Updates and Ponderings

Sorry I have not been very consistent with updating this thing!  There has been a lot going on here in Carbondale and I have been trying to re-adjust to a new pace in life.

So What's up Doc?

Troutt-Wittman Academic Center

Some of you may know this already, I have been volunteering in the academic department for the past two months.  I have decided that I really want to have an impact on young athletes and coaching is not necessarily the route I am interested in taking at this point in my life.  The aspect of academic counseling that really appeals to me is the open and honest relationship I will be able to have with the students.  I will be able to help them in a much more holistic approach instead of simply an athletic and performance based approach.  As an academic counselor I will be able to have a huge impact on the student's experience during their college years and hopefully prepare them for life beyond college.  As a  former student-athlete I hope to be able to relate to their struggles based on some of my experiences.  

This summer I haven't had much contact with students yet since I am not officially the Graduate Assistant yet (waiting on grad school acceptance letter) and most of the students are home for the summer.  So instead I have been working with the other Graduate Assistant and Full Time Academic Counselor for programming for the fall.  It has been really fun brainstorming how to change things and amp things up.  We are adopting some of the programs we had at Oregon State and molding them to fit the needs of the SIU students.  It has been really cool to see how new ideas can cause so many changes in such a short amount of time.  I really hope to continue the trend and keep shaking things up!

Pinch Penny Pub

The bar is still a blast.  Now that I have been there for three months I don't have the 'new girl' feeling and it feels comfortable to be there.  I'm so glad I decided to go through with being a waitress.  I have learned so many things that I would have never learned if I hadn't of worked in this type of industry.  It is definitely a different world!  The people watching is the best - even when it is slammed and I am running my butt off I still get to watch people interact and overhear some pretty wild conversations.  I chuckle to myself all the time.  It has also been comforting to establish relationships with the 'regulars.'  Every shift is a little different and brings a different crowd; my favorite is surprising someone by already knowing what they want to drink, they get a startled look that turns into a smile because it makes them feel special that I would remember them and what they like.  (Also helps with the tips!) 

Fitness & Nutrition

The water yet again called my name...I will never be able to escape it!  Haha, I started swimming with the local masters team here in Carbondale back in the spring.  I have been fairly consistent with swimming 2-3 mornings a week.  It feels really great to get back in the water, but it is a constant struggle not to get discouraged with the comparisons of what I used to be able to do.  Last weekend I competed in my first swim meet since PAC12s my senior year.  I absolutely had a blast and I am so glad I did it.  I think there will be a few more meets in my future for the year :-)

I had an 'off' month where I struggled quite a bit with being consistent in the weight room and with conditioning.  I think I am struggling with being a post-athlete and not having a team or a purpose.  (masters swimming is not the type of competition or team I am yearning for).  No one told me that I would still be having a hard time a year and a half later!  I feel like I am just reaching my prime of physical fitness and capability...but for what?  I have no outlet or competition, I just workout every day for the sake of working out.  I understand now why so many swimmers get into triathlons, but that is just not anything I am interested in doing.  If anyone has any suggestions I am very open to ideas!  (Not including crossfit, Olympic weightlifting, distance of any kind, or anything with a ball)

I have also struggled with nutrition.  Having the intense personality that I do, it is hard not to become obsessed with what I am eating to the point of being "too healthy."  I have to constantly take a step back and realize that life is meant to be enjoyed and every once in awhile it is o.k. to splurge a little bit. 

Life is all about balance - life & work balance, relationship balance, physical balance, spiritual & emotional balance - the key is realizing that balance your constantly looking for is always changing. There is no 'ultimate balance' to be achieved because every day is a new day and every day we live shapes us and changes us to a different person.  We have to learn to adapt to our ever-changing situation and not get so wrapped up in daily expectations and pressures that we loose sight of the overall picture of life.  We were put on this earth for a reason and we were blessed with this opportunity of life for a reason; we are not meaningless creatures going through the motions.  Everything that we do has meaning and everything that happens to us has meaning.  I am learning how to cherish those meanings, because ultimately at the end of the day it doesn't matter how many hours you worked, how many carbs you ate, how many reps you did or miles you ran...what matters is how much you have loved.  How much have you loved those around you?  More importantly how much have you loved yourself?  If you can't love yourself for who you are and all the wonderfulness that God has created you to be, then how can you fully love those around you?  How can you fully love this world God made? How can you see the beauty of the little things? Balance = loving yourself, loving the people in your life, loving the strangers around you, loving the little things, loving the big things, and loving God.   It is so simple, yet we always make it harder than it has to be.  Just Love.

My Handsome Hubby

Christopher is doing awesome.  I admire his work ethic so much!  This summer he has been taking a sports psychology class and kicking butt at it.  This week has has his final then a few weeks off before fall semester starts.  

His teams are also doing great and getting stronger.  He really loves working with the athletes here and has really stepped up to the challenge of coaching women's basketball and will be soon taking over men's basketball.  (Both very high-profile sports here in Carbondale since we are historically a basketball school).  He has also been working with football and men's and women's swimming and diving.  It has been very cool to listen to him when he comes home talk about all the news things he is learning and the stories about how he is relating to the athletes and getting them to do what he wants them to do. I have said this many times before, but he has so much potential as a coach.  I think that he is really going to make a name for himself in the world of college athletics and strength and conditioning.  He is so natural at it and has amazing insight.  What makes him so special is that he continually thinks outside of the box - he hates doing things by-the-book and continually experiments and uses his gut feeling to see how things could be better.  He hates being average and I love it!

On top of dealing with me and my craziness, school, and coaching he has still found ample time to continue his Strongman training.  He has a competition coming up in October where he is hoping to qualify for nationals in November.  Oh and he has been fishing and getting pumped up for hunting season.  (literally I have to listen to it every day! lol)

It is really hard to be so far from home, but we have grown so much as individuals and as a couple.  We are learning so much about what it means to be a married couple and how to overcome struggles together.  Every day our relationship grows stronger and we grow closer.  We are truly blessed for this opportunity of growth!  Even though sometimes it is hard to see it. 

Miscellaneous

Other than all of the previously stated information I am taking on a new project!  The swim team wants me to lead them in yoga sessions...in less than a month!  I have my work cut out for me for sure, but I am excited to tackle this new challenge.  (If anyone has any really great resources let me know) I am pirating Barnes & Noble's books and trying out all the classes available around town.  Better watch out Tonja I am going to be as flexible as you! 

I am also currently reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan - I HATE THE FOOD INDUSTRY. SO. MUCH. CORRUPTION.  Trust me you will be seeing a post in the near future outlining and highlighting the main points.  Nothing gets me riled up faster than reading about this topic.  I literally want to start a revolution.  One day at a time though.

I hope everyone is doing well back in Oregon.  We miss you like crazy!  So many of you are consistently in my thoughts and prayers - even if you don't hear from me individually I am thinking about you and wishing you well. 

Much XOXO 

P.S. I am obsessed with the Olympics!  Go World!

Book Club: The Tipping Point

Clete let me borrow his book because I needed a short break from nutrition books. Not something I would have ever chosen for myself off the bookshelf, but it actually turned out to be super interesting and insightful into the American culture.  

Gladwell's main purpose of the book is to explain how small things can make a big difference in starting epidemics.  Not simply epidemics in the medical term, but epidemics in general.  One of his main examples are Hush Puppies - he explains how they went from being a fashion faux pas to being one of the hippest accessories any fashionista could own. It all started with a small group of hipsters in New York.  What is interesting is he does not only use fashion trends as examples; he goes all over the board explaining everything from Paul Revere's Ride, Sesame Street, Blue's Clues, adolescent smoking, and even suicide.

His main argument is that you need three personalities to make an epidemic successful.  Those being a Connector, a Maven, and a Salesman.  A Connector is someone who is connected to everyone and knows everyone, and people know him/her.  A Maven is someone who is an expert.  This person will literally write to consumer magazines and correct them.  Finally a Salesman convinces and puts on the finishing touch.  It sounds simple at first, but Gladwell takes it to the next level and backs up his arguments with real-life examples.  It is astounding to read about how the smallest factors either made or broke a trend.

Overall a great and easy read that is very thought provoking.  My only complaint is that he is a bit redundant at parts and it makes it hard to keep reading.  Just roll your eyes and finish it because it is worth it!

4th of July

I don't know if you all have been watching the national weather on the news...but it has kinda, sorta been a little warm over here.  When I say warm I actually mean 105 degrees + humidity.  OREGONIANS STOP COMPLAINING!!!  I cannot tell you what I would do for a nice 65 degree, slightly overcast day.  People, I can't go out to the mailbox and back without dripping sweat off my face! We can't even open the windows at night because it doesn't drop below 85.  When I get off work at 2:30am I am still sweating.  Even the apartment swim pools that I frequent are warm because the darn water from the lakes are warm and there is no way to cool it off!!!  I am literally melting...no seriously. 

Ok, now that I got that off my chest....yay for the 4th of July!  Well minus the parade, festival, or fireworks.  Yep you heard me.  No parade. No festival. No fireworks.  Um isn't the midwest supposed to be super duper patriotic?!?! Whatever.  We made the best of it and made our own awesome all-American BBQ feast.

As all-American as we could make it - burgers with fixins, watermelon, chips & dip, fresh green kale salad (from our garden), French's Mustard, Hunt's Ketchup, and American flags.

God Bless America and God Bless Homemade Guacamole

 Chris went off into the wild to hunt down some sticks for s'mores

Despite the fire-ban on Carbondale due to the heat and lack of rain we stuck it to the man and grilled our burgers on an open flame. Take that!

So s'mores were fun and delicious.  Thankfully we didn't need a fire to melt our mallos or chocolate because it was so darn hot outside still.  Naw, just kidding.  We only stayed outside for about fifteen minutes though!

Home

WE GOT TO COME HOME!

Our dear Uncle Nick is to blame :-)

This was an under-the-radar trip home that we didn't tell very many people about because it was a big surprise for Bob for his 50th Birthday.  The surprise was a huge success!  We flew in Wednesday afternoon and enjoyed a delightful lunch with my parents at B-dubbs.  Audrey had planned a casual birthday dinner for Bob and had invited over Uncle Nick and the grandparents.  When my parents dropped Chris and I off we secretly met Audrey in the front with a video camera, we devised a quick plan-of-attack which included a hilarious sight of Chris and I crawling around the back deck on all fours.  (I went with the buns in the air style because I didn't want to get the knees of my jeans dirty, which I'm sure added to the sight.)  The excitement and anticipation of the surprise was bubbling up out of us both!  We popped up at the last second and walked through the back door like it was no big deal. The girls (who also did not know we were coming) burst into tears, Bob dropped the knife he was cutting the ribs with (thankfully not taking his finger off with it), and speechlessly ran around the corner and gave us the biggest and warmest embrace.  It was perfect!  

It was a kick-off to a few days of many cherished memories.

I woke up Thursday morning and enjoyed gluten-free quiche at The White Rabbit in Aurora.  A gluten-free bakery that is filled with charming antique furniture and decor.  It was some much needed mother/daughter time.

Chris spent the morning with his pops - and I am not really sure what they did.

Thursday was my dad's birthday, which meant happy hour at the RAM in Wilsonville! We tested out their 'Butt Face' amber and seasonal chocolate stout with Aunt Cindy, Jimbo, Bobby & Lynnette, mom and Spence.  In my professional expert beer snobbery opinion: I enjoyed both!  The chocolate stout was actually fairly light, with I liked, but usually I would prefer a heavier stout.  The 'Butt Face' just makes me smile every time I hear the name!  

We moved the party back home to the house for some din-din and more family and friends!

(Also very proud to say that I got my father and Big Steve to eat 2 brussel sprouts! and lo-and-behold they actually liked them!  Check out the Fitness & Nutrition page for the recipe)

Dad & Spence reluctantly opened presents in front of everyone.  Spence enjoyed a BBQ themed bday and my dad is set of Sam Adams Cherry Wheat for awhile.  Well minus the few I snagged for the campfire :-) 

Friday

The fun continued!  Chris headed off to Corvegas to visit the Performace Center and hang out with lil brother Joshy.  I enoyed a delicious sushi-track lunch with my daddio in Wilsonville.  Which, by the way, is actually a really good sushi track place.  Out of all the ones I have been to it would rate as one of the best.  Of course it doesn't compare to Sada or Aamatsu in Corvallis!

Tj and I had some girly time later in the afternoon.  We treated ourselves to pedi's, Starbucks, and a goofball photo shoot.  She is so cool!  

BFF!!!!!!

Karri-ann and I were reunited!  Oh my goodness do I love this girl to pieces!  We had an adventurous night, as we always do!  We met J. Estrad for happy hour at McCormick & Schmicks in Bridgeport - they pour a generous glass of 14 Hands and the sweet potato fries are delicious.  The three of us gossiped and got all caught up it was simply fabulous.

The rest of our night included meeting new friends at Wankers in Wilsonville, having a deep discussion about the Monsanto conspiracy with Britton over a campfire at Levi & Amandas, and a last-minute decision to enjoy a pancake breakfast at Dennys at 4:00am!  

Yes Dennys included a typical KA & R photoshoot - don't judge, just be inspired

Saturday

BOB'S 50th Birthday Surprise!

Yes we had another birthday surprise for Bob, but this time it included a lot more people.  We all secretly gathered at Bethany Church and Audrey played Damsel in Distress by calling Bob and saying her car broke down in the parking lot.  Even though he saw people through the window he was still pleasantly surprised.  

As always Audrey made some delicious food and Grandma Stutzman made some killer cake and cupcakes.  I definitely indulged myself to glutton status.

Birthday boy & his beautiful honey

The kids

Our last night was spent with a few of our peeps at the house, telling old stories and enjoying the campfire.

During a time in my life when there have been a lot of "whys" "ifs" "who am I" and "what in the world is my purpose in this world?!' A trip back home was more than needed.  This adventure out to Illinois has been an experience filled with many un-expected lessons and struggles.  Which I won't get into now - but seeing our families and close friends brought so much joy, healing, and rejuvenation.  I was broken-hearted to leave Oregon again, but I left with a smile in my heart knowing we have so many people who love and support us.  I don't know what the future holds, but the one thing that is for certain is I am counting down the seconds to when we can come home again!

Thank you everyone for making it such an enjoyable trip :-)