Well, I guess it has been quite some time since I last updated this blog. I suppose it's because I started training for a marathon back in May and it sucked up all of my spare time.
Back in May, I decided that I was sick of being openly criticized by the Germans for being "overweight". You see, a certain sterotype runs with being an American. According to most Europeans that I have met, we Americans don't know what is going on around the world because we care only about ourselves. We have an obsession with materialism and consume everything we can get our grubby little hands on. We are loud, errogant, rude, prude and over religious. We Americans are ALL fat and lazy. At one point I said to a colleague that I had a headach. His response to me was that I needed more exercize. Another time I was sitting down for lunch in the breakroom at work. I had a sandwich in front of me with deli meat and veggies. A male colleague told me that I was making a poor choice in food and "needed to go on a diet". Though I admit that many of the stereotypes are true to some Americans, I always defend my country and try to explain the size of the country and the variety of people that live so many different lifestyles within.
Finally, fed up beyond belief for my constant efforts in defending myself, I decided that I would run a marathon. Not only did I want to regain descipline in my life, but I wanted to get back in shape and pull my life back together in honor of my father. With inspiriation brought on by my brother and his recent life changes, I decided that nothing was impossible. I needed to prove something to myself and hoped that I could shove the American stereotype right back in the face of the judegmental!
On October 10th I crossed the finish line of my first marathon. 26.2 miles through the streets of Munich, Germany. It was a lovely city and a lovely autumn day, though I can hardly say it was enjoyable, while I pushed my body far beyond my physical and mental pain thresholds. I admit that I actually cryed when I crossed the finish line. I had trained for 6 months and it was all over. A sense of relief and accomplishment poored over my body and soul and for the first time since the death of my father, I felt a sense of balance in my life. I am woman, hear me roar! I CAN do anything, "the only limitations in life are the ones you set for yourself".
So here I am...27 years old, college degree, house owner, working for a German satellite company, living in Europe, travelling every chance I get, marathoner and lover of life. Now i ask myself, what next?
Back in May, I decided that I was sick of being openly criticized by the Germans for being "overweight". You see, a certain sterotype runs with being an American. According to most Europeans that I have met, we Americans don't know what is going on around the world because we care only about ourselves. We have an obsession with materialism and consume everything we can get our grubby little hands on. We are loud, errogant, rude, prude and over religious. We Americans are ALL fat and lazy. At one point I said to a colleague that I had a headach. His response to me was that I needed more exercize. Another time I was sitting down for lunch in the breakroom at work. I had a sandwich in front of me with deli meat and veggies. A male colleague told me that I was making a poor choice in food and "needed to go on a diet". Though I admit that many of the stereotypes are true to some Americans, I always defend my country and try to explain the size of the country and the variety of people that live so many different lifestyles within.
Finally, fed up beyond belief for my constant efforts in defending myself, I decided that I would run a marathon. Not only did I want to regain descipline in my life, but I wanted to get back in shape and pull my life back together in honor of my father. With inspiriation brought on by my brother and his recent life changes, I decided that nothing was impossible. I needed to prove something to myself and hoped that I could shove the American stereotype right back in the face of the judegmental!
On October 10th I crossed the finish line of my first marathon. 26.2 miles through the streets of Munich, Germany. It was a lovely city and a lovely autumn day, though I can hardly say it was enjoyable, while I pushed my body far beyond my physical and mental pain thresholds. I admit that I actually cryed when I crossed the finish line. I had trained for 6 months and it was all over. A sense of relief and accomplishment poored over my body and soul and for the first time since the death of my father, I felt a sense of balance in my life. I am woman, hear me roar! I CAN do anything, "the only limitations in life are the ones you set for yourself".
So here I am...27 years old, college degree, house owner, working for a German satellite company, living in Europe, travelling every chance I get, marathoner and lover of life. Now i ask myself, what next?
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