I don't have much time so I will direct you to check out our other blog: walkingtogether.tumblr.com

Take care! God Bless!

Saw Wha De Kah

So I made it to Thailand. Overall the country is beautiful, the people so very friendly, and so far knock on wood I have not gotten sick. I finally arrived in Bangkok a few minutes after midnight. I picked up my bag and just walked straight out. Missy and Chad (Missy's boyfriend whom is half Thai) met me and we got a cab back to Chad's family's condo. On the way there we were stopped at a red light and I looked over to my left to see a truck filled with what appeared to be cut up raw chicken pieces. Mind you it filled the whole bed of the truck and no there was no ice on it. I thought, it's late, that can't be right... but sure enough it was chicken. With that being said- the food is delicious! You just can't think about it. When we got to the condo, we all immediately went to bed. Once we woke up Chad took us to a local place for breakfast. Only they don't really have breakfast food, so we had chicken, rice, and iced coffee for brekkie. After a delicious "breakfast?" we went and got Thai massages. I can not even explain how amazing these things are!!! For only $12 US dollars including tip we had a foot to head massage for 2 hours!! The main difference between Thai massage and stateside massages is these people really get into their massages. They use their whole bodies and position themselves on you to get the best placement for pressure points and stretches. It was seriously one of the best things I've experienced in my life. Slightly painful at times but when it was over I felt like I had worked out, been stretched out and then massaged all over! My lady teased me that I was really tight in the shoulders- I laughed... after last week, I'm not surprised.
To speed up what we have done so far, we've been to several markets, seen the royal palaces, taken lots of photos, learned the game of foot volley, ate lots, rested lots, walked lots, and are preparing for our trip up north to the Mae Sot. We have our bus tickets and will leave Saturday night for a ten hour bus ride up. Overall life is great here! People are wonderful! Chad and Missy have been amazing! And I'm excited for what's in store! Miss and love you all but seriously could live here for ever! Missy and I are already planning our next trip back to get certified in Thai massages!

Almost There.. hello from Japan

So quick note to say I have made it to Japan! The flights have been decent except I can not sleep! I did get in 2 movies, a few TV shows, half a book read, and a few TV shows, half a book read, and how to say "excuse me, do you understand english?" in thai! So successful! Once I got to Japan, I of course was that American girl that got lost and went the wrong way ending up going through customs then back through check-in, security check point and to where I was suppose to be. It's all good. Okay signing off for now! I have to go catch my flight to Bangkok and this keyboard is driving me crazy!!!

And I'm off...

Whew~ what a week! I still don't believe I am leaving in a few hours! I have one full bag of donation stuff and medical supplies that Missy and I might need. For my stuff I fit it all in a carry-on camping sack!! You'd be impressed and you should! LOL, I never thought I could pack lighter for a month than I have for a weekend getaway. I pretty much have 5 days of clothes for work and 3 days of "off day" clothes. Supposedly, there is some ladies in the village that will do our laundry for ~ 5 cents/piece. Can't beat that! Plus, once we leave all the supplies- I will have more room for souvenirs! 

The travel itinerary is NOT the best but it will let me catch up on the sleep I have not gotten over the last week. I leave from Charlotte EARLY tomorrow morning (take-off is at 6:45am). I go first to Dallas, then to LA, then to Tokyo (with a 4 hr layover), then on to Bangkok! I will be on a plane for 24 hours and that does not count layover time! I'm scheduled to land at 11:40 PM the following day! Missy and Chad will be meeting me at the airport. My directions from Missy were "When you get off the plane, make a right, we'll be there!" The first 2-3 days I will be staying in Bangkok as Chad and Missy show me around and introduce me to the Thai culture. Then on Friday night or Saturday night, Missy and I will take the overnight bus up to Mae Sot. It is supposedly an 8hr trip where they blast the AC! Then the real journey begins!  We have a sweet Burmese refugee that will be housing us in a supposed house. All we've been told is it has a communal bathroom! :) We will also be greeted by El Thwa, one of the workers at the clinic. From there I don't know exactly when we will be doing what! 

Like I mentioned earlier, I can not believe this day is FINALLY here! I am excited for what awaits and the opportunity to use the skills I've learned to help those that really need it. I'm not sure how much internet access I will have over there but I'll try to keep you all posted. Please continue to pray for Missy and I and those we will be working with. I will miss you all! Shower and eat "American" and Mexican food for me! 

back of race shirt

picture from the race

2 Weeks til Departure

I can't believe I leave 2 weeks from tomorrow! So much to do between now and then so I'm going to keep it short. First, Missy left yesterday to spend time with Chad and his family before we begin our journey. She and Chad will pick me up from the Bangkok airport on the 1st! It will be so great to see them as soon as I land from that flight! Second, I'm trying to keep my head calm and straight as I study (CRAM) for comps, pack up my house, recruit and run subjects and get ready for Thailand! Yeah, I have all this going on and must get done within the next 2 wks. So prayers are welcome! One step at a time! 

  Third, there has been some increased violence in Burma. I received a newsletter updating me on  some of the situation which was very sad, eye-opening yet real! The newsletter basically explained increased violence in and near the border. Parents have sent their children to cross the border via a boat thus increasing the number of children going into the orphanage just north of the refugee camp we will be working in. There was also some violence that broke out in Burma resulting in some towns including the schools and orphanage over there to be held captive and destroyed. Parents are risking their lives to help their kids get to safety. As the number of kids in the orphanage increases it also coincides with the start of the rainy season. I'll be working with another NGO to get some rain tarps and basic necessities to the children. Thanks again to everyone for their support. You are helping to make a difference in so many lives. Thank you! Please keep the children and how we can help in your thoughts and prayers. 

I should also thank my sponsors...

Another BIG thank you to all those that have supported me for this race! I have raised close to $1,300! We also are so blessed to have an non-profit organization providing us with 15+ prosthetic hands! I'm still working on some other supplies but a big thank you so far to everyone that has supported Missy, myself and CPI. Also a shout-out to EatMoreTees.com for designing and creating an awesome race-day shirt for me! 

The Marathon Weekend!! (best weekend ever!)

I know, I know, I am REALLY behind on writing this. I do sincerely apologize, life has been busy yet again with a time of transitioning- yet again! Rewind to last weekend: After taking my last 2 finals for school EVER I packed my shoes, a running outfit, and one other outfit and headed to the airport. After 2 connections and 3 long flights, I zigged-zagged my way across America to land in San Diego. Throughout the travel time I kept thinking of the race, picturing the run, picturing my family and praying somehow my older brother would be there. For those of you that don't know, my older brother was in Iraq for the last 5 months. He was suppose to come home April and run parts of the race with me. Two weeks before the race, we received an email from him saying he wouldn't be able to make it home in time. I was bummed but knew he would be there in spirit. Okay, so fast-forward to last Saturday. As we were landing I turned on my phone to let my little brother and parents know that we were running 20 min late. They were heading to the airport to pick me up. As my phone was on I received an email from James (one of Stephen's best friends) saying "I hear the boy is back..." I immediately started crying. Now to fully complete the picture, I had a woman sitting next to me from Minnesota talking (with that painful (no offense) harsh Minnesota accent) endlessly about airline miles. I didn't want to be rude, but I really DID NOT want to talk. I landed grabbed my overnight bag and headed outside to the arrival section. Within a few minutes I saw my little brother's car pulled up and through the tinted windows I could make out 4 figures. I knew the email was correct! Out popped Steve and as I rushed to give him a hug, I got honked at, yelled at and told to get out of the middle of the road! At that point I didn't care-- I was so overjoyed and overwhelmed that my brother was home & safe!!!!! 

  With the whole family in San Diego, it literally was the best weekend ever! We went out to dinner, hung out, and of course there was that 26.2 miles I had to run. The race started early Saturday morning. I was up at 4 AM to eat, get dressed and catch a bus up to the start line (~ 5:15AM). It was pitch black but slowly hundreds of people started rolling in. Over 16,000 people ran/walked the Rock-n-Roll Marathon! It was one unbelievable sight. The 26.2 miles were of course physically demanding with points of muscle cramping, sharp pains through the foot and muscle tightness, but it was also mentally and emotionally demanding. Before the race started the Marine Corp band marched through playing "America" songs and a Brigadier General gave the opening remarks/blessings. I of course started crying and was looked at as completely crazy (who cries like that BEFORE the race starts?!?).  We then lined up and the gun sounded. I should also mention that this race had a TON of people running to raise awareness & support for cancer research. I say this because it also played a toll on me emotionally to be running behind hundreds upon thousands of "In memory of..." To all those people, thank you for your inspiration and for sharing your reason to run! 

    Back to the race, the first 13/14 miles, no problem. It actually felt good.  At times I would catch myself almost hyperventilating from getting emotional about my bro being there and reading some of the shirts, but I took a few deep breaths and got back into my routine.  I was able to catch my parents cheering me on at miles ~5 and 12. Overall, I was running a good pace but had to veer off course for a bathroom break (taking 1o minutes after waiting in line!!). Then around mile 15 I started to cramp. I stopped to stretch real quick then continued running. I was hitting a progressive wall if you would. I knew my younger brother was coming in at mile 18 so I just kept going, knowing he'll push me once he joined the race. Those 3 miles were some of the HARDEST!! I kept running dedicating a mile to various friends & family members. Before I knew it I felt a slap on the butt and a "Let's go!!" There was lil bro coming in early at mile 17.5. He is a BIG reason for me finishing the race. To back up real quick, at one point earlier in the race we had to run at least one mile if not more with the course being at a fairly steep angle forcing the left leg to run inches lower than the right. This placed excessive stress on the left IT band (muscle/tendon that runs on the outer part of your thigh) and excessive force on the right ankle. At the time it didn't feel too bad but at mile 20 or so my IT band was so inflamed it was snapping/rolling over my knee ever time I flexed it. This in combination with sharps pains coming up every time my right foot struck the ground was not a good combo. My brother was the best coach, telling me funny stories, calculating how much of the race I had done, stretching me out when I needed it and even reminding me to not compromise my gait/running pattern despite the pain and fatigue. The last 5 miles weren't all that bad. They were slow, but not too bad! The best part came when I sprinted towards the finish line!! It took about 45 min to find my family and get beer/bananas/water but it was so good to be done!!! The rest of the weekend consisted of hanging out with the family and enjoying a cloudy, cool San Diego weekend! I really could not have finished the race at a jogging pace had my brother not come in- so thank you Taylor! Also, the race inspired my mom and dad to think about doing the relay marathon next year! As for me, I loved it and will do it again next year!!! It was painful and emotionally, mentally, and physically draining but worth every single minute of it. Thank you to the City of San Diego for putting such an amazing event together. And even bigger thanks to my family for being there. To my older brother for making the sacrifice of leaving Iraq and getting little sleep to make it in time for my race- I can't tell you how much that meant to me! I love you! 

I'm not usually a crier

As the days pass and race day quickly approaches, I am really going through a roller coaster of a emotions. Mostly I'm anxious and nervous! Stressed, happy, excited, tired, energized and sensitive have also come, gone, and come again! For those that know me, I am not a crier... However, the last few days I've gotten tears in my eyes just thinking about the race. I will say I have an amazing support group of friends, family, classmates, and even my brother's friends! It's humbling to me that some of my brother's friends are going to come support me even though he probably is not going to make it! That finish line is so far but it will go by quicker than I think seeing familiar faces in the crowd. And of course I'll be picturing Steve there beside me throughout the whole thing! (My image of him while I've been training is him running beside me with his big black boots, black GI-Joe watch, Navy shorts, and cotton t-shirt... and occasionally with Coltrane (his dog) running along side us!)  So thanks again to everyone for your encouragement, massages, notes, and presence! Let's begin this thing!

Side note: While trying to lift a force platform solo today I tweaked my back again. I've been icing it all afternoon. I've also had 2 great friends work their magic with adjusting (popping), stretching and massaging my back! Hopefully this will go away by tomorrow! 

4 Days til the Marathon...

I got my pre-race packet in the mail today. With only 4 days left til the big day, I'm honestly getting really nervous! It doesn't help that school will be slightly stressful between now and then! It's hard to try and focus on the marathon with 2 tests, a project and research, but it will be here before I know it and done shortly after that! So keep praying for me as the marathon day quickly approaches!!! Thanks again for all your continued support! 

A Time to Remember and Give Thanks

Memorial Day Monday: Today is a day in which Americans honor those that have fought for our country especially those that have lost their lives providing us with the safety and freedom we have today. As I reflected today, I remembered that I owe an extra thanks to those serving that have lost their limbs in war, while they survived a part of them died on the battlefields. It wasn't until I went and visited Walter Reed that I become amazed, humbled and inspired by the military amputees. It was because of them that I became even more interested in physical therapy and wanted to specialize in working with amputees. While I would never wish an amputation upon any one, I am very grateful for those men and women that have fought, got injured, even lost a major part of their body; yet they've dusted off and gotten right back up. Thank you for truly being my main inspiration to go and get through physical therapy school.  These military servicemen have opened my eyes and are partially to credit for my passion to go help amputees in Thailand. So thank you from the bottom of my heart and keep up the courage, strength, and ability to amaze!

Marathon Update: Bring it! There's nothing else I can really do now to be ready for it other than eat & sleep right. I'm also starting to force myself to take anti-inflammatory pills now! I've read it helps. I just HATE pills with a passion! My race shirt is in the process of being made and I'm just counting down the days to San Diego! (4 1/2) 

With My Own Two Hands~ Jack Johnson ft Ben Harper

I can change the world
With my own two hands
Make it a better place
With my own two hands
Make it a kinder place
With my own two hands...
I can make peace on earth
With my own two hands
I can clean up the earth
With my own two hands
I can reach out to you
With my own two hands...
I'm going to make it a brighter place
With my own two hands
I'm going to make it a safer place
With my own two hands
I'm going to help the human race
With my own two hands...

2 weeks til the big day!

  This time, 2 weeks from now, I will have finished my first marathon! It's crazy to think about! It seems like so long ago I started training and yet at the same time I'm like crap, it's here already! With 2 weeks left to go, I am really excited. I borrowed a book from my friends Rachel and Pat which was very helpful. I only wish I had started reading it 14 weeks ago. It's called The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. I highly suggest it to anyone even remotely considering a marathon. It has great tips, I'm going to try and implement into my runs starting now and of course on the big day. It's proven to work and it did for Rach & Pat. 

  Unfortunately, this weekend I received some disappointing news regarding my run. My older brother emailed us stating it doesn't look like he will be home from Iraq in time to run with me.  I had been planning on having him by my side for most of the run. On the days I had a long run, I would usually spend a lot of the run visualizing my brother pushing me to go further and there to hug me at the finish line. So when I got the news, I was crushed! I know I can still do it without him but 90% of the reason I'm doing it out in San Diego was to spend quality time with him after his deployment. Disappointing to say the least. There's still a slight chance he'll be home to run with me, and I pray that it does happen! In the mean time I have notified my little brother that he now has to do at least 6 miles with me, coming in at mile 20. Regardless of what happens, I just want my older brother home safe and to finish my marathon surrounded by the support of those that love me most (mom, dad, lil bro and hopefully older bro as well!) 

Hope in a World Full of Strangers

Yesterday I had a flight booked to go from Columbia to Orlando to visit my 85 year old grandfather. It was scheduled to get in at 9:45pm which was already late and I felt uncomfortable with him driving to pick me up, but he insisted. As I sat at the airport waiting to board my plane we were notified that the plane was running late and we would not take off until closer to 9:30 (1 hr after we were scheduled). Now I was stuck with the dilemma of what to do as far as getting from the Orlando airport and home to Grampie's. I knew full well that if I told him it was late he would still come and get me but I did not want him up and driving that distance, that late. After some debate I decided to lie to him saying I had a friend coming to pick me up from the airport and he shouldn't worry about driving to get me. Truth be told at the time there was no such "friend." I called local cab companies and they estimated a $50+ cab fare, steep but worth the safety of my grandfather. Then as I hung up the phone, the guy sitting 6 chairs over from me asked where I was headed. I told him and he said he lived about 5 minutes away. Now here is where I hate our news coverage. As this guy offered I started having images of the various young females who had been abducted and murdered. Whatever happened to trusting a perfect stranger?!? I didn't know what to do other than thank him. I had to go to the ATM but after I returned he handed me his business card, Gary L from a popular tequila company. And then I was sold. Not only did he go out of his way to offer me a ride but he gave me his contact information to ease my comfort AND he happens to work for a product which I LOVE! Well long story short, we landed and Gary and I had a safe and enjoyable 30 min ride to my grandpa's place. He told me shortly after leaving the airport that my decision to ride with him made his day and likewise it made mine. We talked about how we wished we could go back to the days of trusting complete strangers! We both did and worked out perfectly! After all was said and done I really didn't completely lie to my grandfather. Only the name was a lie, but a friend did give me a ride home from the airport! Now I'm not saying to every girl out there or guy, to just do what I did, but what I am saying is if we start giving people, complete strangers, trust, respect and maybe a minute or more of our time, I think we could overcome a lot of boundaries, stereotypes, and maybe even make a friend out of it. Also on the flip side, I encourage you to go out of your way to make someone's day. Gary did and I am really, really thankful. That one commercial where there is a cycle of people helping each other out is a perfect example... I hope to return the favor soon! Thanks Gary for inspiring me to breakdown comfort zones, help others more, make new friends from complete strangers, and of course for the ride. When I get back to SC, I'm buying a bottle of your tequila in honor of you!

Shots and Fundraising...

TGIF!!! This has been one LONG week!!! We started classes full time this week and I'll be honest it wears a person out to have to sit through classes from 8-3! I think if you are in class that long you need a recess or at least a gym class. It is a challenge for me to have to a) sit still that long b) not tune-out completely and c) not get annoyed! Part of the reason I love physical therapy, is you DON'T SIT STILL! I'm the type of therapist that is on the mat doing exercises with my patients or out running with them. Needless to say I miss clinicals and really hate sitting for so long with so much information being tossed at you. In addition to school stuff, I've been back and forth to student health it seems like every day over the last 2 weeks. It is really annoying. I've gotten blood drawn, interviewed, lectured and let's not forget the 4 shots, 2 of which made my arms really sore and one which today they needed a "second opinion" to make sure I wasn't positive for tuberculosis. The nurses' questions made me laugh because they both asked have you traveled anywhere in the last year, which I responded London. They were like no, that wouldn't be a place for TB and I wanted to respond "Have you seen the people on the Tube everyday?" It's a worldly mix to say the least! But anyways, my shots for now are done! I'm just waiting on another doctor's appt to finally get anti-malaria pills! USC's Student Health Center is far from efficient or convenient to say the least but it is cheaper than a private doctor and the local health department is on a 6 week waiting list! 

  On to a more positive note- Fundraising! I am so thankful for everyone that has donated money towards our trip and CPI. I was not expecting so much to come in in just a short bit of time. People are still coming up to me and asking how to donate. There are two. 1) You can send a check to me at 307 Skipperling Lane, West Columbia, SC 29169. I'm collecting the donations and using 25% to get prosthetic supplies and the rest will help cover some of the costs of the trip such as lodging, transportation, etc. The second way to donate is to donate directly to CPI. I don't believe there is a way to distinguish where your money will go. I think it just goes to the organization in general and may be used to help another one of their locations. That website is www.cpi.org. Thank you so much to everyone that has helped. Once again  I am blessed to have so much support behind me for this trip! 

More inspiration to run the marathon

My friend Lisa sent me this store... absolutely amazing!

Stories like these should make the news more often... not the depressing stuff we get inundated with! 

Queen of Procrastinating...& a 20 mile run

I have a feeling this blog might not be the best idea for me. I already have trouble focusing on what I should (ie school, research, etc). I don't think I need one more thing to do, but it will be worth it to keep all you friends and family updated on my life! I have mentioned to several of you that I would start one of these months ago to keep you posted on my training, my trips, my school and overall what I'm up to.  It's taken me a few weeks, but here we go...

  As most of you probably know by now, I'm training for the San Diego Rock-n-Roll Marathon. Only 20 more days til the grueling 26.2 miles! Now let me say I AM NOT A RUNNER. I do not like to run more than 20-30 minutes max at a time and think it's insane the people that actually do enjoy running more than 3-5 miles/day! I can give you five million other things I'd rather do than run more than 3 miles.  I'm also not fast, so to run anything more than 5 miles takes up more than the time I have scheduled for cardio. So why am I doing it? Well I'm using this marathon as a fundraiser and bring awareness to a global problem. This coming July I will be traveling to a border clinic in Thailand to work at a refugee clinic with my friend Missy. This clinic sees a lot of people injured by landmines or bombs. I will be spending a month working with rehabilitation of these landmine victims and this "fundraiser" is to help cover some of the costs of the trip as well as get some prosthetic supplies. So why a marathon? Well I've already done a half (and at mile 10 I remember thinking, "how and why would anyone want to run 26 miles).  I figured that a) it would be a challenge for me b) the pain that my body will/has endured is nothing compared to those I'll be working for, c) if I am asking people to support me, the least I can do is show dedication to the cause and d) part of me is running for those that no longer can. 

Training: I think I started training in February but I honestly can't remember it's seems so long ago. Basically when I started my longest run at any given time was 5 miles. Slowly I worked my way up adding 1-2 miles per week to the "long" run. Today was the longest run I'll do before the race. It was suppose to be 20 miles but I think at the end I only got in 18.5-19 miles, secondary to the torrential downpour! I really can't win training in South Carolina. It's either extremely hot and humid (80-90 deg) with the sun beating down on you or a comfortable temperature but the risk and probability of getting soaked (like today!). I tried running through the rain but after an hour of the pouring rain and temperatures dropping, I decided to head to the gym to finish up the last hour of running. I should also mention, I nearly got hit by a car when crossing a street where I had the walking man signal! Don't get me started on drivers in the South! For the next 2 1/2 weeks I'll be tapering down until the big day, May 31st at 6:30AM.

Choosing the Location of this Marathon: I LOVE SAN DIEGO! Not only does it have the perfect temperature. It is relatively flat, the scenery is amazing, the people are awesome and there is always the opportunity to go surfing at some point while I am out there. I should also mention the biggest reason why I'm running it in San Diego and that is MY FAMILY. As some of you know my older brother, Stephen, is stationed out there. He has been on a deployment in Iraq and he has sworn to me that he will be back in SD for my run. This will be the first time I've seen him since before he was deployed. Not only will he be there but he will be running some of it with me! I'm also blessed to have a younger brother who will be coming down from LA to run a few miles with me as well. So all 3 of us kids will be out in SD together and they'll be with me as I run the endless miles. I think I'm just as excited to see and run with them as I am about the thought of finishing the race in general! In addition to them, my parents will be flying out to cheer me on as well. I really am blessed to have an amazing family to help me finish this thing. 

Well I'm off to prop my feet up and attempt the academia world... ugh. What's worse running 20+ miles or studying??