Chillin' in the sun

Today was a perfect example of a carefree summer day...sorta.

Being older, I am learning to rediscover how great doing nothing can be. After I attempted a long bike ride this morning (too many tourists and tandem bikes threatening me:-) and an attempt at a long hike (the mosquitoes have hatched and are abound in the woods) I ended up settling in for a good jog and went to the docks afterwards.

I don't have a beach towel. Actually I only own one towel.

So I've been using my extra sheet to lay on, and brought it to the docks, where I met with several friends. We don't arrange these meetings. They just happen. I can usually find people who are on their split shift, or day off. They are
1. laying out at the docks.
2. laying out in the park.
3. Having coffee near the docks.
4. Having beer in the park.

After laying out in my tacky Thailand shorts and sports bra (didn't take the time to change from my running gear) I was ready to jump in. My buddy Tony was debating to jump earlier, so after I was game, he was going, and Aubree joined in too.

Lake Huron is FREEZING.

I remember the free fall from the jump, then plunging down into the icy water, and stretching up for air. It was fantastic! How rejuvenating, and it was perfect to cool off so quickly. We just hung out on the docks, more people came, talking about life, books, travels, etc. Enjoying silences.

Ahhh....summer....

on the upside...

Woah. Talk about a guilty conscience. I went to bed late/early thinking about how I should not have douched on the USA so much the other day. So here's my top 10 list that I wrote while living overseas of stuff I missed about America:

1. Freedom. In the US, I am allowed to say what I want, do what I want (within reason) date when I want, go where I want. I'm not limited to places because of my race or because I am a woman. I can wear what I want. I am totally free of cultural hindrances that prohibit me to befriend a man or someone of a different race. It's not like that everywhere...

2. Fast food. Ok, so it's not the most healthy thing, but that depends on what you order. Besides, I've worked around fancy restaurants and I KNOW they slather soo much butter on stuff to make it taste good, so that's not exactly the best thing to eat either. All I know is, I have a big Arby's craving, and MacDonald's ice cream is awesome. As is Wendys. And DQ...sigh. (sadly even on Mackinac Island, fast food is not here...I'm still in with drawls)

3. Lots of choices. This is always overwhelming to return to the consumerism. But I love having lots of choices when it comes to where I will live, what I can eat (super grocery stores!!!), what I will wear... I think too much choice is not so good, and it takes much personal restraint to NOT buy things you don't need. Which is why I am glad I've always been cheap as hell; it keeps me from overspending, weather or not I have the money.

4. Artists. I mean music, paintings, photography...etc. The US has alot to offer, and most museums are free, or not so expensive. Love that. Wish there were more art museums in the world.

5. Democracy. I think our system is great--for us, that is. I do not agree with thrusting democracy on the rest of the world, because it is not what is best for them. But it works for us, well when it's utilized fairly.

6. Individualism. By this I mean the way people in the US express themselves. It is not always accepted openly, which is frustrating, but we are free to be who we are, or while we try to figure out who that is...We can keep our last name when we marry, and we are finally starting to be fair on allowing people to marry the person they love, that marriage isn't for heterosexual people only.

7. Pretty landscapes...we have a big country compared to other places.

8-10...will have to think more on it...

So fast...

Finally. Today felt like summer. It was steamy even in the shade. I'm loving it.

Summer sneaked up on me, as did my recent birthday, and so many other things, that a recap is impossible. But I have some random thoughts, and wanted to keep up the habit of keeping up with writing in this space...

I'm up to running 7.5 miles now, fairly comfortably. I'm saving the last half-mile for later. I'm still at a 10-min.-mile, and would like to chip away at that time before I add more distance. But knowing that I definitely could run the 8-mile path around the island is a huge mental boost to accomplish my goals. I'm amazed at what the body can do.

I will have to breeze through older posts to see when I started running, but I think it was just the beginning of this month! And I was hurting after 2 miles! That's awesome gain on distance, despite a knee that would give me problems, the occasional cigarette (rare, but yes, at times) and late night/early morning parties.

I feel gross the day after drinking, (rare, but yes, at times) so running it out feels very cleansing. And reminds me of college (the first time I ever drank, and had rowing practice at 6am in the morning!) when coach would just laugh at me and shout "SWEAT IT OUT O'DONNELL". It really does work. But it hurts like hell.

How is it possible to run that much? I have no idea. I didn't think I could do it at all, so now I'm stuck with running faster, which I love to do. I like to sprint the last 1/2 mile, it is such a rush. I'm in the zone, and my legs feel like I can't stop going. And when I do stop, they feel like jell-o.

Shift of topic: Today during dinner one of the guys commented on the rudeness of French people, then the conversation shifted to how foreigners complain about the USA too much because we're "better than them." Ok, I could no longer let this slide, so I piped up about the lack of our health care system, our not so good (to put it nicely) president, and a few other points as to why the rest of the world may not "like the USA."

Poor kid was kinda quiet after that. I feel bad for not being able to articulate more on the topic, and frustrated that ignorance is still abound. I basically left the conversation by saying "others probably have a problem with our ATTITUDE the most..."

I mean, what does our country have to OFFER the world, really? Sleazy Hollywood stories, lots of obese people, marital affairs and divorce? We're really good at all of those. No wonder the dollar is crap right now, what are we selling that the world at large needs? Oil? Food?

I have limited knowledge of these matters, and should not even mention them. But I have lived abroad, in places where the USA is loved and hated. Passionately hated.

And I totally understand why.

God's Promise...

I took this picture today from my crappy little camera phone. It hardly begins to capture the beauty of the rainbow. It was the most amazing one I've ever seen, arching all the way over to the other side of the island...

I really needed a rainbow today.

My Aunt died. So the real grieving begins...Not wanting to elaborate on that here...

And I got hit by a tandem bike today. What crappy luck?! By the way, a tandem bike is freaking heavy, a bike built for two. I was jogging along, trying to clear my mind and forget about death, and next thing I know, I feel a piercing jolt in my back, pavement, pain, blood.

Two gals, preteens really, were not watching where they were going. I was running on the edge of the pavement, clearly away from bike traffic, in bright red shorts, so obviously people would have seen me if they were riding with their eyes straight ahead. The parents stopped, checked to see if I was ok, lectured the girls, and they went on their merry way. I admit. I was pissed for the next 1/2 mile I had to limp and get my white socks all bloody stained :-(

Then I said, well, it could have been worse. I haven't fallen in a long time, or gotten scraped and bruised, so it was kinda like being a kid again. And as a kid, I just kept on doing what I was originally doing, and hope for a "cool scar" later on. So I pumped up my iPod (that thankfully did not break when I fell) and ran the last few miles because I'm tough like that. :-)

But, man, my leg is on fire! Nothing like pantyhose on raw skin. (I have to dress up for work--conservatively--blah)

Work was crazy busy today too. And in the midst of the chaos, this beautiful rainbow appeared! It was the best thing that's happened to me all day. The only good thing really. And it's just enough to bring a smile. To make me grateful for the crappy day. To remember God's promises...

Summer has arrived!

As I wait for some friends to get off work, I am amazed at how quickly summer has finally arrived here on the island. Today was the best day I've had in such a long time, I can't help but have a goofy smile on my face...

Best day re-cap:
1. Get up around 10am to watch the runners go by (The Lilac Festival started Friday, and today was the annual 10k race around the island) as I sip my morning coffee.
2. Like a kid on summer break, I throw on my grubby clothes and running shoes and iPod, and head out the door for a long run in the woods (to avoid any racers or other humans for that matter...)
3. End run at the Iroquois, and grab lunch in the EDR (Employee Dining Room) My coworker asked me why I destroy the blueberry muffins they typically have left over from the restaurant's breakfast...Well, to get the blueberries out, of course.
4. Go home to change into swimsuit to sneak into the Murray Hotel's rooftop pool/whirlpool :-)
5. Meet up with friends in the park to lay out and play Frisbee
6. Ride my bike around the island...and accidentally inhale a few bugs (yuck.)
7. End bike ride at the Iroquois (see a pattern here) to have dinner.
8. Go home to shower and change for evening Mass. (very enjoyable, as I have not been to church in months)
9. Walk my boss's dogs.
10. Ride my bike up the hill to hang out until the restaurant closes, and people get off work...

So, that is the rundown on what a perfect summer day is for me.

You ever have that Zen feeling, of total relaxation and at peace with everyone and everything? That's me right now. Nothing can bother me today. The day has been so perfect, except...

I know too much.

I know that there are others in the world who do not get to experience this sort of peace, or carefree summer days. I can't help but wonder what I would be doing in Jerusalem on a day like today? Probably frying in the soaringly hot temps. Or going to Jericho with friends. Or to a protest somewhere. I think of my friends and acquaintances there, and pray for them often.

I will always know what time it is in Jerusalem.

Changes, Changes...

Many changes in the past month, and many more to follow.

Oh, but first an auntie update: no news is good news. I haven't heard much from my sister, but last word I got was that our aunt is still not doing good, but hasn't gotten worse. I pray she begins to improve and at least get out of ICU.

Other stuff: It's June!!! I decided to skip the cheap gym fee this month and invest in a cheap pair of sneakers. The island is full of joggers, and I became jealous. So I have a new goal: to run the entire 8 mile path that circles the island. I have a love/hate relationship with running (just like the commercial says). But now that I'm eating better, it's great to go for a jog, because I don't tire out so easily. Yesterday I ran 5 miles, and would have kept going, but my knee started acting up. I told myself that I would get serious about running only if I promised to listen to my body. Any moderate pain will be attended to. I typically would ignore that stuff, and it just leads to an injury, putting me off running for awhile, prohibiting me from reaching my goal.

My previous bulk-up goal has been successful enough for me. My arms and legs are bigger and much stronger, and I feel great about that! Had to get rid of several outfits though, but so far I can keep most of my "travels" clothes, the stuff I have accumulated from various countries I've visited in the past. That stuff's harder to part with, but I don't mind putting it in the church clothes drive bin.

I'd rather have reached my fitness goals than have a bunch of skinny girly clothes.

Other changes: Well, my job was fine for awhile, sucky for awhile, bad for awhile, good for a bit. I have 2 jobs: personnel assistant and front desk night supervisor. I have learned that I work well with people better than numbers. I'm good at languages, problem solving, casual conversation (get that from my dad--he could charm ANYONE with conversation), and training people. But the aspects of my job that entails working with huge spreadsheets and numbers all day by myself in the basement office: sucks.

And I suck at it.

So instead of quitting (which crossed my mind more than once during this last payroll hell) I decided to have one of those "tricky" conversations with my boss. She responded well, and we are working out a new position for me, which involves more work on the front desk, with guests and the other employees. Nice. Yay! Fingers crossed that it goes fine, which I 'm sure it will. It will certainly make for a less stressful work day.

Last piece of change: I get TWO days off this week! Insane! But the hotel is too quiet this week. The weather is cold (60's) and rainy, and nearly empty, so the staff get two days off! That's rare for here. What in the world will I do with myself? :-)