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.