THE WOODSTOCK R TEAM IS READY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):)

NEW DELHI HALF MARATHON: T-MINUS 3 DAYS 8 HOURS AND 32 MINUTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goal Time: 1 hour and 20-22 minutes!!!!!!!

However, this time it is not just 3 people from Woodstock going (1 runner and 2 spectators)!!!!!! WE HAVE AN ENTIRE RUNNING TEAM BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Made up of the most dedicated staff and student runners at Woodstock!!!!!!!! Who are they you ask?!?! What do they look like you ask?!?!? Do you maybe have a picture of them you ask?!?!?!? Well I'll answer your question with a question my friend: DO YOU WANT TO SEE THE SWEETEST PROMOTIONAL VIDEO EVER!!?!?!?!?!! This will answer all of your questions and more about WHO ARE ON THE WOODSTOCK RUNNING TEAM?!?!?

http://www.youtube.com/user/AnubUzirProdux?feature=mhee


In 3 days Woodstock, for the first time ever, will be sending a team to New Delhi to run either the New Delhi Half Marathon (21km) or The Great Delhi Run (6km)!!!!!!! AND WE ARE EXCITED AS EVER!!!!!!!!! Here is a link to the maps for both Half Marathon and Great Delhi Run routes, if you happen to be in the Delhi area and want something to do on Sunday!!! A.k.a. CHEER ON WOODSTOCK!!!!!!!!!

http://runinfinity.com/race/delhi-half-marathon


Hope to see you there cheering on your WOODSTOCK R-TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):) HAPPY SMILING AND MORE BLOG POSTS TO COME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh and on a side note, since my absence of posting blog updates I was made Head of Physical Education on November 9th!!!!!!!!! HAPPY SMILING AND HAPPY RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):)

Been a while here!!

A friend told me, hey update your blog!!! I suppose it's been a while since I've updated it!!! I'm married!!! I don't know what I blogged about last time, don't really look back at old blogs a lot anymore!!! Currently watching Rocky III (that's right, in India!!), continuing motivation for New Delhi Half Marathon in end of November!!! Goal this time will be Top 75, and it won't be easy!!!! It seems everything in life right now isn't easy!! Everything you need to work your butt off!! But that wouldn't be life right?? What would life be like if it's easy, very boring and stagnant!! But it would be nice to catch a break every once in a while! Fall semester, in the beginning at least, always seems so chaotic and hectic crazy busy!! Training in the morning, teaching 5 out of 6 periods a day, cross country practice (if not raining) after school, then trying to spend time with Shubhra, which that isn't even easy to do, since there's no prep during the day so all planning has to happen after school!! Then on the weekends trying to start a Saturday morning fitness program for the kids who want to get some personal training and guidance in the fitness room!! I have one heck of a wife to put up with the busy-ness and crazyness that is my schedule!!! That's why I love her!!!:) As for school starting, it's started and man has it taken off!!! It is true when people say 1st year you are adjusting to a new school, 2nd year you kind of got the hang of things but are still trying to figure out your routine, 3rd year it's the golden year!! 3rd times a charm!!!:) I know the system, my lessons are more easier to prepare, and knowing the main core of the students who've been with me all 3 years are so fun to teach!!!!!!!!!:) Not this shy, new teacher vibe, but this veteran inside joke make fun of the new haircut how's the family type of vibe!!!!!!!!! And it helps that the student's at Woodstock are AMAZING!!!!!!!!!:):):):) Oh and not to mention Woodstock itself for another year has been voted #1 International School in all of India!!!!!! BAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):) Mainly because of our rocking PE department!!! No big deal!!!!!!!!!!;) But we're kinda a big deal!!!!!!!!! Well that's about it for now!!! Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaave a great day blogging world!!!!!

BANDAR---------------> PUNCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)

17 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20,722 FEET!!!!!!!!
23 WS STAFF!!!!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandarpunch

For the next 17 days, starting tomorrow (Wednesday) at 12:30pm sharp it is TREK time!!! Destination is the mountain known as Bandarpunch!!!!!!!!:) 23 fellow Woodstockians (staff) and myself will head out tomorrow via jeep and our trek will begin!!!! No outside world communication for 17 days and nothing but nature and the peace that is the Himalayas!!!!!!!!!!! Of course I'll miss my Shuby and not being able to talk to family and friends for this period of time, but one of my goals is to do a 10+ day trek and I'm thinking this will take care of it!!!! Well at least start of something amazing!!!!! At 20,722 feet it will be the highest I will have ever dreamed of being and hopefully not the highest I will go in my life!!!!:) OH AND DID I FORGET TO MENTION: SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOTS AND LOTS OF SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WILL BE AWESOME!!!! Temperatures around 10-20 degrees F and snow up to the knees hopefully, and then some!!!!!!!!:) Might be even colder at night, but I know it'll be like Minnesota winter all over again!!!! 2 winters in 1 year, HECK FREAKIN YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will be returning to civilization July 3rd or 4th, so keep your eyes open at that time for a blog post to see how it went!!!!!!!!!!!! As for now HAPPY SMILING AND HAPPY SUMMER EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To my Shakopee Tennis Coaches back in Minnesota land, HAVE A FREAKIN FANTASTIC FIRST DAY OF TENNIS AND THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS!!!!!!! 1 YEAR BABY AND WE'LL BE COMING HOME FOR A VISIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):) WACKY WEDNESDAY IS A GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)):):):):):):):):):):)::):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):0:):):):):):):):):)

BANDARPUNCH (aka Destination!!!!)!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The rest of OUR lives!!!!!:)

Well planet earth, if you're not on facebook or attend Woodstock School you may not know the FANTASTIC events that have aspired these past couple of weeks!!!! Busy at it may be, the best event by far, and for the rest of my life was a certain question being asked, with a positive answer of "YES"!!!!!!!!!!:)

Shubhra and I are no longer boyfriend/girlfriend, but instead ENGAGED!!!!!!!!! I popped the question and she said YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pretty much making my life 1 gazillion times happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then it already was before!!!!!!!!!!!!:):) Yes that is definitely possible!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know it's possible because I'm living it right now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Life in general has become so much more positive and happier!!! I mean don't get me wrong, when we were considered boyfriend/girlfriend life was amazing too, but there's something about being engaged that adds security and a future to the equation which, on all cylinders, is AWESOME!!!!!! A future with THE one person in your life that makes you the happiest and you love to the end of the world and back!!! I could not ask for more, and could not want anything more!!!!!! Shubhra makes my life complete and I am ready to start a brand new life with her at my side and me at hers!!!!!!!!!!!! There is no more, what future lies ahead for me?? Because it is now a we, us, or our type of question/response!!!!! What will the two of US do in a couple of years!?!?! When will WE start a family!?!??! Questions like these before dating Shubhra I could answer with I, me, etc.!! It feels amazing to have someone involved with these questions and to make decisions with!!!!!!!!!!:) I have that special person to rely on, and count on when things get bad!! And I'm ready to be there if things get bad for her as well!!!!!!!!!! You feel complete as an adult with this type of commitment, like the world is open to more opportunities, now that you have that other person to share it with!!! Your life isn't consumed with the worries of living alone forever, or spending time finding "the one"!! I definitely have that with Shubhra and I couldn't be happier!!!!!!! Yeah there will be ups and downs from now until forever, but there is no one I would rather have these ups and downs with than her!!! Mainly because I know at the end of the day, when it matters, she will always be there for me as I will be there for her!!!!!!!!!

So that's about it for now planet earth!!!!!!!!!! MARRIAGE AWAITS AND BRING ON THE FUTURE COMPANIONED AND TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LIFE IS STARTING TO SHAPE AMAZINGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY SMILING AND LOVE LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VICTORIES GALORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):)

HOLY FREAKIN VICTORY OVERLOAD BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's RECAP THIS WEEKEND WITH 2 SIMPLE SENTENCES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):)

WOODSTOCK SCHOOL = WIN MUMBY CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!


UMD BULLDOGS = NCAA MEN'S HOCKEY CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT AN AWESOME WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!:) Win Mumby was by far the highlight though of the entire 4-day weekend!!!! The students, holy gamoly!!!! The BEST cheering I've ever heard for ANY team, EVER!!!!! And this is beating my superfan days EASILY back in high school!!! Every single possession they had a cheer for our boys and the energy in the building was magical and intense!!!!!:) The students were really the 6th player out on that court last night!!!!!!!! I could tell the energy was feeding into our boys and keeping them going, which don't get me wrong they were playing fantastically all tourney and saved the best for last!!!!! THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) We've been trying to figure out when the last time Woodstock won Win Mumby and all the staff who've been here 6+ years couldn't even remember the exact time, so it has been longer than 6-7 years!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT NOW WE RECLAIMED THAT TITLE AND THE GLORY THAT IS WIN MUMBY CHAMPIONS AND NORTHERN INDIA'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS TOURNAMENY (not my words, from the freakin newspaper baby!!!)!!! BUT IT TRULY IS THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):) Well that's all for now!! More updates to come VERY, VERY SOON!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY SMILING PLANET EARTH AND FOR NOW GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND BULLDOGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

WIN -- ---- ---- -- MUM- - -- -- --- --- --BY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT'S APRIL SO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME OF MONTH THAT IS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!

IT'S WIN MUMBY TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)

For those who don't know what Win Mumby is, FOR SHAME!!! And you call yourself a Woodstock Staff Blog Enthusiast!!!! Win Mumby is THE tournament Woodstock hosts every single year!! A tournament of class and fame!! We have teams from ALL OVER THE WORLD (specifically Delhi, DehraDun, and Mussoorie) to come play BASKETBALL FOR 4 DAYS!!!!!! Today is the opening rounds and ceremonies of Win Mumby!!!! Pep rally will get enthusiasm through the air and first games start at 7pm!!! Finishing on Saturday with the finals of both girls and boys in the afternoon!!! It is a time of FUN, FAN-ISM, AND FAWESOME!!!!!! Yes, fawesome is a real word!!! This brings me back to my days of Superfan at Shako, but now it is a time to be Superteacher and enjoy the students lead most of the cheers!!! Don't get me wrong, there will be some moments when the young, adolescent Superfan in me will do some things, but this is all about the students and their enjoyment/memories!!!!!

YOU KNOW IT BLOGGING WORLD!! YOU KNOW IT'S WIN MUMBY TIME!!!! GET YOUR GAME FACE READY!! YOUR BASKETBALL'S SHINED!! AND YOUR ENTHUSIASM TO REACH AN ALL TIME HIGH!!!!!!!!!!


IT'S GO TIME WOODSTOCK!!!! GOOOOO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!:)


!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):)

Win a Race???????!!!!!!!!!

As I sit here, about to put in "Chariots of Fire" for the umteenth number of times, I'm thinking to myself...... I need an ultimate 5 year goal!!!!!! So a goal SO BIG, SO UNHEARD OF (for me) that I HAVE to dedicate my  time and energy towards it!!!! I was thinking of this past November and the New Delhi Half Marathon!! Marathons are almost now a thing of the past, I will run one once a year, but half marathons have caught my eye, especially the New Delhi Half!!!! Mainly because it's 8 hours away and very convenient!!!! But also, because it's in India, a place I call home now, and where I have my career!!!! What would be more fitting to set my ultimate physical 5 year goal then....................

Finish Top 10 Overall at the New Delhi Half Marathon!!!!!!!!!!


Now this is no easy task!! Mainly because I have never finished Top 100 before in a major race, let alone Top 50!!!! So Top 10, well holy crap!!! BUT with the will and passion for running I do believe it can be done!!! "Born a Runner" my butt!!! More like "Born with Heart" is what makes someone accomplish their goals!!!!! And without heart, who would we be but scarecrows walking around on Earth!!!! So there you have it Planet Blog, for the next 5 years my mind, body, and mental focus will be on New Delhi and finishing Top 10 in the next 5 years!!! I would say by year 3 we'll see if Top 10 is realistic!!!! BRING IT ON 5 YEARS!!!!!!!! BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For this to be accomplished here are some mini goals I will be achieving along the way:

• Run a 2hr 45min marathon (qualify for Boston FINALLY)!!
• Bring weight down to a balanced 175 (currently 182)
• Body fat % down to 5 (currently 8.7)
• Run New Delhi Half Marathon in 1hr 15min next year!!
• Cut down on sugar and fats (especially on weekends!!)
• Run, minimum, 6 days a week (at least 35 miles a week)!!
• Continue to find time to have fun during the day!!!!:)
• LOVE WHAT I DO, WHICH IS LIFE, RUNNING, AND EXERCISE!!!

That is all for tonight!!!!!!!! LET'S BEGIN TOMORROW MORNING FULL OF HEART, SWEAT, AND DETERMINATION!!!!!!!:)

EYE OF THE TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!:)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):)

March Madness!!!!:)

Well as you all might have realized it is the END of February and the beginning of a NEW month!!!!!:) As I wrote in February, I offered a challenge to the BLOG world to make new fitness goals for the end of February and then see you if accomplished them!!! IT is that time to look back at Feb and see if you did them or not, if not then maybe you worked really hard and could almost get there but need 1 more month to accomplish it!! Then heck repeat it for March!!! Whatever your active goals may be it is time to set NEW March Goals and see if you can keep up the hard work this month, like February!!! IT'S GOALS TIME!!!!:)

1. Be able to complete the "300" workout in 25 minutes with ALL reps completed
2. Have 2 Saturday workouts at the gym/home
3. Run at least 35 miles a week

Alright PLANET EARTH!!! IT's your turn to make your new goals this month and get active!!!!! HAPPY SMILING AND HAPPY ACTIVITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):)

p.s. March is  going to be a FANTASTIC MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):)

Just freakin do it!!!!!

Sometimes too much knowledge can hurt a person!!!! Case in point, I'm trying to OVER think my training plan for this upcoming marathon season!!! I'm trying to think of the most intricate exercises on what days, when really I just need to go out, run, do my thing in the fitness room and continue for 4 1/2 months!!!!! Why is it that we try and over think things way too often?? When teaching, don't we try and teach in a way that is the most simple to understand for the student's sake, and our own!!! Yet, in everyday life we find ourselves trying to do more than we actually need to do!!!!! Just go out and freakin do it!!!!!!!!! You want student's to be active get them hooked on something they are interested in, it's NOT THAT HARD to figure out!!!!!!! Yet, we try and find all of these sources and different teaching methods to formulate a lesson that can be done just as well with enthusiasm, hands-on activity and passion from the teacher!!!! I know students get WAY more involved if they see the teacher truly loving what they do!!! Just like I LOVE freakin running when all I think about is doing a certain number of miles that day, some cross training routine in the fitness room and teach the heck out of the day!!! So like I said before JUST FREAKIN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!:) Life is made to be simple and to the point, so go out there make it simple and to the point!!!!! We're become a society of too many road blocks and "what if" scenarios!!! Obesity is a problem and yet we overlook the most SIMPLE answer: THROW AWAY THE TV AND GET YOUR KIDS OUTSIDE!!!! Yes, I fight for PE in the schools, but do you honestly think 40 minutes, 2-3 times a week will make a difference in a student's sedentary lifestyle outside of school?? NO!!!! There has to be some point in which parents, both blood and dorm (if boarding), get their "kids" motivated to take part in an active lifestyle!!! Playgrounds, baseball fields, hockey rinks, backyards, sandboxes, etc. are all becoming extinct in a child's life!!! Why?? Because technology has taken over!! Yeah good for the Wii, they're making games where kids don't sit on the ground to play video games, they have to stand!!! Wow, that is pretty active.......lame!!!! Are they getting outside and getting dirty, breaking arms and being tough?? No!!! This next generation for the FIRST TIME is predicted to have a SHORTER life expectancy than their parents!!! That hasn't happened since the CIVIL freakin WAR era!!! And yes this is the USA I am primarily talking about, but I'm pretty sure other nations as well are catching up!!! The once active lifestyle of today's youth is sadly being taken away by computer games and video games!!!! It's going to be a painful "We (PE teachers) told you so" in about 20 years when people are too fat to even get around via walking, they need their segway's to get from their office desk to the copier!!! Operation "Fat Universe" is a go in 20 years, let this be a warning to all!!!!!!!!!! That is unless we JUST FREAKIN DO IT and be active!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I truly believe everyone should have achievable active goals EVERY month, not only to stay in shape but stay motivated!!!!!!!! Okay new thought!!!!!!!

BLOG WORLD!!!! I AM OFFICIALLY CHALLENGING YOU TO CHANGE YOUR WAYS!!!!! Here is the challenge:

STARTING TOMORROW (MONDAY) I CHALLENGE YOU TO SIT DOWN AND THINK OF 3 ACTIVE GOALS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY!!!!!!!!!!! Then when March comes around 3 NEW, HARDER GOALS for the month of March!!!!!!!!! THEN April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, and finishing with December!!!!!!! Then looking back at your year, see where you are in activity and overall health!!!!! New Year Resolutions fail because people don't know how to set realistic goals, AND don't know how to achieve their goals!!! These 3 goals you are setting should be something attainable and measurable!!! Walk 30 minutes everyday this month!! BAM 1 goal!! OR train for a 5k by looking online for a training program and sticking with it!!! BAM 2 goals!!!! So blogger world, let's reach our goals together!!!! Here will be my 3 active goals for the month of February and come March 1st I will blog if I reached them or not, THEN set 3 new goals, as well as you too!!!!!!

Goal 1: run at least 30 miles a week
Goal 2: 200 push-ups a day this week, 250 next week, and 300 by the end of February
Goal 3: at least a 2 hour hike every Saturday this month!!

There are my 3, what are your 3?!?!?! GET ACTIVE AND JUST FREAKIN DO IT........... PLANET EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) TOGETHER WE CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):)!:)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:):):)

What is exercise??

Wow, one post in January!!! I'm surprised if any of you will even read this!! I'm sure you've given up on my blog by now, but if not enjoy!!!:)

As I start another semester at Woodstock, which I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!, my attitude towards this semester is by far the most proactive one I've had so far!!!:) The first year here it was all about finding myself as a teacher and seeing what techniques work in the classroom; not to mention adapting to life in India and at Woodstock (which has turned out FANTASTICALLY!!!)!!!! Last semester was more about getting into basic routine; knowing what I needed to do to get ready and do it without being asked!! It was also exploring the wide world of Health as a health teacher, which was actually really, really fun!!!!!:) Now we come to the beginning of my 4th semester at Woodstock and this semesters theme is "Exercise!!!!!" I know my routine, I know and love life in India and Woodstock, now it's time to start bringing some personal changes and ideas to the table!!!!:) I am addicted and passionate about running, no surprise here!!!! It is time for students, those who want to, to find their passion for running (sprinting/long distance)!!! One way I know I will prevent myself from becoming stagnant at my job is really invest my time into the running club I am starting this semester!!! Also, to really put myself out there and help out those who want it in the fitness room!!! For some reason last semester I took a back seat and watched students do the same old routine day in and day out in the fitness room, and that's not who I am or want to be!!! I want to see student's doing new things every single day!! I want students coming up to me, begging me to stay after school and teach them a new shoulder workout, or ab routine!!! Following through for the students this semester is one of my ultimate goals as a teacher!! The more I put myself out there for them, the more they will respect what I have to teach them, both in the classroom and life outside of Woodstock!!! And the greatest thing about this new perspective this semester is I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) How many people can say, honestly, they go to their job every single day and are excited to see what new challenges await them!! That is what makes teaching so special!! EVERY SINGLE DAY is a new challenge or adventure!!! Yes, some may go day in and day out doing the same thing year in and year out, but who's fault is that!!! There are SO many methods to teaching, so many ideas to strive to get through to students with, why do the same old thing every year!!?!? You'll become such a bad teacher that way!!! Why?!? Because students will become turned off, because they see their teacher losing interest and "going through the motions with them!!!!" Creativity is a teachers best weapon!! And I am my most creative in the gym/fitness room!!!! It's my second home!!!!;)

In addition to motivating the students, the staff are also on my list of to do's!!!!!! A happy body makes a happy mind!!!!:) The more active we are as educators, the more energy we will have and the happier this school will become!!!! I think exercise is the most important part of life!!! The happiest people I see are the ones I run past in the mornings going for a walk!!!! 6am runs are by far the best!!!!:) Always welcoming with a smile and namaste!!!!!!:) That is why I'm so pumped to be a lot more involved with the staff this year in the fitness room!!! Especially those wanting to trek the Himalayas this summer!!! It's a WIN WIN situation really!!!! They get in shape and I get to help them get in shape and see the benefits hard work pays off!!!! Anyways what is exercise to me, a way of life!! A gateway to expressing myself in the simplest yet purest of forms!!!! A day starter and night ender!!!:) Exercise can only make you stronger both physically and mentally!!! Let the 6 months of training BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) Happy smiling and make it an ACTIVE 2011 PLANET EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home!!!!!:)

Before I left Mussoorie and India , I blogged the Top 12 things I was looking forward to in return to Minnesota!!! Here are the Top 12 things and if I did them or not!!!:)


12. DAVE AND BUSTER'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
11. DRIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
10. DULUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
9. LAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  HALF CHECK!!!!!!! (Wanted to do Polar Plunge, but no opportunity!)
8. BAGELS, JAMBA JUICE, AND FRUIT YOGURT!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
7. A BILLION TYPE OF CEREAL AND FRUIT CHOICES AT CUB FOODS!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
6. FROZEN NOSTRILS AND SNOT OUTSIDE!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
5. RUNNING 5K AND 10K RACES IN THE COLD WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
4. MINNESOTA SCENERY/FLAT GROUND!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
3. SNOW AND COLD FOR 5 WEEKS!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
2. CHRISTMAS WITH REAL TREES AND LEFSE!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!
1. FAMILY AND FRIENDS I HAVEN'T SEEN FOR 1 1/2 YEARS!!!!!! CHECK!!!!!!!


Now with that being said, there are a couple things I have really put in to perspective over break and probably the second most significant thing is where home is for me (the first significant thing stays with me)!!! With no doubt Minnesota will ALWAYS have a "home" spot in my heart!!! But as I've been home for 4 weeks now and lived the lifestyle of Minnesota and the US, I just don't fit in with it anymore!! Comparing that to Mussoorie's lifestyle of walking EVERYWHERE, not needing to drive unless going South, altitude training (BIG bonus), plethora of hiking opportunities right out my front door, a scenery no one can get sick of, friends living within walking distance, healthy eating up the wazoo, and the list goes on, being back here doesn't compare!!! I guess to truly understand this blog post you need to have lived in both worlds!! Living in both worlds for a significant amount of time (yes, 1 1/2 years in India to me is significant) and having no one back in Minnesota except those who used to work at Woodstock can even begin to understand what I am talking about, which really kind of stinks!!! Because you would DEFINITELY understand this post a lot more if you spent at least 2 weeks in Mussoorie!! I love love LOVE Minnesota winters, and if Mussoorie had winters like Minnesota I don't think I would EVER move back, not saying that I'm moving back anytime soon however!!!:) Before I left, I heard people say, "Oh I hated being back in the states and couldn't wait to come back to India!" Well I am in NO way saying I hated being back here!! I love being back!! But like I said before, this lifestyle just isn't the life for me anymore!!! I loved seeing family, friends, and old stomping grounds/running routes, but it's going to be GREAT to be back in Mussoorie!!:) Getting back into old routines and seeing familiar faces once again!!! YES, especially a certain someone who I've missed for 4 weeks now and counting!!!:) Which literally would be an entire post on it's own about how much I've missed SC!!!! Literally!!! But as for now home is Mussoorie, and how long will that be home I don't know!! Time will tell and it could be a 5 years or it could be 20+, I just don't know how the future will turn out!!!! All I know right now is it has been awesome to be back in Minnesota and really get a grip on what is important in my life, where I see the future heading, and of course to see FAMILY and FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!:) I'm getting the same home sick type feelings in Mussoorie I had before I left for Minnesota, so that right there has been a BIG deciding factor on where true home is for me!!! Home is where you make it, and home right now is Mussoorie, India!!!!!:) We'll see where the next 10 years lead!!!! I know these past 10 have been incredible!!!!!!!!!! Gone from starting my high school career as a sophomore at Shako to currently a PE teacher/CC Coach at Woodstock!!! Can't get any better than that!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well it can, but that's for another time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) HAPPY SMILING AND HOPE YOU ALL KNOW WHERE HOME IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


IT'S BEEN FUN MINNESOTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!)!:!):):):)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):)