Wednesday Wisdom: Timing & Promises

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I know these words to be absolutely true. Most of the time our timing is in sink with the Lord's. We think we know better but thank goodness He is at the helm.

Patience is a difficulty virtue to develop. I think our ability to be patient improves with age and experience.

When you look back on your life it's easier to see how the Lord's timing, not your own, was exactly right. 

Confessions of My Unorganized Life

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Do you ever feel like you're going so fast and your to-do list is so long you can't stop to get organized?

I experience periods in my life where I feeling like I'm treading water. Even though swimming (i.e. taking the time to get organized) would be a more effective, faster way to reach my destination, I get stuck spinning in circles. It's what I know how to do, despite the fact that it's not really working so well.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I tell myself I'll get organized but too often I don't slow down and focus long enough to make it happen.

In the spirit of Usher, these are my confessions: 

• Reading a textbook while lying on my bed is a sure way to fall asleep and fall behind in class.
• Even with one set of dishes and no roommates I still have an overflowing, dirty sink.
• Working out after work rarely happens if I go home first or don't have something scheduled with a friend.
• Lying down for a "30 min" nap almost always turns into 2.5 hrs.
• Doing homework at home always takes me twice as long.
• Not making a grocery list ensures that I consistently forget at least two items I need to pick up.

Chicago Women's 5K

 

3.1 miles. Conquered. Woot, woot!

Yesterday morning at 6:50am my friend Tasha and I ran the 5K portion of the Chicago Women's Half Marathon & 5K. Despite the early start time, the race was awesome. 

The course started in Grant Park and wrapped around the lake to the Museum Campus. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. There were about 1,000 women who rank the 5K. It was a wonderful, diverse group of all ages and sizes.

While our training using the C25K app was far from hardcore or amazingly consistent, it got us moving which was the whole point. We ran most of the course and finished with a time of 38:30.  

Three to four months ago it had been two years since I'd run on any consistent basis, if at all. I ran my first 5K five years ago in Everett doing the YMCA Yankee Doodle Dash. I'm definitely not going to wait five years again until I do another one. 

I have no desire to ever run a half marathon but I'd like to stay in shape enough to run a 5K whenever I feel like it. That's my ultimate fitness goal.

I'm so grateful Tasha and I decided to run a 5K together. Running with a friend is so much more motivating, and now we know we can do it! Next stop, the Hot Chocolate 5K in November and finishing under 35 minutes.

P.S. Like our good buddy Mindy Kaling, we run so we can feel better about eating pancakes. After the race we rendezvoused to Kanela for brunch. I enjoyed the French Toast Flight, which included four types of french toast: lemon poppy seed (the winner), orange, banana, and red velvet. Amazing.

New York State of Mind: How Not To Be Alone

This insightful essay by novelist Jonathan Safran Foer (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close) was adapted from his 2013 commencement address at Middlebury College.

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How Not to Be Alone by Jonathan Safran Foer, The New York Times

"Technology celebrates connectedness, but encourages retreat."

"Each step “forward” has made it easier, just a little, to avoid the emotional work of being present, to convey information rather than humanity. THE problem with accepting — with preferring — diminished substitutes is that over time, we, too, become diminished substitutes. People who become used to saying little become used to feeling little."

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wednesday wisdom: living

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just another unproductive monday

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Monday, Monday. I don't what it is but I never seem to be very productive on Mondays. It takes everything I have to haul my butt out of bed, make myself mildly presentable, and get to the office on time. And it's not like I party on the weekends. This girl won't every know what a hangover feels like. I can only imagine and it doesn't look good.

Once I'm at work my level of work efficiency is dismal at best. Same goes for my Monday night classes. I've had a Monday night class the past three quarters. When I get home, I crash in front of Netflixs until I decide to actually go to sleep and try again tomorrow. Laundry sits in the hamper. Dishes wait impatiently in the sink. Nothing ever gets done.

You would think that coming off the weekend I would be perky and at least somewhat refreshed. Nope, apparently not the case. Do you feel like you're less productive on Mondays? What do you do to get yourself motivated to face another week?

Help me cure my habitual case of the Monday blues!

living in this perfect day

the gorgeous bride and groom

Perfect days do exist. Sarah’s wedding day was everything we’ve ever dreamed of and more. Sarah looked absolutely stunning. Rob surprised her with a wedding band during their temple sealing. Picture taking on the temple grounds was epic. The reception, held in Sarah's neighbor's backyard, was elegant and refined. It couldn't have been better. 

Sarah's younger sister Lyndi, childhood friend Kenzie, and I were the bridesmaids. I love both of those girls so much. The only mishap of the day was that the zipper on my dress broke. Luckily, Kenz came to the rescue with her sash (I forgot mine, of course).
 
Member's of Rob's band, The Strike, played jazz music at the reception creating a fantastic mood. I caught the bouquet--more like I picked it up off the ground but it still counts. Chris caught the garter. Lyndi made the wedding cake and it was positively scrumptious. When Sarah and Rob left for their honeymoon they danced up the walkway to The Strike playing "Let's Get It On". Hilarious. 

Salt Lake Temple

getting ready for the big day

the three amigos

Me and the first set of newlyweds in our group

the bridesmaids

the after party

Exhausted from the day’s festivities, Lyndi, Kenz, Chris and I lounged on the Miller’s front lawn after we helped clean up from the reception. I pulled the white peony from my hair—a runaway from the bride’s bouquet—and proceeded to throw all the petals at Chris. He retaliated with said petals and added some grass for good measure. So, I stole his tie.
 
To finish the night, Kenz and I took a ride in Chris's awesome Jeep, nicknamed Sarge. Standing up with my arms stretched out Titanic style, I felt like the characters in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
 
“And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.”