Quickstop Angel

This is going to sound dramatic and dumb but it totally made my morning.

I haven't been in the best mood this morning. Maybe because I totally don't agree with Bachelor Sean's decision last night, maybe because my knees hurt so I won't be running today or maybe because I dreamed that my little sister told me I gained weight (I don't think I have...haha) but I've been a little grumpy today.

I went to the Quickstop (a little convenience store thing on campus) for a hot chocolate since I was feeling chilled and kinda hungry. I made my hot chocolate and added a hazelnut flavoring. Oh it was going to be soo good!

Then I reached for my wallet....and realized it's still in my gym bag from last night. Suck.

So I went up to the girl and told her I had forgotten my wallet and asked if I should just throw my hot chocolate away. (what a sad question to have to ask)

She said "No. You can keep it!"

I asked if she was sure and she said yes and I was just the happiest girl! So even though it's a little thing of really not very much significance, I want to throw a THANK YOU out to that girl in the Quickstop who brightened my day.

She Runs Retreat

Imagine this...

• Daily runs
• Zumba, pilates, yoga for runners
• Professionals to watch you run and give you tips
• Lecturers on many running/health related topics
• St. George (aka 60 degrees)
• 3 days
• Girls only
• Ends with a half marathon

Sounds amazing right?? This is the She Runs Retreat. I am going to this retreat at the end of February and I am so dang excited. 

It's going to be so. much. FUN!!!

I heard about this from my favorite blogger Hungry Runner Girl and I just decided to go last week. Which means I just started training for the Half  6 days ago and will be running it in 3 weeks from yesterday. I have never trained in such a short amount of time. I ran 7 miles yesterday, so I've got it more than half way done :) We'll see how the training goes. If all else fails, they also have a 5k that I can do in its place. But that's not my goal. My goal is to do my 3rd half marathon. Just do it. Not PR (personal record), not even really do that well. Just do it. 

This has been getting me really excited about running again and it has also made me a little needy. My wish/desperately need/will be purchasing in the next little while list:

• New running shoes. (Thinking about trying Brooks out. I've been an Asics girl til now. Thoughts??)
• More running shorts.
• More socks.
• A headband that actually stays put while I run (any suggestions?)
• New sports bras. 
• More running tops.
• Garmin 4runner 410 running watch.

Yeah...I try not to be high maintenance most of the time. But these are really more like necessities. If you'd like to contribute to the "Help Alyssa Be a Well Equipped Runner" Fund, let me know!

Any fitness goals you're working on or races you're training for? I'm also open to suggestions for other Halfs in Utah. I want to do another one this summer/fall. 

Curse it all

Fun (or not so fun) fact about my body: it hates to lose weight. My dad encouraged me to try this diet that helps boost your metabolism and helps you start eating healthy again. It worked SUPER well for the first few days. I was down 6 pounds and felt so great! I hadn't been that small since the beginning of my first semester of college. I was so happy with the results. I was happy with my body.

Today I'm up 3 lbs from there. Half the weight loss gone. In 9 days I've gone down 6 and up 3. What a mess! What was the point of doing that diet and eating healthier if it's not going to end up making any difference. I'm already half way back up. What if I can't keep the weight off.... What's the point of trying?

I see other people that work out as much as I do and shed the pounds and look great. I see people that can change their diet a little bit and drop a couple pounds. What the heck?! What's deal?! Why does my body have to hate me?

You know what? I hate it too. I know you're not supposed to and it's a gift from God and everything. But I truly hate it sometimes. Why can't it respond when I put healthy things into it and work hard to get it into shape? Why does it insist on holding on sooo tightly to extra fat that isn't healthy? What am I supposed to do?

A couple days ago I was so happy with the results. Now I wonder why I even try. I know I'm not super overweight or anything like that. But I know there is room for improvement. Curse that first semester of college when I gained this weight. Curse all the carbs and the sugars. Curse my insecurities.

Curse my lack of sleep for making me more emotional. Curse hiring for all this pressure. Curse my physics final on Monday for all this stress. Curse it all.

Guys, I know I should be grateful. I have a relatively healthy body, there's nothing wrong with it. I don't have any awful diseases or disabilities, I'm not missing any limbs, I don't really get acne. I'm just feeling a little down on myself at the moment. Lots of stress in lots of different areas of my life. No biggie.  Things will look better soon.

Thanks for letting me rant.

For now just check out this picture of my awesome salad I had the other day. Rocked my world.

Next post will be how dang cute our place looks for Christmas. Be excited.

Babbling

Guys, it's been a while. and to be quite honest, I have nothing really to write about. Well, nothing that I would like to share on the internet. I wish that I could be a super awesome, dedicated blogger and that all these people would follow me and comment and stuff. But that's just not my lot in life. It's cool though. I have other lots that aren't so bad :)

Today was my turn to teach the Relief Society lesson and I decided to teach on developing a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. I ended up finding this website that had the exact lesson I wanted to give, along with quotes, scriptures and even a story I had specifically been looking for to use along with my lesson. It was heaven sent! My lesson ended up being super awesome (not because of me, I promise you) but because of the girls in my Relief Society. They are such spiritual giants! We have the greatest discussions and they offer just the best insight. I swear I always learn more from them than I could I ever hope to teach them. I really have the better end of this deal!

It's dead week this week, meaning next week are finals. I only have my one test in physics (barf) and a paper to write for psychology (yawn). So it shouldn't be too bad. I'll just live at the library all week in preparation for my physics test and then it will be smooth sailing from there! Right now at work we're also hiring our new staff for next year, which is incredibly stressful. But one thing I have to look forward to is I'm taking the day off of work on Friday because it's Miss Kaela Jorgensen's wedding! Woohoo! I already have my dress and I'm so excited to wear it. I did a test run today for my hair and outfit. What do you think? (classy bathroom mirror pic)

My brother is home from his mission! I know, I know. I'm like a month late announcing it on the blogging world. But he is! It was an emotional reunion and now he's back to being my dorky little brother. Sure do love him. Even when he's annoying, as I'm sure all brothers are. Here's a picture of the three of us riding to his Homecoming last week. 

He gave an excellent talk and has really grown up so much. He's made the very intelligent decision to become an AGGIE!!!!! I'm so excited for him! He's going to love it up here so much! He'll start up here in January and I've already got loads of girls begging for his number. Ok, that's not quite true, but I get told QUITE often how attractive my little brother is. Weird. But good for him! :)

Tonight my roommates and I were unusually social. We went to two different events! I know, go us! Here is a picture of my roommate Shelly. We found these glasses in this little purple tree next to us, she was given this tea cup to drink water out of and combined with her sweater, well we just couldn't resist taking a picture!

So hipster ;) Well, I'm really awake much, much later than I should be with the busy week I have in store. Wish me luck and I'll try to find something fascinating to write about. Until then, you just get snippets of my life.

Peace and Blessin's.

My Hero: Kalina

I just can't focus on my physics homework right now. Potential energy, kinetic energy and impulse-momentum theorem are just going to have to wait. Let me tell you about a friend of mine.

I can't quite remember when Kalina and I met. I know it was because of cross country but I'm not sure if it was when I was in 8th grade or 10th. I really want to say it was 8th grade because I remember being faster than her then (she would have been a little 7th grader you see) but after skipping 9th grade crosscountry and coming back in 10th grade, I know she was already way faster than me by the time I came back. Kalina has always been an incredible runner. Both her parents are really into running and exercise and this was definitely something that got instilled into their daughter. I always liked seeing Kalina at school because she has this spunky, fun, live life to the fullest attitude. I had a computer class with her and man, oh  man, did we have a good time or what! I remember her parents bet her a certain amount of money if she could make it to her 16th birthday without getting kissed. I think she made it to that landmark but not much further. haha She's just popular like that ;)

Kalina and I didn't kept in touch much since my family moved to Texas the summer before my senior year, but since becoming reconnected through Facebook, we've talked a little here and there and she's always had a special place in my heart. No matter how long it's been, Kalina will treat you like you're best friends that haven't seen each other in hours, not years.

A few months ago, at just 22 years old, Kalina was diagnosed with stage 4 Ovarian cancer. What the heck?! These things aren't supposed to happen to young, strong, healthy, vibrant girls like Kalina. Yet it's happening. She had her first surgery soon after and tomorrow she goes in for a full hysterectomy, among the removal of some other sketchy things. She's such a strong, amazing woman. The thing that has impressed me most about her in these last few months is how incredibly positive she's been. The only time she's shown any signs of sorrow were in a blog post about now never being able to have her own children, which I can't even begin to imagine what kind of heartbreak that must be. Beyond that, she has shown more strength and light than I think I would be able to muster in the same situation. What an inspiration she's been to me!!! If you would like a little more inspiration and light in your life, you should read her blog: http://sterlinaclegg.blogspot.com. She's very open and humble and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

A couple weeks ago, my family and I had the opportunity to run a 5K put on for her. It was so great! First of all, it was so fun to see Kalina, along with old cross country buddies and my old coaches! It was also so cool to see all these people rallying around Kalina and showing their support for her. Here we are, reunited after a good 5 years or so. She's such a champ. Truly my hero!

We all have our share of trials in this life and I fully believe we are given those that we can handle. I know Kalina was given this trial because of the power I can see it has had in her own life, in the lives of those around her and because I know she can handle it.

I am a believer in miracles and in the power of prayer, so please if you're reading this, please take a moment and say a prayer for Kalina. Pray for her doctors, pray for her husband Sterling. Pray for her family and friends. But especially pray for her. Please pray for Kalina. Thank you.

{Everyone deserves the chance to fly}

First thing is first. Here is the dresser that I bought 1 year ago, totally intending to redo it and just barely got around to. Now I've never done anything like this before but I'm pretty happy with the results.

Before:

The drawers are out because I had just moved and my motivation to get the dresser done was that I couldn't bring it in the house til it was done. I decided to paint it black to match the rest of my furniture and attempt to distress it.

After:

The lighting isn't super good in these, but hopefully you get the idea. I like it :)

Next, this weekend I went with some friends to see Wicked in Salt Lake. Oh my gosh. I am not even exaggerating to say that it changed my life. I loved it so, so, so much. I have seriously had the songs stuck in my head non stop for the last three days. Totally worth the $90 and 9 months of waiting to see it. Kaili, Desiree, Deborah and I had decided to make a weekend of it, so we went down on Saturday afternoon. 

We went shopping at City Creek, where Laura met up with us. It was so fun to see her and Loft did not disappoint. 50% off? Yes please!!

Then we went to PF Changs where we had delicious lettuce wraps, among other great food. Our waiter asked us if we were going to the  movies. Um, yeah. Cause we dress up like this for the movies.

We then headed over to the Capitol Theater to see WICKED!!!! Seriously, so amazing. I am obsessed.

The set before it began. Super cool.

Kaili's seat was right behind me. This is us way excited for it to start. and me looking super chubs from this weird side angle. Good things it's fuzzy and a gross pic overall. haha

Here we are outside the theater way excited and lookin' pretty fine, if I do say so myself!

The next morning, we got up and went to Music and the Spoken Word, which was at the Conference Center, because their numbers are so much higher during the summer. That was nice. 

Overall, stellar weekend. Now here I sit, watching the Olympics and tearing up at our national anthem being played when Americans win the gold. Does it get much better than this?! What a good life.

Happy Faja's Day!

Last weekend I got to go home for a little while and celebrate Father's Day. It was a lot of fun. The older I get, the nicer it is to go home. My sister and I usually would get in a fight every time I went down but now we're getting along super well. I don't know if it's me or her or both of us maturing but it's been really nice. We've become better friends lately and I like that a lot. Emi got her senior pictures taken today and that's soo soo weird! I remember getting those done 6 years ago and it seems like yesterday and forever ago all at once. Growing up is strange like that.

While I was home we went on a hike to Lake Mary. This is actually the first hike we ever did as a family when my parents were first dating. It was a lot of fun and so, so gorgeous! Here's some pictures from the hike and the lake.

Brighton Ski Resort - in the summer

the parents coming up the trail

Lake Mary! Man oh man this place is pretty. Just wait and see!

I love my little sister. She's the best.

the girls with Mom! we're so cute. even when we're gross from hiking.

Dad wandering in the distance. Do you see him? Hint: he's in red.

Wild flowers growing between the rocks.

me and my Faja! love him lots!

my parents are the greatest. they're also dorks. but that's almost the same thing.

the girls with Dad. Happy Father's Day!