From Coast to Coast

It is obvious that I have made the east coast to west coast relocation...and now...it's time to go back!  I have recently been offered and accepted a position at Virginia Wesleyan College as an assistant athletic trainer.  This is the same institution that I served as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at during graduate school.   I am extremely excited about this opportunity as it is a full-time position that offers full benefits.  It is also in a place that I fell in love with - the beach!  I will officially start my position on Monday November 12th - YES, THAT IS IN JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS!  My plans are currently to fly home on November 6th with my belongings, enjoy home for a few days, and then drive out to Virginia Beach on Friday the 9th.  I am currently in the process of securing housing - a condo unit right on the Lake Rudee and just a couple of blocks from the ocean front :D  I had actually accepted this position a few weeks ago, but it is just now that I believe all necessary parties know of my decision so it can "go public" -- so sorry for the delay.

This move is a little bittersweet as I have only been in California for a few months.  However, I'm very proud of myself for having met many of the challenges that I set for myself. I have:
  > lived without a car and learned to rely only on my bike and the public bus
  > lived with little more than the necessities of life
  > learned to cook a little more
  > proven to myself that I can exercise on my own - even without a gym
  > applied concepts discussed in graduate school to my professional practice
  > have started to become an independent adult...slow start...  

These experiences have led me to really appreciate and understand many factors facing low income individuals and families.
  > it makes sense to buy a McDonald's meal for $5 instead of three fruits or vegetables for the same $5 -- the McDonald's will be more filling for sure
  > all transportation requires intent - one would not absentmindedly spend money on a bus fare ($5 or more round trip) or the extra twenty-thirty minutes of travel time just to check out a sale at a department store
  > when easy transportation is not an option and you have little money to spend, it's a tough decision to whether one will be sedentary or get out and be active
  > understanding the difference between want and need - even whether I need or want lotion

I am extremely grateful that I have had these experiences!  Although at first I thought moving would eliminate any potential for more of these lessons I have now realized that I will continue to grow and learn from the experiences that I'll have in Virginia.  Moving back to Virginia will not be a case of me going back to my "old life" there because I'll be in a different position at VWC, I'll be living on my own, I'll have other responsibilities (i.e. paying back college loans), and NO SCHOOL!!  Obviously, I am most excited about the last statement :)  Despite not being in school, I am excited to still be associated with the Old Dominion University's post-professional athletic training education program as I know it will continue to challenge my professional practice and be a leader to the graduate assistants at VWC and in the profession.

I will continue to write about my exploring, dreaming, and discovering of the east coast so stay tuned!

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"

I must admit, I've always loved stories of survival; stories of overcoming insurmountable odds; stories of defying science; stories of inspiration.  I've read books and watched movies like Between a Rock and a Hard Place (the book the movie 127 Hours is based on), Soul Surfer, Iron Heart, The Help, The Long Run, and The Gift of Valor.  The last of which I first heard about from a different book entitled Rule Number Two: Lessons I Learned in a Combat Hospital.  The progression from general survival stories to those associated with the military coincided with my move to Virginia Beach - a community greatly infiltrated with military bases, service members and their families.  Although a smaller community, the military community here in Monterey has also continued my interest in what it means to be a service member, what motivates one to join the military, what it's like to support a loved one in the military, and how it changes an individual.

I would say the book that really provided me insight was The Heart and the Fist: The making of a Navy SEAL, the education of a humanitarian.  This book has also challenged me to determine how I can best show my support for the men and women that maintain safety, security, and peace for us here at home.  The author of The Heart and the Fist currently runs a non-profit organization to support returning veterans with injuries and disabilities who often feel a loss of purpose when they can no longer serve or work in the capacity they once had.  This organization is called The Mission Continues, and it is definitely worth a look!  This is something I want to contribute to, but there were not many opportunities in my current location so I continued to search the internet.  What I found were organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, the Boot Campaign, and Soldiers' Angels.

Soldiers' Angles was exactly what I was looking for.  A plethora of tangible ways to support the troops.  I do not have the funds to adopt a soldier, but I found the letter writing team and joined immediately!  I have signed up to receive one soldier's name each week and commit to writing him or her at least once.  I have already sent off three letters and have even received a couple emails back :)  It has been amazing to know that I am supporting a service member by simply sharing my life with him/her and him/her me.  It has shown me how such a simple task, such a writing a brief letter or email, can continue to inspire and motivate a service member thousands of miles away; to remind him/her of the reason he does what he does; to know that there are appreciative people continuing to support their efforts.  Please check out the website and determine how you can help: making a fleece blanket, sending in products for hygiene packages, sewing, writing letters or emails, and so much more.  There is not only a need to support deployed service members, but an increasing need for support for returning veterans, especially those injured during duty.  Please find some way to help even if it is a one time contribution!  Please leave a comment if you have a favorite non-profit organization we should all check out.

Below are products that I recommend purchasing in an effort to show your support for our troops:

Pura Vida bracelets not only
support "Our Forgotten Warriors"
but also local Cosa Ricans

I have yet to use mine in an
emergency situation, but it looks
good nonetheless

I hear boots are in season
for the fall