In the Ghetto

Hey guys, I just woke up on my first morning in north Philadelphia and its seriously terrifying. We're sleeping on the extremely uncomfortable floor of the community center where were volunteering. This building and whole area is old run down and seems like it might collapse at any time. Last night we heard gun shots and people have been shouting at us when we walk down the street. We went to get Chinese food last night and there was a huge sheet of at least half inch plastic with a little tunnel to the cashier. This is just a whole different world. I know you hear about this kind of stuff all the time but its seriously surreal. I can't believe I'm still in the US. Anyway, it's taking all of my mental capacities right now just to stay calm and focused and remember that I'm here to serve others. Well everyone's getting up now and were getting ready to start our day. Keep us in your thoughts/prayers and I'll post again when I get back (hopefully with some pictures!)

RETIREMENT!!!

Ladies, I am officially a retired swimmer! My CAA Championships took place last week (Wednesday-Saturday) and now I am done with college swimming. This is a very bittersweet feeling because I love my sport. I will never stop swimming completely, I plan on joining a masters club in the area and keep swimming. It has been a HUGE part of my life ever since I was 4 and swimming is what got me to college. I will never forget the memories I've had throughout my swimming career. Now I don't have to train 20+ hours every week and get up at 5:45 in the morning to get into the cold water. This has been a terrific experience that I will carry through for the rest of my life. I have made hundreds of friends and met countless superstars (including Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte) who every swimmer looks up to. I can't find the words to describe the feeling that I have now, I'm sure it's going to take a while before it hits me completely. Now I can focus on school, and only on school for the rest of the semester because graduation (and spring!!!) is right around the corner! I'm very excited! Try not to get sick please!

Surprise!

Oh my gosh! I can't believe it's the 3rd and I completely forgot to post my second blog and answer the questions on our modules yesterday. Ugh! I just have so many things on my mind right now, it's so hard to keep everything straight. I'm trying to keep myself centered and continue in my practices, but it just feels like time is not on my side and it keeps slipping by. I think I've been doing an ok job keeping up with my practices though.
I've definitely been spending less leisure time at least on the computer and phone, although much of the time I'm on some sort of technology for school or my philadelphia trip.
As far as being more intentional about my relationships, I'm still doing my best to keep up with family, although that's been difficult. Josh and I had our first counseling session yesterday and that went really well and I'm excited to be taking positive steps finally in our relationship.
As far as eating healthier, lately that's been a wash. However, once we get into our new place on the 17th, I'm going to try to go shopping with my sister at Trader Joes for pretty much all of our food and just get some ready prepared foods so we won't be tempted to eat out or eat junk food as much. Their frozen dinners are so good! If you look at the ingredients list it's just things like flower and sugar and normal ingredients you recognize.
Anyway, I have my last meeting for my Philadelphia trip in a bit! After that I leave Saturday morning, so wish my luck! I'll blog about it when I get back and maybe post some pictures!!
ta-ta for now!

Chippin' Away

Guys! I cannot believe we have all been getting sick so much!  I also had a stomach bug on Wednesday night :( This is unbelievable, we are working so hard.  We should especially keep trying to do our well-being practices now more than ever but it can be very challenging!  I only worked out twice this week but the praying is going well and I got to hang with my little friend, Reese, this morning so that was really great!

I still am feeling overwhelmed with school just about every day but we are chippin' away at the weeks here! and I'm so pumped for spring break!  I won't be going anywhere but it will be a good time to catch up on work and get all my museum visits done (sounds depressing I know but I'm going with friends and it should be fun!)  Miss you guys!! It looks like we may have to wait until next class to see each other :(  Stay cool everyone and get well soon!

Moving!

So first of all, I don't know if it's because I'm working full time in a preschool, but I just am sick all the freaking time!! I finally got my voice back and my congestion has started to clear up and over the weekend I got some kind of 24 hour (hopefully) stomach bug. I didn't sleep a wink Saturday night and Monday night was the first day I've been able to eat anything since Saturday afternoon. I had a little bit of a panic attack thing Sunday morning. I was sitting with Josh and I started crying because I was so frustrated about my crazy schedule and being sick all the time and I was just exhausted. Anyway, so I was really upset but I had to keep reminding myself that I would be ok and I started taking deep breaths and trying to calm myself and it really worked. :] I was so proud of myself because usually in the heat of something (like being upset and whatnot) I forget to apply my practices.
Anyway, I'm feeling much better now! AND March 17th Josh and I are moving into our beautiful new apartment! :] It has a den and 2 sets of french doors and a washer and dryer!!! I'm so excited. Finally the benefit of working my ass off at my new job! Anyway, I'm out of things to say, so I hope to hear from you all soon!

On the Mend

Hey all,

I'm feeling so much better, praise the Lord!  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers :)  I'm back in the swing of things and I feel as though I've caught my second wind much needed to get me through until spring break!  And David, I am with you on the procrastination thing!  The good news is I feel I have been getting progressively better at planning on my time during the week better so I don't save everything for the weekend.  When I do that, I don't ever get a break to see friends or just hang with Josh.  I have been doing really well with all my practices and I really am proud of myself (especially for making time to work out).  I am going to that career lunch thing tomorrow (Are any of you guys going to that?) And I don't know what to expect but I hope it goes well because I have NO idea what I want to do when I graduate, EEK!

We should definitely schedule a group yoga session soon.  Any ideas of days/times that might work?

Love,

Lindsey

Better Time Management

Hola chicas! First of all, how do you guys put space in between your lines??? Hitting the "enter" button does not do it when I actually submit my post even though it shows up as I'm writing it. grrr :( This crazy Virginia weather is making a lot of my friends sick and I'm trying to stay healthy by avoiding them a little. Lindsey, feel better! I always remember to take an extra layer of clothing with me because when I leave my room it is 60 degrees but when I get back it might be in the 30s already. Rather be safe than sorry! So far I have been able to avoid sickness (knock on wood) and I continue to try my best doing so. Having a 4.5 day weekend is very nice but at the same time I find putting away all my work for the last moment still. I feel like I can work better under pressure, therefore procrastinating is my good friend. I need to improve my time management because it can backfire later in life when I'm out in the real world. That's all I have for now, hope you guys are doing great!