Big Brothers Big Sisters

Hi.

I was a part of BBBS about 6 years ago. Tawaina was my little's name. She is about 19 now. We still keep in touch. Mostly by text and email. She calls me sis and tells me she loves me. The thing is when we were hanging out we had very few words. I never thought I was doing enough and thought I was the worst Big.

We did stuff like festivals, made pizza at my place, watched movies, carved pumpkins on Halloween and went roller skating. Things like that. Still with very little to say.

I never thought I would be friends with her 6 year later, she living in Dallas ( fair park area of town) and me here in Austin. She did not live in the worst area but not the safest by ANY means. I remember driving her friend home one night...and that was SCARY.

This little girl was in essence my Big. She taught me that just being there for someone, whether silent or not, is so meaningful if your heart is really in it. The other person can tell. I truly wanted to do a good job at being her Big Sis and made it for one year before I moved to Austin. Some Bigs are amazing. They did soooo much for their little and have been there for them for years. That is what I was comparing myself too. It does not matter. I did the best I could and she knew that.

To this day whenever I am in a funk or just not myself she knows. I will get a text from her with a psalm verse or just a positive saying. Of course she is still a kid so I get the silly texts too that she forwards to and from her friends. Makes me smile.

I post this as a reminder of how important it is to get over yourself. On those days that you are feeling sorry for yourself try doing something nice for someone else. You never know how awesome of timing it will be and will make you feel tons better. Sure, that could sound a little selfish but it is win win.

I did not have to act like her mom, did not teach her school stuff or give her any advice about life.

I was just there.

Timing

"Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict."
"Be on the alert to recognize your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur. "

Maybe 38 years old is my prime. I always wonder when it will be my year and with all the changes happening around and on my birthday, after all the beatings from the last 6 months, I have to believe this is the year.

I really appreciate Erin and Tom for taking the time to fine tune my interviewing skills and offering any professional help without me asking for it. I love that I have friends who are there for me and know when I need a hand, guidance and/or a hug. I know that sounds gay but looking into the eyes of these two people I can honestly say I would recommended them as a friend to anyone. Cindy and Esther wrote me beee u tee ful letters of recommendation and totally helped seal the deal. What support! The flex team! What an awesome honor to be part of that. We without jobs were able to find a positive outlet with triathlon and see that we are not alone. I think that was so great even though others who were working felt otherwise. Listen, we needed to make the best of our situation and if it took us going out on our long ride on a Friday afternoon then so be it.

I get to start a new career with excitement that I have never felt before in a "job". Money is not everything anymore to me and thank goodness because it is going to take me 2 years to get my territory up and running. I have mentioned money is not everything in my earlier blogs and I stand by that. Just now I get to put my two interests together...therapy and sales.

I get to do my Ironman knowing I have something to come home to. I do not have to worry about my next race goal because now it will be my career goal. ( and the Nike San Francisco marathon in October) ( and mountain bike riding) ( and rowing) ( and guitar lessons).

I am not too worried about a relationship because I learned that I have no control over the timing of that. Just like this career. It came at the time it was supposed to. I truly believe that if I am to be married one day I have to just let it happen in it's own time. As long as I feel complete with myself, and I am starting too, a marriage will be a perfect adjunct to my life. I want to get married one day. There. I said it. Out loud. Yikes. I really do and I want to be happy. I want to be secure with myself and want to trust. I am working on that too. Just going to take a very understanding man to assist me with that.

For now I am complete and happy with my awesome friends ( you know who you are), Peenut, soon to be career and Ironman! 38 here I come! ( I am still going to act and look younger though).

Smiles!

I love it so much I can't stand it!

I can not wait for this weekend of training. It is another very long weekend of riding and running. I am now going to pay attention to improvement and not just getting the miles in. I have more than proven I can and will do that and put most anything else second. MOST anything...not everything.

This weekend I want to see my improvement whether it be in strength or endurance...hopefully both. I will climb the hills to the best of my ability but I want to make sure I look at the overall picture. I am doing this ride in Liberty Hill specifically to face the hills and give myself one more confidence boost that I can do it and want to. I really do want to.

In the last 3 weeks I have been putting in at least 20 hours of workouts. This is mainly because of the extra 4 hours a week on the bike for the cycling study ( what I will do for money). This also added in a mental challenge in a major way by seeing how long I can push myself passed threshold. I truly believe that got me through the soul sucking Shiner ride. I am still talking about that ride. I am so proud of finishing that son of a bitch. The post ride tator tots and strawberry slushy rocked!

I am ready for this weekend and am getting more and more excited about being in Idaho. I get emotional about it. I visualize that finish line like crazy. I am so excited to be staying in a house with some of the most amazing friends I have made through this experience. Jane, Vegas ( who talked me into this), Katy, Val, and my roommate Ali. What an awesome fun and quirky group of girls. I look up to these woman...everyone of them. All different and all amazing. ( and I am not just saying that so they will come with me to check in).

I think I may have been all over the place with this blog. If you know me you aren't surprised. Oh a bird!

Perspective

The last six months of my life...Oh boy. Lots of deep shit. Without rehashing the events that have taken place or how I have handled them I can honestly say I have held it together. The issues that I had may not be as serious as some others but everything is relative. Someone could be having a fat day and I feel their pain. I will not roll my eyes or belittle what anyone is going through anymore. Somone may have had an accident or be accused of saying or doing something; I will not immediately judge that he or she was in the wrong or that any of the words are true. If someone has done wrong, as I do at times, and asks for forgiveness, I will give it and move on. For real. Case closed.

I have grown very close to a handful of people and we all lead very different lives..yet connect in such a way that we respect and want to spend time with each other. How awesome is that! To have people in your life that actually like you, do things for you and are there for you without expecting anything in return.

I look at the whole picture of my life. So life may seem shitty right now but actually I am in the best place I can be. What? I do not have a job! I do not know if I would be able to train for my very first Ironman while working. I am all about 100% in most everything I do however; the way my body and mind is right now I feel exhaustion. I look at this group of people that I am around most of my time and am completely impressed. They have time for work, training and me. We laugh so much and if it wasn't for them I may see things less positive right now.

Sometimes I feel like the family I have made through Ironman training feels closer and connects more than my real family. I am known to make friends easily This group was itimidating to me at first. I write this to say just jump in. Take the past headtrash and chatter out of your self confidence and low self esteem and start over. People want a connection and want to feel cared for. They could be just as intimidated of you as you of them.

I can only be me and I want to be your friend. I am interested in who you are and what you are about. Until I have a reason not to trust you I will hold true to that.