strange new thoughts

Between now and Friday, I have no responsibilities except to write.

On the one hand, it's stressful. But on the other hand, it's a privilege too.

In a way, I'm glad I'm on a break from baddy because I think if someone says one more time, "Oh, you have nothing to do because it's summer," I really might punch them in the nose.

I don't understand why people think they can assume what someone else's life is like. I have a job. There's no free lunch in this world. Connect the dots. Asshats.

New massage tool

Love this for releasing neck muscles. Introducing the Blackroll twister. Lighter than styrofoam, harder than a tennis ball.

Baddy

Uncanny

Took a three week break from exercise and went back on court last night. Coach asked if I lost weight because my limbs look thinner.

Weighed myself at the clinic this morning, and I have lost 2kg. Probably of muscle though. These athletes read bodies the way we read words on a page.

When someone has the bug, they have the bug. It never goes away.

Resistance truly is futile.

Romans 7:14-16

14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

More lessons

Today, I learned from my boss that not everyone is going to be happy with the decisions we make and that's okay.

I'm also meeting new people at badminton and some of them are awesome. They teach me how to be patient at the game and model grace to their partners.

It's been a hard week, but I am thankful for today.

Yum

Coach brought us some goodies from his trip to Tokyo. I love Japanese rice crackers. The kind he got is different though. The purple cracker in the picture tastes like sweet potatoes, and one of the other crackers looked and tasted like a whole mini dried shrimp.

so glad the olympics is over

so close, so close

For the first time since my injury, I ran on court last night. I'm still not 100% back to normal, but I'm a lot closer now. That alone, despite insomnia and despite being unproductive in the office today (I really hate working on Saturdays now!!!), I feel so happy. Being able to run really makes a difference. Endorphins, welcome back. You have been greatly missed.

people skills

Went to group practice again last night, and Coach spent most of the night yelling at me for favoring my left leg. I didn't even know I was doing that and thought I was walking normally. He's really a pretty good coach. Again, he tried to get me to move a little more than I was willing to do, and he pointed out that I didn't seem to feel any pain, and I had to agree.

I think he was afraid that I would give up on badminton if I don't re-build my muscles and remained fearful of pain. He was right, the thought had crossed my mind, and he was right again, that thought left my mind when I watched others play.

Coach can be a little scary sometimes. In some ways, he may even know me better than my own mom.

getting close, but not quite

It's been six weeks and counting. I will be joining the group lesson tonight but will not move. I'll just hit from one spot. My coach is really sweet to invite me over and let me practice a little. He says won't let me do too much even if I want to. I've rested a lot in the past six weeks, but I'm constantly tired too. I've missed exercise, but my body hasn't been up for it either.

The knee gets a little better almost every day, but it's remarkable how LONG this is taking, and how it is still sore. I will never take my body for granted again.

So I'm praising God even if I don't feel like it. And when I do, strangely enough, sometimes I actually begin to feel like praising Him.

But God shouldn't go around thinking that I enjoy this season, because I don't. I'm watching so much TV my eyes are turning square. Still, it's useful because it does interrupt my meditations on the fragility of the human body.


But we pray, knowing that God is able.
And we trust, knowing that He is good.

HK Open 2015

humanness

A badminton group is like the church: full of broken people. Over the last seven days, one guy yelled at me for something really minor on court (he was wrong), another was a jerk and smashed an easy shot into someone else's back, a third person took a joke too far and disregarded another guy's feelings, and one of my coach's student was rude and obstinate and my coach exploded at him on court. That's a lot of drama for a week, haha.

The club leaders know that I am really angry because That Guy has done it before to me, and other girls in the group refuse to play with him and I will now too. Of course, the other girls are more subtle about it, but subtlety is not my name. That Guy is so off my list and I am never playing with him again. I'm sure my club leaders won't be happy about that but that's how I feel about it.

My coach's student is really weird and I understand why my coach exploded because he's just had it with how that student doesn't listen (to anyone) and blames all his mistakes on everyone else but himself. The Jerk isn't really a jerk, and I told the guy he pissed off to let it go this once. Third Person really hurt someone's feelings, but I think they should be able to work it out eventually. Seriously though.....people should just be nice to everyone. I mean, this is supposed to be fun, right? And who said women are more sensitive? Sheeeeyt.

new sports

I decided to join my church's dragon boat team because so many of my friends are addicted to the sport, and went to a social paddle on Sunday. I was convinced I would hate it, but it turned out to be pretty fun and it's nice to be out on the water. I'm sure I won't think it's so fun once it starts getting cold but hopefully there won't be too many cold days.

My legs were completely exhausted after two hours, and the day after, my butt felt like it had been flogged. But I think I already made a few new friends, and we're planning on going camping together in a couple of weeks. That's a win in my book!

I told May that this means I have to rearrange my badminton schedule and cut down on badminton. She said, "Finally!"

Hot

It is not as hot these days but I sweated the most last night this entire summer. Even though it didn't feel hot, sweat was literally dripping off my shorts.

But man, I love this game.

Also thankful for a smart and kind boss, and colleagues who take the time to read drafts. They're indispensable.