When reporter Lydia Rypcinski reached out to me about a month and a half ago hoping to do a story on me, I think what she found out surprised her. She was asked to do a “day in the life of” story for Bowling Industry Magazine. She was to follow a bowler around all day, documenting what they do, how they interact with others, and report on what their “day in the life of” was like. I told her I’d love to do it, but she should know one thing. I have known Lydia for many years. She has been a great journalist for many bowling publications and many publications outside the bowling industry. She has essentially seen me grow up. I was surprised to find out she hadn’t heard that I was pregnant.

I explained, “If you don’t want to do the story on me because I’m pregnant, I totally understand. I know there are a lot of bowlers out there that lead exciting lives and may be more compelling than the life that I’m living right now.” She insisted that we still do the story on me. She said it would be a good demonstration of how I am balancing this very important time in my life.

Lydia, and her photographer, Sheila, knocked on my door at 8:30am on May 19th. They were in for a long day! And, so was I!

After taking shots of me working on my computer like I do most mornings, she got a few shots of John and I eating breakfast. At 9:20am, we were off to Phenomenal Fitness where I train with my trainer, Linda Gisburne. (http://phenomenalfitness.com) Sheila got a bunch of shots of me boxing, and lifting weights… and after an hour we were off to my place so that I could quickly shower, and head off to my next destination: Hines Veterans Hospital.

I have never been to a Veterans Hospital and what I found there was inspiring. They had two lanes in the hospital that were open to all the patients there. I put on two clinics for them. All were excited to learn more about bowling. Many of them bowl in the Golden Age Games to earn medals. A few veterans that REALLY inspired me were blind. They had bowled before they were blind, so they understood where the ball return was. They found the ball return, stood right next to it, and took one giant step left. (if they were on the left lane) Very impressive that they had such great instincts. Their balls more often than not stayed on the lanes, and they were determined to pick up the pins that were left standing. Their friends were nice enough to tell them which pins were standing.

I left the hospital feeling very inspired. People that have done so much for our country, who have such challenges to overcome, still maintain a healthy, positive attitude. I hope to visit them again one day.

After Hines VA Hospital, we made a stop at the embroiderer who does all my custom embroidery for Kaizen by diandra and the last stop of the day was to my Prenatal Yoga Class with one of my childhood friends, Allison. I have known Allison since we were 12 years old, and despite the fact we only went to school together for two years, we maintained a very strong friendship. Through high school, college, and after college when she lived in California. I feel lucky to have such a close friend who is sharing the same pregnancy moments with me. Although, hers are probably more intense, as she is having twins in July!

Prenatal yoga is a great way for me to relax, and focus on my breathing. I have such busy days, that I think a lot of times I forget to stop and breathe. Prenatal Yoga at Bend Yoga and Movement Studio. (http://bendyogachicago.com)

So that’s just a peek into the day in the life of diandra! Be sure to check out the magazine, Bowling Industry to get a very in depth look at what goes on in the day of diandra.

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