Yosemite day 2

Sunday morning we rose early, well truthfully I was up every few hours during the night due to excitement and sleeping in a strange bed, and left the hotel like at 5am. We drove back into the park while it was still dark. The hike to half dome can be started from a few points within the part but Chris choose to start from Glacier point. This would allow us to hike all the way around half dome and see most of the falls in the park in one day. Sounded like a good plan.

See how excited we were! It looked so far away and really you cannot describe the size of it until you are up close.

So amazing to watch the sun rise over the valley, the pictures do not do justice to what I actually saw that morning. My God is an amazing God.

This is the back side of Half dome, we were getting closer although it still seemed very far away.

Pretty cool stream running through it flows to one of the falls that was just a little ways ahead, this was a cute little bridge we crossed over, you cant tell in the picture but there are really cute yellow flowers that were growing at the base of the rocks on the right, amazing how things grow when it seemed just like rock and minimal soil.

getting closer!!

Saw a little wildlife along the way. Tiny little squirls which look more like chipmunks with their skinny tails. not afraid of people at all.

we stoped to eat at the top of a falls.

getting closer!!!!

This is just before we climbed up to the sub dome which is just below Half Dome

There it is!!! if you look carefully you can see the cables going up to the top. It looks like a ladder and if you look really close you can see people. This was so nerve racking watching people go up look how tiny they are in comparison to the rock!!

Before we climbed it CS took a short nap, while I continued to watch people go up and began to get really nervous. I think I we stayed much longer I would have chosen not to continue. But its me we are talking about so I knew I had to make it to the top.

I had to move so i walked around the subdome and thought this was a pretty good shot. Even at the sub dome you are way high and views are spectacular

See the view! No trees which is kind of unnerving to be above the tree line you have an odd sense of balance up there.

Yea!!! made it to the top. there were times I did not think my arms were going to make it up or hold my weight anymore. but.... we made it. Look how vertical that is!!!

yosemite day one

Ok so I am slightly technically challenged, but you can adjust I'm sure, but after a gazillion tries to get the photos right well this is where I'm at. Enjoy and I hope you don't get a neck cramp while seeing Gods Amazing creation

SO this summer I was privileged to travel with my amazing friends to Yosemite. We left Saturday morning and traveled North through Bakersfield and Fresno until we arrived in an absolutely amazing place.

So you drive along the road and go through this tunnel and this is the view. Pretty darn spectacular! You can see Half Dome in the distance I was way excited to think that in less than 24 hours I would be climbing it. However it is overwhelming to think how massive those rocks are in comparison to me, and that the creator of them totally knows me
The ladies of the trip! Thank you O'Roarks for allowing Tiffany and I to tag along on your family Vaca!

Leilani found a nice place to sit and read while we waited for the gift store/mini museum to reopen. I could totally be a park ranger and teach little Jr. Rangers!

My amazing friends who take me with them on very cool vacations!

As we were driving out of the park to get some rest before the big day. It doesn't get much prettier than that. What a fantastic first day, I could have gone home totally happy with just those views. However there was a Very Large rock to climb the next morning........

Change

I have typed a few entries since the last one posted however they were more like emotional vents which I don't think anyone reading this really needs/wants to hear. This summer has not been what I envisioned, but that is life. It normally doesn't follow our plan which makes me want to plan disasters and illness so that maybe it will be filled with just the opposite, calm lovely things where all is well but wait that will be in heaven.

This summer has been filled with change. Change is not something I like or do well, but it is the one of the two constants in life. God never changes and well life is always changing. I have found myself back in the emotional state of 2 summers ago, crying a lot and for no apparent reason most days, not sleeping well or sleeping and having no desire to get up, no hair brushing, ask Astrid of my summer fashion these days, eating random things at random times, and questioning God.

I think all of it is normal but not what I thought I would be doing this summer. I have however been able to talk about death a lot this summer with people and find their responses interesting when you are ok with death they look at you like you are crazy. I have been able to serve my mom in a way I never thought I would and have seen just how alike we are. I also have had to watch my dad age and ask questions that asked about Mike which is hard. I know how hard this is going to be and how hard it must be now. I always said that Mike took my brain with him when he left along with so much more of me, how much harder is this going to be for my dad as my mom has done so much for him for 46 years. He will adjust, I know, but my heart aches for him.

I am working on cleaning my parents house out as it will have to be remodeled, and this has been hard. I still haven't gone through all of Mikes stuff so to go through their stuff even though they are not dead is hard b/c you think along the same lines as if they were gone, although you can laugh when you find a memory or ask what they were thinking and why they still have whatever the item is. However it is hard too when my mom says I want you to have my _____ because I still want her to use it and wear it and well I don't want the stuff I want her. and that is hard to tell her.

If I have learned anything in the last 3 years its to enjoy life as a gift from God, and I know all of you reading this have heard me say it. But it is true, God gives us today and doesn't promise tomorrow. It wont help worrying or holding a grudge, it doesn't help anything to argue about small things. People are important, so please make a phone call to someone you haven't talked to in while and let them know you care, smile at the guy in the home depot parking lot you may be the only one he sees all day, smell the flowers, listen to birds, and praise God for all of it. And please share the gospel so all will know and Christ can come! I am ready to go home.

need to learn how to sew!

My sister is planning this huge 40 birthday party, so we decided to go downtown to buy fabric to make decorations and cover tables. Can I just say that I totally need to learn how to sew. So many crazy fabrics. Oh the chair cushions I could make, comforter covers, curtains, pillows..... man I totally want to work for TLC and those home shows just to be able to shop downtown. love the craziness!!!! tomorrow I am totally going to the flower mart!!! (oh we totally bought bright pink sparkly fabric, eat your heart out Leilani)

As for the workouts...
Sunday- Ran from western to crenshaw via palos verdes drive north-slight consistant incline about 4ish miles I think

Monday-totally loved this workout!!
first warm up
then, 8x50M 4= freestyle using only right arm 25m then left only 25M
4=backstroke regular
Ok then the fun part!!!!
100M as fast as you can trying interval was 2min.
300M freestyle med pace interval 7min
100M backstroke-YUK but was the rest portion of this set
Repeat 3 times (if your fast you get to do it 5 glad Im not fast:))

so that equals about a mile of swimming med to fast which felt so good to complete. Esp because I was able to do the 100s faster than I imagined I could!!!! woo hoo perhaps I will swim pier to pier under an hour this year!!!!!

sprinter?

Ok so this morning which is Saturday and you know I must be feeling guilty to get up at 4:40am on a saturday to workout (darn Dodger stadium and the yummy goodness) But today was sprints. I am not a sprinter. We did 4x50M for an hour with a 200M rest between. I am tired but feel great!

latest workouts

Ok so since Resolved I have not been too consist ant with workouts. I ran Sunday at Resolved which was a nice 90 degree run, sweat ed like i was a dude that day, then I ran tues a 6ish prayer run which felt great. Then holiday time I did work up a sweat on Saturday playing smash ball at the beach it helps when two competitive people play and you try to hit it so they have to run for it every time :) then the 4th just a lot of mouth exercise in chewing yummy food, Monday was a casual hike with the O'Roarks second edition.Then Tuesday July 6th (when it was freezing and misting) when the swim workout was all drills, this is where you are working on stroke technique by isolating one part of it- mainly I try to avoid drowning and realize just how bad of a swimmer I am. Then wed and Thursday took off in honor of Leilani's b-day. (truthfully there is no swimming on wed and Thursday I didn't hear the alarm and depression set in I think, but I think it sounds better if celebrating is the reason) So today Fri I was back in the water today again drill work but for those of you who want to improve your stroke here are the drills

kick set first
2X 100 M flutter kick (25 on your right side, 25 on your left side, 25 on your front, 25 on your back)
4X50 breast stroke kick
Fast lanes did this twice through

drill set
I have blocked it out of my mind i think. but we swam butterfly alternating right arm and left arm never using both-drowning!! then backstroke with pinky, thumb, pinky synchronized swimming arms (I was voted best in my lane on this one) then breast stroke arms w/butterfly kick, then catchup free (you wait until you clap hands in front before your next stroke begins.
Seriously I have no idea what the distance was just know wait wait i remember it was 12 X 50M three of each stroke yea I was awake this morning. Seriously though I am not a fan of the drills

Drill set
150M -first 25 butterfly, middle 100 free, last 25 butterfly
100M -first 25 butterfly, middle 50 free, last 25 butterfly
50M- butterfly
150M -first 25 back, middle 100 free, last 25 back
100M -first 25 back, middle 50 free, last 25 back
50M- back
150M -first 25 breast, middle 100 free, last 25 breast
100M -first 25 breast, middle 50 free, last 25 breast
50M- breast
150M -first 25 free fast middle 100 free, last 25 free fast
50M free
Now to put my swimming in perspective the fast lanes repeated this 4 times while my lane did it once! so don't be discouraged just get off the computer and move for an hour 4 times a week and watch how your energy improves:) (I am preaching to myself here) so now to stick to the diet as that accounts for 80% of the change you will see in your body. Helpful hints: limit your carb eating to lunch if you must, eat veggies and protein only for dinner, keep your metabolism up by snacking on fruits and veggies throughout the day and WATER drink lots of it ideally you should drink one ounce for every pound you weigh! or as my coach in college said if you don't pee every hour your not drinking enough.

feeling good!

ok so yesterday was day two of staying on the diet and it feels great! No cheating and I drank extra water:) as for the training on Wed the pool is closed so no morning swim which was great to sleep in (well I was up fed the dogs and then went back to sleep) but Wed I have started to go to water aerobics with little lady Leilani, so fun. So an hour of shoulder work I felt like was great. I followed this with 1/2 hour of casual lap swimming with Mr. CS who has one speed which is darn fast. My brother says thats the sign of a true sprinter. (that is definately not me) I mainly did breast stroke as my arms were TIRED.
Then this morning, I loved the workout!!! so here it is it was inspired by Pier to Pier (the swim I do every year)
6X50M sprinting the first 1/2 of each odd lap
2X50M high knees (running high knees for the first part and last part of each lap free style in middle)
1X200M over kick (kill me now-its the most difficult thing for me to do so I know I got a good workout)
5X100 breathing every 5th stroke
5X100 regular
5X100 breathing every 5th stroke
5X100 regular
5X100 breathing every 5th stroke
2X50M high knees
1X200M over kick

Great morning! Now to finish laundry, vaccum, and pack for the weekend. This followed by apt at the DMV to replace my DL which I have been without since the end of may, then hopefully beach time:) I am getting so much more accomplished without going to work!!

Oh my MRI is Tuesday morning at 7:30am so I will see the doctor agian a couple of days after that to see what my brain looks like!

the eye report

so this morning I went to the eye doctor, who was very nice and after he looked into my eyes with like three different lights then dialated them and looked agian with the bright lights, my eyes are fine. He thinks it was a migrane in my eye- the constricted capilaries (those are what cause migraines) may have been around the nerve that controls the dialation or something like that. He said it was fine as long as it doesn't happen too frequently and does not last more than a couple of hours. I am still awaiting the MRI to be approved so we can see if my brain is normal or at least appears to be normal.

Training today consisted of an early chilly swim- so early and cold i dont remember all that I did, however here's what I do remember- warmup 15 minutes swimming, then a whole lot of kicking (i think i am going to invest in fins, I try to keep up but when everyone else has fins and I dont I feel really really really slow) then we did this workout which I enjoyed
200M IM (remember IM is swimming all the different strokes) so 50 butterfly, 50 back, 50 breast, 50 free
100M freestyle
2X50 butterfly- we repeated this 4 times so everything remained the same except the last 2 50 you changed the stroke based on IM order.

It took until 6:25 for me to finish but it felt great!

Then tonight a 6mile jog, I walked some so I could take in the beautiful sunset, then just out of laziness I walked up the hill, but still pretty good work out
Plus today I acctually did not cheat on the diet! The carb nazi is back!

Today was a good day too becuase I spent it with my mom, talked with Whit n Judy, my godmother (pray for her she may have cancer) and the O'Roarks called too! what a great day! Tomorrow will be great b/c I am going to go to water aerobics with Leilani:) yea fitness!!

I'm back at it- Yippy!!

Ok, after laying on the rolling table, an intense massage and an adjustment at the chiropractor my back is feeling better. I was able to lift tables and chairs alright for Saturdays big wedding. Then Sunday was back on the road, running that is. Armando and I ran our usuall Sunday 4 mile course I was not speedy, but it felt great to run. Today back in the pool- so here it goes
warm up - 600M
main set I was there for-
600M pull (you are supposed to have a foam thinging that makes your legs float so you don't have to kick, I however dont have this so I just swim with less kick) breathing every 3rd stroke for 50M then every 5th stroke for 50M- agian I cannot do this for that length of time but I tried.
then....
4X 200- 50M right arm only, 50M left arm only, then 100 swim- agian I looked like I was drowning but did my best

400M just like the previous 600M followed by 2x 200 just like before

Then I had to get out due to my last day of work:)- however because I had some wierd diolated eye thing I spent the entire day at the doctors office and have to go tomorrow to turn in my keys. I will keep you posted on my nuerological state- eye doctor in the morning MRI sometime this week once insurance approves it. yea for being me!!

my body hates me

ok so last night while watching a really good yet odd movie with some fantasic company my back started to spasm. by the time i got into bed i could hardly move and to touch it was so painful tears welled up. So I turned the heating pad on took vitamins and tylenol and prayed i would sleep, set the alarm for 4:30am in hopes it would be some fluke and be gone, however when I went to get out of bed the stabbing shooting pain was still there, so dogs went out and i layed in bed a bit longer. so no workout today. Not sure what i did, I think I did something during the crazy game of nationball with my students yesterday it was either that or the stress that work was yesterday in any case being on alieve all day today has helped some and I am hopeful that tomorow at 4;30am i will be moving freely agian. it was nice to see that my students really do care as they knew something was wrong and kept wanting to give me hugs that while made with great intentions killed me! gotta love em.

Tuesday 6/15

Gotta love the 4:30am alarm:) ok so this morning did not feel like getting up, partly because my diet yesterday was horrible and consisted of a fast food lunch and dinner yikes not good on my belly in any way! also a late night with my art class which emotionally was not good for my belly either, so I knew I had to go

500m warmup
10X 50 M- kicking (mostly free until my leg cramped and did 2 x50 breast stroke)
then the main set the group was to repeat this 4X yea for them I did the first 2 items

150M- first 50 kick butterfly, next 50 butterfly drill, next 50 back drill
150M- freestyle
200M -IM which is a 50 of each stroke (butterfly, back, breast, free)

next
150M- first 50 kick back, next 50 back drill, next 50 breast drill
150M- freestyle
200M -IM which is a 50 of each stroke (butterfly, back, breast, free)

Next
150M- first 50 kick breast, next 50 breast drill, next 50 free drill
150M- freestyle
200M -IM which is a 50 of each stroke (butterfly, back, breast, free)
next
150M- first 50 kick freestyle, next 50 freestyle drill, next 50 butterfly drill
150M- freestyle
200M -IM which is a 50 of each stroke (butterfly, back, breast, free)

needless to say a hard workout. but great I would like to complete this workout at some point this summer when I don't have to leave for work, that my friends is one week from today!!!!! YIPPY SKIPPY!!

(oh and today was the class picnic so needless to say the diet agian out the window, I was going to run after work, but took a nap a long nap instead) tomorrow I am back on the healthy eating wagon I do so much better when Im on it

June 14

First of all thank you Grace for reading- I really miss you!

Monday morning swim- ok I went to the pool this morning and well you see there is no post from yesterday, I was supposed to run but due to a late night thought sleep would be more benificial to me. So today at 5 a brisk swam began

warm up- 5 X 100m or so and lots of stretching
Opening set repeated 4 times:
2X 50M- one arm free style (right arm for 50, left arm for 50- man did I feel lame)
2X 200M- breathing every 5th stroke ( I hate this cause I cant hold my breath that long but did the best I could

Then the main set started I can only stay till 6 due to work, so I just did 2X-100 all out crazy fast which hurt like ... but felt great after I was done:)

If you have time the main set was supposed to be
4X-100 free
1X100 backstroke
3X 100 free
2 X 100 back
2X100 free
3X100back
1X 100 free
4X100 back
looks like fun---glad I had to work:)

let the training begin

ok so I told you I was going to start training, and Im going to try to post it so in case you want to join in you can, plus it gives me some accountablity even if no one actually read this typing it will hopefully keep me disciplined.

So this morning I was in the pool:
4-100M free warmup
8-50 kicking (breast/free)

Then the begining set a 200M, 150M, 100M, 50M- free style with the last 50m of each fast we repeated this twice

10-100M freestyle

6-50M non freestyle I did breaststroke

An hour and half of swimming pretty good for Saturday morning
Now to eat healthy the rest of today:)

running is cheaper than therapy

running is cheaper than therapy was printed on a shirt I almost bought this past weekend at the San Diego marathon. (Yes this past weekend I once agian ran a marathon that I did not train for. at least this year I did get in a couple of six mile runs before hand, unlike the max of 3 the last year. I really am going to train for the next one I swear).
The t-shirt caught my eye, because running for me is a form of therapy if you will only I don't have a therapist to talk to and give me feed back, I only have my thoughts, and myself to answer back. However on my runs healing does occur. I had 26 miles to think on sunday about where I have been and where I am going. here is a brief list of what I remember as pain and overheating and other such things took priority at moments during the race.
1. I thought having a run/walk ministry would be cool- think of yellow tank tops with "Run Happy " the joy of the Lord is my strength written on the back:) most people don't do activity b/c they need accountability and someone to do it with- how about tues/thurs nights run walk the neighborhood train for a 5K, 10K 1/2 marathon or full marathon
2. I have a lot to be thankful for. I spent a few miles or so thinking of all the friends and family that think Im crazy to be running and for all of them Im thankful!
3. my problems are nothing for God. As i ran you see people with shirts for various causes mainly luekemia and other cancers, but I thought wow, God knows each person in this race FYI 30,000 people ran Sunday, He knows every step, shin splint, muscle cramp, and tear that was cried and knows every person that each of them knows think about it it is mind boggling. He desires that none of them perish. but they have to hear his word. why don't I open my mouth?
4. God heals. These past few weeks I have restled with emotions in a different way and the run put my thoughts back to 3 years ago at this time I was just learning to walk without a walker, now I have run 2 marathons, completed a triathalon, and 2 pier to pier swims- He heals physically, spiritually, emotionally, and he does it so he can be glorified.
5. running clears my head and puts my focus on what is important, and its not me. Its the millions of people who don't know Christ, its family who need to feel Christ's love through me, its about relationships with people who God puts in our lives, not about stuff.

SO... I am going to train for the Long Beach Marathon which is in October (after this week of recovery:)). Anyone who wants to join me and get a taste of free therapy is welcome to join me, you don't have to keep up just be willing to get out and move you can do the 5k or just come cheer me on at mile 17, 18, and 19 as these are the most difficult for me! Let me know we can work out a training sched. I will try to post what I am doing so you can keep me accountable to actually train this time.

Running feels good when you are finished although painful during the race, just like my walk with Christ, I want to finish well even though the miles between can be painful and uphill, there are miles like 23 that feel great while mile 17 had to be walked, Christ is with us every step no matter how slow or fast our pace, he provides vasaline to help with chaffing, shot blocks and gu to provide nurishment when needed, he provides a brother to encourage us not to quit when we feel like we cant go on, the road of life is a marathon and whether you are fit or not you are in the race but how much better I may feel if I put the training time in so pick up your Bibles and get in his word work out your spiritual muscles and build your faith:)

who am I?

Some of you know that I am trying out a new sport outrigger canoe-ing (not sure that is a word) which newbie practices are on Sunday mornings, so I have been going to various churches on Saturday night (which has been interesting and quite enjoyable). Last night as the pastor was preaching through Philippians. he made the comment I'm not a (fill in the blank with career)__________________ I'm a soldier for Christ. For me to live is Christ and to die gain. Which made me think of my last post. I am not a teacher, I am a soldier for Christ and that should be my attitude each day. I need to live for Christ anything else is loss. But to live for Christ is gain. It was such a great reminder that I am not a student, teacher, aunt, maid, sister, friend but a soldier for Christ. So get your armor on and go fight the good fight this week!

what is a teacher

Today at work as situation after situation arose I asked myself is this really what a teacher does? When I think of a teacher I think of a person that leads instruction in some academic area like math or English or history. However in the last few weeks I have found myself wearing these hats: social worker- trying to find housing for a family, lawyer-dealing with laws and policy, police-trying to figure out how to get a restraining order for a parent, counselor-helping a student (not mine) get the papers needed to get to college, doctor, mother (cleaning snotty faces- so gross!) encourager-"ms.c why so gloomy, i need your smile it makes me feel goooood"(this comment turned my day around), coach, friend, referee, chef-making meals b/c they were hungry, mentor teacher, venting wall, and well a teacher. My job is not ordinary, I know, but somedays I really would like to just teach, but then who would do all the other stuff? I am glad that God has placed me where I am at, and I know he will give me all I need to do the job, but I wonder sometimes what in the world am I doing? I didn't go to school for this. So if you think about a teacher you know or had, pray for them they deal with more than the kids in the class:)

God provides

I had the chance to stay in Santa Maria this weekend with the fantastic O'Roarks. It occured to me this weekend that although they knew Mike, I had never been to their place until after the accident. Why is this important? well really its not except that sometimes I question God's timing, but the more I consider things the more I realize that He has perfect timing. The O'Roarks house provides a quiet place (I really mean silent), with a really comfy bed (where I sleep more than 2 hours at a time), crazy good food (apple Jacks, coco pebbles, waffles, Orcuit burger just to name a few), and great conversation. But what it really provides is a place where I have peace about life. After every visit I come back rested and motivated to get through stuff I need to complete. It gives me just enough time away from my routine to get recharged. I have my own memories in Santa Maria and the surrounding beach towns. Mike never was there so they are mine. Which is good, because it reminds me that God still has plans for me and that life can be enjoyed without Mike by my side (even though I know he wanted to ride that little train). He created the amazing green hills and powerful ocean waves that crash on the desolate white sand beaches for me to enjoy and to see His glory on display. He provided a friendship with people who love me as if Im family, which is really a blessing that words cannot describe. God knew I would need the O'Roarks to help with my healing and brought them in my life at just the right time. There are no accidents with God. and as much as the car accident changed my life I know it was not a surprise to God, nor are any of the other trials that I face. He has perfect timing and as much as I don't want to believe that at times, if I truly look at everything around me I know it is all under His control. God provides/and will continue to provide what I need to get through all of it.

tired

thats what I am.

Lessons I'm learning

In my monday night bible study we are studying the book of John. this week we are in ch.11 where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. The substitute teaching leader had some great points in her lecture that I was convicted and challenged by so I thought I would share. The things in "quatation marks" are her words and questions, everything else are my random thoughts.

"Illnesses, delays, and disapointments can be opportunities to glorify God."
If you read ch11 you will see that Jesus hears that Lazarus whom he loves is sick. Now if you love someone and you hear that they are sick your reaction is probably going to be to check in on them, go visit, call, and if you are a doctor you would go see them, Jesus who could have healed him without going to him remains where he is two days. It wasn't like he got the news late and he would leave in the morning, he waited 2 days. Why, because he loved them. Jesus had a plan and he knew that the illness was not unto death but was for the glory of God (v. ) How often do we see a situation and we ask for God to come and when we dont see immediate response we cry out where is God, or he must not care, or why me? why now?? God making us wait can show just how much he loves us more than an immediate response that gives us what we think we want. In the waiting God may be creating an opportunity for himself to be glorified. Every trial is a test of our faith. Jesus did not answer Mary and Martha request b/c he wanted to give them so much more.

Other points:
"What has Jesus accomplished in your life this year? If you take the time to look for God you will find him and he will lift you up." are you looking for God? or just going through the motions
"The "what ifs" of life will keep you in despair." Mary n Martha Im sure asked what if Jesus had been here, what if we sent the messenger earlier.... but that doesn't change anything, the only thing that changed the situation was to go to Jesus. and Jesus gave Martha hope, real hope Rom 5:5 "God's hope is a promise that is certian" where are you turning in your trials? are you looking for Jesus or are you looking for answers (the ones you want)?
'
There is so much in this chapter, but it made me see just how real Jesus was. He loved his friends then and he loves me. His tender words to Mary and Martha he offers to me. "I am the resurection and the life whoever believes in me though he die, yet shall he live and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never di. Do you believe this?"(Jn. 11:25-26)

Many have read this passage before, but I was challenged to really think do I believe this or do I just know it. Am I putting my belief into practice or am I relying on me? God will answer in his time and for His glory, but we need to be looking and expecting that he will.