..A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives...

The woman above is Linda Scheid, a woman of many hats: a Minnesota legislator, Park and Rec leader, teacher, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, employee of Macy's, peace corps volunteer, mentor, friend, among others. She passed away June 15th, and today was a celebration of her life.

I had the opportunity to work with Linda a number of years at Park and Rec in Brooklyn Park. I had no idea she was a MN senator until half way through my first summer. She was just a regular lady, who once I got to know, was hands down one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She is an inspiration, and sets a precedent of how I want to live my life. She lived a life of service for other people, and she did so with a smile on her face always, even throughout her battle with cancer. If only everyone had her sense of humor, courage, ability to care for others, and outlook on life...the world would be a better place. 

The world is a better place because Linda made a difference in it, I am a better person because she made a difference in me. There are little things I will carry on that remind me of her, like always bringing extra towels on water day at camp just in case some kids forget, or the idea that the beauty of children who have parents of different races is God's way of saying that it is meant to be that way.  Today, at the memorial service Governor Mark Dayton declared today, Linda Scheid Day in Minnesota. Heck, you have to be doing something right if when you pass away, the governor honors you with your very own day! 

 She was an amazing woman, who will be remembered always. Rest in Peace, Linda. 

 "...A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives..." Jackie Robinson

<3 

Hey stranger, it's been a while :)

I haven't posted in what seems like forever. Is it just me, or did June literally fly by? I have been so busy that I feel like I haven't been able to even think. It's insane that it's 4th of July weekend coming up. MAKE IT STOP!!

I just got back to my house yesterday, I was in Maple Grove dog sitting for the past week and some. A pup called Riley- a King Charles Spaniel...adorable, but needy. He liked to sleep on the pillow(that I slept on..while I was sleeping). Even though it was uncomfortable, he was just too cute to say no to. I'm a sucker for animals...especially dogs. It was kinda fun living in another house for a week, and gave me some quality insight to what having a dog would be like. As much as I want one, I think I need a few years before a purchase can be made.

Other than house sitting- I've been working like a mad woman. Park and Rec has been great- I'm the craft lady this year so I'm craftin it up like it's my job ;) Then I work at a salon part time, it's easy..my goal is to get good at painting my nails through the experience. Other than that...the job search is still on. Searchin high and low and trying to apply for jobs in the spare time I have. This whole transition time is putting my trust to the test.  Just have to keep applying, and keep on interviewing. I guess we'll see...but I'm not giving up hope yet!

John 3:16

Keeping it in perspective.

<3 

Here comes the sun

Cabin time on Memorial weekend with Alex, Pictures of Alissa's pups, Chloe's adorable baby cousin and Laura and I celebrating Memorial Day at Brit's Pup in Minneapolis :) I hope this weekend foreshadows what the summer is going to bring :)

<3 

I'm a big kid now...it's time to move mountains.

After 5 years and too many memories to count, I'm finally graduated. It's weird to be done, but exciting none the less-even more exciting to think about where I'll hopefully be in a year from now! 

Here are a few graduation weekend pictures :) 

I spent the first night with Jen and her little man Brody, whose my favorite 3 year old ever. 

 Graduation morning with Chloe! 

MN State Teachers College!

Marnie, Jen and Brody came to see me walk :) Start and finish with these ladies. 

The PFYers!

Happy Family :) Just wishing Tim could have been there too. 

Love them more than they know. Definitely owe a lot to these two- I'm pretty dang blessed to have such amazing parents. 

<3

Why so many choices!?

Before today, there was zero food in my house. So my roommate Beverly, (AKA..my mother) bribed me into going grocery shopping for the family. I just don't understand why there has to be so many varieties of microwaved popcorn, yogurt, coffee creamer or bread! I think the bread was probably the worst, and of course I had to search for a very specific, "Light-Oatmeal Bread..." 

I looked up and down the isles for coconut shreds, couldn't find them. My other roommate I'm sure will be upset (AKA, my sister) but I don't care, because I just couldn't handle it anymore! Before Africa, I used to love grocery shopping..and maybe when I'm shopping for items just for me again it will be fine. But today, it was overwhelming!  It makes me miss the simplicity of Africa. 

SO....after over an hour of putting items in the cart, walking up and down isles...and 150$ later, I'm done. Luckily I bought a Naked juice and made a salad from their salad bar as a congratulatory lunch after such an exhausting trip.

Woof...time for a nap. 

<3 

Running, it's contagious.

2 Timothy 4:7   I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

So proud of all the marathoners out in Fargo today. Makes me wish I could be up there, running again this year. Definitely motivation to start training again, maybe the Twin Cities half marathon in the fall?

The energy during the race is what gets me...the inspiration all around you, the dedication and hard work of the people standing next to you. Running 13 miles, or 26 miles is no easy, feat. It takes time, training, sweat, pain and dedication. For me, I had to change my lifestyle and even plan around my "long run" days which meant lots of early Friday nights! Here's a picture of me after the race last year!

 It's more mental than anything else, and completing 3 half marathons myself are probably my proudest moments. The self-satisfaction and sense of achievement is nothing like I've ever experienced before. Seeing all the people out there running, the energy is just contagious. Thinking about my experiences, and all the people I know running it today makes me just so proud of them all and so excited for their experience today. 

So runners, congratulations!! :)  

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." 

-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

<3