7 things....

So I'm bored, and I saw on someone else's blog that they wrote a "7 things" post about themselves. Some of the things I've picked aren't exactly random, and they might already be common knowledge, but who cares. It's my blog, I do what I want :)

1. I have ran two full marathons, but I've trained for 3. The second one I trained for (in 2010) I got injured during the 20-miler run three weeks before the race. Big bummer! But I got to try again the next year and nailed it. I did St George in 2009 and Utah Valley in 2011. Next year I might try St George again :)

2. Instead of getting all dressed up for the Winter Formal my junior year, I went buffalo hunting with my dad and brothers in New Mexico. I have never regretted that in the slightest! Guys love it when they hear that I shot a buffalo, with a muzzleloader that had no scope on it. Yeah, not to brag or anything but that is pretty awesome, you have to admit!

3. I have played the violin since 5th grade, and I still love to play any chance that I get. It's one of my only true talents, since I don't consider running one of my talents, more of a hobby. But playing my violin has brought me (and others) more joy throughout the years than I could have ever imagined! I don't mind performing for people, and a couple weeks ago I performed solo for the first time in several years, at a fireside in my ward. Kind of terrifying, but I think I did okay! And, I'm always on the lookout for new music to play.

4. I love Arizona with all my heart. Since I've moved away I've realized how wonderful of a place it is. The weather is awesome, I have innumerable friends and family there, the roads are better for running (mile blocks instead of these stupid block-every-tenth-of-a-mile), there is so much stuff to do outdoors, the heat isn't as bad as some people make it out to be (if you've grown up there) and I love my home and neighborhood. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Utah or Provo. It has its own great things about it, but Utah will never live up to my AZ :) I am enjoying Utah, for the record :)

5. Along with loving AZ, I LOVE Mexican food. Which is probably why I am such a sucker when it comes to good tortillas and good salsa. I like to think that I am the best critic when it comes to the spicy deliciousness that is Mexican food. I probably eat more cheese crisps (quesadillas, for those who didn't grow up in my family) and burritos than anyone I know. And don't even get me started on taco stands in Mexico. Sweet mercy. If I had the chance, I would drive to Mexico JUST to get a taco (or 6) from a taco stand in Sonoyta. Every time I think about it....I die a little inside. Yum.

6. I went skydiving for my 21st birthday and it was seriously the greatest thing ever. The only time I felt scared was when we were coming in for the landing, because it felt like we were going so fast! Even when we were loading up in the tiny, rickety, shouldn't-even-be-flying airplane, or steadily climbing to 30,000 feet, or even when I looked out the door and saw the person in front of me disappear into the abyss, I was never scared! We were so high, it didn't even register to be afraid of heights. It was surreal. When my dread-locked instructor told me to jump, I did without any hesitation. The thrill was like nothing I have ever felt before or since. I think when Weston comes home from his mission I'll take him skydiving :)

7. I don't know how to snowboard or ski. I know, you're thinking "But you live in Utah now! Home of the greatest resorts EVER!" Well, problem #1, I own zero snow gear. As in, I would be that person wearing jeans on the slopes, which just screams "newbie!" Problem #2, I'm broke, so no ski lift tickets or gear rentals for me! Problem #3, I have no desire to eat snow and get a concussion and freeze my butt off and break my wrists and/or ankles just trying to get down a mountain with a board or two strapped to my feet and out of my control. Pass. I'll just enjoy sledding, thank you very much! But, if someone happens to invent a snow scooter (like a razor scooter without wheels!! Genius!!) than I am sooooo there. But til now, I'll watch everyone spend several hundred dollars this winter on aches and pains :)

Welp, that's me in a nutshell. And I tried not to brag for most of it, but you know how I am. The constant one-upper strikes again!

Weekend at home!

So I'll probably post pics on facebook from this weekend, but it was so fun that I must do a recap :)

Drove home Wednesday, made it home pretty fast and in enough time to go hang out with some people for a little bit.

Thursday consisted of lunch at YC's with Emily and Rochelle and then I FINALLY got my hair cut. My bangs were getting too long and annoying! Me and Chic went to go play with some lab puppies (I WANT) and they were seriously crazy and to die for. So cute! I don't really remember the rest of the day, probably because all I did was watch tv and eat some more good food. Hey, don't hate. I don't have cable in my house here in Provo and so I couldn't resist the appeal of the tv at home!!

Friday was soooo long but so much fun! Woke up early, took a shower, visited my old job and then went to the Veteran's Day parade in downtown Mesa with my moms side of the family. Really cool to see how patriotic everyone was. It was also awesome to see my coworkers and catch up and tell them all about my life here in P-town. Of course they miss me, I was the best ever! Haha. Then after the parade me and Savanna went to lunch and attempted to catch Thien and Brittany coming out of the temple, we were a little late though, everyone had left but I still got to say hi as they were taking some more pics with the photographer. We then headed to great-Grandma's house for a BBQ and some more family time with the Wilkins. There were some pretty hilarious pictures taken!! I then had to leave early so I could go get ready for Thien's reception, which ended up being pretty crazy fun! We all were on the dance floor and I swear it was a Gilbert High reunion, it was so great!! Everyone was there! After the reception we stopped by Walmart to get the 8th Harry Potter movie on DVD (it had just come out that day) so that everyone could come over to my house to watch it. I love that movie way too much. Hahah!! After the movie was over it was pretty late so everyone went home. Wonderful, wonderful day!

Saturday morning, my mom, Savanna, and I went and ran a 5K in downtown Mesa called Shun the Sun. We got these super legit race shirts that are long-sleeved, light blue, and extremely soft. Apparently they're made out of bamboo. Who knew, right? Anyway, of course I rocked the 5K because of all my "elevation training", it was my first one in over two years and I ran it in 29:30, not bad, right? Over three minutes faster than my last one (I think). After that I took a wicked awesome nap (much needed) and then got ready for a picnic with the Wilkins family in Fountain Hills. This weekend was a family reunion of sorts for the Wilkins side, pretty fun stuff. The fountain was legit, I'd never actually seen it up close before! That night I got a big group of people together and we all went tire rolling! It was so fun, lots of new people. I ended up running after the tire and pushing it back up the hill every. single. time. Luckily I had a few trusty boys who were always pushing too. That thing is freaking heavy!! But, it was a super fun night, because after that we went to    a friends house and a bunch of played signs. I started off really bad but I eventually got pretty good at it by the end!

Sunday I went to 8:30 church with my family. I helped my mom with nursery (not sure if I liked it or not. Too many screaming kids). This one little girl cried for the entire 2 hours. Insane. I don't even know why she was crying? We didn't want to take her to her parents because that just trains her cry every time she wants her parents. No bueno. After church I cleaned the house a little bit, made some cookies, took a nap, then got ready for Clouse family dinner, which I always love! All of the Clouse's are insane and I love them for it. So much fun! Then I rushed home to get ready for the big game night/cookie party that I was having, which is always a hit. Me and my mom had made a bunch of treats. Those parties are always fun, and I got to see pretty much everyone that I wanted to see!! There was probably about 60 or more people there at one point! I like that I can leave for Utah and yet still have my Arizona network of friends :)

Anyway, the drive back sucked but that's okay. Tomorrow is a new day! And, I'll be back in AZ before I know it :) I'm enjoying this double life I'm leading, haha!!! Sorry for the long post, as you can see it was an epic weekend.

Have a good week!

I dare you to watch this video and NOT cry. Haven't we all felt how Andy feels in this ending? Like we're reluctant to let our childhoods go, and yet we know we HAVE to. 

That was how I felt over the summer (nerd alert!) when the final Harry Potter movie came out. I had spent my entire childhood reading, and then watching, this wonderful series. I don't think I've looked forward to a movie more in my entire life. And it lived up to my expectations! And then, as the credits rolled, I realized. "It's over." I told Hannah that I felt empty and really weird inside. Haha! It was the strangest feeling! I then coined the phrase "Post-Potter Depression." Okay, it wasn't really depression, but it was a very downcast feeling as I realized that my childhood truly is over. Wait, it should've been over four or five years ago....but still. It was a definite end.

I guess the whole purpose of this post is that, yes, I am still trying to grow up. It's not easy, or fun, or awesome. It seems that as each year passes, I have taken on more responsibilities, but at the same time, I refuse to be responsible. Does that make sense? Maybe it was the fact that I grew up in a home where I never had to work a day in my life. And I'm  not blaming my parents, because everyone knows they are the hardest working people around. I guess I'm blaming myself for not instilling in myself a healthy work ethic. The way I see it, I want a job HERE AND NOW that will be fun AND well-paying. I guess I kind of had that when I was at home, but now I'm away and I won't have those type of jobs handed to me anymore. Especially in Provo. But, is it so bad to want a job that I will enjoy? For me, if I don't enjoy it or feel that I am good at it, I just won't do it. Plain and simple. Right now I work in sales. And I've realized that sales is not my thing. At all. Honestly, I'd give anything right now to work in a physical therapy office. It's what I love to do and it is definitely where I belong! 

So I'll just pray that something will come out of my persistence, hard work, and searching. 

Dreams don't work unless you do.