dreaming over the ocean

This is a on going series that is posted on thursday's, to answer the question: "What helps you to thrive in your environment?" The series is written by myself, and a variety of guest Contributors. Today, the post is written by Annie, a friend of mine here in Montreal, who loves to help other people! She hails from the south shore, and is in the middle of exploring different areas where she is able to engage her interests in helping people, here in the city. This is her response to my query! What helps me thrive? What helps me wanting to keep growing? Two main things: Faith and people. Faith is the basis for my growth. Faith that I am on earth to learn, to improve, to grow. Faith that every pain I feel is there for a reason, that every failure is a chance for a new opportunity, that every time I experience something new I learn new lessons, that every decision I make will be what’s best for me. Faith that I will always get what I need to keep learning and growing....

So, with my new membership to the YMCA, I have discovered that they offer Wednesday evening african dance classes. Now, if you know me, you know that I am NOT a dancer. I am 6ft tall. and, i am certainly not light on my feet. But, if there is one kind of dance that i like to do... it is african dance. My close friend Kevin Shon introduced me to it, at West Virginia. I only did it for one semester there, but, I. loved. it. But, I will tell you it is some fricken hard work. You sweat so good. Some photos from that semester. I then did both african drum and dance while in vancouver, off and on for the 3 years that I was there. And, it is amazing~ i have found, that it is only in small african dance classes, that i have come close to meeting people who understand what makes a heart beat with the sounds of africa. The "talking drum." I took my lessons as Masabo, which is now Ammara , and taught drums by Fana Soro (the Ivorian in the following video). i am happy, to be a...

1) getting wet. i am getting increasingly annoyed with being caught in spontaneous downpours while on my bike. I have had 2 in as many weeks. Luckily, this one was on the way home, and I could get dry, last time, I was not so lucky, and had to go to class soaking wet. this is me, post bixi ride. 2) babies. in the last month, 3 of my close friends have had babies. apparently, people were getting busy at the beginning of the winter last year. so, let me introduce them!!! Coming into the world on August 19th, to Mike and Cara Roemmich, was Sebastian Patrick at 8 pounds, 19 inches Coming into the world on August 21st, to Christina and Dave Swartz, was Baby Luke Jonathan at 6lbs, 15 oz and 20 Inches long. Finally, we welcome the newest arrival, on September 25th (about 10 days late..), to Ryan and Sydney Lemphers, Elyse Finch came in at 8.9lbs and 21 inches. 3) post-season thoughts so, i have started going to the Y, for my first major movement sessions since the
race last sunday~ get...

so, on my bike ride home today at lunch (the great shocker for today was that my afternoon class was cancelled! wooo!!! time to catch up, *and* to watch the season premiere of Grey's anatomy! HA, i know. pathetic addiction.), i got thinking a bit. I know, these days, it is all the rage to have a day a week where you have a themed post. well, ok. so, maybe there is only one person I know who is doing this... but, really, it is a great idea. I was also thinking today, about how in nursing, we talk a lot about walking alongside with patients and families as they cope with life changes. As they cope both in health, and in illness. but, it got me thinking... What if we went for more than coping? More than "just getting by." What if we went for walking beside people as they learn to thrive in their environment. as they learn to thrive in life? And, i know that there is a popular diet (which i quite like the majority of) out there with this same name... but, if you...

so, in the past few days, I have had more hits on this blog, than i *ever* have had before. we are talking 70 on monday, up from my average of about 20. yipes! and, i know that it is purely due to the fact that on facebook, my race report was linked to on the train-this page. that Kelly linked me on one of her blog posts. THanks all, for the kind comments on my race. I am still on a high from the day. but in the days later, you are able to re-assess. You can look at the things you did well, and the things that you need to work on. The things that were amazing, and the things that hurt. Let's have a look at the stats, of the top 10. swim div place: 12. bike div place: 10. run division place... errr... 20th. you will notice that the next slowest girl in the top 10 is a full 4 minutes faster than me, and 7 div places. My run has drastically improved. in fact, i am running off the bike, almost as fast as I am running in a stand alone 1/2. as always, there has got to be a...

so, let's just start with a comment that I think this sport is hilarious . the things we do (and, read on, you will get some in this report) are ridiculous. Not only because we think that waking up at 4:30 am to go and get your exercise on for 5+ hours straight is fun, but we do things that in normal society would be considered completely inappropriate and people would wonder if you need a psych consult. i find it hilarious the pre-race rituals we have. the need to wear a "i've done an ironman" shirt to race check-in, rather than normal street clothes. the carting around of a gallon water bottle day before a race. the food we eat, and the abnormal sleep schedules we keep. hilarious. pre-race prep was pretty normal. I got to syracuse at about 6pm on friday, and meet Kelly Covert , her husband (also kelly covert!) and boys Noah and Ryan. It was a fantastic place to stay, and we indeed, talked! it was great :) after a solid sleep on friday night, I was able t...

cross your fingers, and send fast vibes! because this girl is at the races! After skipping my afternoon class, a rapid toss of everything into a rental car (yay! a matrix. you may remember, that my first real car was a matrix. i sold maggie almost 3 years ago ), a pick up of a craigslist ride-sharer, a beautiful drive down to NY state... i have arrived in syracuse!!! tomorrow, race prep is happening: the carb loading will occur. the team schmoozing will be fun. the rest and relaxation will be nice. bike will be rechecked. packet will be picked up. on sunday morning, i will be starting at 7:48, wearing a pink cap, with a bib #1054. Use ironmanlive.com to do some athlete tracking!