Another window

This afternoon I went to the gentlest celebration for my friend Peter who recently completed medical school (well the first 4 years before moving on to his residency). I went early to Diane's to help tape the candy bars on her classic candy bar cards (with phrases such as: "we always new he was a BIG HUNK", or "It will still be a few years before his first 100 GRAND", and "We hope his life will be be a SYMPHONY and full of GOOD & PLENTY"). Erica (Peter's mom) taped the 3 poster board sheets over the fireplace mantle and everyone enjoyed the card (and was able to hold back from eating the 20 candy bars).

The house was beautiful (the yard breathtaking, all types of trees in bloom, beautifully placed stones lining the path to the front porch, and a bright purple park bench centered perfectly in a grassy round) and those inside were living life so fully! BJ Rush pursing his Masters' in teaching, George Lee with a wife and 2 children working on his PhD in Geochemistry with research in Chili (Marcus Lee working for Patty Murray in Washington, DC), Kyle successfully managing his construction business with his brother Brian, Andrew Lembrick working for H&H, Peter (the man of honor) with his recent MD and a trip monday with his girlfriend Mary to the Phillipeans (I hope that's correct)....and the adults being kind and bright with their own successes (Diane completing here Masters' and raising Mark who is now 17!!!!!, Erica's sister sailing around the world, Gloria Howell with her kind Grandmother's smile and praise).

A rekindling of friendships and the possibilities for new connections and new beginnings. And damn good food. :)

Being hard on yourself?

Why do some people have a tendency to punish themselves despite living a life of general success? (note that the third person generally implicates first person perspectives.) I just googled "How do you stop being hard on yourself" and found that being hard on yourself seems to be a pretty common trend in the world. Upward or downward comparison aside -- the spin you place on language and perception can make any reference to other fit your mood.

So what did my dad suggest?

http://www.despair.com/viewall.html (I recommend buying the coffee cup)

or go to http://www.flickr.com/ and select "Explore Flickr" then hit More interesting photos from "the last 7 days" :). You will be amazed at the beauty.

So distraction is the key. Or somehow finding a way to help you reference your reality (call someone, go for a walk, bake something, write a card, worship, do yoga, read, breath, sing, dance, brush your hair, smile, smile, smile again). Erin said something so wise before I left Vermont, which I'm going to manipulate and apply for my own purposes and meaning...I think my goal this summer will to try to be China (glacial in pace and perspective, meaning slow and steady wins the race and as such stay consistent and motivated) rather than the US (done yesterday or don't do it at all).

Anyway. I feel much better now.

The Columbia River Gorge

It's hard to imagine a more comforting place than the Columbia River Gorge. Maybe it's the towering green hills, the river front revitalized towns, or the fact that I spent the first 18 years of my life maturing in this region. Or it might also be the fact that I've recently earned my Master's degree and I'm waiting for my summer job to start (read: vacation), or that I'm finally close enough to my family and boyfriend to get more hugs in a day than I've had over the course of the past year, or perhaps it's just the peace of beautiful skies, breath-taking views, hikes around each bend (the majority being on public property), smiles from strangers, rough one finger waves (the pointer not the middle) when driving, and clean crisp mountain air. Despite the source of my joy and content, this is my favorite place on earth (but don't plan to move here if you're from California...it's not that good ;)).

Anyway. The road trip across the USA will happen later (see previous post). I chose the fast route home via Delta Airlines so that I could settle in and enjoy the Columbia Gorge (and those good people in my life who live near it) for as much time as possible this summer. There will always be big choices ahead....but I am breathing deeply in my ability to relax and enjoy the peace of the present moment. My identity is already set here in the Gorge: intelligent, motivated, kind, and hard working to name a few descriptors. There is definitely something calming about feeling nothing to prove.

Charlotte Covered Bridges 1/2 Marathon

13.1 miles on Vermont farm roads and 2 covered bridges later I finish my first 1/2 marathon. I came in runner 116 out of 166, finishing the entire race in 2:05:55 (that's a 9.58 minute mile!!). I thought my lungs were going to burst and that my knees would never greet another set of stairs without pain -- but... :) I feel great now! Here are links to a few photos (http://www.skipix.com/images.php3?event=Covered_Bridges_Half_3) and to the a Vermont race webpage for future enthusiasts (http://www.racevermont.com/schedule.php). The key for training is to look at http://www.halhigdon.com/ for training programs and to use http://www.favoriterun.com/ to locate routes of appropriate length. Good luck if you pursue it....I hear there's another nice 1/2 marathon on the San Juan Islands in June, check out http://www.sanjuanislandmarathon.com/ for additional details!