I returned to work at the Heidelberg just a few days after graduation and a lot of my fellow employees asked me, “How does it feel to be a Mizzou grad?!?”  Honestly, I don’t feel much different… in fact, I feel more sad than anything. Graduation means the end of one significant chapter in my life. Nothing can replace it. I will never have the opportunity to sit in Ellis Library trying to study for my Political Science exam, but instead, people watching and doodling back and forth with my friend Whitney. I will never have the opportunity to stuff pillows in my shirt and sumo wrestle down the hallway of Kappa Delta. I will never have the opportunity to charge a student discounted, Apple laptop to my parent’s account by simply swiping my student i.d. And, I will never have the opportunity to walk through Mizzou campus on my way to a class, as a Mizzou student.

Some of my close friends have already moved away, starting their new job and a new chapter in their life. Some friends plan on moving back home in a few days, taking a small, relaxing hiatus before they enter the “work world.” Either way, it’s all happening so fast. Just before I dropped my Dad off at the St. Louis airport, about to make his journey back home, he said to me, “I have a feeling this is the last I will see of you for awhile.” His comment really stung, but as much as it hurts, it’s true. My parents have always seen me as the child that was going to “grab the bull by its horns.” Can you blame them for thinking that? I did move nearly 1,000 miles from home to go to school. My parents see me as the child who will actually pursue her dream, who won’t stop until she gets where she wants to be, who will work the late nights, who will work during the holidays… and I think they’re right.

My plans for after graduation do not include home or family. Not to say I don’t love my home or family, because I do, so much! But, I’m ready to move through the next chapter of my life. I want to go to new places, meet new people and overcome new challenges. I know my family will always be there for me and will be welcoming with open arms whenever I want to visit home. So with that in mind, I feel comfortable enough to explore what’s out there.

So here’s to graduating, to growing up, to moving on… and to trying to put a smile on your face when you have to say goodbye. I’m a hub of mixed emotions: sad about leaving Mizzou, but truly excited and anxious about my unknown, future endeavors. I’ll keep you posted.

Graduation is inching closer and closer, and there is still so much left to do! I started working on my next KOMU story. Professor Henry Nguyen, at the University of Missouri, finished the first stage of his “soybean genome project.” Nguyen and a group of researchers identified more than 1 billion base pairs in a soybean. Since soybeans are a valuable crop, his research could be beneficial for many reasons.  And that’s exactly what I want to explain in my story. I already spoke with Professor Nguyen. He showed me around the lab, as well as the green house. The next step– to find a soybean farmer. Nguyen hopes his research could mean an increase in soybean production, which of course would help a soybean farmer. Missouri is the fifth-largest soybean producer in the country; its economic impact is great. As a result, Nguyen’s research would not only influence the state, but the entire country and possibly world.

As for the rest of my life, this past weekend truly made me feel like a senior. My weekend was jam-packed with sorority, senior events. It was so much fun to finally get a chance to be with sorority pledge class. I feel like I’ve been so busy with school, KOMU, work and therapy, I’ve been neglecting an important family, my sorority sisters. On Friday, we had our “Senior Night” at Forge and Vine. It was a chance to hear senior speeches, present senior superlatives and reflect on memories from our past four years. Every one of us couldn’t help but laugh and cry throughout the evening. On Saturday, we had one of our sorority parties called, “Flock,” a beach-themed dance. I had so  much fun, but it was sad to think that would be my last “Flock.”

Thirteen more days until graduation and I cannot begin to describe my mixed emotions. I’ve been thinking about the past, present and future all at the same time. The idea of graduating is scary, exciting and stressful. There is still so much left to do. I just hope I savor my last 13 days!

My first day there, I did simple leg raises and quad sets: simple stuff that didn’t cause any pain. Rick (physical therapist) gave me at-home exercises to do 2-3 times a day. Rick told me to apply heat to my knee for ten minutes before performing those exercises, then apply ice to my knee for ten minutes. I saw Rick again today and I bent my knee! First time in nearly one week! Now, it wasn’t a full bend… and I had to press down on my knee to take away some of the tension, but I still did it! Rick had me bend and straighten my leg 20 times. At one point, I started to feel nauseous. I guess the tension in my knee was getting to me. Rick got me some water and had me lay down for a few minutes. He reassured me that type of reaction is common for some people trying to get over an injury. Nonetheless, I bent my knee! And now I have more exercises to do at home.

Well, that’s all for now. I’ll keep you posted about my progress.

All in all, I need to continue icing it and wrapping it. I also have to go to physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week for 3 to 4 weeks. I already scheduled a therapy appointment tomorrow at Rick Rother Physical Therapy downtown.

My knee is very tender, making it difficult to walk. The slightest bend in my knee is painful. It has only been one day since the race, but my doctor says walking will slowly become easier in a few days. To get full movement in my knee, I need to perform specific exercises. I’ll learn those tomorrow at physical therapy.

Physical therapy will also teach me new running form in order to prevent this from happening again. Most runners lose their form once they become fatigued, causing injuries like this. I’m sure that’s exactly what happened to me. I see my orthopedic doctor in 3 weeks. If it hasn’t healed by then, we will take further steps to find the problem. But most likely, the injury will heal with time.

I’m relieved it’s nothing serious. I don’t have time to be injured! I still have to work on three more stories for KOMU. Not to mention, it’s soccer season and I would love to keep playing. Of course, I’ll take it easy these next few weeks. Nonetheless, as soon as I can be active again, the better.

The three of us at the start of the race-- Me, Elyse and Emmy!

About 17,000 people ran the race; that includes half-marathoners, full marathoners and relay runners. Long story short, it was packed! There were crowds and crowds of people. And that atmosphere was great! The gun went off at 7am, but that time was more for elite and full marathon runners. The three of us didn’t cross the starting line until 7:15-ish.

I was very proud of myself throughout the whole thing. I ended up running a 10 minute pace the whole time, finishing 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 19 minutes.

For a first time half-marathon runner… I was impressed! I ran the whole time, only walking a few paces to drink water. Water stations were located every two miles. I didn’t need water until the 8th mile, then I continued to grab some water at each station until the end of the race. Endurance wise, I felt fine. There was a hill between the 11th and 12th mile mark that was a killer!!! It never seemed to end! But I was able to run up the entire thing.

Crossing the finish line! You can tell I look exhausted!

Although I was happy with my performance mentally, my body was not. I mentioned before I was having knee pains during my training. I couldn’t run seven miles (sometimes less) without feeling horrible pain in my left knee. And of course, there was knee pain during the race.

I started to feel some tension in my knee at about the fourth mile. I’m thinking, “Oh great! I’m not even half way and I’m already starting to have problems.” My knee didn’t start to really hurt until about the 10th or 11th mile. By then, I was so close to the finish line, I couldn’t stop! Even with all that pain, it felt like I sprint that last mile. I was so close to the finish line, I wanted to get done as fast as I could.

Fortunately, I finished the race… and in what I thought was great time. Unfortunately, my knee swelled up and I couldn’t bend it at all. I iced it all day after the race and today I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious… but, I woke up this morning and it was still swollen. I’ll let you know how everything goes. Wish me luck!

President Obama signed the legislation for the new health care law. At the time of the story, the government still needed to carry it out. But, specifics of the law have not reached the state level, and neither the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Social Services know when that will be. One mid-Missouri family (my focus) wants to know if the new health care reform will affect home health care services. They’re anxious to know how they are to keep their daughter alive if their coverage runs out.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY6eo2drIMs]

Controversial and political issues are always more appealing when they’re humanized. I think when you have a “central, compelling, character” more people will pay attention.

In other news, the half-marathon is in a week! I’m really nervous and feeling unprepared. But, I think once I’m there, everything will go smoothly. Hopefully my knee doesn’t go out on me. It’s been hurting after running 8-9 miles. But, I’m not going to let that stop me.

Graduation’s coming up so soon! It’s a little nerve-wrecking. I thought coming to college, miles from home, was scary… but having to keep a real job in a town where I will probably know no one, is scarier. Exciting, but scary.

My story is suppose to air next week. I’ve been editing it for hours. But that’s okay… editing is what I love doing. In fact, I think that’s what I want to do for my career. I would love to edit documentary films, or other special projects. Some of the contacts Randy gave me are editors within an entertainment world, reality TV, TV sitcoms, etc. But, I think getting my foot in the door at those places is a great start.

Still in the realm of broadcast– KOMU 8 reporter Alex Swoyer and I are slowly making progress on our Ferguson story. There have been a lot of updates in the case… that means it has pushed back our progress. Because of the updates,  a lot of key figures are unable to comment about the case. I don’t want to talk too much about our plans, but Alex and I have found one or two people to talk to. I think they will be very beneficial to the story. Speaking with these figures will also give our story a different angle then CBS’ 48 Hours version that it did in 2008.

As you can see, working on two stories simultaneously takes up a lot of my time. I’m still training for the half marathon. I ran nine miles about a week ago. Sadly, a muscle across my knee started hurting days after I ran. A fellow runner told me I need to strengthen that muscle before I start running again. It’s turning into Spring and the weather is so nice… I don’t want to run on an elliptical inside when I could run outside! It’s very frustrating. Oh well… I’ll keep you posted about how my knee heals.

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About seven weeks until the half-marathon. My goal was to run seven miles this week… but while I was running, I felt so good that I ran eight! I’m very proud of myself. I can’t remember the last time I ever ran eight miles, and I know I’ve never ran more than that. I hope I feel just as good when I run nine, which is my goal for this week. So, wish me luck!

Because of what happened Monday, our news director wanted a package for this Monday. That left Alex and I less than a week to put something together. Lets just say, I’ve spent many long nights at KOMU. When I think about how tired I am, I refer to this quote… and it makes everything slightly better:

“I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.” — Thomas Carlyle

It’s all well worth it. For the time we had, I’m happy with what we put together. The story still needs some touching up, but that will be done early tomorrow.

As for the running, I’m up to five miles! I think I need to run six this week. Once this story airs, I should have more time to focus on training. I feel bad because I have not been able to attend the training sessions! Hopefully, this week will be different.

Well, it’s going on midnight… and I need to work tomorrow morning. Then it’s back to KOMU. Goodnight!