...the perfect day...

The energy here at Liberty Park is palpable. The park is packed full of people rollerblading, exercising, BBQ'ing pretty much just hanging out and having fun. If I could describe the park in a color I would say that it was yellow...not like mustard yellow...but bright sunshiny yellow. It feels happy here :) But let me back track because my perfect day wouldn't have been possible without the perfect sleep I had. I normally don't sleep very long. A normal night would range from 5 to 6 hours ...but for the past two weeks I would be lucky if I got that much sleep. Anyways I got a full 8 hours of sleep. Not really sure why..I didn't even dream much that I know of. So I woke up rested for the first time in awhile and then decided to go to my ward activity. The activity was put on by the guys in our ward and it was a sister appreciation brunch. They washed our cars and made some delicious food. It was nice to sit and talk with the other sisters and hang out...but then they gave all the sisters roses which in and of itself is way sweet but with it they also gave us this little card that had a quote by President Hinckley on it...

"He who is our Eternal Father has blessed you with miraculous powers of mind and body. He never intended that you should be less than the crowning glory of His creations."

That quote really touched my heart..it really made me feel like I was....enough.

The guys didn't even have to do the other stuff...If they gave me that card with a mango (sorry been craving Mangoes lately) I would've felt exactly the same way, but their effort and willingness to put this on for the sisters was amazing. (If you're single and in the Salt Lake area we got some great guys in our ward :)) So a few people in my ward were going to go out to SugarHouse Park for a walk...but I opted instead to come out here to Liberty. So I did some walking, and reading and now I'm writing this blog in the shade on a perfect spring day. I could stay out here forever .

So here is a weird and random fact about me.... I close my eyes sometimes when I'm walking. There is just something about listening to music, being out side with the sun shining on me, and a light breeze that touches my face, not really sure how to describe it. It's sort of like letting a wave wash over you...just calming and peaceful.

Surprisingly I do not fall down as much as you would think...but I do bump into people quite often. Anyways My heart is just happy and light and very grateful for all that I've been blessed with.

..laughter is the best medicine..

BEING SICK SUCKS...HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP MUCH...AND I FEEL LIKE I'M COUGHING UP A LUNG.....THANKFULLY I HAD A DVD OF SOME OLD SEINFELD EPISODES...AND I WATCHED THE ONE WHEN ELAINE SENT OUT A CHRISTMAS CARD AND IT SHOWED HER NIPPLE...AND THE ONE WHERE GEORGE PRETENDS TO BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST...THEN IS EXPECTED TO SAVE A BEACHED WHALE...HILARIOUS!!!! LAUGHTER IS DEFINITELY THE BEST MEDICINE...AND A LITTLE NYQUIL DOESN'T HURT. GOODNIGHT CYBERLAND.....ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

...My Everest...

My head is clearer when I am outside..enjoying nature and away from the noise of everyday life...I was feeling claustrophobic again inside. As soon as I got home from work I changed then went down to Liberty Park...it was pretty empty ...and it was quiet and peaceful. I put on my ipod and went for a walk. There are so many beautiful places in Utah that I would like to see.

This is a picture of Emerald Lake up by Mount Timpanogos. It's beautiful and I am going there....but I am far from in shape to reach this goal at the present time. I was initially going to go there this month. That was the plan...and like many ill conceived plans...if I were to go up there now I am unsure I would be able to complete it. So instead I am going to re look at my initial plan and factor in a few things that I did not.
1) Physical ability to do it...I am lacking in that area and need to change it or change my destination...since I REFUSE to change my destination..I obviously have to change my physical ability to make the trek. So I'm starting to exercise on a more consistent basis but I am also adding in small hikes every Saturday not only to get me ready...but also to see the end result of a hike...even if it's a small one. The stunning view at the end of a hike makes the journey worth it. (That's a good thing to remember when I'm half way through a hike and feel like I'm dying and want to give up). Giving up...not an option.
2) Time Frame...I said I would go up there this April, I don't think that was a realistic goal, but I am going to give myself until next April. That might seem like a long time to some but I want to make sure I am totally prepared for it. I will see how I feel about it in 6 months. If I feel good then maybe I will try in October.

When I feel something needs to happen...I tend to jump in and not let go until it does...which is mostly a good thing ...but a lot of times I refuse to see the obstacles that get in the way of completing what ever it is I'm trying to accomplish. Then when it doesn't happen I'm frustrated and defeated. I'm working on changing that about myself. To be open to see what the obstacles are and how to go about getting around them or over them or through them, but just acknowledging that obstacles exist is pretty important.

So for an experienced hiker I'm sure this particular journey is minor...but for me...at least for the next 6 to 12 months this hike is my Everest.

It's easy to get frustrated when trying to get something accomplished... I get frustrated with myself, with my progress... or lack there of, and I can get pretty impatient with where I am as opposed to where I think I should be...but I want this experience to be different...I hope to give myself and my body the time I need to not only get stronger but also just to enjoy the overall process.
If I can do that...this will be the first in a long list of Everest's I plan to conquer.