175.4 The Aftermath

Well, our team (the MZ PHTZ), so named because we didn't really fit into any of the categories, didn't make it to the final round. But on the other hand, we weren't the first team out in our group so our pride is intact. But we had a great time and agreed that we will probably never forget this event. It attracted about 350 people who came to watch so the goal of getting lots of people involved was reached. And everyone had fun, and a lot of money was raised for the kids in the local school system. So who won? The team from the local library won.

So I am off to bed and will probably dream in letters like I have for the past few nights.

(The picture is of the TV star and my dear friend Sally.)

175.4 Spelling Bee TV

This morning the spelling bee that Jeff has been working on for 2 months now was featured on a local TV program. He found out yesterday morning that it would be filmed today, and that he needed to get at least 12 folks, preferably in costume, to participate. I went along as a morale booster since I was the only one from my team that was available. A great moment was when a real bee decided to swoop around Jeff and the interviewer, Yetta. No, this was not planned! Here's the site to see the TV interview. Jeff did a great job planning this and talking about it today on TV along with the rowdy fun spellers!

http://www.azfamily.com/good-morning-arizona/

So I'm thinking about today and how I probably would not have participated if I hadn't lost that weight! And, I would have missed out on so much fun. And, very few people involved even knew that I had been heavier so it wasn't about them. It was about me and how I feel about myself versus how I used to feel. I used to hide and miss out.

I have to remember these things as I continue to make peace with food and with myself.

176.2 52 Pick Up!

Remember that not so fun joke we used to play on one another. It was really only fun if you were the one who got to throw the cards up in the air!

My life is a little like 52 pick up today, but that's good news. I'm in the midst of trying to memorize at least 500 - 1,000 words for the student/adult spelling bee I'm participating in on Wednesday night to benefit the local school system. I've been working on this for a while, but now the pressure is really on. I don't have to win, but I don't want my team to fail miserably either. And my team is in the process of reinventing itself since an emergency has arisen for two of the members so I'm scrambling to find willing friends to join me.

And, I have an appointment this afternoon to meet a new ESL student that I am going to tutor. He's a businessman from Japan who wants to improve his English so I'm really looking forward to that. I'm really excited and happy to have this opportunity.

Now about the weight.... Yesterday I walked very briskly for an hour, the longest I have walked in a long time. And, the weight stayed the same. So focus, focus, focus, Sue! Enjoy all the craziness in your life right now, but stay focused! Small portions, exercise, healthy food, lots of water, eat slowly just to name a few of the things you need to keep in mind.

174.2 Challenges! What Would We Do Without Challenges!

Yes, my weight is pretty stuck, but I'll focus on seriously losing those 5 pounds after the spelling bee, my new challenge. You'd think I'd be satisfied with learning to play bridge and Mah Jongg!

I'm on a spelling bee team with two other gals and since it is only one week away, it's time to get serious! I've just spent a couple of hours on a great site (http://www.visualthesaurus.com/bee/play) that has turned out to be quite challenging. One of the things I've noticed is that some words are pronounced differently than I have heard them spoken. That's a problem. And, I have never heard or read some of the words in my life. For example, kinnikinick (a bark, dried plant, and tobacco mixture smoked by the Indians and early pioneers), and necessitous (needing help immediately), and concinnity (in an harmonic arrangement), are three the of words that were new to me. When I see them now and know what they mean they don't seem so strange, but when I heard them initially, I was thrown for a loop. What I have realized after today's foray into the depths of what this means for me to be of any value to my team is that I need to learn about common endings that all sound the same and change depending on the origin of the word. Oh Sue, so much to learn , so little time!