"Losing a Dream" or "Finding Fun!!"

All my life I have had an interest in physical activity. That's just a clinical way of saying, I like to play!!!! I loved to play sports as a kid and that love has never left. I always love to play Basketball, Baseball, and football. (even though my mom wouldn't let me) Then I discovered I was pretty good at running! I started running sprints, but then made the transition to distance events and then I really shined. I still tinkered around with the other sports, but focused mainly on running. All the way up to 2 months ago. Last year I had a hair brained idea to train for the ironman triathlon. An athletic contest where you swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and then run a marathon. I train for a year to do this, and then 3 weeks before the event, I tore my meniscus in my left knee. I was crushed to say the least. To make matters worse, my doctor told me I will probably never be able to run again because of all the damage I have put my knees and ankles through over the years. I was so upset by this news, I was at a loss of what I was going to do now!

Then 2 weeks ago, it hit me! Have fun again! I am still a decent athlete, use what I can do, instead of sulking over what I can't do. So for the past 2 weeks, I have gone mountain biking, frisbee golfing, hiking, basketball, helped friends move (not so much fun, but great workout!), with plans to play tennis, racquetball  boxing, Tai Chi, and Staff Fighting(More on that last one later)! I can't tell how much fun I have had! Everyday has been an adventure and I have stopped working out to lose weight, and started being active just to have fun. It has been liberating!!! And the result, I am losing weight! How much? I don't know but my clothes are looser, and my mood is so much better! So, Get out there! Have fun! Find out what you may or may not enjoy, you won't know until you try!!!

"Sticks and Stones" or "Ironically, I Hate Scrabble"

One of my great passions in life is writing. I have enjoyed writing ever since I had to write papers in school. I really loved my college classes which did not have tests but rather graded based on term papers. I have loved writing so much that at this very moment I have 2 blogs, a journal, and a book presently in process. I have written 4 books in the past several years, however none of them has been published. I have just never taken the time or effort to submit a manuscript to a publisher.





My love for writing comes from my love for words. I love to turn a phrase or cleverly use a word where it would have deeper meaning than just its surface. Words have power and force to them few others things can boast. They have the power to build and destroy. They can brighten a day or ruin a life. Words convey more than ink on a page but rather ideas, passions, and dreams. Words are the foundation of a culture and a people. It is in the pages of history where the most important of all concepts are recorded. The usage and forms of words are indicative of the way a people live and function.

When a people lose their language and their words lose their significance then they lose a lot of their identity. So I write. I write for the good of my mental state.I write for the good of my family and I write for the good of the ones I love and care about. I write!

"You Are Going To Do What?" or "A Lifelong Dream Sought"

I have begun an interesting journey that I have wanted to do for most of my life. I have begun to train for the Ironman Triathlon. Ever since I was a kid I have watched this endurance contest each year. My favorite athlete growing was not Michael Jordan, or Reggie Jackson, or even Joe Montana. I always would mention Mark Allen as my favorite athlete, to which I would always get the puzzled response of, “Who?” Then I would tell them that he is a triathlete, which they would respond with an equally confused, “A What?”

But Mark Allen planted a firmly rooted desire in me which has gnawed at my heart ever since. I have been pushing myself to various limits over my lifespan but in the back of my mind I always knew I would never be satisfied until I completed this final test of my physical boundaries. And now has come the time where I am going to try and complete the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and the 26.2 mile run.

 

So in August of 2012, I plan to see if I am what I have always believe I could be, an Ironman! I will chronicle the training and result as time goes by on this blog. So check in periodically and get on board with: Operation: Prove It! (My mantra for this journey)

"What did You Say?" or "It All Sounds Greek To Me!"

One of many pursuits over the past several years has been to learn a foreign language. And while I have made some progress, I still have such a long way to go to even being considered fluent. It has been quite a challenge for me as I so desire to speak not 1 or 2 other languages but rather to be able to be fluent in many different languages. Right now, I am studying Russian as I have for many years on and off. My level of vocabulary and fluency would probably match that of a 6 year old. (even in that I am being generous) However, a couple of years ago I went to Russia and got to use some of my linguistic abilities, which just fueled this desire to learn.

I have heard of Rosetta Stone for quite a while and have even looked into buying it but my financial situation has not allowed me acquire this language speaking tool. So I have had to look elsewhere. That is what brought me to busuu.com. I have been using it for a little while off and on and have really like it! You can speak to people all over the world and get their help for the language you wish to learn. I am speaking online to people from Russia as I help with their English and they help me with my Russian.

I also have a desire to learn languages not often heard or spoken. I want to be able to speak Navajo. (It ties in with another desire I have to live in the desert for a period, but more on that in another post.) I have an interest in speaking Swahili as well as Catalan. Language gives you such insight to a people and a culture which others aspects can not. So, this desire to learn this languages goes hand in hand with my love of travel and anthropology.

Which do you think is better, learn one language till you get it before moving on to the next or learn them all at the same time?