This is for real...

I love my job, and I love the people I work with! All my co-workers and I are doing a challenge called "Walk Across Colorado". Each one of my coworkers was given a pedometer, and we track our steps each day! You can be on a team, or you can do the challenge individually. My 5th grade teachers and I are all on a team, and we are all very competitive! I am a very active person, but I was disgusted to learn that teachers don't acquire nearly as many steps as I thought.

So, my team and I decided that we would increase our steps by taking half of our lunch "hour" (really only 40 minutes) to walk outside! I was grateful for this because it's nice to get some fresh air, get to know my teammates better (yea, you work with adults, but you're talking to children all day!) and walk around a little. The first couple days we did this, I didn't bring any shoes. I've always refused to be one of those women who wears tennis shoes with their nice work clothes. However, my "work shoes" are causing blisters for a 20 minute brisk walk, so the picture below is a good indication of what is to come. This is unfortunately for real :(

I am now one of "those" old ladies. Please know that I am very upset that this has become a part of my daily grind. Don't get me wrong, this is hilarious, yet so sad. Also, please note that the tube socks are simply a prop to prove my point (borrowed from my dad). I wanted to look as ridiculous as possible...

Friends...

I went to Hays, Kansas this weekend to play in an alumni volleyball tournament, and I got to be with some of my best friends from college (even though some were missing!). I forgot how much fun we have together, and it made me realize that my life is lacking friends! I haven't made time to hang out with friends and talk about nothing and everything at the same time. I felt like I was laughing the entire weekend, and it felt so great! My life has been blessed with some of the greatest people, and I love each and every one of them. My friends will be my friends forever (even if we only see each other once every 4 years!). I love you guys...

"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

"Imagine a world where your entire possession is one raspberry, and you give it to your friend."

"Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say."

"A friend is someone who knows everything about you, and they still love you!"

"To the world you are just someone, but to someone you are the world."

I'm blessed beyond what I deserve, and I'm so thankful for all the people in my life!

Anxiety...

Anxiety is defined as distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune. I love the beach, but I have anxiety when going into the ocean. I love looking at the ocean, just not going in the ocean. Who wouldn't love looking at this...

My friend Tiffany and I went to Maui this last week, and I tried to go snorkeling. I lasted like 5 minutes before the anxiety kicked in.

I never used to have anxiety, and the ocean is really the only thing that scares me... Why???? I'll tell you why. I watched the movie "Jaws" at way too young of an age. I'm scared to death of sharks (even though I have a better chance of dying of a vending machine falling on me).


So, movies and the Discovery Channel "Shark Week" have ruined me for life :(

I prefer a pool like this one that has an ocean view! Despite my anxiety of the ocean, I had an absolutely awesome trip.