How things have changed...

I was notified by my computer calendar recently that my best friend from high school had celebrated her 35th birthday. (Happy B-Day Stac)! So I sent her an email to wish her well and see how life has been for her. (She's doing well, by the way. She has a beautiful family and teaches at our old school!) It made me think about times she and I had spent together in high school, what I had planned for in my life, and where I am today.

I can remember thinking that I would be a doctor of some kind, probably an optometrist or an ob/gyn. I wanted to help people and change the world! I can also remember that I thought that I would be married and have had all of my children by the time I turned 30....boy did 30 sound OLD back then! Oh, and my husband would NOT be a teacher - they do not make any money and work far too hard for what they do make! I liked reading, but spent way too many hours watching shows on television rather than reading. I was also not the best athlete, but enjoyed volleyball immensely. I can remember PE class and HATING having to do the Presidential Physical Fitness tests. Run a MILE!?!? You have GOT to be kidding me. Push-ups??? I don't think so, I'll pass, thank you. I remember distinctly that Staci & I asked our PE teacher (Hi, Mrs. Foster!) what time we had to be under to "pass" the mile. She said 12 minutes. We figured we could walk a mile in that time -- and we could! I was NOT a runner.

Fast forward to 2008. Things have changed some, but not all things have changed. I am happy to say that I am a doctor - chiropractic has given me the opportunity to practice my personal philosophy of helping people find the cause of their illnesses and then help to remove that cause. I truly enjoy being a doctor - and feel that much of my role to my patients is that of a teacher of health and wellness.

Well, married, yes -- kids, no.....not yet. ;) My fabulous husband, Thomas, and I are still in the "planning" stage. Oh, and just to prove that karma does exist in our universe, Thomas is a teacher! He is a fabulous teacher, works very, very hard and does not make nearly the amount of money he deserves!

I still enjoy reading--lots! However, now I spend many hours reading and practically none watching television. We don't even have cable, a satellite, or anything. We do have a powered antennae, but it is rarely turned on. I think we get 2-3 channels. Thomas and I both really like the quiet house, without a television being on.

As far as the running...well, I enjoy it now. Last year I ran in the Plattsmouth Mayor's Run - I ran the 2 mile run (see earlier post for that info). This year, however, I am planning to do and am training for a sprint triathlon! This sport is outstanding! The sprint tri is a 400-500 meter swim, a 10-13 mile bike ride and a 5k run. (The differences in the distances depends on who's sponsoring the race)! I am so looking forward to getting deeper in to the training for the tri and actually competing in and completing the race! My goal this year is to simply finish the race. Oh, and I'm planning to do the Mayor's Run again this year, too.

Another big event for me in 2008 will be achieving my black belt in Hapkido. I started studying Hapkido in 2000 and will be able to test for my black belt this summer (providing I pass my probationary test this Saturday). It has been a long and wonderful journey for me. I did have to take 3 years off to go to chiropractic school, but I'm glad that I returned to the do jang when I returned to Nebraska.

So, this year looks to be busy, and I'm focusing on being happy with who I am and where I am at in my life. I can't complain too much. I do have a terrific husband, a growing chiropractic practice, and I have a higher fitness level that ever!

Sometimes its fun to reflect upon the past. I miss some of the "old days" when there was less stress, or at least less responsibility, but I wouldn't trade what I have now for anything. And you couldn't PAY me enough to return to the life of high school and all that drama!