Week 26, Day 2, Part 2

Here's Ryan's post with pictures he created (up above and down below):

My wife, Kaitlyn, didn’t think I would write anything for this. Through all my jokes and derailing actions she was able to finish her own interpretation of what “Seize the Week” means to her. Now it is my turn so let’s hold each other’s hands and take a journey back-back to a simpler time 25 weeks ago.

Amanda had joined Kaitlyn and I for a relaxing night at our apartment. While we were in the kitchen preparing dinner Amanda presented us with an idea for a blog but was having trouble coming up with a name. I instantly shot to my computer to look up terms that related to a week or seven days and came across “Seize the Day” which led to “Seize the Week”. Originally, it was in Latin but the English version was much more accessible. Even though I hadn’t really envisioned what the blog would turn into, I was excited to help in what I saw as an adventure.

For anyone who does not know me, I LOVE ADVENTURE. Any kind, any place. And that is how I see this blog: as a weekly adventure. One specific topic is chosen and Boom! adventure ensues. You don’t know what you’re really getting into and what you will really learn. It’s like when your parents teach you to fish but it’s really about patience or something (I really wasn’t listening when my own father explained it). You not only learn a new trade or learn about a new style of music but you learn about yourself. I know that sounds corny but that is how it is. So carry yourself on an adventure…

…and all it takes is seven days.

Week 26, Day 2

Today our guest bloggers are Ryan and Kaitlyn Perisin! If you guys know these two people, then you know they are amazing. If you don't know, them, well you should : ) Kaitlyn has been the friend I've had the longest, since Kindergarten. We've had a ton of great times together. I remember in elementary school, I broke my arm but I was sooooo excited to go to Kaitlyn's birthday party the next day, that I didn't tell my mom it was really hurt. We've shared choir experiences together, starred in a soap opera together (inside joke), and so much more. Her family has been like a family to me; I love them all. I have known Ryan since high school. Hands down, Ryan is my one friend who has changed the most, in an amazingly good way. He is a strong man who has been through more in the last few years than most people go through in a lifetime. Kait and Ryan both have HUGE hearts for people, and would do just about anything for the people they love. They are two of my best friends who are a constant source of love and support. And they are so stinking creative and witty. They crack me up...a lot. They love music, comic books, movies....I only hope to be as cool as them some day : ) The first entry is from Kaitlyn:


Everybody has things that they want to do before they die. Kind of like a “bucket list” which, despite how I feel about that one movie, presents us all with a challenge-What would you do if you have one week to live?

My husband Ryan & I have discussed our bucket list(s) many times before, and even keep a running list. Some of my bucket list goals include living for a year in Austria (preferably Innsbruck), hugging a fennec fox (I mean, have you seen these guys?! Adorable.), and learning to play guitar well. A running list of Ryan’s bucket list goals include going scuba diving, traveling to Bhutan, and growing a beard (eventually). We also have a joint-list of things we want to do which include raising a family together, opening our record store/bakery, and going skydiving.

Amanda is a great friend of ours. I have known her since kindergarten and Ryan has known her since high school. We read her blog often and were so flattered when she asked us to “guest star”, so to speak. She asked us to describe what “Seize the Week” meant to us. To us, seizing the week means setting goals that are important to you and achieving them with the support of your family, friends and God. For us, it means finally crossing off one of our bucket list goals-we are going skydiving!

We have signed up for a jump in April & are really excited about going. It is going to be scary & intimidating, but Amanda has inspired us to go for it! Hopefully it will be an exhilarating and rewarding experience, as well!

If anyone would like to join us, we are jumping out of a plane on Sunday, April17th! It is $200 per person, but we are going to start saving now. We would like to thank Amanda for inviting us to blog with her, and for inspiring us to go for our goals!

Keep reading the next entry for Ryan's part....

Week 26: My Creative Heroes Week

Welcome to Week 26, everyone! Just so you know, I will continue to keep you guys posted on my running. Please keep up the prayers and encouragement : )

Week 26 is a week that I have been very excited about ever since I first thought of it. This week is dedicated to some of the people who I look up to creatively. There are 8 friends who will guest appear in my blog: Mike Dodaro, Tim Franklin, Ryan and Kaitlyn Perisin, Steph Ferrini, Dave Sandell, Kyle Cowser, and Ryan Hulett. These friends are witty, wise, super creative, and just genuinely amazing people. They will all be giving their own interpretation of Seize the Week-what it means to them. Also, if they have their own blog, I will include that so that you readers can follow them, too! So here's to my creative heroes!!

Before I started my own blog, I kept up with Mike Dodaro's blog (one of my best friends) and loved every single entry. The blog was, well, so "him." Reading it brought me into the wise, loving, creative, and youthful mind of his. He's not only the guy who started my love for comic books, but he's a man that I look up to for many more reasons than his creativity. Hands down, Mike is one of the strongest people I know, and he has a heart about the size of this entire world! He's a huge support and source of love and encouragement. I'm proud to call him one of my best friends. Here's Mike's post:

Amanda told me about Seize the Week back in August and I thought it was an amazing idea. So much so that I am eagerly awaiting the day that someone turns her blog into a movie.

I am honored that she asked me to contribute a post to her blog because she thinks of me as a creative inspiration. I have not yet decided whether or not I consider myself a creative person. I think if I was a more creative person I would have provided her with a response told through interpretive dance or something. But I love creativity; I am drawn to it. To me there is nothing more exciting than ideas. I cannot get enough of them. It is why I surround myself with people like Tim and Mary Franklin, Joe Flores, Stephanie Ferrini, and Kyle Cowser. It is one of the many reasons why I love Amanda Keene. It is why I like stories so much and it is why I am an improvisational comedian. It is why I will excel as a teacher. I blog because it helps put me explore ideas into a bit more tangible format.

Seize the Weeks is one of the best ideas I have ever heard. In an attempt to not allow work and stress consume her life, Amanda is devoting fifty-two weeks to over fifty-two ideas. She is actively stopping to smell fifty-two plus roses and giving each of them the attention they deserve.

My parents are more accustomed to traditional church and do not understand why the first half hour at the church my sister attends is spent singing songs. It is how they choose to worship. Amanda chooses to worship the Lord by living every second of her life and Seize the Week exemplifies that. She worships through reading a new comic book, discovering new musical artists, exercising, turning off the television, making presents, taking pictures, or spending time with friends. She even worships the Lord through resting. I think Amanda has perfected worship.

She has taught me that even though life can throw you the worst it has to offer and that there are some truly awful things in this world, that there are also things like murder mystery dinner parties, Twitter, coconut cake, swimming, musical theater, Earl Grey Rooibos, Pokemon, Neil Gaiman stories, parks, cute baristas, grape soda, board games, vacations, flash mobs, intramural quidditch, knock-knock jokes, Lemony Snicket quotes, notebook doodles, Sudoku, silly hats, British accents, and the enjoyment of time spent with friends.

What I suppose I am trying to say through all of these seemingly random points is that sometimes life sucks, but there are so many fantastic aspects of it. Many people are afraid to leave their couches or are otherwise too lazy to do it. Amanda doesn't let life get her down. She takes the best it has to offer and embraces it. I cannot wait to see what she does next.

Mike, you are awesome! Check out Mike's current blog "And Now You Have Super Powers" at http://grownupmike.blogspot.com/ and/or I loved, loved, loved his first blog which is called "The Middle School Adventures of College Mike." You can check that out at http://mikedodaro.blogspot.com/

Week 25, Day 5 & 6

January 29, 2011- Headed over to the track at about 10:30AM. Stretched before and then started to run. Had the same problem as yesterday. Ended up doing 6 laps, which is a mile and a half, but rotating walking and running. SO DISCOURAGING!!!!!!!! Mental block? My body needs to recover? Is it harder to run on snow? I don't know!!!! But I need to keep going!!

Day 6, I am resting. It feels good to rest, and tomorrow I need to kick it in gear. Prayers are greatly appreciated! And any tips are too.

Week 25, Day 4

January 28, 2011- Woke up and felt good! Almost not sore at all. Plus the weather was great- it was even sunny. Before heading to the track, did 10 min on the elliptical to see if it would stretch my legs out and maybe make the run a little smoother. After, headed to the track and felt very optimistic about the run. Stretched and began to run. Goal=do 3/4 of a mile plus to the lamp post in less than 11 min and 18 seconds, which is what it took the day before. Ran a lap and legs were burning. Had to walk a lap, then run again, then walk. Honestly, I was discouraged. I wanted to get my goal done, but I also didn't want to push it. I just need to remember that I CAN DO THIS. I've done a great job so far, and I will continue on. I need to let myself rest too. Maybe it had something to do with the elliptical? Not sure. Next run, I will aim to beat the time.

Week 25, Day 3

January 27, 2011- Headed over to Eisenhower at 2:30PM. It was snowing a lot and the track was covered in snow. Almost decided not to go running, but I did. Stretched and ran 3/4 of a mile plus to the light post. Goal for today was to run further than 3/4 of a mile. Yay! I did it! Today did seem a lot harder. Not sure if it was because of the snow. I did notice my recovery time was a lot quicker. Also, today I don't feel as sore!! Praise God! "I can do this, I can do this, I can do this, I can do this..."

Week 25, Day 2

January 26, 2011- at 7:30PM went to Eisenhower track to run. Today was a heavy do so had to beat my time- needed to beat 11 min for 3/4 of a mile. Honestly, my whole body ached and had no idea how I was going to run. This time, I had plenty of kleenex, vaseline that I had bought, and better gloves. I stretched, started my timer and began to run. This time I tried to have better posture, blew my nose frequently, and felt like I breathed better- even though I still huffed and puffed. Finished 3/4 of a mile in 10 min and 20 secs!!!!!!! Walked a lap and stretched. Before going to bed, did more stretching, crunches, squats, and leg lifts. Even though my body feels like it got run over by a bus numerous times, I feel good knowing that I am continuing on. Praise God- only His strength will get me through this!!