HOPEful girl

As I was reflecting this past Thanksgiving, I realized I have much to be thankful for this year.  I was a highly functioning alcoholic.  I never had a DUI,  thank God, nor was I ever in trouble with the law. I never required a drink to get me going in the morning and my body never had to suffer any real physical withdrawals if I was ever without it for a time. And it never ever,  affected my work.    Actually, more often than not, among addicts who happen to have professional careers,  it's the workplace that's the last to suffer.   Sure there were times when my close friends may have noticed I went a little overboard at parties or get togethers, but that was just me having fun or an isolated occurrence from having a rough week.  It wasn't like I had a real problem.  Nope, I held it together pretty well.   Not a lot of people knew I had this problem or could even tell. I was such a great player that I even fooled myself...

  After living here for 10 months,  I've come to experience the trade winds as a natural occurrence of island living.  The trade winds here in Hawaii blow from the northeast to the southwest over  the Pacific and through the Hawaiian islands.  If it weren't for these winds,  the islands would be  hot,  muggy and very uncomfortable.  These winds are responsible for the pleasant island weather and beautiful vegetation.  They are also what brought the early European settlers.    I met these winds head on this past Saturday during my long distance run which made for a very challenging run. Sure, I've ran in the wind before.   Where I come from, they are called the Santa Anas, only those are very hot and dry.   They both can be very strong and unpredictable.  So how do I run in this wind anyway?  Well, there are two approaches I can take.    I can start pumping my arms harder and lengthening my s...

  Well, I finally decided to do it.   I signed up to run the LA Marathon.  I knew this day would come sooner or later and I think the stars have finally aligned to where this is my time.   This was always a to do on my bucket list.  Why run a marathon?  I've always loved running and this is a challenge that just has to be accepted.  But now it means so much more.  When I ran my first half-marathon, I ran to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society.  Since this is my first marathon I really felt called to do so for a good cause again. And this time its personal! I've chose to run for Runwell charity.   Runwell is a 501©(3) non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring individuals around the world to lead healthy, active lifestyles.  It encourages anyone involved with drug or alcohol addictions, from chemical dependents to their friends and families, to get involved in sports.  Runwell believes partnering sports ...