In Love With Troy Boy

It's been almost 365 days since Troy and I spent a day apart and what a wonderful year it has been! I honestly didn't think I could love being with someone so much. As we went for a long drive yesterday, I started thinking about all the silly things I love about him:

* The exaggerated wide eyed looks he give me

* When he laughs so hard he hiccups

* His excitement for the moose that wander into the yard

* The way he babies the dogs

* How he always cuddles with me before getting out of bed

* That he promises to never go anywhere, even for a day, without me

* How humble he is

* The way he supports all my random dreams and goals

The list goes on and on, but I just want to say how truly blessed I feel to have found my perfect match.

Favorite Exercise Tracks

In my opinion, a killer playlist is essential for a successful workout. I love finding new tunes to add to my list so, for all my fellow exercise fanatics, here are my top twenty favorite songs that get me in the mood to hit the gym. If anyone has any recommendations, send them my way!

"Throw It On Me" - Timbaland

"Fat Bottomed Girls" - Queen

"Suicide Blonde" - INXS

"Fame" - David Bowie

"Callin' Out" - Lyrics Born

"Yell Fire" - Michael Franti

"Personal Jesus" - Depeche Mode or Marilyn Manson

"Dancing With Myself" - Billy Idol

"Mercy" - Duffy

"Music Is The Victim" - Scissor Sisters

"Lean Like A Cholo" - Down

"They" - Jem

"Le Disko" - Shiny Toy Guns

"Cigarello" - The Fratellis (this group has a ton of great fast tracks)

"Take Me Out" - Franz Ferdinand

"Wind It Up" - Gwen Stefani

"Runaway Train" - Soul Asylum

"Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured" - Arctic Monkeys

"Teenagers" - My Chemical Romance

"Grace Kelly" - Mika

More Tidbits of Wisdom

If you haven't gathered already, Epictetus is my favorite philosopher to quote. I just re-read for about the twentieth time "The Art of Living". Here are some of my favorite quotes:

"First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do."

"Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours."

"We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them."

"Small-minded people habitually reproach others for their own misfortunes. Average people reproach themselves... There is nothing to be gained in blaming, whether it be others or oneself."

"Do your own useful work without regard to the honor or admiration your efforts might win from others. There is no such thing as vicarious merit."

"You can be justifiably happy with yourself and at ease when you've harmonized your actions with nature by recognizing what truly is yours."

"The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths."

"Don't be concerned with other people's impressions of you. They are dazzled and deluded by appearances. In fact, be suspicious if you appear to others as someone special. Be on your guard against a false sense of self-importance."

"Your happiness depends on three things, all of which are within your power: your will, your ideas concerning the events in which you are involved, and the use you make of your ideas."

"If you want to live a wise life, live it on your own terms and in your own eyes."

"Character matters more than reputation... even if your reputation were really to matter, you're not responsible for what others think of you."

"First know the meaning of what you say, then speak."

 

Personal Goals

It has been far too long since my last post. Events in my daily life have kept me from sitting down and focusing my attention on writing.

The diet challenge was a great step for me. Yes, I still had caffeine from time to time, but have improved my diet tremendously. I have also adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, which has been going swimmingly. For months, almost years, I have struggled with eating meat. Once in a great while it would sound appetizing, but usually just the thought of it would repulse me. So if anyone has any great vegetarian recipes they'd like to share with me, please do.

Sadly, I had to drop out of the Park City Marathon. I spent the week prior to the marathon in Vegas sitting by the pool all day in the 105 degree heat. This was a mistake. I flew home Friday night so I could run Saturday morning. I kept getting waves of nausea shortly into the race and finally stopped running at the half way point. I was disappointed, but I am determined to do better next month with the Top of Utah Marathon.

So this brings me to my goals:

Physical:

* Do some form a exercise every day

* Begin my Pilates certification program

* Run two marathons a year

* Make a conscious effort to eat properly every day.

Spiritual:

* Attend church every week. Only exceptions will be out of town or ill.

* Read Church material every week

* Work towards receiving my endowments next year 

Personal:

* Read at least one new book a month

* Take up a new hobby. I am looking at skate skiing this winter. I will also improve both my downhill and cross country skiing.

* Get back into volunteering. I recently signed up with Sundance, The Park City Historical Society, KPCW. If anyone knows any good causes in Park City, let me know.

I think that's it. This honestly shouldn't be that hard if I utilize my time well.