Cross Country

This Picture from: www.123rf.com

I've participated in sports my whole life.  I started playing basketball in kindergarden. I've played soccer, tennis, softball, golf, ran track, cross country, and I've probably missed some.  They've taught me so much.  I'm more confident because of athletics.  I have more determination to succeed.  I like to keep myself busy.  

My favorite sport has been cross country.  I absolutely love running.  Running clears my head.  After a bad day where nothing went right, or you are completely stressed out, running is a major stress reliever.  I prefer to run alone.  It's my alone time where I don't have to think.  I concentrate on my legs and everything around me.  I consider myself lucky.  I live in the middle of no where, so I'm not interrupted by many cars, or people looking at me.  Down the road from my house there are a few trails.  In my earlier post, I mentioned I like to hike and be outside.  To some, these may just be ugly openings in the woods, but to me they're beautiful.  I've seen so many types of birds, trees, plants, and yes, even snakes!  I'm slowly getting to where I can identify them rather easily.  I'll run back about five miles where there is an open field, sit or lay in the grass to catch my breathe, then head back home. 

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves...The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom.  No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.'  The human spirit is indomitable."
          - Sir Roger Bannister

Amazed by Animals

Picture from: Cornell University.com
I have felt a love for animals all my life. All of them amaze me. Not only mammals, but reptiles, amphibians, insects, just all of them. I want to learn everything possible about all animals. Discovering an unknown species would be the most amazing thing EVER! I used to think I wanted to be a veterinarian after high school, then a microbiologist, then a park naturalist, but now I'm leaning towards an ecology major.  I think you can judge a persons personality from how they treat animals.  I want to save, or make the environment better for all of them, everywhere. 

Music Is Endless

I've played piano for about 12 years now. I started taking lessons in kindergarden and stayed with it. I love the challenge of music. It is endless, there are never any boundries. Music is a part of me. I wouldn't be who I am today, if music weren't a part of my life.
Right now I'm trying to prepare myself for contest once again this year. Every year I participate in the Indiana Federation of Festivals program. This year I am entering in solos, hymns, duets, and sight reading. The past two years I've advanced in my solos to regional, but have come short of advancing to state. The first year I forgot my music for the judges to look off of. I had my music memorized and forgot to pick up a copy of it for them, so I was disqualified. Last year, I got the preforming times mixed up (it was central time, not eastern) and missed my district. This year I'm determined to advance to state. Third time's the charm, right?
This photo is from: Game Art At Speed.blogspot.com

"All As It Should Be"

Camping has always been an important part of my family. It's what we do to get away from everything and be together. We ride horses, swim, play tennis, ect., but my favorite has always been hiking. I love being alone with nature, it's so peaceful and beautiful. Hiking brings me closer to God. There are very few things I enjoy more than seeing and hearing all of His different creations.

"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be."- Ann Frank
Picture from Hike More.com