B: December And Still No Snow!?

Well, my 1st semester of my senior year is over. Woah time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday my parents were moving me into the dorms. For how much I say I don't like my school, I'm glad I chose it because without going here I'm positive I wouldn't have had some of the most amazing opportunities and experiences I couldn't even dream about. With everything winding down, it's time to think about my future and I know that future is going to include lots or traveling, running and elephants! OH YEAH. And Yuengling came to Ohio!!!!

My last volleyball season ever was great! New coach made it a bit different, but nothing to complain about. I didn't play as much as I would have hoped, but then again I didn't play volleyball for an entire year. My first week of practice was hell because I wasn't into it anymore and had to get the rhythm back that I had lost. All in all it was a good season with some good people! We obviously didn't win as many games as I'm sure everyone would have liked, but that to me doesn't make a difference. Senior day was great, except I would have wanted Baba to be there. I cried basically through the whole game because the day was filled with tons of "lasts" "finals" and any other word that meant volleyball was coming to an end. It's weird because towards the end of my volleyball career I was getting less interested in it, probably because I knew I wouldn't be playing competitively forever. I was "over" volleyball, yet I was still so upset to be all done. I have been playing since I can remember (the third grade maybe?) and it is just a weird feeling to have something in your life, to be part of you, for that long and then it's just over "like that" one day. I'll still play every now and then, mainly in bar leagues or just pick up games, but it will never be the same.

My horse class is another aspect of my fall semester that deserves some reflecting upon. I've already described how out of place and lost I felt in the class, but by the end I was confident being around the horses and I'm so very happy that I took the class. I don't think I have ever learned so much in any other class or have ever dedicated so much of my time either. Every morning I woke up Monday through Thursday at 5:30am and was at the barn by 6:45am at the latest so that I could finish all the chores we had to do in time. I usually left the barn by 9:30am every day. Multiple about 3 hours every day for 4 days a week by 14 weeks for the semester and you get A LOT of time spent in the barn. Not to mention two Saturdays where I had to work the entire day. Sure I didn't always enjoy getting up that early, but I did like it once I was done with everything at 9:30am so that I could stop back and see what I accomplished before 10am. This is what I hope to be doing with the elephants, daily chores and husbandry for the ellies. It was a nice parallel and I know that I will be successful in my future career because of my dedication and love for animals, especially the ellies!

Running, on the other hand, hasn't been going so well. I feel like I haven't had as much time on my hands as I use to. Now with volleyball over and me home for winter break, I should be able to pick up where I left off and get back on track for my training. I am hoping to do the Toledo Marathon and qualify for Boston, but if that doesn't happen, I'll at least be able to say that I FINALLY ran a LEGIT marathon. I'm thinking of also joining a running club, just so I can be apart of a team again! My future goals for running are pretty simple, I want to stay in shape, get good times in, maybe even place at some races, and I would also like to get some sponsorship at some point. I've also decided that I am going to run one marathon this summer on the road, and do at least one ultra on the trails. And if I can manage, I would like to do a 100 miler. Possibly the Burning River 100. Everyone said while I was running the BT50K that if I can do this race, I could do the 100. I want to see what its all about, if I hate it, then I won't do anymore, but I've heard once you do one... you are hooked... so we shall see. I want to be able to use running as my excuse to travel. This way I can chose races that are in destinations I want to see and when I pay for the race, it usually includes your accommodation. Then I would just have to pick up the plane ticket! Pretty sweet deal if you ask me!

Lastly, I wanted to talk about Baba and her recent diagnosis of Pancreatic Cancer. Sure the disease doesn't have a good track record because it doesn't show signs or symptoms early, but Baba is one of the strongest women I know and I'm positive she can kick this cancer in the ass! She is back living with us and she has her own room downstairs with everything she needs. My mom has her on a strict schedule which includes about 100 pills and lots of food and water. Now it's my job to make sure she sticks to that schedule while I am on winter break. Hopefully Baba doesn't tell at me too much!!! Everyone has been sending cards and even some family is coming to visit. All the chachas were at the hospital today with her and arguing as usual! The last time they were all together was when I went back with Baba for Memorial Day two years ago and I drove them around to visit all the cemeteries. They argued about everything then too!

Christmas is right around the corner, two weeks, and this year we finally got a real tree! We are going to make this Christmas the best one we've had in awhile!!! All the decorations will be up sometime this week and all the gifts better be under the tree before Christmas Eve night!!!