3 Day Christmas Adventures

Hello world! December has been an interesting month and I really haven't had anything to blog about. Since I suck at documenting our adventures with a camera I don't really feel the need to give you a play by play without any visual enjoyment.

That being said, we had a great Christmas. I have been enjoying 5 days off work which is pretty impressive until you talk to my teacher husband who gets 17 days. Double digits people. That lucky SOB.

Christmas Eve was spent at Barts mom's house enjoying lots of food and Christmas jammies! She gets us a new set every year and I love them. I think I have worn the pants everyday and sometimes all day since I got them!

I also made a cheeseball.....FROM SCRATCH!! Believe it. Add gluten free crackers to the mix and BAM I was a pretty happy camper.

Bart didn't think my one amazing cheeseball would be enough so he bought one from the store. Can you tell? Mine looks much tastier right!?!? There was more food than any of us could eat and in the end it was a pretty successful night.
 

Bart woke me up at 6:30 Christmas morning with breakfast. Not just any breakfast but FRENCH TOAST. You guys the fat kid in me just loves this time of year. I havent had French toast for 9 months and it is my favorite breakfast menu item. Bart got gluten free bread and surprised me. It was the bomb.com
 Santa brought us Despicable Me 2 so we watched that/napped before we headed over to my parent's house. 

The Bainum family does Christmas a little differently but it is how I grew up so it's normal for me. We open one present every hour. Then we clean up the wrapping and start the timer for another hour. By 2 or 3pm we get to unwrap the rest and finish everything off with a new book from my dad. This year he gave all the girls "Women and the Priesthood"by Sherri Dew. So far so good. It's much better than my rants about wearing pants and stuff :) 

My parents gave us this beautiful picture of Christ and its my new favorite thing in our home. Isn't it beautiful??? I love spending Christmas at what I still consider "home" with my family. 7 Layer Bean Dip, impossible puzzles, lots of laughs and comfy couches to nap on. It's the best!

Our 3 Day Christmas Adventures continued on the 26th as we headed up to Tremonton to visit Bart's Dad & family. Apparently going shooting is a thing and they are all into it. I tried twice....and cried about my arm...twice. I ended up in the truck with Aggie who was terrified of the gun shots.

My vacation ends tomorrow as I head back to work, but I am feeling refreshed and ready to go. I have spent plenty of time napping and enjoying the couch it's kind of embarrassing..I wasn't feel well yesterday so me and our crappy couch and my Christmas jammies hung out for most of the day.

On Tuesday night/Wednesday we get to celebrate the new year! I love New Years Day and the chance I have to think about the past year's adventures, blessings and life changes. I will do my best to document appropriately.

2 Cents: Anti-Gay, Anti-Christian

We have all seen/read/heard about the drama surrounding Phil Robertson's comments in his GQ interview and I wanted to link to the actual interview/article in GQ magazine because I am embarrassed with how fellow "journalists" are writing about the story.

Am I surprsied that Phil is getting in trouble for what he said? No. Do I approve of punishment for saying what you believe? No. As far as I know he didn't say all gay men should be shipped off to some island and never be seen again. He stated his beliefs. He belives homosexuality is a sin. I also believe homosexuality is a sin. I also believe everyone should be treated equal and should be loved and respected by their fellow men. But that doesn't change what I believe to be right and wrong.

I applaud Phil Robertson for sticking to his beliefs on a national level. For me to say what I believe isn't really a big deal because 12 people read this blog and my opinion isn't national news. For Phil to stick up for what he believes is brave and I have a new level of respect for him.

If you believe homosexuality isn't a sin then I would applaud you for sticking up for your beliefs too. But don't freak the hell out because someone has a different opinion and belief system than you. I don't understand this debate of one group can say and do whatever the hell they want because they are a minority but heaven forbid a Christian stick up for what they have been taught and believe their whole lives. Many Christians believe homosexuality is a sin. Many also believe that everyone is a child of God that deserves respect and love in this life. Those two beliefs don't contradict each other.

To get respect for your beliefs you are going to have to respect mine.

2 Cents: #Multitasking

Hey women! I'm talking to you! Are you a mother? Even better!

Gisele's instagram picture has pissed off a lot of mommies out there..and that pisses me off.

She posted it with #multitasking and many moms are claiming she's not really doing anything, she is letting other people multitask for her.

They say she likes to rub in the fact that she is a supermom and it's hurtful and frustrating and annoying and a stab in the back for all the moms out there who look like they just got hit by a bus and dressed in the dark when they are taking care of their own babies.

I say ya'll are just jealous.

I know I am and I don't even have a little human I have to feed.

Let's be honest, if any of us/you/them were in that situation you would post a pic too! Why? Because instagram is made for narcissistic photos. I have friends who post pictures every.single.day and the only reason behind the post is to brag or show off what is happening. I post pictures like that too. It's now socially acceptable to post a bragging pic about your happy life

..unless you're a supermodel?

So she gets to breastfeed her baby when she's at work getting a mani/pedi/blow out. Get over it. She isn't saying you're a bad mom. She isn't saying all moms should multitask like her. She is just showing you a behind-the-scene pic of her life.

We all need to stop obsessing about photos like these. Give this homegirl a round of applause for looking smoking hot with half a boob out and focus on your own life.

I promise you will do just fine.

MATH, LING & POLS

Summer 2013. MATH 1030- Intro Quantitative Reasoning. Grade: A

That's right ladies and gentlemen..another A in math for Meggie. This A came with plenty of tears and emotional breakdowns but I learned a ton!
I could tell you how much money you would save if your interest rate went from 5% to 5.5%.
I could also tell you if compounding interest monthly or yearly is better for your account.
I could tell you how much interest you are going to pay over the course of a loan and how much you would save if you upped your monthly payments by $100.
This all came in handy since we were applying for a home loan and I knew exactly what we were getting ourselves into. Did you know you will almost pay double what your original loan payment amount is because of interest? I mean most people don't live in the same house for 30 years so it doesn't apply but still, going from a 30 year loan to a 15 year loan would add a few hundred dollars to your monthly payment but take off tens of thousands of dollars (if not hundreds of thousands) off the total amount paid.
Boom. that right there is MATH you guys. I totally got my money's worth in this class. I also ate lots of dark chocolate, cried many tears to Bart and Instagramed my feelings/experiences more with this class than any other.

Fall 2011. LING 3160- Language and Cognition. Grade: B

Ya know how I said earlier that I loved Linguistics? This class slapped me in the face and said NO YOU DONT. It was a ton of reading. Like 100+ pages of reading per assignment. That might not seem like a lot to some of you out there..but when I just have to create a Twitter account or cut a video for my other classes...it seemed like a lot of reading. The semester ended with a 12 page paper on a topic I don't remember anymore. I just remember BSing my way through that paper enough to get a C on it and pass the class. #nailedit.

Spring 2013. POLS 3001- Political Analysis. Grade: A-

What do you get when you combine a 4 hour night class with a boring topic and a foreign teacher? THIS CLASS! The stuff he taught was complicated statistics. Don't let the Political Analysis name fool you..this was straight up numbers and programs...not news stories and opinions. I really liked this professor and I thought he did a great job explaining the concepts.

There was a stupid biotch in this class that I wanted to punch on a weekly basis..but I resisted. She kind of reminded me of myself when I was younger and much more sarcastic. Was I that bitchy girl people wanted to punch in the face?!?! I really hope not and I'm sorry if that was the case.

I learned how you can figure out what is the best way to save money on your gas bill. Three things affect your gas bill..but which choice makes the most impact?  1. amount of installation you have 2. the age/model of your furnace or 3. the temperature outside. According to the research and the statistics it's the temperature outside...not the age of your furnace.. so no need to go buy a brand new appliance to save a few bucks.

JCOM, HEDU & COMM

Spring 2011. JCOM 2160- Intro to Online Journalism. Grade: A

This class was taught my some young dude computer genius and yet I didn't learn a thing. I guess he showed me how to kind of use Photoshop and the very very basic of HTML (so basic that I don't even know what HTML means anymore). A lot of my Journalism/Communication courses could have been so much better! I wonder how much I could have learned...but then I also wonder if I would have ever used it in the real world anyway...

Fall 2011. H EDU 5300- Diversity & Health. Grade: A-

This was my first semester at The U and since I couldn't really get into any classes for my major I stocked up on classes that were higher than the 3000 level so they wouldn't be a complete waste of time and money. It was actually a great strategy because I won't be graduating with extra credits! Go me.

I really liked this class. The professor was a hard-ass-so-you-take-me-seriously type and never really cared when I had a comment to share...but the content was fascinating and it definitely made me think outside the box. It was similar to my History of Sex class because it made me think of my values in a different way. Not bad or good. Just different. I wrote THIS blog post after a particularly interesting day. (The first half of the post is talking about above-mentioned History of Sex class, the second half is about the class I'm currently talking about).

Many of my arguments/differences of opinions with Bart stem from what I learned in this class. Did this class make me a liberal? I don't think so...but it did give me a new way to look at things like poverty and the welfare system and minorities. So Left of me I know.

Spring 2012. COMM 3560- Video Production I. Grade: A

If you have read all of my 122-Hours posts than this class title might look familiar...because I had technically already taken this class but the good ol' U wouldn't accept it. Yay for me! I wish I could tell you I learned more the second time around...but I'm not a liar. In fact, the current class I am in (advanced video editing) further proves that I learned not a whole lot in this beginner course. I barely learned how to check out equiptment. (which is a pain by the way).

We did a major class project where we had to create a video and luckily I landed a pretty cool group. We had the idea of recreating "bad roommate" moments. I had plenty of memories to inspire the script...here it is...don't judge me!
We took the approach that girls never say anything each other's faces..they are just passive aggressive and complain and boys will yell at each other and get over it. Pretty good right?
-Video 101-white balance is a thing.
-Don't act like my karaoke was anything short of genius. 
-p.s. the whole sex scene with Girlfriend was not my idea but apparently it was really funny?
-p.s.s. it was actually pretty fun to film.

THAT Person

I have turned into that person...

the person that buys their dog a $.99 toy in the check out at Walmart (only to have said dog chew it a part in less than a minute. ya..my dog is too bad ass for cheap toys. now I know.)

the person who inhales a cheap bag of potato chips in her car so she doesn't have to share with Bart when she gets home

the person who cuts her own hair and has the stylist shake their head in shame

the person who tells the boys in her life "NO PLAYING FETCH IN THE HOUSE"


#dontjudgeme

Family Photo

Bowen Family 2013

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Mine was spent eating and playing outside and eating and talking and eating. I was a little nervous about my meal but in the end I was able to eat everything I wanted minus the stuffing and rolls. It was delicious! I was even able to find a brownie recipe for dessert. It was so much fun to be in the country with family hanging out and relaxing. Aggie loved it!

Speaking of Aggie....this is our new dog! We rescued him from the shelter last Friday. He has been so much fun and has been too good to be true. He is potty trained, house trained, doesn't bark, does well with other dogs and can play fetch and tug-o-war all day long.

If you know me personally than I know what you are thinking. Has hell frozen over? Feel read to read THIS, or THIS and then call me a hypocrite. I'll be honest with you...I still hate dogs. I really like my dog.  My dog doesn't bark or jump up on me or run off like a crazy person (canine). I never want to act like strangers on the street automatically love my dog. I will always pick up my dog's poop and not leave it for other people to step in. I will give my dog enough attention that it doesn't feel the need to bark all day when we are gone. God must have known I wouldn't have been able to handle a typical dog so he sent me an angel. He is seriously the best!

I actually kind of hate myself for becoming the person that takes more pictures of their dog than their significant other...but I can't help it! he's just so cute...

2 Cents: 4,500 Calories

All week long and especially today I have been hearing all about the calories that are in a Thanksgiving Day meal. After reading THIS article I decided to give you my two cents about it.

Let's be honest...none of us wake up on the last Thursday of November thinking "today I am going to rock my diet". We spend the entire week dreaming of buttery mashed potatoes and extra helpings of stuffing and turkey. We plan on mopping up the cup of gravy we put over the entire plate with a few hot rolls. Milk? Yes please! Green bean casserole fills most of the plate and you finally get the salad on there after your first round. Am I right? This is Thanksgiving Dinner. Who freakin' cares if it amounts to 4500 calories?!? You don't eat this every day and your afternoon nap will help you sleep it off.

So go ahead, have an extra piece of pie and YES put the whipped cream on top. Wear stretchy pants and baggy shirts. Eat until you can't eat anymore and be thankful for what you have. If I hear someone mention they are watching what they eat tomorrow I might punch them in the face. You have 364 other days of the year to do that...this 1 day is a chance to fully enjoy yourself and give thanks....and have seconds.

Thanksgiving Eve

To say Thanksgiving crept up on me this year is the ultimate understatement. Wait...Thanksgiving is tomorrow? WHAT? Since when? The holidays seem to change every year. When I think of Thanksgiving I still think of 7ish hour roads trips to Idaho where we get together with my mom's side of the family. More than 50 people and LOTS of pies.

I love being married. I love my in-laws. I love the holidays. Combining all these things together can be difficult.

I'm also not too stoked about the dinner part of Thanksgiving since I'm still not sure what I will be allowed to eat. I read today that the average person eats 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving....I'm going to go ahead and say I will NOT be a part of that average :(

I guess it's time to start creating memories for this new chapter in my life. Bart and I just decided I will attempt to make pie..his mom's recipe. We'll see how it goes!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

JCOM, JCOM & BIOL

Spring 2009. JCOM 1500- Intro to Mass Communication. Grade: B-

I want to say that I remember this class. That what I learned within the 4 walls of the classroom changed my life forever and paved the way for my future and helped me become what I am today. But that would be a bold face lie...

Spring 2011. JCOM 4350- Special Topics in Communications. Grade: B

They called this class "boot camp". It was a test class to see if it could actually be considered a course one day. Test classes are the best because no one knows what they are doing. There isn't really a clear grading outline, no one knows how to work the technology and the teacher is usually too busy with other things to really care about what is happening. That being said, I learned a ton in this class. It's amazing what happens when adults just chuck you into a pit and say "get out of it" with no real direction or guidance. I was proud of THIS project and I mostly love it because it reminds me of that fun trip. That's the great thing about video..it can capture a moment you want to remember! I didn't get the best grade on it because all the footage was shot within the car. The professor expected me to stage the road trip so I could get better footage. I thought this took away from the authenticity of the video.

My hate-hate relationship with technology blossomed during this class. i learned the hard way that Macs and PC hate each other. I learned a few new swear words.

Spring 2010. BIOL 3030- Genetics and Society. Grade: CR

This was the first and only class that I opted out of the grade. All I had to do was pass and it wouldn't reflect negatively on my GPA. I have never been good at science and this genetics class was a biotch. The teacher was foreign and acted like we were experts in the field. I always found genetics fascinating...just not fascinating enough to understand what I was being taught. But of course my grade would have been a B if I had just accepted the grade...but I had to learn eventually that copping out because you're afraid of a grade isn't going to make the class any easier!

Getting my butt kicked by Jillian Michaels

Jillian Michaels kicked my butt tonight! As I type this my arms are shaky and my husband is grouchy...a good indication that it was a hard work out! I use to hate workout videos. They really are pretty tough for only 20 minutes! But then we moved away from a gym and I would rather stay home than drive across town...and now we do workout videos.

Bart and I have decided to run the Ogden Marathon next Spring and decided we needed to do a little strength training along with our running routine. Tonight was the first night of strength training. I have a feeling we're going to be a bit sore tomorrow!

I have been dealing with an inner battle for the majority of 2013 when it comes to working out and exercising. When I first started my Hashimoto's treatment I had to stop all kinds of physical activity. Short of going on a walk...I was more or less assigned to the couch. I hated it! I missed running with Bart and going to the gym most days of the week. I missed pushing my body and making my muscles hurt. However I quickly got over it and within a month was thoroughly enjoying sitting on the couch. It made sense that I couldn't exercise since I was barely eating enough calories to sustain life (or so it felt)...much less an active one. During my time on the couch I also lost 20 pounds. Why in the world would I want to get off my butt and do something??

Once I got the OK to exercise I didn't go to the gym..I hit the pavement. I started running and really that's all I did. 4 days a week I ran and ran and ran and eventually I ran 13.1 miles. It was awesome! I felt strong and healthy and pretty dang cool. Once the race was over I went back to my couch (literally and figuratively) and it's been hard to get off of it!

I use to exercise and work out because I was worried I would gain weight if I didn't. I didn't feel good about myself if I sat around all day. I felt tired and insecure. Then I was diagnosed with Hashimotos and once I started the treatment I felt amazing-without going to the gym once. See the problem? I no longer gain weight randomly if I don't exercise for a week. I don't feel tired or fat or sluggish. I just feel normal and a bit lazy.

I need to re-train my brain to think of working out as a way to make me stronger-no thinner. a way to prevent injury and become faster. There are so many benefits to regular exercise that has nothing to do with a smaller waist....I just need to remember that when it's time to do something!

Babies

We just found out a member of the family is expecting a baby! Yay! Bart threw a mini fit about it for a few seconds...but he  does that every time we find out one of our friends is pregnant so I'm kind of use to it ;) 

The happy news got me thinking of all the things I do because I don't have any kids. Every time I take a really long shower or go for an extra long run it occurs to me how hard it would be to do these things if I had a baby in my life. 

When Bart and I enjoy our time on the couch watching TV and reading I can't help but think how noisy our house is going to be one day. Bart has the delusion that our future child will just nap right along with him on our crappy couch. I beg to differ. 

I tell Bart he just needs to enjoy time with me because once a baby gets here our world will be turned upside down. He tells me he has had enough alone time. 

And ya know what? I think I have too...

A Blessing

I stumbled upon "The Thankful Project" and love the idea! I am also totally cool with the fact that there is no way in hell I will be blogging every day for any reason. That said, I want to participate throughout the month (and by month I mean the last 16 days of it because I'm a slow starter).

November 14: A Blessing

Just one?? It's so hard to narrow down! I am overwhelmed every day for all the blessings I get to enjoy in my life.

When I read the word Blessing the first thing that pops into my head is "Bart". As I write this he is making dinner- Homemade Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls. Why? Because I can't eat normal Teriyaki sauce. He has fully embraced my health issues and has made everything easier. I am thankful for Bart every.single.day. for the love and service he shows me.
(side note....it smells amazeballs and I'm starving)

25 Before 25

Happy happy birthday to me! I'm 24 which means I'm FINALLY old enough to make a 25 Thing to do Before I Turn 25 list! Yay! Here you are (in no particular order)

1. Graduate college [x]
2. Make something off Pinterest
3. Have a girls weekend with mom and sisters
4. Run 2 half marathons or 1 full one
5. Have a baby (or be prego with one)[x]
6. Pay for a stranger's meal
7. Try 10 new recipes and share them with YOU
8. Write a letter to someone I love [x]
9. Visit a beach
10. Get a raise [x]
11. Go to 3 LDS Temples that we haven't been to yet
12. See the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform live
13. Paint a picture and hang it on the wall
14. Give someone a Book of  Mormon
15. Make a new friend
16. Hike Timp (and learn how to spell out Timp.....)
17. Spend a weekend completely unplugged
18. Eat a piece of cheesecake [x]
19. Read 12 new books (1 book a month-ish)
20. Have a new couple over for dinner
21. Go to a play [x]
22. Go 80's dancing
23. Dominate my Hashimoto's check up/tests [x]
24. Get a legit hair cut (not one I do myself)[x]
25. Learn how to hem pants (because as Bart puts it "I'm 4 feet tall").

Basketball, Football and B-Day Ice Cream

Yesterday at my birthday dinner I couldn't have my free birthday ice cream. I almost cried.

I ate WAY too many potato chips on the road.
(but I don't care too much because I was denied all the goodness of sugar and candy that belongs on a road trip)

"Blink" is a totally interesting book about your subconcious and how we aren't in as much control as we think we are.

Sometimes the only pictures I want to take are selfies with Bart

Here was my weekend: Friday night go to dinner because we have a coupon (booya). Come home to watch Aggie Basketball game. Do homework and laundry. Wake up Saturday and drive to Vegas. Go to Aggie football game. Sleep. Drive home. Go to birthday dinner. Sleep...hello Monday.

I told Bart that going to dinner and then sitting on the couch to watch basketball does NOT count as a date. He looked at me confused and continued to watch the game. Silly boys.

2 Cents- But Really, Marriage Isn't for You

A few days ago a blog post called "Marriage Isn't For You" surfaced on Facebook and made its way across cyber space. Initially it was only positive things being said about this article. When I read it I thought it was great advice. Some of the advice I got in my own marriage ceremony was always focus on the other person's happiness and your own happiness will follow.

Within a day other articles surfaced saying this guy was wrong. Marriage is about sacrifice, but you can't give up your own wishes and dreams to do it...which brings me to my "2 Cents" on this article: "Why Man's 'Marriage Isn't For You' Essay Misses the Mark"

One specific part of the article bothered me,

"The message can also be confusing to women, innate providers to begin with, says Bonior. Culture encourages this maternal instinct from childhood by giving little girls dolls to care for, and this mentality often carries over into adulthood, sometimes to extreme levels. We already know that women do the lion’s share of chores and childcare, but they work longer hours outside the home, too, according to a recent study conducted by the Pew Research Center. The average number of hours per week that men spend at their jobs has declined from 42 to 37 between 1965 and 2011. Meanwhile, women have increased their office time from 8 hours to 21 hours. “If women are taught to further put their personal needs on the back burner, what would their lives look like?” asks Bonior."

blah blah blah blah blah

Call me a woman hater...but SERIOUSLY? get over yourself ladies. From my personal experience putting your partner's needs first doesn't limit your own happiness. it doesn't take away your chance to fulfill your dreams. it doesn't mean put your own life on the backburner. It means creating a life TOGETHER. If you are putting your husband's needs first, and he is putting your needs first, then technically both of your lives are going exactly the way you want them to.

 "Putting the other person first" doesn't eliminate the idea of compromise, it just helps with it. Who wants something more? what is better for the family? That is the decision you make...whether it was your first choice or not. The door swings both ways and the less selfish YOU are in YOUR marriage...the happier it will be. 

This has nothing to do with women's rights and equality in the bedroom. It's simply one man's opinion of what it takes to have a successful marriage. and I happen to agree with him. 

Loving my husband with all I have, focusing on his needs, helping him accomplish his dreams and making him happy doesn't make me less of a woman. it doesn't degrade me or undo all the things women have worked for. 

When I married him we committed to making each other happy, and focusing on each others needs...and loving each other. 

so yes...marriage isn't for me.

2 Cents: Worst Health Habits EVER

I have been looking for an article to give my 2 cents about and haven't really found anything too exciting. I haven't been in the mood to blog lately so I'm trying to get over the hump! I stumbled across this article: The 7 Worst Health Habits Ever and it got me thinking about bad habits...health...and bad health habits.

Ever since I was diagnosed with Hashimotos  the word "health" has taken on a whole new meaning. It is much more personalized than the magazines make it seem. I have stopped looking through Shape and other magazines as they make their way to my desk because a lot of what is in those stories don't apply to me (ex. Potato Chips with sea salt is a better snack for me than a whole grain piece of toast with jam.) And if they do apply, chances are I'm already doing that really healthy habit.  Reading this article I was happy to see that the bad habit I need to break is flossing more. I probably floss 5 days a week and then whenever there is something clearly stuck in my teeth (thanks carrots). Note to self: floss more.

There is always room for improvement when it comes to health and for me I could sit on the couch less (a habit I acquired while I wasn't able to exercise...and realized I actually really love sitting on the couch) and strength train more. Go out and run hard and fast instead of take it easy. Eat even MORE veggies.

I guess my point is that this article is overly broad and kind of stupid. In my opinion there are worse habits than these listed and habits that are bad for some, aren't always bad for others.

COMM, MUSC & ENGL

6 more weeks of class! 6! Which means I need to get going because I still have 16 more classes to review before I finish...

Summer 2013. COMM 3640-Writing for New Media. Grade: A

I almost managed to make it through college without taking Summer classes...Once I realized I could finish in 2013 I decided to suck it up and take a few. This one was online so it wasn't so bad. I liked the way my professor organized the class. Discussions, quizzes, assignments. That's it! For my final project I created a Twitter Account. The requirements included regularly tweeting, finding a topic that could appeal to a specific audience and engaging with that audience. I was only a few months into my Hashimotos treatment so that was the main thing that occupied my mind. Turns out there is a big following out there when it comes to health, thyroid disorders and Hashimotos. The professor had us each create our own rubric to grade us. I made a good chunk of points go toward getting more than 50 followers (in 1 month). She messaged me and told me that was a lofty goal and to maybe aim a little lower...I of course became determined to succeed! I had over 100 followers by the time she graded me. Hence the A.

I think "new Media" is kind of a stupid term these days. Anyone who is in college is use to the media everyone is using and it isn't really "new" to us. I understand why the older crowd calls it new...but I would say my generation just calls it media. Either way, I learned how to write for it...whatever that means!

Spring 2012. MUSC 3600- World Music. Grade: A-

I needed an art credit. World Music fit my schedule. It was a class with 700 students in a huge auditorium. Participation was based on our Clicker answers. It could have been a disaster...but our professor made it work. I really liked how she approached each new chapter. Every section we started out listening to a piece of music. We listened to the song uninterrupted..unsure of what we were listening to. Most of the time it just seemed like noise. and not pretty noise. The kind of noise you turned off immediately. However, throughout the lectures she would break that song down and explain what we were hearing. She would teach that certain noises and instruments meant different things. That there really was a meaning behind the madness. Then we would listen to the song again. It was completely different. I could pick out the different instruments and I understood what I heard! It was a genius way to teach this class and I really enjoyed it.

Fall 2010. ENGL 2010-Intermediate Writing. Grade: A

My second and last required English class. Almost sucked as bad as the first one. I wasn't interested and my papers usually showed it. I remember a few annoying people in the class...and my professor telling me I could do better...but I got the A and moved on. Go college!

Millennial

Hi my name is Megan Bowen and I'm a Millennial.

I was born in 1989 and 'grew up' in the new millennium. I took the "How Millennial Are You" test and scored 94 out of 100. Aside from having lots of tattoos and piercing, I'm a pretty typical 23 year old. I have boomeranged back into a parents home earlier this year as Bart and I saved up for a house. According to these theories and statistics I am pretty standard.

And yet I would argue that I don't act my age...or if anything I'm on the pretty mature side of the spectrum for 23 year olds (for 19 more days). I am married, an-almost college graduate, working 40 hours a week at a job I went to college for, complete with 401K contribution and paid vacation. Within a year at my job I got a promotion and now enjoy an office in The West Wing (yes, that's what we call it...be jealous). I'm responsible with my money and respect my elders. All in all I would say I'm doing pretty great.

So why the hell do people feel the need to bring up my age at work? It's annoying. I could act like other Millennials and take 7 years to graduate college while still living with my parents...or having my parents pay for my gas money. I could be blaming the government for the job situation and claim poverty but still expect to have everything handed to me. I could be bitchy and gossipy and not do my work. I could expect stickers and awards for simply doing my job. I could wait around and not do anything until someone specifically gave me something to do. I could channel my inner 14 year old self if you wanted me to. I would be happy to "act my age" at work.

If I make a mistake at work it's not because I'm 23. It's because I messed up. If I get upset at a coworker it's not because I'm 23. It's because you're an ass hole and I'm tired of it. If I cry it's not because I'm 23, it's because I'm frustrated and don't like men yelling at me. Whatever I do or not do has nothing to do with the fact that I'm 23. Will I be better at my job in 10 years? Absolutely. Do I have a lot to learn? Of course! Judge my actions, my leadership skills and my work ethic. Please don't judge my age.

p.s.

I have spiky hair, I say amazeballs and totes delish. I have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, AND Blogger account. I watch Grey's Anatomy and reality TV. ....what did you expect? I'm still only 23 :)

Split Personalities

Since accomplishing my goal of running a Half Marathon I have taken a step back from running...mostly because I needed a break from training...and Bart got too busy with football to run with me...and the couch was just too dang comfortable...and because a few weeks later my foot started hurting.

The couch and the football and the feels-like-broken foot made me kinda lazy the month of September and first of October. I gave my foot a few weeks off, doctor's orders, but once I started running again it would hurt within just a few miles. No bueno. It didn't just hurt when I ran...it hurt for HOURS afterwards. As you can see, my couch was just looking better and better.

The last few weeks I have been trying to amp up my game a little bit and after talking to some friends today I realized I just needed to push through the pain and go a little further than my typical 3-4 mile runs. As soon as I got home today I changed into my running clothes and hit the pavement. If I sit down for even a minute it's that much harder to get out the door!

I was happily surprised that my foot was feeling good today. That was about the only thing that felt good. My shoulder...my neck...my hamstring. WTF? Before I started I made the goal of 5 miles and by mile 1 the mind games started. One personality just wanted me to turn around and head back to my trusty couch. The other personality kept me going, determined to accomplish the 5 miles. Isn't it interesting that the thing that holds us back is usually our minds? My body could have gone all afternoon (until I hit the last few miles uphill..then it was pretty much toast) but I physically I felt good. My lungs were peachy and it was a beautiful afternoon. My body aches eventually went away and I was enjoying the sunshine and my Step Up Soundtrack (don't judge).

I'm proud to say I ran the whole 5 miles today despite my alter personality wanting me to stop every step of the way.

Day 193

Today was my last regular visit with the folks at Red River Health and Wellness. I did it! I graduated! There was no cap and gown. My parents weren't there to congratulate me. I shook hands with my amazing doctor and was sent on my way. I will be back for a follow up in 3 months and then periodically check in every 6-12 months after that. It's all on me now. No more doctors to answer to. The real test begins!

I can't believe it's already been 27.5 weeks. 6.5 months. I haven't had a piece of bread or a glass of milk or a Crunchwrap Supreme for the most of 2013. This is craziness! It feels like I just started, and that I have been doing this my whole life. In the past 193 days I have eaten more sweet potatoes than most people will in their lifetime. Potato chips and dark chocolate are my "junk food" and soups are the best Gluten Free meals out there.

But it's not all about the food (okay, it's 95% about the food). I have also been able to run 4 times the distance I was ever able to run before. I no longer have stomach pain every day. (translation: I NEVER have stomach pain) My skin is "supermodel smooth" and my energy level is that of a normal 23 year old.

You guys! I'm healthy! I feel amazing! I am living the way my body was meant to live. I am enjoying my life the way I deserve and I couldn't be happier!

These past 193 days have changed my life. And the next 193 will be just as exciting. I don't know if I will ever love Quinoa and I'm sure I will always secretly want a York Peppermint Patty shoved in my mouth, but I will learn and grow just like I have learned and grown the past 6 months. It's a process, and I'm nowhere near the finish line.

You probably don't really totally care, and that's cool. I probably wouldn't care if I was on your end either. Health is such an individual thing, it's hard to share that feeling with other people. I do want to publicly thank everyone who has supported me and listen to me whine, cry, yell and pout. Especially Bart. I couldn't have made it through this program without him by my side. He is my rock and I know I can do anything if he is cheering for me. It's a nice feeling knowing there is at least one person always in my corner...even if that corner is occupied by a crazy person who cries at candy commercials.

2 Cents: Fat Letters

I saw this story on GMA this morning and it got me thinking...the BMI system. Now telling children everywhere how fat they are. There are pros and cons to this system of sending home "Fat Letters".

Let's start with the pros shall we?

In my humble opinion we are becoming a society that is afraid to bring up the fact that everyone is getting fat...and even more people are reaching the point of being obese. To spare everyone's feelings we are leaving it alone. In honor of "loving bodies everywhere" we are leaving it alone. But is that really the smartest approach? We all know most medical problems would decrease, if not disappear altogether, if people lost weight. Those extra pounds do damage to your body. The fact that so many children are now overweight or obese is scary! Those kids have no chance to live a full and happy life if by the age of 7 they can't run around the playground. (I won't get started on the fact that I blame the PARENTS if a child is obese..that can be a post for another day.) I think it's great for schools to take the initiative and talk about being healthy. I am all for spreading awareness about your child's health.

Now let's jump into the cons.

First, I hate the BMI. My health teacher husband hates the BMI. I hate it so much that I don't mind telling you my BMI is 24.8...just 0.2 points away from being Overweight which means 6 months and 25 pounds ago I was BMI-Overweight. Awesome. That does wonders to a girl's self esteem doesn't it??That's my biggest problem..the BMI isn't the most accurate form of determining health. Even doctors will admit that. The problem is there is no other formula that does what the BMI tries to do, so we're stuck with it.

The next thing that concerns me about the idea of a "Fat Letter" being sent home is the chance it opens up for young girls to be even more insecure about their bodies. I remember growing up and being called "big boned" because all my friends were teeny tiny. Even as we all grew up and became young women, I saw myself as so much bigger than all my friends...but looking back at pictures I realize I was the same size as they were. Being told I was bigger when I was 7 stayed in my mind until well after I was 17.

Unless it's for the chubby kids who don't go play in recess, I don't see the point in sending home a Fat Letter. Athletic girls aren't fat. Tall girls aren't fat...no matter what the BMI tries to tell them.

Strong Trees

I shared part of this poem back in June and it made me so happy to hear it again from the Prophet of God! I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know my life is happier because I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know God lives and loves me. I also know he loves you. I'm thankful that I can have an eternal family and create worlds without end with my forever companion by my side. Happy Sunday everyone!

A few things...

I am a firm believer that if a bird can eat it, it's not littering. I throw my apple core out the window because birds can eat it. You're welcome for feeding the birds.

I really hate it when people bring up my age at work. I realize it's a great thing to have a job like mine at my age, but it wasn't handed to me. It wasn't a gift my daddy gave me because he loves me. I worked to get there. I know no one can say anything about me being a woman because that's considered sexist. I would like people to stop saying stuff about my age because that's sexist too (and by sexist I mean ageist??). either way..stop bringing it up. I appreciate the opportunities I have, but outside of a Higher Being, no one has handed anything to me. I have worked to where I am, and I will continue to work to where I go. I earned it and I deserve it. Me being 23 has nothing to do with it.

I am still struggling with adjusting my life and eating habits. I realized all the food I had taken to work today, combined with my breakfast, only totaled 600 calories. It's not realistic! I feel like I have to eat everything in my fridge every day to get the amount of food I should be eating. I'm still losing weight because I'm just not getting enough to eat. It's frustrating. I come home and eat half a block of cheese and a dark chocolate bar because I just need the calories. I can't figure out a way to balance a grocery budget because 90% of what I can eat is fresh food and I'm eating pretty much my whole stock of groceries within just a few days. I know it's not a huge problem....but it's my current problem. and I'm struggling with it.

JCOM, MATH & ENGL

Fall 2010. JCOM 2010- Media Smarts: Making Sense of the Information Age. Grade: B+

My teacher always emphasized that we as journalists were supposed to be completely unbiased in our opinions and research. My teacher was also the most biased person I had ever met. She was a crazy liberal who pushed her agenda all semester long. Sometimes I liked it...sometimes I didn't. Our final assignment was to watch The Daily Show with John Stewart and The Colbert Report to see how their "newscasts" and FOX News' newscasts were similar (basically saying that FOX news was as credible as a satire show.) If that isn't an assignment with a biased agenda I don't know what is!

I took this class when there was all that drama about putting a Mosque in NYC close to where the World Trade Centers use to be. I remember getting in my first political holiday argument with my Grandma during Thanksgiving. It got heated enough that my dad had to break it up and my Grandma said my education was turning me into a crazy liberal.

It made me realize how hard it is to get ALL the facts from both sides of every issue. It's almost impossible. Without all the facts I have a hard time generating an opinion about something. Since this class I have learned to keep my mind open and research something if I really want to be able to talk about it. I hate ignorance and I think people on both sides of the extremes of the political spectrum are ignorant. If you care about a topic enough to discuss it with people, read FOX news and CNN.

Spring 2013. MATH 1010-Interm Algebra. Grade: A

This was the first math class I had taken in over 6 years. All growing up I was actually really good at math. I understood everything and did well in High School. You never would have guessed that 6 years later! I'm pretty sure I googled "how to add/subtract/multiply/divide fractions" every.single.homework assignment. I still don't understand how to do it. But I passed and even got an A! This teacher was awesome and a very gracious grader. I might not be able to tell you how to add fractions...but I still learned a few things!

Spring 2009. ENGL 1010- Intro to Writing. Grade: A.

Oh college English classes...you make me realize how great I am at writing when I have to peer-grade other people's work. It's no wonder I would get full credit on papers after I read some of the trash other people wrote. I get that writing isn't for everyone. No worries, you have other talents. I'm just happy I don't have to read Freshman English papers for the rest of my life. I think of Hell and that activity would be included.

Pray Always

"...pray always and be believing and all things shall work together for your good." - D&C 90:24

President Thomas S. Monson addresses the women of the Church. Watch it HERE

140
Did You Think to Pray?

1. Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ, our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor
As a shield today?

[Chorus]
Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray.

2. When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way?

3. When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?

More S%$@ Bart Says

It has been a while since I've posted more $%&# Bart says...I guess he just hasn't been that funny lately :)

B-Are you ready yet?
M- Why are you being so impatient?
B- Well.....because I'm sick of you.

B- Opposition in all things Meg. You wouldn't be able to smell roses if you couldn't smell my farts.

B- Just write me a list of shit you want me to do and I'll throw it away and then think about it.

B- Megan if I operated my life the way you did I would be a female. And I don't want that.

B- Do I really need to stand up the first day of class and say if you're going to throw up just get up and go. If you're going to shit yourself just get up and go and we will deal with it later.

B- (Talking to the TV) You're wrong dude. You're the man. You have a penis and she's hungry. You're going to be wrong.

B- You're not eye candy. You're more like eye vegetables. No one really wants a piece but they'll have some if they have to.

B- Get a hobby
M- Like what?
B- Well most people in Utah have children...why don't you try that?

B- I'm cooler than a hipster because I wear jean shorts.

USU, COMM & JCOM

Fall 2009. USU 1350-Integrated Life Science. Grade: B-

Another USU required class with too many people and not enough dedication on my end. I've never been good at science and this class was no exception. What does Integrated Life Science even mean?? It's a stupid name.

Spring 2012. COMM 4610-Magazine Writing. Grade: A

I would call myself a writer. I wrote news for Utah State's paper for years. That was of little help to me in this class. This class was all about creating images in the reader's mind. Using your own opinion and voice to tell a story. I don't have to use my own voice in news stories. My opinion isn't ALLOWED in news stories. News stories was all I knew...so this class was a challenge. My professor was a young guy who was the head of some new-age hipster magazine. He was pretty cool and I enjoyed our assignments.

I learned how to write Reviews and my favorite homework assignment ever was writing a How-To. (Side note...if you're writing a How-To...don't include How-To in the title.) Once I caught on that magazine writing is kind of like writing in my blog just more refined I started to enjoy myself. My final assignment was somewhat of a disaster because I wrote about sex education and let's be honest...that's a boring subject.

I've always loved to write and this class taught me how to be a better writer. I wouldn't be apposed to writing for a magazine one day...

Spring 2011. JCOM 2220-Intro to Video Media. Grade: A-

Let's be honest...the likelihood of a class sucking when it has the word "intro" in the title is pretty high. Intro classes are meant to teach you the basics but they usually end up being a boring way to spend a few hours and a few thousand dollars in college. I think some classes are made to weed out the kids who don't plan on taking their choice of major seriously. I would say this class was one of them. Taught by an 90 year old who was use to working with ancient equipment and refused to accept the new technology...this class was a train wreck...but I still learned something. (Funny how that works isn't it?) Looking back on some old blog posts...here are a few things I learned:

1. When you download something, that means you are taking all of the information that is jumbled up, and organizing it into the sequence it should be in

2. On the other hand, when you are "streaming" something, the information is being put in order as you go along so if it is "buffering" the information hasn't gotten there yet.

 

3. If you speak into a microphone the audio focus is on that person. If the microphone is further away it will make the listener feel like they are now listening to someone's conversation instead of being talked to directly.

2 Cents: Carb Free

THIS article on Cosmopolitan talks about stars starving themselves before award shows and how it's not fair to expect that of people blah blah blah.

I agree. They should be able to eat a carb the morning of an awards show. Unfortunately every TV/Radio/Magazine/Internet outlet would jump on the chance to show Julie Bowen with a food baby at the Emmys. So yeah...she skips carbs because people who take pics of her and write stories about her are crazy and would comment on how she looked if she HAD eaten those carbs.

It's a vicious cycle, I get it. But what comes first, the starvation or the media attention?

Responsibility is shooting me in my broken foot

I come upstairs to get started on homework. Because I'm responsible like that. Too bad my technology isn't on the same page as I am. My hard drive won't ready any of its files. NONE. The only way to do the work is to open up the video files on the hard drive. ...the hard drive that won't open anything. See the issue? I emailed my professors and the members of my group hoping someone else has their hard drive to lend me. So much for being an overachiever and getting things done early.

Plus...I may or may not have broken my foot. okay...it's not broken...but it hurts like hell and I can't walk much less run on it so it might as well be broken. I went out for a run this morning and 2 miles in Bart had to come save me. I was limping my way down 3200 West (and NO ONE stopped by the way. I was clearly in pain and NO ONE stopped. You suck residents of South Jordan) and luckily Bart was home to come get me. I've been icing it and limping on it all day. Who knows what happened...maybe it heard Bart and I talking about running a full Marathon and got mad at me. Low blow foot...low blow.

I am also taking offers for anyone who wants to come decorate my beautiful new house for me because I'm not crafty and have no idea where to start. 

2 Cents: Post-Baby Body

One of the things I love about my job and career is the chance I get to know what's going on in this little world of ours! I know Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth broke up. Just like I know that Aaron Alexis was having a mental breakdown just days before he opened fire at a Navy yard and killed 12 people. I get to read opinion pieces about being supermoms (or NOT being supermoms) and watch little girls become YouTube sensations because they break it down on the dance floor. I realized this morning that if it wasn't for this job, I probably wouldn't know a whole lot. Being a hairstylist I was always up to date on celeb gossip because of the magazines at the salon. Luckily this job provides a broad spectrum of information. I'm going to start sharing that information (and my opinions on it) with you! While I get to pick the stories we talk about each morning, I don't get to share my own opinions of them. Until now :)

Today will be quick because I don't have tons of time to write. Today will be about babies. Specifically post-baby bodies.

This article, "4th Trimester Bodies Project Fights 'Unrealistic Expectations' For New Moms" and more specifically the photos with this article are beautiful. It's no surprise that carrying a baby inside your body for  9 months is going to change it. It's a surprise that everyone expects you to bounce back to your pre-baby body ASAP.

Since I'm not a mother or pregnant I can only say so much on this topic. First thing's first. If you have never had a baby then I don't think you have the right to judge someone's post-baby body (Men, especially you. Shut up. No one asked you. Until you push something out of your vagina, NO ONE ASKED YOU). More importantly if you HAVE had a baby then please don't put that pressure onto someone else, even if that pressure was put on you.

We are all in this together ladies. I already have to hear questions about when I"m going to have a baby (every freaking day I hear these questions) and once I do birth a child, I am warning you now: talk about my baby weight and I'll punch you in the face.

10 More Ways to Be Happier (not backed by Science)

I ran across this article today..

10 SIMPLE, SCIENCE-BACKED WAYS TO BE HAPPIER TODAY

Reading it I checked off the things I do well (hello 8 hours of sleep) and the things I could work on (meditation anyone?). It got me thinking of a few more things that might not be science-backed..but they make me happy

11. Keep chocolate at your desk (and let yourself eat a second piece if need be).

12. Drive to work without the radio. You appreciate the beautiful sunrise and fresh new day.

13. Kill them with kindness. Smile at the ass hole you work with and your day will be better. I promise!

14. Grab your husband's butt on a daily basis

15. Write in a journal and blog your feelings away

16. Visit the Humor section on Pinterest (seriously..it's hilarious)

17. Pat yourself on the back after you do something awesome. aka give yourself a little more credit for how amazing you are.

18. Eat another piece of chocolate

19. Clean out a messy drawer. Throw away those old tshirts or extra pens you NEVER use. It makes you feel better!

20. Buy yourself something nice. It doesn't have to be pricey. Just get something for YOU.

Stay Happy everyone!

Crazy Chick

My clubhouse key is going to turn me into a crazy chick. Or rather, the lack of having a clubhouse key is turning me into a crazy chick.

Each month Bart and I pay an HOA fee. Most of that fee goes toward the beautiful clubhouse with 24 hour fitness room plus pool and park and other things I don't care as much about as the fitness room. We are up to date on our HOA fees. In fact, we are 6 months AHEAD on our HOA fees. And yet here I am, sitting in my home we bought TWO WEEKS AGO without said key.

I have contacted the idiot HOA lady who has repeatedly lied to me. She first told me we would have to pay $50 if we wanted a key since the previous owner didn't leave hers. I then informed her that since it's not OUR FAULT the previous owner didn't leave the key there was no way in hell we would be paying that $50. She said okay fine I will put one in your box tomorrow.

That was 10 days ago.

Every other day since then I have called and emailed inquiring about my key. Each time she says she will put it in the next day. So either she has put 5 different keys in some mystery mailbox or she's been lying to me to get off the phone.

Well guess what biotch. The claws are coming out tomorrow. Watch out.

JCOM, GNDR & ENGL

Fall 2009. JCOM 1130-Beginning Newswriting for Mass Media. Grade: C+

This was one of my first JCOM classes at Utah State. It was taught by the one and only Jay Wamsley. The AP Style Book became our bible and the daily quizzes were kind of a biotch. I had it with a few people who eventually would become my college friends. The AP Style Book came in handy when I joined the USU Statesman newspaper staff and learned things like "Wal-Mart Stores Inc. when referring to the corporation, and Wal-Mart for an individual store." and "Capitalize fashion week in an official name: New York Fashion Week or London Fashion Week." I remember having to be current on the daily news and I usually failed miserably. Jay was one of those professors that you never really knew where you stood in the class. he's a nice guy...does that mean I'm passing? Harsh quiz score...does he grade on a curve? Let's just say that C+ was a surprise at the end of the semester. It also goes to show that grades aren't a reflection of what you learned because I learned a heck of a lot!

Fall 2011. GNDR 4630- History of Sex in America. Grade: B

This class sounds as interesting as the name implies. It was my first semester after I transferred to the University of Utah. Since I had transferred so late I couldn't get into many Comm department classes. Instead I took high level courses to fulfill other requirements. This was one of them. The first day of class we wrote every dirty word and or sex word the class could think of on the board. From blow job to vagina and everything in between. Things you heard in the Jr. High halls wouldn't have been as inappropriate as the things we had written on the board. I left that day feeling a little dirty and wondering if I should morally take the class. I have standards, but I also have a desire to learn. In the end I'm glad I stayed.

The professor was a lesbian liberal with very interesting views. My eyes were opened to a new way of looking at things. I appreciated these classes throughout my education because they tested my own beliefs...and made them stronger. I came out of this class with a full knowledge of the history of gay sex and prostitutes and in the end I still believed the things I believed going into the class.

One of the notes she made on my quizzes was that I needed to speak up more in class. I didn't speak much because I didn't feel like I had anything valuable to add to the discussions. I remember there was a 60 something year old man in that class. I appreciated his presence and his desire to learn a few things too!

Here is a post I wrote about a few things I had learned that week in school...

Spring 2010. ENGL 4200-Linguistic Structures. Grade: A

If I had a top 10 list this class would be on it (Maybe at the end of this college thing I will make that list). Linguistics was one of the most fascinating topics. I learned that babies' brains are designed to pick up as many languages that they are exposed to. I learned the phonetic alphabet. We talked about the importance of language in general. The reason I wanted to take this class was because of my love for language. My love for writing. I felt that if I understood language at a deeper level it would make me a better writer. I don't know if that's what happened, but it was fascinating either way.

Other than criminology, linguistics was the other topic I would consider majoring in if I did it all over again. I thought this class was going to teach me how to diagram sentences and explain why diagramming sentences matters. And I think we spent some time on that. But the thing I remember most about this class is realizing how incredible language is. Every civilization has a language. Some are different from what we are familiar with. But everyone communicates. Everyone.

My Football Coach

2 years 3 months and 29 (ish) days ago I married a football coach.

Football season in our house doesn't start in August, it starts in April. With early morning workouts that turn into summer workouts that turn into football camps and 2-a-days and finally GAMES. Friday (and Thursday) night games.

After hours of practicing it all comes down to Friday night's game. Which is a shame sometimes. The loss of a game makes you question why you put in all that work during the week. It can be frustrating, not fun. But it can also be fun. Football can be the rain coming down and an interception pass that turns into a touchdown. It can be watching the new little freshman cheerleaders learning their routines and messing up. It can also be fun.

And then other days it's just long. It's raining...the team is losing and my butt hurts. I can't eat anything from the snack shack so I sip on water...I'm sick of listening to the stupid cheerleaders spell.

I'm by myself watching my cute husband with his khakis that are too big and his determination which is just big enough. Sometimes he yells..sometimes he pulls a kid aside and gives him a pep talk.

Sometimes it's fun. And sometimes it's just long.

2 years 3 months and 29(ish) days ago I married a football coach and I have loved every second of it.

Day 160

As my treatment gets closer to ending I can't help but think of the past 5.5 months! I was just put on my final round of supplements that will be addressing my brain/mental side of things. Brain fog and haziness has never been a major issue which is why they have waited until the end to fix it. We started with the biggest problems and now we are just finishing up! I'm almost there! I have said it before, and I'll say it again: It's amazing what a few months can do!

Here was my update from Day 6:

.  There are many different ways to eat chicken...learn those ways

. carrots for breakfast? why not?!!

. It's amazing to have a best friend who is going through exactly the same thing. What are the odds? God knew what he was doing when he put us together all those years ago.

. Quinoa is still nasty. I invite anyone to cook me "tasty" quinoa and bring it to me so I can learn what it's supposed to taste like.

. Apparently 80oz of water a day isn't enough...potty breaks anyone?

. a week of being sugar, dairy and process food free and my skin is breaking out like a teenager. Where's the justice in that??

. the "I feel full" feeling only lasts about an hour.....I miss you carbs....

. Coconut Milk and Almond Milk mixed together kinda sorta tastes like Fat Free normal Milk

. I felt super healthy at the grocery store. helllloooo produce aisle. 

Here is my update from Day 160

• There are still many ways to eat chicken. I have become the best at grilling it. Even Bart is impressed with my skills.
  
• I now have an egg, turkey bacon and corn tortilla burrito for breakfast. it's amazing the progress I've made in choices :)
  
• I still love my bestie who has supported me through all the hard days when all I wanted was some candy and a hug
  
• Quinoa is STILL nasty. The original bag is in my pantry...every time I use it I end up throwing most of it away.
  
• My water intake has definitely decreased...probably not a good thing but oh well!
  
• 5 months of being sugar, dairy and proccess food free and my skin is AMAZING! The justice came.
  
• The "I feel full" feeling still only lasts an hour..but the "I feel hungry all the time" feeling isn't here anymore either.
  
• My new found love is the dark chocolate Almond Milk
  
• I still spend all my time in the produce aisle. I haven't decided which store has the best food..

13.1 Miles and a Whole Lot More

The craziness has finally subsided! We moved into our beautiful new home and have most everything unpacked. I am back to producing just ONE show a day instead of TWO. The half marathon is OVER and school is in full swing.

I can finally breathe!

Bart and I have been internet-less the last 10 days since moving in and it's been interesting to say the least. I spent most of my evenings/afternoons on Campus (40 minutes away from home) and Bart has been going to work early to make his lesson plans. Who knew we needed internet so much?? Hopefully we will have it by the end of the week. 

On a side note, we LOVE our new house. It's so big and quiet compared to our past apartments. Our bedroom echos because the ceilings are so high. We have an empty second bedroom and not enough stuff to fill up the space, but I love it. I know it will fill up eventually. We haven't seen much of our neighbors which isn't a bad thing since we both hate most people. Someone parked in Bart's assigned spot and he through a little bitch fit...but other than that there have been no problems :)

I was finally able to figure out how to log video from home (without a MAC computer and without internet) and to be honest I was almost more excited about that discovery than I was about finishing my first half marathon (which we will get to soon). Now I can spend countless hours logging video from the comfort of my own couch instead of paying $23974 for parking at the University of Utah library (F-YOU for raising prices BTW). This semester is going to be long and time consuming and honestly I have been making it a priority over work, but I just have 3.5 more months left...forever...so that is what I keep telling myself. 

Week 1 of my new responsibilities was last week at work and I thought it went really well! I have a good groove down and everything seems to be working out.

Now for the exciting part of my weekend...I ran my first half marathon! My official time was 2:27:11! It was really fun..until about mile 11 and then I just wanted to crawl to the side of the road and die. It was fun to have Bart run with me. Since we were running a few minutes/per mile slower than his usual pace he was fully enjoying himself and was a great cheerleader..especially toward the end. I sprinted to the finish line even when my body was all out of juice. I almost passed out after the finish line but I'm just going to take that as I really did give 100% to that race! We made a few friends along the way and I achieved my goal of finishing without having to walk. 

6 am it's-dark-outside-keep-me-warm pic

matchy shoes. matchy bibs.

WE DID IT!! I'm so happy Bart was able to run with me!

After I finished..before I almost passed out.

All done :)



It's amazing what our bodies are capable of! It never ceases to amaze me. I am so proud of myself and really happy training is over :) Around mile 10 when we were feeling pretty good we started talking about training for a full marathon...we may or may not start training when football season ends...stay tuned! We have the Dirty Dash this weekend which is always a good time! Who doesn't like to get dirty every once in a while??