Truth-Filled Thursday #1

My friend Brittany over at Three Years Down has recently started a weekly link-up she calls "Truth-Filled Thursday," in fact, this is her 4th week!

I have wanted to participate since her first week, but I have been busy and haven't been able to. Thankfully that is not the case this week!

Brittany's request for our post is simply this....  "I'd love to read how the Word of God has inspired you this week. Simply post a blog (or heck, even a tweet if you can fit it in that small) with the bible verse He's used in your life this week." <via>

I am almost done with week 2 of the Good Morning Girls' summer session and as I mentioned in my post yesterday for Women in the Word Wednesday, I have been learning so much. 

The verse that has had the biggest inspiration in me this week....

"her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life" 

[Proverbs 31:11]

I have further elaborated my thoughts regarding this verse here, and instead of re-posting them, you can go read them at the link!

If you would like to participate in this link-up, go to her blog here and then add your post to her linky!

Let me know if you decide to join in, I would LOVE to read other bloggers' posts

Project Zero - 101 in 1001 (update end of month 4)

So, I figured I would start updating this list every month-ish so I can see my progress on things... Here is my updated list as of the end of Month 4 - again later than I wanted, but that's how it goes!

Bold = DONE
Italics = Began

Start Date = Monday January 9th, 2012
End Date =Monday October 6th, 2014



1. Pass the Oregon Bar Exam
2. Participate in NanoWrimo
3. Compete in and finish a marathon!
4. Open own solo law practice
5. Write a book (or short story) 




6. Find a church to attend in Salem - DONE 3_25_2012
7. Re-read the Bible in a year using a program like before
8. Join an online Bible study - DONE 1_15_2012
9. Spend a month actively praying for family and friends and keep a list of people and keep it in a visible place [0/31]
10. Organize my notes from when I read the Bible all the way through in 2011
11. Do at least 10 more devotionals of varying lengths from my Bible [6/10]
12. Plan a time with Aaron and my mom and sister in which to get my niece dedicated and baptized at our community church
13. Buy Selena her first Bible



14. Pay off my quad
15. Pay off both of my credit cards (Amazon and B of A)
16. Make my own coffee ONLY for 1 Month [31/31] - DONE 5_20_2012
17. Start couponing for groceries
18. Establish an emergency fund of $5,000
19. Keep track of all spending for 1 month [0/31]
20. Donate to my undergrad
21. Buy a house
22. Buy a new car
23. Buy a new couch and recliner



24. Go on a hiking trip to Silver Falls with a friend or group of friends
25. Go camping with girlfriends (without our boys)
26. Go one week without caffeine [0/7]
27. Go one month without fast food [0/31]
28. Floss every night for one week [0/7]
29. Run 20 miles in one single run
30. Go skiing or snowboarding for the FIRST time
31. Give up soda for 1 month [0/31]
32. Give up sugar for 1 month [0/31]
33. Try all of the classes at the gym at least once
34. Grow a garden in the planter boxes
35. Go to bed by 9pm for 1 week [0/7]
36. Get up and out of bed by 6am for 2 weeks [0/14]



37. Use and improve my Spanish
38. Identify 100 things that make me happy [0/100] - started 1000 gifts 4_20_12
39. Learn 1 thing new every day for 1 month [31/31] - DONE 3_21_12
40. Try 50 new recipes [8/50]
41. Join Toastmasters
42. Learn how to play PS3 so I can play Call of Duty with Joe
43. Make a pizza from scratch 
44. Learn how to knit
45. Learn how to crochet



46. Clean and organize office/spare room
47. Organize pictures
48. Delete duplicated songs off itunes and find names for all unnamed songs - DONE 5_18_2012

49. Get all photos into albums
50. Get everything of mine from mom's house and organize it
51. Help mom get her house in order
52. Clean and organize garage



53. Attend a music festival
54. Try 10 new local restaurants with or without Joe [3/10] - Ventis, Orupa, Thai Beer
55. Replace movies we only have on VHS with movies on DVD or Bluray
56. Go to the ballet
57. Go to the opera
58. Go to a comedy club
59. Join a couples' pool playing league with Joe
60. Buy a companion African Grey parrot for Harrison

 

61. Befriend someone new
62. Visit with a friend in person at least once a month [4/33]
63. Meet a blog friend
64. Attend MY 10 year high school reunion
65. Attend Joe's 10 year high school reunion with him
66. Host a games night
67. Host a dinner party
68. Have a mother/daughter day
69. Have a niece/auntie day - DONE in Month 4



70. Read 100 NEW TO ME books [16/100] - as of 5_23_12
71. Read a book of poems
72. Finish reading the entire Harry Potter series [4/7]




73. See all of AFI's top 100 movies [19/100]
74. Discover 10 (new to me) musicians [1/10] Fun
75. Learn to drive a stick shift
76. Learn to drive in Joe's BIG truck comfortably
78. Buy someone a gift off Etsy - DONE 1_18_2012




79. Find places looking for volunteers and volunteer somewhere once a month [0/33] - missed first 4 months
80. Send a family member a care package
81. Send a friend a care package
82. Give a gift "just because"
83. Choose 3 organizations/causes to contribute to financially [2/3]



84. Watch the sunrise 10 times [0/10]
85. Take walks with Joe after he gets off work every evening for a week
86. Meditate for 30 minutes every morning for 1 month [0/31]
87. Write a letter to a future me :)
88. Spend a whole day painting
89. Spend a whole day drawing



90. Visit Joe's aunt and uncle in St. Croix
91. Go to NY - a BIG dream of mine
92. Go out of the country (never been)
93. Take a road trip with some girlfriends
94. Plan a trip to see a family member I have never met before (or cannot remember ever meeting)
95. Visit 3 NEW TO ME national parks [0/3]
96. Visit Mount Rushmore
97. Visit Central Park
98. Go to Times Square
99. Shop in downtown NYC
100. Run a race somewhere out of state
101. Visit with Katie in Las Vegas

Just Closed... [Cinder]

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I will be honest, when I first started the book I didn't think I would like it. I'm not big on robot books, etc. But this book was so much more than that. I loved her take on the old classic fairy tale. It was similar to Cinderella, but had a lot of differences and was a stand out on its own. I liked how the author took the general ideas and made it into something different. I cannot wait to read her other books once they are out! :)

View all my reviews

{TAG} I'm It!

So I was tagged by the lovely Brittany over at Three Years Down to participate in a fun meme that I have seen being circulated around by many of my bloggy buddies. She is actually the first person to tag me, so I figured I should see what the buzz is all about!

Here are the rules.

You must post these rules.

Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post and cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer. You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her. No tag backs and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.

11 Facts About Myself

1. I love the Lord and am a Christian

2. I love to sing and was in choirs all through my childhood and through high school

3. I love to run and have participated in 3 half marathons

4. I have one older sister, one younger half sister, one older step sister, and one younger step sister - yep, all girls

5. I love to read

6. I have an African Grey parrot named Harrison, he is seriously the best pet ever

7. I live with my fiance whom I have been with for almost 7 years and engaged to for a little over a year

8. I love reality TV, especially American Idol, Big Brother, Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, Face-Off

9. I am a fan of all kinds of music, not just one type, I will listen to anything and everything

10. My favorite movie is actually tied because I cannot just pick one. They are My Best Friends Wedding and The Breakfast Club

11. I have a big fear of spiders

Onto the Questions:

1. If you could only read three books for the rest of your life, what would they be?
- Bible
- New Moon
- Lord of the Flies

2. What did you always want to be when you grew up?
- For the LONGEST time I wanted to be an actress... then when I got into high school I decided I wanted to be an attorney

3. Where is your most favorite place you've ever lived?
- Probably here in Salem for living arrangement and home, but for actual location I would probably have to say Eugene where I lived for 4 years during undergrad

4. Do you volunteer? If so, where? If not, where would you if you had the time?
- I haven't in awhile, but I would like to. I would like to volunteer for CASA again

5. If you could cameo on one television show, what would it be?
- For current shows I would probably say Dexter or Californication

6. Were you ever a groupie? For what band?
- Nope

7. Have you kept the resolutions you made on January 1?
- Some I have kept, some I haven't

8. How do you keep track of your busy schedule?
- I am insanely organized. I have a planner and I use it to the full extent. However, right now my schedule is less than busy.

9. How much time do you spend getting ready every day?
- Depends, I can be ready in 10 minutes if I need to, or if I take time and put in effort it can take closer to an hour

10. What is your favorite clothing store?
- Old Navy or Macys

11. What is one thing you hope to accomplish by your next milestone birthday (30? 35? 40?)?
- My next milestone birthday is 30. I would love to be married by then :)

I was also tagged by my friend Mandy over at Boy, Oh Boy, so here are her 11 questions for me!

1. What is your favorite piece of decor in your house?

I would have to say my pictures :) I am a HUGE photo person. I love picking out the photos and finding cute frams

1. What tv show is a guilty pleasure for you?

Recently I would have to say The Client List or Jerseylicious - obviously for different reasons

1. What is your favorite restaurant?

I would have to say Word of Mouth here in Salem. Soooo good!

1. If you could live in any other state, where would you choose?

I have never been to NY, but I would have to say NY

1. What kind of car do you drive?

Honda Accord

1. What is the thing you do that wastes the most amount of time in your day?

Facebook.

1. What is your favorite website right now?

Amazon.com

1. Do you have any special talents?

I can sing :)

1. What is your favorite feature about yourself?    Brain

1. How did you meet your significant other, if you have one?

A party at a friend's house

1. What is your favorite color?

Blue

 Here are my 11 friends that I wanted to tag:

1. Gossip_Grl
2. (Just) Trying is for Little Girls
3. Fruit Fly
4. Life, Love, and Ladybugs
5. Murdocks Mama
6. CilleyGirl
7. Wells L
8. Pineapples and Pickles
9. Runner's Luck
10. Stilettos & a fishing pole
11. When Gathered Around the Table

And here are my 11 questions for you all:

1. What is/was your favorite subject to study?
2. What is your favorite season of the year and why?
3. Do you watch reality tv? If so, which shows?
4. If you could have ANY career in the world, what would it be? Is that different than your actual career?
5. Is it better to have a few close friends or lots of "friends"? Why?
6. What is your favorite song?
7. What/who is your favorite band/singer?
8. What is your favorite sport to play? To watch?
9. Who is your favorite designer?
10. What TV show would you want to be on and why?
11. When is your birthday?

Women in the Word Wednesday - 2012 Summer Study Wk 2

Today I am linking up with Good Morning Girls for "Women in the Word Wednesday"

I have decided that for these little weekly re-caps I am going to start with the following week's Thursday and then continue through the present Wednesday. Since I participate and post these on Wednesday's you will technically get half of the prior week and only half of the current week, but it should work out!

Thursday, May 17th
- Proverbs 31:7-8

I thought that these two verses were a good continuance after 5 and 6 which talked about not drinking as leaders and that alcohol was for the dying and those in bitter distress. I think the point of these two verses was to say that these people (the dying and distressed) can drink as a way to escape their fates, but that those of us who are leaders need to not drink so that we can speak up for those who can't. It is indeed a large burden to put on those who are leading, but I think it is a grand idea and a grand ideal to strive toward. While I love to drink on occasion, I will admit that I am in no shape to make decisions for others or to speak up for them when I am under the influence!

Friday, May 18th
- Proverbs 31:9

I really liked Proverbs 31:9. I don't know if it's because I feel like it resonates with me in my desire to become an attorney, but I feel like it is talking directly to me. I want to be able to assure that the poor and helpless get justice, I really do. I feel like reading this in conjunction with the prior verses is giving me the message that in order to obtain justice for others I need to have a clear head and that means to avoid intoxicating substances


Monday, May 21st
- Page 6 of Proverbs 31 Woman book
- Proverbs 31:10
- Proverbs 12:4

Reading page 6 of the Proverbs 31 book "How to be a Treasure to Your Husband" I found myself agreeing with some of the traits and then kind of disagreeing with others. Well I suppose disagreeing isn't the correct word. I guess I would just re-iterate that I sometimes believe that the Proverbs 31 woman sets an unreachable high standard! While I do agree that it is something that we women should all aspire to, I guess I just get down when I realize that I am nowhere near where I should be. Then I think to myself why should I think I'm nowhere near where I should be? Why do I have to put myself down for what I'm not, instead of building myself up for what I am? I guess that's where my personality and character comes in... I'm a perfectionist. If I'm not completely right about something then I assume I am completely wrong. Why does it have to be an all or nothing thing? I guess that's what I am continually trying to work on in myself. Pardon me for the side rant there, just needed to get it out.

I really like how Proverbs 31:10 refers to a virtuous and capable wife as being more precious than rubies. It just goes to show how valuable that type of wife is. I long to be that type of wife, and I suppose in my current relationship, that kind of fiancee.

Proverbs 12:4 says that a worthy wife is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones. To me this says that a worthy wife is someone that the husband is proud to have, someone that he is proud to show off, someone that makes him a better man. While a disgraceful woman is something that the husband does not want to have, someone that is harmful to him, someone that is potentially even deadly for him

Tuesday, May 22nd
- Proverbs 18:22
- Proverbs 19:4

These verses were very insightful and I learned a good amount from them. My main observation from the 2 that were assigned for our study was that men should treasure their wives for they are gifts from God. In applying this to my own life I journaled that as women we must be this treasure, we must strive to be the understanding wives that God wants to give to our spouses.

Lastly, I prayed that God would help me to grow as an understanding woman and partner to my fiancee Joe and to make me the treasure that God wants me to be.

Wednesday, May 23rd
- Proverbs 31:11
- Proverbs 11:28
- Proverbs 28:26
- Proverbs 31 Woman book p. 7

While I journaled all of the verses, the main focus of my SOAP study was the verse specifically from Proverbs 31, number 11, which states that "her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life"

For me this is an extremely important trait of the Proverbs 31 woman. She is someone her husband can trust, whether it be with money, children, in the home, reputation, faithfulness, etc. It is not just trust with one thing, but with ALL things.

This verse is important to me because Joe and I have had trust issues in the past, largely because of myself and dumb actions that I have taken. I need to work on building back the trust that he has in me by being a trustworthy woman. I get upset that he doesn't already have it 100% back, but I need to realize that it isn't something that should be given freely and easily, it is something very important. The Bible says that through trust the woman will greatly enrich her husband's life. Focus on "greatly enrich." It doesn't just say "enrich" or "lightly enrich" it says "GREATLY." Something of this magnitude is very important and definitely not something to be taken lightly.

Today I pray that God will help me to become a woman that Joe can trust, that he will work on my resolve to not make the same dumb choices I have made in the past and that he will open Joe's eyes and heart to be able to feel full trust in me again.

I also recently shared my GMG goals with my group and thought I would share of them with you as well...
- Grow closer to God by spending more time in the word.
- Utitilize the SOAP method for my quiet time.
- Grow as a leader for other women and lead by example.

My American Idol debate...

I have really tried to refrain from posting my thoughts about this season of American Idol because while I have been happy at times, I have mostly thought the competition was unfair and things that have happened just weren't right.

In particular, if you are a friend of mine IRL you know that I HATE Jessica Sanchez. And yes, I know hate is a strong word, so maybe I should just say I really really dislike her.

For example, the one time she gets "voted off" by America, the judges are able to "save her" with the single judges' save. Then after that point she is hardly ever in bottom 2. Why do I feel like this was a set-up? So that the judges could waste their only save on her? I know I sound all conspiracy theory here, but it is EXACTLY how I feel and EXACTLY how it looks. Annoying.  

I just don't feel like she is genuine. Maybe it's because she is so young and has led a relatively sheltered life... That is what some of my friends have said, but I'm still not sure if I believe it.

Then I also have friends who have claimed that she is going to be the next Whitney Houston. And I'm like "WHAT? There is NO WAY!"

But, somehow she has made it to the finals. This week we will know if she wins and if I will further lose my faith in one of my most beloved reality shows. Thank God for The Voice! :)

Anyway, all of that being said, I REALLY hope Phillip wins! He is just too original to not win.

 

Swoon... 

 

Guy with a guitar :) 

And because I loved others in the competition whom I think deserved to make it further, here's my shout outs to them!

  

Colton Dixon, I always love the rockers on Idol. I think you were voted off much too soon and I look forward to hearing more from you in the future. 

 

Skylar Laine, you are such a little spitfire. I loved all of your performances and wished you would have made it further. You should have been the final girl.

Portland Rock n' Roll Half Marathon 2012 (Part 3) - Race Day!

So I don't have a huge race report, but I do have some things to say, and of course I have my results and some pictures, so please keep reading! 

This was the inaugural Portland R n R Half Marathon so I had never ran the course before and not being super familiar with Portland I didn't really know what to expect. Yes, my first half marathon was the Run Like Hell in Portland in 2010 and that was hilly, so I should have expected hills here, but honestly I didn't expect there to be as many as there was! And that said, I didn't train adequately for the hills. 

They took me by surprise. 

It was as though we would turn a corner and there would be a hill. Then we would have a short downhill, turn another corner, and boom! Another hill. 

As we ran through the neighborhoods along Hawthorne and Burnside people had lots of signs, and plenty of which said things like "you're halfway up the hill..." etc. Halfway? Are you kidding me? Yes, that thought entered my head multiple times. 

But I survived! And for once I tried to really enjoy the race and my surroundings, taking in the crowds, the signs, the sights. This was definitely not something I had done before in prior races. I feel like that is because I am so often in my own head that it is hard to really stop and enjoy the experience. 

I think this race was well executed, there were plenty of porta potties along the way, plenty of water and gatorade stations, and the volunteers did a great job making sure everything was well stocked and ready for us when we came through their stations. It was a pleasure of a run and while I did not re-register for next year, that doesn't mean that I won't again a little later on. 

It was raining for nearly the entire 13.1 miles. Which I LOVED. I would much rather run in the rain than run in the heat. I know a lot of people disliked the rain, but I was not one of them. 

My parents were about a half mile out from the finish line when I was coming in and it was so encouraging and refreshing to see them there cheering for me. It definitely gave me the extra OOMPFH to get through. 

Once I crossed the finish line I was quickly handed my medal, some water, and a fruit cup with peaches. I then proceeded to get my picture taken, to get a bottle of chocolate milk, a box of yummy food courtesy of PDX RnR, and then to get my space blanket. It was the first time I ever got one of those and it was quite nice. Plus it made me feel all fancy. Sorry, I obviously don't get out much! 

After I got out of the finishers area I stepped right out to see Rebekah, Chris, and their pup Bandit waiting for me. It was so nice to have friends at the finish! They only live about 10 blocks from the park so they had walked down (in the rain) to meet me! :) 

My first goal was to get a 2:50 for time. My PR prior was 2:51:51 (from my first half) and I really thought I could beat it. Unfortunately with all of the hills, that goal slowly (or maybe quickly, passed away). 

After that goal I really just decided that I wanted to do better than my other half  (which was my second half) which was 3:20. Thankfully I was able to crush that time! 

My results: (According to the Official Race Website)

Overall place: 9577 out of 11017 (meaning I beat 1440 people overall while 9576 beat me)

Division place: 816 out of 895 (meaning I beat 79 people in my division while 815 beat me)

Gender place: 6501 out of 7703 (meaning I beat 1202 other women while 6500 beat me... ah well)

My 5k time was 40:31

My 10k time was 1:24:52

My 10 mile time was 2:19:37

And my finish time was 3:04:14 (which means I had a pace of 14:04)

Results (According to my Garmin)

Distance:

13.07 mi

Time:

3:04:36 - I didn't stop it right when I crossed the finish

Avg Pace:

14:08 min/mi

Elevation Gain:

513 ft

Calories:

1,388 C

Moving Time:	2:58:06
Elapsed Time:	3:05:11

Avg Pace:	14:08 min/mi
Avg Moving Pace:	13:38 min/mi
Best Pace:	6:45 min/mi

Elevation Gain:	513 ft
Elevation Loss:	504 ft
Min Elevation:	9 ft
Max Elevation:	279 ft

Split	Time	Distance	Avg Pace
1	12:43.0	1.00	12:43
2	12:33.9	1.00	12:34
3	13:31.2	1.00	13:31
4	13:42.6	1.00	13:43
5	14:47.0	1.00	14:47
6	14:34.8	1.00	14:35
7	15:11.5	1.00	15:12
8	14:30.7	1.00	14:31
9	14:23.1	1.00	14:23
10	14:02.9	1.00	14:03
11	15:16.4	1.00	15:16
12	14:35.1	1.00	14:35
13	13:27.1	1.00	13:27
14	1:16.5	0.07	18:36

Now, what I am sure you are anxious to see... Pictures!

 

Here I am before the race started! Anxious, excited, and ready to get it started!

 

Here I am during the race...

Again during the race...

We ran under this Brooks Rocker Dude around Mile 11 :)

This is a random picture of the finish line

People around the finish line... random pic... None of them are me!

After I had crossed the finish line... kind of dazed here...

After the finish and I have my medal...

Medal EARNED! :)

 

My FINISHER photo :)

Reb and I after the race... enjoying my space blanket :)

Kevin Rudolf was the post-race headliner!

And here's the song that was on when I came in to the finish... What a perfect song!

Half Marathon #3 - Training Week #12

Week 12 (Monday May 14th - Sunday May 20th)

Mon - Scheduled = 0 / Done = 0
Tues - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 3.05 miles in 36:53
Wed - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 3.10 miles in 39:00
Thurs - Scheduled = 3 / Done = 0
Fri - Scheduled = 0 / Done = 0
Sat - Scheduled = 2 / Done = 0
Sun - Scheduled = 13.1 (Portland Rock n Roll Half) / Done = 13.1 miles in 3:04:14

Weekly Total = 19.25 miles