Nothing A Good Run Can't Solve

Life as of late as been quite busy. I would dare say it would quickly turn to chaos if I didn't check my planner every two hours. Literally. My schedule is as follows. Wake up. Homework. Class. Work. Homework. Sleep. Repeat. (And then trying to squeeze in family, friends, etc.) I have done fairly well at keeping up with everything but today as I sat in Physiology, I though to myself, "my goodness, I feel like I am swimming as hard as I can against a very strong current and getting not only worn out, but also, getting absolutely no where." This is a frustrating thought to any normal person. So what did I do? I finished class, went to work, (as routine would have it) and then instead of coming home and doing homework, AC/DC and I went for a three mile run. Hazzah. So glorious. Running tends to solve all my problems. Although it doesn't get rid of the homework, the long hours in class, and the life choices I am facing right now, it at least lets me run from them for half an hour. Long enough to put life back in perspective and say it's gonna be ok, keep on keepin' on and just do what you gotta do.

Moral of the story: When life hands you lemons, go for a good run. Or something like that.

(P.S. This is not to be a downer post, I don't ever post for sympathy. This is merely how I felt today and since this is my journal of sorts, this is where it got put.)

Birthday Fun!!

Confession. I absolutely LOVE birthdays. Particularly mine. Not in the sense that it is day all about me, but it is a totally legit excuse to spend time with all my favorite people. For example, my entire family came down last year to go to the BYU vs UCLA football game and have a BBQ/Pool Party at my place. I loved just being with them and my close friends. This year was no exception. It was a great weekend of celebration.

Friday night Dan took me to the "Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband" concert. I have never really known much about this group, just that I like one of their songs and that they sing the song about corndogs which brought back great memories. The concert was so fun, I highly suggest it to anyone who enjoys just having a good, wholesome, fun time. After the concert his cousin's wife had made brownies and ice cream for us.

Dan and I at the Concert

Saturday I worked in the morning and came out of work to a car full of b-day balloons from Dan. Also, great news, BYU won their football game, thats 2 wins on the board for the year. Excellent. My birthday weekend tends to be great for them, the last two years its been a 50 point victory. :D Anyways...Checko came down and her and Gonzo took me out to California Pizza Kitchen for a birthday dinner. The food was delicious, I loved it. We got the free birthday ice cream and then hit up the mall. We went to build a bear, forever 21 and Charlotte Russe, all just for fun, we didn't spend any more than 3 bucks. Then we hit up Jason's Deli for free ice cream (remind me one day to post about Jason's Deli), and then we went to a park and ate chocolate and took pictures until the sprinklers came on and froze us right out of the park. We are such an odd group of friends, but we are pretty dang awesome together.

Me Gonz and Check

Gonz and Check

Build-a-bear birthday stuff

Sunday morning, the morn of my birth (hahaha!) I got to sleep in. I actually spent more than 15 minutes getting ready for church for the first time in probably a year. I taught a lesson on Faith in Every Footstep in Gospel Doctrine. (Yes, me. A gospel Doctrine teacher. eeeee.) Following church Dan and I headed up to my parents house for dinner, but luckily Marissa tagged along, because what would a birthday be without little mis ris? I freaking love that girl. We had almost the whole family there, minus Veej, Logan and Buckwheat, but Buckwheat got home right before I left so I at least got to see him for a few minutes. My parents made all my favorite foods. Barbecued pork ribs, (to be eaten with your hands), "yucky potato salad", broccoli salad, fruit, and my mom's German chocolate cake made from scratch. My life is so awesome when that cake is involved. (Ok, my life is awesome even without the cake, let's be honest.)

Birthday dinner

Then when I got back to my apartment, my roommates had made a fancy cake for me, but they were in bed, so rather than just eath more cake with myself and Dan and Tegan, we decided to wait til they could all be there, so Monday evening after FHE, they lit the trick candles and we enjoyed some great birthday cake, thanks girls!

So there you have it. An excellent weekend of celebration with a large majority of my favorite people. There will be a birthday extravaganza but that will not be held until october due to scheduling so more to come on that. Hooray. I love birthdays.

P.S. Katherine and Lisa, I am sorry this post is so long. There was no option. :D

Lake Mary

Since I got my car almost a month ago I have been trying to find a time when I could hike up to one of my favorite places on the earth. Literally. I cracked down on it this week becasue I knew with school hitting me full swing and work, and the weather changing, I had to get it done. So Dan obliged and went with me this Tuesday since we both had work off and were out of class early.

The trail starts right at the base of Brighton ski resort, you can't miss it. It is a short hike that makes you huff and puff for a couple minutes, but not for long. It takes maybe half an hour to get up there and it is gorgeous. You come up over the dam and step into absolute solitude. It is so quiet and peaceful up there. It is a beautiful lake (it's low in these pictures because it is almost winter) but the scenery is just amazing. I like to relax in the mountains and just think and this is a great place to do it. But really, it is just breath-taking to me.

Big Cottonwood Creek almost at it's beginning

Hillside in fall colors

Meadow in fall colors. I've now seen it in winter, spring

summer and fall. All are beautiful.

Lake Mary. Not the best picture of it but

I liked the sunset colors on the water.

The still water. Look how clear that reflection is.

Me and Dan by the hill