Things Change

I'm sure you're all sick of hearing about my running.  Sorry, I'll try to post something else next time.  And something with pictures...it's been a while. :)

I was thinking the other day about how I've always felt about running.  I used to always say, "I hate running". And that was not an exaggeration in the least.  I really did hate it.  Invariably, there would be someone that would say, "I used to hate it too" as if this would inspire me to change.  I would think, every time I heard that, "yeah, but there is no way you hate it as much as I do".  And I really believed it.  These people claimed to have hated running at some point, but now they loved it?  Obviously, they didn't understand my level of hatred towards the sport. I HATED running.  I could not see a way for that to change.

BUT, things do change.  When I was younger I hated a lot more things than I do now.  Coconut, blueberries, peppers, pants (as compared to shorts), etc.  (Yes, I realize most of those things are food, it's all I could think of off the top of my head...I've always been a picky eater).  


I'm not saying running is my most favorite thing to do in the world.  But, I look forward to it, I love the way I feel when I'm done.  I love the way it makes my body feel (except for my aching knees).  I often have to really push myself to finish my run, but at the same time, I enjoy it.  I hope I never stop.

Who would have thought?

Running Update

Well, I'm still running.  For some reason, the last couple of weeks have been hard, but I've decided I'm going to start telling myself that I enjoy it.  During the day, I find myself looking forward to a run at night, but then sometimes the run itself isn't always what I want to be doing.

I have run outside a few times now.  2 times this week so far.  Turns out I like it MUCH, MUCH more than the treadmill...especially our crazy treadmill.  AND, I'm a lot faster outside, which is nice b/c that fits into my schedule much better.

On Tuesday, I ran 5 miles outside and it was nice.  I ran by a few other people.  One guy raised his arm and gave me a fist pump from across the street.  It made my night.

Lately as I run, I've been listening to Conference talks.  It gives me a chance to focus on what's most important.

Basically, I still don't love running, but I'm getting there slowly.

Timing

I recently re-listened to an old BYU devotional by Elder Dallin H. Oaks from 2002 called Timing.  The first time I heard it was when it was given.  It was right before my mission and it felt as if he were talking just to me.  Anyway, lately it's been something I've been thinking about again.

There are so many things I wish I could be doing right now.  Some big, some smaller.

• I wish I could take a class at the community college.  I miss learning. 
• I wish I had time to work on Family History.
• I wish I could serve at the temple as an ordinance worker.
• I wish I was a wife and mother

But, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be right now, and right now, the Lord has asked me to do other things. Listening to Elder Oaks' talk reminded me that "we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord's will and in the Lord's timing".

I'm not complaining, just sharing.  I am content to do what the Lord has planned for me right now in my life.  It often means I sacrifice the things I want, for the things He wants from me right now.  Not that I think I won't eventually do all of the things I want to do.  I just have to wait it out.  I've seen Him bless my life time and time again as I've tried to do His will.  I know he will ALWAYS continue to do so.  He is "wonderful great".

Running

The other day Candie suggested that I should write about running.  As usual, she's right. :)

So, I have been keeping up with my running.  I've done all of it on the treadmill in our garage so far.  I know, I know, running on a treadmill is not the same as running outside.  I'll get around to it, I promise.  Maybe this next week even.  I finally went and bought an arm band for my ipod, so that'll help things.  I should make myself a running playlist.  Any suggestions?

Anyway, the running has been going fairly well.  It's rough sometimes, especially on my "long" run days that really push me.  I've been doing those runs on Saturdays and will probably continue.  So, for example, today I ran 6 miles.  6. MILES.  I know to a lot of people that's kiddy play, but to  me...it's amazing.  I am sore now, but I've learned it'll be fine tomorrow.

Sometimes I don't feel like running, but I do it anyway.  I run 4 times a week (this week it was 3 miles, 4 miles, 3 miles, 6 miles).  It's really hard to fit into my schedule sometimes, but I've made the commitment and I like what it's doing to my body.  I like how much stronger I feel week after week.

Sometimes I feel like I'm not sure if I can do it, but I just keep telling myself I can.  And...I do.  The one exception was yesterday.  My running all got pushed to the end of the week, so I had to run yesterday and I didn't get up and do it before work, which left me with the only option of running right after work...in 102 degree weather.  It was rough.  I only made it 2.5 miles (out of 3), but I figure it's ok just that once...plus, it was HOT.

Well, that's a lot of words for one post.  I'm grateful for a body that works and for the desire to push myself.

Oh!  I finally decided on a 1/2 marathon I think.  A couple of friends suggested I go with them to the Santa Barbara 1/2 marathon (well one of them plans to run the marathon) on November 1.  It's a little later in the year than I'd originally planned, but I think it'll be good.

Now, on to working on some of my other goals (I did do a little sewing today, so that fits into the creative, right guys?  Right?). :)

No, you're not dreaming

Oh, hey.  What?  You weren't sure if I was still alive.  I promise I am. I'm not sure why I didn't write in my blog for so long.  Well, kind of I know, life is busy, busy, busy, but still...how long does it take to type in a few little notes??  Sad, I'll try to be better.  Probably.  It's just not a high priority for me right now, but I'll make an effort.

So, what have I been up to?  Like I said, quite a bit. Work and my calling keep me going almost constantly.  It is a rare, although welcome, night that I have a free evening.  Not that I want it any other way, it just keeps me busy.  I have a lot of things I want to do with our Relief Society and Ward.  I see good changes in our future, and I'm starting with me so I can be an example for those I serve.

One of the biggest things that has happened to me in the last 3 months is that I had a birthday back at the beginning of April.  A pretty significant one, at least in my opinion.  I turned 29.  Yep, 29.  I can hardly believe it. Being 29 feels different than I thought it would, not that I thought a lot about it, but still...I think, if I had thought about it when I was younger, I would have thought I'd be depressed to turn 29 and still be on my own.  Instead, I feel calm and confident and dedicated.  I had a lot of time to think on my birthday, especially since it was General Conference.  I decided there are a lot of things I want to do/feel like I should do before I turn 30.  Some of them are more personal, and I don't want to share them with the WWW, but here are just a few I'm working on:

• Run a 1/2 Marathon.  It should be noted that I despise running.  I always have.  I've tried to get into running before, but did not enjoy it.  So, I did some research and got myself one of these babies:

 

It has been amazing for me to see how I can do this.  I've started with their pre-training training schedule, and each week, I am amazed that I can actually do what they are asking me to do.  I've learned dedication and tenacity.  It feels so good.  I only have 2 more weeks on the pre-train schedule, then it's on to the real deal.

• Do something creative every week.  This one isn't going as well, although I try to find the time...I need to put that new sewing machine to work that I bought right after the big b-day.
• Bring someone to the Gospel.  I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to make this one happen, but I am.  This Gospel is what everyone needs and I want to do my part to bring the joy of it to at least one person by my next birthday.
• Read the Book of Mormon in Portuguese.  This has been amazing.  I didn't realize how much I had missed it.  It's amazing to me how things stand out differently in another language than they do in one.  It makes me feel blessed to know another language.
• Use my passport at least one more time before then.  I want to travel the world, and I'm unattached.  I don't see why I don't take more advantage of that. :)  I'm going to...now I just have to decide where.

Well, that's a long post of words, so thanks for reading if you made it through it all.  I'd take some time to spice it up with pics and stuff, but I just don't have time right now.  Luckily, ward council got pushed back an hour today b/c of Father's Day, so I had time at all...especially since I first started this post one month ago.  Woof.  I will try to make time for actually writing on this thing.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!  Especially to my daddy, the best dad of all time!

Adventure Needed: Ideas Welcome

I feel the need for an adventure.  Any ideas?  I'm looking for all kinds of ideas to choose from.  I feel the need for it.  Plus, I need to take advantage of this time in my life when I have so much flexibility.  HELP!

BYU Signature Card/ID Center

My friend Elisabeth had a little humorous incident today that brought us all back to thinking about the BYU ID Center.

Did you know that I used to work at the BYU ID Center?  If you're reading this, you probably know me, and if you know me, than I'm sure you've heard me talk about it before.  It is a reality that working at the ID Center is the best job ever.  There is no question.  We are the lucky few who have had the experience.

Here are a few of my favorite memories from my 3 years as an employee at the ID Center. (Off the top of my head, so this will probably be an expanding list).  In no particular order:

1. Laffy taffy jokes galore during One Stop
2. Instant Messaging group conversations...even when most, if not all of us, were in the same room :)
3. Decorating the office for holidays...(Remember the Grinch on Chris' door?)
4. Sharing the joy of music videos over and over again.  (Everytime I hear "Bad Day" or "Home", I ALWAYS think of the ID Center)
5. Enforcing the honor code ("Did you shave today?  No?  Well, we have razors and shaving cream that you can use, or you can come back another time")
6. Freshmen with their parents ("No, actually, you can't use your ID to verify your son's ID, he is an adult now...he needs to have his own")
7. Ann
8. Our (perhaps one-sided) rivalry with the Info Desk (I don't know if rivalry is the right word, but you girls know what I mean)
9. Shimmying at the webcam...I almost forgot this happened. :)
10. Group shots on Herman Munster's account

Like I said, I'm sure this list will grow and grow.  All I know is that it was weird to not end up there in some way or another every day.

"Best kept secret on BYU campus".  No one could ever quite fathom the greatness of it all.  I'm pretty sure it was the people.  I love you girls!!