The Week In Review

1. I watched Miracle and was reminded of why I love hockey so much. "Do you believe in miracles?!" Why yes, yes I do. I also love the hearing the Boston accent that the BU players have. I do realize that it sounds strange and rather uneducated, but it's home.
2. I purchased a new winter purse. With the weather changing, it was time to put away the adorable canvas tote dotted with summertime tulips. I opted for this simple, classic hobo bag with individual compartments to make finding the cell phone, lip gloss, keys, etc...easier. Well, the organizational efforts of this purse doesn't do a thing in helping me reach my cell phone before it goes to voicemail. I think it's just my personal curse. I will never answer my cell phone in time. So the two call rule still applies. If I don't answer the first time, call again. I'll still be rummaging around my purse.
3. It is warmer outside than in my house. For some reason the heater will not turn on. I did check that panel thingy on my, uhm....furnace? Is that what it's called? Yeah, that thing. I'm not really sure what I was looking for but the landlord said to check. So I checked. Looks normal to me. So then my landlord said he was going to send a maintenance man over to check it out. I left work early on Friday to be here when he arrived. Never showed. I talked to the landlord again and he said that he was going to come over on Saturday morning and see what the problem was. I went to the gym for a few hours and was anticipating coming home to a nice warm house. Nope. No such luck. I don't think he ever came. So I'm sitting here wrapped in my Batman blanket with just my fingers poking out, typing this blog. Some of the effects of having a freezing house are... A) not being able to get out of bed in the morning. The temperature of the air inside of the covers is 800 times more appealing that the temperature outside of the covers. I just lay there thinking about how the bathroom is something like 5 miles away and how I'm going to have to stand there shivering for a couple minutes waiting for the water in the shower to heat up. I am constantly late to work because it's impossible to face the cold. I know it's there waiting for me like a kick in the chucks and I just can't handle it. B) When I have a minute to myself to get things done around my house, nothing gets done because I tell myself that I'm just going to warm up under my covers for 5 minutes and then I'll be ready to be productive. Who am I kidding?! Seriously, I do this to myself almost everyday. And everyday I think that this is the day that I have enough willpower to not stay in bed when the 5 minutes is up. So my dishes are still dirty, my laundry still sits in heaping mounds on the floor, and I'm starting a dust farm. But I have read alot of books. C) The length of my shower has increased significantly. I do understand the importance of conserving water, but I just can't seem to bring myself to get out of the steamy confines of my shower. If I finally get over one obstacle, I will inevitably face another one. One that is larger than the first. But once I'm out of the shower it's all business from there. There is no dinking around my house wondering what I should wear. The first thing in my hand is the item that will drape my body for the rest of the day.
4. I know you all were waiting for me to give you an update on what I've been learning at Absolute MMA. I put it a little farther down on the list to tease you. This week was awesome. For some reason the turnout at the gym was really low. Only about 4 or 5 people were showing up for the workouts. It was great because I got a ton of personal attention. I did Thai Boxing 5 times this week. My kicks are getting better. My high kick is looking alright. I'm having alot of trouble with the slight differences between the rib kick and the kick to the diaphragm. I stopped anchoring my lead foot and have really learned where my balance should be when I'm kicking and getting back into my fight stance. I also had trouble leading with my hips and I'm finally getting that somewhat down. It's amazing how much more power you have when you incorporate all the little things and do it right. I did Jiu Jitsu 4 times this week. I jacked up my arm a little bit on Friday night, so I just watched and learned on Saturday morning. This week we did a progression of moves. It went from you having someone in your guard to mission control, zombie, chill dog, kung fu move, jiu claw, and then the submission move where you can break their arm. But I forgot the name of that one. It sounded foreign and I can't ever remember those ones. I kind of wonder if those names are made up by our gym. They don't seem like names that the Brazilians would have thought up. I also learned a pretty awesome sweep and another arm bar for when your opponent counters your sweep attempt. I can't tell you how sweet this stuff is. I just wish I could do it when I'm rolling with someone. I feel like I'm just spastic and am just trying to counter the other persons attempts to submit me. I can't wait for the day when I can really recognize opportunities to use what I've learned when I'm rolling. It's only been a couple of weeks so I just need to be more patient. My instructor really believes in me, so I'm just going to have to go and get more mat time.
5. I love October! I love the MLB playoffs. I love an exciting series. It's nail-biting when it involves your favorite team, but still awesome. The Red Sox have come from behind to push a game 7 in the ALCS. I'm convinced that the reason they have been winning is because I've been watching the games. I watched last Friday night when they won, and then wasn't able to watch the next 3 games. Mainly because my commitment to my training is intense and I don't own a TV. But I watched game 5 and 6. I didn't get in front of a TV until the bottom on the 1st inning of game 6. It was when the bases were loaded and there were two outs. I saw J.D. Drew get up to the plate and groaned internally. I was cursing his name all during the regular season. He certainly wasn't a clutch player in my book. But I said a prayer in my heart that he would please just get one person in. I couldn't bear the thought of leaving all those men stranded on base. I was channeling my Jedi powers into him and he belted that ball right out of the park! GRAND SLAM!!! All because I was watching the game. And using my Jedi powers.
6. I think I'm finally kicking my Diet Coke habit. I don't feel the desperate need to have that explosion of carbonation down my throat. I only had one can of the sweet nectar this week. Who knew it would be that easy? I amaze myself sometimes.
7. Move over blue shirt! Boss came into work wearing a textured khaki dress shirt and tie this week. So blasted hot! I don't know when it happened, but he has become the most attractive man that I have ever met. Sometimes I want to put him in one of those choke holds I've been learning, but 99% of the time he is just wicked cool. I wish that I knew him better. When we're at work we talk about work stuff. When we're outside of work we talk about our business. I wish we could have time to just talk about nothing. I love the stories he tells me occasionally. It makes my day when he opens up a little. I know he's an incredible person. I don't want to force him to open up, but he won't volunteer information either. I hope someday that changes. It's hard to commit to liking him because I don't know him on a personal level. But then I get scared about not liking him because I'm afraid that I'd be letting this amazing person slip away from me. I can't explain it. I doesn't even make sense to me.
8. I received some interesting bruises this week. One looks like a boxing glove. Fitting. Another looks like the profile of a toilet. I have a kitten, a flip flop, and a summer squash on my left arm. My right arm has a pancake syrup bottle and a star.
9. I've been listening to The Royal Tenenbaums soundtrack this whole week and now want to watch it again. I saw it with my older brother Mark, on Thanksgiving of 2002. We both loved it and immediately went out and bought the soundtrack. I miss Mark. I kind of want to cry thinking about how much I miss him. Christmas can't come soon enough.
10. I'm so excited about the snow! Seeing the mountains tops covered makes me itch to get on my board. Sweet Action needs to see some action! She's been hidden in the basement all summer. Seabiscuit was loaned out last year and hasn't been returned. I need to get him back.
11. I got hit on at Chili's last night. It's amazing how well I can come up with excuses not to give someone my number. And it sounds real, even though I'm lying my guts out. I don't believe in dishonesty, but in these cases I think it's alright. But I thought about how easy it has become to shake a guy. I don't hesitate at all anymore to tell a guy that I'm taken. Oh! The guy last night persisted in asking for my number even though I told him that I was seeing someone! What, did he think I was lying or something?

Ok, I think that's all I got for now. I need to rush over to my brother's house to catch Game 7! Thanks for your time.

Taking It Like A Man!

I think people are starting to wonder about me. I have the best bruises all over my arms and shoulders from Jiu Jitsu. I've been rolling almost everyday. There are distinct handprints all over my upper arms. A guy at work today took me aside and seriously asked me if someone was hurting me. He was genuinely concerned. It was kind of sweet but also kind of weird. He told me that he could take care of whoever it was. All I had to do was give him the name. I couldn't tell if he was serious or not. I hope not. In any case, I think I need to start wearing long sleeves.
I know that my last few posts have been about the whole MMA thing, but I've just been so excited about what I've been learning. I've been learning so much in such a short amount of time. I love knowing that I'm capable of doing alot of the moves. I love going to a place where my height and strength is valued. Sometimes it's hard to be a woman and 6 feet tall. I've always felt that society values the small, slender woman much more than a tall, strong woman. But when I step into that gym those things become an asset. The instructors really teach me how to use what I have and how my height can be a great advantage.
I didn't know this until last week, but Absolute MMA has a fighter that fights in the UFC. His name is Josh Burkman. I guess I didn't understand what a big deal he is until I heard that reporters and such were coming to the gym. He's a huge deal. And he's very talented. And super nice. He's got an ego, but he's pretty careful about where it comes out. I like him. He's really driven to be the best fighter that he can be. I like watching that. He trains very seriously. It motivates me to push myself to myself past the hurt. And it hurts.
I'm really glad that I fell into this. I would've never in a million years predicted that I would be so interested in MMA training. And now I can't stop thinking about it.

More on Building Bombs

OK, I know that you guys are sick of hearing about this the martial arts gym, but it's so incredible! That's all that's been on my mind lately. I feel so awesome. I was there for over three hours today. I've been learning so much. And actually retaining it! I've been trying to go most days. I missed Friday because I pulled a muscle in my leg the day before. My inner thigh was killing! But the pain is worth it. I was practicing Jiu-Jitsu on a pretty large guy. He just wanted me to go for it. I think I hurt myself way more than I hurt him. My main focus was to make sure that I kept him under me the whole time. I was taught some arm bars, a move called the Camorah, defense to your guard, and had alot of practice trying to get out from underneath someone. It was unreal. The Thai Boxing is also going very well. I'm improving everyday. I feel stronger and quicker in my movements. I'm having a hard time kicking correctly. I'm too heavy on my feet and can't get the pivot right. I anchor my foot too much. It's really frustrating me. I think MMA is a seriously misunderstood sport. There is so much skill and dedication involved in being as good these serious fighters get. I see the the big time fighters in the gym everyday. They get there before I do and leave only when the gym closes. The other thing that impresses me about these guys is that even though they don't look like the kind of people that you'd normally see me buddies with, they're so respectful and kind. They are encouraging and really want to help me improve. They don't mind pairing up with me. They know that I try my absolute hardest and am very focused. They respect that. They want to see me reach my goals. Knowing that helps me work harder. I'm just wondering if my body will ever feel normal again. I'm constantly sore! I have bruises everywhere. I have major mat burn on my knees that don't seem to heal. I keep having to remind myself that it's all for the cause. Six pack by Christmas!

Building Some Bombs

I feel wrecked. This MMA gym is kicking my *#@! But it's nice to know that I have some power behind these seemingly weak arms. I'm pretty sure that I look a lot like a tyrannosaurus rex. I have a strong lower body and tiny little weakling arms. But in the time that I've been doing this, my deltoids and biceps are looking pretty sweet. Well, maybe not sweet, but better. I've got alot of work to do to get where I want to be. But the great part is that I've already lost 6 lbs since I've started! By Christmas I want to look my best ever. Totally hard. I can do this! I'm extremely determined. My goal is to run in the mornings and then train at the MMA gym at night. I've been exceptionally tired and sore lately and therefore a little irritable. Sorry guys. I'll work on that.

On another note, I might have to start thinking about getting a tattoo. All the guys at the gym have tattoos. And it's not just one, it's like a MILLION! All up their arms, and across their chest. On their shoulder blades and calves. It's crazy. There were two girls there tonight and even they had tattoos. Maybe not as many, but still a copious amount. I think that I'm the only tat free person there. And the funniest part is that they aren't even cool or hardcore tattoos. One guy had a big crow on his back. A crow? So I've been totally thinking about what kind of tattoo I should get. I saw a movie once where these two brothers had "truth" and "justice" written in Latin across their their trigger fingers. Maybe I could get that on my forearms so that my opponent can read it as my fists are coming at their face. Wow, that sentence was brutal. I'm getting all aggressive just writing this. Anyway, if you have any ideas, let me know. Maybe I'll consider it.

I Heart Post Season Play

I've been watching some good baseball all year. My team was leading the American League East division the entire season. They secured their spot in the playoffs, and having been making me so proud! Wednesday night was their first game, which they won 4-0. Josh Beckett was on the mound. He lead the MLB in wins this year with 20. And the playoffs is where he throws his best. He did not disappoint. Friday night was game 2. Tyler and I went to a sports bar, ate hamburgers, and watched the victory. What a great night. It was a little touch and go there for a while. It was tied up in the fifth inning and remained that way until the ninth. Jonathon Papelbon was put in as our closer and I knew we were safe. He always gets the win. Such a talented pitcher. We get the last at-bat. This is the scenario: Bottom of the ninth. Two outs and two men on base. Manny comes up to bat. He takes a couple pitches and then launches one into left field for a three run homer! Oh man, that was the sexiest thing! There's nothing better than seeing a walk-off homer when you're getting all anxious and agitated. I was afraid that the game was going to go into extra innings. Manny came through in the clutch, once again. I probably embarrassed Tyler pretty bad. I was a bit excited. So then today is game 3, and if they win this one they win the Division Series and go on to the AL Championship Series. I knew they would get the sweep. The Red Sox are just that awesome. There was a test of my faith though. The game started at 1:00 and General Conference started at 2:00. I was severely tempted to just watch the game. A bunch of the guys were going back to the sports bar. I didn't realize that the Red Sox had suddenly become such a priority in my life. I mean I was torn between watching them and hearing the words of the prophet! Yikes! I'm so glad that I watched Conference. It was incredible, enlightening, and everything that my little heart needed to hear. I also felt more worthy implore Heavenly Father to make sure he blessed my team. I think he listened. Wait! I know he listened. The Red Sox won. They're going to get into the World Series. I'm so sure of it. I pray for each of those players by name. Now I just have to wait for the Indians to beat the Yankees, and then my Red Sox are going to take those Indians DOWN!!! Pray for them.