Kilimanjaro

Some of you already know I'm traveling to Africa today to climb Kilimanjaro. This has been a bucket list item for me for at least a decade. The timing is never "right" -so I decided to just book it and GO. 

I've trained since January for this hike. Before that I was running races, weight lifting, and so on. Before that many mannnnyy moons ago I was a triathlete and bike racer, I swam in University, and other things. I'm NOT a spectacular athlete. I'm probably more likely "below average".  I say this not for pity, but to make a point. 

YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU SET YOUR MIND TO. 

PERIOD.

In High school I ran cross country- honestly I did it so I could eat junk food. I was the worst runner you can imagine-but it didn't phase me. Yes it was embarrassing and hurt my ego, but I got over it through runner's high. LOL It's true. 

Same for Swimming at University. I was not the best athlete, but I did give it EVERYTHING. EVERY SINGLE DAY.


I'm not special, I don't say all this to brag, or for you to think I'm awesome. I'm definitely not. It's so somebody out there might connect with these words, and know deep in their heart it doesn't matter how "good"you are-- it's what you put into it that really counts. 

I also live each day to the fullest I can muster. Some days that's crap. Some days it's awesome.

I'm a registered nurse, and worked in the Operating Room for years, before that about every specialty you can think of. Except pediatrics-that hurt my heart too much.  I have seen a lot, and I would never share these experiences unless asked.  

 I did a tour in Iraq in 2003-4 with the Army and that really changed my view on life BIG time. The Army is bare bones- I always tell people if you're not into "roughing it" don't go into the Army. Seriously. I slept on a cot, sweating my ass off for nearly a year. I was hungry the first six months. I cried A LOT.  We were bombed 94 nights in a row, including my first night in country and I threw up from anxiety. I thought we were going to die. When you live through that, it makes you really wake up and realize life is fleeting. It's not fair. It's too short. SO LIVE IT.

I love you all, my family and friends and the readers I don't know--I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH.  
I hope I'm successful in climbing Kili--but even if I'm not, 
the journey is worth it. 

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  - Lao Tzu

XOXO