Risk

I've never been a "live on the edge" type of person. I've always preferred a nice, neat little world, without much danger but that's something I have been trying to break out of. It's not always necessary to have complete safety, in fact, it often inhibits growth and incredible experiences. Over the past two years I have taken a lot more risks - resulting in some pretty amazing changes in my life.

I stumbled across this quote today and have been thinking about it ever since. If you haven't ever read anything by Paulo Coehlo, do yourself a favor and look up some of his writings, or at least google his most popular quotes.

“Pitiful is the person who is afraid of taking risks. Perhaps this person will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps she won't suffer the way people do when they have a dream to follow. But when the person looks back-she will hear her heart” P. Coelho

Something to think about it.

Polly

The best part of the hike.

We ran into my friend Polly.

We had lost contact so this was an unexpected surprise.

Love ya Polly.

Moab

We went to Moab last week for the Half Marathon. It was rough. I had been sick and spent a lot of my time on the side of the road bent over coughing. My back and ab muscles were more sore than my legs. Hopefully I will have some race pictures soon. In the meantime, you can enjoy photos of our after race hike. We were told it was a short, hour round trip, stroll. It was actually more like 2 1/2 hours. It wasn't hard hiking, but Tim was definitely re-thinking his decision to wear flip flops.

The Wendy's cups ruin the image of serious hikers.

Tim was so worried about getting his feet wet.

Funny since he was wearing the quick dry flip flops.
This was one of Tim and T's favorite rock structures.

Finally, the arch that was the destination of the hike.

Hard to tell but the arch is detached from the mountain behind.

Apparently it is the 6th larges free standing arch in the U.S.

Spring Break Part Dos

Having Josh in town gave me an excuse to ditch out of work early on St. Patrick's day and celebrate at Sundance. What a difference a few days makes. It was soooo warm that even at the highest peaks the snow was pretty soft. I was so impressed by Josh's ability to adapt to new conditions and try even harder runs.

A week ago he didn't even know what a black diamond was,

This week he was riding them.

The pose looked so great on Josh,

I thought I would give it a try.

Spring Break

Nope, it's not Palm Beach, if you are from somewhere warm you head to the slopes for Spring Break. We were lucky to have Josh with us for a week. He flew in Friday night and by Saturday morning me, him and E were out and about. It snowed on us all day so we were wet and soggy, but had a great time in the powder. Both Josh and E are relatively new to the mountains, but they were adventurous and improved dramatically.

The view from the backside is one of my favorites.

Unfortunately, we saw nothing but clouds and snow.

I couldn't believe Josh was willing to try some tricks.

Oops, this one didn't turn out so well.
I think this was where he was trying to decide if he still had all of his parts intact.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT

TO NOT LIVE IT HAPPY

Daylights Saving

Hope everyone is surviving the time change (unless you live in the AZ, as if we needed another reason). When I went to spin class this morning the teacher reminded me that last year I struggled with the change. I had conveniently forgotten the incident, but it all came flooding back. I arrived what I thought was about ten minutes early for spin class - feeling like an overachiever. When I opened the door, the class was full and they clearly had been spinning for awhile. I shut the door and just stood there for a minute, confused. I then walked back through the gym, looking at the other classes and trying to figure out what was going on. I finally had to ask at the front desk where they reminded me that my clocks should have been changed. I was seriously confused and out of sorts the rest of the day.
Thanks Todd for the reminder. Thanks to E, I think we have all the clocks on the right time.

Seventeen Random Thoughts

1. I made some really amazing lasagna last night. It is in the fridge waiting to be baked. Is it wrong to get so excited about a meal that I made?
2. At the gym today I was by the old guy who talks back to the TV. This morning he was cheering on/yelling at the basketball game. I'm not positive if he was aware that it was a re-run. I didn't think it would be appropriate to point that out to him.
3. I am really digging on the song "Weary Heart". I actually discovered it watching early morning CMT on the treadmill.
4. Seeing that it won "best song", reminded me of how much I love the song "Once", also an Oscar winner.
5. As long as we are on the topic of songs, it's not new, but I am still really digging on "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice". I'm not sure that I agree with all of the Dixie Chicks' politics, but man do they write some great music.
6. I have some weird magazine issues.
7. For instance, I can't read a magazine until it is the month that it says on the cover. Seriously, why can't they just send them in the right month.
8. Also, I read my magazines from the back. Let me clarify, I start at the back, read the good stuff there, then flip to the front and continue.
9. I know that tanning beds are taboo, but can I just say that I LOVE THEM. I don't really care about the tanning effect, but when you live in Utah, where you can go days without seeing the sun in the winter, they are so fabulous. I turn off the fans, turn up my i-pod and pretend that I am basking on a beach.
10. Why do some people think it is funny to offend or make others uncomfortable? I really don't get that type of personality.
11. Will skiers and boarders ever get along?
12. I may have to give up watching American Idol. Seriously, the people who are staying and the people who are going are messed up. I can only stand so many awkward performances.
13. TGIF!!!!
14. If you are in need of a really good nail place - Nail Expo in Orem.
15. Just finished "The Heretics Daughter", stay tuned for the review. I gave it a B+
16. I really wish we could find a house to buy that doesn't need $30,000 in structural repairs.
17. We have found the perfect house, but I don't dare wish for it because I am afraid of a jinx.

Earthquake Weapon?

Oh Hugo Chavez. He says and does a lot of bizarre things. I can't quite decide if I think he is unstable, or if he just craves the media attention. Whatever it is, his latest has me laughing. The following was reported in numerous media outlets:

A 'tectonic weapon' under testing by the United States caused the Haiti earthquake, according to Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, who appears to have more of a sci-fi background than we all thought.
"President Chavez said the US was 'playing God' by testing devices capable of creating eco-type catastrophes, the Spanish newspaper ABC quoted him as saying.
"Chavez said the killer earthquake followed a test of 'weapon of earthquakes' just offshore from Haiti. He did not elaborate on the source of his claim," according to Press TV.

I know a lot of people think that the US has a "God complex", but the ability to cause an earthquake seems a little over the top. I'm sure there are plenty of conspiracy theories out there who would argue that I'm wrong. But as for me, I will continue to consider natural disasters exactly that, "natural".