Hi. I run.

I started a new chapter of my life running DII cross country. And that's what I do now. I run. A lot. I'm the slowest one on the team and I was embarrassed about that but really being a walk on is something to be proud of because you have to put in so much work and you don't even get money for it. And I'm realizing that I actually have the sweet life because I can train with these amazing athletes and work every day to improve myself, my times and my overall fitness. But there is basically no pressure. I'm not expected to be one of the top runners or get any medals. So I can just do me and focus on that and still have a fun team atmosphere.

I think running is so great because you can clearly chart your results and see improvements. It is important to always be moving forward and moving up in your life, in everything you do. My fitness and health is important to me and this new challenge I have taken on is difficult but I know it will make me a better runner and a better person. And I hope that my positivity and will to achieve will transfer over to other aspects of my life and maybe it will transfer to someone reading this blog.

I love running, I love my life, I love my friends and family and I love being able to share that.

Not truly the end

The jokes we hear endlessly repeated cease;
suddenly we desire to hear them once more.
Although the laughter has died down,
a hint of a smile still remains at the thought.

I always knew you were always spectacular but
it took you leaving for me to truly understand your legacy.
Although the countless baseball games have ended,
your name is still glorified in the papers.

Countless words of praise from strangers;
I smile, never fully understanding the imprint you left on their lives.
Although you can't speak to us anymore,
your voice is still heard in every single one of them.

As for me, you were my biggest fan
and my biggest role model.
Although the pictures fade,
our memories will live on.

These Girls Be CRAAAAZZZYYY

So I have almost survived my first week as a camp counselor. Most. Exhausting. Job. Ever. And I'm making less than 3 dollars an hour. In my bunk, we have 15 girls (going into sixth grade) and three counselors. Thank God I love my co workers... they keep me sane. I absolutely love my girls. They are SO energetic but so far I am keeping up with them. Despite getting attitude, stressed, not many please and thank yous (summer goal) and having someone asking for a piggy back ride at all times... I love this job. This camp is unreal. All buildings look brand new, the activities they can choose from are awesome (woodshop, wearable art, skate park). The kids get sweets anytime they want (and me too) and they have anything they would ever need. I'm pretty sure they have enough clothes to not repeat an outfit, the entire six weeks. One girl brought her own toilet paper because she said ours isn't soft enough. Yes, they are all loaded as if you can't tell.

We have one creepy girl who is a debbie downer and all the kids complain that she sometimes touch her weird. So thats a problem we are gonna have to figure real soon.

Although, I fear that I am turning into my mother. I nag constantly and I am not cool because I thought peace signs were in so... I guess I'll stop doing that now. I'm working on becoming more hip.

I'd also like to announce that I'm engaged. I sat with a boy on the bus so naturally my girls took that as meaning that I'm getting married. It's good to know I won't be alone for the rest of my life though.
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I started writing this post a very long time ago and never found a free moment to finish it. With camp over, I finally have time to sit back and reflect on it.

This might have been one of the greatest summers of my life. I loved learning about my international friends. It made me realize that I should try to be more adventurous and step out of my comfort zone. I need to open my eyes to more experiences. There is so much I don't know about because I have not made the effort to learn and to travel. They have inspired me to plan a trip to backpack through Europe either this summer or the one after. This is our time to do that while we are young.
I have learned so much about myself. Particularly, about patience and how to connect with everyone. Obviously, some children were easier than others to connect. There was one child, Kaitlin, who reminded me so much of myself. I'd be lying if I didn't say she was my favorite. Just because it was easy with her doesn't mean it wasn't easy with everyone. Not having that much patience going into camp, I learned to take the time to get to know each girl in my bunk. Everyone is unique and has great qualitites. It was up to me to take the time to learn them.
I can't stress how great this summer was. I hope I get the opportunity to do it all over again next summer!