It’s Amazing Grace

I have decided to share what Curtis and I have been going through for the past three weeks. It’s not easy to share, nor to grasp fully at this stage in life. But it’s late and I’m exhausted, so I will share tomorrow…maybe, if I can.

My day is just beginning. I’ve already played for one service at Pipeline and have only two more to go. I’m trying to relax but it’s difficult with so much on my mind. I wonder what the Lord will bring about to happen today. So far all I have planned is sleeping…Oh, and catching the closing ceremony to the Olympics. I wonder if it will be as good as, or better than the opening ceremony…something to look forward to for entertainment.

I liked what one of the NBA players said in an interview about how they didn’t want to be “The Picture”, but apart of “The Big Picture”. And they were–having attended other sporting competitions showed their support for the Olympic games and other athletes in various sports.

We saw–by we, I mean me and Curtis–Tropic Thunder at the drive-in last night. A very controversal movie to some I’m assuming. I didn’t watch it expecting to take offense. There is, if not all, every stereotype in the movie. I guess it’s Ben Stillers sense of humor coming out with no holding back. I still can’t believe that bald headed guy dancin’ like a thug was Tom Cruise…wow!!! Anyway, I still thought it was funny…stupid funny.

It’s 2:30pm on Saturday and I’m still in bed…no kidding. I must be really tired today. Curtis starts work next week and he’s not too thrilled about it. Then again, would you be after having the entire summer off? I’m almost done with the new resume I’m creating for online teaching jobs. I’m going to start on the one for special education teacher’s next. Milton finally called me back and said he’d call me this coming week to set up an appt. to continue our orientation meetings to get me started personal training at his studio.  I told him not to apologize for getting back with me so late. I mean…his mom died! That’s more important right now. He said the funeral went well. And, he found out it was the nurses fault for not strapping his mom down to prevent her from waking up in confusion and pulling out her IV’s and other cords. She had alzheimer’s and dimensia. He told the nurses several times to strap her down when she’s alone. They never did it…and so thus the result. He’s unsure of whether to sue or not…not quite sure how to go about doing it. He’s a good guy and Curtis and have been praying for him, his wife and kids.

Curtis said we might go to the drive-in tonight to have some fun before he goes back to work next week. $7 a person…I remember, and won’t forget this time…don’t want to end up coming back home again after driving down there. I like the drive in, it’s cheaper and I get my own space. I don’t have to worry about trying to listen over yapping mouths and strangers rubbing up against me. Do some people just have no sense of space when it comes to being around people they don’t know? I hate it when strangers stand right up on me from beind in a line at the grocery store. It’s so annoying…we’re not going to get to the front any faster…I just want to turn around and say give me my space! Sometimes I do turn around and give them “the look”. Or, I’ll pretend like I don’t know their there and back up and swing my arms to teach them a lesson about the necessity of space. I know…I’m so stupid goofy.

Right now I’m watching our NBA’s best play in the Olympics against Argentina. I think it’s nice that they voluntarily chose to represent thier country in the Olympics. Just to take the time out of their busy schedule to play for the gold medal instead of their millions is a selfless act. I’m glad Kobe saw the honor in representing his country and decided to play this year. They are called, “The Redeemed Team”. After the USA loosing the gold in the past one or two Olympics, their dedicated to bringing it back to the USA with our best athletes this time around.

Curtis is in the kitchen making me a plate of chicken drummettes, blackeye peas and angel hair pasta. He just asked me how many pieces of chicken I want– “Three” was my answer. He said with a big smile, ” That’s how many I put on you plate!”

I’m so releived I got my new power adapter for my laptop.  Now, I can surf the web and get more work done effeciently. Today was a busy day–I went to DPSS to apply for Medi-cal insurance. My representative happens to be a CBU alumni I went to school with 7 years ago. He was so nice and helpful. He gave me the website to apply for unemployment since I’m not working now, but am looking for work. I haven’t received any paychecks since June when school let out.

I’m watching track and field on the official Olympics station, channel 4 NBC. It’s amazing to watch records being broken by Usain Bolt in the 100m and 200m races–records previously held by Michael Johnson. You should have seen Michael Johnsons facial expression when he realized his record was broken. People thought they would go to their grave with Michael Johnson’s record in the 200m still standing…but not so.

The media calls, Micheal Phelps, the greatest olympic athlete ever. Hummmm…I find that hard to believe. I do believe he his now the greatest in swimming–but overall…is a bit much of a statement. Maybe a triathlete, decathlete or heptathlete. Many athlete’s have become the best in their sport at what they do. But what makes an athlete the best overall? When I was at CBU I received the Female Athlete of the Year award two years in a row, and have been the only women to do so at CBU. But does that really make me the greatest athlete overall? Are they going purely on my athletic ability? At that time, I was being taught how to swim by a guy on the team named, George. His hair always smelled like chlorine because he was always in the pool. He practically lived, ate, and breathed most of his life in the pool. There was a girl swimmer going to the Olympic trials. I didn’t make it to the trials in track even though it was expected of me. Is determining the best athlete overall subjective? Should they only vote based on natural athletic abiliity? Or, how well you do in your sport versus someone in a totally different sport? Or maybe even, how many different kinds of sport activities you can do overall? I did play basketball and ran track. I was an all-american several times and still hold the records in a couple of track events at CBU. And yet still, I wonder why coaches and staff gave me the highest vote over the girl who actually went to the Olympic trials.

Do you look at Michale Phelps and see the best Olympic athlete ever? I don’t, based on appearances…and I’m trying not to be biased. Is what he did better than what Lance Armstrong did in winning 7 Tour de France 7 years in a row. Even better, is that he came back and did it after fighting for his life with cancer. Is seems so subjective and based on each persons own taste or preference.

I’m still waiting for my new power adapter to come in so that I can start using my laptop again. I’ve had a couple of meetings with Milton at his personal training studio to go over paperwork and many creative ways to exercise–but I’m not getting paid yet. I’m still looking for an online teaching job. I sent in a request to Sylvan Corp. office just now. I resigned from being an instructional aide with CNUSD two days ago. They won’t allow me to be an employee and do student teaching at the same time. I have to do 9 weeks of student teaching to obtain my CA Education Specialist Teaching Credential for Mild/Moderate disabilities. I already have a CA Single-Subject Teaching Credential in P.E., but it’s been difficult finding any openings in that area…P.E. teachers are a-dime-a-dozen in school districts. However, I’ll still be able to coach track at ERHS in the Spring…that’s fun…doesn’t pay much…but it’s fun!

Anyway, this changes my health/dental insurance status. I’m deciding whether to sign-up for cobra (which is a lot of money to pay out of pocket every month), or find cheaper plans that we can afford on a monthly basis.

Sometimes I wonder what would it take for people to be really honest and open about thier weaknesses. And, I’m not talking about the weaknesses that are easy for them to share. I’m talking about the ones that bring them shame. I think there are people who are so desperate to disassociate themselves with inadequacy that they are willing to deny the truth at all costs. I know firsthand how horrible a feeling it is to feel inadequate. It’s like placing yourself in a dark room with the walls feeling like there moving in on you at every side. So, I can understand why people would want to avoid some truths about themselves…it’s too painful to face. It takes a courageous person to face those things that damage their soul. But I also know firsthand that if one is willing to face those difficult and shamefull areas in their lives, they will experience freedom. As far as I know, it’s the only way to experience true freedom. Denial is not real freedom…it’s a fantasyland. Anyway, these are just thought of a mind in thought.

Curtis and I went to P.F. Chang’s today for our 6th year anniversary. He had a gift card given to him by one of his students before school let out for the summer. We’re still deciding what to do tonight. I had my second appt. with Milton to go over the beginning consultation aspects of how he wants to run his business. I believe I’m going to enjoy personal training this time around. I get to do what I do best–train–and not have to worry soooo much about selling. He wants us to set ourselves apart from all those other businesses out there who have very little variety and creativity in their training methods. And, I’m still looking for an online teaching job, so that I can work from home earning extra income. I don’t know if I’ll get to see Bobbie next week because of a lack of funds. Curtis is the only one brining in checks right now. That’s a bummer, but there’s nothing else I can do but just wait to start getting paid at MOP Personal Training Studios.

My mommy came down just now from Inglewood. She bought me some juice’s and fruits. It’s really nice to see her again. 

Tomorrow is me and Curtis’s 6th year anniversary. I have the day off from playing keys at Pipeline, so we’ll get to go to church together and go out for some lunch.

I have ordered a new power adapter for my laptop. It will be here Aug. 12th. So, I have to wait a little longer to get my computer up and running again.