So as it turns out, this whole blogging thing is more than just self-expression, more than sharing with your friends and family, more than even a cathartic exercise. Turns out you actually can make real friends on here. When I first started blogging just a few months ago, it really was just meant as a means to catalog my journey to Beijing later this year and to give family and friends an easy way to keep up with my movements, especially because I travel so much. Who knew that this experience would turn out to be so much more. I have read things that have entirely moved me, made me laugh, made me sad, worried, happy, hopeful, amused and I have definitely read things that have made my jaws drop from sheer amazement in that "no she/he didn't say that" kinda way:)
Well, a couple days ago, one more layer was added to this whole blogging journey. I actually met someone who I had previously only known as a result of my reading and commenting on her blog and vice versa. She is insightful, and funny and brave and talented

and her blogger name is Jewells. I am sure many of you have had the opportunity to read some of her stuff. A couple weeks ago, I wrote that I was going to be in Orlando for a while and she sent me an email saying that she would be here for a few days as well. Fast forward to two days ago and we actually met up here at the apartment that I share with another fellow blogger and athlete, Joice.
It was fun to hang out and see Jewells. She was even more delightful in person. We took her to the track yesterday so she could see us do what we do and I think and hope that she had good time. She is leaving today, headed back to South Carolina. We got along really well and I am sure we will be keeping in touch. Who knows? Maybe someday we can all have some sort of bloggers reunion....that would be nice! In the meantime, I will continue on this blogging path and who knows where it may lead!