It's Gonna Be a Hot One!

You know, I understand when people say that back home, I understand when people say that in mild places, but I have no idea why people say that in southeast Virginia because EVERY DAY IS A HOT ONE!!  Not only is it hot, it is extremely humid.  We are talking 85 degrees and 72% humidity overnight.  It is just unreal the amount of sweat I can expell while doing nothing but stand or sit.  I mean who thought I could become dehydrated while driving to work?!  Or that my body can produce enough sweat to cause my bra to temporarily stain my skin blue?!  Or that I can sweat immediately after exiting the shower?!  Or that a gear shift button can give you a 2nd degree burn?!

This weather has also pushed my runs to 7:30/8:00 pm, increased my febreeze usage, and placed more Gatorade in my pantry than I'd care to admit.  But perhaps I'm losing a good amount of water weight... I am seriously trying to loose weight after my primary care physician told me that I was overweight and my weight appears to be on an upward projection.  With that, I have been exercising regularly and have started to actually cook for myself!  Thanks to great ideas from friends and family I've been able to eat at home for pretty much every meal :)  I don't own a scale and I am hoping to judge my progress by the way my clothes fit - I cannot afford to buy a whole new set of work khakis so this plan needs to work! 

In the meantime I have never been so happy and thankful to have central AC and live in a place that provides long term outdoor weight loss activities.  I will continue to log my progress, stay hydrated, and pray for a cold front!

Farewell     

Year Two

I can't believe just about a year has gone by since first coming out to Virginia!  Since that time I have had my good times and bad times.  Most of the good times were not had a school, and most of the bad times were not had at the beach.  Last year started off very rocky and proved quite a struggle academically and professionally -- HELLO real world!!  However, after a few tears, a good talk with a mentor at school, and a break at home, things started to look up and work out better.  I earned higher grades, kept more student-athletes healthy, and actually got a little bit excited about my thesis research.  Then summer came ... had friends, family, and fun on my mind, not research!!  So the month of June went by way too fast and I find myself back in Virginia. 

Since driving back, I've moved from urban Norfolk to the beach of Virginia Beach - literally, I live on the bay!  The new place is AMAZING: 3 bedroom, 3 bath, vaulted ceilings, in-unit washer & dryer, fireplace, central AC, and floor to ceiling mirrors in the living room.  First time I've had my own washroom and I could not be more elated - I had no idea how much I was missing out on!  I'm living with two of the VWC field hockey coaches that befriended me last year while I was serving as their athletic trainer and I am already having a better time than I did with my previous roommate and apartment.  For the remainder of the summer I will be working as an athletic trainer for the summer sports camps at VWC and of course fill free time with surf, sun, thesis research, and bedroom decorating. 

On the left is what my apartment looks like on the exterior.  The little shelters are located around the pool where there are community grills, an outside kitchen, and of course a small swimming pool.  Just beyond that is a private staircase that leads to the beach and Chesapeake Bay.

This year will prove to be just as challenging as the first with time consuming coursework, intense research priorities, teaching, of course fulfilling duties at VWC, and figuring out my future.  I look forward to the end product, but am still fearful of the great challenge that stands between me and an advanced degree.  So please, join me on the journey, share in the joys, frustrations, and beautiful sunsets!  And I look forward to updates from you, too!

Farewell