Things I never thought I'd like

Some days I sit back and think about things.  Things that I like.  Things that I dislike.  Things that I'll never like.  Yesterday was one of those days, and in the process of doing said activity, I began to realize something new.  I really like certain things that I used to really dislike.  Example: wearing clothes.  Ever since I can remember, I always loathed the restriction of clothing.  Even as a kid, my mom says I would rid myself of the encumbrance of clothing.  Now, I like clothes.  Or at least I recognize the necessity of them.  But this isn't about clothing, it's about running.

As of two months ago, I really just couldn't grasp the idea of running for fun.  A) running isn't fun.  B) it's semi-pointless.  Now for those who know me, you'll know that I'm a fan of exercise in general, but running?  seriously?  Couldn't I do the same thing only with a ball and a basket and a bunch of other people and a reason behind said activity?  We could call it basketball.  And basketball would be a two-fold experience; fun and healthy.

How narrow-minded right?

A good friend of mine runs regularly and he got me to thinking, "Okay, why don't I just try running to see what happens?"  I'm up for trying pretty much anything else in life, why not running?  So I started slowly.  1 mile.  2 miles.  2.1 miles.  (yeah, pretty slow start) Over the course of a few months life began to change for me.  I know that seems over-dramatic, which it is, but it's also got a hint of truth to it.  I started realizing that ones body can actually withstand the physical beating of a 7,8,9 mile run.  In fact, it almost likes it.  My body has begun to respond with a series of grateful gestures, such as my heart rate has dropped, I sleep better, I feel more rested, a short jog from my car to the office in the rain doesn't leave me winded.  Weird.  Besides the mere physics of the exercise, there's also been a mental benefit.  That hour on the road gives me time to think, time to reflect, time to pray, time to consider who I am and what I'm doing in life.  In pushing ones body to it's limits the mind is then trained to progress, fight, strive for more as you realize that the mind is stronger than the body.  You truly can withstand more than you've ever believed, both physically and mentally.  You can move internationally, take that new job, fight that disease, give of yourself to help that other person.  I'm starting to sound like a self-help book here, so I'd better slow down.  Let's just say, I've nearly been converted.

Now that I've ranted on running, here's my list of things I now like that I used to dislike:

1.  The word "moist"
2.  Sauerkraut
3.  Mustard
4.  Wearing clothes (as mentioned)
5.  Soccer

Heres my list of things I used to like that I now dislike:

1.  Inline-skating
2.  The cold
3.  NKOTB
4.  Sneezing
5.  Boating

Presentation numero uno

Today marks the beginning of what I like to consider a year-long venture of presentations and cross-cultural connections.  After enjoying a fabulous lunch of one of the best slices of roast beef I've had in a while, I presented to the my host club, the Jackson Noon Club, on my scholarship and plans for the future.  I'd like to think that I wowed them all with my excellent speaking ability, humorous stories and witty responses, but more than anything I realized that I've got a ways to go before anyone is calling me to speak at graduation.  Thankfully I've got another 20ish presentations to give over the next year, plus a lifetime to learn.

For those who are interested in applying for this scholarship, go to the link in my previous post to look into the application process and contact your local rotary club immediately to see if there is scholarship fund availability for the 2012-2013 academic-year.  You won't regret it!

Where it's at

Each time a person asks me, "so what do you do?" I want to say something like "wow, that's a great question!  I do a lot of things.  I go to carnivals, I eat venison, I listen to records, I mountain bike, I pronounce the word root beer different than you, I shave my head just for fun." Most people don't really want to hear what you do, they want to make small talk, so instead I tell them my job, where I live, what sports teams I follow...etc.  There is a time and place for that, but this is not it.  Instead, I'm going to invite you into my life and you can choose to accept or decline, approve or disapprove, mock or well, probably mock.  Either way, I still prefer this to small talk.

So where does one begin a blog?  Maybe it's better to ask, why does one begin a blog?  I'm not the "stream of consciousness" type of writer, nor do I regularly reveal my inner-self openly online, so this is a somewhat of a stretch for me.  Two reasons:  I'm moving and I'm sponsored.  Starting in September of this year, I'll be in Scotland studying Sociology at the University of Edinburgh.  I'm sure you've all heard of the Rotary International, but you may not have heard of the Ambassadorial Scholarship through the Rotary Foundation.  It's somewhat similar to a Fulbright Scholarship only it's privately funded, international and muuuuuch larger than Fulbright.  Sounds pretty cool right.  Well it definitely is an amazing program and my local district has decided to sponsor me to study in Edinburgh!  So I'm hoping to be able to share with family, friends and my sponsor Rotarians about my time in Scotland and beyond.

Feel free to follow along as I not only spend the year galavanting around Scotland but in my adventures throughout the rest of Europe!  I'll be taking a month and a half before school starts to travel Italy and Germany and hope to make a few weekend trips during my year abroad.