May 13, 2008 - a new book...

I got a new book.

It's called Beyond Fear by Don Miguel Ruiz.

This is the same author of The Four Agreements.

I can't wait to start reading it...


"Fear is the source of all the negative agreements we've made with life. It alienates us from the joy that is our birthright. When we are able to look at our lives without fear or judgments, we realize that this dream we are dreaming - reality - can be whatever we want it to be."

May 12, 2008 - My personal web page for the AVON Breast Cancer Walk

Sue's Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

If you wish to support me and to help out this cause by donating, please click on the link above and visit my personal web page.

I am walking in a marathon in October to raise funds for breast cancer.

I will be updating my page as often as I can...I will be posting a blog on there soon about my training and experiences, etc. with this event.

My page is pretty basic at the moment. I have a lot of work to do yet.

Please help! Please support! It doesn't matter if you are out of state or out of the country!

May 10, 2008 - thought for the day!

"Swallow a full measure of persistence and give your task all the energy and effort you possess and watch yourself improve."
- Reed Markham, American writer, Salk Lake Community College


This is my thought for the day. As I was running/jogging/ power walking (my interval training shit that I'm trying to do) down at the river walk this evening, this quote came to me. I got it in my inbox at work the other morning.

As I did several intervals (i do this b/c I'm not trying nor am i worried about losing any weight...i just want to be in shape and be toned and healthy), I broke out into a constant jog and stayed there for a longer amount of time than normal. As I was jogging at a little faster pace, I was in my own world. It was nice. My brain starts kicking in...I realized that I wanted to run instead of jog. So I did. (I'm not a runner...) I ran for longer than I've ever ran and faster. It's kind of hard to find a perfect rhythm. But once you find it, you're good to go. I guess the other stuff kind of helped me warm up to the running. As I was running, I started thinking about how awesome it was to run. My heart rate was up and I was sweating. I liked it. Afterwards, I was high.

Oh well, I guess I'm addicted to running now. :)

May 9, 2008 - A Renewed Sense of Self

I'm kinda down right now...but it will be ok. I've just had two really amazing weekends back to back, and I won't get to climb outside again until Memorial Day weekend...bummer!

I remember it use to take weeks after climbing for my high to come down. Now, I hit rock bottom like the day after. It sux.

Anyways, I'll be at The New River Gorge all Memorial weekend. Super stoked about it!

There are all new routes in the gym now too, so I pretty much suck again. lol However, there is this one route that I'm starting to get up now. They haven't even rated the new routes yet. I don't even know. I guess I don't really care. I just get in there and climb. The gym is harder in a different way than outdoors. I just need a steady gym climbing partner though. :(

Anyways, two weekends ago, I went up to Table Rock and went climbing and camping with these two dudes I met off www.rockclimbing.com. Doug and Jason. We were supposed to go into the Linville Gorge, but we didn't. Doug just had a cast removed from his ankle, and after all the approach hiking at Table on that Friday, he decided he better not do that hike into the Gorge. So we climbed at Table again on Saturday. I'm glad we did too, b/c it poured down rain on us. I was rappelling in the rain. It sucked. My auto block keeps sticking too tight or something...but I'm just not ready to rap down w/o a back-up...I don't think I ever will either, not safe. Anyways, so I had to do my first rap down in the rain! I was so glad we weren't down in the Gorge!!! That would've really sucked!

I had a blast with these guys though. They are the funniest people! I really hope I get to climb with them again sometime. I miss screwing around on the radios and talkin' smack about each other while were climbing. I miss joking and clowning on Jason. I kept telling him he was my pain in the ass little brother, and he kept saying that I was that really older sister that he never wanted! LOL! It was just the craziest weekend ever.

Jason and me:

Doug and Jason on top of North Ridge:

I really loved the climbs we did at Table. They were all mostly beginner climbs. But it felt really nice to actually follow and clean and still have a lot of fun for a change and not freak out the entire time. lol

This was my first time trailing a rope up for a third to follow. It is hard. Now, I kinda know what it feels like for the leader I suppose. That rope gets heavy!

This is me seconding up Peek-a-Boo:

I swear the first pitch of Second Stanza is not a 5.6! That shit was hard as hell.

It was ridiculous cleaning Doug's gear. LOL He placed so much gear...

I mean, he really didn't have the right gear on him. He needed larger pieces, but he lead the route anyways. lol So, I'll give him that! He has some balls!!!

We still had a blast though. I kept climbing and was like, "Shit!" "God, there's so much f***ing gear!" "This is ridiculous!" "F**k!" "This is not a 5.6." haha It was great! At one point when I finally made it to the top of one the flakes, I actually laid on top of it hugging it. Resting for dear life:

These guys were cool. I liked climbing with them too because it was laid back. We weren't in a hurry to do the next pitch or the next route. We just hung out at the top, gazing about...laughing and talking...just enjoying the moment...together. It was great!

That Sunday, we all went skydiving! That was the most amazing experience ever in my life! What a rush!!! I absolutely loved it. I did not want that day to end!

Me and my instructor, Fred:

I look so old and rough with no make-up in these pics!

I was fine on the plane up. I was more nervous to be videoed. But then I see these stills that were taken:

Don't you just love my goggles? lol

Reality kicked in at this moment:

Me and Doug after:

This was the best weekend ever!

Doug and Jason: They jump solo.

I'll post my video soon as I figure out how to make a dvd into a movie file on my pc! I need a rip program and to convert it.

This past weekend, I climbed up at Looking Glass again with Jill from SheClimbs. We had a great time on Second Coming. I loved that climb. LAter we called it a day when she down-climbed to her first piece and it popped out of the wall and she fell. She wasn't hurt or anything, but I was totally shaken up about it.

I met a chic from Alabama online today and we are going to climb together soon, hopefully. I'm jonesin'!

I just love clmbing! I love it for the sport of it, and the rush I get or the high. I love it because it is fun. I also do it for the mental aspect of it all. I've changed a lot as a person sicne I've been climbing. I feel like I don't take things as serious as I use to or get so uptight or high strung. When you're up so high looking out at a beautiful scene, you realize how small you are and how worrying over things is just plain dumb. Especially when you jump out of an airplane at 13,000 feet up...you just can't take everything in life so serious all the time. You gotta keep it simple.

I'm realizing that life is just a big puzzle, and the older I get I'm just gathering all the pieces and fitting it all together. Somedays, I still don't know everything about who I am, but I don't really care anymore. I'm evolving all the time.

A lot of my old friends have asked me why do I climb? Well, it all kinda started out with me just wanting to try the wall at the gym. Then of course, I got hooked. But over the last years or so, I've needed a personal change in my life. I want to evolve. I want to learn as much as I can and just reinvent myself all the time. Sure a lot of the things I want to do are risky, but I could just as easily get killed in a car accident on the way to work after laying on the couch all weekend not doing shit! You know? So what the hell?

Climbing does something to me. It brings about so many emotions inside me. I challenge myself mentally and physically. I feel so accomplished after I climb. It's my get away. When I am climbing I am not thinking about anything else. After I climb I am amazed at the beauty of it all and at the challenges i've conquered...things I thought were never possible. It makes me return home with a brand new awakening on life. I'm more confident...ready to fight hard in the battles at work and in my every day life, etc. and to prove myself...all over again!

Everyone has to have some kind of an outlet. Climbing has become mine. There is no other peace I feel than that peace when the wind whips around me as I'm sitting at the top of the pitch looking out at the most amazing scenery God has created for us. Nature and its beauty...the wind blowing on my skin...no thoughts soaring through my head except for feeling of accomplishment and enlightenment.

April 28, 2008 - I've Got a Pocket Full of Sunshine

"There's a place that I go,
But nobody knows.
Where the rivers flow,
And I call it home.

And there's no more lies.
In the darkness, there's light.
And nobody cries.
There's only butterflies.

The sun is on my side.
Take me for a ride.
I smile up to the sky.
I know I'll be all right.

Take me away to better days.
Take me away: A higher place. "

- Natasha Bedingfield

April 28, 2008 - Mentors

"The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."- Mark Twain

"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."- Robert F. Kennedy

These people come in our lives in many different ways.

We never know when someone or something will change our life.

Mentors are so important. I just want to say thanks to all of my mentors out there who have given me the best days of my life and who taught me things about myself.

A simple dive in the sky, or a jump from a trapeze platform or a day out on the rock or in the ocean...Nothing happens without personal transformation, and my mentors help make this possible.

This also includes my family, my friends, my boss or anyone else out there who has taught me to live and love and never stop learning and never give up.

A friend told me a few months ago that he was at his richest when he saw someone being able to live a fuller, happier life all because of something he had taught them. He is a giver.

To learn about yourself, a simple boost of confidence, a smile or a small act of kindness goes a long way. It may not mean much to one person, but it could be the whole world to another.

April 22, 2008 - Bring Out The Immodium!

So, as of Thursday, I'll be in TheLinville Gorge!

I have never been backpacking before. :p

I've taken a backpacking class, but never made the trip (i was climbing that weekend instead)

I cannot wait to see the Gorge. And to climb there. We will be climbing Friday and Saturday there at the Gorge. And camping primitive style like backpackers do it. I can't wait.

The only thing is that I've never shit in the woods before. haha Wish me luck! Maybe my bowels won't move this weekend. haha

I'll be carrying about a lot of pounds on my back too. Yikes! But it's only for 2 days. Most of the time, we will be climbing so...no big deal.

Then on Sunday, I'll be skydiving!!!

My first time jumping ever! I am so nervous! I love roller coasters, free falls ,etc. but I always scream really loud though. Yes, I'm a screamer. I wonder if you can scream at 14,000 or more feet up in the air???

When I return, I'll post pics to this blog. :)

April 19, 2008 - And so my training begins!

I registered today for the Avon Breast Cancer Marathon in Charlotte, NC in late October.

I am going to be raising funds for breast cancer by walking a marathon and a half!

I attended a meeting in Charlotte today, and I liked what I saw. So I joined up as a walker instead of a crew member. :)

So, it's now official.

I've got my coupon book for the donations and my handbook. :)

I also got my t-shirt today.

I'll be getting a personal website set up soon. As soon as it goes live, I'll let you all know. You can click in the website to donate. You just donate whatever you want.

I'll be sending out letters and attending fundraisers to raise my money. It's going to be a great experience I can just feel it. I really hope I can raise more than $1800! That would be awesome!

I am a print production manager in a full service ad agency here, and the majority of our clients are all healthcare related. I'm going to be asking my vendors and clients for donations as well.

On that Saturday, I will walk 26.2 miles, and on Sunday, it is 13.1 miles. I will begin my training soon. To keep a steady pace and to finish on time, they suggest 1 mile every 20 minutes. I've got work to do! I do the 5 mile on the river here, and it takes me 1.5 to 2 hours to do it. That's only walking though...not power walking. I have no idea what 1 mile every 20 minutes is like actually. I know that I'm slower than that though. At the meeting, I learned that a lot of the walkers don't make it the whole way (it's normal if you can't do the whole 26+ miles on that Saturday). But I really would like to be able to do it.

All of the donations go to the patients, to awareness and to finding a cure for breast cancer. The money stays in our local area. Some of the local beneficiaries are: Duke University, MUSC, Presbyterian Cancer Center and The National Institute of Environmental & Health Sciences.

Every 13 minutes, a life is lost to breast cancer. Early detection helps save lives.

I am walking for my aunt and 2 cousins who are breast cancer survivors. I am also walking for my friend's sister, Suzy, who was a breast cancer survivor as well. We lost her to another form of cancer in fall 2005.

Programs that are funded by Avon Walkers include:

* Community based organizations in every state that provide underserved women with mammograms and breast cancer education

* More than 85 hospitals and community health centers nationwide offering 'safety net' breast care to under-insured and minority women

* Mobile Mammography Units, serving rural areas and inner city neighborhoods

* Direct financial assistance and meal delivery for low-income women undergoing breast cancer care

* Ongoing research into causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer

* Development of a breast cancer vaccine, other new treatments, as well as a new test for the early diagnosis of breast cancer

After the 26+ miles on Saturday, we walk into the Wellness Village. That is our stopping place for that day. We will have tents already set up for us. We get to camp out. There will be yoga classes and massage tents set up. Food and beverages. There will be entertainment like dancing and bands that evening too. We finish the 13+ miles on Sunday. There is a huge closing ceremony.

I can't wait to meet a lot of new friends. :) I already met some really nice folks today.

This will be a wonderful experience. I'm so glad I get to be a part of it. It's awesome I'll be challenging myself physically, but more than that I'll be helping patients with breast cancer and honoring those who have survived. It feels awesome to help others!

April 16, 2008 - Chics Who Rock!

So, I met some chics that climb! :)

Sunday, 4/13, I went up with my friend Karen to meet up with a group of gals who rock climb. The group is called She Climbs Carolina.

Anyways, Karen and I went up Saturday to Brevard. The weather had been so iffy the whole week. I really thought we weren't going to get to go.

We shopped a little. :)

We went to this one store called Hunters & Gatherers. I loved it!!! It reminded of this boutique I worked in back in college, called The Joyful Alternative. We sold all the same stuff, except not for mountain stuff and antiques...we sold incense and other types of things instead. All the other merchandise was the same...jewelry, cards, t-shirts, magnets, candles, etc. I love those kinds of stores. Local artists sell their hand made items there, etc. It's the kind of stuff you can't find in a mall. It's artsy...alternative.

The manager there was so neat! Her name was Pauline. She was fun as hell and freaking awesome.

We got to talking about a particular subject (boyz). Anyways, she ducks down behind her wrap desk and pulls out a bottle of Reisling. She wanted to have a drink or toast with us. But we didn't have a cork screw to open it with. She proceeds to look around her wrap desk for one. All of a sudden she pops back up with this really long screw! It was a bright blue screw. Customers were staring! haha She ducks down again, and pops back up with a drill! LOL I could not believe this woman. Something insane. I was laughing so hard, but trying to help get that bottle open at the same time. hehe (I love Reisling, never mind the fact that it wasn't even chilled.) She actually drills the screw into the cork! We try and try but couldn't get it opened. DUH! So, she tells me to take it over to the bartender at Square Root. I'm thinking, "This is so insane!" But, of course, i did. No shame in my game. lol Mike, the bartender, was appalled. He opend it for me. Hilarious!

And there we had our wine. We toasted to memories and to moments. haha

Later that eve, my friend, Billy, met us in downtown Brevard. We had dinner at Square Root. I kept calling it Square Knot. haha I'm such a dork! I had a small buzz off the wine too. I don't really drink much anymore so my tolerance is low. I was way too excited and bubbly. I hope Billy doesn't think I'm a wino or a flaky, dumb-ass. :(

It was awesome to see him again and be able to hang, even for just a bit.

Anyways, Sunday morning, we all met up at the fish hatchery.

We consolidated cars and divided the gear load. The girls already seemed great!

We also got our friend, Caroline, from the gym, to go as well. This was her first outdoor trip.

Caroline:

She did really well. I think she even attempted a 5.9. The girl is amazing in the gym, I knew she would be awesome Sunday!

Karen, Caroline and me:

Karen was really good too, and she got to clean a route and try out Fat Dog! Whoo-hoo! Fat Dog is one of my favorite climbs now. I really like it, it is so much fun.

Karen learning to clean with a nut tool on Lichen or Not:

This Sunday was my first time cleaning with a nut tool. I've cleaned cams but not nuts, tri-cams or hexes...passive gear...whatever...still learning. :)

One of the girls, Celeste, let me clean the top rope on Lichen or Not. I was so stoked to get to do that. And to rap again. Rappelling is something that is taking quite a bit for me to get use to. It's scary for me. I just want to learn and be safe. Rappelling is the number one way that climbers fall, etc. or get themselves killed, b/c they aren't safe, don't use proper back up, etc. So, I'm just really cautious about it. I learn by doing. Until I do something over and over again, it just doesn't stay with me long enough.

Karen on Short Man's Sorrow:

Me on Fat Dog:

I'm getting better! :)

Celeste starting up Fat Dog:

Jill, the organizer of She Climbs:

Kristine and Chica waiting to get on Rat's Ass:

Anne, I think (she is one bad-ass climber):

Karen took this photo as I was cleaning Lichen or Not with Celeste.

While we were out on the south face of Looking Glass, I ran into Karsten and Jeremiah...Billy's roommates and co-workers for Fox Guides. Billy and Karsten have both been my instructors. :)

I get so excited when I learn something new or do something that they were the ones responsible for teaching me. I mean, Billy was my instructor my very first time out on the rock. He is an awesome person too..he is special to me, I guess since I first climbed with him. I like telling him what I've learned , etc. I'm glad we are friends. :)

The weather that day was crazy! It was hot as hell over on Fat Dog and then all of a sudden, the wind picked up and the sky turned grey and it started to snow! Then after about 10 minutes, it stopped and the sun came back out. Crazy!

I really love climbing. I like how it is changing me, mentally. I like how I am evolving. I like the fact I've tried something new in my life. I have stepped out of my comfort zones in more ways than one. I have met new friends. Great friends!

April 16, 2008 - You Go Girl!!!

Biggest Loser

You go girl!!!

Ali Vincent, you are an inspiration to me and every woman out there!

It just shows anyone that you can truly reach your dreams and personally transform into who you really want to be.

"My physical being is a direct representation of what I feel inside, which is strong and confident and beautiful." - Ali Vincent, 1st Female Biggest Loser

If you can think it, you can be it.

I absolutely love this show!

Even though I do not struggle with weight issues such as the contestants on Biggest Loser, this show show is truly inspiring. I watch this show every Tuesday night. I cry tears of joy seeing these folks reach their goals and transform into new souls. It makes me very happy.

To watch someone go from no self-esteem and hating who they are to gaining self-confidence and awareness and loving themselves...it is a truly inspiring show.

April 15, 2008 - Breast Cancer Walk/fundraiser

So, I received my information packet in the mail.

Everything I read just sounds so fantastic about this event.

1. Raising money to help fight breast cancer (my aunt had it and my best friend's sister had it) 2. Walking a marathon and a half (i've never done anything like this before, so not only will 40 miles be very challenging, but it will be a whole new experience for me)
3. Meeting a ton of new inspiring friends, etc.


My orientation or introductory meeting is on April 19th.

April 4, 2008 - Need sponsors!!!

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

So, I'm trying to decide right now whether to actually walk this marathon or be a crew member. (I think I will walk, but it is a huge monetary responsibilty)

If I walk, I'm going to need sponsors to support me so I can raise funds for breast cancer.
I will need to raise $1800 at the minimum!!! If I don't raise it on my own through my sponsors, I won't get to walk.

I found out that sponsors just donate what they can give. It doesn't have to be per mile or anything like that. If you want to give $5, you can. If you want to give $50, you can. I just have to raise the funds before the event takes place.

I will be asking for sponsors and will be doing my own fundraising. Apparently, I can have fundraiser events to raise my money to walk. :)

All of my friends out there reading my blogs...I hope you guys will sponsor me in this important event.

Please be my sponsor should I decide to walk, instead of work the crew.

Sponsor = donating to a charity = tax write off

April 2, 2008 - Tonight at City Art

SC Philharmonic - The Painted Violins


Tonight, I am going to this art opening with my friend, Dylan Fouste. He has entered his piece in this show. Look it up on the link. His piece is amazing!


It’s a charitable event. And we have tix to go to the symphony Saturday night!
Yay! I’ve really never been to a symphony before (I don't think???). I’m so excited. I’m thrilled that he asked me to go.

April 2, 2008 - MED WAR Volunteer

So, I did something I've never done before.

I volunteered for a medical Wilderness Adventure Race. They had it at Fort Gordon, GA the last weekend in March.

Anyways, it was one of the best experiences ever. I had a lot of fun and met some great new friends in the process! :)

I slept in my car for the weekend:

I need to buy some real camping gear...I'm still using stuff from high school and college.

Anyways, this race was about a 7 hour race.

It was a wilderness adventure race that was filled with all different kinds of medical scenarios.

There were a lot of EMTs, nursing students, firemen, med students, etc. and me! haha

I mean, I have watched ER since it first aired so...i was totally qualified to be there!!! j/k

I was a volunteer, not a racer.

I liked volunteering. :)

Brittany and I (in photo above) were put in a canoe and off we went to the island! I felt like I was on LOST or something. lol (I kept looking around for Jack!)

A goose on the island had just laid its eggs:

Or maybe she was still pregnant about to let them all out or something...i really can't remember. Anyways, we had to put up caution tape all around her area so that no one would disturb her.

Anyways, our particular scenario was pretty cool. The racers had teams of 4. They had to split into two's. Two teammates canoed to our island and the other two had to run to another portion (called Point B) to meet their teammates after they went through the scenario on our island.

The canoers had to go to several locations to retrieve these passcodes. Each passcode (if they were able to obtain them) had a certain score value to them.

The maximum number of points they could obtain was 4.

When they reached our island, we would log in the team and ask them for their passcodes. Then depending on how many points they got for their passcodes, that is how many paintballs they got.

See, when they got to our island, their scenario was that a bear was attacking them and they had to shoot at it to save their lives.

They shot at it with a sling shot and paint balls.

The bear after the race was over:

They couldn't find a photo of a grizzly. The only thing they could find was a polar bear!!! haha They called it the great white grizzly. LOL

So, if they got all the passcodes, then they got 4 shots at the bear, etc.

If they shot the bear, they got to proceed to Point B in the race.

If they missed, that meant the bear had gauged out their teammates' eyes. Therefore, one teammate had to bandage up the eyes of the other teammate and help him or her back in the canoe. Yes, they had to canoe to the other island with both eyes bandaged. They had totally rely on communication and trust of their teammate.

They canoed to the other island where the other two teammates were waiting to help them carry the canoe to the next portion of the race.

That was just one of the scenarios. There were so many more. We were on the island when it started raining. We finally made it back to camp and waited for the racers to come in to finish. It started storming.

It was freezing!

We had a party afterwards and watched a slide show of all the pics taken that day...and ate some really good food....BBQ and hash...and drank from a keg later that night!

Anyways, next year, I think I want to race. We'll see.

My friend's race team:

They finished in the top 10.

There were a total of 27 teams.

I had so much fun doing this. I met new friends. It was a great experience.

It was very interesting as well...as far as the medical scenarios went...burn victim, atv accident, identifying poisonous snakes, answering medical questions, wading through a swamp, mountain biking, building a shelter, etc. you name it, it was a part of the race.

During a break in the rain later that evening, we roasted marshmallows. Yummy! I love sitting around a camp fire. There is nothing quite like it sometimes. Telling jokes, reminiscing, etc.

still updating this blog

Not sure if anyone out there is reading, but I am still moving this blog from another blog site.

Thanks for reading though! :)