It's time to Look up -- Throwback warning!

Well here it is, the weekend before finals. We're slaving away in front of our computers, listening to music through our Dr. Dre headphones off a playlist of over a thousand songs on our phones. Plus, to keep in tune with the last post of "procrastination" here I am. Procrastinating studying for my Business Law and Financial Accounting finals. They're not till tuesday! I'll be fine...after I study for the Macroeconomics, World Religion and Organizational Behavior finals I have Monday and Wednesday...oh dear.

ANYWAYS! TO THE POST!!!

I'm calling myself and others out. I saw this video going around facebook a while back, and it's since fallen silent. However, I had saved it for some reason and now it's time for me to speak on it. 

Coming from someone who is writing a blog on the world wide web, we have access to technology like no one could have ever fathomed before. Sometimes I wonder though, what would it be like if we lost the use of all technology? Not in the sense of "lets all go to Hogwarts and become witches and wizards" although if that ever became an option I may be the first to give up my precious iPhone. I simply mean if all technology ceased to function...could we function at all?

Watch this video. Think about it. Then keep reading if you wish.

To avoid sounding like a completely hypocrite, I dare, and will at somepoint in time go 3 days without using my phone. This is a mere 72 hours without the portable communicator/map/dictionary/camera/game device that has become glued to our hands.

I might not make it out alive.

Goodness.

We really have become completely attached to these things haven't we?

If anyone knows me, I'm the WORST when it comes to my iPhone. It has basically become a part of my being, and anyone can reach me at (almost) any time of the day. It saves memories, it keeps me connected to family, it even gives me a chance to keep in touch, in real time, with someone I haven't seen face-to-face in over 15 years. Wow. Technology has really moved us forward in SO many ways...

But has it?

In all seriousness, what happened to our imaginations? At only 23 years old, I remember the fast expansion of cell-phones. However, what seems "old" to me isn't even the beginning. What happened to when we didn't need a cell phone to be happy?

As a kid, I had swimmer barbies, and fashion barbies, and doll houses and barbie cars...I was an only child gimme a break!...but I also would act out TV shows. There were real life and cartoons that my friends and I would become the characters (fighting over who got to be who obviously) and made capes from towels and magic wands out of a pencil with a ribbon tied to the end.

We played mermaids in the pool and called out the person who separated their feet and banned them to the shore line because they had broken mermaid law.

I loved my skip-it (even as a child I hated running). 

I played with rollie-pollie bugs and built them castles made of pebbles. Though they didn't seem to appreciate it very much...always crawling out of the corners and disappearing into the grass...

But how would you take a selfie?!

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my water proof, drop proof, shatter resistant digital immediate viewing camera! Okay, love may be a strong word but it works in this situation. A friend of mine recently got a "New" camera. It prints out the photos for you RIGHT THERE and you don't even have to put them on your computer!!! NEATO! There's pictures of RANDOM things all over the walls now because the thing is so big she can't put it in her purse to forget she has it. It's really nifty.

...

Please tell me everyone caught the sarcasm.

It's basically the old Kodak camera, that prints out pictures that you have to wave around and hope there was enough flash to make it show up. Honestly, I'm all about the throwbacks. Anyone who has ever heard the music on my iPhone, don't be surprised if some old N*Sync shows up, and even less surprised when you hear a Beatles tune. The original one. Not remixed.

Woah.

But Seriously, take a minute out of your busy final studying schedule and just look at this video. It may open your eyes.

Let me know if anyone ACTUALLY does the challenge of going 3 days without your phone. I would say technology in general but...well I wouldn't want anyone to become a hermit and actually read a book for once. xD

Until next week!
--Mary

Procrastination at it's finest

Once again, here I am pointing out how AWFUL of a blogger I am when it comes to keeping things updated. I'm going to get better at this I promise. Once a week!
This WILL become the new norm.
This WILL become a habit that is part of me.
At least that's the aim.

How long has it been?

SEVEN MONTHS?!?!

Oh dear.

I've been slacking.

My boyfriend even put an alarm on my phone that goes off every other Saturday to remind me to make a blog post. Well folks, it's time I stop procrastinating, and start listening to that alarm!!!

Speaking of procrastination...

If it's facebook, or pinterest (guilty) or that new discount shopping site you just found that's keeping you from doing what you're supposed to be doing...well I have to say I understand. If I can find anything to do other than what needs to be done, I'm more than likely going to do that. 

Unfortunately, I've learned the hard way that just because you don't want to do something, doesn't make it go away. Just because you don't feel like doing the dishes, doesn't mean you'll have a clean bowl to eat out of in the next half an hour when you decide that devouring a bowl of cheerios you shouldn't be eating sounds a lot better than writing that paper due tomorrow morning which is the reason you thought about washing the dishes in the first place. It's a dangerous cycle.

We've all been through it. I even downloaded one of those procrastinator apps for my computer some of which can be seen HERE 

Seriously. Check some of those out. They can be really helpful. or at the very least mildly entertaining.

For those of you reading this post, because you are procrastinating doing something else, congratulations. You've made it this far! Here's a picture of Gandalf drawn into a suede chair.

Don't ask where I found this picture.

Procrastination of a five page case study does wonders for finding random images for a blog post. *follows link provided above*

Let me know if there's ever anything y'all want to hear! I promise I'll update more.

Leave a comment!
--Mary 

Is it Summer yet?

I'm definitely not alone in wishing there was any possible way to skip finals week. Unfortunately, the genius idea of "just give me the grade I have and let me leave..." is one that hasn't quite worked in the education system. We do have to be tested on the information that was supposed to be drilled into our brains for the last 16 weeks...for some reason.

That being said, while waiting for my second final of the day, I've chosen to write a blog post. After 9 hours of straight studying at Starbucks on a Sunday, other than acquiring the belief that I deserve stock in Starbucks, my brain is as ready as it possibly can be.

Let's talk about surviving the dreaded "Finals Week" and maybe even touch on a few ways to maintain your sanity...if it's not lost already.

1: Plan Ahead 

The above plan will not work. Try not to leave everything until the last minute! Break up your work into manageable chunks, and give yourself plenty of time to get everything done so that you're not panicking 20 minutes before the exam.

My plan of studying for 9 hours straight yesterday? Yeah. Not a good idea. Talk about a headache...Lesson has definitely been learned...

2: Take regular, scheduled breaks

Seriously. I can't tell you how many times I've told myself I'm going to take a break after the next chapter, but by the time you finish the "chapter" it's 2am and there's no longer time for a break.

Goodness...

Take a break every 2 hours or so, and take it no matter if you've gotten 1 chapters done, or if you've barely turned the page. Do it! Don't look through other notes, don't sit and contemplate your grade, just take a break. 20 minutes of doing nothing finals related then returning to your work is a lot more efficient as a recharge than continuously staring at a computer screen and fighting your personal battery storage more than the one on your laptop...

3: Exercise...even if it's just a little

Everyone is looking at me like I've lost my mind at this moment, but I promise I'm not as crazy as I sound. When studying, all you want to do is cram in as much information of the last 16 weeks as you possibly can. The thing is, if you sit around for that long, imagine trying to sleep when your body is itching to keep moving. Athlete or not, exercise will not only get your mind off of your class schedule (or even let you go over it from memory instead of reading a book!) Even if it's just to go outside for a minute or so, it forces your body to move from one place to another.

Blood does need to get to your brain somehow...

5. SLEEP

I know. I know. "But I have all night to study!" or "I can't waste study time SLEEPING!!" The thing is, unless you sleep, your memory won't consolidate all that information you just shoved into your brain. When you're sleep deprived, you're less productive. When you're only thinking about how tired you are, there's less room for school information. Repeating that sleep is for the week or how you're a different form of human being that doesn't require sleep is not making it true.

It's only making you look crazy.

Go to sleep. Even if it's only for 3-5 hours. You'll feel a lot better, and you'll do better. Falling asleep on your 100 question test really is not the way to pass...I promise.

6. Don't get caught up in competition

Alright, so there's always that one person who complains about how they have stayed awake for the last 4 days straight on nothing but coffee and skittles making a million-bajillion flash cards.

This is not a challenge.

Do not accept it.

The moment you fall into this problem, you're chugging five-hour energies and buying stock in redbull while making flashcards that aren't even making sense anymore. When 5+4 starts to = Africa...It's time to throw in the towel. You don't need to win the award of "suffered the most while studying"

7. Don't become a recluse.

Do hang out with your friends, but only those who will relax you and help you unwind. If that girl you always see is going to stress you out because she complains the entire time about how freaked out she is about the 3 finals she has tomorrow and she hasn't studied and she lost her phone charger so now she can't talk to her mother who just flew to Australia and might be attacked by rogue kangaroos and then there's her brother who won't shut up and she just needs to lock her self in her room and....

Yeah. You get the picture...They can wait till next week.

8: Don't. Freak. Out. 

Remember when this was the hardest thing you had to do? While I highly doubt any of your finals look like this uncolored butterfly, that's how finals need to be looked at. Grade's are definitely important, but don't lose your sanity over them. Always do your best, that's what really matters!

Good Luck!
--Mary

Flaws, Facts, and how to be okay with them

I've recently been asked what my biggest flaw is from my personal opinion. While I'm tempted to say it's my temper, or my lack of being able to keep my mouth shut. My boyfriend would tell me it's the fact that I over-think absolutely everything. However, I do think I have one flaw that has been with me my entire life, and I'm probably not alone in having it:

I care too much.

No, not in the "I should really stop paying my hard earn cash to those infomercials about dying puppies" kind of caring too much, but in the type of caring that gets us all in trouble.
I'm talking about how we care too much what other people think. It's the problem we have where we actually care how we're perceived to others. Sometimes this blocks our ability to see that someone may or may not be giving as much thought to something as we are.

I've spent my entire life trying to make everyone else happy, and it's time to put that much effort into myself.

Worrying so much about trivial matters is not good for your well being. It make us susceptible to becoming someone's punching bag...which is worse when you're the one doing the punching. Today, we find a cure. Today I'm choosing to blog about the cold hard truth. There's three unfortunate facts that can be dealt with if one cares to try.

Have you every wondered if someone is talking behind your back? Has the thought crossed your mind if your friends will approve of your most recent crush? Has avoiding someone become your way of coping with problems? I'm here to tell you, and myself, that it's time to admit the facts, and take them in stride.

It’s time to stop being our own personal punching bags.

Fact #1: People will always be there to judge you.

Yes! It's happening. Right now. There are people out there who simply don't like you. Guess what? There's nothing you can do about it. No amount of prodding and coercing to things that they like will change their mind. It comes down to respect. Unfortunately, if you have the respect for yourself and can draw the line at something you will or will not do, people may not like this.

So what?

Fact #2: Not everyone has to like you.

It's a crazy thought, I know, but it's something that even I have to get used to. Some people may judge you, and some may not even know you exist...but that's the beauty of it all.

Check this out, when people don't like you nothing actually happens. Your world will not crumble, your life will not end at a stand still, and you won't actually feel people breathing down your neck. Revenge is a life well lived? True, but not completely. A life well lived is great, but cannot happen if you're so worried about other people.

Accept it, and move on.

Fact #3: It's the people who are there during the hard times that matter.

So we've all admitted by not that most people in the world are barely aware that you wake up every morning and put your pants on one leg at a time, exactly like they do. I think we've also realized that there are an obscenely small minority of people who dislike you and, lets be honest, they don't actually matter. Sweet. Now let's understand and trust that the people who do care, are the ones that deserve your time and effort. Only them.

People are weird. Relationships are weirder. It's like we always prefer to impress and charm those trying to enter our lives, than to work with the ones who are already there. This includes friendships, family, significant others, all relationships.

The problem, and the answer, is that these people who are already in your life are the ones that matter. These people are the ones who care about you and make you laugh or at the very least, comfortable. You've shared things with them. Hopefully none have lost your trust. If these people do, somehow, still have your trust, focus on them.

They are important. They love you.

In the end...

If you dismiss the things that do not matter; if you remove those things from your mind and focus on what must be done; if you understand that your time is limited and decide to work now; only then will you be able to get to the finish line. Otherwise, you will end up living a life you aren’t interested in.

 No worries, we've all been there. I of all people truly understand. You may be in a tough place right now where you feel lonely or like a loser. Even the most successful and happy people in the world have less than perfect lives. If they can get past these problems, we can too.

Take back your self respect. Do it today– try it right now. Wear something ugly. Do something stupid. Tell someone the truth.

Who cares what they have to say about it?

--Mary

How do you Define Yourself?

This is one of those videos that I think everyone should watch. Just take 15 minutes out of your life and REALLY listen to what she has to say. The thumbnail may startle some, as she looks extremely skinny...but anyone who has visited my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/marykillman) will see that I've posted this link before. I think it's time I (and others) actually paid it some attention!

This woman has a rare disease that causes her to not be able to gain weight. She mentions in the video how she's never weighed more than 64 pounds in her lifetime. How crazy is that? While it sounds like every girls dream now-a-days to be able to eat anything and everything and not gain an ounce, it's a very dangerous thing. However, as Lisa speaks about her illness, she also brings other things to mind such as what TRULY defines who you are as a person.

What defines you? Who are you really? Are you grouped together with other people because of the color of your skin?
Your hairstyle?
Your clothing?
Your weight?
Your friends?
What about a disability?
Don't even get me started on religion.

So what has caused me to think about these things? Why has this video had so much of an impact on me?
Because as a synchronized swimmer, an Olympic synchronized swimmer, weight is a big deal. We are, to a point, literally judged on what we look like. It's as if we're super models with judges on either side of the runway...or the pool.

Model World: It doesn't matter how pretty the shoes are if you can't walk in them.
Synchro World: It doesn't matter how hard the routine is if you can't swim it.

Model World: Your fellow model just tripped over you? Keep going and Smile anyways.
Synchro World: Your teammate just kicked your nose clip off? Keep going and Smile anyways.

Model World: The body makes the gown look good.
Synchro World: The body makes the suit look good.

How oddly similar. But is that really what it's all about? Are we really just a bag of skin, muscle and bones that is, hopefully, nice to look at? Who are we really? What are we really? As athletes, we are the prime. We are the prime example of what others wish they could be. Yet, even we are not good enough.

That's where confidence sneaks in. Say it with me: I am confident. I am beautiful. I believe in myself.

Sure, maybe you need to whiten your teeth or loose those last few pounds...but until you believe you are working hard, and doing your best, then forward movement has stopped. Until you realize that you are you are a unique human being and that has been put here to do something extraordinary...you are your worst critic. Once you're happy, an entirely new world will open to you. It's taken me year to figure this out. I found this quote on pinterest recently, and you know those times when you feel like something was MADE for you? Yeah. This is it. Thanks Lindenwood. :)

Work for a Goal. Be happy. Be true to yourself.

So who are we? Who are you?

--Mary

History in the Making

This is a picture of the result, but what did it take to get there?

A lot of hard work and perseverance.

Lindenwood Synchronized Swimming is now the Collegiate National Champions! We swept first in all the routine events (Solo, Duet, Trio, and Team) and as you can tell from the picture, we're all super excited. In this picture is 3 amazing coaches, and 20 extremely hard working girls. Not shown, are 3 of our teammates who cheered us on from Lindenwood campus and are just as much a part of this victory as the girls who are seen above. 

This weekend, LU History was made.We pushed limits and aimed for a goal that 6 years ago could not have been dreamed of.

The Collegiate National Title.

So how did we make it? This is how.

First off the wall routine: Usher

Reem, Laia and Aly busted out an amazing medley of Usher songs with an EXTREME amount of Energy. These girls make me smile every day, and they're just the kind of crazy to be able to pull off this routine. Synchronized Swimming likes that "classical" or "movie" music. Simple. No words, an easy melody...Usher is definitely not what was expected. They entertained like they were holding their own concert. What an amazing thing to watch.

Next up: Fall of Rome

Caroline, Hannah and McKinzie are three girls who, against different practice schedules and hardly any full runs, came together for a performance. The music was more "synchro" but they made it their own. They're such amazing girls and I'm so proud to call them my friends and teammates. I love these girls to death and they did an amazing job.

Three depicting seven: Deadly Sins

Myself, Dennise and Anouk pulled together a routine to depict all Seven of the Deadly Sins in a 3 minute block of time. Difficult, but possible. There have been many times I couldn't have survived practice without these two. Momma Killman made some gorgeous suits for us to rock while we swam, and we made that routine ours. I never wanted a Trio, but this routine and these girls have made me appreciate and even, dare I say it, love swimming trio. All of our work was paid off with a Gold Medal in the Trio event! Love you girls!!

 Duet Time: The Game Has Changed/Mirrors

Reem and I came together as one for a duet that literally depicted an internal struggle. Call it Mirrors, mention how some of the music is from Tron, but the Game definitely changed when we took to the pool. Our walkout was mirrored, and directly next to each other, which is never done in the Synchro community. Then with one or the other acting as a reflection of the other, we swam our way to 1st with energy. Gotta love ya Reem. We worked hard for this, and I'm so happy it paid off. I definitely couldn't have done it without you!

The one that made them Cry: Daniela

I don't think there was a dry eye in the entire arena after this girl swam. Daniela swims with a passion and love of the sport that can be matched by no one. Two years ago, she couldn't speak a word of English. Today she's one of my greatest friends and one of the hardest workers I know.

                                                                     Feeling Good: Me

I swam to a dubsteb version (Yes, I said dubstep! There's a jump away from traditional Synchro...) of "Feeling Good" by Nina Simone. My favorite compliment, was that my swim was the reason someone actually LIKED watching solos! Sometimes they can be boring, it is SYNCHRONIZED swimming after all. How do you synchronize by yourself? You'd be surprised. Thank you to EVERYONE who helped me earn a 90 in score to take 1st place.

The Jungle: "Be the Tiger"

Regardless on if we're Lions or not, one of the freshman said this before the routine swam. It just shows the personality of this team. Hannah, Caroline, Carmen, Kirsten, Emily, Kelli, Simona, and Nathalia, you girls are a class act with personalities to match. Great job embracing your animals and truly bringing The Jungle to Life.

Out of this world: Aliens

Who would've thought that Kanye West and Beyonce could be Alien themed? We did. And that's what makes yall special. Anouk, Reem, Dennise, McKinzie, Aly, Irene, Laia and Amanda are a group of girls that can make anything seem the way they want it. Y'all are definitely a group of performers if I've ever seen them. Congratulations on your 1st place placing by just that much. Aly, MVP for sure. For those who want to know why, watch the video. First Lift. I've never heard people cheer so loudly for a team.

Our team had a set of goals and we were going to reach them. From my experience here at Lindenwood, I've learned that sometimes it takes going against what is the "norm" to set higher standards.

I'm so Proud of my Lady Lion teammates. Congratulations girls!

--Mary

The Importance of a Team

First off, I'd like to apologize for this blog being so delayed! I've had a lot on my plate lately. Our team competed at Regionals and swept Gold in all the routine events! This means we put a hitch in Ohio State's 23 year regional championship list of titles. Exciting and definitely one for the history books. But we're not done yet! Still collegiates to go and we're working harder than ever.

However that's not what this blog post is about. I recently received an e-mail on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/marykillman) from a woman who has two young daughters who both compete in a sport that I hold dear to my heart. Synchronized Swimming.

If you know anything about the sport of Synchronized Swimming, or even if you don't, most notice it is a team sport. Sure, it has Duets, and Trios, and even solo's! I myself am a soloist, but while a routine by yourself can be impressive, it just doesn't have the same feeling as when you are surrounded by 7 of your teammates. The image of walking proud across the deck, diving in the water before performing a (hopefully) flawless routine with lifts soaring into the air and amazing scores at the end all before all 8 of you, screaming like 10 year old girls, are hugging and celebrating your hardwork and amazing friendships...

Sometimes however that's not the case.

Sometimes it's difficult to work in a sport where estrogen runs rampant and puberty hits at seemingly all ages. Sometimes you don't get along with everyone. Sometimes you just really don't want to go to practice because Shannon said something about you to Tanya who told Abby who obviously had to inform Lisa about it before the entire scenario got back to you two weeks later and your feelings were hurt over it.
Sometimes it happens.

But what can we do about it? Honestly, nothing. Girls will be girls, boys will be boys, and people will spread rumors long after the sun sets. What we can do however, is learn and understand that as a TEAM you are strong. Without each other, you can get no where...or at least it's a lot harder. 

At this point, we think cohesion is impossible. Hold steady my friends, it's not. Anything is impossible if you set your mind to it. I was sitting in my management class today, where we went over a chapter about Teams. There was a story of an athlete who truly did not enjoy being around his teammates. However, they had a pact that as a team, they were unstoppable. As a team, they were the best of friends and could celebrate in the wins and mourn over the losses. As a team, they could do anything. Whatever personal problems they had were left at the gate before walking onto the field. The moment that jersey went on, it was a new life. It was a time where there are no worries, no problems, and no issues...only trust, courage, spirit, and a want to succeed. 

This is what a team should learn.
Trust. Courage. Spirit. Want.
Team is not spelled with an "i" for a reason! 

Babe Ruth was a true team player. Not everyone liked him, but he had his share of respect. A great teammate is someone who truly puts the team before themselves. Someone who cares about the essence of his or her teammates.

After all, you could have a Bobsledding team full of Olympic Gold Medalists in Luge but unless they learn to work together, they may end up upside down after a sharp turn. You could put together a Rowing team of 8 individual record holders in singles and still not place on the medal stand if they don't work together to synchronize the catch and release of each stroke. If they ignore the others, the boat will not travel at it's fastest pace. 

Teamwork. It's important if you wish to get anywhere.
Enjoy the journey, nothing will be easy, but teammates make it bearable.

Thanks for reading! Don't forget to check out my website, or my facebook page! I'll do my best to keep my blog posts updated. :) Keep sending me questions or comments and I can talk about them in my next blog post! Have a great day!

--Mary