Oh, Give Me A Home Where The Buffalo Roam

“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of the buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.” –Chief Crowfoot

Bataan Death March

Success and failure, two simple words to sum up my Bataan March experience. Success because I finished. Failure because running 15 miles was out of the question as soon as I walked out the front door.

The day appeared to be rather perfect. No freezing or scorching temperatures. No rain in the forecast. When I stepped outside I felt a slight breeze but didn’t think it was a cause for concern so I continued loading up the car for the 40-minute drive. When I went to open the gate I finally felt it, the gust. The gust that had been blowing all week (all month) hadn’t disappeared. I don’t know what causes windy and gusty conditions, The Weather Channel has explained it to be many times I just forget, but I do know that running on a windy day is awful and today would be no different.

The first 7 miles were a success. I ran with ease keeping an easy pace, running with the wind, but after a left turn at mile 7 I had to stop running. I was exerting twice as much energy running against the wind and I wasn’t a third of the way finished. So I walked, and I walked and I walked some more and eventually I finished.

It was still a good experience and a good cause, but last year was better. Maybe because it was my first one and I had no idea what to expect or maybe because the cold temperature left me no choice but to run, but this year’s race did not meet my expectations. I don’t know if I’ll participate next year. There’s a half marathon held at the end of March at my alma mater I would like to run next year and two big races in the same month wouldn’t be a good plan.

For now I shall not sulk in my disappointment. I shall continue to enjoy my east coast vacation (hence why this blog is a week late) and start back at square one when I get back.

Safety First

I gave my BFF’s daughter a Jessie doll for Christmas, and she’s making sure Jessie stays safe while she’s at school...

2010: Lessons Learned and My Favorite Moment.

2010 has come to an end and looking back on the year as a whole, I really came into my own this year. I started taking more initiative, started realizing what I want out of life. A few years ago if anyone asked me where I saw myself in five years my answer was easy, to be alive. I never planned for the future, and by that I mean I never had a five-year or 10 year plan. I just planned for the next day, what else was there. Now, I still plan for the next day but I see things. There’s things I want and things to do before my ride comes to an end, and for the first time I’m making sure I take the right steps to get there.

With that said, I learned some valuable lessons this year and made plenty of memories to last me forever. Below I listed the 10 most valuable lessons I learned (some are serious, some are funny but all are true) and I discuss my favorite moment of the year.

10. Whiplash is no joke – I used to think people exaggerated when they told stories about this, I was wrong! Whiplash is serious and I will never joke about it again

9. Dogs really are man’s best friend – One of my pups died this year. Nothing unexpected. Nothing to cause a downward spiral into depression. I’ve lost other pets before but it’s different when you own a pet for more than half your life. I know she never understood the things I told her, nor was she ever going to respond but she listened. She’d put her head on my lap and listen. Sometimes that’s all you need.

8. When life throws you a curve ball or lets you pop open a bottle of champagne take a 3-day (or 4-day) weekend – When you need a break from work, get frustrated with life or are celebrating a momentous occasion, weekend getaways are the perfect cure and celebration.

7. The human body is an amazing vessel – I can run 13 miles. It’s amazing how with dedication and the right training your body adjust and does it on its own.

6. Don’t assume everyone in a 21 and over bar is actually 21 – When you meet a guy at a bar and halfway through the conversation he tells you, “I graduated high school when you graduated college,” that’s a deal breaker.

5. Running down the street with a road flare is not the safest thing to try (especially when holding an adult beverage in the other hand) – You might burn your hair and spill beer, things that should never happen.

4. Painting is therapeutic – I took on the task of painting my room, hard work but so relaxing. I hear coloring has the same effect

3. Don’t let your guard down – I opened up to new things this year but there’s a reason I’m guarded. Don’t need to change this about myself just yet.

2. For every action there is a reaction – Actions have consequences-some good, some bad. Sometimes people get hurt, sometimes you hurt yourself and sometimes it’s out of your control. Big decisions shouldn’t be taken lightly.

1.“Leave all your love and your longing behind” – Don’t carry extra weight on your shoulders it drives you down and you won’t survive.

As for the best moment of the year: there were plenty to choose from-Vegas trip, Colorado trips, going to Houston to watch the Elite Eight, S.O.M-summer of Moses, 4^th of July, and the Tim McGraw/Lady Antebellum concert-but the trip I made to Boston in May was the best.

This trip couldn’t have come at a better time. I was feeling the pressure of a new job and dealing with the consequences of hurting a good friend. It was the turning point of my year. I was with people I love. I got to go to Fenway Park, again! I ran from Boston Harbor, through downtown, to Harvard and back. Amazing!

Josh Ritter - The Curse

Another restless night. No idea what time I eventually feel asleep, past 1 a.m. for sure, but I do remember the last thing I heard on my iPod. Thank you Josh Ritter for helping me find sleep, not the first time you’ve come to my aid.

Three reasons why I love this song (other than the fact it helps me sleep):

1) I secretly want to be a puppeteer.

2) The story the lyrics tell is so heartbreaking yet beautiful-the video adds more effect if you ask me.

3) The trumpet solo.

I posted this video a while back on Stalkerbook, sorry if this is a rerun for some of you.

Interesting article on how the idea for the video come about and who created it.