DEMOLITION DERBY

Saturday night I went to my very first demolition derby. Actually, it was the first demolition derby for everyone in our little group. It was an epic event. The magic of button up denim shirts with cut off sleeves, big hair, janky hair, mullet hair, (there was a lot of hair) and missing teeth was indescribable. I kid you not, seeing the crown alone was worth the price of admission. The show was pretty good too. It was big kid bumper cars, but most of the bumpers came off pretty quickly and the rounds end with cars being smashed to bits instead of cars rolling to a stop because the electricity was shut off. It was awesome. When we first got there we were impressed, but not entirely won over.  By the end of the night we were on the edge of our seats, cheering, and contemplating sporting mullets in the near future.

Really more than anything I wish I had pictures for you of the people who were there, but I wasn't in a good spot for sneaking shots. Oh, well. These photos will have to do:

After almost 3 hours of demolition, we were all still very happy campers. We did sneak out at the very end to beat the traffic. This is sad because apparently we missed a car that caught on fire. However, it is not sad because as we drove around searching for food, we happened across a Cafe Rio that was open for only 8 more minutes. Car on fire, pork salad? Car on fire, pork salad? Pork salad of course! We stayed in the restaurant maybe a little bit longer than we should have, but we were having a marvelous time. I tell you, post demolition derby high is a good high. So is Cafe Rio high. Mix the two and you have got one great Saturday night.

Thanks demolition derby. You don't suck.

Camaraderie

One of the things that I love the most about running is seeing other people who run. Almost every time that you pass someone on the road they will wave and smile at you as you run by them. It's like everyone is saying, "Hey, you are out here pounding the pavement too!Doesn't it totally rock? Good job! Keep up the good work!"

There is something incredible about that wordless connection that happens with complete strangers who just happen to be exercising outside at the same time as you. I love it.

But today, the connection wasn't wordless. I went for a run up Provo Canyon on the Provo River Trail and had an awesome encounter with some other runners.

First, a picture of the trail. Isn't it gorgeous?

Anyway, it was midday and pretty warm when I went, and there is a lot of uphill involved in running up a canyon. So, needless to say, when I was pretty close to the end of my four and half miles, I was a janky mess. As I was pushing through the last bit of my run I was concentrating pretty hard and was focusing on the road for a minute. When I looked up I saw two shirtless wonders coming toward me and one had his arms wide open like he was going to hug me. When I first saw him I am sure the confusion registered on my face. He just smiled, put his arms down and said, "We're your support team!" In that moment I knew that I must have looked SERIOUSLY janky because they knew that I needed a support team. But you know what? I did need a support team, and I am so thankful for those goofy guys. I finished my run like a champ. I am so thankful for all of those runners out there who wave at each other to say "Good job, you're out here too." We are all rock stars out there on the road. It doesn't matter if you are fast or slow, whether you are pint sized or chubby, or whether you are running for the first time or have been running for years.

Guess what? Life is like that too. We are all rock stars out here. What matters is that we are trying our best. It doesn't matter if we are fast or slow, it just matters that we get out there. So, "Hey. Good job. You're out here too."

525,600 Minutes

This morning I dropped off Heather's Strawberry Shortcake lunch box that she let me borrow for school. She is leaving for China today. Again. Lucky girl.

To be completely honest, I don't want to go back at all. But I am jealous that she gets to go, does that make any sense? I don't know if it does, but it is so crazy to think that a year ago I was starting my adventure in China.

This is especially crazy because China was not only a crazy international 7 week trip, it was also the start of one of the biggest years of my life. I quit the job I had been at for almost 5 years, started grad school, and altogether turned my life upside down.

I am sure that you will understand when I say that I can't believe it has only been a year - but I also feel like I have lived a life time since last June.

I have grown up a lot in the last year; I learned a few things in school, made a lot of friends, jumped out of a plane, took up some new hobbies, and more or less became a new person. A person that, quite frankly, I like a lot. Not like that is anything new ;) but I guess I am just really proud of who I have become over the last year. I am also totally blown away by all of the incredible things I have experienced in my lifetime. If you had told me 10 years ago that any of this would have happened, I probably would have laughed at you. But here I am. Wow.

Anyway, I suppose that as long as I was being introspective, I just wanted to pat myself on the back - and say thanks to all the amazing people in my life who helped me to make this last year one of the best I have ever had.

Y'all rock my socks. Thanks!

14th Annual Judgesrun

A LOT of work goes into putting on a race. It doesn't seem like it would be that difficult. People pay money, they show up at the starting line, they run 3.1 miles. Doesn't seem difficult, but there is a lot that goes into putting on race. Ours went really well. Luckily the race has been going for 14 years and many of the volunteers have been there every year. So, even though we were new to the race, everything ran like clockwork because our volunteers were all rock stars. Race volunteers are some of the best people anywhere. After the race, breakfast is served. There were donuts, fancy scones, pancakes, oranges, bananas, I don't know how much I would want to eat all of that after I had just run, but the great thing about the food is that people stick around. We had a big party, gave out some prizes, and had a marvelous time doing it. My favorite award went to the girl who took 1st place for females 12-16. She wore a t-shirt that said "I run 4 values + Justin Bieber" Totally made my day.

And now it is done! I am back at work and after a race debrief we will be moving on to the Amy Grant concert. Life is going to be 100% different. That is one very good thing about this internship. It certainly keeps me on my toes! Wish us luck!

Take Luck Naim!

One of my very best friends is currently driving somewhere through Nevada on his way to his new home in sunny California. After totally rocking his MBA, Jamen is going to out to San Jose to work for Adobe.

Having lived a couple years there myself, I would like to send him off with a wish -

I wish you long bike rides in great weather, too many days at the beach, some thrills on Top Gun and The Vortex, a ghost sighting at the Winchester Mystery House, a visit to the aquarium, and lots of Thrifty ice cream.

Missing you already hamigo.

Congratulations Class of 2011!

Graduation is almost here

My friend Heidi posted this on facebook today. It comes from a New York Times article about the impending graduation and subsequent future of America's college seniors. As my baby sister is going to graduate from high school on Friday, I took an extra special interest in the article. I really like the quote that Heidi pulled, and I think that it really would benefit a lot of graduates (and the rest of us as well) if they would take some time to ponder on this one.

"[We are] told to pursue happiness and joy. But, of course, when you read a biography of someone you admire, it’s rarely the things that made them happy that compel your admiration. It’s the things they did to court unhappiness — the things they did that were arduous and miserable, which sometimes cost them friends and aroused hatred. It’s excellence, not happiness, that we admire most."

Sticking to what you know is right, and persevering in the face of opposition is what will, in the end, help you to come out the happiest and most successful person you can be.

Good luck out there in the big blue world Lou! I am so proud of you!