It has been WAY too long! Shout out to my 7 readers who are still checking on my blog even though I haven't posted in half a year. I commend your loyalty. Let's pick up where we left off, shall we? My friend Kallee from college and I saw each other for the first time in way too long. She came to visit me at the end of June, and we got to do a lot of sight seeing in the city. Unfortunately for you, even though we explored the Arlington National Cemetery, the Mall, and all over the city, the only two photos I have are of us from her visit is of us taking selfies with our tongues sticking out. Lanie Lou raced in the Lightweight 2x at U23 Trials on her birthday after a grueling summer of selection camp and carb-restricted eating up in Boston. Unfortunately, her boat did not qualify for worlds, but it was really amazing getting to see her row with the best of the best. Being one of the younger ladies at the selection camp, she has a couple more chances to make the U23 national team if that's a goal she chooses to pursue. Meanwhile she is nursing a hip injury whilst on a winter training trip in Florida and informing us all how insurance works (I assume that means she likes what she's studying). While I'm sure she wasn't happy about not making the team, I was certainly happy that we got to spend some time together. We headed to the beach with our neighbor/honorary big sister, Bethany. My very kind father even drove me back to DC and we explored the canal path a little bit together via bicycle. Please enjoy the following, excessively unflattering photos: My summer was filled with lots of rowing, some cycling, hiking, and overall just celebrating not having cancer. Lanie came down to visit me right before heading off to Canadian Henley and winning a bazillion medals. To top it all off, the roomie and I took a trip to Colorado with some friends. I got to see my friend Jack as my flight was out of Baltimore. He kindly offered up his own bed for the night. Jerm and I stayed with another very kind friend of mine from college, Alec, for a couple days in Denver before meeting up with the others for some camping and hiking. I even got to do a guest row at Rocky Mountain Rowing Club! One of the most hilarious parts of the trip was Jeremiah's obnoxious racecar rental upgrade. We attempted Pike's Peak. Some of us summited. Some of us (me) did not. Regardless, the views did not disappoint. On the way back to Denver, Jerm and I checked out a small hiking area near Boulder. The trip was the perfect way to cap off a great summer! Soon after returning to the DMV area, classes started and things got really crazy (hence the lack of blog posts). But Parker, Hershel, and I did manage to squeeze in one more short adventure after my first week of classes. Exactly a year ago, I found a lump on my neck and all the medical craziness was just beginning. This year, I was instead enjoying a weekend full of backpacking with friends. Couldn't help but feel grateful. The rest of the year was such a blur. Celebrated 6 months of no cancer with family and friends Rowed a lot (and even won some stuff) Became disgustingly close to my Gtown cohort (sorry, not sorry for all the cancer jokes) Jerm moved out Replaced Jerm with two new roomies (one human, one dog) Spent Thanksgiving in Michigan with family Stressed out Cried Gained perspective Laughed Celebrated Christmas at home with yummy food and the people I love Laughed some more Closed out the year with more friends while celebrating 1 year since finishing chemo I started out 2019 as a sickly skeleton of a human, feeling like I would never be healthy again, and ended 2019 feeling strong and ready to tackle whatever comes my way (except for a re-diagnosis...that wouldn't be cool). Recovery felt like such a slow process in the moment, but looking back, I can't believe how quickly by body bounced back. Here's to more healing in 2020 (mentally and physically), and thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way. I really couldn't have done it without you.
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AuthorI'm Emma. I love food more than anyone will ever understand - specifically cheese, chocolate, bread and pretty much every fat & carb combo you can think of - apple cider donuts, ice cream, the list goes on. Fats and carbs just go so well together. Don't you think? Why is it that when I'm tasked to describe myself, I always talk about food? Anywho, I'm a grad student and rower training studying and training in DC. Here's to having no free time and loving every minute of it (jk...I'll tell you the bad stuff too)! Archives
July 2020
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