Tri-by-the-Sea

I am not a ballerina. I am not a gymnast. Until recently I would have never assumed the title of 'runner,' but today I proved myself wrong. My THR (Target Heart Rate) group from school hit the road early and had a very epic day participating in the Ocean City Aquatic Club Triathlon. If you were to ask me a few months ago there might have been tremendous skepticism in any chance of me rolling in a tri, but it was a great day to prove myself wrong.

Our day consisted of a 1/4 mile swim, 2 mile run, 16 mile bike and finished off with a 2 mile run where my legs felt more like concrete stumps pushing out the last 20 minutes. There was nothing but smiles, positive mindests and a whole lot of intensity that I was diggin'.

At about mile 8 of the bike pushing into the wind my legs were a bit fatigued and the realization set in that mountain bikes don't really make the cut in these conditions, but it was a little too late for that. But with salt in the air and so many awesome people gathered for a great cause (all proceeds went towards breast cancer research) there was no way of not having an epic time.

I might be a tad on the sore side as the week rolls in, but I'm already up for the next challenge. But living life without continual challenge or pushing the envelope (even just a little:) just wouldn't seem right. Live life with open arms, open eyes and an open heart.

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Celebrating friends, blessings & life

At a time when the economy is in a stand still and all things of a political and financial nature evoke a perpetual sense of anxiety there is nothing more fitting than taking time to re-boot the hard drive and totally chill. As we are drawing nearer to the finish line of yet another school year, it is the perfect time to embrace the moment and reclaim sanity. Sometimes I find it takes a whole lot of effort in making time for yourself. We're pulled in a thousand directions throughout the day and sometimes down time can seem unattainable.

A few days ago my THR (Target Heart Rate) group from school..aka girl power:) gathered to celebrate a dear friend's Birthday. After what felt to be an endless week, everything seemed placed in perspective sitting on the patio sharing stories, laughs and simpleness. Having a solid group of girlfriends keeps it all in perspective and makes even the most trying of times feel no so dismal or daunting.

Every Friday morning at around 6:15 the girls meet before the workday is in full swing to workout and have some quality time with one another. I have to say, after six years of being a member of THR my life is a bit richer and lighter due to those I play pillow polo, scooter soccer and tennis with each Friday morning before the sun rises. I may struggle to roll out of bed in the morning, but I wouldn't trade my a.m workout sessions for anything. Girl power!


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Gem it up

The past week seemed never ending between stressors at work to prepping for all that of a PGM nature. I was on ultra warp speed the entire week and once the run wrapped up mid-afternoon Saturday my body and mind attained an actute level of exhaustion. Every year I convince myself that this will be the last year and it seems that as the years press onward our following grows stronger and any effort to nix the run just doesn't sit right.

With clear blue skies, no wind and ideal temps it was the perfect day. With fifteen minutes before the run I stood in awe staring into a sea of blue shirts. Parents, students, small children and others from the community seemed to stream in filling the parking lot all there to attend either the walk or run. My heart swelled in gratitude to all those present and the countless hands that make this event a reality.

I don't have the answer behind why the girls were taken so quickly, so young. But I can say with the utmost of confidence that their loss was not in vain. I know Ange, Meg, Shana and Angela would be so proud of our efforts and what we are doing in their memory. Our life is fleeting, no matter how many years we walk this earth. Substance is found in truth, sacrifice and giving. I will press forward along with my 'wing-peeps' striving to make a difference and hoping to keep another friend, daughter, sister or loved one from going through what our five families have. We are strong and we will continue striving to make an impact and ultimately leave an impression upon the hearts we encounter.

My hope is to continue to fight the good fight as long as I'm breathing. I will do my best to fulfill the purpose God has intended for me along with making my sister proud. Keep living life with open arms, open eyes and an open heart.

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Hoops of Goodness

This week at work we're rolling with the theme of wellness and promoting the overall message of good decision making. Last night we hosted the First Annual Seniors vs Seniors basketball game. Twelve senior kids verse twelve teachers who were out shooting hoops to raise money for Precious Gems. I went into the planning and preparation with having never done anything like this before & we managed to pull off a very successful evening.

We had around 250 in attendance. There were those in the crowd cheering for their fellow classmates while others were pulling for the aged and winded teachers. It was a whole lot of fun with good music, positive vibes and a whole lot of dribbling and shooting. We raised around $600 which will all go towards prevention programs at Seneca. How cool is that?

Sitting on the bench, catching my breathe, looking around at all the kids and staff I was overcome by the love, support and overwhelming goodness of people that walk the halls of Seneca each day. I am blessed to work in a place that looks beyond the realm of academics and drives towards strengthening character, heart and spirit that will last long beyond their years at Seneca. Being able to be a part of something so unique is really quite amazing and I do not take any aspect of it for granted.


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The past few weeks have been anything but boring and predictable. Between wedding stuff, field trips, the precious gems activities scheduled throughout this week and everything else my head can seem to be bursting at the seems. But even in the midst of the insanity, it all seems so worth it when considering the end result.

With winter feeling to be in the distant past having the opportunity to get outside and even a little dirty, is right up my alley. Last week there was a community wide clean-up in Chatsworth with heaps of clubs involved from Seneca. We covered a 2.5 mile span and it was nice having an opportunity to make a dent. A few days later I had the opportunity to take a group of 30 students to Cooper Trauma for a program based on the importance of making good decisions and living life with the realization that it is precious, fragile & critical to live fully with opportunity to make a difference. Sixteen and seventeen year old kids presented with a very real, intense message. I believe in my heart a difference is being made. It's important to keep the message consistent and real.

With a pretty layered week, it was wonderful to have a weekend of chill and pre-meditated catch up on what lies ahead in the week to come. Tomorrow night we roll with teachers verse student basketball game to raise money for Precious Gems and then onto Saturday for the 12th annual run. Lots to do and lots of coffee in between, but all for some super good reasons. Keep on keepin' on.


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Visit de hermana

The past week seems a blur, but a very relaxing and enjoyable blur. Jess and the boys returned to Va after nearly a week in Jersey. Not only was the weather perfect, but having time to be together in a very non-rushed Jersey state of mind was great. The boys loved rolling down the street in their wagon heading to the beach with no real itinerary for the day. It was a 'daily planner free zone' for about 96 hours and it was wonderful.

I feel blessed to have the time I do with Jess and the boys & being with them puts me in a good place. In a few weeks they'll be rolling back into town for the fun run. We're gearing up for the 12th annual, which is hard to believe. I'll be looking forward to another Tristan & Gabe session as we draw closer to May. Yay!



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It seems as though we might actually be in the midst of Spring with snow, ice and frost being a distant memory. Last week skies were dark and rain pelting down & all I could think of was the desperate need for sun and chill. Winter has felt somewht never ending leading me to distant visions of palm trees and flip flops that felt, at times, unattainable. But the past two days have put an end to all that and have been the essence of earth, wind and chill. Jess, Tristan, Gabe & I hit the market in Richmond on Saturday with clear blue skies, sun and sprouting green sprigs of grass. Yay, Spring!

From hanging out at the park, making smores and even partaking in a fairly impressive Easter Egg Hunt; it was really quite a wonderful weekend. I've been missing Keith & the girls as they are across the pond treking through London & Paris, but they're having a great time and that's a good thing : )

The last time I was on the farm it was overcast, gray and much of the 95 acre wood felt lifeless. Time has an amazing way of transforming things and Faith Farm definitely sprung to life. Green rolling hills, budding trees and baby piglets and sheep bouncing around the hillside is a vision to behold. Wow, it is truly beautiful! We were able to bat out a number of things on 'the list' for the wedding and as life springs back to the farm it's exciting to have a vision of what this place will look like come August 1st.

The car is all packed up and Jess & the boys & I shall be venturing north of the Mason Dixon for some quality time together in Jersey. It'll be nice to be together, continue catching up and possibly do a little dress shopping for the wedding. Jess has been quite the 'wingman' for me these past few months & I'm profoundly blessed to have her through all the planning stages. Good stuff. We're up and out at 2 am and officially, on the road again!




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