Run, Run, Run, As Fast As You Can

Note to Readers: This doesn't reflect my actual viewpoint. I just wrote this because it was fun to write. I actually do like running most of the time. And if you run, you aren't a mindless sheep, so don't worry.


Running and I have a love-hate relationship. It's all fine and dandy when you start out. The blood gets pumping and you feel like you could run forever. A couple blocks in you start to notice that your vision is getting blurry. Did the world just start spinning or is it just me? You push through the fog and keep going because you're picturing that chocolate bar you ate earlier. A mile ought to be enough to burn that off, maybe two. Another couple blocks in, the sweat is pouring off and your legs are beginning to go numb. The feeling is somewhat like that of a wet noodle. You're finally approaching the end of your run and the end of the block seems so far away, even though it's really only about fifteen yards. "I can make it," you tell yourself, "Only a little further." Ten feet from the end, your legs decide to stop working and crawling seems to be the best option. You'd think after a good run that you would feel good, but it isn't long before the nausea kicks in, the stomach cramps, the sports asthma. It feels like your insides have turned into an alien monster and are about to tear right out of your stomach. So why do we put ourselves through all this? Why not just sit at home or go swimming or do something fun? Vanity, my friends. It's all vanity. We want to look good and have others think we look good. Some crack pot somewhere said that running makes you feel better in the long run. Sure I'm all for feeling good, but I don't want to have to be running for ten years before I start "feeling better." So as far as I'm concerned, running is definitely overrated. But I suppose I'll be like the other mindless sheep and keep doing it, because in a moment of insanity a couple months ago, I said I would run a half marathon this year. What was I thinking?

Glorious Sunshine!

Arizona. Land of the sunshine. In other words, it's my favorite place ever. Imagine being able to wake up and jump right into the pool. Yeah, it's pretty much amazing. We began the journey on Friday after the longest day of school I've ever had, or so it seemed. I lucked out because my parents decided to rent a car with a more spacious and comfortable backseat. Granted it was still a car and space was limited, but it was ten times better than the Jetta. So how do you fill eleven hours? As much joy as it would bring me to say we sang show tunes, we're not that cheesy. No, instead we listened to the usual- country music. I'm not opposed to it, but after eleven hours of that and news radio, I think I'll be fine to avoid it until the next road trip. But enough about car trips. Let's get to Arizona! Pure bliss. That's the only was I can describe it. The best way to share my adventures would have to be chronologically. 
Day 1
Good morning sunshine! I woke up to 70 degrees without a cloud in the sky. Breakfast was served outside with a picturesque view of our own personal swimming pool and the canal that runs through the neighborhood. Of course, breakfast in Arizona is never complete without...MUFFINS!!! Yum! For our first day, we decided to adventure to the swap meat. It is amazing what treasures you can find there. We spent a few hours just going through all the little shops and exploring them. It was a blast! As it turned out, the place we were staying was only 15 minutes away from the home of my good friend, Jordan. So, naturally we schemed to hang out. After taking like an hour to decide what to do, we went to the mall nearby and found the Barnes and Noble. If you ever want entertainment, just go to a bookstore sometime. Good times. After a Target trip to retrieve treats, we went to the Marriott. They have this amazing fire pit outside which is just perfect for sitting by and talking. And that is exactly what we did. However, it was by the pool. Note to self: make sure seat cushions are dry BEFORE sitting on them. That was fun...
Day 2
What does one do on a beautiful day while on vacation? The options are endless. For our second day, we decided to go to a little outdoor shopping center. It was fun to see all the children playing in the fountain. Everyone just seemed so happy! The best part of our excursion? The cowboys! There was a rodeo going on nearby, so there were hundreds of people walking around all decked out in their Western attire. 
Day 3
Our last day in Arizona. So what did we do? Swim and tan, my friends. Swim and tan. Day 3 was dedicated solely to relaxation. Naturally sunscreen was forgotten and sunburns were the result. But burns turn to tan and I think I can live with that. We'll call this last part "the epic adventure." Since the family was just chillin, I once again hung out with Jordan. Along with some of his friends, we went on a hike up a mountain by his house. It definitely makes my list of coolest hikes I've been on. The bottom of the mountain was mostly sand and gravel, but gradually the rocks got bigger and bigger until we were climbing boulders at the top. The hike was cool in and of itself, but was made all the cooler by the fact that it was pitch black and we didn't have flashlights. Naturally such a hike came with its slips, trips, and falls. Exhibit A: me slipping in the sand and falling on my butt. Thanks to my phone in my back pocket, that felt oh so nice...Not... Exhibit B: jumping off a rock and twisting my ankle (just a wee bit, not enough to worry about). Exhibit C: tripping over barbed wire and killing my awesome purple shoes. But what are a few mishaps in comparison with the incredible view from the top? Looking out at the city lights at night has always been one of my favorite sights. There's something so captivating in the way they shine. Everything seems so small at that point. I can only imagine how astronauts must feel when looking down at the Earth from way out in space. We finished the night with some flan from a nearby restaurant. Best stuff ever! Haven't tried flan? Hop to it! You are missing out! Well, another too long car trip later and we were back home. So there you have it. My Arizona adventure. 

And...?

Just a quick precursor- the Arizona post is coming soon! Buuut...For now you just get this. Moving on.
Three days. It's been three days since I got home from Arizona. And I have been ohh so productive...(insert the rolling of eyes and sarcastic tone here). Spring break. It's the most glorious, yet terrible thing ever. Glorious because school gets put on the back burner for a week. Terrible because having nothing to do means having nothing..to..do... List of things I've done this week (apart from going to Arizona): watched TV, went to the dentist, watched TV, went to a wedding reception, watched TV, went to work, watched TV, went to a meeting, watched some more TV... Are we getting the idea? Basically, I had absolutely nothing to do, the TV was available, and I was bored. Hmm... I need a hobby. But speaking of things I did, what's the deal with the dentist? For some bizarre reason, going to the dentist at 7:30 AM during Spring Break isn't my idea of fun. I don't even wake up that early for school. Needless to say, I went straight to sleep when I got home. Good news though- I'm cavity free! Do they still have that "Smile" club? You know what I'm talking about. When you don't have any cavities so they take your picture and put it on a little paper tooth cutout. Yeah, that club. Well if they don't have it, then they should make it again. It's quite the motivation for quality dental hygiene. Yepp... Well, that's pretty much the event of the week. Check back later for the Arizona post.  It should be coming.. Eventually.. Maybe.. Yeah.

Lists

I love it when it's 3:00 AM and I'm wide awake just doing nothing. It's usually around that time that I start thinking, "I should be asleep. Why am I still awake?" Then I start listing off a whole bunch of reasons for why I'm still awake. The number one reason being that instead of sleeping, I'm trying to make a list of reasons I'm awake. Brilliant.
Speaking of lists, have you ever thought about all the people you'd like to meet? I'm talking about anyone from the dawn of time clear up to today. Well, I came up with my top ten. They aren't in any specific order.
1. President Hinckley
2. President Monson
3. Joseph Smith
4. Victor Davis (Canadian Olympic Swimmer)
5. Eleanor Roosevelt
6. Hellen Keller
7. Jack Weyland
8. Jane Austin
9. Alma the Younger
10. Abraham Lincoln
I realize that at least four of these people are directly linked to my religion, but what can I say? I think they are pretty much awesome. Oh and for kudos, let's add President Boyd K. Packer to that list, too. He's one cool dude. So that's my list. It'll probably change every now and again, but you get the idea.

Halfway There!

It has officially been a year since my brother left on a mission. I know people usually reserve reflecting on the past year for New Year's, but I think now is as good a time as ever. It's so crazy to think how much has happened just in this last year. Since Travis left, I have graduated high school, started college, had my first relationship (...insert awkward laugh here), had my first non-Lagoon job (shocker), started attending the singles' ward (go team!), and started a blog! Other crazies from this year: Mom lost and found a job, my cousin is going on a mission (yay Sums!), and as of today, my little brother can drive. So if I were you, I'd stay off the roads for a while. A very long while. Yikes.. And there we have it. One year down, one (and three weeks) to go. Looking at how far I've come in a year, it is crazy to imagine how far I'm going to go in the one to come. With any luck I'll be in Disneyland. Cross my fingers! Knock on wood. Any other cliches you want to add to that... Moral of the story: my brother is the best missionary ever. Seriously. Sorry, you're just going to have to tell your missionary buddies that while yes, they are great, mine is the best. If you've ever met him, you already know this.
What a glorious morning it was today! I woke up to the sound of rain and I was delighted! Honestly, I love, love, love warm weather. If I could live in 95 degrees year round, I would be the happiest person on Earth. But there is something about rain (instead of snow) that makes everything seem new and fresh. Props to my friends who ran almost 5 miles in the rain and hail. Speaking of running, I kind of slacked off. I was so excited a few weeks ago when I ran 1.5 miles (don't judge), but I kind of stopped for a while. Anyways, I went to the gym last night and was sad to see 0.75 miles. While it totally sucks to see that number, it is a great reminder to me that I can't just take a break from my goals. If I want to accomplish something, then dang-it I better work on it! So here is my renewed promise to you that I will run a half marathon sometime this year. Or at least a 5 or 10k.
I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to this summer. Sunshine, glorious sunshine. How amazing would it be if we just had a week of sunshine right now? Sure, we can go right back to rain, but give us a week of warmth please. Why am I talking about this? Prepare to be jealous. Yours truly is going to Arizona in a week and a day. Jealous? Thought so. I am so so so excited! The only thing I'm not so excited about is the car trip. We're driving down in a little Jetta. I swear the seats in there are made of stone. Four people, one small car. It doesn't help that my little brother is six feet tall. It makes for an interesting trip. In other words, no sleep. Eh. Not excited about that. But on the bright side, I get to go swimming every morning and sit out and soak up the sun (: I can't even begin to say how excited I am for that. Oh, and the best part? Muffins!!! We get muffins for breakfast. The big kind, like from Sams Club. Double chocolate chip. Eaten with a spoon. You know you're jealous. You should be. Mmm... Guess you're just going to have to go get one now.