I feel like an iceberg. Not because I’m cold, remote, or danger-prone, but because people only see about 10% of me. Icebergs barely pop their tops above the water-line. They look small, cute, and manageable. But people miss the 90% lying just below the waterline. For me, this is especially true at work. I am…
My Princess Three-Peat
I became a princess for the third time last weekend by running the Disney Princess Half Marathon! But I don’t run because I love running. I run because I learn life lessons. During my months of training, whenever I got overwhelmed with the miles I had to run, I thought about my costume. This…
Magic Shoes
I own magic shoes. They can’t take me home if I click them three times like Dorothy’s. They don’t have braces to straighten out my back, like Forrest’s. They don’t bring Princes searching for me, like Cinderella’s. My shoes are magic because they remind me of the power of small steps all added together. For…
Rebel Challenge
Flying across the country. Waking up at 3 am (many times…) Running 19.3 miles. Worth it! I participated in the Star Wars Half Marathon Rebel Challenge two weeks ago and scored some major victory points and bling by doing two races in back to back days. I got to spend some time with delightful people,…
72 Hours
72 Hours. Depending on what you’re measuring it could be an incredibly long or an incredibly short time. Consider building a cathedral in 72 hours versus holding your breath for 72 hours. For me, 72 hours is the length of time that my patience lasts before giving out entirely. I took ill last week. Typical…
Faster or Further
I am an efficient person. I pride myself on getting things done, checking off tasks and celebrating accomplishments. I like to go fast. I will always volunteer for the projects that can be done solo because then I know my work ethic and speed and am confident that I can complete them by the deadline.…
Florida Snow
It has snowed in Florida… once in my lifetime. I remember the wide-eyed glee looking out our window and seeing this strange precipitation that I’d only heard about before. It was 1989 and I had an ice fight with my dad in the front yard since none of the snow stuck. I’m pretty sure we thew more…
Calculus
Asymptote. Logarithm. Derivative. I have not seriously interacted with such words in over a decade. And yet here I sit, in my brother’s undergraduate Calculus class, listening to a lecture filled with mathematical jargon. I watch as the professor — displaying an infinity necklace and a love of numbers — goes over the quiz, engages with questions,…
Mood Swings
I am surrounded by children. I joke that I have 81 babies, but they stay at the hospital so I sleep through the night. And I’ve noticed that babies and children have an uncanny ability to change moods quickly. They can cry and smile within a few seconds. They can fight and be angry, throw…
Accepting Help
I can help edit a book. Work on a project. Paint a house. Clean a road. Or do endless therapy for children in need. But I can’t accept a ride to the airport. I much prefer being the helper than the helpee. I have a pathological need to be independent and do it all myself.…