Checked Off the List

I keep my bucket list right inside my trusty noggin. I've tried writing down bucket list items, but you know how whenever you go to make a grocery list and all that comes to mind is milk and bread? Wait, what were those other 10 million things I kept telling myself I need to remember to get? That tends to be what happens when I try to do write out the ol' bucket list. 

One bucket list endeavor that I've always had but was more of a 'ha, we'll see if I ever actually do that' was running a half marathon. But my sister got it in her head about 4 months ago that this. was. going. to. happen. And I got swept up for the ride. So we trained for 12 weeks, running through the icy winds and the painful shin splints and the crappy days that we all have occasionally. 

Last weekend she flew her newly 37 pounds lighter butt to see me, and to run our half. The time had come. I was so nervous, but she knew more confidently than I that we were ready. When the race buzzer sounded at 7 am last Sunday and we began our run with the sun beginning to rise, I realized we were, too.

I don't think I've ever felt so tired yet so strong in my entire life. Having my sister, my best friend, by my side as I crossed the finish line made it all the sweeter. My near projectile vomiting episode that actually turned out to be just a bit of dry heaving post finish line was only a mild setback (true story, that did happen... not my proudest moment of the day). In pure exhaustion, all we could both keep saying to each other that we couldn't believe it was over. Our 12 weeks of training was up, and the 13.1 mile run complete. We'd reached this once impossible-seeming goal. That pride of overcoming such a physically and mentally enduring obstacle made me realize my overall capability, and oh how great it is.

Who knows what's next? Maybe even a full marathon is in our future!

(PS, sorry for my unannounced blogging hiatus, guys! I guess spring semester sophomore year is way busier than I expected, but I miss the bloggerverse. So expect to be seeing lots more of me again!)

Lists, Inspiration, & A New Year

I've been doing a lot of thinking and brainstorming through lists lately.  I don't know why, but my brain has just been able to think clearer in this simplistic, to-the-point method of listing.  And seeing as I've been MIA from my blog for over a whole stinkin' month (um, yikes), I figured I'd try to get back into it via this new and trusty list shenanigans.

Concerning, oh, I'd say about the past month, here are things I have done and am currently doing:

• I finished my third semester at TCU.  It was not my strongest ending academically, but sometimes it's more about actually getting past the finish line. That's all it takes to inspire me to keep going, on certain occasions. At least for me. Can you tell I'm not a big school person? I'm more of a runner.
• I got a camera for Christmas, and let me tell you, this camera is perfection. It's a Canon Rebel T3i and I'm in love. To say the least.
• I got promoted from Lifeguard in the pool of our school rec center to 1 of 11 Team Leaders of the entire facility. Big step up for little old me! I'm ecstatic that I'll be able to interact and help more people on a more frequent basis. Ecstatic.
• I also got another internship in NYC for the coming summer, this time at Eventbrite.com. I'll be organizing, attending, maintaining, helping with, and social networking for all the events for clubs, charities, etc. that the company deals with in the city. I'm. Stoked.
• I've been training for a half marathon in February with my sister. Not only have we been bonding through the physical pain and perseverance, but we both also look a heck of a lot better in a pair of jeans...just saying.
• I got a New Years kiss from a complete stranger. And I did NOT like it. No further comments on that one...
• I keep getting faced with big life decisions. Not only my own, but friend's and family's, too, that I naturally want to help them with. What is this?! Am I growing up or something? I guess it had to happen eventually.

Even though all these outstanding things have been happening to me, I've been uninspired a lot creatively. Especially in my writing, in case you haven't noticed. But then I find myself getting inspired by the silliest things. Making it to a beautiful overlook while hiking with my family. Going for 3-, 4-, 5-mile runs with my sister and our Border Collie, Charlie. Watching my brothers and interact and laugh with the rest of my family, like actually, genuinely enjoying our company, for the first time in at least two years. These things all make me happy to my core, and even if they're temporary joys, I hope to remember them and embrace them when they do occur.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is my main resolution for 2012. What's yours?