week #2: go the distance

Call us crazy. Call us insane. Call us whatever you want…but we did it!!

One of my favorite places in Utah is Bear Lake. Mostly because of my love for the beautiful blue water. This weekend my family went up there. So I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to do something that I had always wanted to do. Ride my bike around Bear Lake. I mentioned this to my cousin and she decided she wanted to take on the 51 mile challenge with me. We also roped in my thirteen year old brother. I was pumped and excited.

As we came through the canyon, down the mountain, and into view of the lake, I burst out laughing--and could not stop. "Oh, that’s what 51 miles looks like." All of sudden I remembered how big Bear Lake really is. And all I could do was laugh. I was laughing at what we had gotten ourselves into. I was laughing because there was no way either one of us would back out--even after the insaneness of it hit us. Biking around the lake isn’t particularly insane. Lots of people do it every year. The insane part was that we had decided to do it a few days earlier, we hadn’t trained or prepared, and we were on cruisers. Yes, I was laughing at all of it--near tears, I was laughing so hard.

You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh.—Marjorie Pay Hinckley

After a good dinner and decent amount of sleep, the three of us started out.

We made it to Idaho.

Still going

“Dear Mom, I think I might have killed my little brother. Will you please come rescue him.” Caleb made it 28 miles with us. Which make him one of the coolest 13 year olds alive. He also got 100% on his CRTs in language arts. 99% in math. Yeah, he’s a stud.

Love it!!!!

About mile 46. Body hurting, but still smiling. It was about here where I started thinking I should be relaxing this weekend instead putting myself through this. Two more miles. I got another second wind at this point. Finish line. We did it!!! 51miles. Done!

My mom met us at the end with the ibuprofen. After a few of those and resting for a few minutes I was up and playing with my nephew and feeling surprisingly good. Determination and endurance are amazing things. When your body feels like it is ready to give out and your bum is sore, determination will take over and keep pushing you until the end. I am determined to have the same determination and endurance in all walks of life.

Enduring, or carrying on, is not just a matter of tolerating circumstances and hanging in there, but of pressing forward.—Marvin J. Ashton, “Stalwart and Brave We Stand”

We can endure these trials and tribulations because we can draw upon the gifts of heaven, which will help us see them for what they are. As we conquer them, we are drawn closer to our Heavenly Father. We feel His love, gain His knowledge and truth. We are able to meet the test and endure these to the end.--Bishop Richard C. Edgley. “Keep the Faith”

I am so thankful to have a friend/cousin with the same stubborn determination and endurance. I don’t know if I could have done it without her. And even if I could, it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun. Honestly, any journey is more fun when you have someone to endure and enjoy it with.

If you’ve never been to Bear Lake, Google it. I couldn’t find a good picture that captured the whole thing. And if you want to know what the rest of the fam was doing while we were having our adventure check out One "Hale" of a Story.

live your life

This mortal experience, we call life, is so interesting. We experience so much. I often tell myself to: pause, take a moment, step away, think about it. Everything we do is an opportunity to learn if we make it one. There is so much to learn, so much to experience. Take time and reflect. Don't let a moment pass by. Don't let an opportunity pass by. Experience. That is one of my favorite words. "...all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (D&C 122:7) Embrace the experience. Make it worth it.

Chief Tecumseh, says it best:

Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and of service to your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a stranger if in a lonely place. Show respect to all people, but grovel to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

- Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation Statesman

week #1: where it all begins

At my birthday party last week my friends, old and new, helped me come up with 30 things to do before I am thirty.  Para glide (Ok, this one is mine.) Set up a stand a farmers market. (If time and talent allows.) Stand on Mt. Zion. (Already did in Jerusalem. Figuratively every Wed night.) Dance in the rain. (for sure) Meet weird Al (um, no) Ride in a hot air balloon. (would love to) Get a pet duck. (probably not) Let Joanna give you a make over. (yes.) Eat fire ants. (If I come across them, ok.) Hike squaw peak. (for sure) Learn how to sing the Macarena. Backpack Death Hollow. (Ray Ann, you name the day.) Drive across country in a convertible. See the sign. Get 30 kisses. Hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. (I don't know if I will make it to Africa this year.) Hike Mt. Fuji (...or Japan) River raft in Colorado. Kiss a sheep. Go to Europe. Memorize the lyrics to "American Pie." Go to Antarctica. (Someday).

The list came up a little short so I added a few of my own. Graduate with a master's degree. (April 2011) Read the Book of Mormon in two weeks at least twice. Do a month of cooking everything from scratch. Go to the Grand Canyon. Weekly temple attendance. Train for a triathlon. 52 weeks of purposeful living. Is that 30? I'm not even going to count because this list is going to evolve. I  need some more time to think and figure it out.

Setting goals is not a new thing for me. I’ve done it regularly for years. Lists of things I want to accomplish are scattered throughout my journals. However, they aren't usually something that make public. I like to keep things to myself. It’s safer that way. But, I have observed that when you tell people, they follow up with you and they hold you to them. So I am going to give it a try. One of my main goals this year is to live and experience as much as I can, and do it on purpose. I want to feel like I have accomplished something every week this year. I want to make sure I experience and live an abundant life and I want Live on Purpose. Each week I will try to report these goals and experiences. 

So Fifty-two weeks of goals, learning, experiencing, Living on Purpose begins now.  

PS. My siblings gave my a fun digital scrap booking program. And it is going to be a fun creative outlet and used for more than just scrap booking.

falling for lancelot

This office is the most quiet office in which I have ever worked. So quiet I jump when my phone vibrates. Silence is never a good working condition for me. I tend to be easily distracted when it is too quiet and my mind wanders all over. I start doing things that I shouldn't be doing. (Like writing quick posts.) Fortunately some of my distractions are work approved, like reading and researching. I have been enjoying a lot of articles from Harvard Business Review and I find them fascinating. I also have been given the task of reading a few books. Yes, I get paid to read. I discovered I get less distracted and read better if I leave the office and go outside. So I guess I don't have a lot to complain about.

I've been thinking a lot about Camelot since my last post (mostly the music), and I discovered that Guinvere really did fall for Lancelot. These two actors were married in 2006. You can see them together again in Letters to Juliet. I've heard that it is sappy. But that's ok. Life is good with a little sap.

its may! the lovely month of may!

Ok, those aren't the real words of the song from Camelot when Guinevere is frolicking and singing with her lords and ladies. However, if I posted the real words you would think I am up to no good, and I am up to a lot of good. Don’t worry. It is a happy song about May though, and I l-o-v-e the dresses. This 1967 version is a classic and Richard Harris is a stud. No matter how times I watch it I will never understand why Guinevere falls for Lancelot. Personally, I think he is kind of a pansy. The ending brings me to tears nearly every time—one of the few flicks that does. Anyway, back to May.

I love May for many reasons. Spring, strawberries, Cinco de Mayo, Star Wars Day (may the fourth be with you.) Mother's day, and Birthdays—Hannah, Cori, and me.

I had a fabulous birthday weekend this last weekend. My friend, Buck, and I combined forces and planned a brilliant double birthday party. And I mean a super-sized birthday party. I love birthday parties and any reason to celebrate. This was one the best birthday parties I've had since my Chuckee Cheese party last year. (J/K that was my 8th b-day party) I wanted a salsa bar and a bon fire. Buck wanted lots of people and a great sound system. It was all amazing. We had it up Provo Canyon. Buck's friend set up an awesome sound system. Lots of people came. The salsa bar was everything I dreamed it would be—and more. Why a salsa bar? It is a way to enjoy all my favorite foods, fresh and blended together with a slight kick. Peppers, lime, cilantro, tomatoes, mango, pineapple, black beans. I was in heaven. We ended with an outdoor movie. What else, but Star Wars. 

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with Buck and me. It was a great night.

Sunday (the actual birthday) was a good day. I let myself stay in bed an extra hour reading. I made my favorite breakfast, french toast. I had a lovely day at church. I went home to my family’s home and had a great dinner. My mom made me strawberry shortcake. And I ran around, playing with my nephew.  What more could ask for?!

Now I begin the last year of my twenties. I want to live every moment. I have a few ideas to make that happen. Details to come so stay tuned.

  

  

celebrating the big two-O

Today is a a very important day. Today we are celebrating the day my little sister is departing from the adolescent years of awkwardness and entering the bright and promising second decade of her life. (Actually, I guess, she is beginning the third decade of her life, but that sounds too old.) She is entering her roaring twenties!!!!

Don't mess with her, she's Lucy.

I love you Hannah. You are one of my heros and I get to call you my sister.

Happy Birthday

fourth grade revisited

Once upon a time, I was in the fourth grade. One day in the fourth day we made time capsules to be opened ten years later. In the time capsule we put things we wanted to remember from that year. Newspaper, letters, random things that are important to a fourth grader.

Now fast forward to today. My parents are in the process of converting the third car garage into a teaching studio for my mom. While cleaning it out and getting it ready I have come across many treasures. One of which was my fourth grade time capsule, nine years overdo. I should’ve opened in 2001. 

These are letters from my two best friends in the fourth grade. We were going to best friends for life. One of them I lost contact with in the fifth grade. I moved in the sixth grade and was able to keep contact with the other one through graduation. Then I lost contact until about a year ago I found her again.

In the fourth grade I was in love with horses. My favorite movie was The Slipper and the Rose. (still love it.) My favorite food was lasagna. And my favorite subject in school was social studies. (Some things never change. I have a bachelor of science in Sociology.)  In ten years I thought I would be happily married. Married, no. Happy, yes. I also predicted that in the future we would be able to talk to people through TV screens. 

It was fun to open this and remember what life was like for me in the fourth grade. So carefree and adventurous. It still is adventurous. And life may not have worked out according to my fourth grade plans, but it still has worked out.