This is gonna take a lot of training

Today I made a big decision.

I am going to Greece at the end of October to run the original marathon for its 2,500 anniversary.

Well, why not?

Will I ever have another opportunity like this? Probably not. And let's face it, the 2,501st marathon doesn't sound nearly as appealing or cool.

Running a marathon was never really on my list of things to do until a little over a week ago. I heard some people talking about it and thought, Yeah! I can totally do that! Mind over body, right, Heath? I can totally do this.

Athens, here I come!

(Oh, and I promise not to drop dead at the end, like Pheidippides did.)

more info here

Uncomfortable

Do one thing every day that scares you.
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Everyday last week, I ran into this quote somewhere or another.
It started to get annoying.
And then I started to think about it.

What do I do that makes me uncomfortable? What do I do that scares me?

The answer is nothing.
I like my comfort zone.
I stay in it perpetually.

Time for a new me.
Time to be someone that is not afraid of adventures or exciting things or new things.
Time to widen my horizons.

I started on Saturday with a ponytail. I hated ponytails. I was afraid of how they would look on me. I was afraid of them because I had never tried one. So I wore one to pilates class on Saturday. And what do you know? It was very good and very convenient. So when my hair is straight, I will be wearing more ponytails.

On Sunday, I studied with someone. I have never studied with someone before. I'm the kind of person who does a lot better learning alone. Or so I thought. But when a cute boy wants to study for religion class, you don't say no. And I loved it. I remember everything we went over, which is a first for me. I will studying with people more. Or just with cute boys more.

Monday I went to a 6:00 am spinning class. Need I say more? It hurt SO BAD! But it was worth it. I felt so good the rest of the day.
I will be spinning again.

Today I haven't decided what to do, but I promise to keep it up.
Pretty soon, I won't be scared of anything.


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W: Whale Watching

Whale watching is on my bucket list. Whales are really big and slightly scary, but I am fascinated by them nonetheless. This one thinks he's a ballerina. Which I am totally fine with. Take all the magic of the ocean and mix in a creature that sings (!!) and has mysterious physique. I want one. Do you think they're friendly? Or am I too tiny to pay much attention to? Like a hamster? Hmmmm...

Waves and Weak Stomachs. (and the adventure of a lifetime.)

The whole running off to sea thing was inspired by a deep sea fishing trip my family took on Saturday. I have been looking forward to this for a month now. We all know how I love the ocean and dream of being a pirate. Well, I got seasick. WHAT?! Where did that come from? The thought never even crossed my mind that that could be an issue. So the plan is to somehow spend enough time on the water to conquer my weak stomach. And then to eventually run away and be a pirate. Maybe being a mermaid would be better plan...


Anyways, an awesome friend introduced me to this awesome idea. What do you think?

50 days on a cargo ship. $600. No baggage limitations (that's the one that got me!). Wouldn't you like to come? And see the world? I am seriously considering it. Really. I need an adventure.


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Warning for my mom: Do not read this. Do not look at the picture and imagine it is me.

Most people that know me would be quick to agree that I am not an outdoorsy/active kind of a girl. I prefer to be inside, warm and cozy with a book and a blanket or dressed up in my high heels. But this is all about to change. "What's that?" you say. How can this be? What would inspire such a change?

Rock Canyon Park, people. Climbing up the rocks and repelling. At night. Seriously, so fun! I can't get over it.

When Heather texted me to invite me to go, I was immediately in.
But then we started talking about what it all entailed, and it sounded a little too adventurous.
So I called Dave, one of the guys we were going with, to get some details.
And he totally talked me into it without trying to.
Going up was a bit hard on my underdeveloped lungs {the doctor's words, but my own fault},
but getting to the top was worth it.

There were a few bumps. {Or rocks. Whatever.}
It was a bit cold.
I was wearing five layers, including thermals and a down coat, and it was still chilly.
Climbing over to Dave so I could go down was a bit nerve wracking.
And there might have been a point where I relied on the rocks more than the rope...resulting in some bouncing and a fit of giggles from Heather.
And I wish we had had a camera for that one.
But all in all, I would have done it ten times if I wasn't so darn tired from climbing up and if it was 50 degrees warmer {not a lie. We're talking in the twenties at least.}
We ended the night with hot chocolate and Glee.
Utah is awesome.
I want to do it again tonight.

K: Kites

Some of my best memories are of going to the park late at night with Talana and flying our $2 Barbie kite for hours. I don't think that there's a better way of getting in touch with your inner child. Plus, flying a kite over the ocean is just so darn beautiful. So I'm getting a kite this week and dragging Window Boy to the park to fly it with me (don't worry, he likes these kinds of things).


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Star Gazing

Last night, Jessica showed us the wonders of going up into the canyon to look at the stars. The moon was bright and you could see the clouds perfectly and the stars not so perfectly, but it was great. Laying in the bed of Jessica's truck with blankets and pillows was SO FUN!!!

My mom says that it is a very Provo thing to do, but I feel good about that.


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A little bit of white water, but mostly just cold.

Once upon a time, I accompanied my friends who were floating down the Provo river. This is a picture of us before hand.Fun? Yes. Until I fell out at the strongest point we happened to be floating. Which also happened to be five minutes after we got in. And I was tossed and turned all the way down to this rocky area where I held on for dear life until Roy came and rescued me. Who is Roy? Good question. He was in my old ward. That's all I've got. But he picked me up and carried me out like a princess. And my heart was his. The end.

Just kidding. But it was a good moment for me. And even though I didn't get to have as much fun as everyone else {Jeremy tried to get me to go get our raft, but I couldn't even stand up, for goodness sake! Once again, Roy saved the day... But I was too chicken to get back in.}, and I lost my shoes, it was still a good day. And we are going again Saturday.


ps Dennis went with me and discovered that I have amazing friends. Roman Gardens was good to me.

Adventures in Hairland

Thursday night, I was finally sick of my roots. My 3 inch roots. Now, they weren't that bad, because my hair is pretty dark and was blending in well. But I could see them and it was enough. After I picked up Tiff from the airport (YAY! She's finally home!) we watched Amelie and she dyed my hair. And she did a great job. She was precise and efficient. And then I rinsed it out. My roots were an orangey, brassy color, and the rest of my hair looked fried. It was bad. Especially since I had used that particular product before and we followed the instructions. Ugh.

So Friday morning, I set an appointment at a cute salon near my house to have it fixed. And the place was very nice, the girls very posh, and it smelled heavenly. Like lavender and a million other lovely, natural and earthy scents. I fell in love. And the product! I didn't know that there were so many hair products out there!

My hair dresser, Jessica, looked like Jessica Rabbit. Except she was wearing black and had the most perfect hair I have ever seen. Seriously. And then she dyed mine about 2 shades darker than I would have liked, but promised that the sun would lighten it nicely. So I believed her. And left happy. My wallet was happy to, because it was not nearly as much as I expected. I mean, my hair is very long. And it took 2 1/2 hours with two people putting in the dye. So, ya know. I was impressed.

But then I woke up this morning. And it is very dark. Like, almost a purpley black. What does this mean? It means I am going to the beach soon. And possibly pouring lemon juice in my hair and laying out. And I am rinsing it out everyday and washing in twice every other day. Until it fades to the color I want. Or, I could be simple and cut bangs. Because the first time I went dark, bangs made me love it. On the other hand, they are a hassle. Hmmmm....

Pictures to come. I promise. Because Tiff and I are taking lots and Sam loves the camera too.