Wind Song Journal

Life is getting very hectic for me. I have two classes at the College of San Mateo, and I’ve been training at the track and the climbing gym every day. Most days I have been exercising two or three times! I am also job-hunting in earnest, going to informational sessions and filling out applications at various organizations. In addition, I have quite a few medical appointments and obligations. It is great to be feeling well enough to do all these things, although it is a struggle to be fast-paced. Stacey, from Belmont

Denise, what cute news about Mia! Thanks for stopping by the site. I’m starting to have more energy, and things are getting more social now. I’m trying to eat more and gain some weight. Sunday night, I had dinner with Cindy and Guy. We had pork chops, shrimp, soup and corn. Monday, I had homemade pizza with Dave and Tuesday, burritos with Dave and Robin. Monday, I also started a computer class called Windows Fundamentals I, and spent the afternoon at the College of San Mateo. Tuesday, Rhona came over for gen mai tea (brown rice tea) and then we climbed together with Fitz. I tried some difficult overhang climbs and ended up resting a lot on the rope! I’m also doing a little speed climbing for aerobic exercise. It gets me breathing hard and opens up my lungs. Stacey, from Belmont

Karen, thank you so much for writing! I’ll be in touch with you the next time I go to the UU Church. I’ve been keeping busy lately. Wednesday, I met Greg, Ana and Isa to do stadium steps. I did 10 trips up and down, running 50 out of 80 stairs on the last one! Isa did 10 with a 25-lb backpack, training for their 8-mile backpacking trip this weekend. Thursday, I saw Vinita and Zenid at the gym again, and climbed mostly 5.10’s. Friday, I signed up for a badminton class at the College of San Mateo. It was fun. I’m going to take a computer class as well. Saturday, I met Greg and Mike at the track. We practiced running…I did a workout of 8 sprints within a mile of walking. Then we all did the long jump. I saw some improvement, but I have a long way to go! Today, Sunday, I walked the dish with Sharon. It is a 3.5 mile loop. At first, I didn’t feel like I could do it, because I was feeling tired, but Sharon is really good company and before I knew it, we were over halfway done and past the turning back point. It was beautiful as usual, with perfect weather, and we had the privilege of seeing a group of three deer grazing happily by the side of the trail. Stacey, from Belmont

Felix, its great to hear from you! It sounds like you are having fun on your trip. Rehab is going better. Yesterday, I met with Will Bowers at the track and he had me do lots of drills to improve running technique. We also did assessment tests, including the “Flying 30” and the standing broad jump. I climbed with Vinita and Zenid last night. It was really rewarding and challenging, because I have started to play on the 5.11’s. I am managing to get to the top with minimal cheating and some hang-dogging (resting on the rope.) Today, I am off to make copies of a resume so I can find a good part-time job, and I am going to swing by the community college to see if there are any interesting classes I can sign up for… On a spiritual note, a couple weeks ago I went to the Unitarian Church in Palo Alto. The topic of the sermon was “compassionate non-violent communication.” The speaker had us do an exercise in which we imagined someone we are having trouble with and, before lashing out in anger or giving the silent treatment, close our eyes and try to imagine what it must feel like to be the other person in this situation and to think of how we can act compassionate. Whew! Pretty tough task in most cases, but in cases like life-long family relationships, mighty important…in most cases, the relationships are worth saving. Stacey, from Belmont

Today had several encouraging moments. The first was waking up and not feeling tired, after a solid ten hours of sleep. The second, going to the track and practicing running with my friends Marty and Debra. I have cut off over a second on my 100m dash time already, and I think I could go faster, but I’ll have to work up to it. Third, I saw a job opening I am going to apply for…lastly, I am working on harder climbs in the gym now. I made it up a crimpy slab 5.10d (intermediate level)with three falls today. Even though I cannot climb them without falling, the harder climbs are fun and challenging because of the more complicated moves. Doing them is also building my finger strength back up again. Stacey, from Belmont

It was my housemate Dave’s birthday on Thursday, and I have been spending a lot of time with him this week. Thursday, I made chicken stir-fry with sweet rice wine (his favorite) and also organized a little birthday potluck for Friday with his best friends, Mark and Eva, at our house. Friday dinner was special…salmon marinated with lemon herb sauce, salad, rice, cous cous, sushi and birthday cheesecake. Afterwards, the three of them went climbing, but I went to bed as usual. Speaking of birthdays, today, Aug. 13th, is my niece Mia’s 1ST BIRTHDAY! Happy birthday, little one! Denise, give her a big hug and kiss for me! Stacey, from Belmont