You are brilliant, and the earth is hiring

More on the need for VAWA, U Visas, and protections for vulnerable immigrants: Trapped in violence: Undocumented abuse victims face hurdles: "Undocumented women like Juana are often cut off from the community and don’t know how or where to seek help. If they do report abuse, they face an unfamiliar legal system that’s difficult to navigate in a foreign language . . . this isolation creates 'levels of deterrence' against getting help."

Left: from the amazing Nikki McClure (via the wonderful BuyOlympia)

A classic: "Caring For Your Introvert" from the Atlantic.

Tonight I'm watching Downton Abbey with the 'rents. I've heard so many good things about it, I'm pretty psyched.

I had a great 10K today. It was pretty warm out (in the 40s, I think), and some of my bootcamp ladies were there running also. The run wasn't easy - there were some steep hills and I definitely ate too much before hand (two of my pb and banana wheat toast things instead of one - a mistake) - but I chugged along. I'm happy to report I ran the whole time and even ended up beating my prior 10K time by almost 3 minutes! It was just what I needed to mentally prepare for the, gulp, half marathon next weekend.

"There is invisible writing on the back of the diploma you will receive, and in case you didn't bring lemon juice to decode it, I can tell you what it says: you are brilliant, and the earth is hiring. The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint. And here's the deal: Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don't be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done." - Paul Hawken (University of Portland, May 3, 2009). source.