The Future IS Bright.

by Danica on May 21, 2013

Jesse and I spent this past weekend with my family celebrating my sister’s high school graduation.

brooke & i graduation

Words truly can’t describe how incredibly proud we are of her.

family at graduation reception

We had a great weekend catching up with family, cleaning the house for the reception ;) and celebrating the beautiful woman (inside and out) my sister has become.

Oh, and I definitely didn’t keep that promise about not crying at the ceremony…I lost it early on…

*****

As with most high school graduation ceremonies, there were student speakers – 5 for this particular night.

And if you’ve ever been to a high school graduation (after your own), you know exactly how cheesy those speeches are.  “The future is yours to hold…You can do anything you set your mind to…Go out and make all your dreams come true…” and so on.

As I sat in the audience listening to those corny speeches (I was one of those cheeseballs 5 years ago, mind you), I couldn’t help but drift off and think about my own life and how it’s changed since graduated high school.

I’m not happy doing the work I’m doing right now, but I know what it is I want to be doing “for a living.”  I’m not doing it yet, but I’m hoping I will be sooner than later.

Are the people around me thinking the same thing?  Is that 40-year-old woman still saying that she hopes to do what she loves some day?  Is that grandfather thinking about how much he wishes he would’ve tried a little harder to make his dreams come true?

I don’t know if any of those people were thinking those things, but I decided right there in that gym that I did not want to find myself, years and years from now, sitting at a graduation, listening to how “dreams really can come true” but thinking about how wrong that is and that life just doesn’t work that way.

Because you know what?  I think it does.  I think life really is about all of those cliches.  Isn’t it too damn short for it not to be?!

I don’t absolutely love the work I’m doing right now, and in just 2 days, I’ll be finished with it…In just 2 days, I get to start chasing after the dreams I have….I get to follow through on the things I learned at an amazing meeting I had with a professional in this new field last night…I get to truly start chasing my dreams…

Things won’t happen overnight.  Heck, I don’t even know if they’ll happen in a year or two.  But my gosh, I’m determined to make them happen no matter how long it may take me.  I’m determined to do what I love and work in a field I’m truly passionate about.

Maybe the future really is mine to create….

{ 17 comments }

workouts 5/12 – 5/18

by Danica on May 18, 2013

There’s only 1 week left until the half marathon, and I just cannot believe it’s that soon!  This week included lower mileage and this coming week will include even less in preparation for the race next Sunday.  Ready or not, here it comes!

miles ran so far in 2012 –> 305

Sunday, May 12th
45-minute Walk (incline intervals)
15 minutes of Elliptical
Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown Video (level 1) 35 minutes

Monday, May 13th
rest day

Tuesday, May 14th
morning:
upper body strength training
core work
4-mile Run (33:51)
10-minute cool-down Walk
evening:
softball game
and a couple walks with the puppy

Wednesday, May 15th
lower body strength training workout…I did my “go-to” 3 times through (20 reps the first two times, 10 reps the third time)

my go-to Lower Body Workout - itsprogression.com

Thursday, May 16th
10-minute warm-up Walk
4-mile Run (33:45…1st mile warm up, 2-3 sprint/jog intervals, 4 incline intervals)
30-minute Walk (incline intervals)
10 minutes on the Rowing Machine

Friday, May 17th
rest day

Saturday, May 18th
5-minute warm-up Walk
6-mile Run (49:59)
15-minute Walk

{ 3 comments }

friday!

May 17, 2013

1.  Last night, Jesse’s cousin and her son/our godson visited.  We had pita chips and hummus plus smoothies for dinner – I think someone was a fan of them… 2.  After a walk, we then went out for dessert. Froyo! I was much happier after leaving this time.  Last time I was so excited to [...]

Read the full article →

Judgment

May 16, 2013

A week ago I shared this post on Melissa’s blog… It was one of those post topics that I could write on and on about, but I was nervous to actually publish it…However, I feel that the topic is especially important right now to call attention to, so I’ve decided to share it once more [...]

Read the full article →

wiaw: just a simple, good day

May 15, 2013

I absolutely loved your comments on yesterday’s post!  It’s so refreshing to be reminded of why we exercise, isn’t it?  I published that post right before going out on my run yesterday, and I thought the whole time I was out about how thankful I am to move. ***** Alrighty, let’s take a look at yesterday’s eats. I [...]

Read the full article →

Fitness: what it IS and what it’s NOT

May 14, 2013

Fitness.  Workouts. walking running biking weight lifting kickboxing zumba push-ups body pump pull-ups jumping jacks dance swimming sports jump rope tag rowing elliptical jazzercise circuit training and the list. goes. on. It’s all about moving! We know that movement/workouts/fitness is essential for good health.  I could go on and on about the tons and tons of [...]

Read the full article →

from the weekend

May 13, 2013

my wild and crazy Friday night included packing up 50 goodie bags for my almost-kindergarteners :) Saturday morning breakfasts are just meant to include pancakes. my husband put this picture on Instagram on Saturday with the caption: tech support :) after spending plenty of our afternoon at Target – I could spend hours browsing around in that [...]

Read the full article →

Meal Plan 5.12 – 5.18

May 12, 2013

First and foremost, to all the mamas and mamas-to-be out there: Happy Mother’s Day! ***** We aren’t with our mothers today, but we’ll see them next weekend… We’re spending our Sunday relaxing and doing the usual Sunday schtuff…the next 3-4 weeks will be especially busy for us so we’re enjoying every minute of it! One [...]

Read the full article →

workouts 5/5 – 5/11

May 11, 2013

2 weeks to go until half marathon #3!  I’m already praying for nice weather ;) miles ran so far in 2013 –> 291 Sunday, May 5th Jillian Michaels’ Yoga Meltdown Video (level 1) 35 minutes Monday, May 6th morning: Upper Body + Cardio + Core Workout evening: 30-minute Walk 1-mile Run (7:25) 25-minute Walk Tuesday, [...]

Read the full article →

few things friday

May 10, 2013

1.  First and foremost, HAPPY FRIDAY!! 2.  Our bedroom furniture is being delivered later today, and I’m ridiculously excited for it. You know you’re an adult when new furniture becomes a highlight of your day ;) 3.  Have you noticed that things look a little different around here lately?  I’ve become a publisher for Foodie [...]

Read the full article →