Category Archives: M.Y. Words

It’s All in the Numbers

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It’s All In The Numbers

May09-5So this past weekend was an interesting one.  Saturday was my first National fitness competition.  I was nervous about it.  I also had all of these other emotions running through my head because the weekend represented so much more.

May 23, 2009.  This day represented the 3 year anniversary of my mother’s death.  When my mother passed away in 2006, it was exactly 3 days before my 30th birthday (May 26).  If both of my parents would have been alive then, it would have also been 3 days before their 33rd wedding anniversary. (Yes, I crashed their 3rd wedding anniversary by being born a month early).

So here it is 3 years later on May 23.  This is the anniversary once again.  Now, it’s 3 days before I turn 33.  Yeah that’s a lot of threes!  If you caught up and understood all of it, you’re doing good things this morning.

While training for my competition, I continually wore a teal bracelet that says “OverCome” which represents Ovarian Cancer.  This competition was dedicated to my mother and I wanted to do well.  I didn’t know how I’d be emotionally on that day, but wanted to do my best.

The morning judging started out well – until my music skipped in the middle of my routine.  Although the crowd encouraged me to keep going and clapped at the end, I was frustrated that I wasn’t able to perform it the way it should have been.  Luckily, the judges let me perform it again at the end of the other competitors.  By the end of judging, I had no idea how I placed.

Since this was a National contest, there were many talented women there.  I was amazed at some of the routines and found some moves I will try to incorporate into my future performances.  Awards were given out that night.  I set a goal for my placing and accomplished it.  I walked away with a great National ranking and thought it was pretty interesting that my placing went right along with the same number that represented that entire weekend! pics/video here

(thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!)

M.Y. May 2009

Mental Block?

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Mental Block?

May09-4Have you ever gone through something in your life that you just can’t seem to resolve?  Maybe you’ve wanted to break up with your mate, but those words just stay on the tip of your tongue.  Maybe you’ve thought about joining a gym but the thought of seeing yourself in shorts prevents you from making the trip.  Or maybe you keep telling yourself that this drink will be the last.

Recently I experienced a mental block of a different type and it drove me crazy.  I mentioned my last competition the first week of March and how upset I was at myself for putting my hands down on my roundoff backhandspring backtuck tumbling pass.  It’s a skill I’ve been able to do since I was six so why would my first stumble be in front of an international crowd?

Well, I let the fall get to me and stay in my head.  My next competition (the big one) is this weekend and for the past several weeks I have not been able to throw that tumbling pass.  When I’d get to it in the routine, I’d tell myself that I was too tired and would just skip it.  Other times I was yelling at myself in the practice room mirror “Come on Yeager, you can do this.”  Sometimes I would dread getting out of bed at just the thought of doing it.  A skill that I’ve been able to do forever, was now a skill in which I became nervous and feared.

I went and met with my trainer a couple of weeks ago and shared with her my thoughts and struggle.  She suggested to no longer do that skill and do something similar, yet different.  I didn’t automatically agree with her.  Part of me felt as if I needed to conquer my mental block and see my way through it. If you don’t face your fears, they will always remain fears.  So, for the past two weeks I practiced the initial skill and the suggested skill.

Then it happened.  Last Thursday night I was just sitting at home watching tv.  This feeling shot through my body that said ‘go through your routine – NOW!’  So I threw on some workout clothes, grabbed my boombox, put on my performance shoes and drove to the gym.  Without stretching or anything I threw my entire routine – with the ‘feared’ skill!  It felt wonderful to throw and let me know that I still had the ability to do it.  I went on a recorded both skills in the routine and went home that night to watch them.

In the end I ended up switching to the skill suggested by my trainer because it actually looked better.  I was happy with that decision because I know I wasn’t doing it to avoid a fear, instead I was doing it to improve my routine.  This weekend I’ll be in Charleston, SC trying to improve my rankings on the National stage.  Wish me luck!

M.Y. May 2009

Psychic or Psycho?

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Psychic or Psycho?

May-09-3At one of the Derby events, there was a psychic (from ATL) set up in a side room who was there to tell you your future and all the pains and/or joys that should occur in your life.  I had never been to a psychic before, but I decided to give it a shot and see what she would say.  The guy I was with, she and I sat down (I was a little nervous) and she had us all hold hands.  She looked at him and said, “This is the woman for you.  This is the person that you are going to marry.”  What?!  Huh?  Wow!  Hmmmm!

Without me telling her, she said part of what is going through our head right now is trying to figure out who will exist in whose space and how it will work.  I told her that was interesting she said that because he lives in another state and I live in Louisville.  Her response was that I would move there and that I have about six months to get all of my business together here.  Really!? In her words, this is a relationship that is meant to last and she expect to receive a wedding invitation in March. Excuse me!!  He asked what types of problems we may experience in a relationship since no relationship is perfect.  She asked if we wanted to know the truth.  Of course.  She pointed to me and said “Her.  She will be drama for you”.  Ha, ha.

I then asked the specific question:  “I am trying to accomplish something physically.  Will I be successful?” (I was asking about my fitness competitions but didn’t want to tell her what it was) Psychic lady said that I would be a success, but the one thing that would hold me back (because I am ‘this close’) is that there is inflammation in my lungs.  If I can clear that out, I’ll be good.  She also said that she saw me becoming a fitness model (remember I didn’t tell her I did fitness) and one day creating a business where I help other women accomplish their fitness goals.

In the end she said that I was with a wonderful man that would do anything for me, however I have to be willing to open myself to him and let him be there for me.  I need to communicate with him and tell him my thoughts (because he can’t read my mind) and once I do that, everything will be smooth sailing.

We walked back to the car and didn’t really say anything about it.  Just took it all in.  She said some very positive things so if everything did happen it would be a wonderful thing.  But, at the same time, you wonder if people really can predict the future and what will happen to you.  So, I am putting all of this in writing now, on Thursday, May 14.  If anything of these things really do happen, just know that you read it here first!

M.Y.  May 2009

Derby Behind-The-Scenes

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Derby Behind-The-Scenes

May09-2We have survived yet another Derby season.  Despite the rain, I had a blast at all of the events that I attended.  It started Thursday night with all of the parties, and ended Sunday morning when all I wanted to do was sleep.  I’m in training for my next competition, so for half of the weekend I had barely any carbs.  No BBQ parties, no nibbling on the free food at many of the parties.  Nope, it was just me and my protein bars.  (Note to self: never enter a competition three weeks after Derby!)
Working with OnyxLouisville has introduced me to a lot of people to help make Derby the experience that we all enjoy.  The promoters work many months in advance to make the party run smoothly.  Elliott Horne, one of the organizers of the Goodtimers Party, worked non-stop over the past year to bring urban professionals a successful Friday night event.  Everyone wondered where ‘The Pointe’ was, but driving downtown, you saw the huge spotlight directing everyone to the location.  From the rented furniture, to the themed rooms, to DJ E Feezy spinning high up in the sky – every detail was carefully thought out.   It’s a large venture to create an exciting atmosphere for 4,000 people, but Elliott made sure it was done!
For those that don’t know George Williams, he is an amazing guy.  He is the photographer for OnyxLouisville and he and his pal Kenny hit most of the events taking photos.  Not only is George skilled at photography, but he is definitely a people person.  Over the next several weeks we’ll be downloading pics from the various events.  If you’re captured in any of them and want a copy, give George a call and he’ll hook you up.
Lastly, but definitely not least, is the lady I like to call the Derby Diva.  Without Sherlene Shanklin, Derby would not be the same.   If you need any media coverage for any event, she’s the queen!  When TheSlice was being organized, Sherlene kept me informed of the celebrities that would be attending and supplied information about the history and significance of the event.  She even threw her own party on Thursday night at Glassworks (I am not sure if she ever sleeps!) For the Grand Gala, she was the one to reach out to in order to make sure OnyxLouisville could cover the event.
Not only does she help promote the events in advance, she never stop moving while there.  Every time you see Sherlene, she is running around making sure that everything is running smoothly.  Even if she’s standing in one place, you can tell her mind is still thinking about her next move.  If she is stressed, she doesn’t show it on her face – instead she just gives you a smile.  I saw Sherlene standing at the red carpet at the Grand Gala.  She was waiting for one of the celebrities to finishing walking and taking photos.  I caught Sherlene’s eye glancing at everyone in attendance.  You could see the sparkle in her eye as she saw the smile on guests’ faces and realized that once again, she made things happen!
If you attended any events this Derby season, don’t forget to take time to thank those that put the events together.  We’ve been fortunate to have a choice of events to select from each night.  If you went somewhere and enjoyed it, please let them know.

M.Y.  May 2009

Derby 2009

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Derby 2009

May09-1I was born in Louisville.  I grew up in Louisville.  I graduated high school in Louisville.  I just assumed that what I experienced here was experienced all around the world.  That is, until I went to college in North Carolina.  See, I had assumed that Derby Friday was a national holiday.  I never, never, never went to school on Derby Friday (Oaks Day) and just assumed that day had the same value nationwide as Labor Day or MLK Day.
I remember being at UNC my freshman year and learning that I’d be having a final on the 1st Friday of May.  It was shocking to me that people did any type of work on that day, and more harmful that I wouldn’t be making it home in time to start celebrating Derby.  I remember asking my other friends on campus if they were excited about the Derby.  Most looked at me as if I were speaking in another language.  They either didn’t know what the Derby was or said they could have cared less about a stupid 2 minute horse race.
But I know better!  The Derby in Louisville is much more than the best two minutes in sports history.  It’s a fabulous two week celebration bringing people from all over the world to celebrate friendships, fireworks, great entertainment and tremendous food.  You never know what famous person you may meet or which long lost friend will cross your path.  There are events catered for every demographic.  You can start your day with a fundraising brunch, spend an afternoon at Churchill Downs, swing by someone’s BBQ, head early evening to the Chow Wagon or a concert at Waterfront Park and then dance the night away at a party.
This is Derby, y’all!

M.Y. May 2009

Back Then

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“Back Then”

Apr09-4I was a teacher for over seven years and mostly taught first grade.  My first year of teaching was in 1998.  That group of first graders is now juniors in high school.  It’s amazing to see their changes over the past 11 years.  Braea Tilford was, and still is, one of my most favorite students.  She was smart, friendly and was eager to learn during my first years of teaching.

I recently ran in Braea at the HBCU Conference.  No longer little, we looked at each other eye to eye.  Most people looking at the two of us together would have never believed that I taught her so long ago.  Seeing her made me think about high school then and now – and my how things have changed.

I graduated high school in 1994. Back then, when you wanted to give somebody some information, you wrote on a piece of paper and tried to sneak the other person a note either in class or the hallway.  Sometimes it said something as simple as “do you like me? __yes  __no”  You’d try to fold the piece of paper as small as possible and would sometimes decorate the outside.  Now, these kids send text messages and use instant messenger.  You can send a note to one person, or 100 people with just the click of a button.

Back in the day, you found out all the juicy information about a person by receiving your yearbook at the end of the year.  You laughed at the pictures you’d forgotten had been taken and loved reading the messages your friends would leave you.  (if creative enough, you’d put hearts around your crushes and blacken the eyes of your enemies) Now, everybody has a Myspace, Facebook and a Twitter page.  You can know what somebody is doing every five minutes if they decided to tell you.  There’s no long anticipation, all you have to do is click the refresh button on your computer.

Back then, when you knew you weren’t supposed to be talking to a boy, you would drag the phone (attached to the phone cord) to the nearest closet and whisper as quietly as possible.  You’d sometimes have a code word for the person so nobody else around would be in your business.  You thought you were big time when you called someone on three-way without the other person knowing.  Now, everybody has a cell phone so you canhave a phone conversation any and everywhere your heart desires.  Instead of whispering, most people talk as loud as possible and everyone around can tell you what is being said.

Back in the day, you’d pull out that camera to take pics of all your friends.  Once you had transportation, you’d go to a Walgreens to drop off the photos and come back a week later to see them.  Half of them may have not even turned out, but you took the time to place the photos in the pages of the plastic photos albums they would give you.  Now, as soon as you click a picture in your digital camera or with you camera phone, you can see it, emailed it, print it or post it on the web – instantly!

Back in the day, when you had a favorite tune, you’d sit by the radio all day waiting for it to come on.  As soon as you heard it you’d press “record” so that you could have it on your mix cassette tape.

Back then, you could go to school without worrying about being shot. Back then, Grippos and a Big Red were the ultimate snack. Back in the day, the dollar movie really only cost a dollar.

Back them we thought the smallest things meant the end of the world.  Who would have known that those were the easy days?!

M.Y. April 2009