLPUJ20FTroI4mBRXYgG-IN2r1Vj5y6gnxudCs6cnY865BkdsDMiBcnT9CNvFJlXbuQd0e24KNmWgxy7ptWBGiHL3Tm_ErWqLms-ihdLZiOZS3h13zOkbRmJDhSzsPMgTKZE/s400/UDAVcheck.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Perfect, one shot.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now let's try J and Eileen:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXwysUhyooSsQNJVoOFOTTcB6chBR5IbFXR_dNcUgnZp6YtIyiAVJsTgL-HUmPJpjHymb_2VRc7DSBvhKQLGRhJmrPCaCjy7mafx-DSQ8Ps6Pgsig9VZDeUwRgquQ1HCbv0D3hKy1xCs/s1600/squints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXwysUhyooSsQNJVoOFOTTcB6chBR5IbFXR_dNcUgnZp6YtIyiAVJsTgL-HUmPJpjHymb_2VRc7DSBvhKQLGRhJmrPCaCjy7mafx-DSQ8Ps6Pgsig9VZDeUwRgquQ1HCbv0D3hKy1xCs/s400/squints.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Squint-tacular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Round 2: In which J refuses to take his sunglasses off.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMkMLz9s9Oozai7agwbbXaA6AmDhRvigyEv6_4raJcvTCCWhonR_mq34keo9_4zRVZFhqWh_NbnukmKS6JGdcFeiqf6lWQXecnwclDYLzMKfkQEdR4gfp0hv8eONDbmCthRL_p1whP1w/s1600/sunglasses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMkMLz9s9Oozai7agwbbXaA6AmDhRvigyEv6_4raJcvTCCWhonR_mq34keo9_4zRVZFhqWh_NbnukmKS6JGdcFeiqf6lWQXecnwclDYLzMKfkQEdR4gfp0hv8eONDbmCthRL_p1whP1w/s400/sunglasses.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, evasive actions were needed here.</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">There were about 10 more attempts at this one before we gave up, switched direction, and tried to include the whole family. Remember that part about the unhappy looking grandparent?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ebcN6pkHM9jroF5zY-67kB3mIa2JJUKHLCLDUjfTQL6_KG1SFaSLSQ90tojHTkh6hVLmAZY6VgoKQbmpW1Xzh3ggHEX4kQw2bDtvEhegOqdELqnNfsJu_3XcgVvBtNMu-sFSWoV6ns/s1600/happy2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO1ebcN6pkHM9jroF5zY-67kB3mIa2JJUKHLCLDUjfTQL6_KG1SFaSLSQ90tojHTkh6hVLmAZY6VgoKQbmpW1Xzh3ggHEX4kQw2bDtvEhegOqdELqnNfsJu_3XcgVvBtNMu-sFSWoV6ns/s400/happy2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Take one.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetN2Hpiiv-VASwaVmkOXpKKrX5WqyefD_HSV6S9i8IhjRCaiHM0gmjeVjR2xw1y1_9sOcI7dase-vkLlrJo6HgII0TmyIxNhWNUgr8sTO5xbOsLKHF9Iufgq2CDDuD_BJD1D96nXhF7M/s1600/happy2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetN2Hpiiv-VASwaVmkOXpKKrX5WqyefD_HSV6S9i8IhjRCaiHM0gmjeVjR2xw1y1_9sOcI7dase-vkLlrJo6HgII0TmyIxNhWNUgr8sTO5xbOsLKHF9Iufgq2CDDuD_BJD1D96nXhF7M/s400/happy2.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Nana holding her tummy does not indicate that there are any body image issues here, of course.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HT68mTtXL4TlOcrpp9hHPkYxiZ-AhrpwltTp7-BvhvQCEhfuS-OVuhv8EqTOnpMd81Dj6FyG60OrQOUWtRnjGF4BHJuhgANBTRao_pr8raY_Ocn7ejVGvmo9vIWC1jILUxx9xnMOS1Q/s1600/happy4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HT68mTtXL4TlOcrpp9hHPkYxiZ-AhrpwltTp7-BvhvQCEhfuS-OVuhv8EqTOnpMd81Dj6FyG60OrQOUWtRnjGF4BHJuhgANBTRao_pr8raY_Ocn7ejVGvmo9vIWC1jILUxx9xnMOS1Q/s400/happy4.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And an eye-roll for the trifecta! Awesome.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"> OK last (pathetic) chance is the Patriots Hall of Fame...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlTTNBP6A8_io3j2M0OEMhrdTFr7pKo50X3sj6ndOQ5UBeQrZMJ_J38oPvF8dHcFlA3qWWMNNR8ttlTGWMJ9Xaf_sJxKUv39BV-hWf1kwW8wcXXJMrLjiZWavTVTwbInysChfBnGOoBc/s1600/eyesclosed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlTTNBP6A8_io3j2M0OEMhrdTFr7pKo50X3sj6ndOQ5UBeQrZMJ_J38oPvF8dHcFlA3qWWMNNR8ttlTGWMJ9Xaf_sJxKUv39BV-hWf1kwW8wcXXJMrLjiZWavTVTwbInysChfBnGOoBc/s400/eyesclosed.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, our eyes are both closed, even though we're inside and there was no flash. I don't like parts of that quote anyway...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ajjZ5MzuyBKvZmApZA9RlUFhvl_bfzZMg5rtyyo3RJxIOl9MzPiDzgkUPikeh7zY3JRcElGcRXYvRp66L1y3CndhxdyX4EvM9VgJXUOIyOOzYaMtAq8OIUASq7cYcYC_cjQJ_9k4Ks/s1600/dark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ajjZ5MzuyBKvZmApZA9RlUFhvl_bfzZMg5rtyyo3RJxIOl9MzPiDzgkUPikeh7zY3JRcElGcRXYvRp66L1y3CndhxdyX4EvM9VgJXUOIyOOzYaMtAq8OIUASq7cYcYC_cjQJ_9k4Ks/s400/dark.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Yup, best one yet. Again, taken with a stupid-proof, took glorious pictures of trophies and rings, and everything but the owners camera.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Drum roll please... this is our LAST chance.... on the balcony of a bar (we don't drink) looking over the stadium on a day when there is no game... super romantic, and just what you want to put in your life book, and we have...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeRWd1Xb4L04N9r3rQgQU9OtjIW-Ny31uVpCAvISIvz7ZLmUBbWehxQcwX5dIoZUWyBceH-RJttlyi55kmWWY95FEXFGgeIefCD32X1byxOT3SFWUMsGjrTJXcP5N38jgVZ4D78FF2d8/s1600/success%2521%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKeRWd1Xb4L04N9r3rQgQU9OtjIW-Ny31uVpCAvISIvz7ZLmUBbWehxQcwX5dIoZUWyBceH-RJttlyi55kmWWY95FEXFGgeIefCD32X1byxOT3SFWUMsGjrTJXcP5N38jgVZ4D78FF2d8/s400/success%2521%2521.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Success!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thankfully, one of the people in my adoption class takes family portraits. So yes, we'll be trying her services!</div>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-14806437754813065202011-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:002011-10-10T06:00:17.811-07:00Being a Loss Expert<em>Fair warning, this is a heavy post. Feel free to skip, if you're looking for jokes. That will be next week.</em><br />
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This past week's class was about loss and grief. It was a somber class, but focused mostly on how our own losses - and the way we have handled them - can actually be strengths when considering child placements. Basically, if you've lived through loss, you're a better fit for a kid who has experienced loss. You can support them better than someone who hasn't experienced one. Conversationally, if you haven't dealt with a loss, or are still struggling with a loss, it can be a need of yours, and can indicate that you wouldn't be a good fit in certain situations. People shared their losses in the class, and it was hard, but also very uplifting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/c/crying_and_alone-13002.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" kca="true" src="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/c/crying_and_alone-13002.bmp" width="220px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/c/crying_and_alone-13002.bmp">http://images.paraorkut.com/img/pics/images/c/crying_and_alone-13002.bmp</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For the purposes of education, I'll give a couple of examples of things people in the class shared.<br />
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Strength - one person in the class was adopted, her birth mother was a teen mother. She also became a teen mother, and gave her first child up for adoption. She has since raised her other children (without teen pregnancies - cycle broken!), foster children, reconnected with her birth daughter, and is now looking to foster teen moms to give them the skills that they have not received about parenting. I mean wow. This woman has experience as an adopted child, a birth parent, and a resource parent. By the way, she's around 35 years old, open, honest, funny, has an easy comfortable relationship with her husband, and is potentially my new idol. Say it with me - resiliency! If you were an adopted kid, wouldn't you want this lady in your corner?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://douglaslrichardson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/resilience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233px" kca="true" src="http://douglaslrichardson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/resilience.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://douglaslrichardson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/resilience.jpg">http://douglaslrichardson.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/resilience.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Need - After this woman shared, another woman spoke up, and said that she would really struggle with working with teen moms, because she is still dealing with the fact that she's infertile. She felt like she could see herself feeling bitter that she is so ready to have her own children, but these teen moms - who may not be as prepared - have no problem with pregnancies. This was possibly the best comment of the night, because it was so open, and honest. It's a fair point, and gave me a new perspective.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.oprah.com/images/spirit/201002/20100224-frustrated-woman-300x205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" kca="true" src="http://static.oprah.com/images/spirit/201002/20100224-frustrated-woman-300x205.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://static.oprah.com/images/spirit/201002/20100224-frustrated-woman-300x205.jpg">http://static.oprah.com/images/spirit/201002/20100224-frustrated-woman-300x205.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So, for our homework, we need to put together a list of our own <strong>situational losses</strong> (unexpected, unprepared for - death of family member at a young age, divorce, job loss, pet loss, adoption - anything that causes you to grieve). Then we need to apply our own sets of strengths and needs for certain tasks of foster and adoptive parents. Some examples:</div><br />
- I feel comfortable about "shared parenting" with birth parents - if not in person, then at least through helping the child have a positive self-concept and feel positive about self-identity and roots. (we have strong strengths and strong needs for this one)<br />
<br />
- I understand if I choose foster care, I have an obligation to help the child return to their birth family (we're mostly needs on this one)<br />
<br />
The final important concept that we covered was <strong>developmental grieving</strong>. It's the concept that there are things you cannot grieve about until you get there (like a woman who lost their mother when she was 8 cannot grieve the fact that Mom will not be at her wedding until her actual wedding day) or the re-opening of wounds due to situations, frequently coming during holidays, birthdays, and generally 'happy' occassions. Imagine you're a kid, and it's Christmas in a new home. Your family used to watch White Christmas together, but your new family doesn't. Wouldn't you feel sad that the tradition had died? Wouldn't you miss your old stocking? All of those feelings are valid, but certainly not what people who are excited about Christmas are expecting. Sometimes, you need to be aware that these feelings are out there.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://andreagrossonline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sad-holiday-dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" kca="true" src="http://andreagrossonline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sad-holiday-dog.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://andreagrossonline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sad-holiday-dog.jpg">http://andreagrossonline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/sad-holiday-dog.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Fascinating class, and I walked away feeling like there was a lot to absorb - so thanks for reading! By writing it out, I feel like I can understand it better.Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-10508400082416736792011-10-04T14:01:00.000-07:002011-10-04T14:01:50.961-07:00Strengths vs. NeedsOne of the early important topics that we've been discussing during the first few weeks is the concept of strengths vs. needs assessments for children and prospective parents. I really like the concept, and the way that it manifests itself, and I want to use it in other areas of my life, so I figured I would share it. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.getfit4kidz.com/wp-content/upLoads/2011/01/tug_of_war.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290px" kca="true" src="http://www.getfit4kidz.com/wp-content/upLoads/2011/01/tug_of_war.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="http://www.getfit4kidz.com/wp-content/upLoads/2011/01/tug_of_war.jpg">http://www.getfit4kidz.com/wp-content/upLoads/2011/01/tug_of_war.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<em>*Disclaimer* everything that I'm talking about in this scenario is made-up. I do not know a child by this name, nor am I personally familiar with a child who has experienced these things.</em> <br />
<br />
Jacob (most popular boys name in the US so far in 2011) is 8 years old. His dad is not in the picture, and his mom has recently been sentenced to prison time. He is in a foster care home, where he refuses to come out of his room, or do chores - even when asked. He misses his mother and talks about her all the time. He has gotten into fights with boys at school, during recess.<br />
<br />
Ok, so you read my made up story, and what do you immediately think? This kid is angry, he's withdrawn, he's sad? All true, but none of those things really give you any traction on how to help Fictional Jacob. So... consider when you take that story, and put it into a strengths/needs assessment.<br />
<br />
Strengths:<br />
<ul><li>Jacob can form healthy attachments, because he misses his mother</li>
<li>Jacob has a strong will, and holds to his convictions</li>
</ul>Needs:<br />
<ul><li>Jacob needs to find a way to express his frustration in a more constructive manner</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Jacob needs to feel a sense of bonding to an adult male who can be a positive role model</li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjWzpQo1knua3zODyqwitS93Fs-vok6IJgqGfXxRZZs9HCVt6hB4c0jeoR4KfrAC_mkHmgkUnvfPNjcluyGQYBPoyoYeq0w_N8lJLwbQpS6kR0OKtRFiZSGq1yNMvTDUT3EdEqjIO5Xo/s1600/DadHug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjWzpQo1knua3zODyqwitS93Fs-vok6IJgqGfXxRZZs9HCVt6hB4c0jeoR4KfrAC_mkHmgkUnvfPNjcluyGQYBPoyoYeq0w_N8lJLwbQpS6kR0OKtRFiZSGq1yNMvTDUT3EdEqjIO5Xo/s320/DadHug.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Courtesy of <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjWzpQo1knua3zODyqwitS93Fs-vok6IJgqGfXxRZZs9HCVt6hB4c0jeoR4KfrAC_mkHmgkUnvfPNjcluyGQYBPoyoYeq0w_N8lJLwbQpS6kR0OKtRFiZSGq1yNMvTDUT3EdEqjIO5Xo/s1600/DadHug.JPG">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjWzpQo1knua3zODyqwitS93Fs-vok6IJgqGfXxRZZs9HCVt6hB4c0jeoR4KfrAC_mkHmgkUnvfPNjcluyGQYBPoyoYeq0w_N8lJLwbQpS6kR0OKtRFiZSGq1yNMvTDUT3EdEqjIO5Xo/s1600/DadHug.JPG</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">See how the strengths are shown even through his behavioral struggles? See how the needs indicate WHAT to do to help this kid who is struggling with a loss that he can't express?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I *heart* this idea big time.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-77345354822762860462011-09-26T06:00:00.000-07:002011-09-26T06:00:12.950-07:00Adoption Training Class!I am a big dork - I really like to learn. When people ask what I would do if I won the powerball, I always say that I would go to school forever. I'd take random classes on things I didn't know anything about. I'd soak up the opportunities to learn. This is important because our adoption training classes are starting this week. You need to know that my pencils are sharpened, and I have fresh notebooks that are just waiting to opened. I love any class that is going to teach me something I don't know. In this case, I don't know a lot. Since I have no idea how it will go, I'm going to do half of this post before we go, and half afterwards. That way you can get a fuller range of emotions. I may have no idea how it will go, but I have a lot of preconceived notions. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nolesfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/alphabet-chalkboard.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="231px" src="http://nolesfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/alphabet-chalkboard.png" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love school, love apples. Chalk, meh. <a href="http://nolesfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/alphabet-chalkboard.png">http://nolesfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/alphabet-chalkboard.png</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<strong>BEFORE</strong>:<strong> It's Wednesday morning, and our first class is tonight.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Things I know:</strong><br />
<ul><li>Training will last for 12 weeks</li>
<li>The classes are from 6:30pm - 9:30pm (EEEK, I go to bed at 7pm people!)</li>
<li>There will be prospective foster parents and adoptive parents in the class</li>
<li>Our pre-training paperwork is due on the first night (I finished two days ago, thank you!)</li>
</ul><strong>Things I keep thinking about:</strong><br />
<ul><li>I've been told that this class could be renamed "1500 reasons why you shouldn't adopt" - which scares me, maybe, just a little bit.</li>
<li>I have a hard time believing that everyone will have completed their paperwork. Maybe I just think I'm better than everyone else, but I generally enjoy paperwork, and this was a slog. So, there's a small part of me that hopes no one else finished, and we can go <strike>to bed</strike> home early.</li>
<li>J and I feel strongly about not fostering. For us, it's just not the right choice - and as much as we want to help kids, it has to be something that isn't emotionally devastating for us. Based on the fact that we see Syd approximately 30 days out of 365, fostering just isn't a healthy option for us. That said, I'm feeling kind of like the lone atheist in a crowded room- based on the situation right now in AZ, I'm worried that there will be a lot of pressure to foster, and I'm going to keep politely and respectfully refusing. Even if/when J succumbs. </li>
</ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3610665/eager_student_1797350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3610665/eager_student_1797350.jpg" width="207px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm the kid raising her hand. J's the kid with the spaced out look in back. <a href="http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3610665/eager_student_1797350.jpg">http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3610665/eager_student_1797350.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<strong>The Temperature: Lukewarm</strong><br />
<br />
Right now, we have actively not committed to anything. We want to have a family, but we also still really love our lives together. We've chosen to go through the classes to educate ourselves, and prepare for the possibility if we choose to move forward after the training classes. However, for us, going through 12 weeks of training does not mean that we HAVE to adopt. My choice to write this blog is to capture our thoughts as we go through the steps of the process, but I will not feel obligated to adopt because of it. So, though it's potentially exciting to take the classes - and today could, in retrospect, be a big day for us - it's not a defining day. It's not going to shape the remainder of our lives unless we choose to adopt later down the road.<br />
<br />
<strong>AFTER:</strong><br />
So the first class went well. I didn't run out of the building screaming madly about the freaks at Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, but I also didn't drive away honking the horn in excitement and waving a banner out the window that we would be adopting. It was a pretty dry, informational meeting, though it sounds like it will perk up after all the initial rules and definitions have been reviewed. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7Sy-bNg9DFMqWtxEI-0fflQhUtEkJAJ3KV_FLbnYYJCpW3htis3mrT7LN3kX7aFxrYKKM29FSpiY5xVUBI9Zyqotre-Lc9H2ILFEIZUdiqz1UHC0gy4rCA2fQmS_eGiZzCkH_U1PeM/s1600/teacher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx7Sy-bNg9DFMqWtxEI-0fflQhUtEkJAJ3KV_FLbnYYJCpW3htis3mrT7LN3kX7aFxrYKKM29FSpiY5xVUBI9Zyqotre-Lc9H2ILFEIZUdiqz1UHC0gy4rCA2fQmS_eGiZzCkH_U1PeM/s320/teacher.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Happy with books, notebooks, binders, and an apple - <a href="http://www.cenlafocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/teacher.jpg">http://www.cenlafocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/teacher.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
There was an interesting activity that we did as an ice breaker - Some people were given cards of types of children in the foster care system, and the others received cards of different types of parents. There were more kids than parents, and we had to go find a good fit. My card read "I am 9 years old. My biological parents are drug users, and I need to find a forever family who can help me deal with my past." I found a good match - a parent who has helped a family member deal with drug abuse - but even more, I met a really amazing woman who has 5 kids, and a soon-to-be foster daughter. She told me a story about the foster daughter that just rocked me to the core - more than any of the kids that we reviewed in profiles during the course of the night.<br />
<br />
One of the things that I really liked were that we reviewing profiles of children who have actually been through the system. We used the profiles to go over things like child strengths/needs, risk and safety assessments, etc. I thought it was more powerful knowing that this child exists, and has been through the program than it would have been with a made-up example. This way, we get a better idea of the kids who would be coming to us.<br />
<br />
<strong>Things I know:</strong><br />
<ul><li>All of the items above are still true</li>
<li>There are 34 people in our class, 16 couples, and two singles</li>
<li>Most of the other parents have not finished their pre-training paperwork</li>
<li>We will not be getting out of class early - ever</li>
<li>The classes are well structured, and we get agendas and packets for a binder each week (I love this)</li>
<li>There is a TON of info to go through, and we will not get through all of it in class - homework!</li>
<li>The trainers were very open to the idea of parents who were only interested in adoption</li>
</ul><strong>Things I don't know:</strong><br />
<ul><li>How we'll feel at the end of this program</li>
<li>How many paper cuts I'll have accumulated by the last packet (current count is 2)</li>
</ul><strong>Temperature: Still Lukewarm</strong>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-58123848982039708992011-09-19T06:00:00.000-07:002011-09-19T06:00:15.383-07:00Families are ComplicatedOne of the most frequent questions that we have been asked - by friends, family, and the agency - is "What kind of kid are you looking for?" There is no simple answer - there are a lot of factors to be considered, and that I'm sure will change based on the info we receive on training classes. We'll talk about that in another post. However, I'm almost certain that the people who are asking this question are <u>really</u> asking about race/ethnicity/creed. So that's what we're going to chat about today. I apologize in advance if any of my verbiage/word choice that I use is offensive. I'm intending to be respectful.<br />
<br />
Bottom line - J and I don't care. At. All. <br />
<br />
That might seem a little less than truthful - at least that's the impression I'm getting because everyone seems so surprised by it. But the reality is that we have a lot of diversity within our family and friends, and so it's not really a big deal for us. Kids are kids - brown, purple, green, yellow. It is not a deciding factor for us. Consider that we nearly went the route of international adoption, and that we considered the entire globe and settled on Ethiopia. Ethiopian kids are *generally* not white, with freckles and blue eyes. We were prepared for the multi-racial family, and the stares and the cultural sensitivity that is required. My biggest fear was - honest to god - that I don't know how to do black hair. I spent a lot of time looking for classes, looking at blogs, and finally decided that I would just ask someone who's hair I liked.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blackhairplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child-braids2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" rba="true" src="http://www.blackhairplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child-braids2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blackhairplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child-braids2.jpg">http://www.blackhairplanet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/child-braids2.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Different is ok. I'm sure I'm not the only person who's wished I could just put my hair into a certain position (fun braids with beads) and it would just stay that way. I'm also sure that a person with black hair has looked at my <strike>homeless tangled</strike> wavy mermaid hair with envy that it has body and moves. For me, it's more about education, and finding a respectful way to ask questions.<br />
<br />
I mentioned that our families are pretty diverse. Our current 2 1/2 person family looks like this:<br />
Ei: Biracial (Hispanic and white) - corpse white skin that does not tan, freckles, blue eyes, wavy brown hair<br />
J: White - paler skin that tans well, freckles, brown eyes, straight brown hair<br />
Syd: Jewish (she apparently counts this as race/ethnicity/and religious background, so I'm going with her definition) - medium skin that tans well, freckles, brown eyes, curly brown hair<br />
<br />
We look basically the same - but we have very diverse backgrounds.<br />
<br />
Now take it out a level:<br />
Eileen's Dad: White<br />
Eileen's Mom: Hispanic<br />
Eileen's Full Brother: Biracial (Hispanic and White)<br />
Eileen's Half Brother: Biracial (Black and Hispanic)<br />
<br />
J's Mom, Dad, Brother: White<br />
J's Sister in Law: Ethnic Chinese, from Laos<br />
<br />
So just in our immediate family - we've hit: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian. We're missing Native Americans and Pacific Islanders (which combined only total 1.1% of of the US population), but that's it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kyndnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamafamily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212px" rba="true" src="http://kyndnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamafamily.jpg" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kyndnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamafamily.jpg">http://kyndnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/obamafamily.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yay Diversity!<br />
<br />
Now to the religious stuff. One of the big "stumper" questions for future adoptive parents is "What are you going to do if the child has a religious background that differs from yours?" Ah ha! You think you've stumped us, but we've already been on that carousel ride! <br />
<br />
I am an atheist. I'd like to say that I'm an einsteintonian (believing in quantum physics) but it's just not really catching on the way I want it to. The closest new-age term would be Noetics. We're connected by energy, it's been proven, it works in ways we don't understand. J also lives a secular lifestyle, though he's not quite willing to damn himself to hell for all eternity by using the A word (it can be pretty scary). <br />
<br />
Syd is, as noted above, an active practicing member of the Jewish faith. She is considered an observant Jew - one step down from Orthodox, she observes the sabbath and all religious dates, eats kosher, but dresses in a modern way, and doesn't walk to synagogue. As a small child, if you asked her what day it was, she would tell you that it was Shabbat, rather than Friday, and she would tell you that her birthday was Svet 13, rather than January 16th. As she's gotten older, she's questioned us about our (lack of) faith, which came to a head over the summer as we had a rollicking debate about how I HAVE to believe in SOMETHING (which I don't, actually) and her trying to understand how I can only believe in the Santa Claus, family, Christmas lights, and gifts part of Christmas, but not the "Christian" parts. We have always supported her religious beliefs, and tried to learn about them. We've never tried to convert her, or point out flaws. We answer carefully when she asks questions. <br />
<br />
When she comes out in the summer, she goes to a Jewish Day Camp, at a synagogue, every day. I even have a badge to get in - and I haven't spontaneously combusted yet. It gives her an opportunity to be with kids in her demographic, to speak Hebrew daily, and learn more about her culture - baking, plays, field trips, etc. The people running the camp know the situation, and remain friendly and welcoming. Her camp counselors have been extremely helpful when I have questions about acceptable kosher lunches, specific religious day requirements - and they have never ever had a "conversion" talk with us. I respect that so much that I've considered sending future children there with Syd each summer, even though they will likely not be Jewish.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theolivebranchcenter.net/theolivebranchcenter.net/Welcome_files/religious_diversity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rba="true" src="http://www.theolivebranchcenter.net/theolivebranchcenter.net/Welcome_files/religious_diversity.jpg" /></a></div><br />
So if we had a child who came pre-programmed with a religious background different from ours, and a desire to continue practicing that faith, we would support it in the same way - learn as much as possible, give them opportunities to participate in age-appropriate activities, and carefully answer questions about our beliefs. That's really all that you can do.<br />
<br />
It's exciting to think about how many different ways a future family could manifest itself - one child, two? A boy and a girl? Two boys? Ages? Races? Religious background? It's like a kaleidescope of colors that changes every time you look at it. I have no idea what the stork is going to be bringing us, but I know that our family and friends will support us, and we will love our opportunity.Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-60376303958070294292011-09-12T06:00:00.000-07:002011-09-12T06:00:03.620-07:00Sisyphean Challenge!For those of you following along, we're back to "current", having cleaned up the history piece of this adoption puzzle. The current state is PAPERWORK. Right now, we're trying to tackle the 85 pages of paperwork required in order to attend training class.<br />
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None of this paperwork will count toward our home study or dossier. (This is where I keep having to hold my tongue as I receive frequent word that AZ is hurting so badly that not only are the foster homes maxed out, but so are group homes, and juvi centers, and now CPS kids are now living in homeless shelters - yet it takes 85 pages for me to take a training class. I understand the reasoning behind it, but it still rankles my mortal soul.)<br />
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When I started reading other adoption blogs, I heard the word paperwork tossed out everywhere, but there were no clear descriptions of what they were talking about. So, I'm going to share some of the forms and questions that need to be filled out. I *promise* that I am not exaggerating or adding any fake questions. These are real, people.<br />
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Pre-Training Required Documents:<br />
- Reference forms (2 relatives, 3 non-relatives)<br />
- Official Application (15 pages)<br />
- Training Profile (10 pages)<br />
- Profile of Existing Child (2 pages)<br />
- Profile of Family with Children (10 pages)<br />
- Personal Profile (15 pages each)<br />
- Personal Profile by Child (5 pages)<br />
- Child's Medical Background and Immunization<br />
- Criminal History Self-Disclosure (5 pages)<br />
- Fingerprinting Cards (2 or 3 copies each, still need to confirm)<br />
- DPS Waiver (each)<br />
- DPS Application (each)<br />
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The hardest part of this was emailing J's ex - "Hey! Can you please take the time to sit down and walk Syd through all of this paperwork, and also send a notarized letter that we're up to date on your child support, and also go to the doctor to get her immunization and health forms filled out, so that we could try to adopt a child? Thanks! K, Bye!" Families are complicated.<br />
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I actually really like paperwork. It's like a test I know I can ace. I'm also fairly organized, so we have copies of all of our important documents, and I have things like VIN numbers, monthly expenses, and 10 years work and housing history that could be challenging to remember or track down. However, even I have been thrown by some of these questions - which are either ridiculous or incredibly difficult to answer.<br />
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Some gems:<br />
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<strong>From the Criminal History Self-Disclosure Form</strong> (keeping in mind that I don't drink, have never had a cigarette, done a drug, or gotten a speeding ticket - and I'm still a fun girl!) some of the acceptable, appealable offenses for prospective adoptive parents:<br />
<ul>
<li>Involving or using minors in drug offenses - as long as it was 5 years ago, you're good to go!</li>
<li>Selling or giving nitrous oxide to underage persons - no biggie!</li>
<li>Theft, burglary, fraud, and forgery</li>
<li>Depositing explosives - what does this even mean?</li>
<li>Misdemeanor offenses involving child neglect - ok seriously, I don't even drink. Can we skip the paperwork, and save a kid from a homeless shelter now?</li>
<li>Misdemeanor domestic violence - a great way to raise children</li>
<li>Cruelty to animals - no one who is cruel to animals should get a kid. Enda.</li>
<li>Kidnapping!! KIDNAPPING. That's not even a wait 5 years until you can appeal offense.</li>
</ul>
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Then it gets really messy.<br />
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<strong>From the Personal Profile packet:</strong><br />
When you were growing up, what were the ways your family showed anger?<br />
<em>Hmm... let me take some time to write a detailed reply that is honest, and yet reflects my family in the best possible light, so that we are well received. Typing... deleting... typing... typing... good!</em><br />
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When you were growing up, what were the ways your family showed disappointment?<br />
<em>Jesus, this is the same damn thing. Grr. Ok, let me try to rephrase the exact same info in a slightly different way. Phew, good thing I have a firm grasp on the English language.</em><br />
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When you were growing up, what were the ways your family showed frustration?<br />
<em>AHHHHHHH BY YELLING AT STUPID QUESTIONS ON PAPERS!!!</em><br />
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When you were growing up, what were the ways your family showed stress?<br />
<em>*head desk* Ok seriously? This is freaking ridiculous. Can we go back to that whole I've never kidnapped anyone thing?</em><br />
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When you were growing up, what were the ways your family showed sadness/depression?<br />
<em>Tears - lots of tears, as they imagined drowning in paperwork and never being able to start a family.</em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://drdbroker.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/womandrowning-in-paperwork.jpg">http://drdbroker.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/womandrowning-in-paperwork.jpg</a></td></tr>
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<strong>More from the Profile packet</strong> - keeping in mind that we need to fill it out together:<br />
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What do you like least about being married and living with someone else?<br />
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What would make you want or consider a divorce?<br />
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What would you most like to change about your partner?<br />
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What do you dislike most about being a parent?<br />
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<strong>And finally, some nice jabs from Syd that she included in her paperwork (she's 8):</strong><br />
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In what ways are you different from your Mom? <em>I can cook.</em><br />
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Do you like to spend time with lots of friends, a few friends, or mostly by yourself? <em>I love to spend time with my friends. I have lots of friends. I wish I could have more play dates.</em><br />
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Imagine that today I am bringing a new child to live at your house. What do you hope this new person will be like? A boy, or a girl? How old? What will they like to do? What will they look like? <em>Boy, 3 - but potty trained (thanks Syd ) would play with S's brother, and he would love to cook. He'd be tan like our color, and would have blue eyes (yay! She likes something about me, I'm the only blue eyed person in the family)</em><br />
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As I am driving over, what would you like me to tell the child about your family? <em>My parents are divorced. You get to live with my Daddy. I live in Florida, and I hope we'll get along.</em><br />
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(And finally - as she realizes at the end of the last question that there will not be a question about where she wants the children to sleep - her biggest issue - she adds it herself ) Tell me about you: <em>I live in Jacksonville. I go to ___ Elementary and I am in 3rd grade. I live with my Mom, my Daddy Michael, my step brother T, and my sister M. I go to Arizona in the summer and I go to the Jewish Community Center summer camp when I am there. The new child will have lots of love. The new kid will sleep in his own room.</em><br />
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We have about half of the paperwork filled out at this point, and need to have it all completed in the next 10 days. Here's hoping! *face palm* *rub eyes*Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8861366485038904706.post-2080168791106385752011-09-05T06:00:00.000-07:002011-09-05T06:00:11.135-07:00So many choices...1For those of you who have not experienced the joys of adoption decision making, it can be very overwhelming.<br />
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Do you want to adopt? Foster? International? Infant? Private? CPS/DES? There are many options, and all have their strengths and weaknesses. For us, there is no perfect solution - by adopting another person's child we run many risks that cannot be controlled because it's not our genes, our health, our environment, our love starting the child/children out. Everyone who adopts picks a process eventually, and I wanted to share some of our thoughts and reasons. For the record, these were OUR personal preferences. I believe other people have the right to make other decisions that work for them.<br />
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The first thing that we reviewed and quickly ruled out was infant adoption of any sort. If you know us, you know that a lot of it had to do with the fact that I am dedicated sleeper. Sounds ridiculous, but it's beyond the mere desire of quality sleep (which frankly should be enough of a reason on it's own). I need 8-10 hours of sleep every night, or I become a very horrible monster. Even one night without adequate sleep can leave it's mark. Also, sadly for J, I am a very. deep. sleeper. Nothing wakes me up - not J trying to fix beeping smoke alarms in the middle of the night, not the house alarm going off, not being physically shaken and told I need to wake up because of "X" catastrophe. If someone broke in, I would sleep peacefully through the entire thing. That means in an infant situation, J would be doing ALL the heavy lifting - and as we recently learned with the smoke alarm incident, he would quickly begin to feel an overwhelmingsense of bitterness - not that I wasn't helping, but that I could sleep deeply through the chaos.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="242px" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtc34HhXmsmUE6YHfalCdDhxfLagLTNXgl9E-Te5cgMo9dxY-49xWvzaGwU3Qi4E4KhcwexNooq5XNm7aLsIKqB2emNbdeNOGnChx-W9mY6j8wP-NfLeZYiPtjB7Y4BujBgi15QrR_aM/s320/daddyincrib.jpg" width="320px" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of </span><a href="http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/13242/2009/12/daddyincrib.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://fastcache.gawkerassets.com/assets/images/13242/2009/12/daddyincrib.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br />
The second reason is that J is several years (8) older than I am, and so an infant adoption (with the 2-3 year typical wait) would make him almost 60 years old by the time the child graduated from high school. Love kids and all, but that's a little late to be getting your life back.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/440354778_952d16b6e7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218px" qaa="true" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/440354778_952d16b6e7_o.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of </span><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/440354778_952d16b6e7_o.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://farm1.static.flickr.com/177/440354778_952d16b6e7_o.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>The third reason was that we both work, and we will both continue to work going forward. This made school age children (or close to it) a better choice for us.<br />
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And finally, J was a teacher for special ed kids when he got out of college, and found the process very draining for the parents. There are a variety of developmental disabilities that we believe we can support as adoptive parents, but their are others that we don't feel well equipped for - and most of those have manifested themselves by the time you get to school age. The big ones on our list are fetal alchohol syndrome, and impacts from drug dependencies. <br />
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So infant adoption was out.<br />
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Fostering was the next thing we looked into, and when we first reviewed it, the laws were set up so that the goal was ALWAYS to reconnect a child with the natural birth parents. That meant that the children could be in foster care for 5-10 years, and not be eligible for adoption, because the parent was still doing just enough to keep stringing the court system along. This was unpalatable for us for several reasons. First, J has a cousin who was fostered by his aunt and uncle since the day he was born, and yet they were never able to get legal custody of him (his birth mother committed suicide after he became an adult) and it was a very challenging situation for all parties. The other thing that we really didn't like about it was the bonding with a child and high risk for losing them. J already has a daughter he doesn't get to see the way he wants to - adding another bond/taken away situation was not something he felt like he could live through again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://chernobyl.typepad.com/chernobyl_childrens_proje/images/2008/03/13/zhila_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280px" qaa="true" src="http://chernobyl.typepad.com/chernobyl_childrens_proje/images/2008/03/13/zhila_family.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of </span><a href="http://chernobyl.typepad.com/chernobyl_childrens_proje/images/2008/03/13/zhila_family.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://chernobyl.typepad.com/chernobyl_childrens_proje/images/2008/03/13/zhila_family.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br />
So foster care was out.<br />
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That left us with International adoption - so we thought at the time. China was our first choice (for those of you who don't know, I've always had an affinity to China, to the point where I held my eyes stretched for hours at a time as a child convinced that if I held them long enough, I would grow beautiful epicanthic folds). We quickly learned that neither of us qualified. I have a facial scar (yes that's one of the rules) and J was previously divorced. He could requalify after we have been remarried for 5 years, but by then he'll be over 40, so then that rul<span style="background-color: white;">e will disqualify him. Bleh. I want it noted here that we both met the BMI index requirements - China has some interesting qualification rules.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">J felt very strongly that we should only work with countries that are following the Hague Conventions. The idea of adopting a parent's stolen children just did not resonate with him, and the Hague Conventions were set up to prevent illegal adoptions. That limited our choices for countries of origin. Not being religious limited our choices way more than I thought it would. Not being married for 5 years left us with 5 options - Colombia, Guatemala, Estonia, Moldova (WTH is Moldova?!), and Ethiopia. At the time Guatemala was a Hague Convention country, but under suspension, so that was ruled out. Colombia made us nervous because it required being in the country for an extended period of time, and the words Colombia were linked with "drug cartel" in our minds. Between Estonia, Moldova, and Ethiopia, Ethiopia was the best choice for us. J joked about conducting sports tryouts at the orphanages, but it really had more to do with the fact that there were rumors of major palm greasing needed in the former Soviet block countries, and we wanted to be able to have a legitimate adoption, without lingering questions or guilt.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.childrenshopeint.org/ethiopia/image/Cover-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274px" qaa="true" src="http://www.childrenshopeint.org/ethiopia/image/Cover-2.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of </span><a href="http://www.childrenshopeint.org/ethiopia/image/Cover-2.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.childrenshopeint.org/ethiopia/image/Cover-2.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br />
We seriously considered Ethiopia. For a while that was the route we were going with. We liked that Ethiopia was religiously diverse (1/3 christian, 1/3 muslim. 1/3 jewish - this made Sydni thrilled that she had a chance at a jewish sibling) all living in harmony. We liked the perspective of the Ethiopian people, who are proud and loving, but completely overwhelmed with caring for their children due to famine and HIV. They were also open to transracial adoption, which most other African countries are not. We have a diverse family (another post coming later to discuss) so it wasn't a problem for us to adopt a child with a different ethnicity.<br />
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The problem was cost. The average Ethiopian adoption runs about $35,000. Both of our companies have great adoption assistance programs, and $10,000 reimbursements, and there is a tax credit for adoptions for about $13,000, so we could come close to breaking even. The problem is that we don't believe in credit, so we'd need to accrue enough in our savings to hand out $35K cash and still have a savings to support the new family. It was a big amount for us, but we decided to put our noses to the grind and start putting serious money away.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/billsPA_228x388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/billsPA_228x388.jpg" width="188px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Courtesy of </span><a href="http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/billsPA_228x388.jpg"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/billsPA_228x388.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That was when we learned about the new foster/adopt program in Arizona. I was introduced to a woman who had recently adopted two boys from the foster/adopt program, and everything that she told me sounded fabulous. Aparently they had changed the rules so that birth parents were given a specific amount of time to get their act in gear (depending on the age of the child between 9-18 months). If that did not happen, the parental rights were severed and the child would be a ward of the state and immediately eligible for adoption. The agencies that supported foster/adopt would only pair you with children that were eligible for adoption. Oh, and it cost $800, which was reimbursed by the agency upon successful completion of adoption. They also had many older children and sibling pairs already waiting to be placed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mesaunitedway.org/files/images/iStock_000013114851XSmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" qaa="true" src="http://www.mesaunitedway.org/files/images/iStock_000013114851XSmall.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Courtesy of http://www.mesaunitedway.org/files/images/iStock_000013114851XSmall.jpg)</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">The foster/adopt (a.k.a CPS/DES adoption) seemed to meet all of our requirements, and allowed us to be able to make a difference right here in AZ. So that's the choice we have made. </div>Eisparklzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16989288030031626330noreply@blogger.com1