Goal globalization

One of the key things in goal setting is to tell people what you are planning on doing. I've decided to run a half marathon. I have often thought about it before but never truly set up plans to make it happen.

Some classmates made it known they were planning on running a half in December. I thought, if they could, so then could I. Subsequently, I told my roommate my plans. Then I told the classmates my plan. And then I texted my sister because let's face it my sisters are my biggest influence. And she said she would train with me, 1400 miles away.

Really that just got me more excited and more determined. So then I talked to my Texas family about it. And then they told another individual my age who is now planning on running it with me when he moves here in August. Then I posted a link on Facebook to both my sisters pages to tell them to pick a half in Cali in nov/dec.

Now I'm telling all of you my plans to run in Shiner, Texas on December 16, 2012. Basically, my goal has been glabalized and I cannot back down.

Now that I have all the time in the world, it is so easy to work out and consume more protein and less processed food. But I worry that as soon as football two a days start, training will slow down or cease and fast food will become easier to pick up on the way home.

After two weeks of committed training I already feel better and I'm still excited to run and workout but I worry I will soon dread long run days.

But worrying will get you nowhere: do not worry about tomorrow for we know not what tomorrow brings.

Making Plans

It has come to that point of my life when I need to figure out the next step. I like this process because it means I get to plan. I can start making pros and cons lists, update my resume, research different schools and job opportunities, think about where I want to live.

It's ironic because even though I want to move back home to California, I also keep looking for jobs in Texas. There is a slightly higher chance of getting a job that will pay more. Don't get me wrong, I'm not in my profession for the money. It's just the sooner I pay off my school loans, the sooner I can just start traveling. Who needs to be tied down?

But making these plans is also so nerve-racking. What if I'm not good enough to actually have a big girl job? What if I'm doomed to spend the rest of my life at a place I only slightly like? What if I pick the wrong place? What if I never pay off my school loans?

Every time I think about money I get an awful sensation in the pit of my stomach. I really just want to marry rich so I don't even have to think about it. But that would be a cop out. And us Read's are made of stronger stuff then that.

Yellow Cards

The UEFA Euro Cup has been on ESPN for the last month. Since I am living in a house with DirectTV, I have had the wonderful privilege of watching most of every game. I have seen some great footwork. I have also seen some great fouls.

Here is a picture of Gerard Pique of Spain (Yeah champions!) getting a yellow card. Can I just say that over my 15 or so years of playing, I have only received one yellow card. It's not that I wasn't aggressive. I was. I just never was flagrant. Except once.

Picture this, we're playing our biggest rivals (King High School) and I think the score is tied (Isn't funny, how this is NOT what I remember). My arm has been hurting because someone stepped on it. I really want to win, so my emotions are so high. We have a corner kick and I am standing in the penalty box being defended by a small little thing. Well, homegirl, decides to keep booty bumping me and I cannot move an inch without being accosted by this defender. So I just straight up take my arms and shove her away from me. Unfortunately, the referee saw this and I get a yellow card. And because when you get a yellow card in a high school game, you have to be subbed out, I just started running to the sideline. I remember my coach just looked at me and shook his head and smiled.

You see, yellow cards aren't really a terrible thing (unless you get too many - don't be stupid). It means that you are showing passion. I feel like I am such a fence sitter at life: Republican or Democrat? Who cares, why can't we just get along? Beach or Mountains? Well, they both are great, do I have to choose? What's your favorite food? Well, it depends on what day it is.

I wish I got more yellow cards playing soccer. But I always (well not always) played it safe. I was smart. I fouled just enough to get the ball. I think I also play it safe at life. I don't take risks. Even moving to Texas wasn't a terrible risk. I had a good set up to jump into. Don't get me wrong, its been hard because I miss my family terribly. But really, its not like I hitch hiked to South America with only a bag on my back (Yeah, I don't recommend taking that kind of risk).

I think we're supposed to take risks at life because otherwise, we don't know what we're capable of. So here's to taking more risks.