Competition

There are many forms of it. Friendly competition that builds camaraderie. Unspoken competition that gradually deteriorates friendships. Open rivalries. Competition to advance in some way.

My pride should have taken a major fall, but it wasn't too bad. My team, my beloved Texas Longhorns lost by a touchdown to OU. That's only a big deal because a) I am a Texas fan living in Oklahoma, and b) my boyfriend graduated from OU, lived in their stadium, and absolutely loves those Sooners. JT has been very graceful about it. I think it's because OU only beat them by a touchdown. Some predicted it would be a blowout. Both teams, and the entire Big XII for that matter have a lot of work to do! Anyway, I pictured a big show of exaggerated celebrations and dramatics during the game, but that was kind of muted because JT was as sick as a dog. When it was over, the outcome wasn't the typical end of a competition, just an attitude of so that's that.

I have been a competitive person my entire life. It's in my nature as a human being, as the firstborn and only girl of three children in my family, and as my father's daughter.

In sports, I was incredibly clumsy, but I went out for the team every year. It wasn't natural ability or winning that kept me signing up every season, it was my competitive nature. I have missed playing sports because my life is much better when that kind of adrenaline, strategy, and power is incorporated into my lifestyle. I am determined to play indoor soccer again and develop fundamental skills so it looks like I know what I am doing out there.

I am running in the Tulsa Run two weeks from Saturday. Sometimes I wonder if 15K is too much for a first race. This is coming from the person who broke stride in footraces on the playground when it became apparent that I was going to lose. It's different, running. It's not a team sport; your success is totally dependent on your ability. I have worked, but not too hard. I can run 6 miles on a good day, but my runs are becoming more inconsistent. I suck wind and jog at a snail-like pace. I average about 11-12 minutes per mile, which is fast compared to my track record. (HA! Yes, pun intended!)

Even though I've been running for months, I've developed habits but no consistency. I'll run three nights one week and one night another week. On my days back from a couple days' break, I can run farther and faster. When I've gotten enough sleep, carbs, and protein, my performance is better, who would have known. Some days I run six miles. Other days I am struggling before the first mile marker. I just need to not be so self-conscious. I need to take the Truffle Shuffle out there and ignore everyone else during the race. I need someone to tell me that even if I can't run nine miles, and my pace is much slower than everyone else's, it won't hurt to give it my best instead of giving up and making excuses.

Confession time: I am a very prideful woman. I hate not being right, not being perfect. I would rather be bad at something than be great but not perfect at it. Just for kicks, what do you consider the best way to douse a competition that has gotten out of hand? How do you lay down your pride and agree to disagree when arguing with someone?

I think that learning how to exist peacefully with people is one of the most important things to master in this world, and that laying down your pride and approaching a person to talk things out is key in those baby steps of learning. Even though I will never be perfect at it, this is one thing I will not hesitate to try.

Questing

Spring goals (other than the obvious):

1) Sell clothing
2) Find out how to create the perfect curls (that stay!)
3) Secure new Bocce Ball set, hopefully for less than $30
4) Condense belongings in general

Remembering last night

It was A-MAZING!

First of all, I played tennis for the first time ever and "showed some improvement," according to my handsome, ever-so-patient coach. Today, I cannot move, but it was completely worth it. I found that the faster and more out of reach the serve was, the more accurate I was. It was awesome. I'll be a pro in no time, no worries! I know a certain girl in Siloam Springs, Arkansas who would have been incredibly proud of me and owes me major props.

We parted ways and he surprised me by picking me up in a convertible he borrowed from a friend. Now I'm no expert on cars, but it looked a little something like this. Yeah. Seriously nice. He tested its limits, and we enjoyed the cool night wind whipping against our faces alongside the River.

It almost felt like we were in a different city last night. We went to this trendy little district called Brookside -- one of Tulsa's only attempts at contemporary urban chic -- which I've driven past a thousand and one times, but have never really stopped to smell the roses. We had The Brook fine American cuisine, stopped for coffee at Shades of Brown (his favorite hazelnut mocha), and then went to KoKoa chocolatier where we split this amazing dark chocolate and raspberry tart. I know a certain girl who lives in Bourbonnais and owes me a trip to this little chocolate factory ASAP!

Also, we went to the Center of the Universe. It's this little spot downtown Tulsa where everything sort of echoes -- a freak of nature, almost. Oh, while we were walking, a guy approached us and said, "Are you guys selling any weed?" We thought it was cute that we were mistaken for drug dealers in our little black hoodies. And my Boyfriend was victorious because everyone we asked thought he was 23! My old man has aged so well!

The night was just gorgeous. So pretty much, I have the best boyfriend in the entire world and I thank God for him and our wonderful talks we had last night.

Growing up

This March, I filled out my first ever NCAA Men's Basketball bracket. So far, I am about 60% accurate, and only one of my Elite 8 teams is already out. My Final Four consists of North Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, and Florida. I know Tennessee is kind of a long shot, but I had an instinct about them for some reason. Granted, I also gave Holy Cross and Xavier the benefit of the doubt and they failed me miserably. Oh, and I picked North Carolina to defeat Kansas in the Big Dance, 76-72. (I find it ironic that my brother Mike picked the exact same score for two different teams!)

It's a vicious cycle. The teams I hate never cease to disappoint me, even when I am rooting for them to win. Example, I counted on Duke to win purely because I dislike their program and what did they do!? They lost the very first game to some random, irreputable school with three names.

On the other hand, my Dallas Mavericks' little "slump" came and went, and with no repercussions in the standings. Phoenix, the closest team in the race, also lost two games in a row, so every thing's right on track and Dad and I are so excited!

Speaking of him, I am going to make more of an effort to let him know how much I appreciate him. He has worked hard to provide for our family, is probably the best stomach doctor out there, and has been nothing but a model of integrity and strength and wisdom since I've known him. I am definitely a Daddy's Girl. I am his Baby Angel, after all. He has a Facebook now, believe it or not, and we are official Facebook friends. I helped him fill out his profile, and he is a bona fide computer literate.

You should add him. Unless you're a freak. Actually, scratch that. Unless you don't know us. You can be a freak. We know and love plenty of freaks.