Desderata

If ever I’ve had a rough day, I think about my grandmother, who had Max Ehrmann’s Desiderata hanging on the wall of her house. Most are familiar with it, but I feel it is well worth repeating:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. May fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Tropical Wave Hits Rochester

On Monday and Tuesday the temperature reached 68 degrees. SIXTY- EIGHT degrees!?!? Can you even believe that? It was bizarre but awesome to run in a sports bra and paddle in a T shirt. (The water is still frigid, though!) I figured I should “make hay while the sun shines,” so I paddled as much as I could. Now it’s back to blustery: like living inside of a ping-pong ball. Last night I had all the windows open in my apartment, and at 5am I woke up to a gust of wind an a splash of water on my face. It was so windy that it was spraying the rain around, and making it look like a helicopter was landing in the parking lot. Cold, rainy, dark.. ahh yes, this is the Rochester I know and love. Welcome back.

Happy New Year!

It’s Day Three....Day Three of what promises to be an year of unprecedented improvement and success. I have no doubts about that. I’m starting to pick out my races (canoeing vs. marathon kayaking vs. sprint kayaking.) There’s much to consider and even though it can be stressful, it’s wonderful to have so many avenues to follow, all abundant with chances to compete and improve. Look for my tentative 2008 schedule posted soon.

Bluegrass Fever

I got a mandolin for Christmas! And if that’s not a random gift, I don’t know what is! No actually I’ve wanted one for awhile but it was totally a surprise. Christmas was wonderful and low-key. The snow cover left much to be desired but I had a relaxing few days off. Now I’m headed on a road trip to New York City for New Year’s with a very good friend. More to follow.

My Birthday and Christmas

My birthday was on Saturday, and it was perfect. I had to work in the morning at the gym and afterwards I went home to my parent's house in Fairport and opened gifts. I got some pretty yarn for knitting, and (drumroll please) RUNNING SNOWSHOES!!! So of course I had to go try them out. My dad and I went to Indian hill and did a short hike. They work great and I can't wait to do workouts in them. I couldn't believe how high I could get my heart rate running up those hills. Perfect, because I needed another hobby.

Today I went to Indian Hill again (gorgeous) and then church with my family.

Tomorrow is a low-key Christmas, which will hopefully include skiing, weather permitting.

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY!!!

www.emilywright.org

I finally have a website. This will hopefully aid me in the future with any sort of sponsorship opportunities I may seek... for now it's more of a fun project. I've been working on it for months, and (I think) it's finally functional and pretty enough to unveil. Enjoy!!

the website

the blog

Inconsequential Update

So finals are over and I hardly know what to do with myself. It's a great feeling. Yesterday afternoon I skied for a good while at MPP and then went straight over to the red barn at RIT for a few hours of climbing with Tim, Bryan, Drew, and Joel. I am exhausted. But--winter break!! So what the hell? I let myself sleep in until 8am this morning and then sat around in my pajamas til noon doing work on my computer.

I went to Wegmans this afternoon, which is always fabulous. I don't know what got into me, but I left with a cart filled with no less than 10 kinds of vegetables: carrots, celery, green beans, broccoli, radishes, lettuce, a pepper, a cucumber, grape tomatoes, and an onion. Weird.

I'm headed out to lift weights now, and afterwards I need to finish getting/making/wrapping my Christmas presents. Mostly just wrapping, though... because I am totally on top of things. Even though I can't believe Christmas is in 6 days (not to mention my birthday even sooner!)

More interesting/ridiculous adventure posts are soon to follow. It's winter break!!!!