The Verdict Is In

"It takes faith and the courage to risk failure in order to realize one's destiny. Having had my share of failures throughout my career I know that it is well worth the risk."

- Ryan Hall, American long distance runner

So, remember about a week and a half ago when I said that I would do my best to chronicle my heroic effort to prepare for the Salt Lake Half Marathon? Well, it isn't going to happen. I went to the physical therapist again on Monday and there is just no way that it will be humanly possible for me to run in this race. Luckily I cried all my sad no-running tears for the Rex Lee run, so although I am certainly disappointed that I won't be able to make my April 16th goal, I am also incredibly grateful for all that I have learning in the time I have spent training. I have already done more than I ever thought I could, and it also doesn't hurt that I may have already signed up for another race. Hooray! Yup, that makes everything better. I will be running in the Sawtooth Relay in Idaho in June! It is a 6 man, 62 mile relay that is going to rock my little world. Many thanks go out to Camilla, Outstanding RMYL Graduate Student of the Year, for letting me tag along on this one. Actually, many thanks go out to Camilla for starting this whole thing in the first place. (Thanks for believing in me and cheering me on. You are the greatest!)

Back to the drawing board, 2 months to race time. Here's to failure, and not letting it get the best of me!

What Luck

Today was a great Saturday. I got up, went for a bike ride, made breakfast with friends, had girl talk, pretended to do my homework, and went home to help my baby sister get ready for prom. I cannot believe that she is all grown up. While we were there my older sister stopped by with the kids to come see their aunty getting ready for the ball. The first thing my niece asked me when she walked in was whether or not I had received her email. I hadn't, so she took me to the computer and made me log into my email so she could read it to me. It was just about the most precious thing I have ever seen. So I thought I should share. Translation follows below...

Hi , jel you Rock. like a. Rock star you are. Pretty, and you are cute. You are The Best aunt ever
I am going to watch Tagald To nigt want are you going to do' to nigt i am 6 yer's old to you are 28 rigt now
i no how to read i am a. 1st Gradr my tenchar is namd Mistm my bruthar is 4 my mom is 31. You hooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
i eat cake.

Hi Jel,

You rock like a rock star. You are pretty, and you are cute. You are the best aunt ever. I am going to watch Tangled tonight. What are you going to do tonight? I am 6 years old, too. You are 28 right now. I know how to read. I am a first grader. My teacher is named Misty. My brother is 4. My mom is 31. You hooooooooooooooooooooooo. I eat cake.

I am the quite possibly the luckiest aunty in the world.

Oh, and for those of you who have known Em since she was a baby...Here she is in all her gorgeous, grown up Prom glory.

When You're Weary, Feeling Small...

These quotes come from Elder Holland's talk from last General Conference, Because of Your Faith. They make me feel better on a sunny day when I am stuck inside in my accounting class...

In whatever country you live, however young or inadequate you feel, or however aged or limited you see yourself as being, I testify you are individually loved of God, you are central to the meaning of His work, and you are cherished and prayed for by the presiding officers of His Church. The personal value, the sacred splendor of every one of you, is the very reason there is a plan for salvation and exaltation. Contrary to the parlance of the day, this is about you. No, don’t turn and look at your neighbor. I am talking to you!

...I have struggled to find an adequate way to tell you how loved of God you are and how grateful we on this stand are for you. I am trying to be voice for the very angels of heaven in thanking you for every good thing you have ever done, for every kind word you have ever said, for every sacrifice you have ever made in extending to someone—to anyone—the beauty and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

...No one of you is insignificant, in part because you make the gospel of Jesus Christ what it is—a living reminder of His grace and mercy, a private but powerful manifestation in small villages and large cities of the good He did and the life He gave bringing peace and salvation to other people.

Physical Therapy!

I went to see the PT today. Hooray! Heat, ultrasound heat, massage, stretches, electricity, and ice. I could get used to this. I am a little upset that I didn't start this a month ago, but I didn't know it was available. So, we won't waste time bothering with all that. I am on the up and up, and that is what matters.

Also, I got to go for a walk with some of my very dear friends this evening. The weather is getting better and walk season begins again! I am grateful that I can walk at all. Being injured makes you so much more grateful for the times when you are healthy. I can't wait to be able to appreciate being healthy again ;) Here's to hoping it is soon!

These Streets Will Make You Feel Brand New

Who's that Chick that's Rockin' Kicks?!

so, usually I see my Dad, maybe once every 2 years or so. It is hard to be away from him for so long, but we always make the very best of it when we do get to hang out. Often this comes in the form of an out of control vacay to the Happiest Place on Earth. But when we are really lucky, we meet up at his home in New Jersey and spend a day or two in fabulous New York. We splurge on fancy dinners and fancy shows, and have an all around marvelous time. This time we are splurging a little bit let so that we can splurge on THIS instead:




OH MY GOSH! It is like Christmas! I am already wearing my new running shoes and am going to break them in on Broadway! (Yes, I am wearing my kicks to the theater. Don't judge.) Anyway, I already feel like I am walking a lot better, and that makes me feel like maybe this whole half-marathon thing may be possible after all! There are good things in the world today...hopefully that will lend itself to me meeting Daniel Radcliff tonight. Keep your fingers crossed!

Who Says Walking Isn't Good Exercise?

I walked all over New York tonight. I was limping about half way through the day. I now have 1 muscle relaxant and 2 Alieve in me, and am warming up the heating pad as I type. My leg hurts, but it certainly isn't the worst pain I have had, so I think it will be ok.

I was on my feet ALL day today. Was is worth it? WITHOUT A DOUBT. The Guggenheim. Central Park. The MOMA. Cheesecake at the Carnegie Deli. Meeting Liev Schreiber in Times Sqaure. And to top the night off? Driving Miss Daisy with James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave. Today did not suck.

I would give you more details on the whole night, but it is really late. And I am going to start making a lot of typing errors soon...so I leave you with the promise of more stories and this lovely picture of my new best friend.