26.2 Reasons to Run a Marathon

1. You gain a sense of accomplishment.
2. You make new friends.
3. You get to buy new shoes every three months.
4. You get in shape.
5. You are able to see a lot of new scenery when you are training.
6. It's a source of conversation.
7. You get a medal!
8. It teaches you discipline.
9. No more flabby legs!
10. You get a tan.
11. People cheer you on like your a star when you're running it!
12. You win a free t-shirt. (after you pay all of the fees of course)
13. You're able to do a lot of people watching while you run all of those miles. (I saw someone run it in jeans?!? What were they thinking? I can't even imagine the chaffing.)
14. You can make it a mini-vacation. (I ran the Chicago marathon when I lived in Minneapolis)
15. People think you are a beast! (in a good sense of the word)
16. You get to eat more when you are training!
17. It impresses people on your first date. (Joel..I know you were sooo impressed when I told you I had run one)
18. It makes you feel like your an athlete even when you aren't able to participate in college sports.
19. It gives you time to mull over your entire life...at least 3 times!
20. It makes 1/2 marathons look wussy.
21. Carbohydrates...mmm...lots of them.
22. You truly have a RIGHT to drink gatorade if you run 26.2 miles....it's not wasted calories anymore!
23. It's a way to fizzle out any anger issues you've ever had...you'll be so tired at the end...you won't care WHAT your significant other said to you before the race!
24. You are able to witness amazing people run. (ex:I saw people who had lost 200 lbs through training and other people who beat cancer.)
25. You'll have an amazing set of lungs when your finished training.
26. Getting up at 6 will seem late to you (I used to train at 4:30a.m. to beat the summer heat)
.2 It's just an AMAZING experience.

Devastations Related to Hairdressers.

1. One time one of my hairdressers asked me if I'd like to try some red in my hair. I thought she meant a hint of red. So I said "yes" Two hours later and I looked like a fire engine. It was awful. Luckily she redid it the next week. I didn't want to go anywhere with that ugly do.

2. I recently wanted a bob like Jennifer Anniston had a few years ago. (See picture above). I said I did NOT want my hair to flip out. Did it flip out?!? Of COURSE. I ended up having an old woman hair cut...I'm still trying to grow it out. Plus my hairdresser told me she couldn't cut it too short because "I have such a strong jawline." I'm still upset about that. I want my bob...but I have to wait till after I get married!

So...I don't have a lot of hair stories...but I figured this is one area that women could really relate to...Tell me your bad-hair stories.

Wish List Books

I have a few books in mind that I really want to read. Unfortunately, with school, wedding planning and ect...I don't have the time to do it right now. These books are on my wish list. If you think there is something I should add, please tell me! I'd also like to know what books are on your wish list.

1. Peter Pan
2. My Sisters Keeper
3. The Vanishing Act of Esme
4. Such a Pretty Fat
5. Lord of the Flies

Dreams...

Today, I woke up and realized that I had been dreaming about blogging...I decided it was a sign that I needed a list about dreams.

1. Naked dreams...Have you ever dreamed that you are out in public somewhere and all of a sudden lose all of your clothes or a very essential piece of clothing?! I HATE those. They are so uncomfortable.

2. Spiders....I used to have nightmares about those at least once a week. Luckily, I haven't had any lately.

3. One of my most memorable dreams was when I gave birth to 8 piglets. Why? I have no idea. I tried to look it up on the intnet, but nothing seemed to explain as to why I would dream that.

4. My mom once dreamed that she had a little man in a bird cage and the house burned down and she was not able to save him. It still brings tears to her eyes when she recalls that dream. (I guess it was pretty vivid!)

5. I sometimes have dreams where my vision is blurry...it's like I have dirty contacts or something. Those give me a headache.

6. I often have dreams that I'm missing a final exam in one of my classes....those really freak me out!

Reasons NOT to Go to the Gym

I'll admit it. Lately I've been having a little problem with motivation. I have not felt like exercising at ALL. Me!! The ex-personal trainer who used to live in the gym. Here are the bogus reasons I've given myself for skipping the workouts. I hope you all comment and tell me how lazy I've been so that I will be more motivated!

1. No one can tell the difference in the way I look when I don't work out. (No lie...people have asked me if I've lost weight since I quit working out like a mad woman)
2. It's nice outside.
3. I have to study for nursing.
4. I don't want to.
5. I'm too busy.
6. I'll work out tomorrow.
7. I'm tired.

How lame is this list!! I need some motivation. You should all comment and give me some motivation!!

What IS IT about Britney Spears?!?

I remember the days when I used to want to BE Britney. Now I feel bad for her, but I'm still fascinated. I'm not one to read up on the celebrities...in fact I don't even know most of their names. Yet, I always seem to know what's going on with Britney. That's what led me to write this list...What is it about Britney?

1. She USED to be the most beautiful pop star.
2. Every teen girl used to want to be her and every teen guy wanted to date her.
3. She had everything and then threw it all away.
4. She had such a glamorous life and then she shaved her head and went crazy.
5. She married Kevin....(Is that what caused the downword spiral?)
6. She went shopping in her wedding dress?!? (maybe this is just a rumor)
7. She wore really short skirts with no underwear.
8. Maybe it's just the fact that people are obsessed with watching the high and mighty fall...sad to say...but I think that's "what is it about Britney Spears"

I really hope that someday things will be better for her again. She's had a hard life.

The Differences Between Men and Women.

I know this is an overdone topic. Yet, I still have to write about it....cause it's just something that is so applicable to my life at this point.

1. Girls LOVE hugs....boys just think they are okay.
2. Girls like to have conversation all of the time...apparently boys don't. (I thought I was a quiet person until I got into a serious relationship...I always like to have a good conversation going...ALL OF THE TIME!)
3. Boys take everything literally. If I tell my fiance' that he ALWAYS watches t.v. (this is just an example b/c he doesn't watch that much) he'll say that he only watches it for 2 hours a day and that's definitely not always.
4. I thought that only my dad liked to read the newspaper...apparently I was wrong.
5. Boys like stick shift.
6. That's all I can think of right now...I guess when I get married I'll be able to point out so much more. :0 If you care to enlighten me before I get married...it would be great if you added to the list.

My Hidden Talents

So we all have some hidden "talents" that not too many know about. Here are a few of mine. I'd be thrilled if you shared your secret talents on my blog.

1. I won a crocheting competition in a regional contest in highschool (I really shouldn't have...but there were only three contestants)

2. I can make my fingers pop on command repeatedly.

3. I can sleep through almost anything. (Really loud thunder storms, snoring...you name it)

4. I can eat cheese and jelly together and enjoy it.

5. I can sleep just about any time of the day. (I don't know if this is a talent...it is sure not helpful when I'm studying.)

Things I Think Need To Be Invented

After thinking about my life for a while...I've decided that there are a few things that aren't a reality yet. I think they should be. Here goes....

1. A pill that would help me stop drinking Diet Coke....Smokers get a patch..I think Diet Coke addicts could use something like that too!

2. A car that drives itself and was guaranteed to never get in an accident.

3. A hair dryer that actually used cold air to dry your hair in the summer. (I know these supposedly exist...but they don't work and my finger gets tired holding that blue button down) I hate feeling like I need to take a second shower after I fix my hair in the summer.

4. A website for friends...I'm not talking facebook or MySpace. I'm talking about something like Friend-Harmony (instead of e-harmony). That way when you move to a new place you could find friends who were also looking for friends with the same interests. (maybe this already exists?) I stated this need because we ALL know it's not cool to contact someone on MySpace if you don't know them.

5. Shoes with heaters in them. My feet are NEVER warm. It drives me crazy.

Kombucha....

Kombucha...it just sounds like a product that could heal you by saying the word three times. I actually have a mushroom in my fridge that I'm trying to gain courage to grow. Here's a list of the health benefits I've heard it has when people drink it daily.

1. Helps clear skin.
2. Helps with digestion.
3. Helps with prostrate problems.
4. Helps control diabetes.
5. Helps control weight.
6. Helps the immune system.

Does it not sound like a wonder product? Do you think I should try it or not?!?

Last FIVE books I've Read....

1. Their Eyes Were Watching God.

2. Five People You Meet in Heaven.

3. Love is a Decision.

4. The Memory Keepers Daughter.

5. Wuthering Heights.

I won't tell you how long it has taken me to complete these books. School tends to take priority over my love of reading. What are the last five books you read? Would you recommend them? I happened to enjoy all 5 of these books-except Love is a Decision-I just learned a lot from that one!

What's With That___?!?

Do you ever see things that make you say "What is With THAT _______!?!?" What do you usually fill the blank in with. Here's some of the top words that frequent my vocabulary.

1. Outfit...I try not to be too judging in this area..but some outfits definitely deserve a "what's with that?" statement....ex-People walking around the U of MN during the dead of winter with shorts on.

2. Hair....I definitely have seen some crazy hair in my life. There's a large family that goes to my local barnes and noble who I believe have never cut their hair (the men and women both) I always wonder how their shower drain works.

3. Car...I REALLY shouldn't be saying this since I drove a car that was two different colors with a huge smash on the sides...but hey...a hot pink mini-van with ground effects and spinners is definitely begging for attention.

4. Paint Job....you know the houses I'm talking about. The neon yellow ones with bright pink trim?? I'm sure everyone has one of those in their towns.

5. Bridesmaid dress....this actually makes me a little nervous since I will be getting married soon...but I know every woman has thought it at least once in her life!

Career Options I've Considered Throughout My Life.

1. Truck Driver...when I was younger, I thought this would be a good way to see the country.
2. Professional piano player. It was a dream as a child.
3. Chiropractor. This is something I thought I might do as a child. Now I'm so not into alternative medicine!
4. Physical Therapy. Occupational Therapy.
5. Teacher.
6. Lawyer.
7. House wife. (this was when i just couldn't think of anything I wanted to do!)
8. English teacher in a foreign country.
9. Nurse.
10.Fire Jumper. (I saw an episode on 20/20 when I was little about fire rescuers that jumped into burning forests out of airplanes...what was I thinking?)
11.Business woman. I wanted to wear the professional outfits!
12.Nutritionist.
Boy did I need some direction. What were some career options you considered throughout your life?

Most Inconveniant Times to CRY!!

Have you ever had the problem where you just can't hold your tears in...no matter HOW HARD you try...there they go...tricklin' down your nose. I've had that happen to me a lot since I start crying whenever I see someone else cry....I guess I'm tooo sympathetic of a person. Here's a list of moments that I wish I could have contained myself a little better.

1. In 6th grade I got out in the first round of the Geography bee....yep...I cried my whole way down that long aisle.

2. A couple of weeks ago my future in-laws were over at my fiance's house and we were watching a classic movie where a little girl was put in an orphanage...Yep...I started bawling on the couch.

3. One time in college the only day I forgot to bring my book to class was the day we had an open-book test. I definitely started crying...luckily, i still got an A...I took really good notes.

4. My friend Sarah is a very animated person. She started BAWLING out LOUD at the movie Titanic.....She was sobbing and saying "its' just soo sad!" (so this happened to a friend and not me...but i thought it was pretty funny)

5. I cried at my personal training job multiple times. Usually I was able to make it to the bathroom before I exploded into tears....but the stalls don't give much privacy. I actually had customer ask me if I was okay while I was in the stall bawling my eyes out. She was like "I hear you crying in there..is there anything I can help you with!?" Too bad I didn't have her take out all those sexist male trainers! WHewww...am I glad I'm not a trainer anymore.

6. This is actually about a time I DIDN'T cry and always thought I would...My engagement!! I was too ecstatic to cry!

7. Another time in front of the future in-laws... My parents sent me a christmas card since I wasn't able to be home with them. They said the most amazing thing and I started crying in front of EVERYONE. I was sooo embarrassed.

8. I cried my whole way to college (when I wasn't sleeping)...the trip was 13 hours. Ha ha..my poor parents.

9. I cried in the airport line once...and the security guards chose ME to have my bags checked and ME to be hand checked when I couldn't even keep it together just standing in line.

10. The most inconvenient time I cried was when I got stuck in an airport and everything was shut down. I called my friend Abbey and paced frantically back and forth while I sobbed to her on the phone. Ha...abbey...yer such a good friend...even though you DID laugh at me!