My First 5K

In addition to it being my mother's birthday today (Happy Birthday, Mommie! <3), today is also the day that I ran my first 5K.

I am so totally not a runner. I hate running. The only reason I do it is for training purposes. Once I am done passing academy and my physical fitness tests, I am SO hanging up my running shoes. I do not get "runner's high," I don't get a second wind. My feet hurt, my knees hurt, and my lumbar vertebrae hurt and I get bored halfway through runs. 

About a week ago I was covering a detail for the police auxiliary and one of the female regular officers came up to me and we were making small talk about exercise. She had asked if I was pursuing a career in law enforcement and I asked her about fitness tips and how to get through academy. She gave me a really great pep talk. That night I got home and looked up local races and runs and found the Long Beach Waterfront Warriors 5K. I signed up that night--leaving myself only 8 days to prepare. 

Lately my running times have been getting much better--I ran my first 10 minute mile ever a couple weeks ago and it felt amazing. I never thought I would ever be able to do that. I have noticed such a great change in my body over the past month. It's nice to finally see some progress after all that hard work. I'll post another before/after shot later in the week. 

Anyway, I finished the race in 36:57. It's right around where I thought I'd be. Not bad considering I only had 8 days to prepare and I was on my feet most of the night before because of work. 

The next five days are going to go by soooo slowly. Friday night I'm going to my first concert at Jones Beach with Nicole, and then the following morning I'm mkaing the 8 hour drive up to Potsdam and I'm staying up there for a whole week to say goodbye to Aletheia and Amy before they leave for graduate school. One is going to Hawaii and the other is planning to go to England. So this may well be the last time I see either one of them for the next 2 years at least, which is driving me crazy when it comes to Amy because she's like my big sister. She's always given me great advice and been there for me and it's bad enough i've only been able to see her once a year since graduating college. I can't imagine not being to see her at all. Guess I'll just have to start stashing cash away for a plane ticket. :)

Happier Things.

I have to say that this summer has actually been really great so far.
Even though there have been some not wonderful things that have happened (another story for another post in the future), I am proud of myself for being able to maintain my positivity.

I don't feel like doing a huge, lengthy post. So instead, here are some photos and quick quips to recap everything that's happened since Memorial Day.

My brother graduated high school last weekend! I am an incredibly proud big sister! He will be starting a program later this month that will help him find a vocational track and will help train him. It is specifically designed for people with autism so it will be incredibly helpful for him. :)

A couple weeks ago, my friend, Dayshawn, and I had tickets to the Yankees/Orioles game. It was the night Carlos Beltran hit the walk-off home run. It was SO amazing and we had incredible seats. The game happened to be the night of Mrs. Wilson's wake, so we went to the afternoon hours and then headed up to the Bronx. It was definitely something we both needed. 

At the beginning of June, I went to my first Pro Wrestling Syndicate show in Rahway, NJ. I got to finally meet my idol, Bret "The Hitman" Hart. He has led an incredibly inspirational life filled with challenges but he has never compromised on his principles. The wrestling world (and the world at large) needs more men like him. 

So far I also salvaged my bike post-Sandy (even installed a new seat for it!), ran my fastest mile ever (11:18! I've never gotten below 12:30 before), and have been chugging along in the hiring process for US Customs and Border Protection. I have a feeling this is going to be the last "normal" summer I have. I can feel that there are big changes coming my way. I am so excited!

Under The Harvest Moon

A couple weeks ago, my high school orchestra teacher, Mrs. Wilson, passed away after an almost 4 year battle with leukemia. I was absolutely devastated at this news.

Mrs. Wilson and I on my last day of high school.

I'll never forget my first lesson with her freshman year of high school. I was the only cellist in my grade and was so nervous to have to play in front of all of the upper classmen. I was TERRIBLE. I hadn't had a cello to practice on at home in about 2 years because they are so expensive to rent, let alone purchase. She stopped me after I played about 8 measures of a song we were performing in orchestra, and said "Thats enough. See me after the lesson please." After everyone else left the room, I walked up to her a nervous wreck. "You don't have a cello at home to practice on, do you?" I shook my head no. "Any particular reason why not? You know if you're going to be in this orchestra you have to practice at home." "They're really expensive." She nodded and sent me on my way. The next day, she called me into the music office before orchestra rehearsal and she had a beautiful cello waiting for me. I used that instrument for the next 6 years of my life.


Another fun story from 9th grade:
Two of my friends growing up, Rachel and Stasia, were identical twin sisters. Every April Fool's Day, they played a prank where they would go to each others' classes for the day, seeing if anyone would notice. Rachel was in band, Stasia was in orchestra and the rehearsals were at the same time in the rooms next door to each other. So 9th period (the last class of the day) comes, and "Stasia" sits in her seat and begins "warming up." We start off rehearsal by doing a scale or two. After that, Mrs. Wilson goes, "Hey 'Stasia,' go get your sister. She's late for class." Rachel, completely stunned goes, "How did you know??" Mrs. Wilson replies, "I have triplet boys. You can't fool me."


She was a no-nonsense, tough but fair lady from Oklahoma. Mrs. Wilson was like a second mother to me when I was in school and she always looked out for me. She believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. She always went above and beyond for her students and you could tell she really loved teaching. Mrs. Wilson was always there to lift me up when I got picked on, and bring me back to Earth when I daydreamed a little too much. She saw me for who I was on the inside and who I would grow up to be. She was the reason I wanted to study music in college and become a music teacher. And when I chose not to pursue that career path further, she inspired me to never give up and to choose another career where I can have a positive impact in people's lives. So really, she's also the reason why I chose law enforcement. 

I feel angry at myself because she was there for me for so long and I wasn't there for her during her time of need. But I know she knew the impact she had on my life and she helped shape me into the woman I am today.

Rest in peace, Felicia Wilson. I love you and will always think of you. <3

UNDER the harvest moon,
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over the garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker,
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.

     Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with little hands,
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.