Bike Ride Date in the Canyon!

Ha.  You were probably thinking this was a date with a NON-RELATIVE boy, but guess what... my most enjoyable dates seem to be with my nephews, dad, or brother.  So... until some magical boy decides to show up for me, I'll continue to have fun with the current men in my life.

I LOVE MY FAMILY!

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day to go biking in Provo canyon.  The leaves have changed, the skies were blue, and it really felt like a warm, summer day!  I loved it.  Everything around us was beautiful.

We rode from the mouth of the canyon up to Vivian Park, which only took us about 32 minutes.  Not bad at all!  For some reason I had been expecting it to be much farther away and wasn't sure how physically exhausted I would be.  Obviously I psyched myself out, because this ride was great!  A good, steady uphill, which meant a fun and easy downhill the whole way back.

We hung out at the park for an hour or so-- if only we'd been able to strap a frisbee to our bikes!  It was perfect weather and I was itching to play.  But instead, we talked about my pathetic financial situation and Nathan gave me a good "Personal Finances 101" session and many helpful hints.  He's supposed to e-mail me with a summary of what we talked about (*ahem Nathan*) so I can remember all his good advice and really put it to use.  I appreciate his knowledge, experience, and expertise in an area where I definitely could use some help!  There's nothing like discussing your finances with your brother who's 6 years younger than you. :)

I was so happy the leaves were so colorful!  The mountains were so bright and vibrant.

I paid careful attention to the trail and the uphill/downhill portions because this is the very course I will be running for the half-marathon in 2 weeks!  I really love that the majority of the trail is lined with color-changing trees, or the Provo River gushing along.  It was peaceful and lovely.  I just hope I can enjoy it that much when I'm running.  Even on my bike, towards the end, I could fore-see where my "I'M SO EXHAUSTED" points will be, and where I'll have to tell myself to just keep pushing it because the end is in sight.  

Action shot of Nathan.  Yee haw.

Overall, we had a fantastic adventure.  There were all kinds of people out-- bikers, runners, walkers, roller-bladers (Yay!  I'm not the only one!)  Long-boarders, etc.  But for most of the ride we could just stay side-by-side and chat away about life.  Nathan and I have always been close friends-- even when we were little-- I was always on his side. :)  I'm glad we're still good buddies.  I think we need to do these kinds of outings more often.  

It was a good day!

NOT READY for Half-Marathon

Here's the thing.  I'm stressing out over this Halloween Half-Marathon, only I'm really trying not to let the rest of my body know that I'm stressed.  Otherwise, I'll be on the toilet for the next 2 weeks. :)  So how do I handle this situation?  That stresses me out too-- trying not to be stressed.

After the Red Rock Relay I was in a good running groove and I felt confident about officially registering for the race, and paying the $45.  Then I got sick-- the kind of sick where you wish you could just cut your own head off to feel better.  But the worst part is I missed 2 weeks of running... the very 2 weeks that I'd planned to run like crazy and really build up my mileage. 

One of the sick weeks was the week after Cassity had surgery for a deviated septum in her nose, so it was like my facial/nasal pain was shadowing her's.  The second sick week for me was after Heather had her baby and she was actually very sick, herself-- even spent a few nights in the hospital-- so the timing of me not feeling well was terrible.  I tried my best to still be supportive and helpful to those around me.  But I'll be the first to admit that I am a huge WHIMP when I get sick.  Such a whiner and complainer.

Yesterday was the first day I'd gone running since the sickness phase.  I did an easy 45 minutes in 10/1 intervals. That means I'd run 10 minutes, walk 1 min, and repeat until I'd gone for 45 minutes.  It felt good.  This morning I didn't have a lot of time, so I did the 10/1 interval routine for a little over 30 minutes.  So as great as it is that I'm running and feeling healthy again... this girl is NOT ready to go bust out a 13.1 mile run!

(The infamous shoe that will take me to the finish line)

Naturally, this should be the week that I do a long run... like 9 or 10 miles.  After going a couple weeks without running at all, the thought of suddenly running 10 miles just makes me want to barf.  And it physically makes my legs feel weak just thinking about it.  Lame, I know. 

I have plans to go on a long bike ride with my brother on Saturday... probably not the best day to squeeze in a long run as well.  So at this point, I'm planning (and hoping) I can do a 10 mile run on MONDAY.  Monday morning would be ideal, but we all know I'm not a morning person.  On the other hand, who wants to run 10 miles at night running towards car headlights?  Such a tough decision.  I'm just crossing my fingers and hoping I can bust it out. 

Next week is the last week I can really push it and train hard;  then that last week in October needs to be a "resting" period, with maybe one or two small runs so my body is up to par for the big race on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29th.

Wish me luck!!!

p.s.  I won't even mention the part about trying to decide if I should run "in costume" or not.  That's just unnecessary stress I don't want to have.

GOLDFISH CRACKERS

My Greatest Weakness

(I seriously cannot eat enough of these!)

Week 3-- Master's Program

Here I am in the student center after my class at University of Phoenix.  Usually it is around 9:30pm at this point, but tonight the instructor let us out at 7:45pm.  What a blessing!!  I haven't been feeling very well AND we have a 10 page paper due next week, along with an oral presentation.  This past week was stressful, emotional, and exhausting, so now I only have 1 week to do everything and it's a little overwhelming.  But the instructor felt like we all could use this extra time to work on our papers, and after observing us doing our interactive "interviewing" with other classmates, she thinks we're good to go for now.  THANK YOU. 

I was looking forward to coming to class today because I feel on track with everything and engaged in what I'm learning. Usually, in high school or at BYU, I hadn't finished reading the assignment or didn't quite understand what we were learning, so I never felt quite up to par in class.  But I have more confidence now-- at least FOR NOW-- and I don't dread coming to class.  That might change in a few months :)  but so far everything is good.

We took one of those personality tests to see which category you fit in, and how you might interact with other "colors" of people.  It's a 10 question survey called REAL Colors (Orange, Green, Blue, Gold) and you have to number your preference for the different options they give you for answers.  After taking the test and tallying up my points, I learned that I am very much a BLUE person. Last week, when my instructor was telling us about it, she casually added that she would assume that I am an ORANGE person.  I wasn't sure what that symbolized, but my second dominant color is ORANGE, which I am happy about.  BLUE is very much an emotional person-- someone who is empathetic, dependable, cares about others, etc.  ORANGE is active, spontaneous, free-spirited, adventurous, etc.  It made me happy to think that my instructor pin-pointed me as an ORANGE person last week-- she must see my personality shining through.  :)  The majority of us were BLUE people in the class;  3 others were GREEN, which are more logical, organized, etc.  Something I am totally not. :)

We talked about a few other personality tests and what we can learn from them, and how they help us work with others.  This is the kind of information I need to include in my paper.  I also need to explain why I chose to go into counseling, what skills I have, what personality traits do counselors need to have, what my day will be like as a school counselor, etc.  So it's actually kind of a "fun" paper because I get to make it personal, but of course it still needs to be in APA format and I need to use references, etc.  If I just set my mind to it and start writing NOW... I'll be okay.  That's my plan:  after this blog post I am just going to start typing and see what comes of it. 

Anyway, we also practiced interviewing each other and applying those 5 basic skills that we learned about last week.  I liked being able to watch others as we took turns playing the role of the interviewer, client, or observer.  One girl even cried in her role as the client because she's had a hard week and really was just being herself.  It made us all cry too.  Oh, look at us BLUE emotional people who care about others. :)  I usually don't like role play stuff, but it's necessary to learn.  It's like being in the MTC or participating in mission district meetings.  Initially, you don't really want to role play, but once you've done it, you were probably touched by the Spirit and felt better afterward.  So that's how I felt about the interviews tonight.

This Portfolio class is half over.  These first 3 weeks were the "soak it all in" period of what we're learning.  These last 3 weeks will be more intense, as 2 more instructors will join us and will observe us and evaluate and assess whether or not we are fit to begin the actual counseling program. It's a pass or fail decision. I feel confident that I'll be fine, but it's still nerve-racking to know people are watching you!  I will need to "dress for success" next week, bring my 10 page paper, and have a nice 5 min. presentation with some kind of visual.  I'll be thinking of something creative... and in the mean time I need to get started on this paper.

Wish me luck!

Week 2-- Master's Program

Today was a great day.  I'm so relieved!  After this second class I feel much more confident and capable in being successful in the school counseling program.  At first I sat there for a while, feeling somewhat frustrated that I don't have my "class buddy" to chat with or hang out with during the dinner break.  As I mentioned last week, my partner to work with is the only guy in the class.  He doesn't talk.  Like, ever.  Not because he's a jerk or anything... he just doesn't talk.  So as everyone else around us is chattering and laughing, I'm sitting next to a tree stump who doesn't respond much if I even try to make conversation.  So I just don't.  I wondered today if I should just sit somewhere random next week.  There's no assigned seating, but it's one of those things where people kind of have "their seats" now and it's an unspoken agreement that we will continue sitting in "our seats."  I like the location of my seat... right in the center of our little group of 10 people, but I wish I was at a table with someone else.  No offense to the quiet guy.  (Turns out he is married with 4 kids, so I guess I have to give him a break and just think of him as a quiet Dad trying to advance his career.  Good for him.)

So anyway, I was feeling a little slumpish at the beginning of class today.  Luckily that changed.

Somewhere in the course of 3 hours, I blossomed a little and found myself.  We split up into groups and did a little "teaching" in our groups and explained the different skills we were learning. Luckily a chattery girl joined me and Quiet Guy so there was more energy flowing in the group. The thing I love is that so far, everything we're learning is 100% applicable to my job at the Boys & Girls Club.  Either "I've been there, done that" or it's a skill I am totally going to try out on the teens.  It's easy for me to grasp these concepts and embrace them.  The information isn't useless or hard to understand.  I like it. 

Then our instructor assigned us each one of those skills we'd just discusses, and we were to do an oral presentation on our specific skill.  We had 30 minutes for a dinner break and we would all do our presentations when we returned. 

Here's the thing.  I stress out big time over little things like this.  Not just in the moment, but like this WHOLE DAY I was nervous and anxious for this oral presentation.  I didn't know what we'd be presenting on so it's not like I could practice or anything.  I just knew it was coming, and that stressed me out.

So in my 30 minutes of dinner break, eating an apple instead of going somewhere with the fun, chattery people, I took my notes and practiced my presentation out loud.  Outside.  It was fun.  That's how I've learned to do my "talks" in church.  I just sit on my bed and start talking and see how things flow.  Then I can go back and change what I didn't like, or recognize that my introduction was lame, and do it again.  So there I was, outside in the dark, talking to myself.  A few people walked by; I tried to act normal. :)  But once I'd gone over my little presentation enough to feel good about it, I walked back inside and was confident I would do okay.  I had 5 minutes to spare. 

My topic was the first skill used in basic interviewing: "Attending Behavior," which basically addresses the need to show genuine interest in the client, make it all about THEM and not YOU, and provide an atmosphere that will help them feel comfortable and allow them to freely express their thoughts.  The 3 main ways to do this are:  physical posture (sit comfortably and be natural), eye contact, and verbal communication to let the client know you're listening and interested.  So that's the basic idea of the info I was sharing in my presentation.

So there were 5 people that went before me.  Each person shared their presentations on one of the 5 skills, so another girl presented the same skill that I had been assigned.  I like this girl a lot-- she reminds me of the girl on 500 Days of Summer & Elf (Zoey something).  Anyway, as outspoken and chipper as she is during class, she was super nervous and flustered during her presentation.  It surprised me... but it also helped me relax a little and think, "Okay, I can do this."  The instructor and all classmates were evaluating each presenter, and then we shared our comments right after their presentation-- pro's and con's.  I have no problem raising my hand and sharing feedback & comments, and I liked being able to speak openly during this portion of class. It felt good seeing my instructor nod her head in agreement when I shared the things I had observed, etc.  (I'm finding that I am very much a "seeker of approval" from my authorities, when it comes to stuff like this.  I don't kiss up or try to be the teacher's pet... it just helps to have that kind of comfort when the teacher confirms that you're on the right track, or you're doing well).

So finally it was my turn.  I was nervous of course, but I was excited to present my portion because I had prepared a more fun and enthusiastic approach to the assignment, more-so than those who had already presented.  I was confident and happy and didn't use any notes at all.  I glanced at my instructor a few times (right in front of me) and she had a huge smile on her face.  (phew!) I really had fun up there, and "showed" the class all the aspects of the skills I was presenting on.  --being physically comfortable (not folding your arms), making eye contact (but not too much or that gets creepy), and responding verbally to what the client is saying.  I had an intro, an "outline," and a solid conclusion.

When I finished, everyone immediately clapped and I took a cheesy little bow. I'm not telling you this to brag or to throw myself into the #1 spot.  I just want to describe the change in my confidence that took place from the beginning to end of class today.  The first comment on my presentation was 500 Days Girl.  She said, "How did you DO that?!  It was flawless!"  Another girl loved how energetic and engaging I was.  Another said I just totally boosted the energy level in the room and everyone was happier.  Another said she only heard the word "Um" once, but it still flowed and wasn't an issue.  It felt good. 

I have "post-presentation nerves"... meaning I usually shake or tremble more AFTER the presentation (or talk at church) than during the actual moment of speaking.  It's weird.  So I sat down in my seat, feeling very proud of myself, and was shaking quiet a bit.  I could also feel that my neck and face were probably bright red, but I can't help that, unfortunately.

But here is my concluding thought:  Everyone was so complimentary and "in awe" of this random presentation of mine.  I think it was a great opportunity for me to show them who I am and what I can do... and hopefully they'll want me to be in their group when it comes time to do group presentations and what not.  Don't let me be with Quiet Guy just by default!

Also, one girl said I should be a motivational speaker, bless her heart.  I told her I always get so nervous, but somehow it usually turns out okay.  *Ding!*  I'll consider it a blessing.

So overall conclusion to WEEK 2-- loved it.  I like what I'm learning, which is basically just very general info to see if we can apply it and show that we're capable of really sticking it out in the actual school program.  We have one more week of info to soak in;  then the last 3 weeks are evaluation periods and 2 more instructors will join us to observe.  Kind of intense!  As much as I stress ahead of time... things usually turn out okay.

I just need to keep telling myself that. :)

Honesty is Always the Best Policy

See this car?

See the shiny silver paint?

See the BMW symbol?

Feel the expensive value?

Now pretend you are just getting into your car and the wind blows your door wide open and "thud"... it hits that shiny, silver car.

First reaction:  Check for a mark.

Results:  Yes, there's totally a mark.  A white smudge from the paint of your own car, along with a tiny dent where it hit.

We'll call this a slight "ding."

Crap.  Now what?

Result:  Vigorously start rubbing the white mark off the silver car... only all of your efforts are going absolutely no where.  Lick your finger; keep rubbing... rub harder!  Nope, still nothing.

Still crappy.

Leave a note?  You're poor! You have no money!  This rich car person will suck your bank account dry if they want to totally fix this "ding" and get all their money's worth.  You can't handle that.

Result:  Drive away and feel totally guilty.  You know you can't just leave it like that.  You assume the owner of the car is at the park playing softball, but you don't know how to find the owner.  You assume the car will be there for another hour, so you keep driving.  You call a few "life line" friends to seek advice, and finally one friend has a good answer:

"Call David."  He's your State Farm insurance guy.  Also your brother-in-law, which makes it even better!  

By the time he calls you back, you've driven 10 minutes away to visit your sister and her brand new baby.  You tell David what happened and ask for his "professional advice" on what to do.  Is a ding really all that bad?  Will this BMW person go crazy on you?  David's suggestion is to leave a note with your phone number.

Dang.  You knew you'd have to do that.

Luckily there is still someone at work where you originally left.  You call him, dictate the note he is to write on a post-it, and ask him to leave it on the nice, shiny, silver BMW with a white smudge on their door.  Then you hope that person never calls.

Change Scene.

It's the next morning.  Your phone rings and it's not a number you recognize.  You suddenly realize BMW person never called last night... but this is probably them.  You let it go to voice mail and wait anxiously.  A few minutes later you feel totally nervous and listen to the voice mail that was left most likely by the BMW person.

Voice mail:

(A nice, friendly lady voice)

"Hi, this is __________, the owner of the BMW last night.  I wouldn't worry about it. Yeah, it left a ding, but I know accidents happen so it's fine.  Call me if you want to talk more or have any questions."

RELIEF!!!

You feel SOOOOO happy and SOOOO glad you did the right thing by leaving the note.  Otherwise you would be haunted the rest of your life thinking, "WHAT IF?" and wondering if that BMW person is hating your guts, trying to hunt you down.

But you were honest.  You owned up to your mistake.  And you were blessed with a kind BMW owner who made your day.

You call the nice BMW lady back and thank her for her kindness.

Congratulations.  :)

Rockin' Out on the Drums

We took this video at my Mission President's home.  

I 'd played the weekend before at our mission reunion and was totally nervous.

This night I came more relaxed and ready to just have fun!  :)

I can't remember the exact moment of wanting to play the drums, or deciding to play the drums.  All of a sudden, there I was in 6th grade, playing simple beats on a practice pad at home, and enjoying the concert band in Junior High.  My elementary school choir director, Mary Wilmer, let me borrow a simple drum set she had, and we kept it in Nathan's room.  I practiced and had fun, and remember using my drumsticks to hit anyone on the hand or wrist if they tried to come in and mess me up.  (Haha!  That's terrible!)

Anyway, my mom played the drums in her younger years and taught me a valuable skill:  how to properly do a drum roll.  It involves letting each stick fall and "bounce" or "vibrate" on the drums naturally and gradually moving the sticks faster and faster until each movement connects with the next into a nice, smooth roll. :) 

I have no idea how I ever learned to play the drum set.  It takes more skill than just pounding out a single rhythm and reading music in concert band.  But I'm so glad I learned how!  It's super fun. :)

I played the drums in Jazz Band in 8th grade and all through high school.  I also switched off playing piano but there were definitely other students who were far more talented than I was.  EXAMPLE:  The star piano player, Alan Chang, now plays and performs with Michael Buble.  So, that's kind of a big deal.  I can't top that! :)  But I loved participating in band with such talented individuals.  It was a privilege and I enjoyed having the "girl drummer" reputation.

My drumming days kind of faded after high school, simply because I didn't have a drum set and went off to college.  I still played piano continually and ended up taking up guitar as my other main instrument.  So after all these years of performances, band directors, concerts, and eventually writing my own songs... Music is definitely a huge part of who I am and I love it.  :)