Happy 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wishing you and your family all the best in 2011

 Let's make it great!

A sincere thanks to everyone that follows me and for sending along your messages of love and support during the year. It means a lot to me when you stop by, I do my best to stay in touch and keep it real. Maybe too real...

But guess what? I can't wait to do it all again in 2011 and I hope you'll join me again for the ride!

XO

Perdita

Santa To Me

Thanks for my peeps who remind me to blog when it gets to the point that I sometimes forget. A lot of changes the last few weeks have taken much of my focus.

Change is good sometimes, right? Ya its what I am telling myself.

Training is going well, I can't believe I'll be racing in a months time. Where does the time go? It's my favorite time of the year and I am doing my best to enjoy it. But I do admit I had way more fun with Christmas when I was a kid, I could care less about giving, simply receiving was my cause.

When I was eight I really wanted high top sneakers, that is all I would ask for. When I was nine I remember wanting a jean skirt. I guess showing my legs was all I could dream of. I usually got what I wanted, and thankfully it was always something affordable.

My mom still has the very first gift I ever bought her with my own money (that she gave me). It was a figurine of a house I bought at a bargain store in 1987. I never bought her a card, but the bottom of it was lined with green felt and in black marker I wrote the date, Merry Christmas and that I loved her. Anytime I see it (which isn't often), to hold it makes me remember what life was like for us back then, and that makes me tearful and grateful.

It didn't matter how many things were under the tree, or if we had a tree or anything to put under it. I knew from an early age Santa wasn't real. Or at least he wasn't an old man with a big gut and long beard. It was a woman I watched work night and day who never showed any signs of giving up. She'd wake me up when it was still dark outside, but let me sleep again on her lap when it was time to comb my hair. We'd walk in dark silence for half an hour to my sitters, and everytime she'd kiss me, tell me to behave and I'd watch her leave. She'd take the bus for hours even in the freezing cold, or pouring rain to work. Taking great care of other people's children, to make sure she could provide and take great care of her own.

I knew how hard it was for her to leave me every time and even though I was extremely young we were so well connected that I could feel her burden. I saw her cry many times and remember telling her it was "OK", and knowing that if I at least behaved, as she asked me to, I would be doing the only thing I could to help her.

So when I think of Christmas or this time of year I don't think of Santa, or Christmas trees. I think of the wonderful mother God gave me and how this time of year reminds me of how blessed I am to have her. And hope I can bless my own children with her resillence, devotion and gift of sacrifice. So when I think of Christmas I think of love and all the wonderful memories I have with her but mostly because of her. And how many of the most poignant ones come to mind around this time of year or just if I'm walking after dark in bitter cold.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Wishing you and your family the most joy and peace!

Perdita

PTV-2 Hurdlers 5 Questions

Hey World,
My YouTube page has been missing me, so I've uploaded a new video. It's from my camera during an interview with Priscilla and I in July in Toronto with E-talk. Hope you like it.

I'l also be updating @

PTV- My YouTube Channel & My Official Facebook Page 

So check them out, when work is not the business! ;-)

Have a great one!

XO

P.

Re-Discovering Perdita

Just so it's clear there is still no cable or TV action in my life.

How's it going you ask? Pretty good actually, though I spend a lot more time online.  Family Feud on Facebook standup!

I've now settled into a routine and Coach Randy and I are finding our way as coach and pupil. We've been friends for years and I have to say it's been a very easy transition. I appreciate his leadership when we are on the track, and how attentive he is to all the athletes under his watch.

Now anyone who has ever coached me will say a few things about the athlete that I am:

1) I ask a lot of questions--all the time--everyday--even if I probably know the answer.

I'm sure it's annoying, tedious, redundant--the works! But I've always been a very curious pupil. I want to know the purpose of why we do what we do, and why another way is simply not the answer today.

Luckily I've never had a coach with an ego and they have all indulged me. Every single time. But I have to say my new coach must feel like he is having a pop quiz every day. I'm glad he knows me (and has seen this in action with my former coach good old Gdub) and he patiently explains away. That I believe is a sign of a good teacher, and I've been blessed to know a few.

2). I find GREAT joy and pleasure in the teeniest victory. I don't care what it is, or how small the feat seems to be. If I did something that was asked of me, (regardless if all the other parts were crap!) I'll celebrate what I did do right, to the fullest extent of the law my space.

So anytime Coach Randy graces me with any kind of praise or positive reinforcement I dance like it's the second coming. Mainly because I love progress--in ANY form. (Yes. I literally break out in dance or do a Ryu Street Fighter "All You Can!" upper cut in the air). I know he has seen this before when he wasn't my personal coach, but he still looks at me crazy and says: "Hold  on...hold on, you haven't arrived yet!" as he ponders my foolery. To which I say: "But--I'm pulling up in my new whip coach---beep beep". (This action must be mimed out).

Another thing I appreciate in my new environment is it is acknowledged that I do somethings very well. Certain technical elements I do are world class and I could very well be the prototype for them. (OK you got me. No one has EVER said that last part to me, but it's my blog and that's how I'm gonna frame it, OK. So please be a good teacher  reader and indulge me). ;0)

Anyways as a world class athlete there will always be a level that I can reach with basic effort. But it's time for me to expect precision in my reps and have more of a sense of urgency with the time I have left in my career. If I have become subconsciously complacent, when I step into this mans practice such a trance is not welcome. It not an environment where perfection is expected, so much as an athletes passionate belief and respect for their own ability.

I'm learning to challenge myself and while I'm good, I don't just want to be good enough. And that is a decision that the pupil makes (all over again) not the coach.

Hope you can bring some of what I'm discovering to your own venture.
Thanks for reading.

Perdita

**Also please stop by the new Official Perdita Felicien Facebook Page. This will be another way I'll be updating on what's new in my world!**

Little P On The Prairie?

So I'm toying with an idea, but I'm not sure how far I'll take it. It's already been over 24 hours and I'm thinking I could totally do this...well maybe. I know you're wondering what I'm talking about, I'm getting to that, but allow me to set it up.

Yesterday I moved into my new place. Everything I own is in this piece, I mean there are boxes piled to the popcorn heavens. Normally my first order of business would be to declutter my space. But apparently not this time.

Having done this a year ago, my labour intensive move from Champaign to Atlanta is still too fresh for me to want to deconstruct cardboard boxes all day. Yawn. My crock pot and crochet will just have to wait until later to be unearthed.

However my priorities in a new place is always to get the kitchen and the food game up and running. Gotta have my snacks and nobody loves salmonella.

Next is usually getting the entertainment situation sorted out: internet, cable with TiVo, HD, the works.

Side Note: Did you know my fav Judge Judy comes on three times a day here? From 4-530pm I watch her destroy peoples self efficacy. Apart from the end of practice this is usually the highlight of my day.

Now, since I was previously staying at the besties house, her and her husband paid ALL utilities (even their own mortgage). It was three weeks of bill free bliss for moi. I didn't even have to supply my own toothpaste! For a person who doesn't like to spend money and has been told I am the definition of parsimony by both my accountant and a travel agent (who don't know each other, by the way) this was fueling the frugal fire within.

Now that I am suddenly responsible for my own heat, cable---and toothpaste.... chaaa....I kinda miss not having to worry about such things. Having only been on my own one day, my big idea is this: I will not order any cable, instead I'll go Little House on the Prairie sorta like.

Side note: I will splurge on some Colgate Total but that's as far as I'm taking it. Though I reserve the right to help myself to the besties batch from time to time. I don't need a new tube, I steal accept partials.

What do you think? I brought this up to a few close friends and I'm greeted with the same dry skepticism: "Yeah right", then they instantly move on to the next topic. They give no credence to my announcement/proposal.

But I'm going with my gut here. I think I can do this, so far I want to do this. It's not really about saving $70 a month, its more about the time that will be free to work on some projects I've been putting off for a while. It's night number two and so far so good. My aim is to take it month by month.

OK that's it. Thanks for listening.

Channeling my inner Laura Ingalls
P

P. S. Nik if you read this can you TiVo Judge Judy for me, this week only--I pinky promise. I can watch them in your guest bedroom if I ever need a fix. Love ya girl!  P. P.S. Can a sista keep that spare key?!

1000 Invisible Mornings

Pardon my disappearing act, it is week 4 of training and I am beat! Getting into shape has got to be the most uncomfortable part of my job. Oh wait. I forgot something. Riiight.... how about peeing in a cup in front of a perfect stranger. TMI? Me too. Imagine being there.

Anyhoo normally I have a legion of trackstars going through the initiation with me (Ok at least one other). But as it stands this is now a one woman show. Strangely I don't mind this. 

It has forced me to dig deeper and really question why I go to work every day. Is it to be seen? To socialize? Compare abdominal definition? Heck no. I lose that one every season.

The point is I have a much clearer sense that this is about me and no one else, and that I really want this. Yes, it would be nice to have someone to fall out with in drama queen fashion after being baptized by lactic fire. Now, I can no longer find comfort in our intertwined agony.

The truth of the matter is, each person is responsible for making their own dream come true. And I aim to stay faithful to mine regardless of who is there to bare witness.

The walls where I train read: “Champions are made on a thousand invisible mornings”. That mantra has buoyed my courage everyday.

XO

Perdit

**Click to view my complete Mali Album!!**

Back At One

Whats good Peeps? Hopefully everything!

I've been basking in the after glow that was my trip to Mali. Did you know that I left the Western Hemisphere? No.

Ouch.

Well hopefully some of you read the blog on the regular and knew that I was having the trip of a lifetime...And it was all going good until I was shipped back to reality via an Air France flight, some time last week. How does a Bella feel about this? Well, in the spirit of  Hallows' Eve: BOOO!

So here I am. Back to life as I know it. In track speak, I'm back at one. The first week of training and all you and I need to care about at this junction is that I have survived.

A lot of changes happened in the last two months.  I am no longer training in Atlanta, but have carved out a nice oasis for myself in the sexy town that is East Lansing, Michigan @ Michigan State University.

SIKE.

I have been here four days and have yet to find the sexy. Not sure it's ever been here in fact. But I digress. I'm here training with Randy Gillon, I'm happy to be welcomed here and excited to get back to the structure and standards needed to be the best.

Be sure to check back my little corner of the interweb, I'll be able to share more once I settle into a routine.

Oh and in case there was ever any doubt--Don't! I will be  "I-L-L"ing all up in this piece, if only under my breath.

Perdita-A Loyal Fighting Illini (in a land of green)
Circa 2000

Oldie but a Funny-Check the joke during Back @One 2008

Mali: Day 4 In Pictures

Day four in Bamako was a very productive one. Right To Play held a conference at the National Sports University on a range of topics from: sport and education to sport for development. There was some media coverage and great dialogue. As ambassadors we all addressed the room with our personal stories and messages.

In the afternoon we got to be big kids!  Right To Play was celebrating its 10th anniversary and used an inclusive play day to celebrate. Happy Anniversary! 200 kids from eight Bamako community centres were unleashed and we had a ball.

There were also students from Jigiya Kanlaso school, which is a school for children with special needs. I learned an important aspect of Right To Play is having their coaches adapt and modify games so all children can participate.

Thanks for letting me share this with you. Have a great weekend.
P

Dave, Marnie, Chris, Moi, Jeremy at the conference

Right To Play Mali staff, some of the best souls I've met

The boys with the staff after the conference

Chris with the director of the university

 I was all up in this parachute, it didn't make any sense, ahh feels like grade 3!

Jeremy and the kids

Cutie Pies

Chris and the boyz

I love this picture! (Chris took it)

Love this one too (Chris again!)

Duck duck goose...Mali version, so much fun!

Dave, his group loved him!

Mali: Day 3 In Pictures

On day three we drove 1.5 hours to reach the village of Keleya where we met with Right To Play staff, the mayor and his advisors. We visited their school, hospital and walked around the village.

We drove another hour and arrived in Manfilani, where we met the traditional leaders, watched a frisbee match and danced and had fun.

Enjoy and be great today!

Perdita

Holding a baby born the night before in Keleya. The hospital is responsible for quite a large area and isn't very large itself.

The doula tells the exhausted mother that her baby will be fast and a champion too now that I've held him :)

Lunch in Keleya with Right To Plays partner Borne Fonden together they have provided remarkable programs to the commune (region) of Keleya and beyond.

The children of Manfilani, excited and very curious

A tiny spectator soaks in the girls frisbee match

Being greeted in Manfilani

Manfilani's girls frisbee team. Because of Right To Play there are many like them in other villages.

He was so happy to let let me take his picture,

The bottom of the village well in Keleya

The school courtyard in Keleya

Meeting the students 

I made another friend!

Posing with a civil servant in Keleya. This is the first time in Mali history that a woman has held this position and she just started the previous week!

Paths in Keleya

Children leaving school

The birthing suite in Keleya hospital

No pain medication is administered and you labour here

Making friends in Keleya

The village chief of Manfilani giving the official welcome to us on behalf of his community

Meeting with the village leaders and discussing Right To Plays impact and success

Manfilani is ready to watch their girls play frisbee!

Deuces up lets go team!

Spectators on every side

This game is serious

Chris getting his dance on...we all did!

You see me jukeing!

Marnie presents a new frisbee after the game

Julia, who works for Right To Play in their Toronto office and I. Our first visit to Africa, how perfect that is was to Mali!