Grand View!

Today was a beautiful day! Ok, so the weather was a bit crummy but other than that, it was beautiful. I woke up and was ready to get up! I couldn't believe it! So I got up and realized that I still didn't have a voice, but there was some tone in the voice. Yesterday was only at a whisper. From there, I went to PT. Today was a big PT day for me because I had my PFA (Physical Fitness Assessment). The test consists of a running 1.5 miles, sit-ups, and the notorious exercise of the military, push ups. mmm.... There are minimums in each category that you must reach in order to pass. The reason this was so important for me, was because if I didn't pass, I wouldn't be able to qualify for a scholarship within ROTC. We started with pushups and let me tell you, they are not my forte. You are given a minute and since I wasn't feeling very chipper, I only made it to 30. Earlier in the year, I made it to 42 so I know I can do better. I will take one more test this year and then I hope to really show my stuff. After the push ups, we moved to sit ups. I am very stron here. I made it to 53 and the max is 51 so I just decided to stop. I wouldn't have gotten any points for any beyond 51 so I just rested for the run. After a short break, we started the 1.5 mile run. Now, this run is inside on a really bad track. You have to run 14.5 laps (although I ALWAYS forget to count...) in less than 14 minutes. Easy right? Yeah, not so much. After you have just used your legs for push ups and sit ups, they are tired. PLUS, you are now running around in a stuffy gym with tight curves as you go around the track. Another thing is that I would rather run 10 miles over 2. It is way different running distances. In this case, you need to sprint in order to get done in time. Gross. I ended up finishing in 13:30 or something like that. Not great but I passed.

After that, I took a nap. I love naps.

From there, I had a long awaited meeting with Megan Torgerson, Miss Minnesota 2003. We met at the Grandview (hence the title...) Grill in St. Paul for breakfast and chatting. What a blast! I talked with Megan a bit after the pageant in Coon Rapids and from what I knew from Facebook, I could tell she was an overall wonderful person. As it turns out, we are alot alike! I had heard from a few people that we were fairly similar but until you actually see it for yourself, I must admit, I was skeptical. After a few tops of coffee, and full bellies it was off to work. We talked about almost everything, from competition, to our pasts, to what we are going to do with ourselves in the future. After meeting with her, she really inspired me to work on a few things that I kind of was on the edge about.

To digress for just a moment, I thought it was pretty cool to be sitting at a table with a former Miss Minnesota! Oh my goodness how cool is that! I had always had the "dream" to meet Miss MN or even Miss America but never really thought it would happen. Now, I have met four Miss Minnesotas and even one former Miss America! WOW! That is pretty cool to me.

Finally, to close for the day, I wanted to send my love and prayers to the families in southern Minnesota. Earlier today there was a bus crash involving other vehicles. There were three fatalities with others injured. I know what it is like to lose a classmate. It is not something you think will ever happen, until it does. Details are vague at the moment but I am sure there will be more to come. To the school of Lakeville and the community of Cottonwood, you are in my prayers.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6