My Nose...

Thought I would entertain you all with a picture of my nose. It's looking a lot better since I went to the doctor. (Even though he told me what I already knew... my nose wasn't broken.)



Got a pretty detailed post on my blog... ugh, now that this is over, I just need to get over the cold I caught...

Fun Cultural Experience

So, I had a fun little Asian cultural experience on Saturday night.

Remember how obsessed some of us were with "Ouran Host Club"? Well, I kind of went to one on Saturday night and yea, it was interesting. It's a bit too long to write about here, but here is the link to my blogger with a detailed description of the evening...


Emma's Blog about Host Bars

All in God's hands

*sigh*

The last several weeks have been nothing short of freakin busy.

My friend Amanda from St. Louis FINALLY came to visit me up here in Chicago and we bounced around the city and got to enjoy the U2/Snow Patrol concert at Soldier Field. Please find the pics posted to my facebook account and a few more to come and some videos too. Then work has just been out of control with Christmas stuff landing, staffing changes and corporate visits that have left me exhausted and stressed out... :(

Then my mom decided to enjoy a week in Cancun with her girl friend to celebrate both of them turning 60 and 61 respectively....yes my mama is 61 but sure doesn't look it! :)

And that is when the s*** hits the fan.....

My sister and father are incapable of getting along without my mom there to be the ref....so to skip all the gory and absurd details of the last, oh week of my life, the short of it is that my parents are probably getting a divorce. For real this time....

And I am ok with that....I am totally not worrying about this because I know God's will will prevail in the end so I am just sitting back and letting it all play out. I have said what I need to say and well I am done wasting my energy when it obviously isn't helping anyone or anything. Sooo please keep them in your prayers as they hash out what this is all gonna look like in the next few weeks...

In other, more cheerful news, I am traveling with the Sherrie friend to Kansas City this weekend for a much needed break from the BS of life and the Mary friend is visiting for Thanksgiving!!! :D

Confidence

I took my bike out on the trail today.

By myself.

Booyah.

I understand that doesn't sound like a big deal, but for me it kinda is. My sanguine self is always lacking somewhat in confidence when it comes to doing anything alone.

Not to say that I'm not independent, because I definitely am.

Please don't ask me how that works; I couldn't tell ya.

Anyway, I discovered that the armband for iPod wraps around the handlebars and then once around the iPod exactly as if it was meant for it. I also discovered that next time I should disable the random when shaken mode that Apple decided was a good feature for the Nano.

Not that I'm calling Apple retarded, but I wasn't really in the mood for "Drummer Boy" by Jars of Clay on this gorgeous fall day. Even though it thought I was. Twice. Or was it three times?

As I rode through the trail I couldn't help, amidst the gnats cementing themselves to my body, that the trail looked picturesque today. With a light layer of tan leaves strewn across the path yet surrounded by trees still full of beautiful green.

With the wind in my face I sped on through singing along with "I'm Alive" and anything else that inspired me on my random playlist.

...

In other news, I'm training for a 5k.

I've completed two weeks.

This is a major accomplishment for me and far surpasses any previous attempts at running endeavors.

The first day I thought I might die a little. Surprisingly though, the whole experience has been far easier than my expectations allowed me to believe.

I might even end up liking running.

Did I say that outloud?

Tabula Rasa

I originally latched on to the phrase "Tabula Rasa" during my psychology class my junior year. It stuck with me even moreso after it was an episode title for LOST. Now it brings even more meaning as I strongly believe everyone has a chance for a clean slate.

Don't get me wrong, the slates you've already beautifully scrawled across will stay in the corner of your mind - some covered in dust and cobwebs while others lovingly framed on your wall - but your present and future are yours to do what you will with.

...

A few days ago I was riding through the town with my friend Kelli ... on my bike of course.

I forget how sheltered I am.

On an hourly basis.

Completely forget.

I know I grew up shielded from pretty much everything, until I started working at McWorld, but every once in awhile reality slaps me in the face with a giant fish (ever seen the Veggie Tales Jonah?) to remind me that I have it so good and am so protected that I really have no idea what a true life problem is.

As we rode through the streets, I saw a child tear by who was probably about 12. This boy had a look on his face that I can't even begin to describe. He was so angry that I'm pretty sure murder was reflected in his eyes. I'm pretty sure it had nothing to do with something as simple as losing a soccer game or having his best friend tell his deepest secret.

A little further down I noticed a woman holding her shoulder with one hand and a beer in the other while screaming as if crying out for help. The shadow of a man who did not care about her plight, and most likely caused it, looming in the doorway.

Who knew common place misery took place in my basically small town cornfield existence of bliss.

Shame on me for losing myself in my comfort zone.

...

I just got back from my second to last session of training at Gold's Gym.

Crazy how it's been sixteen months since the first time Drew walked up to me and informed me the machine I was using was doing the opposite of my expectations. It amuses me how that's so true in so many aspects of my world - tools meant for good used for their unintended purpose and become a hazard rather than moving me forward. One would think I would learn.

I have mixed emotions about my training coming to an end.

It's definitely been a good thing for me. Drew completely transformed my life habits and I am much healthier (And dare I say irresistible? You know I'm halfway kidding.) because of it.

My credit card has taken all it can of the expense; however, and now that my health is back on track it's time to get my finances back on track.

In other news, Melface and I are training for a 5k.

See Sherrie Run.

This ought to be good.

...

My life, as I now know it, rocks my socks off.

In case you had any doubts, those are Adidas socks.

:)