I've been a bit behind in my blog posting this week. I had the flu for 10 days which is an insane amount of time to be sick. I literally couldn't get out of bed for 9 of those days and was a coughing, feverish mess. I'm finally better and ready to see daylight lol.

Its funny how much one takes things for granted. When I was in Rikers I saw daylight for about 1 hour a day. If that. Their was a window in each cell but it didn't really open - except for 2 inches to let in a wee amount of air. It was a darker colored glass so you couldn't see in or out. We were let out for 1 hour a day in dog kennels about 8x8 in size. It was nice to get out but torture because you couldn't do much but pace around this small area.

Now sometimes I just go sit outside on a bench or step somewhere. Its nice to take a few moments out of the day and appreciate how beautiful the outdoors can be. Even in New York City where its highrise after highrise, you can still take a walk to the waterfront and gaze at the beautiful blue sky and clear your head.

Now that I'm finally well, I'm anxious to get outside even just for a few minutes. Last year I had the luxury of living on the beach (after I got out of jail) and I have to say it was a wonderful summer. I got up every day and went for a 4 mile run on the boardwalk. I spent alot of time just laying on the sand with a book and thinking how beautiful the ocean is and how lucky I was to be out of jail. I never want to forget that feeling of appreciation. Appreciation for life, for people and for freedom.

Its important for me to live my life with appreciation because I don't want to take anything for granted. Life is too short not to live it fully and too beautiful to not appreciate what you have in your life....