A little Maine Inspiration

I've been trying to run.  Really, I have.  But I keep getting migraines 20 minutes into the run.  Do you know it's really hard to motivate yourself to run when you know you can expect a migraine halfway through?  Truly, it is. 
But the Tri is this Sunday, so I've been pretty stressed out about it - to tears, actually.  It sucks to know you can do something - and really, REALLY want to do it - if it weren't for one stupid thing.  Thankfully, I've had a breakthrough.
I think the first part of the breakthrough was Sunday.  The entire Murray clan was in Gville for our annual family reunion/camping trip.  Matt, Cathy, and I took the kiddos hiking up Mt. Kineo for the first time.  This is mine and Matt's favorite spot in the entire world.  It has the most breath taking views you'll find anywhere.  Period.  It's only a mile hike, but the Indian Trail is a bit tough because you're actually doing a bit of rock climbing - but you're climbing up the side of the mountain so you have views of the lake the whole way up.  Stunning. Heavenly. Spiritual. This is where I'm home. This is where I'm most proud - of everything: me, my family, my hometown, my roots - everything.  Matt and I explained the history of the mountain to the kids. Ironically, it was the first time Matt & I had climbed it together.  (a little sibling bragging rights here: Matt had only ever done the easier Bridle Trail before while I'd only ever hiked the Indian Trial, so I had to lead - hehe.  He actually gave me props to our parents as being a great hiker!)  So this hike calmed me. Refocused me.
Today was the second breakthrough.  It's my first day without a migraine. Yesterday was my third day of PT for a shoulder/neck issue and my neck is feeling great.  I did some great stretches this morning, the weather is great, and I uploaded a new The Killers cd on my ipod.  I ended up running for 30 minutes non-stop and walked for another 40.  My run brought me by Bug Light and Spring Point, where I stopped to cool down and stretch a bit. I sat on a bench and just looked out over the ocean and let the breeze cool me down.  Such a gorgeous day.  Then I just walked around the park for a bit before I headed home on the Greenbelt Trail...which I happen to live right on!  I can't wait to do this tomorrow!! 
How did I get so  lucky that I get to take advantage of the beauty of Moosehead Lake AND the Atlantic Ocean and the lighthouses the go with it?  Seriously?

Gettin' Ready

Now that I'm (almost) moved into my apartment, it's time to start focusing on my new job.  I've spent the past two days working with my two new coworkers on developing our curriculum  at the K-8 level (the HS teachers are working on theirs and then we'll pull it together).  In the fall we all have to do a presentation tot he school board.  Nothing like be thrown right in to the thick of things.  Two weeks after school starts, I'll be in front of the school board explaining my curriculum - which I haven't had a chance to fine tune.  Oye.  No pressure. 
It was actually a really good two days, though.  Spending this time on the curriculum will help me in the next few weeks as I pull together my lesson plans.  Now I have a plan.  A map of what my expectations are and how to get there.  That's more than I had at my old school.  So that's good.  I also gave me two days to work with my two coworkers and get to know them a bit.  I got the keys to my room and my laptop.  I got my email address and got set up in the system.  So it was a good couple of days, and I feel more comfortable going into school this summer now.
Friday I head to Gville for the annual family reunion on the lot.  But when I get home, I'll start heading into school a couple days a week to really get situated so I'm prepared in the fall.  There's still so much to do, but suddenly it's not so overwhelming.
Bring it.

Growin' Up

I am currently sitting by myself in my very own apartment, drinking a glass of Malbec, watching Confessions of a Shopaholic.  Let me focus your attentions on the words "my very own apartment".  Yes...I am a big girl now.  No more living with the parental units.  YIPPEE.

Only...I'm kind of a scaredy cat, so I'm a bit nervous. For realzies, man. And I have about 30 episodes of Criminal Minds playing through my head.  And I keep wondering why the last tenant wasn't here for very long.  And while I was taking a (very much needed ) shower, I kept waiting for a serial killer to tear the shower curtain off to the music of  Psycho.  And I have a feeling I'm going to sleep with every light in my apartment on.

Oh yes...I'm a big girl now.

Criminal Mind

I have recently discovered Criminal Minds.  I'm a bit shocked I haven't been watching this from the very beginning because A. it's a crime show and B. the early years starred Mandy Patinkin, whom I adore.  Regardless, I think in the past few weeks, I'm about caught up, thanks to numerous marathons on ION, AE and good ol DVR. (and clearly no life).
Other than becoming even more of a homebody than I already am, this show has had another dangerous effect (affect?  I never get that one right) on me.  The other day I went running on a new (new to me) bike path.  I'm always nervous running on a new path by myself, but due to the insane amount of hours spent catching up on the BAU (Behavioral As I was running, I saw a little girls bike randomly parked near the woods.  Curious.  I slowed down to a slower pace and began looking around a bit - no one else was on the path with me.  I took my headphones off so I could listen for sounds as I scoped the woods while I ran.  I noticed a man walking leisurely towards me and noted everything about his appearance.  I finally decided to turn back because I had seen a cop parked on the side of the road.  And I thought there is no reason this bike should be parked on the edge of the woods by itself.  I kind of knew I was being ridiculous, so I just jogged my regular pace back, but I just kept thinking that if something was wrong, I would feel horrible if I hadn't done something.  As I got close to my car, I saw two other girls my age on bikes.  I stopped them to see if they knew anything and they had seen a family ahead of them with a little girl and saw them park the bike b/c the girl was tired.  So all was good, and I would've felt ridiculous if I'd gone to the cop and said something....
But - wouldn't you do the same thing?  Would you have taken a chance on a little girl being in danger and let it be?  Or would  you have said something to the cop just in case?  It sucks that I'm such a paranoid person b/c I know I overreact sometimes, but I can't help it! 
Anyway...all is good. But I'm kind of thinking that when I move into my new apartment - by myself - I may have to give up my new found Criminal Minds.  Boo.