Halloween Half

Here I lay in my bed. Too sore to do anything else. Honesty I was trying to think of a time that I've ever been this sore. Nothing came to mind. I think the only thing that came close was when I went snowboarding the first (and only) time.
Friday I got off work early and headed over to the mall to pick up our race packets. Good thing I had gotten off work early since I had to wait in line and hour and a half to get our stuff. They had had problems with the registration and packet preparation and many of the packets hadn't been printed. After I finally got them I headed home to get all my stuff together for the next day. I went over to Katie's house to help her with a quilt for her new baby and just hang out with her. I decided to stay there since my family would be staying there and I even remembered my ear plugs so I would be able to sleep in the same room as my dad. I went to bed just after 11 only to be awoken at 1:40 by my sister calling for directions. They didn't leave till about 9 since my sister had a work party to attend. I couldn't go back to sleep after that and layed there for an hour before I got up to get something to eat. I sat upstairs eating a power bar and watching TV with Marc for an hour before going back downstairs and finally going to sleep, only to have the alarm go off a few hours later.
Julie and I got up and got ready and headed to the mall to catch the bus. Now considering it was the end of October and 7 in the morning and that we've had a hard freeze warning, it wasn't that cold. But all that aside, it was still cold. We didn't want to have to check a bag or drop our stuff on the side of the road, so we just were in our costumes.
Julie and I stood huddled together for an hour waiting for our turn to load the bus. I hadn't realized the the Mall was blocking the wind. Once we got to the end of the mall and had to go out into the parking lot, it was RIDICULOUSLY cold. We were very grateful when it was finally our turn to get on the bus.
At the race start we continued to be huddled together inside the waiting tent. It was fun to see everyone's costumes. The lines for the bathroom were ridiculously long, as it got closer to race time things got better so we ventured out into the cold to use the bathroom and head to the start line. They started in two groups and we went in the second group.
It was all down hill. Literally. I was getting blisters on my toes around mile 3. At mile 6 I was hungry. There was never any food. Only water and diluted heed, that we are still questioning whether or not it was actually heed at all. At mile 7 I started to get cranky. My good sister just kept me running. I'm sure I would have walked a lot more than I did if she hadn't been there. My right hip started hurting at mile 5, my right knee around mile 8, left knee around mile 9. It was long At mile 12 I just wanted to cry.
Then there was dad. Cheering us on and running along side us. On the phone telling me mom we were on our way. Then I could hear mom whistling. I started searching the lines of people on either side of the path and finally spotted them.

Katie, Marc, and my cousin Rick were also there cheering us with their posters. It was good to see them and know that we were close to the end. Julie was cheering me on too. Telling me to give it all I had. I had nothing left, but she didn't believe me. Finally we finished. I found our time online 2 hours 16 minutes 58 seconds. After taking our shoes off, eating some fruit and walking around for a while, we found everyone else and headed to Applebees. Food! Then it was shower time, fit my bike in the car, and head over to Katie's. I was already feeling sore right after the race, but add to that tired and feeling quite awful and it was a recipe for laying on the floor crying. Crying seemed to help things out. My friend Phil came over and we made some apple crisp. My mom found it very entertaining to watch us slowly bend over to pick up apple peels that missed the garbage. He was also sore from his workouts for the week. All night was slow movements and the dread of sitting down or standing up. But really none of that compares to how sore I am today. I went to church for an our and then left. I was still so tired and sitting just made me more sore. Now I lay here in my bed trying to hydrate myself and thinking about stretching and taking some more ibuprofen. Wish me luck.

My life is not a movie

As much as I sometimes wish it was, my life is not a movie. There is no background music with mighty swells indicating great things are about to happen, danger music or intensity increasing chords. No conflict resolution in two hours. Nothin'. Maybe I should just stop watching movies and reading books. They give me a skewed expectation for reality.
All kidding aside I really do think they skew my expectations. I'm working on it. I talk myself through things, telling myself that these things are normal. All guys are not the sweetest, most thoughtful people ever and they aren't all dirt bags. There's a mix I suppose. Hopefully more in the middle. But as I've pondered my life not being a movie, there are a few things that I'd really like to have happen in my life that are "movie moments". At least in my book.

Random texts. Pretty simple. I find that most guys are pretty good at this one. It just lets me know they were thinking of me. I don't need words of affirmation every second of every day, but once in a while it's nice to know they're thinking of you.

I want him to show up and surprise me when I think he won't be able to come. (being friends with at least one of my friends would be conducive to this happening).

I want one of those airport scenes. The running, the hugging, the kissing. It does not necessarily have to happen in an airport.

The next one, I'm not sure is really a movie moment, but I want him to come up behind me while I'm doing the dishes or cooking or something and just wrap his arms around me. I believe my friend Katie called this the embrace from behind. So cute.

Next one, super cheesy, and not really necessary. Singing, reciting poetry and the like. The "movie moment" I think of is from Freaky Friday when Chad Michael Murray is singing Britney Spears to the mom outside their house. Really awful, really cute. Watch it here.

I may have to come back to this because I thought of a lot more last night laying in bed and now I'm completely blank. Anyway, I'll accept that my life is not a movie, but that it's still great and that I'll have my own cute little fairy tale better than any movie. someday. In the meantime, I'll keep waiting for the perfect doughnut.

p.s. I'm perfectly happy waiting until I'm married and then making him do these things, but if they happen before, I'm okay with that. ;)

I remembered one. Flowers. For no reason at all. My cousin brought me a single rose last night and I could have floated to the moon. And that was from my cousin!!! Imagine if I wasn't related. Better tether me to something.

Worthwhile things take time.

A truth of life. Worthwhile things take time. It's been proven many times. I've seen it in my own life. Tonight at the "adult session" of Stake Conference I was given just a little reminder of this truth. It's simple, it's true, and man did it hit home.
Patience is not something I have in abundance. Many times when I want something I want it right now. That, sadly, is not how life works. But when I really ponder it, it's not that sad. I think about my half marathon next weekend. I feel that it's a worthwhile goal that I have in life and I've been working toward it for a long time. I've put in a lot of effort and have slowly seen the results. I've learned a lot about myself and I know there will be a big payoff. All my hard work will bring about the goal I've been working for and I've gotten little blessings along the way. My endurance has increased, I dropped a pant size, I have something to talk about in conversation, it's really been great.
Most things in life are like that. We have those goals, no matter what they may be. We have to set our course and go forth, trusting in God, and trusting that our worthwhile desires will become a reality with time. Who knows when the time will actually come, but God loves to find any reason to bless us and He will as we continue along the path He guides us to.
So, I'll set my course and go forth. Pursuing education, preparing myself for the future, and ultimately continuing in my wait for the perfect doughnut.

Update

He called!!!!!

Moving Forward

I really like institute. It's a good pick-me-up for the middle of the week. The teacher is great and I always have a nice time. I still don't know many people in my ward and it's a Stake Institute and it's ENORMOUS. Seriously we have the largest institute in Utah County. There are 4 different classes offered and they are all full every week. These are big lecture halls at BYU we're talking about. There are lots of people. I being the not so "social butterfly" that I am usually grab by refreshment and head for the door, avoiding awkwardly standing around.
Last night before institute I had an interview with the bishop. I'm new in the ward so it was a get to know you kind of thing. No calling to report yet. Anyway it was good to chat with the bishop. He's from Scotland and every once in a while you can hear his accent. It's awesome. Anyway that doesn't have anything to do with anything. At the end of the interview he said that it looked like I was doing well and moving forward. Then he talked about a scripture found in James 3:4 and Doctrine and Covenants 123:16. It's talks about a small helm stearing a big ship. He pointed out that the ship actually has to be moving forward for the helm to be able to do anything. If it's just sitting in the water you can move the helm all you want but you're not going to go anywhere. When we are moving forward in life, that is when the Lord can turn us in the direction we need to go. Loved it.
After the interview I headed to institute, even though I was about 20 minutes late. Lots of people come in late. No big. I enjoyed the class and afterward was the first one in line for refreshments. Don't judge. Instead of taking them and running I actually stood around and ate my delicious donut. I had one rather large bite left and shoved the whole thing in my mouth. Of course at that moment a really cute guy walked up and asked how I was doing. Awesome. Mouth full of donut, I stood there chewing until I could respond. Even better that it was a huge bite and it took forever for me to chew. ( I would also like to throw in that I left my house in a hurry to make it to see the bishop. No brushing of teeth before I left, or the fixing of my hair. Who knows what my make-up looked like by that time.) Anyway, the guy was really nice and we talked for maybe 10 minutes. What the heck? This never happens to me. And here's the best part, are your ready for this? He asked for my phone number!!! I of course, gave it to him. He walked away and I left. Pulling out my phone and calling my sister ASAP to have someone rejoice with me. Silly sister didn't answer, but Sarah provided the excitement and enthusiasm I required. Now if he only calls . . . pray for me.

Where I live

so about two months ago I posted some pictures of our barren apartment. It is not so barren anymore so I thought I'd show an update.
Dining room table. thanks to Camille for giving it to me and to Marc and Katie for transporting it.

The balloons are from Carrie's birthday last week.

What is happening?

In March I decided I should start running. It's good for my heart right? So I did. I was doing 1.5-3 miles and it wasn't fun. My goal was to do a couple 5k's (3.1 miles) for the summer. I did my first 5k and it wasn't too awful. Then dad got me to jump right in to a 10k (6.2 miles). I have the half marathon on my bucket list but didn't really think it would happen this year. I've always been a fair weathered runner. If it's yucky outside I'm going to use it as an excuse to stay inside, but something has happened. I'm now running 5 miles, sometimes early in the morning and this morning just proved to me that I have lost my mind. I got up at 6:30 and went running in the rain. And it was COLD!! Right now, 3 hours later, it's 34 degrees. I could actually see by breath as I was running. Why did I go? Because missing a day makes it super crappy when I do go running the next time. It was not a good run, it was cold and wet and miserable, but I did it. Saturday is my last long run before the half. 10 miles. I wish I had a picture of myself from when I got back from the run. I was looking quite awful, but I read this once. . .


I was definitely not looking pretty so I guess I did it right. And I suppose I'll just keep on doing it. I guess there are worse things in life that to have a ridiculous habit of running.

It's Conference Time

Twice a year it comes. Twice a year it doesn't disappoint. I am loving this October Conference. For one it's a whole heck of a lot warmer than April was, second October is when Dana is here and third I'm sitting at home this year to watch instead of running around Temple Square wanting to pull my hair out.
Conference weekend started Friday night with the Mission Reunion. I think every conference it gets a little bit more depressing. Only because there will be 50 people there and I know about 10. Makes me feel old.

Denae (my trainer), me, and Morgan (who I trained). 3 generations in the mission.

We make up for it by going out to eat afterward with the 10 people we know. It's always so fun to sit around and talk about the mission, laugh and just get to know each other a little bit better.

After dinner we headed back to Sarah's house where we would be staying the night. Saturday morning poor Sarah had to go to work so Pam and I got ready, ate breakfast, and watched conference with Sarah's roommates. Then we packed up and headed for temple square to meet up with Denae for the second session. Sadly that didn't happen. Pam and I watched the 2nd session in the Joseph Smith Building in the Legacy Theater, I love it there probably more than the conference center. After conference we went to the Gateway mall. We walked around there for a bit, not finding much and then headed back to the car. Although my shoes were flat my feet were killing me and I ended up carrying my shoes. Once at the car we headed to Bountiful to see DANA!!!! I love that she comes every October conference since that's the only time I ever get to see her and all other communication occurs on facebook. We went out for our usual conference ice cream and just talked and talked. I really wish she lived closer.


Now I'm sitting at my house watching conference on this beautiful October Sabbath day. Life is so good.