PR!

Last Saturday I participated in one of my favorite events of the season: the annual YMCA Christmas Run. My family tries to do all the community marathons and races offered in the city, including the Great Potato Marathon, the New Years and Christmas runs, and the Big 5 Run. The Christmas run is a super easy jaunt through downtown Boise--just 2.5 miles (although there is a six mile run which my dad did, I chose not to because my knee has been acting all crazy again and I don't want to blow it for good). There are kids running and parents with strollers and dogs; it's not at all a serious run like the other races are. I'm very proud to say I beat my personal record during this run by about 3 minutes--and sure, relative to a lot of people I'm not very fast, but seeing the improvement of how far I have come since my first year of serious running makes me so happy. I also hadn't been running much in Asheville, so I'm glad I can still run fairly quickly. But honestly, I could have probably shaved off about 30 more seconds due to the horrible bottle-necking at the beginning of the race. There were like, people with dogs and kids at the front, so obviously as soon as we started running the dogs freaked out and attacked each other. About the first minute or so in these races are so slow, just because there are so many of us with such a thin line to start at, and it's pretty difficult to dodge through all of the people.

I absolutely love running. I may even stretch far enough to say that it is one of my favorite pastimes. It's wonderful to see how far you can push not only your body, but also your mind. People aren't lying when they say running is mostly mental and partially physical. It takes long, grueling practice and time  to find it, but once you cross that threshold you can let your body soar. I guess that's one of my strange traits--I really can't understand how people don't like or feel motivated to move and be active. The body is just so fascinating, and I find it hard to ignore exploring all the possibilities it has to offer. Feeling stronger every day, feeling faster and more challenged. Feeling the pulse in your veins so prominently  you feel drunk. I love feeling strong.

I'm proud of all of my family. Ethan, Lexi, and my dad all ran this year, and my dad placed second in his division. Go us!

Ahhhhh!

I haven't posted much lately, mainly because I'm getting married in less than TWO WEEKS and I'm absolutely swamped and stressed with too much to do. Something possessed me to think it was a good idea to make 400 caramel chocolate pretzels for Colette's holiday party, make my own centerpieces, create 100-200 snowflake fans for the reception, make another 400 pretzels for the reception, and also design/make my own wedding cake. The centerpieces will be the most glorious things ever, but unfortunately they take an excruciatingly long time to create, for I am very meticulous and picky about my arrangements. Things are coming together, though, and I can't believe it's happening. My love comes home tomorrow and we're going to play a lot of video games and then get down to serious business.

These snowflakes are actually really fun, although time consuming, to make. 

These were my first ones and they kind of look terrible. I got better. 

I may do a tutorial on how to create them when all the crazy is done. 

We're making a slideshow for the reception. Found this lovely little gem and thought I would share it. I think this is the most beautiful yet terrifying picture of me ever. Kind of sums up how I feel right now.

I guess here's a less terrifying one because why not, I was kind of cute once. 

One Ring to Rule them All

In light of The Hobbit coming out next week (!!!) I thought I'd share a sneak peek of Ethan's and my matching wedding bands: I introduce the One Ring! I love this ring because it's not a super conspicuous red flag that says "NERD ALERT". I think it's very elegant.

"One ring to rule them all,

one ring to find them,

one ring to bring them all

and in the darkness bind them."

I awake with you in the moonlight, your hands

draped across the pillow in a cool caress, my body splayed wantonly

in the depths of the covers

while the darkness sings us to sleep—

And every night

your cornucopia eyes drink in the splendor of my waist; 

wanting more than to sip the sinful seduction

that lies behind my eye-line and into my heart.

A heart that is forever cold. 

We are intoxicated—

drunk by the heavy liquor

of the night-time symphony sung under cover.

And for one moment

time is suspended,

the soaring of harmonies embellished by the soft lips on my brow

and the murmurs in the shell of my ear

bringing my heart to full climax

and I am settled.

I awake alone in the darkness, my naked hands feeling

the subtleties of your absence—

an absence which reeks of

hungover fantasies and pipedreams

that together we so carelessly explored.

Clumsily I dress myself, embarrassed by the light

mocking my attempts to eschew its brash judgment.

The symphony’s sirens come to a close as dawn draws the

reality of your absence back into my heart,

where it shall remain there forever, drunken

by its own unrequited passions.

Doing my best to be ferocious

If you need a hint as to what I want for Christmas