Jumping off the high dive.

Wow...It has been 20 days since my last post! I thought I was getting waaaaayy better at this. Where did February go? And while your trying to figure that one out...where did the last year go? Or the last FIVE for that matter?! I'm starting to realize that it's true...time does speed up the older we get.

As March begins and yet another birthday approaches, I've started to look inward again. I'm really seeing a pattern...I really do this every year. Where was I last year at this time? What was I doing? What have I done to better myself? my craft? my life? Am I happier? stronger? I know you ask these questions too...maybe it's year round, or January 1st, or (like me) around your birthday...but I sure, or at least I hope I'm not alone. Overall, I can honestly say, I am happier...especially compared to that creative dry spell I wrote about this time last year. We moved into a new place about a year ago, Erik and I have tried new things (like outdoorsy things!), and we have some fun and exciting plans for the future. It is a fun time in our lives and I'm looking forward to the next year...my last year as a twenty-something. It has to be good, right?!

While looking back over this past year, I'm finding there is still one thing that I need to work on. It is the one hurdle that I just can't seem to muster up the courage to jump...I need to focus more energy on making this handmade business happen. It's something that I've dreamed about and chased around for years. I've sold  things through Etsy to family, friends, and a few people I don't know but I know it can be more. I know it can be something. I know I need to do this to feel complete. Yep, I mean in a Jerry McGuire "You complete me" sort of way. I need to catch up with this creative, blown up dream and grab onto it before it's out of reach.

But it's soooo intimidating.

I know there's something in your life too...that thing that you have always wanted to do, that thing you have always wanted to learn, that place you've always wanted to visit or move to, that career you've always envisioned or that non-profit you've always wanted to start. It's that thing that you know, deep deep deep in your heart, that would make your life whole, happy, complete. I'm not talking Roomba Vacuums or a healthy chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, people...I'm talking about your passion.

So now that I have you thinking about that passion of yours...are you following it? are you living it? If you are...you are my personal HERO. But I'm sure most of you are like me...you work hard during the day, you're tired at night, you have a laundry list (and laundry for that matter) of things to do in the evenings and on days off. If and when you have time to find and follow that distant dream, it feels so far away. Sometimes, so far away that you can't see it...maybe you forgot what it even looks like! It seems like a lot of effort, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of work to catch up to it and actually make it happen...and what if it doesn't work out? What if you fail?!

I've heard that 'C' students are most likely to become successful entrepreneurs because they are comfortable with taking risks. I always thought I was a risk taker...I take that back- I liked the idea of being a risk taker. I've tried to be that person...but eventually my stereotypical first born personality traits kick in. I need a plan, I need structure, I need to know that I will succeed, and most importantly, I need to know I will be the best...to put it plainly- I was an 'A' student. I'm pretty sure there was a moment(s) in my middle school and high school career when I cried because I got a 'B', let alone a 'C'.

I guess, busy schedules, fear of failing and fear of the unknown aside...we have to just do it. It may take some time, it may take that last little bit of energy we have left in the evenings...but we have to just make it happen even if it's scary and intimidating. It might be easier for some of us than others but as my wonderful friend Betsy told me, "You survived the high dive even though it took you 45 minutes to jump off."

And with this...I leave you with a pep talk from Kid President.

To Be Continued.....

The Seattle Rock & Roll Half Marathon

Its been a few days since I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon and I can't stop thinking about it. I must still be on a runner's high. I picked up my number and swag bag on Thursday and started to feel really nervous. Its funny how something as simple as a flimsy piece of paper and a set of safety pins can set off such a roller coaster of emotions...I know that sounds silly but this half marathon was something I needed to finish and as a first born and a perfectionist, I needed to finish it with flying colors!

I started the week with a cold and was stuck on the couch on Monday and Tuesday night but that was exactly what I needed to prepare for the 13.1 miles I would be running on Saturday, both physically and mentally. My body rested but it also gave me a chance to come to peace with just finishing, as long as it was under the 4 hour time limit. I decided to give myself a break and just enjoy race day with no pressure. I went on a couple short runs on Wednesday and Thursday and rested on Friday (well, as much as you can rest when you are super excited!). Speaking of Friday......it rained.......ALL DAY....and we had record rainfall. Thankfully, Saturday morning was perfect!

Race day was crazy...from the 6:00am, mile and a half walk to the city center (think Space Needle!) to the estimated 22,000 runners, the bands playing every mile or so, the groups of cheerleaders and random people encouraging runner's along the way...I was completely out of my element and relished every minute of it. I surprised myself and ran the entire way and I finished with a time of 2:20:40. Even though I went into the race that morning not worrying about time, in the back of my head I knew I would be happy with anything under 2:30. If you would have asked me a couple weeks ago if I wanted to keep up with running after the race, I don't know what I would have said. But after the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment I felt on Saturday after I crossed the finish line...I don't know how I could quit. 

And what is a post without photos! Erik tried to take a photo of me close to the finish line but I sprinted up to him, gave him a big kiss, and then ran to the end! Thankfully, there were professional photographers throughout the entire race.

The starting line...it was a little cold that early in the morning!

Yep, the best action photo of me and my ponytail is sticking straight up! 

Crossing the finish line!!!!!!!!!

After crossing the finish line

 So here's the real question....Who's doing it with me next year?!?!?! :)

Its a (half) marathon, not a sprint.

So, I've never really been a runner...well, unless you count 7th grade track and field but I had to quit because I couldn't run track AND be on the Science Olympiad team. I know, a little nerdy, but it was fun and if you knew how well I ran at the time, you would have pushed me towards Science Olympiad too. I played a lot of sports growing up, mainly tennis, but none of them required long distance running. Starting around the age of 6 through high school and some college, I spent summers practicing forehands, backhands, and volleys. I spent many summer mornings sprinting to the net and running drill after drill, learning how to react quickly and move fast. I learned how to follow the opponents body language and move towards the ball before it even hit their racket. I was trained that quickness was key and still thought so until recently, when I decided to put on some running shoes.

About a year and a half ago, Erik and I started writing bucket lists or a 'carpe diem' list (a little more positive spin on it!) and one of the first things I wrote down was the I wanted to run a half marathon. My cousin planted the idea of the Rock 'n Roll half marathon in my head around Christmas and I've been slowly training ever since. The training has been much different than the sprints and drills I was used to. When I started running earlier this year, I had to keep telling myself to pace myself and start slow otherwise I would run fast but not very far. When I first started, my mind would even be racing...I would actually try to think of new things to think about so I didn't get bored and quit mid-run. I've learned to slow my pace and my mind and its becoming more of a stress reliever than a chore. I took tonight off and I have to say, I missed it!

The big race is June 23rd and my goal is just to finish the 13.1 miles, cross the finish line and cross the half marathon off my list of goals. I've enjoyed it quite a bit though and I haven't felt this in shape for a long time. Who knows...maybe this will be the first of many. My race results and photos soon to come!

   

A Night in Vancouver, BC

Erik and I decided to flee the country...ok, so it was only for one night and it was only a two and half hour drive, but it did give us a reason to dust off the old passports. After almost four years in Seattle, we FINALLY made it to Vancouver! We've been talking about going up to Canada since we moved here. It was one of those things we always wanted to do but just never made the plans. About a month ago, I decided we just needed to do it. I booked a night at a cool little hotel a block or so off Robson St. (aka the 'Rodeo Drive of the Northwest'). We had so much fun! We walked around the city, ate amazing food, had a few drinks, took a drive up to Grouse Mountain and just enjoyed hanging out with each other. With just over 24 hours in the city, we barely scraped the surface. I know we'll be back soon!

Our weekend in photos....

The side of our hotel. 

The X-tra large beer on the right is mine...I didn't realize it was going to be THAT big!

A cute narrow building in Gastown...I really just like the flower pots in the window.

A sign in Gastown

Some of our dinner came out with a tiny Hibachi so we could cook it ourselves. 

Later that night we bought a couple bottles of beer and people watched out our window. This is our  'cooler'!

And this is how we opened the bottles...note to self-always carry a bottle opener.

We people watched out our window...it was actually very entertaining!

Sunday morning we drove up to Grouse Mountain.

Cleveland Dam, from our Sunday drive.

From our walk around the dam

I just liked this sign.

More summer adventures....and hopefully some crafting.....to come! :)