Superficial Joy

The race was sooooo hard! Even though it was near the ocean,  we ran inland , which in retrospect probably means uphill. I remind you that I live in Abu Dhabi, elevation zero. With zero hills. But the beauty and history were magnificent. I walked only about 2 km from my lovely Airbnb to the shuttle pickup point where buses took us to the start at the Pegasus bridge . This bridge was one that was a priority to protect in the invasion of Normandy. Aside from the starting gate, it's the same bridge.    After a few bathroom breaks in the woods (a common occurrence at races) and observing some group calisthenics, the race began well. I felt great for darn near 4 miles. And then. Suddenly I was dead. My cardio was fine, but my legs were dead. I needed water but it was only every 7 km's or so. Apparently that weight lifting I stopped at Christmastime was good for something. I distracted myself for about 40 minutes trying to check in to my flight, but w...

One of my goals when I moved to the UAE was to get scuba diving certified. Like most things in my life, the opportunity fell into my lap. On my first day at my new school when I was introduced to Kelli, the teacher in the classroom right next door.   During that first conversation she asked if I wanted to join her and some other women in getting their diving certification in the next month or so (God doesn't miss a beat, does he?). I felt pretty certain I was in the right place. This group, which has become known (via our WhatsApp group) as the Scuba Squad, has changed my life. How to have FUN! I was also so serious in life (how many times I heard, " Joy, just relax!" )  Fun seemed like something for those born into it. I was always busy trying to figure out why I felt so miserable and battling what I perceived to be the injustice of my existence (How different that perception is now!). Even into last year, which was emotionally draining on every level, fun was j...