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!!

Reminisce #1

[ˌrɛmɪˈnɪs]

vb

(intr) to talk or write about old times, past experiences, etc.

 

The other day I had inspiration strike.  I don't always have something new to write about going on in my life right now, but I have had a lot of great experiences over my long life so far.  (I can say long life now that I am pushing 29).  So, every now and then, I'm going to blog about a past experience or memory.  Hope you enjoy this first installment (and all subsequent ones).

--------------------------------------------

In 2nd grade, I almost got a citation on the playground.  

 

Why?  

 

I spit on a boy's back.  My best friend Danielle and I both did.  I never did anything bad.  I was always a good kid, but this boy deserved it.  Do you know why?  He almost kissed Danielle.  Seriously.  Sure, we were playing chase.  And sure, the "point" of playing chase was for the boys to try to catch the girls to kiss them, but that was just the premise.  Didn't this kid know that you weren't supposed to actually kiss anyone?  It was all pretend.  Anyway, he really almost kissed Danielle, which made us pretty upset, so we spit on him in retaliation.  (Can't you see the logic of a 7 year old here?)

Then he told Mr. Felman.  I was so. scared.  Mr.  Felman.  I'd never had a male teacher and  he was really intimidating to me.  Needless to say, I'm pretty sure we almost peed our pants when he called us over after he-who-was-spat-upon told on us.  But guess what?  He just talked to us very nicely and we said we were sorry.  I think he knew we were sincere...probably he could tell we were scared of him.  After that day, I never spit on anyone again.  See?  Learned my lesson, even without a citation.  

And, Mr. Felman was my 3rd grade teacher the next year.  Quite possibly my favorite teacher in all of my years of elementary school.  I wonder if he remembered Danielle and I as the spitting girls...

Merry, Happy

Remember that time when my sister and her husband had twins, but I woke up sick the day they were born, so I couldn't see them for five days...oh yeah, and it was Christmas too?

Well, I finally got to meet them.  They're perfect, and I love them.  What a merry, happy day (just like this season).

Not the best picture, I know, but it shows the joy a little bit. :)

I Miss It

This is my second year spending Christmas is California, which is great...but I do really, really miss seeing Temple Square this time of year.