SLC Half!

Because I'm posting this, you can all safely assume that I did, in fact, survive the SLC Half. What a great experience! I got the exact time as I did my last race (Vegas) and I was thrilled about it. Why, you might ask? The elevation here sucks, I didn't train as hard, and the people who designed the course put a freaking hill at mile 11 that I had to walk partway up. (Side note. It's just rude to put a hill that far into the race. I mean, everyone is dying at that point. Put the hill at the first when we all have energy! So rude.)

All in all, I'm really glad I did the race. There's something so cool about running with thousands of other people and then crossing that finish line as everyone's cheering you on. What a rush! My dad and my cute friend, Brook, came to see me finish and it was great to have their support. For anyone who is contemplating doing a race (half, full, 5K, 10K ... whatever), I absolutely recommend it. You have such a feeling of accomplishment when you're done, knowing that you set out with a goal and completed it. I'm definitely planning on doing a half again, and I hope to break my time.

There are some hilarious photos that the marathon people took of me as I was running that I'm contemplating buying. If I do, rest assured I'll post them here. They're epic, to say the least.

Hey, Soul Sister, by Train is my new favorite song. It just makes me happy! I feel like I should be driving in a car with my windows down and my sunglasses on every time I listen to it. Can't wait for summer!

No Big Deal ... My Blog Is Now HOT

Isn't my blog amazing? My cute cousin, Brooke Firth, helped me change my blog from an ugly polka dotted nightmare to this cute thing. She designs blogs and has quite the knack for just about ANYTHING. I'm quite fortunate to be related to her. Thanks, Brooke!

Updates, updates!

I got a job - working for Farmers Insurance. I had been there for about two months ... but now I don't have a job again ... because it turns out they didn't need me. SO, I'm back to the fun thing that is searching for a job. Yay! (Insert sarcasm here.)

I've also joined a coed soccer team. Wait - you might be asking - have you ever even played soccer, Liz? The answer is, no. I never have played soccer. But, do I like to get in people's faces? Yes. Am I extremely competitive? Oh yeah. And do I need to work out? You betcha. So, I'm now playing soccer. It's been a ton of fun, actually. I'm not great, but I've gained a HUGE amount of respect for soccer players. They are athletes in every sense of the word. Running around (sprinting) nonstop for 45 minutes and then doing it again for another 45?? Wowzers. I get winded after about minute number 3. It was also nice to do something different. I usually do coed softball this time of year. Look at me branching out and trying new things! Yeah. Big deal.

Half-marathon update: Um, the half-marathon is in less than a month. Am I prepared? No. I ran 7 miles the other day INSIDE and that about killed me. So, I have only a few weeks to whip my butt into shape. I will run this half if I have to crawl across the finish line on my hands and knees! (I'm really hoping it doesn't come to that.)

On a completely unrelated note, I took two showers today. It felt great. Deal with it.

Is it just me or are there NO movies out right now? We were completely bombarded with movies at Christmas and now there's some Miley Cyrus (spelling) lame film they want me to see? No thanks. Robin Hood comes out in May (can't wait) and so I guess I'll avoid the movie theater until then. Oh, I heard that dragon movie was cute, though. Maybe I'll drag my butt over to see that.

Ben has less than 10 months left on his mission! It's going fast now!

Toodles for now, peeps.

Liz

Holy Crazy Life

I remember when I heard about friends and family who were out of a job and asking them, "What do you do all day?" In my mind, I couldn't imagine anything more boring. As I've discovered the past few months, looking for a full time job IS a full time job. I've also discovered that there is NOTHING more frustrating than looking for a job. (It outweighs not having a boyfriend by a looong shot.*) Yeah, the economy sucks. Yeah, I got my degree in Art History and there are like two museums in all of Utah. But even with all those different factors that I know are out of my control, it's still rough knowing you're smart enough and qualified to get a job, and for whatever reason, you don't get it.

Elsewhere in life, and on a happier note, I've signed up for the Salt Lake City Half-Marathon! My dear friend Amber convinced me to do it with her so .... I'm going for it. I've only done one half-marathon before (Las Vegas) and I had an absolute blast. There is NO way to explain the way you feel when you cross that finish line - it's amazing! It's a sense of accomplishment unlike any other. The race is in April and I've just started training (with my hot new purple running shoes - no big deal) so I should be ready. I'm hoping to get a better time than I did in Vegas but with the elevation difference here, I'm not holding my breath.

I know all my married friends are hoping for some great dating stories and I've really been thinking hard of some good ones to post.

Here was an awkward moment.

This happened last May - like the day before Mother's Day. I was at a gas station picking up some treats with this guy I was dating (he loved treats, and I LOVED that about him) and we went to the checker to pay for our things. As the man began scanning our candy he looked at me, smiled, and said, "Happy Mother's Day". I sort of chuckled and looked at the guy I was with and then back at the checker.

"Oh, I'm ... I'm not a mother," I said.

"Yeah," he said, looking back and forth between us with real significance, "but you will be some day."

Huh. So, that for sure created an awkward moment in the car driving back to the bf's place, knowing that man thought bf was going to someday father my children. Do people not look for wedding rings any more when they make comments like that? Just wondering.

A tip of advice: avoid Provo at all costs - especially if you're on a date. Now, I KNOW I'm prejudice against Provo. I know I am. I get it. And really, it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a Utah fan (go utes!), but everything to do with the fact that there are a lot of really, really weird people down there. I'm not joking - EVERY time I have gone down to Provo, I've met the crazies. Never the normal people. Now, I KNOW there are normal folks that go to BYU because I have several friends that are cougar alumni, and I wouldn't hang out with them if they were nuts. But I swear, I always meet the freaks.

For example - on a date or a group date, please never suggest to build a fort in an apartment. Forts are for your nieces and nephews that are aged 5 and under - or your kids. That's fine. Mom and dad can help. Great. Otherwise? Not so much.

Why is it that there is nowhere to park in Provo? Are there really THAT many people that want to be down there? Do you think the city could TRY to do something to improve that? Also, why is it that no one shovels the walks in the winter? I went to four wonderful years of snowwalk-free school at the U. They even put salt down so you wouldn't slip. That was nice.

Is it really necessary to form a human tunnel at the Malt Shop while you're listening to "Piano Man" by Billy Joel and run around like an idiot? Yes, I know you've just gotten back from your missions. I understand that some people are weird because they haven't touched a person of the opposite sex for two years, but ... REALLY? When I was on campus down there a few months ago to get something at the bookstore, did people really just walk out of some building (is it the Wilk??) singing a hymn? I'm LDS and very proud of my religion, but .... isn't that slightly extreme?? Maybe I'm wrong. But this is my blog. And so my opinion counts. :)

Anyway, that's about all the great dating stories I can think of for the moment. I'm sure I'll remember more - I've got years of them.