My dear friend posted the Sarah Silverman/Matt Damon video on her myspace page and I finally got around to watching it. I’m so thankful for the four minutes of pure hilarity at the end of this tough day. I am not going to embed it on my blog, but for those of you who want the link, here you go….Matt and Sarah.

I will also my absolute most favorite Matt Damon moment of all time. Matt portrays Matt.

I realize that none of this is profound, life changing, or deep, but I was needing a bit of laughter. Enjoy a bit of fun with my fave movie man, MD.

Must report that after weeks of saying, “I need new shoes” and suffering the calf cramps that are generally associated with needing new shoes…I have new shoes! One of the benefits to now working at our local and fabulous running store, Feet First, is the affordability of my new shoes.

Yea for Mizunos!

(Plus, running is a bit easier, at least on the toe, every day….now if only you could buy an in-shape cardiovascular system)

Today was a first day back on the roads after two full weeks off running (time flies when you are sitting on your tail feathers). I had a great time running with my fabulous RP. I completed 8.5 miles, which isn’t quite long enough at this time of year but at the same time, I’m happy. I don’t think I will be very fast, but I will get through in two weeks without passing out.

I did however, get my butt kicked by an 18 pound four legged creature. When I got home from my run, we took a typical weekend hike on the trails and as usual, I let him lead the way. Today, we went basically backwards on our route. Generally this wouldn’t be a big deal, but considering the lack of activity in the last few weeks, whew! We had a great hike, several miles, what seemed like mostly uphill. Along the way we met two new friends, a lovely lab and a dapple dachshund (a gorgeous teeny pup). That gave about 10 minutes of running and chasing, which was really nice. By the time we found our way back to the car, we were ready for a nap! But as days like this are seemingly fleeting, it was perhaps the best way to spend our Saturday morning.

This week at work is defining what I love about teaching. I love integrating. I absolutely positively love the way that children’s eyes and minds perk up when they see how subject matter relates together. Our school is immersed this week in Global Integration. Each of our classes has a country for the International Festival dance performance and this week all of the subjects are related to this country. I cheated a bit and started last week and two weeks ago with some of my classes, just because there is so much to cover! You can’t integrate all of music in two classes.

We are listening to music, studying classical and folk music, composers, singing songs, speaking poems, and moving to music this week. I have learned a tremendous amount about music in each of my countries (Mexico, China, Thailand, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa). (I highly recommend trying to sing in Thai, whew!)

We are cataloging all of our learning on a wiki and it has been so nice to see all of the additions the teachers have made. This is what I love! Where can I go where I can do this all of the time?

Off to day three!

Shampoo, Conditioner, and Liquid Soap, when left over night in the car….shall freeze so hard that they are unusable when one is at the gym at the crack ‘o dawn. Not to give a mental image, but let’s just say that foam soap does not make good shampoo.

That is the hilarity from this morning…here is the one from last weekend.

So I’m at a local Mexican take out place when I notice the order ahead of me is being picked up by the chef at the Chinese place next door. He then proceeds to take the order over to the Chinese place, where I assume the kitchen staff will consume it. What does this say about the quality of their cooking over at the Chinese place?

Hope you laughed today.

One of my favorite scenes in the movie Apollo 13 is when they are preparing for launch. I love the systematic nature of “checking in” with each systems manager to see if they were “go or no go” for launch.

So today was my first attempt since the “toe incident” that I tried to run. A test launch, if you will. Unfortunately, it is a no go for launch for me. I am for sure that the toe is not officially broken, but something is definitely wrong. My dear friend and RP who just happens to be an OT suggested a sprained ligament might be the source of pain/numbness (it varies). Nevertheless, two miles with Buddy today resulted in a clear feeling of “no go” for this weekend. (My back will be happy, but the rest of me, not so much.)

This will be two weekends off…..unless I can convince myself that preemptive launch will be worth the pain.

Three weeks.

A student of mine lost his father about a year ago. This child was age five when his father died quite tragically. Today, when writing our prayers or confessions to God during chapel, this lovely child asked me to write to God to protect his father in heaven. Could there be anything more humbling than this?

On this day of seeking absolution from God for sins both past and present, to experience a request of God that is fragile, pure, and hopeful was fairly overwhelming. I feel a deep sense of gratitude to this child, who has no idea how he impacted me today.

black and blue is my toe.
my toe is black and blue.
for stubbing it was a big mistake
and now i sit, boo hoo.

no running for me this gorgeous weekend
and another week behind I get.
for B&A Half is coming up quick
and I’m not quite ready yet.

tonight as I sit my toe is quite fat
and covered with bruisy striations.
I wish that this “rest” was enjoyable
like taking a break for vacation.

Alas it is no vacation for me
just hobbling and bobbling to walk.
Unfortunately for those around me,
it has not hurt my ability to talk.

Oh please let me get, some exercise done
on mr. elliptical trainer
for without endorphins I’m afraid I’ll become
as big as a house or a gator.

running by wednesday i hope and i pray
will be in my dear near future.
for B&A half is four weeks away
and I wish to do real super.

I hope. I pray.

I desperately wish that I will never let myself be built up by someone else’s pain. I pray deeply that I will never benefit from another’s hurt. That rather, i will hurt with them. That rather, I will take time to understand rather than to assume. That rather, I will look past my feelings and see the deep humanity found in another.

I hope. I pray.

That I might think first with a gentle heart, next with an empathetic mind, and never with spite.

Lofty. In a world of cynicism and competition. Difficult. In a place of deep confusion and unexplainable paranoia. Challenging. In a life of pride.

Completely Necessary without excuse or recompense. In order to be whole.

Love first. Love second. Love last.

I love the smell of my hands after a swim in the pool. The smell of chlorine mixed with soap reminds me of how much I loved my childhood swim team days. M-F early mornings in the cold pool with friends. Saturday mornings with Mom and Dad (and sisters). Dad judging the events and Mom working the snack bar. The awesome feeling of finishing that last relay and hoping that we made the “padonia cut”. I remember that horrible summer when I was on accutane and it made me burn instantly, so I spent my Saturday meets in long sleeves, SPF 50 and a hat which I dunked completely in the diving well between events. What a hoot.

I am not a fast swimmer, nor can I swim very long. But there is just something about being in the water that makes me feel alive. Despite my layers of blubber, my imagination has me as a lanky swimmer (perhaps the body of my teen years?) and I feel free.

I sincerely hope that everyone has the “one thing” that makes them feel free, strong, and safe. So many around me are struggling with life, love, and other mysteries right now that I pray that they each have a haven of hope. Unrelated to material possessions or other people. That place where they may return.

Perhaps it is in this chlorinated freedom that I find God. In returning to me, you shall find rest, so it goes….it is almost like the return each week to the water is a return to Him, who provides that rest and security.

I wish this for all around me.

Peace today to you, dear reader.