Promo for Proctor & Gamble

From IMs to e-mails to phone calls to text messages, I've heard from you expressing your concern about my situation. It's great to know that I have wonderful friends who genuinely care. I thank you again and say to not be too alarmed from my last blog entry...as there is more of a calm after the storm now. You have no idea how much it helps to know I have great support!

To relieve some of my stress, I've been more active. Thank goodness for stress relievers or I would be so tightly wound up I wouldn't be able to move!

I volunteered at the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon last weekend. It took my mind off of things and I think I'm beginning to be a pro at painting! Not only was it good physical work but it was for a great cause. We painted the dormitory rooms of neglected and abused kids at the UCAN school. I was proud of myself for going because there is a 30% chance I won't show up to volunteer events I sign up for (yes, I know- bad Carol)!

I hit the golf range recently which is like going to the spa for me. There is great satisfaction as I mindlessly destroy each tiny ball and see it propelled high into the air. The golf range at the Skokie Sports Park is awesome because the balls pop up one after another without any manual intervention. As a truly lazy person, it's a fantastic convenience.

My first love is not some silly boy...it is tennis. I lived and breathed the sport as a kid, playing in the sun at high noon day after day during the summers 'til I looked like a "hok gwai". I lived for the grand slam tournaments, even recording matches on TV. It continues to be a part of my secret inner geekdom. I have played sporadically over the years and so, the passion has ebbed. I sucked so bad the last few times of playing - completely missing serves and forehands going array, I lost confidence in my strokes. Well, I decided to sign up for tennis lessons and went to the Intermediate 1 (out of 3) class. It felt good to get back into something that I truly enjoy. At the end of the first lesson, my instructor said to me in his Eastern European accent, "You underestimate yourself. You should be in the Intermediate 2 class". I was taken aback. It made me wonder, how often do I underestimate my abilities??

As a side promotion for Proctor & Gamble, I love these Crest White Strips I've been using. After 2 days of use, my teeth are whiter! I am so impressed with the little inventions. I supppose it's fitting that if I gotta grin and bare whatever stresses I have...I can do it with whiter teeth!