All growing up I heard the story about how my dad proposed to my mom in Hawaii.
They had been dating for a while and my dad was going to Hawaii with the BYU rugby team (my dad is so rad) and he invited my mom to come along. When my mom asked her parent's permission, she was sure they would be hesitant to let her go, but to her surprise her mom said yes, vehemently. You see, my granny knew that if she went, they would most likely get engaged.
They went, he proposed and here we are 38 years later.
A few years ago I had this "friend" (I've been blessed with a lot of "friends" in my day) that was looking into buying a motorcycle. I would go with him to shop around and we would talk about it all the time. He told me he was going to be taking this motorcycle certification class and wanted me to take it with him. I was nervous and unsure if it was something I wanted to do. I knew my parents would not love the idea. I always heard my brother Nolan talk about wanting to get one and how adamant my mom was that he didn't. I was sure, the idea of me even taking this class would be laughable to her.
I went to talk to them about it, almost looking for a way out and knowing that would be a good excuse, "My parents don't want me to." So I sat them down and I told them in a way that was like, "He wants me to pay $150 to take a class to get my motorcycle certification... can you believe that???" with out delay she says, "DO IT!" I was dumfounded, "Um... Are you serious?", "Julia DO IT!" "But mom, it's $150! It's clear in Ogden, you've always fought Nolan on riding motorcycles." To which she retold the story of her mom's reaction to her going to Hawaii. Now it was her turn to want her daughter to get married, at apparently any cost. So I took the class and had a great time and am now certified. The craziest part was, after I got certified she was like, "So are you going to buy a bike?" I told her most likely not and she was like, "Well why not?" Seriously the craziest situation ever.
Clearly that guy and I never got married, we never even dated, but there have been a few times since then where I tell her something about a guy and she has a similar response. I'm asked to do something I may see as, financially irresponsible or just irresponsible in general, but in her eyes if it's in pursuit of a dude/marriage she is fully supportive.
So take note dudes. If my mom feels like you may want to marry me, you can pretty much get away with anything. BUT you should know, if we don't get married, even if you are a great guy and things end well between us, even if all we ever are is friends, if you don't want to date me, she will hate you. Hate.
I love my momma.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
Half Marathon #3
This past weekend I ran the Big Cottonwood Half Marathon. I have run two before. The two prior I ran with my sister and I remember specifically hating my life with just about each and every step. In the second one at about mile 11 I said to Jennie, "Jennie! We canNOT let ourselves forget how much this sucks." Of course, we didn't train for that one, so at about mile 11 our legs felt like lead and we could barely lift our feet enough to get them off the ground. I remember finishing that race and just being in so much pain. I had to walk to the trax station which was maybe 20 yards away and just looking at it I almost started crying.
Fast forward a year and seeing my brother-in-law sign up for the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I had wanted to do the half in 2012 but by the time I heard about it, it was already sold out. So I told myself I'd register this year.
The only thing I can think is that it must be like childbirth, during the process it's the worst thing ever, but you forget about all that and just want to do it again. Of course with childbirth you have a beautiful little baby at the end, and with a half marathon I get... a beautiful little medal.
The reason I decided to do this one is because it's all downhill... that appeals to me very much. I don't know if I'll ever do a flat one again, but downhill is a good friend of mine.
Anyway this morning was the race. Last night I set my alarm for 3:45 and thought to myself, "Why? Why do I do this crap?"
I knew the last bus would leave to take people to the starting point at 5:00. I am someone who is anal about being on time, and especially if it's something like this. So I woke up at 3:45, got ready, left around 4 and got to Cottonwood High School at about 4:15. I decided to take the first bus I could which got me to the starting point at about 4:40. The race started at 6:45... So I just got to stand there, for two hours in the freezing cold. Super fun.
From here I'll tell you my thought process throughout the race. The marathon started 8 miles higher than the half marathon so I would see their mile markers a little bit before my own.
Mile marker 8 (Full Marathon): I wish I was at 8 miles already...
Mile marker 1 (Half Marathon): That mile took longer than I'd like... this is gonna be a long race.
Mile marker 9 (FM): I wish I was at 9 miles already...
Mile marker 2 (HM): Is that the elevation or am I just more out of shape than I thought?
Mile marker 10 (FM): If I was at 10 miles, I'd only have three left. I wish I was at 10 miles.
Mile marker 3 (HM): I just have to do that 4 more times... plus a mile... I'm not feeling this book I'm listening to.
Mile marker 11 (FM): I wish I was at mile 11.
Mile marker 4 (HM): I'm feeling pretty good... just do that 3 more times... plus a mile.
Mile marker 12 (FM): I'd only have one mile left.
Mile marker 5 (HM): almost half way... I think I'll listen to the other book I downloaded. (Jim Gaffigan's "Dad is Fat")
Mile marker 13 (FM): awwww man!
Mile marker 6 (HM): Just about half way... I got this.
Mile marker 14 (FM): I will never run that distance in my life!
Mile marker 7 (HM): More than half way...
Mile marker 15 (FM): Seriously I'll never do that.
Mile marker 8 (HM): Only 5 miles left
Mile marker 16 (FM): Why would anyone do that?
Mile marker 9 (HM): Out of the canyon, that was pretty... I can't believe I ran the whole canyon and my knees and ankels don't hurt! I'm over this book, I'm gonna listen to spotify.
Mile marker 17 (FM): That's just silly
Mile marker 10 (HM): Just a 5k left... I can do a 5k.
(At some point in here the half and full marathons broke off so I'll just give you the HM thoughts)
Mile marker 11: At this point in the last half I pretty much wanted to die... but I'm feeling alright, guess training was a good idea.
Mile marker 12: Holy crap... one more mile. My legs are feelin pretty heavy.
Mile marker 13: Thank heaven... I can see the finish line.
I see the finish line and I'mma runnin. I hear my named yelled and I see my dad with his phone (taking video) and my brother-in-law Brock, who finished about 50 minutes before me. I'm all smiles and I cross the finish line at 2:25 which was 5 minutes faster than my goal and 10 minutes faster than my PR. I see my momma there and she gives me a big hug, I get my medal and I realize, I don't wanna die... I felt great. Yes my legs were tired, but my joints didn't hurt, I wasn't cramping and I knew I wanted to do that race again.
The only thing was I wish Jennie woulda been there with me. I did my other two half marathons with her, so to me they are "our thing". I text her after and told her it wasn't the same without her and I think I'll be able to get her to do it with me next year.
Half Marathon #3 is in the books!
This is me and my friend/former landlord Julie. I saw her in the beginning of the race and then again at the end.
Brock and me after the race.
Aaaaand the main reason I do these races, the medal at the end. (Sure sure, I like the exercise and personal achievement, blah blah blah)
Fast forward a year and seeing my brother-in-law sign up for the Big Cottonwood Marathon. I had wanted to do the half in 2012 but by the time I heard about it, it was already sold out. So I told myself I'd register this year.
The only thing I can think is that it must be like childbirth, during the process it's the worst thing ever, but you forget about all that and just want to do it again. Of course with childbirth you have a beautiful little baby at the end, and with a half marathon I get... a beautiful little medal.
The reason I decided to do this one is because it's all downhill... that appeals to me very much. I don't know if I'll ever do a flat one again, but downhill is a good friend of mine.
Anyway this morning was the race. Last night I set my alarm for 3:45 and thought to myself, "Why? Why do I do this crap?"
I knew the last bus would leave to take people to the starting point at 5:00. I am someone who is anal about being on time, and especially if it's something like this. So I woke up at 3:45, got ready, left around 4 and got to Cottonwood High School at about 4:15. I decided to take the first bus I could which got me to the starting point at about 4:40. The race started at 6:45... So I just got to stand there, for two hours in the freezing cold. Super fun.
From here I'll tell you my thought process throughout the race. The marathon started 8 miles higher than the half marathon so I would see their mile markers a little bit before my own.
Mile marker 8 (Full Marathon): I wish I was at 8 miles already...
Mile marker 1 (Half Marathon): That mile took longer than I'd like... this is gonna be a long race.
Mile marker 9 (FM): I wish I was at 9 miles already...
Mile marker 2 (HM): Is that the elevation or am I just more out of shape than I thought?
Mile marker 10 (FM): If I was at 10 miles, I'd only have three left. I wish I was at 10 miles.
Mile marker 3 (HM): I just have to do that 4 more times... plus a mile... I'm not feeling this book I'm listening to.
Mile marker 11 (FM): I wish I was at mile 11.
Mile marker 4 (HM): I'm feeling pretty good... just do that 3 more times... plus a mile.
Mile marker 12 (FM): I'd only have one mile left.
Mile marker 5 (HM): almost half way... I think I'll listen to the other book I downloaded. (Jim Gaffigan's "Dad is Fat")
Mile marker 13 (FM): awwww man!
Mile marker 6 (HM): Just about half way... I got this.
Mile marker 14 (FM): I will never run that distance in my life!
Mile marker 7 (HM): More than half way...
Mile marker 15 (FM): Seriously I'll never do that.
Mile marker 8 (HM): Only 5 miles left
Mile marker 16 (FM): Why would anyone do that?
Mile marker 9 (HM): Out of the canyon, that was pretty... I can't believe I ran the whole canyon and my knees and ankels don't hurt! I'm over this book, I'm gonna listen to spotify.
Mile marker 17 (FM): That's just silly
Mile marker 10 (HM): Just a 5k left... I can do a 5k.
(At some point in here the half and full marathons broke off so I'll just give you the HM thoughts)
Mile marker 11: At this point in the last half I pretty much wanted to die... but I'm feeling alright, guess training was a good idea.
Mile marker 12: Holy crap... one more mile. My legs are feelin pretty heavy.
Mile marker 13: Thank heaven... I can see the finish line.
I see the finish line and I'mma runnin. I hear my named yelled and I see my dad with his phone (taking video) and my brother-in-law Brock, who finished about 50 minutes before me. I'm all smiles and I cross the finish line at 2:25 which was 5 minutes faster than my goal and 10 minutes faster than my PR. I see my momma there and she gives me a big hug, I get my medal and I realize, I don't wanna die... I felt great. Yes my legs were tired, but my joints didn't hurt, I wasn't cramping and I knew I wanted to do that race again.
The only thing was I wish Jennie woulda been there with me. I did my other two half marathons with her, so to me they are "our thing". I text her after and told her it wasn't the same without her and I think I'll be able to get her to do it with me next year.
Half Marathon #3 is in the books!
This is me and my friend/former landlord Julie. I saw her in the beginning of the race and then again at the end.
Brock and me after the race.
Aaaaand the main reason I do these races, the medal at the end. (Sure sure, I like the exercise and personal achievement, blah blah blah)
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
So... I'm Psychic.
So... almost exactly 6 years ago I had a dream.
In my dream my brother Nolan was sitting there with a baby on his lap, his baby. At this point in time he and his wife Treo hadn't had any kids. I called him the next day and said, "So... I had a dream that you had a baby, anything you want to tell me?" He laughed, I laughed and he assured me that they were not expecting a baby.
Three months later it was almost Christmas and I had another dream. This time the dream was that Nolan and Treo announced that they were pregnant as a Christmas present to my parents. In the dream they told me that they were pregnant the first time I called, but they wanted it to be a surprise.
That night Nolan and Treo arrived from St George for the holiday and I told them of my second dream and again we all just laughed.
Christmas morning after all the presents had been opened, they handed one more to my parents. What do you know, a framed picture of an ultrasound, they were pregnant. They told me that they found out the day I called them about my first dream.
So, basically, I'm psychic.
(Don't worry that every time I have a nightmare it sends me into a panic)
In my dream my brother Nolan was sitting there with a baby on his lap, his baby. At this point in time he and his wife Treo hadn't had any kids. I called him the next day and said, "So... I had a dream that you had a baby, anything you want to tell me?" He laughed, I laughed and he assured me that they were not expecting a baby.
Three months later it was almost Christmas and I had another dream. This time the dream was that Nolan and Treo announced that they were pregnant as a Christmas present to my parents. In the dream they told me that they were pregnant the first time I called, but they wanted it to be a surprise.
That night Nolan and Treo arrived from St George for the holiday and I told them of my second dream and again we all just laughed.
Christmas morning after all the presents had been opened, they handed one more to my parents. What do you know, a framed picture of an ultrasound, they were pregnant. They told me that they found out the day I called them about my first dream.
So, basically, I'm psychic.
(Don't worry that every time I have a nightmare it sends me into a panic)
Sunday, September 8, 2013
6 month mark
I have now lived in Arizona for 6 months. That was a big marker for me from day one... "I just have to give it 6 months." "In 6 months everything will be different." "In 6 months everything will be better..." and so on and so forth.
When I think of where I was 6 months ago, I really have come a long way. I still feel very much like a newb here, but I also know this place so much better.
I moved into a new apartment in August, which has been really great. I've said time and time again that I really feel like the first 5 months of living here was just in preparation for everything else that will happen from here on out. The house that I first lived in here was great, I had great roommates, but it never felt like home to me. I never felt like I belonged there. I felt the same way about the ward. I just didn't belong. That being said it was a fine place to start. The apartment I live in now feels like where I am supposed to be. The ward felt like home the first day there. I have a great roommate who I get along with so well. If we don't see each other for too long we'll always sit on either her or my bed and just discuss recent events, mainly talking about dating and the latest happenings. I love just having one roommate!
Work is getting better. THAT took a long time. When I moved here I just transferred positions within the same company, but the office I moved to didn't really have a position for me. I am completely grateful that they brought me over anyway, but it was a rough few months with NOTHING to do all day. They finally moved me to being an assistant to 2 different loan officers, which is a position I think I could excel at. Unfortunately the summer months are always really slow in the mortgage biz so I still had little to do. Recently I just took on another loan officer and business is starting to pick up. I was just thinking today as I was driving home from St George, that I feel like I'm finally starting to be comfortable in my position. I'm finally starting to feel competent again. I am someone who feels like I have to be the best at what I do. In Sandy, I was that person. I was the go to person, I was an asset, and I knew it. I have NOT felt that way here and I've hated that. I finally feel like I'm starting to get in my groove, and though I am far from being the best, I do feel like it's in my future.
Music is still a challenge here. I so miss singing in with Mountain Blue and Friends of Spencer,I think about it all the time. I miss being known as a singer. I miss being known at all. I have sung at a fireside, a Diamondbacks game and in church twice... in 6 months... that's it. I'm used to singing 2-3 times a month. I sang in my ward a couple of weeks ago and it was like the highlight of my life here. I felt like myself again. I miss that so so much. It honestly breaks my heart that I don't do it more, I can honestly say that has been the hardest part about my life here. I miss my family terribly, but I have seen them almost once a month, but singing... singing I haven't been able to be consistent with. Singing has been my solace since I was a kid and I don't have that outlet here. Singing is where I feel like I am at my absolute best and I miss that feeling.
It's still surreal to me that I live here. Driving home from St George and getting on the freeway to go South instead of North was weird. It feels right, I know I'm doing the right thing, but sometimes I just think, "Man I really moved to Arizona, I really live there now, and have for 6 months!" I still don't have any timeline as to when I'd move home, and truth be told I have no desire to ever live in Utah again as a single girl. Utah will always be my home and I want to end up there one day, but for now, I'm an Arizonan.
What will the next 6 months hold?
When I think of where I was 6 months ago, I really have come a long way. I still feel very much like a newb here, but I also know this place so much better.
I moved into a new apartment in August, which has been really great. I've said time and time again that I really feel like the first 5 months of living here was just in preparation for everything else that will happen from here on out. The house that I first lived in here was great, I had great roommates, but it never felt like home to me. I never felt like I belonged there. I felt the same way about the ward. I just didn't belong. That being said it was a fine place to start. The apartment I live in now feels like where I am supposed to be. The ward felt like home the first day there. I have a great roommate who I get along with so well. If we don't see each other for too long we'll always sit on either her or my bed and just discuss recent events, mainly talking about dating and the latest happenings. I love just having one roommate!
Work is getting better. THAT took a long time. When I moved here I just transferred positions within the same company, but the office I moved to didn't really have a position for me. I am completely grateful that they brought me over anyway, but it was a rough few months with NOTHING to do all day. They finally moved me to being an assistant to 2 different loan officers, which is a position I think I could excel at. Unfortunately the summer months are always really slow in the mortgage biz so I still had little to do. Recently I just took on another loan officer and business is starting to pick up. I was just thinking today as I was driving home from St George, that I feel like I'm finally starting to be comfortable in my position. I'm finally starting to feel competent again. I am someone who feels like I have to be the best at what I do. In Sandy, I was that person. I was the go to person, I was an asset, and I knew it. I have NOT felt that way here and I've hated that. I finally feel like I'm starting to get in my groove, and though I am far from being the best, I do feel like it's in my future.
Music is still a challenge here. I so miss singing in with Mountain Blue and Friends of Spencer,I think about it all the time. I miss being known as a singer. I miss being known at all. I have sung at a fireside, a Diamondbacks game and in church twice... in 6 months... that's it. I'm used to singing 2-3 times a month. I sang in my ward a couple of weeks ago and it was like the highlight of my life here. I felt like myself again. I miss that so so much. It honestly breaks my heart that I don't do it more, I can honestly say that has been the hardest part about my life here. I miss my family terribly, but I have seen them almost once a month, but singing... singing I haven't been able to be consistent with. Singing has been my solace since I was a kid and I don't have that outlet here. Singing is where I feel like I am at my absolute best and I miss that feeling.
It's still surreal to me that I live here. Driving home from St George and getting on the freeway to go South instead of North was weird. It feels right, I know I'm doing the right thing, but sometimes I just think, "Man I really moved to Arizona, I really live there now, and have for 6 months!" I still don't have any timeline as to when I'd move home, and truth be told I have no desire to ever live in Utah again as a single girl. Utah will always be my home and I want to end up there one day, but for now, I'm an Arizonan.
What will the next 6 months hold?
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