My Answers (Part II)

We're back today with Part II of my answers to your questions.  If you missed Part I, just click here.

As to New Mexico..

Besides family and friends (obvi answer), what do you miss most about your home state?  Dry heat.  And green chile. God Bless New Mexico!

When am I ever going to see you now that you are at College Station?  Well, you know that I can't miss the NM State Fair, so I'll be making an appearance.  And you are welcome to come to a football game here anytime!!

As to running...

I stupidly made the goal to "learn to love to run" so, from one fat girl at heart to another, how did you motivate yourself to start running (and running long stinkin' distance I might add)?  I appreciate you calling me a fat girl at heart.  Because I am.  Totally.  I'm trying hard not to be a fat girl in real life.  Ha!  Three major tips I would give you:  (1) Sign up for a race.  Seriously, when you are a type-A personality, knowing that you have something you have to be ready for, something you are working towards, some goal time you want to beat, that's what will get you through it.  (2)  Just keep running.  I know there are real runners who disagree with me, but for me the key is to just keep running.  If you have to slow down, fine.  But don't stop until you get your distance in.  The honest truth is that the first 2 miles are the worst part of any run.  Seriously.  I always want to stop during the first 2 miles.  So, I made a rule.  No stopping until I've gone at least 2.25.  At that point, I usually don't need to stop anymore because I'm used to it.  Your breathing will regulate, your legs kinda go numb, and you can just run.  That's the fun part, you just have to get there!  (3)  Get good shoes.  It's well worth it if you are going to do any distance running.  I had worn Nike for years, but then went into a running store where they watched me run and suggested Brooks.  I swear, it was like running on a cloud.  Total game changer.

As to my childhood...

As a kid, you grew up showing.  What is your favorite fair-related memory or story that keeps getting retold?    I love this question!  Showing was a huge part of my life, so it's hard for me to pick one moment or one story.  I think my favorite "in the ring" moment was winning our County Fair for the third year in a row.  Everyone thought I was going down since I had champion cross, but not champion black.  Getting to pull off the upset was awesome.  I remember coming out of the ring to hug my dad and Mr. Franklin and all of us being a little choked up.  (Second best was winning a class at State Fair with a lamb we raised my senior year, which was a goal I set for myself at 9 years old.)  As for out of the ring, my favorite part was just the people.  Everyone sitting around the showbox talking--adults, ag teachers, kids, little bitty kids, just everyone hanging out.  It really was like being part of a whole other family and I loved every minute of it.

What's the most important thing you learned being a Quay County Girl (note the caps - it's an honor)?  I loved growing up in Quay County and honestly can't think of a better place to raise kids.  For me, hands down the most important thing I learned was what it meant to be a neighbor.  Whether it was everyone being part of the volunteer fire department, or going to help someone cut hay when their swather broke down, or people bringing enchilada casseroles when someone died, or just stopping by for a visit on a Saturday afternoon, everyone cared about everyone else.  We were all part of each other's lives.  I have said it before, but it really did take more than a village to raise me, and the people in Quay County, from kids way younger than me to my grandparents friends who are way older than me and everyone in between, were a huge part of that.

As to life....

When you are my age (52), what's the thing you want to look back on with most pride?  Oh wow.....another good one.  I'd like to look back and see that I've made a difference to other people.  Whether it be a card or a kind word or something bigger.  I would want to look back and know that because of something I did, or because of who I am, someone else's life was better.

What would you say is your biggest accomplishment to date?  Oh geez, this is tough.  I'm not sure.  As far as like "something to hang on the wall" type accomplishment, I think I'd go with the law degree and finishing two half marathons.  Both of them were things that I doubted my ability to do--I was pretty sure my first semester that I'd totally lose my scholarship to law school and I never, never, never thought I could run a half marathon.  I think it's a good thing in life to prove to yourself that you are capable of more than you think.

What is a skill or talent that you wish you had?  Oh man, there are so many!  I wish I could sing.  Sew.  Cook.  Make cute, crafty things.  Speak Spanish.  Play the piano.  The list could go on and on.

What inspires you?  Lots of things I suppose, but I think most of all it's the people in my life.  My friends and family are seriously phenomenal people who do amazing things every day.  They are kind and compassionate and fun and adventurous and faithful....they inspire me.