WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS....

This is probably the best time of year! I get to spend time with my family and celebrate the birth of Christ. I went to Christmas Eve service last night and my dad preached an awesome sermon. It made me proud to be his daughter. Today will be spent quietly - relaxing, eating, watching the Lakers beat the Celtics:), opening presents, and just enjoying being together. My mind and heart will also be with those who I cannot physically be with, those persons who I love and care for and who love and care about me. You know who you are. Thanks for making my life as rich and fulfilling as it is!

There is a framed quotation that hangs in the entry way of my parent's home. I gave it to them a couple years ago and it's called Life's Little Instructions. I thought it was really appropriate to share at this time of year as we come to the end of another year. It says:

Every so often push your luck.
Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed.
Never give up on anybody, miracles happen every day.
Become the most positive person and enthusiastic person you know.
Learn to listen.
Think big thoughts, but relish small pleasures.
Don't expect others to listen to your advice and ignore your example.
Opportunity sometimes knocks very softly.
Leave everything a little better than you found it.
Don't forget a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
Make new friends but cherish the old ones.
Don't use time or words carelessly; neither can be retrieved.
Judge your success by the degree that you're enjoying peace, health and love.
Smile a lot: It costs nothing and is beyond price.
-H. Jackson Brown, 1994


MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!

No matter how many years I've spent in the US, this is always one of those holidays that is a little weird for me. You see we don't have Thanksgiving in The Bahamas. We have something kinda similar-ish, called Harvest but it's something that we celebrate at church where you bring cans of food and other fruit and vegetables to donate to those in need. So I never grew up with the whole Thanksgiving tradition and every year I'm never quite sure what to do when everyone else is making their way home to celebrate and spend time with their families and friends.

Most years I do nothing but sit and watch TV, or go to a movie, or volunteer somewhere. Two years ago I went to Orlando for Thanksgiving and that was fun. This year, I'm joining in with everyone else and going to visit my parents since they live so close by and we're going to make a Caribbean attempt to recreate the whole turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. meal. I'll let you know how that goes...

In the meantime, I do have so much to be thankful for, in particular my family and friends because without them, really my life would be pretty meaningless. And so it is with that in mind that I've decided to post some pics of me and the people that I am most happy to have in my life (well the ones that I have pictures of anyway...:). I'll try to find photos that bring back a good memory, hopefully for them, and myself.


Last year Christmas, I made my parents and my brother do their version of The Karate Kid, lol!


Me and my best friend/business partner Peggy in the limo going to the American Music Awards a couple years ago


Me and Joice got presented with keys to the city of Greensboro this year at The International Friendship and Freedom Games.


Me and my roommates Erica on the left and Coen on the right at our Christmas party last year


Me and Dave at his birthday party earlier this year. We had a lot of fun that night!


I couldn't resist adding this one...we were at the pre-meet dinner in Doha, Qatar last year. It was funny seeing everyone in the native attire. The things athletes get roped into doing, lol...


Me and my relay teammates, Timicka, Debbie and Chandra earlier this year at Penn Relays


Me, my dad, my mother, a couple of her sisters and some of my cousins a couple years ago in Maryland.


Me, Brianna and our friend Shevonne on a halloween boat cruise last year. Bri and I still aren't sure what exactly we were supposed to be...


Me and my girl Grace at our Christmas party two years ago


My boys David Arnold and Chris Spencer at a New Year's comedy show two years ago


My friend Nicole and I at our friend's wedding a few years back


Me and my teammate Lavern getting ready for the closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games in 2006


My boy Kareem. I think he's given me more advice from the "male perspective" than anyone. I'm forever in your debt, man...


Chandra, Christine, Debbie and myself leaving the party this year in Stuttgart. We were some dancing fools that night, lol! We had a ball tho...


SO......I hope you all are as blessed to have as many good friends as I do. HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYBODY!! Don't eat too much....

HAPPY V DAY!!!!

ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END!!

I have had such a good time at home with my family in San Jose, CA. It's not quite the same as being in The Bahamas at this time of year - not only do I miss seeing my friends but there's no Junkanoo festival (parade similar to Carnival in Brazil), no boiled fish soup, no Boxing Day, no beach to go and hang out on - oh well, we make do here when we're with each other and talk about the Good Ol' Days! Not to worry, my parents will be moving back home to The Bahamas in another couple years when my dad retires and although they'll be further away from me, I will be happy that I will get to spend my holidays there again.

We managed to make the most of the one week I've been here. We went to church, we went shopping, we went to the movies - we saw The Great Debaters. For all of you that have not yet had the opportunity to see this movie, I am wholeheartedly giving it two thumbs way up!! Denzel's 2nd directorial effort was nothing short of outstanding and we have enjoyed discussing the different aspects of the movie since we saw it a couple days ago. We've also had time to listen to some music together, cook and even do some Christmas cleaning.

My family is known for being silly and we love to laugh at ourselves. I am usually the ring leader, with my mother running a close second. I try to get them to do the craziest of things and then capture it on film. I am going to add another picture gallery so you can get an idea of what I'm talking about. I'm still laughing at our version of The Karate Kid doing the preying mantis (those of you who have seen the movie will know what I'm talking about) - my poor parents...the things I put them through...



The weather has been pretty cold, even getting down to the 20's at night which is really cold for us California residents. I did manage to train every scheduled day (other than Christmas Day) in spite of the weather. I just put on my gloves, my wool hat and my fleece jacket and took care of business.



Yesterday I went to Rio Vista (an hour and a half drive) to train for the day. My old coach Dan Pfaff, who used to coach me for 5 years, is there now and it was really good to get a jump session in with him. His eyes see all my flaws in an instant and it was just good to have him confirm for me that I am on the right path. I am definitely going to try to see him every so often. It's worth the trip home!

The saying "Time flies when you're having fun" could not be any truer for this trip home. Tomorrow I'm headed back to LA. That just really means that the indoor track season is upon us all. It seems to come around so quickly, but the more training days I get under my belt, the more I am looking forward to the end of the month when I will once again put myself to the test against the best in the world and see how I match up. Hope you all had as great a holiday as I did!