#longshot

January is always such a weird month for me (as I'm sure it is for most people).  It's usually a mix of old habits, new goals, and a whole lot of in betweens.  It's easy to blame the weather and the shorter time of daylight, but I've never really been a believer in all that.  I think it's just something we all deal with each year, to try and accomplish something new while dealing with the old leftovers.  I'm slowly but surely cutting the negativity, (although I've been quite the mopey dope this morning because things aren't currently going my way lol) and allowing myself to move on to let people have a second chance at being a positive influence in my life.

Simply put, January is only half way done and I've been on the longest scariest roller coaster of all time, but somehow I'm still having a ball!  I'm still giving everything a chance of turning it all around! Lots of great things have happened and I just need to focus on that.

• I'm making progress on a bunch of relationships
• I'm slowly getting better at my job.  Mostly due to a recent increase in questions/tasks asked of me, but you gotta learn somehow!  
• I'm dealing with a pretty major crush situation right now, which is both fun and tormenting - but also reducing me even more to the 14 year old that I'll always be inside.  I go back and forth between being bold and sassy, and resigned to the fact that nothing will happen.  Needless to say it's been really fun for everyone involved. ha
• Finally, I'm headed to NYC this weekend, in what I hope to be a fantastic time with friends from home. We're also attending the Kelly Clarkson concert at Radio City Music Hall which just might turn out to be the best concert I see all year!

In honor of my favorite artist and this weekend's concert, here are some lyrics that pretty much speak to how I'm feeling on this roller coaster that is January 2012.


My heart beat beats me senselessly
Why's everything got to be so intense with me
I'm trying to handle all this unpredictability
In all probability

It's a long shot, but I say why not
If I say forget it, I know that I'll regret it
It's a long shot just to beat these odds
The chance is we won't make it
But I know if I don't take it, there's no chance
'Cause you're the best I got
So take a long shot

#onceuponadream

pre race "girls gone wild" shot

Recently I traveled to the magical place that is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  I love all things Disney, but the past two times I've visited there have been for a very different reason.  About a year and a half ago, my friend and roommate Becky thought that it would be fun to start training for and running races as a way of getting in shape.  Her way of motivating me was creating a fantastical end goal of running a half marathon right through the theme parks at Disney World - and it worked.  This was our second year attending Disney World's Marathon Weekend and we had a ball!

the action shot

 

I had my Becky cheering me on at 3 different points along the course in her hot pink feather boa (which I wore the next day for her MARATHON) but it just an amazing feeling to have so many people around you cheering and trying to accomplish the same goal.  The best part was I knew that after it was done, I had two full days left to enjoy myself in one of my favorite places on Earth. I was tired from the 2:30 am wake up and the 5:30 race start time, but it was all worth it.

the "I finished!" shot

I think because of my experience with last year's race I was better prepared for this one, but I went in with only one goal - beat last year's time. And, I did! I'm not sure why or how, but I felt really good the entire time I was running and only stopped to walk once for water.

Look at this medal!  How could it not be.


Race Times:

2011: 3:07:49
2012: 2:40:53

my favorite ride

Becky and I on Prince Charming's Regal Carrousel

Now for the FUN part of Disney.  We got to ride a good majority of the rides at Magic Kingdom on Saturday and I even got to retake a family favorite photo for my mother.  I tried looking for the same horse that it was originally taken on, but it was not to be found.





We then spent our Sunday recovering from Becky's super speedy marathon time by drinking around the world at Epcot!

Drinking Butterbeer in front of Hogwarts Castl

On Monday, we made a special trip to Universal Studios, where I got my fill of crazy roller coasters that have me scared and screaming to no end. But, most importantly was the Harry Potter world.  We got the full experience, waited the 70 minutes to ride the ride, which was surprisingly awesome, and drank butterbeer while walking through Hogsmeade.  I bought a Chocolate Frog complete with Wizard Trading Card and begged Mom Becky for an overpriced wand experience.  It was probably for the best that she wasn't thrilled about waiting on the line though as it would have most likely set me back like $1000.

All in all, it was a fantastic trip filled with goal reaching and fun with friends.  Needless to say I'm proud of my accomplishments and I'm looking forward to next year.

#2012

All in all 2011 was a good year. It had its low points, but the highs that went along with them made it all worth it. Actually, when I think about everything that happened, I wonder how I had time to do it all.

I ran my first half marathon.
I went to St. Maarten for a week.
I got a new job.
I turned 25 and danced the night away.
I moved.
I finished graduate school.
I went to a billion concerts.
I attempted to date.
I got to experience the great state of Texas through the Austin City Limits festival.

When I wasn't the busiest person on the planet, I tried to take the time to learn more about who I am, both to me and to the different groups of people in my life.

I learned that I love some of my flaws, but struggle to find the balance.
I learned that sometimes it's easier to let things go.
I learned about friendship - both existing and new.
I learned that people come and go through your life and make their impressions, but it's the people that make you feel at home with yourself that last til the end.
I learned that some things are just none of my damn business.

Now comes time for the resolutions I made for 2012.  I didn't make as many as I normally do, but they all fall under the same theme of living positive.

- still put others first, but not at the cost of my own happiness.
- try and keep up the semi-healthy lifestyle I've been cultivating over the last year.
- walk out the door every day feeling good about how I look & feel. (cute & confident is still going strong!)


Here's to a great new year!