The Letters

So....

    Friday I went to the mailbox and pulled out a copious of mail..... I was on the road working in the interior for 5 days so no mailbox checking had added up.
As I filed through mass of bills, flyers (which speaking of... I should really get them to stop wasting their paper on me...I mean I never read them), dental check reminders (how nice of them) and pizza specials.
Imagine my excitement when I saw the letter from the Arnold Sports Festival!! I had applied 3 weeks ago to compete in the 2013 Bikini Amateur division at the Arnold's on Feb 28th.
Placing Top 5 at Nationals had qualified me and since I had already booked my flight and hotel I was getting antsy waiting for my acceptance letter.
Here it was!! I am competing at the Arnold's, now be it is it the amateur level I am still thrilled. My Dad was a Body Builder and growing up I was surround by Flex and Muscle & Fitness magazine's.  To think I will be on that stage is a dream come true. I did a little "Yeah Me" dance in the kitchen...I was on a high...
Now in this same mail opening event....I opened a letter from the Government of Canada......Needless to say I was not doing a happy dance....I am being Audited.....so my "Happy Dance" was frozen. I think I even heard the music in my head go "Wah...Wah...Wahhhhh"
I kinda went into a tailspin....as I scanned the letter and went over all the things I had to provide I must admit I kinda panicked.
Then I started to laugh....Life is an amazing crazy series of events....2 Seconds prior I was on a high and now it all seemed to fall down.

So I picked up my Arnold letter and started doing my happy dance again... I know that life will always through me curve balls and I will get through this one like all the ones before,  hopefully without having to give anymore money to the Government...after all I have been eyeing this new Louis Vuitton purse...

The Grind

I have a confession....

  I must admit I have never really thought of myself as an "Athlete" more so a "Show Pony", I like looking pretty, and occasionally I kinda prance. I have had no desire to Climb Mountains, Spartan Dash,Warrior Race, Bike Race, Marathon or do any activities that would get me "dirty".

I like my LuLu Lemon's clean, my Reeboks with no mud in the tracks, I love the smell of the gym, the shine of weights, mirrors to look into and newly cleaned cardio equipment with tv's that I can watch as I exercise.

Now I know many have found that surprising over the years, thinking I look like the outdoors type only to be dismayed when I looked back in shock and disgust when I was asked to go hiking. I preferred to be timed, usually by a tv program as to when my gym session was over.

Until recently....

 I have discovered the "Grind".....

Now I had made myself do this gruelling mountain climb when I first moved here 5 years ago as kinda an initiation to being a new Vancouverite. After that first torturous climb I confirmed my belief in why I don't do outdoor activities. I hated it.....I did go one other time with friends in which I must admit I complained and wined the whole climb.

But 2 weeks ago I attempted this climb again and timed myself, and I noticed such a difference in my body then next day. This workout kicked my butt literally,  the next day I was tighter and felt fantastic. I am far more aware of my body this time and the effect that this intense workout had on it.

So I did it again this week in which I must say I did it in 46 min (from what I have heard that is pretty good) I also bought a heart monitor (getting serious) in which to see where I am at. The climb is non stop and the only one I was challenging was myself.

As I climbed whenever I wanted to stop I began to think of all the obstacles I have worked through to get to where I am today, and that if I can get through those then I can get my butt in gear and work hard to get up that mountain.

In reflection, climbing that mountain is kinda like my life, sometimes I fall and trip but I get up, at times I want to quit but there is no choice but to work through it, no one is going to carry me up to the top except myself,  this is about my journey, my time and pushing through any thoughts of self defeat....

So my new goal is to do the Grind every week until the snow falls, to push myself to work harder, beat my personal best, and become best I can be......kinda like my life....

You never know......you might see me at a Spartan/Warrior Dash Race in the future...even if I am just in the beer tent afterwards cheering everyone else on.....

My Baby's 4th

It's hard to believe that 4 years ago this morning I was holding my newborn Mekaella Beatrice. I never thought being a mother was in my cards. Little did I even comprehend the amazing journey I was about to embark upon.

Watching her grow and learn to become the little 4 year old she is today has been incredible. I have come to understand a new level of patience, lack of sleep, joy, fear, pride and the deepest love ever experienced with having her in my life.

There are times when I am overwhelmed with work, training, new puppy and trying to give her the 100% she deserves. At times I feel I am not the best I can be, however I know I am trying my hardest and somehow it seems to all work out.

 I am always asked how I manage to do it all and truth be told sometimes I don't even know. I do know that I try to make every moment count, work hard, train hard, play hard. I try to be the best I can be with each moment, sometimes I succeed and sometimes I don't. At the end of the day as long as I gave it my best that is all I can do. Then I just have to take a breathe, let it go and move on.

I am excited to continue to grow with my little girl, and continue to try to be the best me I can possibly be, not only for myself but also for her....