Memories

I got to sleep in this morning with a day off from work!  The first thing I usually take advantage of whenever I have extra time is cleaning and going to the gym.  So, after I cleaned my room, I headed off to Gold's.  As I left the gym after my workout, all sweaty and gross, I stepped out into the cold, almost-winter fall weather and had some memories fill up my mind.  This is the reason for my post this cozy, autumn day.

There was only one reason I would ever think about getting up at 5:30am each weekday morning July-Aug during my high school years: soccer.  I loved it, and still do.  I remember each morning being one of the first girls on the field, huddled up with my hoodie around my head, socks pulled up to my knees, sitting on top of my gym bag so the dewy grass didn't seep through my shorts.  Slowly, one by one, the other girls from my team would show up for conditioning.  They would mumble a groggy 'hi' and quietly settle down in their own heap, attempting to keep their body heat inside and away from the chilly almost-fall morning weather.  I would sit and listen as the birds woke up and began morning songs or watch the sunlight slowly filter in around the high school grounds.  Collectively and individually, we would sit, listen, watch and wait for our coaches to show up and get us started. Indian Runs, Ladders, Interval Running, or the hoped for Scrimmage practice.  I loved those days - filled with aching muscles; running till I wanted to spew; sweat, sweat and sweat.  It was hard work, and it taught me a lot.  In many ways, my experience playing soccer formed me to who I am now.  I learned that laziness and waiting around do not bring desired results.  Working hard, training hard, finding weaknesses in the skill and improving them, taking direction from my coaches, learning to play with the other girls, going for the ball with everything your muscles are capable of - despite the outcome, playing a game because you love it, not just to win.  Because we never won, and yet I still gleaned my greatest happy moments from the sport.  It was the friends, the challenge and the results of my hard work that made it worth it at the end of each day. 

I had a great morning remembering.

26

Hey Everyone!

I had a birthday this past week.  It was most excellent.  I have fantastic roommates and friends who decorated my room, threw me a little party and just made me feel loved!

After turning 26, I have been thinking about some goals I would like to accomplish.  I learned, while training for my half-marathon, that I am 100% more productive in my day to day when I have an end goal in sight.  Thus, I have made a list of 26 things I want to accomplish in this, my 26th year.  Some are silly and some are serious and most are just little things that I would love to make happen, but just haven't done!  I actually stole this idea from a friend of a friends blog and I thought it was great.  Anyway, here is my list of 26!  I will update you all as I accomplish them:

1  Crochet something other than an afghan

2  Read the Chronicles of Narnia series again

3  Get a new hairstyle (whether cut, colored or highlights)

4  Run some 5k’s

5  Hike Mt.Timp from the Provo Canyon way

6   Really learn to Salsa dance

7  Lose 10 pounds

8  Get a knee that works and not ruin it

9  Make at least 1 new friend a month

10  Reconnect with 5 old friends

11  Get involved with Humanitarian service

12  Volunteer somehow with elementary aged children

13  Fly somewhere new

14  Go on a road trip

15  Get a boyfriend

16  Learn to play the Ukulele

17  Expand my cooking abilities

18  Write in my journal at least twice a week

19  Get really good at my new job

20  Get a good start on my children’s book

21  Find a way to organize my budget better

22  Get a plant (keep it alive!)

23  Run the Provo Canyon Half Marathon

24  Learn to knit

25  Join a Choir

26 Finish my mission scrapbook

It's going to be a great year, I can feel it.

Lots to tell you!

Friends!!  I have lots to share. its been so long...

1) I ran the Spanish Fork Half Marathon!!  I am so extremely thrilled that I accomplished this goal.  In the process, I gained a love for running and lost a few pounds.  I came in 92th place and 5th in my age group.  My goal was to finish in 2 hours or less and I basically accomplished this by crossing the line at 2:00:03!  Well done, myself!  My mom and dad came to cheer me on and my dad even ran the last few yards with me.  I loved it all and I will be doing this again.

2) I got a job!!!  Woot!  I am beyond thrilled to have an income again and (eventually) benefits to take care of myself.  I am working as an Assistant to a Financial Adviser at the Corporate Offices of Central Bank (capitalize words much?).  I had no way of knowing that this would be the perfect job for me, but as it turns out, it is.  I just finished my first week and I already love it.  The people are great, the job itself is great, and people always bring food....which is great and also not great, but mostly great.  Those pounds I lost? Back on.....*sigh*

3) I hurt my knee again :( :( (this is worth a double frown).  I know, I know...a third time tearing my ACL?!  And in the same knee!?  No one is more upset by this all than me.  And not just for the fact that I am unable to play soccer anymore (and this time I MEAN that).  Mostly because, really??  Three times!!??  Ah well....I haven't been to a doctor yet (waiting for insurance to kick in), but by now I know what a torn ACL looks like (swollen like a grape fruit), sounds like (POP!), and feels like (dull pain juuuussst below the knee cap).  I am hoping it is only a partial tear this time, but we shall see.  I can walk and function just fine, but stairs are a doozy to be sure.  Sorry for the sad news, but thus is my life.

Well, other than the bummer mentioned in section 3), I am enjoying life thoroughly!  I have a job (a good one!) and I couldn't be happier!  That's it for the update.  Stay tuned for the next post, I've got a good one in the works.

a little help

I am attempting to update the look of my blog.  I think I like this layout so far...but I have a few kinks to work out.  So this is a shout out to the universe (aka...you, my dear friends.) for some tips.  I would like to make my title centered.  Can't do it.  Don't know how.  I also think it would be neat-o to put my title in some sort of picture.... can't do that either.  I also added a cute little image on the side bar (see: side bar) but it is smaller than I want.  Does anyone know how to enlarge that?  Ok....thanks all for your suggestions!  loves.

Running, running and running

Oh hi!  Well, I'm doing the half marathon thing tomorrow.  Wish me luck!  I will have a full report when I recover.  AH!  I'm nervous.

Talents and Hobbies

Hey guys!  Since I have so much time for myself these days, I have discovered and re-discovered lot's of things that I enjoy.  Such as...

Running!

 Those are some well loved Nike's there, folks.

I have been training for a half marathon I will finally be running in about a week!  Super excited.  And very much love running now.

(p.s. Feel free to laugh at the ridiculous pictures.  I felt this post needed a little something... more than plain, ole words)


Scrapbooking....

  Currently, with Mission pictures.

A long lost love of mine, brought back again.  Thanks to two awesome friends who recently up and gave me lots of new supplies; I am back in business!  Although it may be an outdated way to keep my memories....what with digital scrapping and such... there is something about creating a page that makes me giddy.  And makes me think about the good days in high school when scrapping was the bomb [dot] com.

Reading, oh reading.

Has anyone else read the Hunger Games series?!  Oh. My. Heck.  Bought the third book the day it came out.  Devoured it.  Although the story is a bit on the horrible side, I cannot express how much I love these books!  Anyway...this picture shows my recent reads - That's my current book, there, in the front.  Very good so far.  Reading, reading...I love reading.

Makin' stuff

This is a sampling of what I have created recently and throughout the summer.  Mostly its flower hair bands and clips.  I've also done some modge-podging of silly quotes and things for my room.  I've always dabbled in this stuff, with crocheting etc..  Also a love of mine.

Guitar!


That's my 'coveting' face.  Kind of looks like my smile face, but it's not.  This guitar is not actually mine.  But I play it like it is...
This skill is a new one for me.  You know I love music, right?  And to sing?  Well, since I lost one of my accompanists to a mission (aka my brother) I decided to pick up the guitar a little bit.  I am up to about 7 songs I can play!  Thank you Ultimate-Guitar.com  Next stop, American Idol!

Although stressful at times, not having a job has it's perks.  I'm grateful to have some time to develop myself a little more. I'm going to go play me some guee-tar now.

Oh no

Warning:  This is not a typical blog post for me.  I don't usually go on rants about my life...so go ahead and turn back now if this upsets you...

The thing is, I'm starting to freak out a little bit.  Maybe one of you can bring me a little piece of mind.  Here's the situation:

I have taught Elementary Special Ed.  for the past two years.  Long story short, I was never sure this is what I wanted to be doing career-wise, but decided to go for it anyway.  Tried it out for a while, not happy - overwhelmingly stressed out, unable to leave the job at the job.  I decided that now was as good a time as any to step out of the realm of teaching and try to be happy doing something else.  I thought about it, prayed about it, got many opinions on the matter etc... Finally, I just did it.  I quite my job.  It worked out well for my school (as in another teacher who desperately needed to stay at the school got to stay by filling my now open position), so that was another confirmation to me that it was a good choice. 
The tricky thing is, Heavenly Father never actually told me one decision would be better than the other, only that He supported me whichever way I chose.  Anyway, that is what I have done.  I have been searching for a job all summer long (much before my official decision.  Thinking it would be the best to have something already for me to jump into next) without much success.  Ideally, I would like to work in some sort of administrative support position (ranging from secretary to academic counselor/adviser) preferably for a university (read: UVU or BYU).  I have been blessed with many interviews in the past few weeks, but unfortunately have not landed a job that suits my needs.  School has just started and now I am feeling the pressure of unemployment.  I'm stressed that I won't find something before my funds run short.

Honestly, I know in my heart that I will be ok.  I know that things will work out for the best.  I am not sitting on my bum, waiting for things to open up to me - I am doing everything in my power to find a job (as in I apply to at least 2-3 new jobs daily).  Something will turn up - it has to.  That said, I guess this rant to just to say it out loud (as 'out loud' as online blogging is...)  Hoping to make myself feel a little better about my current situation.  And I guess that is all.  Sorry for those who may be reading this.  I just needed a brain dump and this is where I came.

And on a side note (maybe of more interest...who isn't all about knowing someones dating life?)  I'm still single.  And this is a bummer.  Because, to be frank, I'm a pretty freaking awesome girl.  (hehe..haha... oh boy...)  I mean, would it be so awful for the Lord to send me a few dates now and then?  Especially in the midst of this little crisis?  To raise my spirits?  On the other hand, maybe it's this way at the moment precisely to not create any additional stress, as we all know dating brings.... hmmm.... Or on the other hand, maybe I need to be putting in more effort for this arena as well.  Like, what?  Apply for 2-3.....boys...a day?..... On the other hand, maybe not.  But on the other hand, I think I'm just going to stop stressing so much about it.  Boys.  Job.  Job and boys.  I'm going to go for a run.   That always helps...

Mexico!

Hello blog readers!  Blogging has once again escaped me for the past month or so.  After Scotland I decided to up and go to Mexico!!  I, with about 20 friends from my singles ward, rented a few condos and cars and lived the easy life for a week in Playa Del Carmen - near Cancun.  It was a most enjoyable vacation!  There are some key things that made it so awesome:  1) Bringing people who actually speak Spanish   2) Making sure someone else planned everything  3) Having people there that you love to be with whether in Provo or Mexico!  Needless to say, it was a total blast!  Here, have a look for yourself...

Here we are after a few hours of snorkeling.  We saw a sea turtle, a stingray and lots of fish!
 

Even the sun is more awesome in Mexico

My first experience with true Mexican food.  I could eat cheese quesadillas for the rest of my life.

Telum Beach.  I was told this beach is rated as one of the top in Mexico.  And for good reason - it was a-maze-ing!  Just look at those blue waves!

Melissa and I after some wave jumping

The condos we stayed in.  Highly recommend doing this over staying in a hotel.

The Motor Scooter gang.  We rented scooters at Cazumel and toured the island in style.

Me with Jesus, our tour guide at the Chichanita ruins.

The whole gang after exploring the Mayan ruins.

 In front of a Mayan temple - the ruins were one of my most favorite parts of the trip

Delicious Mango drink

My iguana friend and I

The girls

And this would be by far my favorite part of Mexico!  It is called a 'Cinote' - an outlet from an underground river that runs through Mexico.  There were tons of black catfish swimming around.  I jumped from that staircase over there... can you see it?  Ya, I'm pretty dang cool.

Andrew, Kristina and I at another Cinote we found.  This one was amazingly clear!  You could see the bottom which made it look like you could reach it, but when we tried to push ourselves down, our ears would begin to hurt before we even came close.  We also saw some locals there doing wedding photos...IN the water!  IN their dress and tux!  Good times.

All in all and otherwise, it was a great vacation!  I am now officially in love with the Ocean and cannot wait to get back.  I'm seriously going through withdrawals.  I guess the only solution is to go to Hawaii next!  Hmmm.... if only I had a job so I can start saving up the mula....

I left a piece of my soul in Scotland

Time sure flies, huh?  I apologize to my many, many readers for my lack of blogging (that was sarcasm...ok, moving on....)  As soon as school let out, I took off and thought I might never come back!  But.... here I am.  I had an outstanding visit to Scotland where I spent some much needed time with sister Emily, brother Mike and baby Andrew.  Whom I love. A lot.  It took me three connections and 24 hours, but I finally did make it there.  My bro-in-law, Mike, picked me up and drove me home to their quaint little flat in Peter Culter (pronounced "Pee-ter Coo-ter).  Instead of inundating you with endless detail, I will condense my trip to few words and many pictures. In categories.

Category 1: Castles / Old Stuff

This was the gateway to the gardens of a castle called Cragevier.  All the castles were amazing.  Most of the castles we saw were between 13th to 16th century.  Yes, Andrew is on a lead.

This was the oldest we saw; Dunatar.  It's a ruined castle, which means only the old remaining pieces are left.  The crowned jewels were kept here at one point.  It must have been an amazing castle in it's time! (look closely.  It's on the cliff.)

Mike, Em and Andrew at Dunatar Castle.

Cragside (we stopped by England for a few days).  Built by Lord Armstrong, an amazingly brilliant and amazingly wealthy man.

View of the home from a bridge that spanned a small river.  All part of his estate.  Incredible.

The Wallington home (also in England).  Just think Jane Austin movie and there you have it.  Next time I live in 16th century England, this is where I will live.

So many castles, so little time.

Category 2: Nature / Beauty

This is the stuff God intended to make.  Once he had perfected his creating-things technique, he finished off Earth with this.

Category 3: Animals

For some reason, I have this thing where I love to be around, touch, feed animals.  So, naturally, I felt it necessary to stop at any available cow pasture, farm or horse stall to feed the animals it contained.

Hello, Cows..

This is Bessy. Naturally.

I'm soo happy!  So is Andrew.  You just don't know because you can't see his face.

Happy again!  Andrew is not.  You know because you can see his face.

Category 4: Me in front of stuff

In this category, you will notice me, in front of things.  Lots of Scottish / English wonders....and otherwise.

Oh my.  I really am a dork at heart, you know.  Maybe at brain, too.

"Oh, Em!  Take a picture of my sticking my head out of this window!  That will look reeeeaaaallll cool on Facebook!"

Hey.  It's me, or rather my giant head, above another awesome structure.

Here is some beauty.  And also there's cool trees and stuff around me....

"Maybe I could find a meadow to sleep in. Or a hollow log.  Or maybe a house of dwarfs.  I hear they are very hospitable!" - Giselle

Aw, Scottish Bagpipers.  The trip would not have been complete without them.

I liked these homes.  (are you getting sick of my mug yet? Hmm?)

Just a gateway.  A 900 yr. old gateway.

Classic.  I'm proud of myself.

Hadrian's wall.  I think this was my most favorite.  Simply because it was built in 600 bc.  Now THAT is one old wall.

Category 5:  The category with the rest of the pictures.

Isn't he adorable?  I can imagine he is trying to growl.

And now, so are we.  How embarrassing.

A little English village.  Rothbury.

Hexam Abbey.  Visited while in England.

The church goers used to have to pay for their seats.  The seats labeled "Free" were for the impoverished crowed.  Wow, that's the Christian spirit.

And this just needed to be sat upon.

I hope you have enjoyed this little (okay, not so little.  I may have gone overboard and swam ashore with the pictures) journey through my trip to Scotland/England.  It was a blast!  A hearty thanks to Em and Mike for letting me visit and taking me to see all these beautiful places!

Next adventure..... Mexico!