Why, hello there! It’s been a while, eh?
I know I said I would recap my recent trips to Charleston and the Healthy Living Summit (and don’t worry, I will!) but, man… sometimes I wish there were more hours in the day! I feel like I’ve finally settled into a nice routine of work/school/life, and now that I’ve had a mental vacation from, well, everything… I feel inspired to update the ‘ole blog.
So what have I been up to these past few weeks? Oh you know… the usual. I’ve pretty much been busying myself with doin’ what I do best (that’s code for: chillaxin’, schooling, working, playing, Happying, running, eating, cleaning and sleeping. You get the picture, I’m sure).
So as you can see, things have really picked up these past few weeks since my two classes have started. I’ve already acted as moderator for both of these classes, so now I get to sit back and let my fellow classmates have their turn. I truly love this whole team-work collaboration thing that envelopes the public health field. Really, I thrive on this stuff. Interacting with others who are passionate about the same things I am makes my heart go pitter-patter over and over again. And being this busy makes me feel like I have so much to offer… so much purpose. Just wait, y’all. Just you wait. Big things…they’re a’coming.
Want to know some other things that are making my heart-a-flutter these days? Why, of course course you do!
Spill it, sista. I’m all ears.
-School. (duh). Yes, I know I just mentioned this above, but I am the biggest generk you’ll find.
generk: gaa-nerk (noun) 1. a person who embodies the qualities
of a geek, nerd and dork, all at the same time.
My goodness, that Bertha Sue… she studies so hard! She
must be one of the biggest generks I know.
(Note: a few college buddies and I made this term up. Obviously, we are the epitome of ”generks.”)
Seriously. Just ask anyone who went to high school or college with me, and they’ll give ya a big, fat “affirmative” on that one. Anywho, I am absolutely, 100% *loving* my classes. Sure, I liked Epidemiology and Biostatistics alright… but let’s be honest. It was a struggle. This new stuff? Health program planning and evaluation, global health issues, intervention strategies and quality assurance?
This is where it's at.
-The fact that my office has officially made the move to the main area of the fitness floor, and we are finally all settled into our new space. This was a big task. My wellness team is made up of 4 people: 1 fulltime, 2 part-time, and 1 full-time nurse, staffed by the local hospital. It was a lot to get us all moved up there! But we’re finally back in business, and I like it. Things are about to get a whooole lot busier. (Have mentioned that my Y has 18,000 members? Yeah. That’s just my branch. And there are 19 other branches here in Charlotte. Take a moment to let that sink in…)
-New things on the career/home front! Ryan and I spent a lot of time this past weekend talking about our future and what’s in store, and I could not be more excited. One of the things I love about Ryan is that he instills in me the desire to always want to do my best…to be my “best self.” Ever since I met Ryan, I’ve found myself reevaluating my place in life, and whether or not the things I am doing at the time line up with where I want to be and where I envision myself going. Ryan supported me 100% when I was denied from UNC in April 2010 (this was the first time I applied for the MPH- PHLP distance program – the program I am in today, thankyouverymuch). He let me cry on his shoulder, and he listened to me babble about a Crazy-Outta-Left-Field “Plan B. ” After talking through logistics, he supported me when I decided I wanted to actually go for this “Plan B.” He stayed up all night with me, helping me finish my personal statement and application. As you all know by know, my Crazy-Outta-Left-Field “Plan B” turned into my reality, and has brought me to where I am today.
And that reality? Would be TarHeel Country.
Needless to say, the urge to reevaluate has hit me again. Ever since I returned from my UNC orientation, I’ve been itching for something. Something more. I left there feeling inspired, and that feeling has never left — it’s only grown. What that is? I have no idea. (Okay, so maybe I have a few…). This past weekend, Ryan and I took some steps to get the ball rollin’. And I’m excited for where things are headed.
These two = my biggest fans
-Fall. For obvious reasons. Summer was great (it always is!) but hot damn, y’all. There were times homegirl thought she was going to melt away. Now that the weather is finally getting cooler and less humid (eh, it’s all relative), I’m excited to spend more time outside during the middle of the afternoon…and not feel like I’m going to die. Plus, Fall is a time for apple-picking, pumpkin patches, and hay-rides… and haunted cornfield mazes(!!!!). C’mon. You know you love that stuff, too.
Take me to the land-o-pumpkins, por favor
-Oh, and let’s not forget that the Holidays are just around the corner! I know there’s a whole army of people who hate how stores usher in Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations so early, and sure…it baffles me, too. Truly, it does. But I really don’t mind it too much.
Those sleigh-bells are a ringing...
In all honesty, I actually kind of like the reminder that the festive season is right around the corner. And I may or may not have already listened to some Christmas tunes on my ipod (Nsync’s Happy Holidays is a classic. As is Mariah Carey). I absolute *love* the Holidays, so the premature décor floating around the stores makes my inner-child want to jump and prance around.
Just like this.
-It’s RACE season!!!! Oh yesssssss. That’s right, people. I have just under 2 more months until my second marathon (read: only 8 weeks are left!). Training is going super, super well. I’m about 6 weeks in, and have had zero issues whatsoever (knock on 1000 pieces of wood). I think all of the strength-training and stretching I’ve done over the summer has really helped my muscles stay strong and balanced. And I’m sure all of the foam rolling I’m doing at the Y has something to do with it, too. I’m trying to make room in my schedule to cash in a Groupon I bought a few months back for some hot yoga, so I’m excited to challenge my flexibility even more.
Oh, and I have my eye on a couple of half marathons for September and October, so weather depending, I’ll be getting in some more race experience. I’m hoping to run the Davidson Run For the Green next weekend to knock out 13 of my 18 miles I have on tap (and do the extra 5 as a warm-up or cool-down). I ran this race 3 years ago as my first race ever, so it’d be really neat to come full circle and run it again. The other half marathon I have my eye on is the old “DowdYRun.” This is the race that my YMCA used to put on for the past 8 or so years, however…this year, we’ve handed the reigns over to Run For Your Life. They’ve renamed it Rocktoberfest (Caitlin actually just signed up for it!), but the Y is still the main sponsor. This race is 2 weeks out from my marathon, and my training plan calls for a 13 mile longrun that weekend. I figure since I’m supposed to run 13 miles that weekend anyway, why not get a medal for it? Plus, I gotta represent the Y 
.
Needless to say, I won’t be signing up for these races until a few days before. Sure, they’re smaller races, but race fees do add up… and if the weather isn’t going to be pleasant, well, I’d rather get my miles in on a day that has nice weather. Plus, I already know what it’s like to run a marathon in the rain, so I’m not worried about getting “race experience” in a downpour. Been there, done that.
and I can't wait to do it again 
-New things on the blogfront. I’m hoping to give this baby a little facelift, and create a few new pages. (Anyone know of a ballin’ yet affordable go-to-person for a new header, and maybe some of those button things I’ve been seeing all over? I’m clueless, and need some direction!).
What kinds of things are you excited for this Fall? Do you ever sit back and “evaluate” where you are vs. where you want to be in regards to life? What action steps do you take to make changes? Any races on your radar? And most importantly, what is your stance on early Holiday decor? 
. ) Sadly, the trusted porta-potty I’d always stop at during my last training cycle just a few months ago is no longer there. I was *this* close to popping a squat in 
