Home Away From Home

The first few years working at the Los Alamos Monitor provided a few perks; we got free doughnuts on Fridays and a free membership at the YMCA - probably to burn up all the calories from consuming doughnuts. 

The membership, I believe, was free because the paper did a trade with the YMCA. It provided free advertising in exchange for memberships at no charge. I took advantage of the perk and even when the trade expired I continued to be a YMCA member. 

Thirteen years later, I am still a member. I've pedaled on stationary bikes,  marched in place on stair masters and walked on treadmills. I've lifted weights, jogged like a mummy, kicked like a donkey and walked like a beast. I've screamed internally during some intense workouts and once almost fell asleep during savasana in a yoga class. Michael Jackson's Thriller has boomed through the speakers for Halloween and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer has been played in honor of Christmas. 

Even more than that I met Laura, Johnny, Larry, Nalani, Emily and Carrie and long list of others at the YMCA. We pull on sweatbands, unfurl yoga mats and hop into a light jog to begin something fun together. 

In short, I have had a lot of good times at the Y. It might not be the first place I would point to but it does feel like home away from home.