Nashville jest fer kicks and giggles

I've been meaning to post this for a long time, but time got away with me...So here I am. Maybe at some point in the near future I will also include captions for each picture, but this will do for now.

So yes, I went to Nashville! "Why did you go to Nashville, Susie?" Well, honestly just 'cause. My friend, Lindsay and I have had a huge urge to go for at least a year and we finally just buckled down and made it happen. It fits well with my theme of this year: Take the bull by the horns. (ok, I have a lot of mantras and that's one of them).

Highlights of the trip? Waiting 2.5 hours to eat at the Loveless Cafe. Flirting with Parker, our cute southern waiter. 25 hours in the car (no joke). Goofing off and making videos by the Parthenon. Falling asleep at the Honkeytonk. Feeling out of place at the Honkeytonk (No alcohol makes you all too aware of how awkward you feel). Wishing a cowboy would sweep me off my feet at the Honkeytonk (and for all ya'll that have no idea what I'm talking about, a Honkeytonk is like a bar with live music and dancing). Eating loads of biscuits and jam. Playing MASH--Ok, Lindsay played, I watched. Visiting the Andrew Jackson home. Watching the horses warm up at a horse stadium in KY. Sharing a double bed with Michele. Going to El Templo. Taking jumping pictures at the Parthenon. Eating fried chicken. Car dying in boondocks, West Virginia. Wishing a cowboy would sweep me off my feet at the Honkeytonk (wait, already said that.)

See below for some pics, but you get the idea. Nashville was awesome. The memories priceless! 

Life is grand!

You made it to the end, congrats!

I did it!--Again!

Saturday I finished my 3rd half marathon! It was a great experience and it felt good to prove that I could once again run 13 miles straight. Even better, I got to run in my home town with sites that are near and dear to me. So what's in store? Who knows! I will probably run another in the near future but I'm not in any rush either.

For now I'm just proud that I can do hard things. And know that when I'm determined enough, I can accomplish almost anything. Go me!

And while it was "snowing"...

This trip is officially happening...A dream come true! Coming soon June 2013. Can't wait!

The "blizzard" of 2013

This is what got me a day off of work on Wednesday...

I'll take it! #slushquester #perksoflivingontheeastcoast #dcoverreacts

 

three cheers for the old guy

I've always had a tender spot in my heart for old people. When I was a kid, my family and I ventured out to one of our favorite dinner spots, The Hickory Pit in good ole' Oakland, CA. Ok, maybe it was just one of my favorite places. They had good chocolate silk pie, what can I say? Back to the pit. This restaurant was located near a retirement home and  many old people got lunch there. Often I observed all of these old people eating their ribs, baked potatoes, and coleslaw. Sometimes they were alone and sometimes they were with other old folk. Nonetheless, as I watched them, I often teared up. I wondered if they were lonely, if they had family close by, and if they were happy.

All of it is really sappy, I do realize this, but then again it's me, so what do you expect? Stay with me.

That tender spot still exists. After work, I go on my 3-4 mile runs and sometimes I see this old man on my street walk along with his cane. He's bundled up in his winter gear proudly displaying his redskins beanie. I often think how this man has so much determination to walk even when he's so old and even though he barely moves an inch. With his trusty cane, he is outside making his way up and down the hill of our house without fail.

Today was no different. I saw the old guy, my eyes swelled with tears, and I had an epiphany.

It doesn't matter how fast or slow we go, it's just that we keep on trying.

It's nothing new or monumental but it struck me how much the Lord loves this old man and that he's proud of him for taking another small step in the frigid cold. It made me remember how much the Lord loves me and that he's proud of me for still trying. Sometimes I want to give up. Sometimes I wonder why my life track may be slower than others, but I still try. And he's cheering for me because I do. Just like he cheers for the old guy. Hip, hip, hooray!

The end.

RIP Matthew Crawley

I knew it was happening. I mean, my sister did send me the link to the article that Dan Stevens, otherwise known as Matthew Crawley wasn't coming  back to the show before the first episode even premiered. I was prepared for this moment, to say the least.

But I can't help it. The last 2 minutes of the final season 3 episode of Downton Abbey I cried, yelled, grunted and many other unearthly noises were heard. I'm just sad that Matthew, the one character that I really liked from Downton is now gone. Oh well, at least we know he loved Mary forever...bleh.

So here's to you, Matthew.  I miss you already.

Celebrating love in all of its forms.

Happy Valentine's Day! I have to keep with tradition as this is my 5th year of writing on Valentine's Day. I don't really have anything substantial to say except that this year I am celebrating love in all of its various forms. 

Here are a few things that I love right now:

1. Talking to this group of 3-4 girls in my 4th period class about the latest Downton Abbey episode. Priceless.

2. Dressing up as a flapper at school to celebrate the Roaring 20s and dancing to the Charleston.

3. Growing my hair out and wearing red lipstick. See recent profile pic.

4. Living in DC. I have been here for almost 4 years and this city steals my heart. I love the monuments, history, museums, culture, and beauty. I am so blessed.

5. On that same token, having so many friends who I readily rely on. I love going to a gathering and catching up with someone that I have known since birth (shout out to S-dog) then chatting it up with my old mission pals, then reminiscing about the BYU days with some wardees. I have an incredible support system. Thank you all for being my friend!

6. Embracing the bull by its horns. I feel so empowered in my life to become my best self, to be happy in the present, and to embrace opportunities that come my way.

7. My family and their enduring and eternal love. I don't always talk with them, but I think of them often and love them so much.

8. Reading and becoming more cultured. Ok, so I've only really read 2.5 books lately but the culture is starting to flow...

9. Salads with pears, feta cheese, golden raisins, and poppy seed dressing.

10. The overwhelming feeling that the Lord loves me, He has my back, and he is orchestrating some great things in the near future.

What do you love right now? (Audience participation appreciated!)