So, I am mentally gearing up to run in Boulder this Sunday.  I decided to downgrade from a half marathon to 10 mile for my first race, which I think was a good decision.  As of Friday, I've had pretty dreadful shin splints, which I hope will subside before Sunday.  After that, I am going to return to biking to work and start with swim lessons as well to give my legs some rest.

I have a difficult time condensing the past few weeks and pulling out the memorable bits.  But I'll try to start somewhere.  On Friday, the VISTA team leader who works with the Colorado Youth Corps Association conducted a site visit with me and my supervisor.  She basically went through a list of dramatic and non-dramatic questions, including, "Who do you feel is benefitting from Sarah's year of service?"  I enjoyed it, actually, although I sometimes don't do well on the spot.  But it was a good chance to hear my supervisor say nice things about me without having to ask. 

I also helped to build a runway - wow!  I don't think I contributed much to this process, but I did use a power drill several times and measured pieces of wood.  The runway was for a fashion show fundraiser for an organization some of my friends volunteer for in Denver.  We built the ramp in the organization's founder's garage in Denver.  She had adorable five year old twins who really wanted to be everyone's best friend and help tighten bolts. 

Last Friday, I invited a lady to do a workshop with our TIGHT corps members on watercolor painting.  I was skeptical about how this would turn out, but it was remarkably successful.  The seven boys who did the workshop were genuinely engaged and respectful.  One of them painted a profile of a guy with an Afro who had a rainbow shooting out of his hair and announced at the end of the class that he was going to save up his money to buy painting supplies. 

I have been very eager to eat and read about eating lately.  This theme ties into a few actual events -- my roommate and two of her friends and I went to Denver last Friday for something called restaurant week where fancy restaurants offer a 3-4 course meal for a not terribly high cost.  We ate at a rather trendy restaurant called Cru with all of the city folk.  I had butternut squash ravioli, roasted pepper chicken with truffles and mashed potatoes, and molten chocolate lava cake.  Delicious...but I feel that I've only been in Denver's most mainstream areas.  I had that feeling again when we walked around downtown after eating, and I feel a need to explore further and more seriously.

Also related to food -- I'm planning a six-week cooking class for TIGHT through a national non-profit called Share Our Strength (check them out -- Jeff Bridges is one of their biggest fans).  I've recruited volunteers through the Dietetics program at UNC, and Share Our Strength provides the curriculum and a stipend to buy groceries and whatever else we need to run the program.  The class participants get to take home a bag of groceries to practice cooking with their families, so it's a pretty good deal. 

So those are a few of the more exciting things.  I don't feel I've had much time lately to reflect on anything, and it seems really important.  I have the common sensation I think I've described before of stacking up with thoughts.  Perhaps this long race will help, if my legs improve.  Talking and listening to other people talk and eating s'mores around a bonfire are good as well...

This week seems a bit challenging at the moment -- I'm doing a brief training with the cooking class volunteers tomorrow and then parent teacher conferences with another staff to recruit for one of our summer programs.  And hoping my legs pull through.  So, if you think about it, please send positive thoughts my way.