Last Week

This little girl turned 2. She is my 11th niece/nephew. And I remember that because she was born on 11-11. Except sometimes I'm not a very good aunt and I forget even though that is so easy to remember! So, I know this little post doesn't make up for not calling little Ailee Anne on her birthday, but maybe one day she'll be able to read this and know that I love her so so much.

I love Ailee Anne because she is just the cutest bundle of joy. I love her little raspy laugh and the way she says "uh-huh" when you ask her a question. I love her little waddle and that she calls me Ie Ling when I talk to her on the phone.

She can instantly bring a smile to my face. Thank you Ailee Anne, for being a source of happiness for me. I love you! Happy 2nd Birthday!

I went on a Picnic

with Blake this week. When Ie Li was in town a couple weeks ago, I babysat baby Mi Na at her in-laws' house and noticed that the park across the street had the most beautiful autumn trees. So, ever since then I've wanted to go back. 

Well, we made it happen this week. Blake packed some really funny and cute food:

Menu: PB & J on blueberry bagels, Keebler peanut butter crackers, baby apples,  oatmeal cream pies,  a cosmic brownie, and some milk. (I added some banana muffins to the mix.)

We ate and talked while the sunset.

Then we made our way to the swings, because I LOVE SWINGS. (Sad side note: This swing has disappeared. I hope someone will put it back. I miss it a lot.) It got dark and cold pretty quick so we made our way back toward home where I continued my night at institute. Then Blake and I reunited at the library. There's nothing quite as awesome as the Harold B. Lee Library. 

There's nothing better than picnics, autumn leaves, parks, swings, and the Harold B. Lee library especially when you get to experience all of them on the same day.

Thank you, Blake, for a wonderful evening at the park.

The Best Halloween Ever

When I was a senior in high school I decided to run cross country to stay in shape for soccer. I've never LOVED running, but I do LOVE the feeling that I get after I do run. My sister, Ie Li, was never a runner, but has recently taken it up in the last few years. And my sister, Ie Mei, trained for and completed her first triathlon. How cool are my sisters?! So, I would say that they've been a great inspiration to me and because of their examples, I decided that I wanted to set a similar goal and accomplish it. So, this summer when I was in Virginia, I researched some half-marathons in Utah and found one that gave me sufficient time for training. 

I remember I was supposed to start training on August 9. Why do I remember that? Because that was the day I got my wisdom teeth pulled. I wasn't feeling that bad and even attempted to go, but then my mom scolded me and said that if my body was trying to heal from running that my mouth wouldn't heal. So, because I decided to take my mom's advice and rest that week, I was already a week behind. 

I started training in September in Provo, but hesitated to sign up for the race because I wasn't sure I could really do it. I decided that if I made it through my 8-mile run, I'd sign up. So one Saturday, I woke up and ran 8 miles. When I got home, I signed up for the Halloween Half-Marathon. 

Well, this past weekend, I completed my first half-marathon. I'm not sure I have the words to really express how amazing it was. Friday night I filled up on pasta and was in bed by 10:30. Saturday morning I was up at 5:50 and put on all my running gear and made my way to University Mall to catch the bus up to Aspen Grove. I talked with a girl my age and her two twin cousins that were running. The two cousins were 13. I was so impressed with them. I can't even imagine running 4 miles at that age. 

It was pretty chilly up at the start, but they had a heated tent to keep us warm. We all lined up at the start and then the gun shot went off. I thought to myself, "this is it, i'm really doing this." I put my headphones in and started my run with my awesome "run, girl" playlist and clutched my hand warmers tight as I started my way down the hill. 

It was perfect weather for running and the scenery was beautiful. Most of the time we ran along the Provo River with beautiful autumn trees covering us. I was grateful for the water stations along the way. I think most of all I was grateful for people along the route cheering everyone on. Even though we didn't know each other, it gave me the happiest feeling and kept my legs moving. I am grateful for the little kids who gave me high-fives. It's amazing what the slap of the hand can do when you're running. 

I remember when I passed the Mile 7 sign. I wasn't sure if that meant that I was beginning my seventh mile or I had just finished the seventh mile, so somehow I just decided that it meant that I was starting my seventh mile. I got to Mile 12 thinking I had two more miles to go and was then pleasantly surprised when I got to Mile 13 and realized that I could easily sprint to the end. 

So, with the finish line in sight, I kicked up my legs and crossed the finish line. It was the most amazing feeling. But even greater than the feeling of completing the race, was that of seeing my wonderful friends at the finish line. I'm not sure why, but as soon as I saw them, I started crying. Happy tears, of course. I'm so grateful for wonderful friends who support me in what I do. Thank you, Kylie, Cassie, Jordan, Ben, and Britton. You're the best!

(I was interviewed for and quoted in the Monday, November 1, 2010, edition of the Daily Universe)

My final time was around 2:04 and it was a great day. I was prepared for the race, but definitely not prepared for the soreness after. I'm pretty sure I walked like a grandma for the two days following, but it was all worth it. And a little shoutout to my mom. Thank you for all the lessons you've taught me my whole life, especially:

If there's a will, there's a way.

You can do anything you set your mind to. 

They're true.