A Year Post-ACL-Surgery

It's been a whole year since my torn ACL was no longer torn and was replaced by a hamstring graft. I mostly remember last summer as mostly watching Netflix and taking the bus to campus and going to physical therapy. I read my journal from that time and I was miserable. I felt so reliant on other people; I felt alone; I felt broken.

But a lot of thanks have to go out to Patrick and Karla and Tola and my dad. They made it easier. Last year, 4th of July was a week after my surgery. To celebrate, Patrick loaded me up in his car, with my big ice machine, and took me to a building on campus to watch the fireworks. We found chairs and an outlet and I was so happy to be out.

Einstein

Saw an episode of Genius while in San Diego but only started watching when I was home. So good. Maybe it is a dramatized portrayal of Einstein's life but still very entertaining. It's on NatGeo, if anyone still has cable. My favorite line, which Einstein says to his future wife, "I'm head over heels in love with your mind."

Yoga, Yoga, Yoga

I don't know what came over me but I went to yoga two days in a row in Tucson. Maybe I felt like it justified not running in the 110 degree heat. But my goodness, hot yoga kicks my butt. Slipping and sliding all over my mat but feeling strong and relaxed by the end.

Craving Time Market

Oh how I've missed Tucson! Karla was gone for the weekend so I had the whole house to myself and it definitely felt like old times. I came and went as I pleased and today I walked to yoga. I've been hoarding a free class pass for a year and a half and finally had the chance to use it. I loved walking the dusty and hot streets, through all the distinct Tucson bungalows. And for lunch, I stopped at Time Market. I was craving the Coppa sandwich--just full of goodness that made me extra nostalgic for my time in Tucson.

Monday Night Run

Pretty Monday night run up Hayden Butte and around Tempe Town Lake. A cool 90 degrees.

What I'm Listening To: "Firecracker"

Habitat

Learned some new skills today: electric saw and nail gun and putty. And of course I loved all the caulking and painting I did. The 5:30 wake-up wasn't fun but I was glad to do some service, especially with Habitat.

My Favorite Things

On my run tonight, as I was finishing up and walking through the park on my way home, I suddenly began singing "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music. After immediately thinking of Steve, I reflected on my favorite things. Maybe that is the key to not being sad anymore--just think of my favorite things. This list is definitely not comprehensive but it's a start for cheering myself up when I'm feeling sad. I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

Arizona sunsets. Hikes. Warm soft pretzels. The smell of rain. Cuddles. Letters. Soft sweatshirts. Peppermint tea.

Book Club, Brunch, and Beer

Spent my Sunday morning discussing The Kite Runner with 10 middle-aged strangers. Then went to Mother Bunch Brewery to drink a beer and read a book. The guy next to me at the bar had the same idea but he was reading Harry Potter and not the wild and crazy Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.