Are You There God? It's Me, Dawn

This past weekend, after sitting in mind-numbing heat at a track meet, my family joined another for lunch.

The subject of my niece's clumsiness came up, and as can only happen with family, the subject of my clumsiness came up. 

People who know me now, know the athletic Dawn.  The Dawn that can walk down (and up!) a set of stairs without injury.  The Dawn that can navigate a hallway without ramming into it.  The Dawn that can cut a slice of cheese without requiring stitches shortly thereafter.

Oh, but back in the day.  *shakes head*

I think that's why I've been able to excel in sports (I mean, once I stopped falling over everything).  I had such a high tolerance for pain after (continuously) falling down (and up!) stairs, falling off of my bike, cutting myself, getting stuck on fences, and various other calamities. 

So yes, dear brother, there's still hope for your awkward daughter. 

The Hillsong United concert was amazing! They sang old stuff as well as a couple of their new songs.

Beyond the music (which was just off the chain), it was awesome to see so many people there to praise God. I think the building holds 18,000 people and it was packed. The only open seats were behind the stage, so I'd guess there were between sixteen and seventeen thousand people there.

I'm such a sap, because I get all misty thinking about how God must have been soaking it up. Up there sitting on His throne watching us jump around, hands lifted, praising Him.

I'm reading Revelation now (which is a tough read, I've been wearing out my Matthew Henry on this one!) and I'm in chapter seven which is right before the last seal is opened. What stood out to me was how they praise God up in heaven: "blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever."

In song after song, all of us at that concert last night said those very things to God. We were on one accord--united, if you will, in our praise of God.

Last, but not least.  Here's the final installment of 100 things about me:

 

69. I wear contacts and glasses.
70. But I prefer glasses.
71. My dad played D1 football in college.
72. My brother ran D1 track in college.
73. I played D1 volleyball in college.
74. My dad served in Vietnam.
75. He’s surprisingly normal after that experience.
76. My mom is an only child.
77. I think that’s why she had two.
78. She’s a fabulous cook.
79. I do my own mani/pedi because I’m cheap.
80. But I do get my eyebrows done.
81. I always travel with my laptop.
82. And my iPod.
83. I enjoy cleaning.
84. I like the way it smells when you’re finished.
85. I also like the lines the vacuum leaves.
86. I don’t like country music.
87. But I love old school R & B.
88. I really like alternative and rock as well.
89. I don’t really like rap and hip hop.
90. I think Tom Brady is amazing looking.
91. I think Alex Rodriguez is better looking than Derek Jeter.
92. David Carr goes to my church.
93. I hope Barry Bonds just quietly retires.
94. I’m sick of hearing about him.
95. I wish Al Gore had been this personable when he was running for president.
96. I think I’m too serious sometimes.
97. I think I have a deep voice.
98. I wonder what people think of me.
99. I’m a people pleaser.
100. I like lists.
 

Disclaimer: I'm not going to buy this because I'm saving...just thinking out loud.

I like this dress:

And these shoes instead of the ones they have the model wearing:

What do you think? Cute huh?

After two weeks, I'm home.

Whew! 

Nothing like being away to make me appreciate how nice it is to be home. 

Here's more about me!

 

33. I always forget to take my vitamins.
34. I’ve had dreadlocks for six years.
35. I cut them every summer.
36. I take care of them myself.
37. I’ve lived in Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Arizona, New York, and Texas.
38. New York has been my favorite so far.
39. I coach volleyball, soccer, and track.
40. I go to Lakewood Church.
41. I’m a prayer partner there.
42. I recycle.
43. I love ice cream.
44. I eat it every day.
45. I really like sunflower seeds, almonds, and pecans as snacks.
46. I’m a big fan of Chinese dumplings.
47. I like independent movies.
48. I would like to live overseas.
49. I want to adopt a child one day.
50. I love sudoku.
51. I think I’ll be a good wife and mother.
52. I’m afraid of divorce.
53. I like to bake.
54. Cookies are my specialty.
55. I was an English major in college.
56. With a minor in French.
57. I went to France the summer before I started at Madison.
58. I had a fabulous time.
59. I’d like to go back.
60. I think Canada is wonderful.
61. I’m pretty sure that I could live there.
62. I like salsa music.
63. I don’t know how to speak Spanish.
64. I think I should learn though.
65. My grandma passed away six years ago.
66. That was really hard.
67. She had Parkinson’s.
68. My favorite memory is spending all my New Year’s Eves with her.

SportsCenter is showing stories about kids who've been sick that are getting a chance to meet their favorite athletes through the Make A Wish Foundation.

Two words: uncontrollable sobbing. 

I'm in a hotel in Austin, because I'm meeting my mother, brother and his family here tomorrow.

I was super tired after camps, so I've slept the afternoon away...then I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I look like crap! I'm pretty sure I physically recoiled when I saw myself.

Seriously.

Red, puffy eyes...it's not a good look.

This is why teachers get so many days off during the year. Our job doesn't allow for bad days. No spacing out on the Internet while "working". We've always got to be upbeat, motivating, and positive. That's draining, I tell ya.

It's not just a job where you deal with people everyday. Teachers are charged with getting the best out of people and that requires a lot of mental (and physical as a coach) effort.

Nevertheless...I love my job! I love the tangible results of seeing a child do something that they couldn't do before. I love seeing them start to believe in themselves.

What I don't love? Scaring myself with how icky I look.

So I look at other blogs and they all have "100 things about me" lists.  I like reading them, but they're super long.  So I've decided to break mine up into three different entries.  Enjoy!

 

1. I was born in Michigan.
2. In the same city that they make Kellogg’s cereal.
3. But I don’t like cold cereal.
4. I have one brother.
5. He’s six and a half years older than me.
6. He’s been married ten years and has two kids.
7. I am unmarried.
8. I have no children.
9. I went to college at the University of Wisconsin.
10. I played volleyball there.
11. If I were 18, I’d pick the same college all over again.
12. I have long arms and fingers.
13. I wear size 11 shoes.
14. I’m 5’9”.
15. My legs are too long for my body.
16. I like wearing heels.
17. I don’t wear shorts in the summer, only skirts.
18. I really like Banana Republic, J. Crew, and the Gap.
19. I also like Ann Taylor a lot.
20. But I don’t really like shopping.
21. I enjoy writing Bible studies.
22. I love reading (books, newspapers, magazines).
23. My first boyfriend was White.
24. My last boyfriend was a Black Republican.
25. I’ve dated men from Ghana, Nigeria, Jamaica, and Poland.
26. And of course the States.
27. I really like working out.
28. I used to run road races all the time.
29. I still run about 12-15 miles each week.
30. I love lifting weights.
31. I can leg press over 500 pounds.
32. I can squat more than my weight.

More to come later! 

Yeah, I think it's safe to say that I'm in a bad mood.

I snapped at another coach...but he totally deserved it! (really!)

I suggested to some campers that perhaps they'd be happier (and much more successful!) playing field hockey or running cross country.  I mean, because volleyball obviously isn't their strong suit.  I didn't say that last part.  Wanted to, but didn't.

All before 5 pm.  There's still a lot more day left.  Stay tuned.