Thursday, November 1, 2012
10 Month Anniversary - Oct. 31!
My love story part 2: Before meeting him
In light of our 10 month anniversary yesterday, I decided to share a bit more of our story, from my perspective!
After the talk with my dad, I started ignoring boys. I really had no need for them in my life, what can I say, I was in elementary school! Instead, this was a time when I was really outgoing and had lots of girl friends. I was involved in church, my home school program, and had lots of wonderful neighborhood friends, as well as an awesome family. I was content and really didn't need anything else!
However, at this time in my life, boys were not so nice to me. I remember at church, they would pick on me endlessly. They'd take my toys, they'd pull chairs away from me, I have a very vivid memory of one boy even pulling up my dress! (He probably doesn't remember, but I still hold a grudge on him to this day) Grown ups would say stupid things like "Oh sweetheart, he's just doing it because he likes you!" Well that was the last thing I wanted to hear, after what my dad said, I didn't want anyone to like me! I just wanted to be left alone. Besides, I was certain that none of those jerks liked me. Even if they did, they'd never have a chance. ;)
Just when I was at my wit's end, one boy came along, and he actually DID like me. And he wasn't a total jerk because of it! At first, when it was subtle and simple, I basked in the attention. I didn't care for him at all, but if he wanted to flirt with me while I ignored him, then so be it. Unfortunately, life isn't that simple! Things escalated quickly, for 4th grade that is. Right around this time, a new summer camp started at church, called Theatrical camp. TC was a 2 week camp that met for 3 hours every morning, we rehearsed and at the end performed a Christian musical. It was for kids 3-8 grade, so as 4th graders, my class didn't have huge roles. But it was still so much fun overall, and it continued to be the highlight of my summer until my last one in 8th grade!
Anyway, back to this boy. In one of the songs in the play, I was picked to dance with him. I mean, he picked me to be his dance partner. It was a fun little swing dance, I thought nothing of it. He however took it very seriously. Even after the play was done, he just wouldn't drop it! For the next several months, every time he saw me in the church hallway, he would yell "HI SWEETIE!" I tried everything. I told him to stop, I ignored him, acted like it was no big deal, even started getting angry and exclaiming "leave me alone!" but nothing worked! I even got brave enough to use the line Dad gave me: "Go talk to my dad!" but not even that stopped him!
At the beginning of 5th grade, I was done. I was just done with boys. I came to the conclusion that they either hated me and were jerks, or they liked me too much and were annoying. I decided that they just weren't for me and I wouldn't ever like a boy.
That was the month when the Christmas play practice started. Along with that came a boy who was so different than everyone else, he completely changed my mind, and my life, to this very day.
After the talk with my dad, I started ignoring boys. I really had no need for them in my life, what can I say, I was in elementary school! Instead, this was a time when I was really outgoing and had lots of girl friends. I was involved in church, my home school program, and had lots of wonderful neighborhood friends, as well as an awesome family. I was content and really didn't need anything else!
However, at this time in my life, boys were not so nice to me. I remember at church, they would pick on me endlessly. They'd take my toys, they'd pull chairs away from me, I have a very vivid memory of one boy even pulling up my dress! (He probably doesn't remember, but I still hold a grudge on him to this day) Grown ups would say stupid things like "Oh sweetheart, he's just doing it because he likes you!" Well that was the last thing I wanted to hear, after what my dad said, I didn't want anyone to like me! I just wanted to be left alone. Besides, I was certain that none of those jerks liked me. Even if they did, they'd never have a chance. ;)
Just when I was at my wit's end, one boy came along, and he actually DID like me. And he wasn't a total jerk because of it! At first, when it was subtle and simple, I basked in the attention. I didn't care for him at all, but if he wanted to flirt with me while I ignored him, then so be it. Unfortunately, life isn't that simple! Things escalated quickly, for 4th grade that is. Right around this time, a new summer camp started at church, called Theatrical camp. TC was a 2 week camp that met for 3 hours every morning, we rehearsed and at the end performed a Christian musical. It was for kids 3-8 grade, so as 4th graders, my class didn't have huge roles. But it was still so much fun overall, and it continued to be the highlight of my summer until my last one in 8th grade!
Anyway, back to this boy. In one of the songs in the play, I was picked to dance with him. I mean, he picked me to be his dance partner. It was a fun little swing dance, I thought nothing of it. He however took it very seriously. Even after the play was done, he just wouldn't drop it! For the next several months, every time he saw me in the church hallway, he would yell "HI SWEETIE!" I tried everything. I told him to stop, I ignored him, acted like it was no big deal, even started getting angry and exclaiming "leave me alone!" but nothing worked! I even got brave enough to use the line Dad gave me: "Go talk to my dad!" but not even that stopped him!
At the beginning of 5th grade, I was done. I was just done with boys. I came to the conclusion that they either hated me and were jerks, or they liked me too much and were annoying. I decided that they just weren't for me and I wouldn't ever like a boy.
That was the month when the Christmas play practice started. Along with that came a boy who was so different than everyone else, he completely changed my mind, and my life, to this very day.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
RNR - A New Chapter Beginning in my Massage Therapy Journey
When I tell people that I'm a massage therapist that has Rheumatoid Arthritis, they are usually shocked and a little doubtful. It's a known fact that massage therapists tend to not be in practice for their entire lives because frankly, giving massage wears your body out. So going into the business, already having problems with my hands, not many people expect that it will last long for me. However, as I learned while attending massage school, arthritis really has no affect on my joints, in fact for the 6 months I attended school, I was almost completely pain free!
Even though it isn't an issue right now, I am always looking for ways that I can save my body and elongate my career. I was looking for a continuing education class to take this fall, and I came across a flyer for one that taught a modality called RNR - Reconnecting Neuromuscular Responses. One of the first things that caught my eye was that it said it was "Very easy on the therapist, especially their hands!" It had me sold right there, but when I continued reading, I became very impressed with all the benefits of RNR. To list a few, RNR is very beneficial for shoulder and neck pain, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, bunions, TMJ, headaches and migraines, sprained ankles, and much more! I knew that this had to be the class for me!
Even though it isn't an issue right now, I am always looking for ways that I can save my body and elongate my career. I was looking for a continuing education class to take this fall, and I came across a flyer for one that taught a modality called RNR - Reconnecting Neuromuscular Responses. One of the first things that caught my eye was that it said it was "Very easy on the therapist, especially their hands!" It had me sold right there, but when I continued reading, I became very impressed with all the benefits of RNR. To list a few, RNR is very beneficial for shoulder and neck pain, low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, bunions, TMJ, headaches and migraines, sprained ankles, and much more! I knew that this had to be the class for me!
About the technique: RNR is a neuromuscular massage technique that supports the relationship between the nerves and the muscles through the golgi tendon organs. Golgi tendon organs are nerve endings located in soft tissue fibers throughout the body. When a person experiences pain, the pain signal may cause splinting, which is a contraction of one group of muscles around another to immobilize them. Splinting is a wonderful mechanism; however when this signal is turned off, the healing process may be hindered. RNR helps the body remember to turn off the signal, so healing may be facilitated at a faster rate.
I was very impressed with all the new information I gained from taking this course. I now offer a 45 minute full body RNR session. For the session, the client remains clothed, and there is no oil or lotion used. The goal is not to provide a relaxing environment but rather an environment where the client is able to heal. Anyone can benefit from RNR; it is especially beneficial for athletes or any person who is physically active!
RNR is intended to heal aches and pains that you've carried around for years. I recently discovered this technique through a class, and it has changed the way I massage for the better! I am not yet certified in this modality but am hoping to continue learning and practicing until I am able to be. RNR is not a new technique, but there are very few practitioners in the country. To learn more about it and read testimonials from people who have been receiving it for years, visit RNRmassagetherapy.com.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
My Love Story: How it all began
I'll never forget the day my dad asked me this question.
“Has a boy ever asked you to be his girlfriend?”
My mind started racing. Was this the boyfriend-girfriend talk my friends had gone through with their parents, when they learned that they could have a boyfriend if he was nice. (keep in mind, we were 5.) I didn’t really have my mind set on anyone, I just thought it’d be nice to know what my parents thought of this. I knew several guys at my church, one of them was even a close friend, just because his parents and mine hung out a lot. Though I didn’t care for anyone in a special way, I, like every other girl, just wanted to feel like a princess. And like every princess, I wanted a prince.
Disney movies were a big part of my childhood. Cinderella, Snow White, and Beauty and the Beast were among my favorites. However, when I watched them, my mind was shaping around the idea that these princesses were much older than I. We don’t see what the childhood of these princesses was like, yet while watching, I get the idea that up to that point they have not dated or given their hearts to other boys. I always assume the fact that up until that point where the movie begins, they have been single, waiting for the right time, and the right guy, to come steal their hearts. That was the kind of romance I was hoping for.
My friends did not feel the same way. I had some wonderful friends that I was very close to. For the most part, we just loved playing with dolls, riding our bikes and playing make believe games. But I recall that at a very young age, they started talking about boys. I really thought it was stupid. I was also much more sheltered then they were though. As my parent’s first child, I know they protected me more than my friends were…and more than my younger siblings for that matter. But that’s another story. Anyway, I was also going to be homeschooled rather than sent to public school like they were. They would talk about who they thought was cute, who they had a crush on, and who they thought was pursuing them. (again, keep in mind, we were 5. I keep bringing this up because I’d like you to realize how dumb it sounds!)
Back to the question my dad asked. Had a boy asked me to be his girlfriend? “no”, I answered truthfully, anxiously wanting to know where this conversation was going.
“Good,” said my dad. “If any boy ever does, tell him to come talk to me first.”
Somehow, my 5 year old mind thought that this was an instant no. No boyfriends. I didn’t really mind, honestly. Yet for some reason, my mind took this further than I’m not allowed to have a boyfriend. At this point, I thought my dad had told me to not have any boys as friends either. My dad never specifically said I couldn’t, just that I had to send them to him first. I just didn’t think any of the guys I knew would ever want to talk to my dad. He wasn’t scary or intimidating to me, but I understood that he would be to other guys.
That’s all I remember about this day. My life didn’t really change after that, for the most part. I kept up my friendships with girls. I avoided and ignored their boy talk and gossip. However, I stopped talking and befriending boys at this point. Not because they had cooties, but because I wanted to save them from any trouble of having to talk to my dad.
Did not having boys as friends affect me in a negative way? Some might think so. But I don’t. Just like in Disney movies, I opted to go on and live my life, respect my parents, and grow and mature to be who I’m meant to be. I knew that someday one boy would come and sweep me off my feet and carry me away.
However, it didn’t end up to be that simple. I mean, if it did, why would I be writing a painfully long and detailed story about how I came to meet my soulmate?!
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