Starting Block

My life always seems to be in a constant restart, whether it comes to relationships, work or personal goals, I feel as though I am rarely progressing but rather hitting the refresh button. After sitting at my computer for entirely too long and facestalking, blog hopping and reading the news, I have realized I have gotten myself into this cycle of blah. I start something new and I get real excited about it and then eventually I fail to continue with the project, relationship, job or goal. WTF, more importantly, what is wrong with me? I have been a person who has made a majority of decisions based upon fear. Fear of failure, fear of loss, fear of what others think, fear of success. Who in their right mind fears success...I do, because then the expectations are that you will do bigger and better. And well, let's be honest, bigger and better is a lot of hard work, when there are so many happy hours and social situations that need to be attended. I think I have pretty much summed up my generations issues, we want it ALL, but do I really need to work that hard to get it? YES, you dummy. So how do I get it all without sacrificing all the things that I have. That's the rub. Then I think about it and I still crave to make my mark in this world and in peoples lives, however, I am completely at a loss for what that should be, or how I should even get started. I have contemplated many options, all of which include me drinking massive amounts wine and binging on of lots of cheese and bread. When I think about the things that I love and the things that I am good at, I get a little frustrated because there are not many jobs or life plans that include being a wino teacher traveler blogger fashionista dancer. If you see any jobs with those listings included...holler at me. I also know that I don't have to find a job that is all those things, but I would like to find one that allows me to pursue those interests....plus the million more that I have swimming and brimming over the edge of my mind.

I am not going to make any plans for now, I need to chew on this for a moment. But I thought I would let you in a bit. And also I am calling on all of you to help me to figure out what the world needs(or what you need) and how I can fill that need. 

I do, however, look forward to many more years of misadventures.

Till next time...just hit refresh,

APK

AHEM!!

If you have not been paying attention to my blog...well....I don't blame you. I have been absolutely horrible and keeping up with this thing. Part of me has been toying around with the idea of a more specific blog...so that I can try to make money off of it. I am still thinking about all the things that I want it to be. But for now, you are going to have to put up with my atrocious grammar(thank God for spellcheck) and my crazy.

I am currently nestled in one of my favorite coffee shops(its my favorite because the cute Barista flirts with me, oh man, am I predictable), updating my blog while I contemplate what to pack for my trip to Oakland to visit one of my old college roommates Jess.  This is she...love every minute of her.

As roommates, we kinda failed. As grow women with separate lives, we rock!! Every time that we get to catch up I am constantly amazed at how wonderful she is and how much I want to be her. I am confident that I I will get messy in the garden with her this weekend, as well as, share time laughing about all the things that connect us plus process our futures. I am super excited...I hope we ride bikes too.

This is my pre-Spring Break Post, I will hit you up with the post-post later. Till then, keeping pondering on what else can come out of this head and into your world.

GIDDY UP,
APKilla

MisMatched

I have a particular OCD, I call it OCD primarily to be clever ecause I know real, honest OCD is heart-breaking. My particular itch is matching, head to toe, inside to outside. Most of the time it looks a lot like matching my shoes with a particular accessory, or socks to underwear, or jewelry. My dear, lovely friend Ali calls me matchy-matchy, to which she is extremely correct. I feel good when I have planned an outfit that goes together and shows my fashion savvy. When I don't match, I feel as though something is a little off. I can still function but I usually wish I had done laundry. Time to draw the parallel to my heart and the state of affairs there. So I feel completely mismatched, I know that I am happy with my life, where I am going and the new things coming down the pipe BUT....my feelings aren't matching up. I feel sad. This feeling comes up every so often and I often share it with the world. I feel sad because I crave more than I have. I want the love of a man, the comfort of a home, security of a savings account and satisfaction of a life lived to full potential. So as I sit here, off of one of the best weekends in a long time, I will embrace the sadness and also choose to see my reality.

My reality: 

I am happy because of the freedom if singleness, a job that I love(and my needs covered), people who love me and a full life ahead of me, ready to reach all its potential. I am finding that life, as matchy-matchy as I would like it, has a bit of accessories that may not match the shoes, but complement them in a new way that draws people in to take a closer look. I am going to step out into life with my favorite shoes and just hope that life's accessories draw me in to take a closer look: at who I am, who I will be and what adventures I will take...and be satisfied with the state of affairs inside and out.

My clutch may match my heels, but I am aiming to try something new, so please have grace with me. And please tell me when I am making a complete idiot of myself: fashion or otherwise.

MisMatchy-Matchy,
APK

Its time....

I am not good at setting goals. Part of me wants to get it all done today, and the other part wants to ignore it all. As I sit at City o City, I am struck with my longings to be better. What does better even mean? Well, to me, it means something that is good and healthy. So how do I move from where I am to better? Let's take a look at my life goals and maybe we can come up with some(not too many) projects/goals for this year.

Life Goals:

• Family(husband, kids?, immediate, close friends)
• Participate in Colorado Education Policy
• Be connected to a community of Christians
• Travel the World
• Learn a foreign language
• Be creative
• Put healthy things into my mind, body and soul
• Teach kids
• Seek adventure
• Be Honest
• Be/feel strong

So, these are a few life goals, let's now break down into smaller yearly goals.

• FAMILY: 

2012 GOAL- say yes to invitations[put myself out there, be around different people], finish my time with eHarmony strong, continue to spend time with mom, bro and dad/stepmom(Once every 2 weeks). I have made a list of the friends that I want to reconnect with and continue to build relationships with.(that is a secret, as not to offend anyone)

• Learn a Foreign Language:

2012 Goal- Take Classes at Morey, starting in Feb.

• Put Healthy things in my Mind, Body, Soul:

2012 Goal- No SODA!, eat 5 vegetables and fruits daily, no red meat, 32 oz of water, green tea instead of coffee(3x a week), Do something active for 20 minutes everyday. Read 10 books this year. Listen to NPR(3x a week). Prayer(4x a week, at least 5 minutes). Find a church by March and go consistently.

Those goals seem attainable this year. I know that we don't touch on all my life goals, but heck they are life goals, so I have some time. I am hopeful that this will be great, I have no evidence to show why I feel that way...just a feeling

FIYA, FIYA, FIYA

For those of you who think that I am an amazing teacher and can do no wrong, I am here to set the record straight...I have no problems with accidentally setting off the fire alarm and sending two schools into a tailspin of chaos.

About 1 week ago I had a student knock the fire alarm with a tennis ball,usually this just sets it off in the gym and once you pop the screen back on it goes off. Not this time...Miss Ashley in her infinite wisdom, fiddled(technical term) with the device only to pull the wrong button and set off the alarms, lights and general mayhem. I was so embarrassed and tried to tell Gil (the campus security) that it was all my fault. Gil said "We still need to leave." He looked pissed, and I don't blame him. My thought was that we would head outside and then immediately head back inside....no such luck. I faintly heard the bells and whistles of the fire truck...well shoot dang. We spent 20 minutes outside in the 30 degree weather trying to wrangle 30 sixth graders in and stop them from throwing snow balls at each other. At this point all my students knew it was me that set the alarm off. I ran into the principal afterwards and I did not have the heart to tell it was me...the school was in chaos mode, kids everywhere. I was sure I was going to get fired on the spot. Oh jeez, it was an experience and the worst part was that I did not even get to give my number to any of the firemen. It was a totally wasted fire alarm, I will never do that again.

Sometimes smoke means fire, sometimes alarms go off because of me.

APK

New Year = New Post

Where to begin, where to begin?

Well, I guess the best place is where I left off.

I left you with a picture of a woman full of joy and excited about the future. I am not much changed from that woman. I have had a few bumps in the road-rowdy sixth graders, boyfriend gained and lost, holiday dramas, and one rocking fight with the broski.

Let's delve more into those topics, only because...because I want to. First of all, I love my new job, however I do not love all of my students. I teach 2 classes filled to the brim with the most disrespectful and rowdy group of sixth graders ever. They as individuals are wonderfully sweet and smart, collectively they act like idiots. I am learning that they are more aware about how to be successful than I give them credit....to say the least I am learning a lot. I am learning how not to yell, which is hard when you have fields and gym space as your classroom. Though they drive me crazy 90% of the time, 10% of the time I delight in each one of them. My only wish is that they would keeps their hands to themselves...good Lord, the hormones. Which brings me to the next bump.

Yes, boys and girls, I had my very first boyfriend. His name was Chris and he was a wonderful person. I will tell you that we broke up after 3 months, but his impact on me will last much longer. I am not sad about the break up, we were just too mismatched. I am sad that we weren't better matched because he showed me how I deserve to be pursued, treated and cherished. I learned so much of what I want from a relationship that I feel better prepared for the next one who is willing to step up to the plate. If Chris ever reads this I hope he is encouraged to be exactly who he is, because the right girl will love all of it...I just wasn't the right girl. Sadly, I did not get to spend NYE with him...yet another NYE without special kisses.

I will tell you this day in and day out...holidays(Xmas in particular) usually suck. Being a product of divorce I will always be pulled in multiple directions and this year was particularly bad because my partner in crime(brother Max) was out of the country and I had not one person who understood the shit we go through. To say the least I was a freaking basket case for a week, cried every day(and I rarely cry). I think the separation anxiety that I experienced was because brother bear and I had a huge fight prior to him leaving for a month...we have yet to talk and resolve the situation. I feel so horribly sad about it. I know that we will figure it out and we will be better for it. I love the manchild.

((sigh))

I am looking forward to the new year and the new things around the bend. I will be writing about my new goals but here is a teaser about some of them: new living stitch, "independently healthy", adventures in dating, working hard for the money and you might be seeing me soon.

To all the joy and happiness that I will get to dive into this year,

APKillin' it Daily

Feeling Special

I have often heard the phrases "You get back what you put out", "Karma's a Bitch", "What goes around comes around"....I struggle to trust these most days, but I have found myself in a place in life where it seems that good begets good. The more joy that flows out of me seems to be returned, and with more added into the bucket. The best visual that I could give you is of a woman happily carrying buckets of water down the dusty road. The buckets/containers seem to be resting on every limb available, overflowing with most refreshing water. Often the water gets all over the woman, sometimes it gets all over the people around her. I feel like this woman, just hoping that this very life giving feeling spills off of me onto those around me.

To go into further detail, I have recently acquired a career-type job with a career-type salary. I feel hugely blessed to have been given the opportunity to pursue that which I am good at, as well as, getting to do something that I feel is important and full of impact. We have all heard me talk about teaching and how much I crave to be used in that arena of life...And all my hard work is beginning to pay off. I will be teaching in DPS(Denver Public Schools) and hopefully getting to work alongside some great teachers to improve the physical fitness of our local kiddos.

In addition, I will be continuing to stay involved with Cafe 180 by being their blogger, I hope to have more information on that in the next couple weeks.

I have no misconceptions that this next couple months is going to stretch me in ways that are uncomfortable, but the aim is embrace the pain that comes along so that I can operate in new ways that continue to fill up my buckets so that I may be that woman that I envision, walking happily spilling out joy, goodness, honesty, brokenness and life.

So for more on the good, bad and the ugly....give me a ring and let's chat. There are a couple more things going on that I would love to share with you...

Floating...

APKilla

Here are a few pics from the BEST WEDDING EVER, the bride wanted the coveted position within the Top Five Wedding List. Keys to her victory we people, location, free...everything, and marrying her best friend. Way to go team.

The lovely bride, drinking her favorite, MichGoldenLite....stay classy

New friends, exactly why weddings are the best, thanks team.

Just Call me Captain

Mr. Max Kelemen, posing in his best Boswell, hair club for men pose.

Low expectations, High hopes

This past week a great opportunity was presented to me, a job opportunity to work with a company that would work with 14 schools in the Denver Public Schools. Up until this point I had decided that I was going to put off the teaching career till next fall, at which point I would take a four month trip abroad to see 8 countries. I was excited at the possibility of travel, adventure and independence. But as life would have it, and it always gets it way, I interviewed with SportXcel yesterday and I might be pursuing a teaching job after all. It has happened real quickly and I am obviously excited about the opportunity. I am particularly excited because it will also allow me to keep my other two jobs(kinda) and allow me the opportunity to still travel next summer. I know that I can't have it all but I am getting the feeling that I am on the cusp of getting most of what I want.

With all that said there is still a lot of expectations that need to be managed...I haven'y gotten the job yet. And as much as I think I would be a great asset to their program, they might not. Sooooo, I am hoping to get the job not expecting it.

For those of you whom have been going through this process with me these past couple days, thank your for your support, prayers and best wishes.

hopefully WINNING,

APKilla

Its time for an update...

Well people,

an entire summer has passed since I last blogged. As I look back on the last blog I realize that you might not have wanted to come back for a visit...who would, I was Debbie Downer. But since that blog, and off a recent wedding, I can say that good things are in the mix. As we approach Fall(my favorite of the seasons) I am excited to talk about the things that are going on in my life...some of them minor, but still good things.

For starters I am currently working at a non-profit called Cafe 180 as a volunteer coordinator, I have been enjoying most moments there and feel as though my skills are being put to use. However, I am still working at the WPG, and I am glad to have a job where I can make good money quick and still have tons of freedom. I am also looking into other opportunities to pursue some stuff in the teaching field. So, all in all, the job stitch isn't ideal but overall I am loving it.

I am still living in the Congress park area in an apartment by myself, the price is still right and I am never there anyway. Ideally, I would love to be living with a good friend for around the same price but as life would have it I am still standing strong in independence city.

Summers in Colorado have a way of helping me realize how absolutely lucky and blessed I am. I have had plenty of time in the sun, plenty of time spent with lovely people, plenty of good food and wine and plenty of plenty. I have made more friends this summer than I have in a long time, and they have been the type of people that I hope to be friends with for a long time to come. I have gone to 2 top 5 weddings that have made me realize how lucky I am to have friends that want me to share in one of the most joyous moments of their lives. I don't want to keep going on about how great my friends are, but for those of you who read this regularly and know me well...you know that I absolutely don't deserve you all...but now that we have each other let's make a good run at it.

I am looking forward to a fall filled with more friendships, more epic memories, more moments filled with hope, more time with family, more time pursuing truth and honesty in my life. To sum up the summer...EPIC. The marker of this summer is for sure the fruits of friendship...laughter, tears, playing, listening, talking and sharing life.

Thanks for reading and catching up...I am hoping to post some pictures of this summer so that you can put a visual to what I have been talking about.

Till next time,

APKilla

Put on a happy face...

I love me a good wedding. I love the general splendor of watching the event unfold, hearing stories, laughing, eating and dancing. The phrase "eat, drink and be merry" cannot be more true of why I love weddings. I have had the great pleasure of attending lots of blessed events and have even been asked to participate in a few. When I get an invite in the mail something magical happens in me...blame it on our crazy wedding culture, but I get to thinking about the setting, the decorations, the new friends I will encounter and the old ones I will laugh with. I get to pick out another dress that will make me feel lovely and noticed, I get to envision the bride and groom standing hand in had(preferably crying), I get to imagine the music that will be played and inevitably get me to the dance floor. Those are the things that I think about prior to a wedding.

Over the past 6 months, however, I have developed a slight bitterness toward the wedding, not the people but wedding itself. It isn't the general splendor that I distaste or the cheap wine. It is the experience that isn't shared...shared with someone who loves. I wasn't quite sure about this feeling till a friend who is married asked me about it. I think I came up with some bullshit answer to deflect the question....but the truth is, I would love to be sitting next to my honey while vows are being read, tears shed, and slow dances to be danced. I don't say these things because I am a loner at weddings, I do quite well actually. I have been known to lead "Thriller", give a spectacular toast and generally be part of the life sustaining the party. So this ache doesn't come from being ignored, it comes from trusting that I am wonderful and waiting for someone to see that.Weddings seems to have the ability of getting at that particular ache of mine.

I will always and forever be that woman who loves a good wedding and I will rally through the sadness that it might bring out, but for now I am a lady in waiting. Waiting for my prince to come(I am in Hollywood now, so prince seemed appropriate), waiting for the next time I get to be with my friends at a wedding, waiting for the ache to be gone, waiting for my special slow dance.:)

Those of you who might read this and remember me at your wedding or are envisioning me at your future wedding, the only thing that I can share with you is that I loved it, I love you and I that I "ate, drank and was merry".

Patience is a virtue...I am finding myself to be quite virtuous.

AshleyPaige

NU THANG

So, a couple posts ago I briefly talked about a new thing...well, I stumbled on this youtube video and it really encapsulates what I meant, right down to the M.C. Hammer pants and the running man, YES PLEASE!!!

2 Fast 2 Furious

Now that we have established a relationship here, I feel as though it might be time to share some of my dark secrets with you....that aren't that dark or that secret, just a bit shameful. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am talking about my like for the Fast and Furious series of movies. Truth be told I have not seen 3 or 4, but last night I indulged my curiosity by going to FAST FIVE(insert best high velocity deep voice). I had planned on going to see this movie once the hype was past during a matinée, probably in the middle of the week...by MYSELF. This plan was suppose to keep my like(I don't say love, b/c I don't love them, just like alot) a secret, plus explaining why I like such a silly thing was something I wasn't prepared to do. Much to my dismay(or should I say benefit) I was invited to go with a much of friends last night. The group was mostly comprised of men(surprising I know), but I was happy to step out of the shame and embrace my fellow lover of the uber cheesy car movie. Now that I no longer have to live in the dark, I will happily share with you why I like/love these movies.

Since it was the fifth movie, I will give you five reasons:

1. Paul "the hotness drips from me" Walker

2. At some point there be a moment when I actually say out loud..."This sh*t is unbelievable...but I love it."

3. Someone will inevitably mention something about being a family...even though only two of the people are related

4. Hot Bodies, Hot Cars, Hot BBQ's and Bad Guys

5. They are epicly cheesy and horribly acted but it is awesomely entertaining

Those are a few of the reasons to watch the movies...

I trust that you won't go pay money to see it, shoot I wouldn't either(someone paid for my ticket last night...bonus), but I think if we don't watch a cheesy dance movie together I might suggest something from the Fast and Furious franchise...as shameful as it might be.

I love this life...

APKilla(that is what they would call me if they ever cast me in any future movies...fingers crossed)

A new thing

In the past few weeks things have been stirring in my life. I have been ask to help out at this cafe as an assistant volunteer coordinator. This particular cafe helps feed those who can't afford a meal. I have had a handful of experiences there already that have made me remember that this year is about seeking joy. When I get a chance to give a healthy, satisfying meal to a man who hasn't eaten in three days, something inside of me says thank you Jesus....thank you for providing for me, thank you that I get the chance to share my life with good people and thank you for opportunities to not focus on myself. And though I am still working at the Washington Park Grille and not teaching I am evaluating what I really want to do next. YES, getting a real job and paying down my debt and students loans sounds appealing, so does working real hard for the next 12 months so that I can travel for 6 months. So the question is, how can I do a little of both. Thoughts of moving home with my Mom has crossed my mind, but I just can't justify living in Niwot when my life is in Denver. So, the goal in the next couple of months is to figure out how I can live more cheaply than I am now and how I can make more money than I am now. Sounds like an easy equation but in all honesty I don't want to sacrifice my freedom....I want my cake and to eat too. Another thing that I am excited about is that I will be watching a coworkers son one day a week. I am real excited about this because Avon(the kiddo) is absolutely adorable and I get to help the mom and dad out(bonus!)

To say the last year has been great would be an absolute lie, but what I have learned about myself in the process has been invaluable.

Summer in the city is here and to say that this chick is excited is an understatement....it is positively my favorite time in Denver. I cannot wait to share my adventures with you. Stay dialed in.

A new thing is here,

APK

Brotherly Love...Adventures in

As most of you know I spent the last weekend in the city of Brotherly Love. I am happy to say that the love was felt, but I did not fall in love with any brothers. I spent the weekend in good conversation, good food and good old fashion fun. I went to Philadelphia to visit three of a my favorite people in the whole wide world: Amy and Caleb Nothwehr and Janelle Anema. I think a play by play of the weekend might leave you sleeping face down on your computer with drool covering your keyboard, so I will give you the highlights...bulleted(because I am being lazy)

-Dinner @ Earth, Manakeesh, and the Nothwehrs.

-Cheesesteaks @ Carmines @ Reading Station

-Watching "Grown Ups", the movie was not a highlight, but that we watched it(period)

-Cartwheels in the Constitutional Mall(belly laughs)

-NERTS(Z)

-Watching Amy/Cindy rock the soccer field

-Dios te Bendigas

-Continual Conversation with Janelle till 2 in the morning

-Girl talk Luncheon

-Mtg new peeps

-MATT WERTZ!!!!!!

I am thankful for the time that I got to spend with these people, I realized how much JOY that they bring me and the freedom that their friendship affords me. I am also thankful for the people that have taken care of them in my absence, I feel like a proud mama watching her children grown up and do the things that they are created to do.

I trust that the good Lord takes cares of us in specific ways and I got to see how He is doing that with my friends. Life is truly blessed when you can laugh about goobery singer/songwriters and get lost and end up in Jersey.

Wishing for more times like this,

APK

Girl, Interrupted..grrr.

Yoga...a break from reality and a destination that I so commonly crave. Corepower Yoga...expensive but totally worth the dolla dolla bills, especially on a Monday night with the gloriously sexy and nice yoga instructor. We will call him hot sexy yogapants(only because I don't want anyone to rat me out to him). Not only is Hot sexy yogapants everything his title claims but he is actually a pretty decent instructor. I enjoy going to his class for multiple reasons, first being HIM, second being that it is usually beginners who are learning and improving and lastly because I can come in whatever condition and work it out on the mat. That is why I love my Monday night. I must admit that I started going because a friend told me about Hot sexy yogapants, and I keep going because of him and the workout I get. I must also admit that sometimes he makes me very nervous and sometimes I giggle like a third grader with a crush when I see him in upward dog...((sigh))...nothing else to say about that. Let me get to the point of my story.

This Monday I had to work but I got off extremely early and was able to rush over and get in some mat time. Everything was going as normal, then I glanced over to my right and saw a little yogi(I think she was an instructor), I normally check out the crowd just to see if, duh, there are any other cute, sexy yoga men there. But as we are getting into the flow this little yogi keeps grabbing my attention, which, of course is not the point...but sister kept doing harder moves and bending like a fricken pretzel that I was starting to get competitive. Also, not the point. Let's get real here...if you rock at yoga you should be going to more advanced classes to get the most out of the practice, you should not be coming to beginning level classes to show off. I don't mind the advanced yogi dropping in to get back to basics but please don't be doing handstands to show off how cool you are. To say the least I was distracted, and I felt like telling this little yogi..."Go bend yourself in half in another class, please(trying to keep with the yoga spirit)", but I proceeded with the flow.

NOW: Some self realization:

My intention was to feel strong and I left feeling defeated. My problem, alas, lies in my need to compete with others and the need to do things well. So when I saw little yogi knocking it out of the park I got jealous that I wasn't rocking it. Instead of showing myself no judgment, I let myself get caught up with the things that I go to yoga to get freedom from...boo.

My behind is real sore because of the whole ordeal...maybe a reminder that it isn't about the B.S. that I made it about. Still giggled a butt, I mean a bit.

Interrupted, unintentionally

APK

Survival Skills

As a single woman in Denver, Colorado I have had to develop some survival skills, so that I don't become a victim. The skill that I like the most and use most frequently is the Single Woman Karate Kick. You must be wondering how this karate kick differs from the rest of the karate kicks in martial arts, well...frankly, the only difference it that SWKK only makes contact with inadament objects, such as doors and....mainly doors. The reason that this particular kick has been added to my repertoire of survival skills is that it allows for multiple levels of multitasking. Let me tell you how I get to utilize this skill. The scene goes as follows...

Young woman has entirely too much clothing for one individual, thus she is able to put off doing laundry for multiple weeks. In her infinite wisdom she has divided her clothes up in the various different loads and loaded them into the basket AND laundry bag(yes kids it takes two carrying devices) and proceeds to head out the door to the laundry mat. In her arsenal of tricks she holds the Single Woman Karate Kick, but as she has already used her brain(another survival skill...use of brain, not popular with attracting the shallow men but is a must for survival, sorry boys this one is a smart cookie) to prop open the door she must carry the weight or her wardrobe speedily to her car. Shoot dang, the door is closed and alas she must drop the loads of dirty clothing on the ground, she was desperately hoping to avoid this situation. Once the clothing is safe in the coche(Spanish for car) she drives the five blocks to encounter another stitch in which she might become a victim, but then again our heroine has something else up her sleeve. As she approaches the front door of the laundry mat she performs the "Lean against the wall with laundry basket between, using one arm to swing the door wide open then wedge body in between door and wall as to create the opening to enter", which she performed with elegance and grace that the Russian Judges gave her a 10. As time slowly passed and our leading lady wrote another blog and facestalked, the laundry got clean and folded. The only thing left to do is to pack up the fresh smelling clothes and head home. If you thought our favorite woman had made it home without travail you would be mistaken...there was one more obstacle in her way...THE FRONT DOOR. For many years the front door has posed a problem for single women carrying more than they should all over the world. This stitch is the exact reason the Single Woman Karate Kick was created...so our most lovely lady prepares with the "Lean against the wall, using one arm to swing the door wide open then wedge body in between door and wall as to create the opening to enter", after unlocking the door she steadies herself and "FWAPOW" the right leg contacts the front door with ease to let our young lady in her apartment with as much ease as can be allowed with such a heavy load. Once the SWKK has performed and clothes are safely put away the Single lady rejoices that her tasks have been completed without her becoming a victim...of what you might ask...a victim of falling laundry baskets or the having to put them down to open the door.

Most days I never have to use the SWKK(can also be used when carrying groceries), and if I were ever attacked by an actual person I would be hopeless, but it has served me well and I envision it will serve me well when I have a family too.

Till the next adventure.

Just call me the Karate Kid,

APK

now i actually have to go pick up my laundry and head home. thanks for reading.

Running on Empty

I was trying to think of a song title that aptly describes my new foray into the wide world of running. running on empty seemed the most appropriate, only because I never want to go running, and thus it always seems hard to muster the energy. Nevertheless, I am getting it done, however, slowly.

Soooo, I have this goal of running the Bolder Boulder in under 70 mins, it calculates out to about 11 1/2 minute miles, so I ventured out on the streets of Denver on Monday for 70 mins...4 mins of which I think were actually spent running(no exaggeration). Am I frustrated with myself and my being utterly out of shape...you betcha. You might wonder how a physical education teacher might be so out of shape...well the answer my good friends is: LAZINESS. I hate running and it makes my body hurt, but I do think it has some benefit. So in my attempt to get in shape I am going to train to run the Bolder Boulder and I am purchasing a Corepower Yoga pass for the next three months. I don't want to confuse you by allowing you to think that I am focused on weight loss, because I am not, I just want my body to feel energetic, healthy and strong...if weight loss coincides with that endeavor, great. In the past few years I have wanted to deemphasize the focus on my body image and focus on being healthy. With that said I haven't weighed myself in 2 years...good or bad, and for that I am thankful because I have been able to pay attention to how I feel rather than what the scale says. Amen to that.

As I say these things out loud, I am looking for people to encourage me in these pursuits, as well as, help me combat the laziness that so easily creeps into my life.

Peace, love, and body aches and pains

APKiller

Rolling into the Deep

As some of you might know I love music and I derive much happiness from it. Lately I have been listening to old school favorites like Warren g's Regulators and I also have been listening to some new stuff...in particular Adele's Rolling into the Deep. I have found this song and its video very cathartic, it is a song that I can bump real loud and sing my heart out or sit quietly while I let the base and drums roll their beautiful rhythm over me. This song has brought me much joy since my friends Ozzy and B-Nasty introduced it to me. And as I sit in my local Dazbog while they throw some old school hip hop my way(snoop, bone thugs, and the like) I am thankful that people have the gift of song...because it brings dance, relief, release, redemption, grace and sets pace for my life. Thank you people of the musical breed, you have given a broken woman healing.

Please enjoy the following video and be moved to movement, physical or of the heart.

Peace, love and Beats,

APK

Reader Rabbit

Yesterday I picked up one of my old favorite books, The Red Tent, primarily because the other book I was reading sucked. I needed a distraction from the horrible writing and impossibly hard to understand plot and dove into the world of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob....it is biblical fiction and I RUV it. It took me 7 hours to read the entire book, four hours before work and three hours after work. It inspired me to finish this other book, not even worth mentioning because it was so bad. So in the past two days, instead of getting my pasty self outside in the glorious weather, I spent hours in my bed reading. I think I might have to take a break for the time being and put myself out there in the land of the living. I am however taking suggestions for epic tales to read during my upcoming trips to Philly and California.

In other news I have decided to run the Bolder Boulder with some friends, and thus begins my training for the 10k, I am in need of a slow running partner to keep me honest. My goal is to run the race in under 70 mins, so begins the journey. Have I told you that I hate running, I really do, but I need a goal, something to chase after(pun most definitely intended).

Peace, love and reading,

APK