Sunday, October 17, 2010

Time For An Exhilirating Run


My medal!
 Today I ran the half-marathon in the 52nd Annual Atlantic City Marathon. The run was exhilarating! I arrived at Boardwalk Hall around 7:30 a.m. The air was cool but crisp. None of the runners, including me were bothered by the cool air blowing off the Atlantic Ocean. It’s difficult for me to put into words what I felt amongst the runners, but it was fabulous.


 
I felt masses of positive energy of which I wanted to bottle up and save for the upcoming work week. I don’t know how many runners registered, but at the start of the run, runners were lined up shoulder to shoulder. The crowd was so tight that you were either stepping on someone’s foot or someone was stepping on your foot. There were a few beach balls bouncing off the heads and hands of the runners, but no one cared; it was all in good fun. Everyone was jovial, mannerly, energetic and eager to start.

 
The average runner set a personal goal and winning the race wasn’t the objective. I’ve driven through Atlantic City for over 20 years, yet the view was quite different from a runner’s perspective. It was a luminous morning! As I paced myself to complete the 13.1 miles, I didn’t have a care in the world. My head bopped to my music. I laughed at some of the sights- Was amazed at a juggling marathon runner- inspired by runners old enough to be my parent- and in awe of others who dashed effortlessly pass me.

 
Joy filled my soul and my spirit. I was on cloud nine or perhaps experiencing the notorious "runners high!"  I was delighted that in spite of my half hazard training, I squeezed in- No. I mean made time for me to participate in an activity that is important to me. My unofficial time was 2:05 and a few seconds. My goal was to finish at 2 hours or just under. I fell short by 5 minutes, but I still feel great about my personal accomplishment.

 
That’s the gist of this post. Find time for you! No matter what! You’re a mom, but you’re also a person who has personal dreams and goals. If you spend your entire life solely committed to your family; leaving yourself out of the equation, you’re destined for woe. The kids won’t suffer if they participate in one less activity so that you can pick a day or two to guiltlessly pursue your interests. Go ahead!  Think forward and make some time for you!  Oh, and make certain to have fun doing whatever it is that you set out to do!  Have a blast like I did today!

My Lucky Number!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Sesame Street: I Love My Hair!

A friend shared this Sesame Street Video on her Facebook page and the timing could not have been better!  My friend's sentiments that "she wished she had saw this as a little girl" are felt by so many women with kinky curly hair.

I hope that Sesame street creates a series, if one does not already exists, of videos like this for children of all ethnicity's who don't fit into the "average" category.  

The extremely tall, the super short, bone skinny, plump, chunky, exotic eyes, noes, lips, big feet and more!   All of our baby girls deserve to know that they are BEAUTIFUL no matter how different they are.  If you haven't already viewed the view, do so and pass it on so other moms can share it with their daughters.

Good Job Sesame Street!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Learning to Appreciate Natural Beauty

Eight years ago on my Birthday, I spontaneously entered a hair salon with shoulder length hair.  A few hours later, I strolled out sporting less than a half inch of hair.  I felt liberated.  I could drive my car with the windows open and truly not care about my hair. No more hair appointments, touch ups and long hot days under the dryer.  Hello to the barber shop for a quick and cheap trim.

OT my barber and Sally's home texturizing kit was my routine for eight years.

In June, I was inspired by ShidaNatural to go all natural.  Since then I've learned that leaving the house with hairs (quite a few) out of place won't cause the world to stop revolving.  I have yet to receive the award for the most jacked up hairstyle of the week.  Women- some of us spend countless hours trying to get every strand in place and for what?  To walk outside and have the wind modify our hair in a matter of minutes. I am in love with the wild yet tamed look of the big natural hair.

ShidaNatural is teaching me to appreciate my natural hair and how to maintain a healthier head of hair.  I  am learning how to use the best products for my hair and the importance of using the proper technique to achieve the desired style.

More importantly I am learning to appreciate my God-given natural attributes that I've disliked and tried to mask for most of my life.  Starting with my hair.  I've always hated it.  Always wishing it was something other than what it is- darker, heavier, better texture-  buying into the hype of what's "good hair" vs. "bad hair."  In learning how to work with what I got, I am actually having fun!  Every day is a surprise.  Some days I adore my do.  Some days I cringe, but wear a smile anyway. Other days, I share a hardy laugh with me and the mirror at 5 in the morning.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Thanks Ronny Cedeno!

     I love this story!  I never thought that I would relate to a male professional baseball player, but Ronny Cedeño changed that for me.  The guy actually made me feel normal.  Ha! Ha!  Cedeno, a Pittsburg Pirate baseball player wore the wrong jersey for three innings.  Although he did wear the team's jersey, the jersey was the Spanish version.