AfricanKelli

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{Thank you very, very much for your kind words yesterday about my spill. I am feeling remarkably better today; I went for an x-ray yesterday. Thankfully nothing is broken, just sprained. After a great night’s sleep and good swim this morning, I am less sore and much happier. And! A friend fixed Ruby’s handlebars for me, so we’re that much closer to hitting the open road again.}

This weekend I celebrated a friend’s triumphant defeat over leukemia. When receiving chemotherapy, she was given 1,000 origami cranes as an inspiration to keep fighting. (The story of how origami cranes and leukemia are linked is pretty incredible and worth a read.)

Soon enough, she was planning how she would create 1,000 cranes for others being treated for leukemia as soon as she was out of the hospital. The cranes did the trick; Judy’s optimism became infectious.

We celebrated her recovery with an Asian-themed party this weekend. I brought a crane bag (lined with one of my favorite verses) to ready her for her return to work, and Asian spring rolls.

Today, I am especially thankful for modern medicine.
~K

Yesterday Ruby and I had an early morning date. I thought we’d cruise up through Ahwatukee for an hour or so, getting in some hills and giving me ample time to catch up on podcasts. (I also needed to shake off two nights of shenanigans not conducive to tri training. I swear the best way to get over a hangover is a long, hard workout. Or greasy food.)

The first hour was perfect; the weather was warm, but not abusive. The hills were tough, but conquerable. I was feeling strong and glad I’d gotten up to see the sunrise while pedaling like a madwoman.
It wasn’t until I made the final turn heading home that things went awry. I had already biked 30 miles and my shoulder and neck were starting to ache. Instead of looking up, I looked down at my knees, glancing up every now and then to provide my back with some relief. Dumb move.

I didn’t see the large, orange metal merge sign until it was too late. I was about two feet in front of it, going 19 miles per hour, when I barreled into the sign and went flying out of the bike lane into traffic.
Thankfully, there wasn’t a car there to run over me. I hit my head on the asphalt, the sign came toppling down on me and my legs, of course, were still stuck in my pedals. When I finally sat up straight and realized what had just happened, I noticed I was bleeding. And my head really hurt.

A man who was driving behind me stopped and ran over to see if I was okay. The police were called and it quickly became an embarrassing scene I wanted to escape. I told them I was fine and I didn’t need paramedics, but, “Could you just help me get my chain back on my bike?”

My hands were cut and bloody, but I got the chain back on, got back on the bike and thanked everyone who had stopped. It wasn’t until I got about a mile away that I realized my bike took a serious hit too. Poor Ruby needs new handlebars. And I need a new helmet. And to pay more attention. It is going to hurt to spend another $200 on tri gear this month.

However, the irony of crashing into a merge sign? Priceless.

–I am thankful for the leaf in my kitchen table that allows me to extend my creative sewing space an additional three feet. This week the table is piled high with a pink work-in-progress that’s a surprise. One of my new sewing inspirations is Pink Lemonade. Wowie — her work is stunning.

–I am thankful for my running shoes. There is something about new running shoes that gets me out in the heat for another long jaunt when my tired legs are screaming for a break. This week I’ve logged 18 miles running, 3 miles swimming and 30 miles on my bike. I took pilates and played softball last night with a new team. I’m feeling strong, in great part to my new friend Erin. She’s pushed me to be better in many ways — including putting down the bagel and reaching for some moderation instead.

–I am thankful for new media. I’m listening to Ozomatli and Timbaland this week. I’m reading Lamb, one of Finny’s favorites. I’m hoping to catch several new movies this weekend, with my buddy Homer J. at the top of the list.

–I am thankful for the powerful attitude-changing force of afternoon monsoon rains. The clouds gather in the east all day and on a good afternoon this time of year, they crack open just as I’m getting in my car to commute home. By the time I get back to Tempe, the temperature has dropped 10-20 degrees, the earth smells like heavenly creosote and the fiery tempers — that rightfully come with living in Phoenix this time of year — get washed away with the dust.

–I’m thankful for friends who let me interview them for freelance articles (which annoyingly isn’t online, but is front page of today’s travel section) and for the chance to write for the local paper.

–As always, I am thankful for my family and faith. First, I am skipping along today at the news my family is coming to Arizona for the holidays. (Yep, we plan that far in advance. You didn’t think I developed this Type A planning craziness on my own, did you? It’s most certainly genetic.) I’ll have my family in my home for Christmas. A tree! A tofurkey roast! Stockings on my mantle! And to the latter, I’ve been enjoying a new podcast that’s keeping my spirits high and more enthused than ever. I didn’t think that was possible either.

Happy Friday to you!
Kelli

* I fully stole Gratitude Friday from my buddy Autum. She does it much better!

Last weekend I cruised up to northern Arizona to tour a couple wineries with some friends. While the wineries ranked from “Oh my. Is that dog peeing? Inside?! AY! We’re so out of here.” to “Wow. I feel like I’m on the set of Brothers & Sisters. Now where is that tasty Senator?” it was worth the journey.

Wine in Arizona is definitely not like wine in northern California or South Africa, but hey — we are into buying local and celebrating small business. And if I have to drive to Sedona — one of my favorite places — and have dinner at one of my favorite restaurants to do so, then by all means. Count me in and pour another glass.

This week, I’m freakishly focused on tri-training, sewing and getting my house in order for another trip abroad in a few weeks. Mmm… Bolivian wine.

Something tells me mid-race I may have wished I drank less and trained more. Something also tells me when I’m on my death bed, I’ll be glad I celebrated life.
~K

Yesterday I sewed and stamped summer stationery. This week, I’ll write lengthy letters to my pen pal in Italy and my grammie who doesn’t email.

Who doesn’t like getting personal mail? There is a new national campaign to encourage letter writing as an art. I have to agree; I don’t save much, but in my small collection of most cherished things, there are several letters I’d run back into a burning building to save. Now, to find a good pen…
~K