Alison R

En garde

I am beyond sore. My entire left leg hurts every time I walk or get up from a chair. Thursday night my mom and G drove me to All Saint’s College in Newcastle where a weekly fencing club is held. I was really nervous when I was on my way because I didn’t know what sort of people I would meet and if I would be up to their club’s standards. Fortunately, I received a warm welcome from the members of the Newcastle Fencing Club. We began with warm up exercises which were incredibly exhausting! They were different than the ones I do with the SHU team plus I haven’t done any fencing exercises in months! The pain I feel now is my own fault for not staying in shape after the fencing season ended. After warm-ups, we had some time for free fencing. It was great to fence epee again after such a hiatus. I wasn’t up to par but it was to be expected. Fencing isn’t like riding a bike; you can’t just hop back on after a break and be just as good. It takes time and practice. I hope I can go back next Thursday.

The grass is always greener...

My lack of posts has been due the last few hectic weeks of my life which have consisted of readying myself for my trip to England. Well I’ve arrived! I left America on June 15^th and after a little over 24 hours of traveling (which included flight delays, near starvation, and exhaustion) I arrived in Newcastle, England! My mom lives not too far from Newcastle in a little town called Hexham.  I went on a lovely walk in some nearby woods with my stepfather's daughter, Tess. She just graduated from Trinity College in Ireland with a degree in English and Philosophy.  We walked through the woods and caught up with eachother.  The woods were a bit steep and muddy at some parts so I had to try and shake the “city” part of me that longed for smooth pavement. It was beautiful.  The woods turned into pastures which were inhabited by cows, sheep, and some really majestic horses!  It's so refreshing to be in a place with clean, crisp air and green landscape as far as the eye can see.  I'm so happy I get to spend time with my mom who has been living in the UK for about tow years now.  I'll be here for two months and I can't wait to see what the summer has in store for me.

Drop and give me 20!

     When school lets out I totally lose track of the days.  They all blur into one long weekend.

     I have to get into shape and there is no time like the present.  After fencing season ends I usually like to take a break and relax.  Unfortunately my “break” usually lasts until conditioning starts next fencing season.  I go months without any physical activity and spend the time complaining about how out of shape I am.  That old Ali is done!  New Ali is here!  She is going to motivate!  The gym at Sacred Heart is really awesome so I’m going to utilize it.  Since I don’t have a car (yes, I’m a car-less commuter!), I am going to walk about 8/10 of a mile to the bus stop, take the number four to SHU, and work out!  There will be running, pedaling, crunching and most certainly collapsing!  What’s that old saying?  “Beauty is pain.”  I usually reference that when it comes to women in heels and waxing but I’d like to apply it now.  Wish me luck! 

Testing 1 2 3 Testing…

    It seems like forever since the days of Blurty, Xanga and Livejournal (other blog sites)! I’m excited to have this new blog with more of a purpose. I enjoy writing so much but I usually end up putting it off because it’s not on my “to-do list”. Well this is definitely on my to-do list now.

 I can’t believe my school year is over. Sophomore year FLEW by, especially the second semester. Today I had a final in American Voices and British Traditions. I can’t wait to see how I did. I can’t remember the last time I wrote so much by hand. This computer age doesn’t require much legible penmanship so I’m going to cross my fingers that my professors will understand what I wrote! 

I’m in utter disbelief that I am FREE! 

    I went to Penfield Beach in Fairfield with Dorina, Mace and Forsyth. It was nice to walk on the sand and see the moon illuminating the Sound.

    Tomorrow Dorina, Sara, Molly and I will have a ladies night at Taco Loco. We’re going to wear really pretty dresses! We’re celebrating freedom from classes, the upcoming summer and Dorina’s graduation. Dorina is the first one to graduate from my group of girlfriends and will be stepping into the “real world” this September. She has a great job waiting for her at an accounting firm. Sometimes I get nervous that I won’t end up with a good job or I’ll do something I really don’t enjoy. I just have to remind myself that doing what you love is what is most important and then the money will follow. Right?! I hope so. *sigh*

Sleep now. Contemplate life later. Goodnight!