Tri you say? Why not! And lots of gratitude along with it.

It has been a little over a week since I crossed the finish line and officially became a tri athlete. Weird. The race was amazing- freezing (high of 42 degrees), dripping wet (literally rained the entire time- it was dripping off my hat onto my face) and windy, but amazing. I’ve tried to cultivate an attitude of gratitude so even though the conditions were less than ideal, here is a list of things I became grateful for while trying not to shiver to death:

I’m grateful for:

-being able to put one foot in front of the other

-the ability to feel my fingers and toes and know when I am cold

-a body that functions

-RAIN! So our produce will be cheaper all summer and our lakes fuller

-Family that will stand in the rain to cheer me on

-Accomplishing a goal

-Checking something off my 30 ways to celebrate list

 

 

Did you know in China you are considered wealthy if you own a bike? Every single person competing in that race owns at least one bike. My running shoes cost more than most people in the world will spend on food for a month and they are only 1 of 4 pairs of running shoes in my closet.

 

I can’t think of any other non-first world nation that would pray for it to stop raining so you can swim, ride a bike and run. Seriously, dang first world problems.

I feel extraordinarily blessed to be able to do races. The adrenaline and energy is contagious and exhilarating. There is nothing like jumping in the water and pushing yourself to swim faster and harder than you ever have. You hit the finish, jump out and RUN to your transition to try and suit up (for those of us not in a tri suit), get your shoes on, helmet buckled and out to the mount line as fast as possible. You pedal and pedal and pedal until your legs are on fire and your breathing is coming in gasps only to get back to the transition area, loose the helmet and get back on the road. You ignore the jello-y feeling of your legs and force one foot to go in front of the other. Over and over and over until you look up and see the glorious finish line looming in the distance. This is the moment to dig deep and finish strong. All for this moment. Everything for one moment of glory. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Am I sure? Definitely. (Although it may be a personality disorder to want to push your body to its limits in 40 degree weather; I should check into that.)

 

I need to give a HUGE shout out to my second Dad, Todd Douglas. I LOVE this man. He is one in a million. When he found out I was doing this tri, he signed up for it so I wouldn’t have to do my first alone. He is much faster and stronger than I am but walked me through every single step and every transition. He made sure I was ready and cheered me to the end. I am so incredibly blessed he is in my life and so grateful he is family.

 

Here are some pictures!

Thank you Todd for being the very best second Dad around!

 

 

 

 

I may be crazy but I love this kind of stuff. Kristen and Luke always take such good care of me and made sure I got a celebration for accomplishing my goal. I know I’ve said it before but I will say it again, everyone should be as lucky as I am to have friends like Kristen and Luke. They are some of the most amazing and wonderful people I know. I love them more than words can articulate.

 

Next week I head to Disneyland with my family to check off 30 rides. I can hardly wait! It is destined to be an epic adventure.

 

Much love to you all and happy 30 to me-

 

~Stef

The Shadow of The Wind

I just finished the BEST book and couldn’t wait to write a review. Have any of you heard of, The Shadows of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon? No you say? Well, now you have!

 

This book is well written, easy to read, great character development and I didn’t figure it out in the first 30 pages. There is love, intrigue, murder, the angst of childhood, passion and mystery.

 

The story is a coming of age tale following a boy named Daniel. His father takes him to a secret location called The Cemetery of Books to pick one to belong to him. He searches and finds the perfect book, The Shadow of the Wind, written by an author he has never heard of. The story follows his attempt to uncover the lost story of the mysterious writer.

 

I don’t want to give anymore away about this story but I will note there are 2 “big” cuss words in it and a moment that made me gasp with surprise.

 

Read it. You will love it. (If you don’t, I will give you a different one to try!)

 

Much love to you all and happy 30 to me!

 

~Stef

Why does this scare me so much?!?

Haircuts should not be scary but it totally stressed me out! I have been contemplating this cut for a year and finally got the push I needed from the amazing and beautfiul Camille Garrison. She just cut all of hers off and was the final push I needed. Thanks Camille!

I text my fabulous cousin Lexie who does hair and asked her opinion. She was so encouraging and I couldn't think of anyone I would want to cut it besides her! I definitely made the right decision going to her!

Pictures are better than anything else so here they are:

The Salon

Before

8 inches later

Side View of the A-Line

Lexie is the BEST hairdresser ever!!

Holy crap that is a lot of hair



I love it! Change is amazing!

Dear Future....

April 13, 2014

Dear future,

I rode my new bike tonight from my home to my parents and back again. I listened to the radio, smelled the freshly cut grass, felt the breeze and enjoyed the majestic views. As I rode, I thought of you. I thought of all the decisions I make in my life with thoughts of you- the things I say, the way I act, the way I treat other people...really everything. As I thought on all of these decisions, I couldn't help but smile. I smiled for you, I smiled for me and I smiled for what the future will hold for us.

I don't know who you are yet or where you are but I just want to tell you I am waiting. I will continue to smile for the excitement of what our future will be and for the extrodinary life I am blessed to live until our paths cross.

Until I meet you, know I think of you and I love you already. I'm excited for our extrodinary ordinary life together.

-Your future

Pictures to go along with the post!

Happy April!

Where did March go?!? Seriously, I sat down more than once to write a post but always ran out of time. Life just gets away from me sometimes. I feel like I blink and a month is gone.

 

March was spectacular. I can’t believe my birthday has come and gone. You want to know my big take away from my actual birthday? I am SO blessed. My life is filled with such amazing things, opportunities and people. As I went to bed at the end of the day, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude words were not adequate to even express the whirlwind of emotions.

 

Since I live alone, my room is always quiet. (All you parents of young children can be a little jealous.:)) I stared at my gratitude journal wondering how to put it on paper. How to you articulate love? Service? Friendship? Family?

 

My day started by NOT going to the office. I took the day off. Why you ask? Why not! Sometimes we forget we are important and it is ok to spend some time focused on ourselves. It was ok to take a day to do exactly what I wanted without any other pressures. I’d been on the road for more than a week and was leaving the following so it is what my psyche needed- a rest; a break from the mundane of everyday; just to be. My mom and I spent the late morning shopping and eating lunch. We hit all my favorite clearance racks- Tommy Hilfiger, Banana Republic, Famous Footwear and J. Crew to name a few. I was determined to buy an entire outfit in one shopping trip to cross of one of my 30 ways to celebrate 30. Check that one off! I ended up with more than 6 shirts, 1 pair of jeans, 2 pairs of shoes, a purse and 2 pairs of earrings. I totally made out like a bandit while only spending just over $150. Have I mentioned how much I love clearance rack and outlets?

 

After my morning of shopping, I met up with Kristen and my 3 adorable God-daughters. For my birthday we made a tea hat because every girl should own one. I LOVE how it turned out! It is so fun and spunky yet not too far out there. Now I just need to plan a tea party to wear it.

 

The day rounded out with a birthday party with all my favorite people! Not only were my favorite people involved but we were also on roller-skates! My amazing sister-in-law and Mom went above and beyond to arrange the perfect party for the big day. It was filled with love, family, friends, good music, food and all around happiness. It was better than anything I could have planned on my own and I’m so grateful. I still can’t believe it has come and gone!

 

March was also a crazy travel month for me. I was on the road A LOT! I was super grateful I was able to actually be home before my birthday since last year I was stuck in an airport for 6 hours trying to get home.

 

I read a few books (finished 3 more), had lunch with Kristen, did a few random acts of kindness and made a plan to complete a few more things off my list. (If you want book reviews, leave me a note and I will send you a message.) I also have been training for my tri like crazy, signed up for the Dirty Dash on June 7 and have made lifestyle changes to promote health. I am down 14 pounds and 9 inches, have more energy, clear skin and healthier hair than I’ve ever had in my life! I am planning a post solely on how I have changed and improved for those of you interested.

 

April is almost half way done and I am getting more and more excited for the tri. I can’t believe it is happening in 2 weeks! I finally purchased a bike today and am happy I didn’t rush into the decision and found something I’m excited about. There is going to be a lot of bike riding happening around my house for the next while!

 

I finished a book last week (Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan) and will finish 2 more this weekend (The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz and The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown.) I’m finalizing details on skydiving the beginning of June and should be purchasing my plane ticket to Europe next week.

 

Because I made the goal to do more random acts of kindness, I have found myself searching for ways to serve others. As I’ve prayed for guidance and opened my eyes, I am shocked by the many ways there are to serve. Whether opening a door for someone, taking a grocery cart back, helping unload/load a car, paying a big tip or being a listening ear, there are numerous ways around us to help. When I serve, I instantly feel grateful for the opportunity. When I feel grateful, I’m reminded of my many incredible blessings and when I’m reminded of my blessings, I remember my divinity and worth as a daughter of God. I hope you all remember YOU are unique and divine. No matter what is happening around you, NOTHING can change that truth. NOTHING.

 

Tomorrow I am doing something that scares me and I will post pictures to prove it!!

 

Much love to you all and happy 30 to me!

 ~Stef

 

Aloha!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I love Valentine’s Day even being single. Why wouldn’t you love a day to tell people you love them? Maybe I am biased because I am surrounded by true love but I am a believer in fairytales and happily ever after so V-day fits right in.


So, HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO YOU ALL! I’m sending love and happiness to each of you.

I can’t believe the adventures and opportunities I have! My life is exceptional and exceedingly blessed. I don’t tell you this to make you jealous or make you think my life is perfect because it isn’t. Everyone can have an extraordinary life; you just have to be willing to look for the adventure and opportunity- live with the thought, “ I can’t or don’t have time” don’t exist.

Last week, I had the last minute opportunity (like we booked the plane tickets 8 hours before we got on the flight) to go to Hawaii with the beautiful and amazing Brittany Peterson and her wonderful mom, Denise. As Brittany and I were talking about this, I realized if I went I would have the opportunity to use my scuba certification AND go to a beach I’ve never been too. When I realized how adventure presented itself, there was no way I could say no! Instead, I jumped at the opportunity and embraced the spontaneity. I’m so grateful I did because it was a great adventure!

We arrived in Oahu late Wednesday afternoon and stayed right on Waikiki beach. I’ve been to Kauai, Maui and Lanai but have never been to Oahu so I was super excited to see another of the Hawaiian islands.



With a WWII Survivor. I bought his
memoir and he signed it for me.

Yummy Dole Whip

On Thursday, we toured the island by starting at Pearl Harbor. I really think the generation of WWII is the greatest generation of our time. For the men to go fight for a people they’ve never met and for the women to step into a role they had never had before, both with dignity and pride, is something to be admired. I also love the unity and love our country showed to the troops and those fighting for the greater good. I was humbled to be standing on the tomb of so many brave men who gave their lives to protect and ensure the continuation of the freedom we all enjoy. While at the memorial, one of the survivors was there signing his biography. I bought the book and it is in my list of 30 for the year.

After Pearl Harbor, we met up with some of my amazing friends who are stationed in Oahu and went to the Dole Plantation. There are only 4 places in the whole world to get Dole whip and I was definitely not going to miss the opportunity to get it! Dole whip is so delicious!



Laie LDS Temple

Getting on the boat for 2 dives

After the plantation tour, we ventured to the other side of the island to enjoy the surfers on North Shore and visit the LDS Laie Temple. We arrived right as a rain storm started and it was getting dark. The grounds were beautiful and magical in the weather.

Friday was spent as an adventure! Scuba diving!!! IT WAS INCREDBILE!!! Oh my, I’m SO glad to be certified! We did a 2 tank dive in 2 different locations about a mile off the coast of Waikiki beach. The first dive was to a place called Turtle Canyon. The name tells you exactly what we were diving with. Some of the turtles were HUGE! It was beautiful to be in the water with such magnificent creatures. The dive master also pulled out a big octopus and let each of us hold it. Holy moly, I’ve held an octopus! 

Holding an octopus


Our second dive was at a spot called Nautilus. There were 2 beautiful, colorful HUGE reefs. We found another octopus and some eels. As I came over one of the reefs and dropped down, a 4 foot white tipped reef shark was hanging out under the ledge. I’m deathly scared of sharks but still dropped down to just watch. It was something to hang out 50’ under water and watch sharks.

I’m so grateful I jumped at the opportunity to get certified just a few weeks ago. I love that things are happening in my life and that I’m allowing them to happen!

Sunrise on Waikiki Beach

On Saturday, I got up early and went for a sunrise run (I did this on Friday too). After my run, I sat on the beach ALL DAY. It was glorious. I loved it more than a little. As the sun went down, I was grateful I could check another thing off my celebration list.



View from Diamond Head Lookout on a sunrise run

We flew home Saturday night and I’m already in the plans for the next adventure. Exploring new places brings peace and contentment to my soul. I love meeting new people and visiting new places. There is nothing quite like it.



Sunset on Waikiki Beach

I’ve finished another book but I will leave the review for the next post. Tomorrow I’m going to the spa all day and am looking forward to it more than I care to admit.








I hope happiness fills your life and opportunity presents itself today. More than that, I hope you never miss an opportunity for adventure.

Much love to you all and happy 30 to me-
Aloha-

Stef




Wahoo!!