My Favorite Things

Having a "Favorite Things" list is essential.  As taught in the movie Sound of Music, this list can help through all the bee stings and the dog bites.  So here is a list of a few of my favorite things.

The first time driving in spring with the windows down.  Towels fresh out of the dryer.  Sleeping in.  Long runs in the early morning.  Laughing so hard you cry.  Watching a chick flick.  Successful first dates.  Making eye contact with a cute stranger.  The smell of rain.  First kisses.  Long talks with your roommates.  New shoes.  Driving fast.  New songs.  Chocolate Milk.  Sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag.  The first snow before Christmas.  Seeing a loved one after a long absence.  Getting an A on a hard test.  Chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  Cold milk.  Pie shakes.  Cereal.  Playing pranks.  Finishing a good book.  Reading the Book of Mormon.  A hug from my mom.  Late night talks with my little brother.  Walks on Sunday afternoons.  Summer nights.  Star gazing.  Swim suits.  Bare feet.  The ocean.  Birds singing after a long winter.  Old memories.  Friendships that will always last.  Having a new crush.  Getting a sincere compliment.  Quickly making a new friend.  Winning in a game of cards.  Hearing your parents are proud of you.  Soft blankets.  Sunday naps.  Feeling the Spirit.  Candles.  Pumpkin pie.  Painted fingernails.  Dress shopping.  Spending all day in the sunshine.  Going to the temple.  The movie Sound of Music.

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens...  

N E W Y O R K C I T Y

Part 2
Saturday morning we woke up early and raced.  This race is fun because of how close everyone is to the track.  It's a little 200 meter track, with 2 stories of people all around, cheering.  The race went pretty well, and then we cooled down near the Washington bridge (which we ran across last year).  


I spent the rest of the day with Kendy and Candace.  We had lunch, went shopping (IN A SIX STORY FOREVER 21!!!), and came back, prepared to spend the rest of the night watching chick flicks on TV, pretty much exhausted from the whole trip.  But then we got a text from KDA inviting us to go to the top of the Empire State Building.  Our sense of adventure did not fail us.  It was already 11 o'clock and our curfew with midnight, but luckily we were with our coach, and he extended it.  We walked all the way past Times Square to the Empire State Building, and as soon as I walked in, I couldn't help but think of Elf.  Anyway, apparently there is usually a really long line to go to the top, but we walked right into the elevators.  The top was so beautiful.  The clouds had just parted, and there was 100 percent visibility.  But the most fun part was the wind!  We would jump straight up, and the wind would push us back two feet.  They had to actually close off part of the balcony because it wasn't safe since the wind was so bad.  It was so much fun, and I'm very glad I went, instead of lying in bed watching chick flicks.  


The next morning, we got to sleep in and then go to church.  My favorite part was the ward chorister.  We decided he must be an ex-broadway star, because he sang twice as loud as the entire congregation combined.  Not what we expected from a little 5 foot, 80 year old man.  


After church, Cho invited us to her friend's house for lunch.  On the way home, we had to find the trains home all the way across town, and we made it!  We finally mastered the subway system.  Just in time to go home...


Then, sadly, it was time to pack up and head to the airport, which was crazy in and of itself.  There were soo many people, and I don't think the airport was ready for 50 girls all needing their passes at once.  But we made it onto the airplane and back home to Provo by midnight, 2 a.m. New York time.  Needless to say, it was straight to bed.  


Thank you BYU track for a wonderful time again in New York!  Great job on all the races and I am so excited for a great outdoor season.  

A Feeling Even Better than Jimmer

This week we had a funny assignment from our teacher to buy something for a stranger and blog about their response.  My first reaction was--no! I will not buy something for a boy.  I am not that kind of girl.  But as the week went on, I decided to do it at the basketball game against Utah this weekend.  My friend James and I discussed buying something for someone in the line behind us, or sending candy to another isle.  But then it struck me--who would appreciate this the most.  A bright-eyed little boy.


So at half-time, James and I went into the food court area and got in the cotton candy line, and by the time we got to the front, there was a family of four or five little kids behind us--perfect.  I moved in close to whisper to the young man selling the cotton candy that we wanted this biggest bag of cotton candy to be given to the family behind us.  He seemed very intrigued and agreed to help.  So we paid for the candy and then ran off to stand by the doors and watch.  The mother spoke with the salesman for a moment, and then was given the cotton candy which she handed to her daughter.  The daughter took it in both of her arms (the bag was almost as big as she was) and held it close to her as she walked off, cradling it like her baby.  It was one of the most precious and rewarding things I've done--especially at a basketball game.  

N E W Y O R K C I T Y

PART 1
So this week's adventures were in the great NYC.  We left Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m. so this made for a crazy Monday and Tuesday, but it was definitely worth it.  Our flight was about 4 hours, but the whole process took almost 10, and we finally arrived around 8 p.m. NY time.  And of course being the distance runners we are, the first thing we did was go running-- IN CENTRAL PARK!  It was awesome.  We were pointing out all the Elf and Home Alone references; yes, we're mature and in college.  Then five other girls and I found out they aren't kidding when they say New York pizza is the best.  We went to a little place called Angelo's and it was soo good.  Then it was off to bed, one day down, four more to go.


The next morning we woke up and went running in Central Park again.  After our team meeting, we found the NY Temple and did baptisms- it was amazing.  The temple was so beautiful and the workers loved talking to us.  It reminded me how grateful I am to be on such an incredible team with the best teammates I could ask for.  The rest of the day was spent doing little random things until that night.. LION KING!  A few of the girls and I went to Olive Garden (my favorite) (Original for NY, I know...),  and then we went to see Lion King live on Broadway.  It was breath-taking.  The costumes were dazzling and the singing was incredible.  Rafiki stole the show.  Then we stopped at McDonalds (another original place) because Kendy can never satisfy her sugar craving, especially among most teammates who eat sugar once a year.  


And today after our run, I went walking around with Michaelanne to find used book stores and NYU (which she kept calling NAU and everyone looked at us like we were crazy).  P.s.  For all of you who don't know her, this is a very Mike thing to do; it was great.  We were surprised to find NYU looks just like the rest of New York; there isn't really a campus.  But it was fun to see!  And we are now masters of the Subway system.  We were very proud of ourselves.  Then we came back to the hotel to do homework and watch the DMR.  Our team did so well.  We are qualified for nationals and along with the three-way 5k PR, our meet is going splendid.
OH! And not to forget Sarah (she follows this and would kill me...), a new Armory 1000 meter record!  (She broke her own from last year, by 3 seconds!)  The rest of the girls ran so well and Sarah will be extra cheerful during her Cheer-Meister duties for the rest of the trip.


I am now sitting in my bed writing this, trying not to think too much about my race tomorrow morning.  I race 11 a.m. in the mile, and it will be great.  I am trying to keep a positive attitude.  It really will be a lot of fun; I love racing.  Wish me luck!  Goodnight cyberspace.


P.s. More adventures and pictures to come.