Boats, Waves, & Snakes

So I had a very strange dream last night. So strange in fact that I must share!

I was getting into a boat with my mom and brother, along with a huge crew of fisherman guys...complete with a captain. I'm not sure why we were on this boat. Before we left the port, I noticed this HUGE ship next to us. It wasn't a military ship but just as big! I kept thinking "why is that ship not moving in the water" because I could see how rough the waters were up ahead. I knew that once we were out of the port and past the ship, that we would be in really huge waves that were about 40ft tall. Now, don't think we were in a bass tracker b/c we weren't. I think it was huge deep sea fishing boat, but still.... You would think that we would have life jackets on since we were just sitting on the front of the boat, but no, we didn't. I also kept wondering about that too. AND somehow we managed to stay dry throughout this whole fiasco.

So anyways... Finally we were out of the big waves and the captain was yelling about all of the fish they just caught. Everyone was happy. So we thought...

Me, mom and bro went inside the boat to use the restroom. When we came back to the deck we were under trees. Still in the ocean but under trees, in a swampy mess...hmmmm My mom looked at the captain and gave him the latitude and longitude of our location (120 and 3)...lol I will say that usually she doesn't know things like that off the top of her head but like I said, this was a strange dream. She asked the captain if everything was okay and he said "don't make any sudden movements and don't look anything in the eyes." Now, those usually don't mean anything good is going to happen! Right after he said that, a boa constrictor fell out of the tree above me, wrapped itself around my arms and chest and proceeded to squeeze me to death. The funny AND scary thing about this is I woke up at 4:15 this morning with my arms tucked really close to my body and I was really tense like I was being squeezed. So I tried to relax a bit and then I feel back to sleep only to start right where I left off...(I hate that sometimes) So where was I...? Oh yeah... So I'm being squeezed to death, turning purple and all. What does my mom and bro do?? They go back inside the boat!! Yep, they left me! The captain told them he would take care of the problem. Then some of the guys on the boat started shooting the snake (keep in mind it is still wrapped around me) and chopping it with a machete.

Then I woke up!

Strange?? For sure.

Peace out,
xoxox
Riss

Trying Times and Big Decisions

As everyone so kindly pointed out at lunch it has been a couple weeks since I posted a blog. I feel like I have enough to share today that it warrants a new posting. It's funny to post updates on here as most of the people reading this actually hears my plans and ideas everyday...lol But blog, I must....

Let me start by saying that school is going to be the death of me. This semester is really kicking my rear. Partly because the classes are difficult and partly because I am a horrible student with no studying skills or attention span. Regardless, I am just trying to make it through this semester so I can start another one. A couple weeks ago I got some horrible news that it was a possibility that I wouldn't graduate December 2010 as planned because of glitch in my class schedule. I could actually see the light slipping out of the tunnel. This honestly just devastated me. If anyone has been in school as long as me then you would understand that the only way to make it through with your sanity is by sticking to your plan and not wavering from it. I want to quit everyday!! But I know how disappointed I would be in myself and I just can't do it. However, I finally got word from my advisor this week and turns out that graduating in Dec 2010 is still a very real possibility. I might not be able to have friends or any social life next year but I guess in the end it'll be worth it.

Speaking of in the end... That brings me to my post graduation plans! Some of you may know of my friend Jason (aka..Swat Jason) that I've known for a good 4 years now. Well he applied for a job with the Secret Service two years ago and has been going through that process for about 20 months now. He found out a couple weeks ago that he did get the job and will, after training for a few months in Georgia, be taking a position in the New York City field office. I am so thrilled for him. I can't even imagine what it's like to have your BIG dream fulfilled. To dream a little dream... I took him to dinner last week to say good-bye (though he says it isn't good-bye) and celebrate a little. Jason thinks that I should move to NYC after graduation. Well...I'd have to agree with him. I absolutely LOVE NYC and have wanted to live there for a very long time. So that is my goal! If I have my eyes set on something this fantastic then it will help motivate me to get things taken care of here. While I think I would be perfectly fine moving somewhere by myself, I can't imagine a better person to share that with.

I know some people probably think that it's way early to be thinking about moving after graduation when it's still over a year away. But that's me. I'm a dreamer and a planner. I like to have my life planned out and I like to dream BIG! So I move and it doesn't work out... I guess I can always move back. I would much rather take a chance on something that could be so fantastic and add so much to my already great life than just sit back and dream about what could have been. Besides, I'm the only one that can make good things happen for myself! Everyone is a critic these days and sometimes you just have to look past them. I would think that my friends and family would be thrilled that I'm taking control of my life and shooting for the stars... I will have no regrets!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

XOXO

Our Girls Christmas

As most of you know, I have a GREAT group of friends. I met all of these ladies (Rhonda, Sarah, Courtney, & Traci) at the Treehouse Academy back in 2001. I'd say it's not often that people...especially girls, remain such good friends for sooo long. We have such a unique friendship... I guess it's really hard to explain actually.

Well, over the years things have certainly changed. We've seen each other through many a good times and bad, weddings and separations, and of course the babies. :) I personally have no intentions of ever living my life without these girls in it. As things have it, we've all kind of separated...by cities or states. I guess once you have your own family it's finally time to start concentrating on other priorities. But last year we all decided to celebrate our Christmas in September so we could be together with each other and both of the kiddos. Things get too hectic around the holidays with our families being in different parts of Texas to manage a weekend get-together.

Since last year was such a success, we had our 2nd annual Christmas in September this last weekend. It was fantastic of course! Jaxon is such a busy body, which is such a change from last year since he was only 6 months old. And Ava...she is as busy as they get...lol She is so beautiful! I cannot believe she will be 4 this Christmas. *sigh* Where does the time go?? The girls and kids came over about 3ish Saturday afternoon and I think we ate for about 3 hours...lol We had a Mexican themed dinner on Halloween plates to celebrate our Christmas in September with what looked like a birthday cake that Courtney made for dessert...lmao Made perfect sense to us! :) Then the kids opened their Christmas presents and we just hung out for a few more hours, reading to the kids, watching movies and catching up.

OH...and Traci's mom wrote us the sweetest letter. We all just love and think the world of Mama Becky. I need to get my hands on a copy of that letter. It's definitely something to cherish...

I have some pictures that I will post on here from this weekend. Definitely come back to check them out.

And to my girls... I love y'all!! I'm definitely a happier person with each of you in my life.

xoxoxo
Aunt Rissa
(aka..Aunt Wal-Mart)

Stay In School!

Well I know it's been a while since my last blog but I just couldn't pass up this opportunity to voice my opinion. As most of you know there has been much controversy regarding President Obama's speech to school children yesterday. I just think this is ridiculous and I'm a little ashamed that I'm from a country that now looks at their president as an enemy instead of OUR leader.

I tend to think that I'm a realist. I know that there's no possible way to make everyone happy. But what's done is done. Like it or not, Obama is our president. It hurts my heart to think that we are such a prejudice country. I must have been really naive because before this last election I thought we had made great strides in accepting all people as equals. After all, there is only one race of people...the Human Race!

Regarding the speech... So all of the uproar about this speech was because parents did not want their kids subjected to political propaganda in a school environment. This makes perfect sense. IF I had kids then it's possible that I would feel the same way. However, this speech was to talk to kids about how important it was to stay in school and build a future. How what you learn in school shapes your future. How you are responsible for your own destiny. How if you work hard it pays off in the end. How it's okay to be different. How it's okay to not excel at everything. How the president himself can relate to these children going through tough times.

I personally read the script for the speech. There was not one word mentioned about anything political. Not healthcare reform and no mention of taxes. All of this was stated before the speech. The script was even released beforehand so that all parents could read it prior to the children hearing it. After all, President Bush did the same thing yet it did NOT cause controversy.

I have heard so many negative comments regarding this. I just don't understand. Why wouldn't I want someone as important as OUR president, whether you support him or not, to try to explain to my kids how important school is?!!?! I would think that everyone is on the same page when it comes to this issue. I don't see anyone saying to their kid that school is for losers...don't waste your time! No! We all encourage our kids to stay in school and try to make them realize how this can affect their future, their career, their life!

A lady being interviewed on the news one day had the best insight yet. She said "We aren't teaching our children to disagree, we are teaching them to be disagreeable." This is brilliant! Why wouldn't we encourage our children to think for themselves and to have a mind of their own. Instead everyone seems to push their ideas and opinions down their kids throat instead of giving them the tools to decide for themselves.

I have so many more opinions on this matter but I'm going to leave it at that.

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America!

Rock 'n' Roll

Hello kiddies! I hope this very delightful Monday finds you in great health! I hope everyone had a great weekend. I certainly did! Nothing like one of those infamous trips back to Athens that will cause me to need two weeks of recovery. :)

However, the point of my blog today is that I signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll Dallas 1/2 Marathon today. WHOOP WHOOP This race will be on March 10, 2010. I will admit that when it was time to hit the register button my fingers froze, my anxiety level rose, and my knees automatically started aching. I guess I actually need to put effort into my training now. I have set a goal for myself (which I will not share) and I have every intention of getting it. I will say that I am actually pretty excited about it now! My BFF Leanne is doing this race with me so I'm also excited about that since we didn't do our first race together like planned. I am going to work out a training schedule to keep us on track.

That should do for today.

Oh, one more thing. I have a mysterious pain in my right hand. Mostly in my fingers. I think they are rotting from the inside. Maybe I should stop with my self-diagnosing...

Rock Climbing

Hello all! I'm trying to keep up my end of the bargain here and keep blogging so you will keep reading.

Well, last week a few friends (Crystal, Amanda, Leanne) and I decided to give rock climbing a whirl. I do have to say...LOVE IT! It is soo...what's the word...FANTASTIC, for the lack of a better word. What an adrenaline rush. I can't think of any sport I'd rather be doing. I would be lying if I said there wasn't any pain that came to follow but fortunately I enjoy the pain, minus the rope burn on my hands. Since last week, Crystal and I went again yesterday and I'm also going today to a different gym in Grapevine. I would say that our climb was definitely more challenging yesterday. It's a good thing that we are both tough! :) We could tell they moved the paths around which works out well b/c who wants to climb the same rocks every week?!?! Some of them were pretty difficult. I realized after watching other climbers that I need to work on my form before I try to move up to a different level. Oddly, my toes are really sore today but not really any other parts. I can't say my toes have ever been sore at any point in my life prior to today...it's weird. I will try to post some pics soon (not of my toes)! I have definitely found my new hobby! I have kind of an addictive personality so we'll see if this new addiction will last...

Kidneys

This will be short... Why do kidneys hate me today? Cranberry is not doing the trick. Of course, I thought as soon as the c-berry hit my tongue it would magically start soothing my very painful, left kidney. Boy was I wrong. Apparently it takes time. I've spent most of my day trying to figure out why I would have a kidney infection. After all, I don't drink much soda. Then I figured it out... I think the problem is my liver, which has every reason to be mad at me, must have started kicking the crap out of my kidney just to get my attention! Just a theory...

Obviously my weekend was great. :) Nice day!

Keeping Up

As I suspected, I think of all these great things to blog about and then I quickly forget them. So much to talk about since my last blog, which sadly was just last week. I have a couple topics to cover so I will keep them separated..lol (Gotta keep 'em separated... Sorry, I had a moment there)

First topic: Home
I went home this weekend! For those that don't know me, home is Athens, TX. I don't go home nearly enough and definitely not as much as I would like. But as my grandparents are getting older I tend to go home more often. Friday night was GREAT! My mom, Cyndi, and I all sat around until about midnight playing Farmtown. I know, I know. Sad day! And yes, we are aware of the help we all need. :) What better family bonding than harvesting and plowing crops..lol I spent Saturday doing the same thing until that afternoon and then I headed over to Caysie's house for a night out. Caysie is one of my oldest and bestest friends. She's now married and has two kids so we always plan something when I get back to Athens. Those weekends are usually filled with lots of laughter and lets face it, alcohol consumption. But this was my last weekend to drink beer as I will soon be training for some races. Zero calorie drinks for me here on out. I also met up with an old friend from high school days this weekend. It was so great to see him! Time will tell... Then Sunday, after only getting 2 hours of sleep we just kind of hung around the house and then went to Black Beauty Ranch to see all of the rescued - wild mustangs, elephants, monkeys and donkeys. But they were closed so we just drove around and drank coffee. :) All-in-all, it was a FANTASTIC weekend. I will say that my drive back to Dallas sucked! I was so tired, couldn't keep my eyes open so I had to pull over for a minute and wake up. YIKES

Second Topic: More to Love
More to Love is a show that started last night and is basically the same premise as The Bachelor. But instead of all of the girls being a size 2 (which they advertise as average women), it's made for the actual average women (size 12-14) and who have "more to love." Seeing that society already has a problem with bigger women, why make it more obvious by making a separate show? I guess you have to have one for skinny people and one for not-so skinny people. I just think it sends the wrong message to girls. But that's just my opinion and I will NOT be a part of those ratings...

Tear Jerker

I just wanted to share a moment I had last night.

I was watching So You Think You Can Dance last night and it was pretty much just a normal episode. Fantastic dancing and Ellen was a guest judge...which makes for a funny time. The second to last dance though was phenomenal!! One of the choreographers, Tyce, was working with two of my favorite dancers Melissa and Ade. The story behind the choreography was the love the man has for the woman who has breast cancer. I watched this dance twice and bawled thru both! It was sooo moving! All of the judges were floored and could barely get words out thru their tears. I think Nigel said it best when he said that this dance was the reason why he loves dance. You can get so many emotions from a dance with no words. Mary Murphy and Mia Michaels, more judges, were sobbing talking about how breast cancer has affected their life and thanked Tyce for bringing up the topic. Tyce, the dancers, the judges, the audience and of course me were all crying. It was FANTASTIC! I'm going to try to find a link to that dance and post on my blog because I think everyone should see it!! Stay tuned...

Here and There

Hello all! I'm new to the blogging world and I already feel a little overwhelmed. I'm going to try to look at this as a therapeutic tool though it might turn out to be a place to vent here and there. (For that, I apologize now) If you are reading this then you probably know me already. My goal is to write about my journey training for races, school and just life in general. I will try my best to keep up with blogging but for the ones that don't know me, I'm a bit scatter-brained.

Since this is my first blog, it will be lengthy. :)

I guess first, let me tell you about my running adventures. Back in May 2008, my friend Leanne and I decided to join Team in Training to prepare for our FIRST half marathon and raise money for a great cause at the same time. What a great experience this was... I learned so much about running and myself! Who would have thought so much went into running (!?) I had ups and downs as I'm sure most newbies do. But crossing the finish line in San Francisco at the Nike Women's Marathon was ABSOLUTELY worth all of the sweat and tears. And boy were there tears!! Happy tears, painful tears, frustrating tears...you name them, I had them. I am not known for hiding my emotions...haha Anyways, while the training and races were so much fun, I also raised $3900 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. By far, this was my BEST accomplishment. There is no way that I could have accomplished this without the help and support of my friends and family. They are AWESOME. I could go on and on about what a great cause LLS is and in a future blog I might just do that. But back to running... Since that half marathon was so great I decided to go back for another season of training as a mentor for Team in Training and train for the Rome Marathon. WHAT WAS I THINKING??? This had disaster written all over it! But, misery loves company so I talked my friend Traci into joining me. :) It didn't take much convincing as Traci witnessed first had in San Fran how great TNT prepares you and how supportive they are. So we set off on our mission to each raise $6200 and run 26.2 miles. Training was long and hard but in the end...we crossed the finish line at The Coliseum in Rome, Italy on March 22, 2009. Though Rome was beautiful, I would have to say that I do not plan on repeating that race...haha At the time I thought I would never run again but it didn't take long for me to start planning out my next race.

That's where my blog really begins...