A time of change...or just new beginings.

Despite my reluctance to regularly blog, I want to create a habit of it. I feel blogging is a really simple way to record what is happening in your life as well as the lives of the people that matter to you. It's also an avenue for me to write more, something I enjoy but don't do unless I am required to do so.

Looking back on the past year I feel like I have accomplished numerous things. For one I regularly attend mass again. I truly enjoy being back in this tradition because I feel at home in church. Being surrounded with people with similar moral beliefs is something I have sought out for the past year and looked in all places except for church, funny I know. However I guess I needed to know what and who else was out there other than in church. Wandering within myself, questioning my beliefs has allowed me to grow in faith more. I am more awakened to who I am and want I truly believe in.

Back in May I broke my collarbone. After an entire winter of training, I was just getting my toes wet in racing my road bike. In only my third mountain bike race EVER I descended Mill mountain in Wintergreen Va, and got air on a couple water bars in which I "tucked and rolled"...maybe the "dead fish" would have worked better but my face is still in tack. For that I am thankful. This accident was not a negative experience to say the least. I not only found out who my true friends were but also got to know my boyfriend Matt Seagrave. He spent countless hours with me, comforting me with homemade dinners and movie nights. Recovering would not have been the same without him. He currently gives me work outs and trains me to come back full force. I since then I came back to the race I broke my collarbone and one it, not just in my category but also in the single speed cat (for those of you who don't know I race a single speed mtb). Matt is the one most amazing man I know (sittin pretty next to my pappa dukes, grandfather and brothers), he inspires me to be a better person and to push myself harder. I hope he stays a part of my life for a lonnnng time.Just prior to me breaking me collarbone I rescued a yellow lab puppy from some gutter, punk train hoppers. Where my little buddy came from I really don't know, but needless to say he full of love and kisses. He makes my day everyday! Oh, and I named him Icarus.

In april I spent a long spring break in Guatemala, which I would hardly call a break. We traveled to many cities Chichicastango and Quetzeltenago (aka Xela), Antigua and Guatemala City. We stayed mostly in Cantel but one night we did stay in a town I am blanking on the name off shore of the lake antila. We worked with a Richmond run program called the Mayan Arts Program. This program allowed us to teach art at a Mayan school as well as work with the local woman's group, teaching them fair trade crafts and the importance of woman in a community (especially their's). This trip was one of the best experiences of my life. Without knowing Spanish I felt so welcomed by the people we encountered. The mountains were gorgeous as well as huge! I hope to go back soon.


I have three semesters left with school, and then hope to be Colorado bound to get my masters in Art therapy. I love Richmond, however it is time for me to venture out.

My little Brother Jack is in his senior year of high school. He looks to play football for a div 3 school. He also dreams of being a doctor one day. David my older brother is current at FullSail in Florida getting his masters in sound engineering. My mom and dad are working on the finishing touches of the completion of their new house on the river. I'm very happy for them.

I'm sure there is other things I want to talk about but....this will do for now.