What Was I Thinking?????

OK, to tell the truth, I wasn't thinking. 2009 has held some new activities for me. January started off with me attending a Boot Camp.

What was I thinking?????

For those who don't know what Boot Camp is, it has similarities to the military boot camps, except this is suppose to be fun. I don't think fun is waking up at 5 AM to go and exercise. First being up at 5 AM doesn't happen unless I am still up from the night before. Second - exercise????? But yes, I was there everyday in January for my 45 minute work out. Someone then had the "brillant" idea to extend the Boot Camp into Janaury. And I went along with it. It must have been because it was still SO EARLY in the morning.

So you are thinking ..... that isn't too bad, right? Well that was only the first part of the story.

One of my friends has been raving about her gym. Telling me it was more than a gym. I remember counting down the days to be out of high school so that I wouldnt have to been in a gym again. So what did I do ..... you guessed it, I joined her gym!

What was I thinking?????

Is this the end of the story? OH NO..... the good part is just beginning!

After I joined this "wonderful" gym .... don't get me wrong the gym is great. It has indoor and outdoor lap pools, steam rooms, sauna, onsite salon (with massages), a cafe, rock climbing wall, etc. But why would I join a gym?

So the gym has a website..... why would a gym need a website - to give your fingers a workout? NO.... to persuade someone (like me) into participating in an Indoor Triathlon!

What was I thinking?????

Yes, an Indoor Triathlon! Me having a work out schedule, it's CRAZY! Just in case you have not heard of an Indoor Triathlon (I hadn't before agreeing to do this one), its a more triathlon at your own pace. You swim in the lap pool for 10 minutes, then ride the stationary bike for 30 minutes, and finally on the treadmill for 20 minutes. You get "graded" on how far you go in the allotted time. My goal - just to complete the event.

What was I thinking?????

Well on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - I participated. I completed. I achieve my goal. I was actually happy with the results for the most part. 15 lengths of the pool, 7.6 miles on the bike and 1.43 miles on the treadmill. Next time I would change a few things......what........

What AM I thinking????? Next time?????

I am not sure there will be a next time, but there are still a few things I would change. All I really have to say that is another check off from the "bucket list". (Problem was I didn't know it was on the bucket list). Maybe I should make a bucket list, so I can double think any goal listed under the What was I thinking????? category. I think most things on the Bucket List would be classified as .......WHAT WAS I THINKING?????

I am a Brat

My best friend, Roni, favorite response to something I have done or said is --- "you are such a brat". How true this statement is!

I was born a brat, a NAVY Brat that is. As a true brat, my family and I have moved all over the world. By the age of 3, I had visited more of the world than most Americans would travel in a lifetime. The knowledge that home is where the heart is (or rather where the suitcase is) and the family--with no dependence on the dwelling.

As a brat, I reinvented my life with each move - new schools, new friends, and sometimes new languages. Some of the best joys in my life were the joys of meeting new friends. However with joy there is always pain. The pain has coming in turning to the next chapter in my life and leaving my friends. Goodbyes are never easy, but I have learned being a NAVY brat there are no goodbyes, only see you on the flip side. I have run into old friends in some of the unusally places.

Now with the wonders of the internet, getting reconnected with other brats. We have gotten to reminisce about old times. I feel closer to my brat friends and family than I do to some of my blood relatives. I have been in their weddings, celebrated the birth of their children and cried when their life ended years too soon.

With our military in the news constantly these days, I think about my days as a Navy Brat living in Italy. Our daddies were protecting our freedoms and rights as an American. I learned how to honor our flag and our soliders, for without them where would we be? Pride fills my hear when I the Star-Spangled Banner whether is it at the symphony or at a baseball game.

I would not change a minute of my life. The traveling has allowed me to experience many different cultures. Even though when I left one place and I left part of me behind, I knew the next chapter of my life would introduced new friends, new culture and most of all a new part of me that I didn't even know I was missing.

My life has been truly blessed!