outdoor has begun!

This is ME...at our first outdoor meet at Trinity University in the hood of Hartford, CT. When we got there (when this pic was taken) it was about 40ish degrees outside. By the middle of the meet it was a blazing 63 degrees...can you say I was ready to sunbathe!!!!! Never in a gazillion years would I have ever thought that I'd be excited to have a meet that was 63 degrees. I only got a little sunburned in the face (yes you can burn in 60 degree temperatures because the sun waves are the same as when it's 90), but thank God it didn't peel like last week :-).

So about the meet...well honestly it didn't really matter to me if they ran well or not because (1) it was the first meet of the season and (2) it was absolutely beautiful so in my eyes, my girls could do no wrong. In hindsight, because our outdoor season is so short, we have to make the best out of every meet in hopes of qualifying for post season championship meets. My quarter milers really stepped it up this weekend. Our 400 hurdler is showing GREAT potential for the rest of the season. Not that I want to jinx myself, but if ever we thought we'd get a national qualifier (other than our fabulous pole vaulter), the 4 Hurdler has the brightest future. She ran a career PR in the first outdoor meet and that just made me so proud as a coach. We are working together to figure out what works specifically for her, and because she is the only intermediate hurdler, it makes it so much easier to individualize her workouts. The sprint relay...well...when we get the hand-offs down pack we should be good. Judging by the confidence in the team, this should be a good year for the relays.

Outside of track...I really think I have simply checked out of school. The only problem with this is that I still have a month left until the last day of classes AND an entire year left in my program. I usually like for time to slow down so that I can enjoy what life has to offer, but it this case I just want out...NOW! I'm so ready to just be done and work full time. I'm tired of school. I'm tired of classes in which I don't feel like I'm learning much of anything because I'm always so zoned out. I'm tired of my lack of social life. I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired! Ok I'm done ranting...

SIGH...

So ummm...March Madness!!!! My team totally got knocked out on a last second play so I guess I'll just watch the final game so that I can fulfill my assignment for one of my classes and overly analyze the game instead of just being able to enjoy it...bummer!

The one positive thing about this month...MY (and lil brother's) BIRTHDAY !!!!! Yay for getting old...NOT! And for once it won't even matter because no one here knows (other than Felicia), and I don't have any friends, family or significant other to so much as go out to eat with because we'll be in the great state of Maine. Thank God it's only 23, because if it was something of significance I'd be highly upset.

Ok I'm tired of being negative...back to your regular scheduled program...

absence makes the heart grow fonder...

So first off I'll apologize for my absence. It seems like it's been FOREVER since I've blogged...and judging by the date of the last post...it truly has been a while. I've had the best intentions of writing something, and then when I have time, I'm usually tired and would much rather just bum around the house.

But anyway...here I am NOW!

Indoor is over (thank God!). It seems like it took forever and a day, and it drain every ounce of sanity out of me along the way. My girls did progressively better as the season went on and I feel like we ended on a positive note going into outdoor this weekend.

School is still the same...I'm simply trying to make it through the next year and two months. I do just enough to get by, and that is absolutely fine with me.

Spring break was awesome. I got to spend it with the boo and it was nice to play wifey for a week. Being around his team, makes me appreciate the girls I have as athletes but at the same time a little jealous of the ones he has. I guess each group will always have different qualities and blend together differently. His group seems like a family. My group listens diligently to my every word and does their best to take heed to my instructions. His group laughs and jokes around plus have more talent. My group is a little uptight at times...but we're working on it and after spending some quality time with a few of them, I've learned so much about their worlds and how much it differs from mine and where I came from. I know that every time I leave him, it gets a little harder, but I was dreading leaving before it was even time for me to board the plane. Geesh I wish the time would pass already so we can be FOREVER...

But speaking of planes...Philadelphia is the worst place in America to fly to/from. There will ALWAYS be a delay regardless if the weather is 75 and sunny outside. The bathrooms are disgusting, and the people who work there need a serious attitude adjustment.

Let's see what else has happened...

My bags were left in Philadelphia on the way back from VA...so not what's up. This have never happened to me before and when they decided to bring them back to me, it was 1am in the morning. Now who in the hell bangs on a person's door at 1am like the damn police just to deliver some damn luggage. Due to the foul language in the last sentence, I'm pretty sure you can tell how I feel about the situation.

On a positive note, the Rice women won yet ANOTHER indoor title...HOOT HOOT to the ladies in blue! Rice wtf all the way!

My future in laws referred to me as their "daughter." I've never felt so special off the most random comment. Maybe it's just the way southern people are because they take in their children's friends or significant others as their own...but that really meant the world to me even if it wasn't intended in such a manner.

I competed again over spring break...nothing impressive but I won nonetheless so I guess that makes it okay. I'm 3-0 on the season!

Speaking of wins/losses...WOOHOO for march madness. This is most definitely my most favorite time of year (that doesn't include gifts b/c Christmas and Birthdays trump basketball on any day!). Right now I'm loving Syracuse...that 6OT game had me up all night...and I've been rocking with them ever since. I have Pittsburgh winning it all (over Memphis), but they've been on the struggle so I don't know about that one right now.

That's about all that has happened in my life as of now...

I'm trying to take everything in stride and keep it moving day by day with a smile on my face. But the summer can't come fast enough! In the mean time...I'm hoping for a national qualifier by the end of the season (hey...a girl can dream!).

Valentine's Day and then some...

THIS (plus some candy...that I have already consumed) is what came to school for me on Valentine's day. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was. Of course no one got to see them because it was toward the end of the day...but that's ok...because I told EVERYONE who would listen (lol).

Ok, enough of the mushy stuff...

The indoor season is finally coming to a close...I swear it feels like my girls have been running for FOREVER! We're on meet number 7 I believe and it's starting to show in their running. Hell I'm even tired because I'm used to a 4 meet indoor season. I hear that indoor is longer here because of the weather for outdoor is usually pretty sucky so the outdoor season is considerably shorter.

Once again I've become a grade A procrastinator. Today we had another random holiday and of course I did nothing productive in the school area. Instead I slept...and played the domestic role for the afternoon (cooked, cleaned, did laundry, etc). Sigh...yeah I'll pay for it next week when my two papers are due and I'm still trying to catch up on my sleep from our trip to Maine this weekend...oh well.

For about 4 days we had a glimpse of warm (50 degrees...New England warm) weather and I was ecstatic. And then today about lunch time it starts to snow again. I'm like are you freakin' kidding...this is so not ok. All I want to do is go for a jog in a sports bra and tights...That way I can get some sun and exercise all at the same time.

I think I'm coming out of my mini-depression. I still get a little snappy with people from time to time but I learning how to make that go away. I've met some very interesting and distinguished students and faculty of color over the past week. I'm always so caged up in the gym that I never even realized that there is world on the other side of campus. It's been nice to just get away. I still feel like I have a lot going on right now...but I'm managing...just ready for Spring Break now!

***This week I'm grateful for:
-my sis Mem
-Felicia's apartment (and Felicia as well)
-Val's post card
-being one of Toy's angels :-)
-my fam (I got like 8 phone calls in one week)
-HIM (for making this the BEST valentine's day WEEK ever)

Wow...what a week!

Conversation between my advisor and myself:

Jane: Have you been eating?
Me: yeah of course.
Jane: you look like you are disappearing right in front of me. you need to make sure you get something to eat.
Me: Jane. no, I have been eating. It's actually rare that I miss meals, even if I am feeling bad.
Jane: Yeah...you need to eat. You just look bad.

WOW! So if I was gutsy enough to put up a picture of how I look right now, you would see what she means. I look like an evaporated ghost (if that even exists). I'm just so tired, so emotionally drained...and I think I've experience the worst 2 weeks since I moved to MA. Good thing is...I actually got the main problem resolved...but even in its resolution I still am somewhat unhappy because I should not have had to go through such a dramatic process. I'm not going to take the discrimination route although everyone in my program sees in that way. Honestly I know I'm black. I know I'm the only person in my program who's black. The only black assistant coach...and one of 3 blacks in the entire ESS and athletic department staff. The color of my skin is evident to me and has been since the day I walked into Smith College. Every time we have race related conversation in class, everyone looks to me to get the 'ok' in order to touch on the subject. Massachusetts is considerably more liberal than Texas, and it makes me so sad that racism and sexism still exist in today's society. But with all that said...I'm going to look at the situation that I experienced the last two weeks as me just getting "picked on." Not because of the color of my skin...or my gender...but because I was the most ready and available target. When I chose to move here, I made my move on nothing more than a leap of faith. I knew what I was getting myself into...and I chose to stay. Some days have been better than others and while the last week has me looking like a pale skeleton, I'm just going to take it as a lesson learned and nothing more. I often feel like I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders, and my little arms are far from fit enough to do such a thing. So to hell with the little stuff...I have the future to look forward to...

This week I'm grateful for:
-Jane and Chris (They totally went to bat for me...can't say enough about it)
-Felicia (it's nice to have someone to rant to from time to time)
-Carla (she's been on my side since day 1)
-HIM (words can't express...)
-Fums (still inspiring me like no other)
-Val (those random msgs make my day)
-Facebook (lol...where would I be without its wealth of knowledge)

25 things + 1 about me (stolen from facebook of course)

1. My number one weakness is chocolate...in ice cream, and milk, hot chocolate, with peanut butter, and whip cream, with caramel and nougat, or just by itself...With it you can win my heart.

2. I love the sight of fresh snow...when it's still in powder form and white (not the brown slush it turns to when it is plowed to the side of the road). I do however hate this "wintry mix" b.s. Snow + freezing rain + hail = a whole lot of slushy mess....ewwwww! AND it messed up my Uggs...so not ok!

3. I love to talk, but I get really nervous speaking in front of large groups of people. I don't know how I made it through teaching a class without having my voice quiver one single time.

4. I expect too much of people...and I often think it's because I would do so much for them.

5. Tess, our equipment manager, is probably my most favorite person on campus. She always smiles at me and asks me how I'm doing...and the funny part is, I don't even think she knows my name. She just sees me as the only black assistant coach we have at Smith.

6. My dream wedding would be small and intimate (maybe on a beach, where I could theoretically be barefoot or in flip flops...not the old navy ones but some nice flat sandals)...however, because I know my family oh so well, I know they will want to make this a grand occasion ESPECIALLY if I'm the first grandchild to get married.

7. I also want a bad ass ring...one that screams "I'm taken", but at the same time is dainty and simple just like me (very contradictory I know)

8. I indulge in the fact that I'm a southern girl...and make sure to be as polite as possible to all the crabby northerners that surround me everyday. However, I can flip the switch to B*%^& mode with the quickness so don't ever take my kindness for weakness.

9. I do in fact "walk like this because I can back it up." Beyonce said it best...I do have a big ego.

10. I love weave...and I love changing my hair like I change my underwear. I really have an affinity for textured hair and since mine doesn't have natural curls, I buy hair that does. Plus I love long hair...except that when I wear it long, I only wear it in a pony tail...odd, I know.

11. Movies that make me cry are the best...the end. (despite the fact that I hate for people to see me cry)

12. I'm learning that over time things will change...and instead of fighting it with a baseball bat, I'm starting to embrace it. People come in and out of your life. Life is never as planned, and all I can do is roll with the punches.

13. I can't decide about the children issue. Some days I want a sandlot full, and other days I can't see myself taking care of another human being. Selfishness has never been one of my better traits (Plus I don't want to get fat...plain and simple). I have however started a baby name list...except they are all girl names, and everyone knows I only want boys...ok...maybe ONE little princess.

14. I'm always hungry and sleepy...ALWAYS. I'm not really sure why...but I am. I can eat you out of a house and home with out a problem, and then hibernate like a bear for days at a time. Sleep has even taken over me watching my tv shows...so you know it's something serious.

15. I love pumps, stilettos, and anything else that can put 4-5inches on my frame. I like being tall because it makes me feel in command...and it does something to my swag when I strut in them.

16. I wish I could stay in my 20s forever. I just don't want to get old. I don't want wrinkles or cellulite...hence the reason why it is so important to me to workout (which I've been slacking on) and get plenty of beauty sleep.

18. I'm afraid of hips. I see my mom's and aunts and they look like they have 2 midgets hanging on to the side of them. They said they come from having babies...so maybe that'll be another reason why I might not have any.

19. The most efficient way to contact me is to text me. I'd prefer to type than talk any day...and my blackberry is almost always attached to some part of my body.

20. I finally went to the movies by myself...and aside the fact that there was a guy smoking weed in the theatre, I think me, myself, and I had a very nice date. Can't wait to do it again.

21. I'm so enthused about going to the beach as soon as I can get away from MA...however, I don't like to swim, or be in water for that matter so I don't know where this excitement comes from. I just simply want to tan...and walk around in my swimsuit without people wondering why I'm always half naked.

22. I'm named after my daddy. His name is WalLACE...so my mom took the last four letters and added and E' to get LACEE'. I hated my name until I got to high school and then I loved the fact that I was different. I am now obsessed with my double E, so I want to add that to my kid's name.

23. I'm the messiest person you will ever meet...but I always know where to find things in my house. I've accepted the fact that I will hire a "Magdalena" or "Patricia" to come clean my house from time to time once I get married...of course the hubby will never know ;-)

24. I'm a track-fene. I check results constantly...thank God for my handy dandy crackberry. I always want to know what's going on...

25. I'm a numbers person. When I was younger and just learning about taxes, I used to calculate the taxes on my mom's groceries (in my head) before the cashier could do so at the register. Now they've upgraded and it beats me to it.

26. I like to people watch...and make up stories about their lives. Weird...I know.

simple randomness

Sooooo...life has been semi-hectic since my last post.

- My J-term class that I taught ended. I really enjoyed teaching and my students were amazing. Plus the girl I co-taught with is simply amazing and I think we now have begun the start of a great friendship. The class was extremely intense with 9 days of 3 hour classes plus labs, so as a teacher that meant an immense amount of grading and lecturing, and a lack of sleep for two weeks.

-We had a track meet (which was an in betweener on the horrible-to-great scale.) We had one girl qualify automatically for nationals in the pole vault and another couple for division III new england championships. We also had a host of personal bests, however everyone just seemed flat due to the 3 weeks of 2-a-days.

- I, myself, competed in 2 track meets. I long jumped in both, and sprinted and triple jumped in the 2nd one. It was an interesting experience and it totally made me realize just how much I really miss competing. Coaching is great (and I wouldn't trade it for the world) but if I could compete every so often I think I would get my adrenaline fix and that would be wonderful. I would like to say that my jumps were only 4 inches and 1 inch, respectively, off where I opened last year AFTER 5 months of training. This was purely fun, with little to no training, so I'm not sure if I should be happy that "I've still got it" or if I should be ticked because I feel like I never achieved my full potential in college.

- Spring semester has officially started which in turn has brought me tremendous grief and irritation. The last few days I feel as though I've been simply going through the motions of life because I've been so upset and dismantled. I'm trying to drop a class but one faculty member in particular is making it extremely difficult. My teaching assignment was also changed, which made me a little upset because I spent time developing the class and now I feel like it's all in vain. I like my new assignment, but I don't like the fact that I didn't have much of a decision in the matter.

-The snow has taken over my life. Point blank. The end.

***outside of the gym (my second home)

- I think I've lost a best friend...not really sure what to do about the situation so...

- I'm unsure how I feel about the upcoming "single awareness day" aka valentine's day. I mean I'm not single by any means...but it's just never been one of my favorites and despite being in a relationship I will still have to celebrate it alone :-/

-Our track team is dwindling...every few days someone else quits. I like the idea of the power in numbers, but the ones who are sticking around are the meat and potatoes of the team so maybe we should think of quality over quantity.

- I found a new coffee shop that I love...haven't exactly tried the coffee, but the hot chocolate is the bomb.dot.com.

- I had an emotional breakdown in my adviser's office earlier this week...I hate when people see me cry because it shows my vulnerability and I think she was just as shocked because she says I'm "one tough cookie."

- I'm extremely grateful (this week) for Felicia (my lone black homegirl here), ALL of the track coaches, Michelle (my boss), Jane (my advisor), Jen (my new bff/coffee shop buddy/teaching partner), Sheila (old faithful), and HIM (for simply understanding me better than I sometimes understand myself)

- Oh yeah...I got straight A's for the first time since high school...whoop whoop for me lol

Sorry for the long post...been a mad crazy week. All I need in this life right now is SLEEP.

80s day!!!!

Not much has gone on since I last posted. We got snowed in on Sunday so we had to cancel our Dartmouth meet. I was actually happy because I hate the fact that my girls have like 10 indoor meets when I'm so used to competing in a mere 4...also, I was grateful for the down time Sunday so that I could 'get my mind right' for my first official class as a TEACHER!!!!!

Tuesday was my first real lecture and according to my athletes (2 are in my class), I did not screw up and I was super adorable holding my laptop in one hand and a piece of chalk in the other. Yes you read right...I refuse to print my notes until I have the entire 13 lessons complete. I already have 30 pages so there is no need to waste trees...we're supposed to be going green anyway, right?

Practice has been sweet this week...and we even had a themed day today. YAY for 80s day!!!! I absolutely love the Jane Fonda look of the eighties workout gear and pretty much the entire team AND coaches participated in the dress up day. Here are a few pics:


***my official "work wife," Shannon...yay! for being a coach

P.S. I'm officially back on my work-out game...look for me in London 2012 (lol)