Finding a New Passion!

I have a friend, Michelle, whose life is interesting – she has a husband with an extremely demanding and time consuming job. A son, Jackson, who is nine, extremely loyal to his family, loves beaches and outdoor activities and has every support need possible. He needs support to eat, drink, dress, etc. He also has seizures about every 15 minutes. Michelle’s second child is Chloe. She is six and very very spirited. She loves to ask lots and lots of questions, loves shoes and is five going on 19. The last of Michelle’s children is Haley. Haley loves to give the thumbs up, has a contagious smile, is four and happens to have an extra chromosome – commonly known as Down syndrome.

Michelle called one day to ask if I would do the Iron Girl (a swim, bike, run triathlon) with her. I had no idea what is was, but replied, “Absolutely” – which is how I respond to anything Michelle asks me. I didn’t have a bathing suit or a bike. Last year was my first Iron Girl and I fell in love with the event.

I thank Michelle for the wonderful gift she gave me. I also thank the Y staff who coached me along all through my training – encouraged me to stay on the treadmill when I wanted to get out, urged me back into the pool when I thought I was done and who cleared lanes for me to practice when the pool was full. The Y staff and members listened to my fears and encouraged me – they were even there the day of the event. Without Michelle’s invitation and the Y family’s encouragement and support, I would not have discovered this new passion!!

Posted by Jessica Pearsall, Fitness Instructor, Dancel Family Center Y

Youth and Government Wrap Up

The 2010 Maryland YMCA Youth and Government Session has officially come to a close and it was a wonderful conference! Most events of this size are not complete without some problems and stress but we hardly felt a bump in the road. The students this year were some of the best I've ever had the privilege to know. Their dedication to a job well done meant less for me to worry about and those pesky little problems just faded into the background far overshadowed by their leadership, success and accomplishment. This year, more than any I've ever attended, the students stepped out of their comfort zone to get to know students in other delegations. The Youth Governor and Youth Lt. Governor lead the way with their high energy and easy going attitudes.

The highlight of the trip for most of the participants was the Youth Lt. Governor's Banquet with Governor Martin O'Malley as the keynote speaker. Governor O'Malley also stayed to help hand out awards and take pictures with the students. Also in attendance at the banquet were CEO's, school principals, Y execs and many honored guests. We were privileged to have so much support!

As the summer approaches our students are preparing for CONA (Conference on National Affairs). Maryland will send its largest delegation in many, many years with 14 students and one advisor traveling to North Carolina for the national conference. I am so proud of our students and so thankful for our advisors. It was a great year!

Posted by Amy Maloy, State Director, MD Youth and Government, Y of Central Maryland

Staying Dedicated to Working-Out

Well, here is the end of another week and I have been working hard over the last several weeks to get myself into better shape. I have been working with some friends doing a workout called Insanity. The program calls for us to follow assigned workouts 6x/week, but we only are able to meet and do it 3x/week. In between these workouts I am at the Y doing classes or working in the fitness center. Why is it that it takes NO TIME AT ALL to get out of shape and LOTS OF TIME and DEDICATION to get back into shape!!! I know that I can’t make time stand still, and summer is around the corner, so I am going to forge ahead and as the saying goes “slow and steady wins the race!”

Posted by Peggy Curet, Member Services Representative, Carroll County Family Center Y

Beverly, Eleanor, & Marva – Examples for all of us

I teach strength training, and for the last five years Beverly, Eleanor, and Marva have been attending my class. I aspire to grow as a person and be just like them!!

These three women have many qualities that I admire. You would never know that they are attending class together because they spend their “free” time sharing what they know with other students. They provide positive support when someone is struggling, and share their own “journey” to becoming comfortable in class. They introduce themselves to new students, and always try to make them feel welcomed. Another quality I admire about these three women is that they schedule time to workout together in the fitness room. They believe that because they set aside a specific “date” to meet, it helps them to stay on a fitness routine and spend quality time with friends.

They often express how grateful they are for what they have, including their health and their families. They are always pleasant, have a great sense of humor and such a joy to see at the Y. Beverly, Eleanor, Marva – thank you for the example.

Posted by Jessica Pearsall, Fitness Instructor, Dancel Family Center Y

An Active Tootie!

Tootie makes me laugh. In the middle of Target she stretches and she tells me she’s exercising. When I’m sitting down watching TV, she tells me I need to exercise more, get moving. When I enroll her in Sports Mix, swimming, Tiny Dancers she’s sometimes too shy to participate. Two months ago, I took off from work to watch her NOT dance in a dance recital. She did the steps ad nauseam at home-but at show time, nothing.

At least I can be happy that she knows what healthy behaviors are. She recognizes a warm up, cool down, and the importance of physical activity. She calls me out if I’m walking fast, but should be running, and she has a great internal meter for knowing how much she’s been active and “neeeeding” to get some exercise.

I have to credit the Y with her knowledge and appreciation of a healthy, active lifestyle. Heaven knows if it were up to me she wouldn’t be as active as she is. Over time, she’s done really well with breaking out of her shell, doing more activities and participating more broadly. The pre-school has worked out a partnership with the Y to include some health and wellness activities in the pre-school program, so although I can’t take her, a Y staff member takes her to weekday classes in the Y health and wellness center. This has allowed her to try more activities than she otherwise would have.

Maybe one of these days I’ll have to admonish her for being too much in the spotlight. For the time being, I’m glad she’s the healthy, active girl that’s slowly moving us both off the sidelines!

Posted by Angie Kirk, Y Preschooler Parent, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y

Energy to Burn!

I have a five year old son. If you have a son, that's all the information you need to know. If however you don't have the privilege of living with a boy, let me explain. He is overflowing with energy and, while capable of sitting still, doesn't enjoy it and would prefer to mimic a bag of microwave popcorn. He is loud - think rock concert mosh pit volume. He is curious and is always trying to figure out how something works. He loves tools and has taken apart numerous things in our home, like the chairs, and the banister. He likes to hide, when I'm running late, and he thinks it's hilarious when I can't find him. He teases his sister about 75% of the time, but the rest of the time (when he's not sleeping) he calls her princess and tells her she's beautiful. He is more than a handful, but I wouldn't trade his personality for anything... well, maybe for a couple more hours of sleep but that's it.

As you can imagine a child with such energy and enthusiasm for life just blesses his teachers and coaches each day by his presence in their class. Ok, maybe not. Maybe I find myself apologizing on a regular basis for his shenanigans. Maybe we have long talks in the car before his Y Tot's Day Out class about listening to the teacher. Maybe some days that works.

I am hugely grateful for his Tot's teachers and his Youth Sports coaches. Their patience with my son goes above and beyond the call of duty. The simple fact that he enjoys his time at the Y and asks to go back speaks volumes about their investment.
I picked him up from Youth Sports the other day to find that he had a new coach. I was opening up my mouth to offer an apology for his energy when Coach Mike said, "Christopher did great today! He showed me how high he could count by counting his jumps on the mini-trampoline." And THAT is why I love the Y. A brand new coach that saw a high-energy child and used the tools at his disposal to get that energy out. He managed to find it fun to work with my wonderfully crazy boy.

Posted by Amy Maloy, State Director, MD Youth and Government, Y of Central Maryland

ME TIME

My job as a Site Manager here at the Y can be challenging at times. Managing three Head Start centers, 25 staff, a host of children and families; as well as my own family at home can be overwhelming some days. Although it is very important to be accountable to others, sometimes taking time out for myself is the one thing I don't have time to do. Recently while listening to talk radio, the guest talked about the importance of "knowing yourself." She talked about discovering new things and reintroducing yourself to things you love. I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s very important and I am going to try because I don't want my very own "Bucket List.” Also, it's clear that you must care for yourself before you can care for others. So, go get that book that you started reading or writing, go see that movie you've been wanting to see, have dinner at your favorite restaurant or book that weekend gateway you so desperately need! Make today the day you schedule time for yourself, even if you have to schedule it for next week (lol). JUST DO IT!!!!

Posted by Felecia Veale-Buckson, Baltimore County Head Start Site Manager, Y of Central Maryland