Finally A Stamp In My Passport

Manchester and Liverpool England.

English chocolate is a million times better than American chocolate.

The Liver building.

The only day we were there it was closed
because the workers were on strike for
better pay.

The Beatles Experience

Tiny roads full of cars all going the wrong way (at least to this American used to driving on the right side of the road).

My First Chippy

English Garden Hedges

Warming up with a hot water bottle and Harry Potter.  What could be more English.

Scotland

I have fallen in love with Scotland.  Last month I spent a couple of weeks in Europe and by far Scotland was my favorite place.  The Highlands.  The Glens.  The accents and the people were all wonderful.  If I could live anywhere it would be Scotland.

Hi from Loch Ness

Unknown Consequences

Yesterday I was able to experience my second 5K run.  As was my first adventure into the 5K world of running it was a color run.  A color run is when you run the 5K course as outlined and then periodically during the run you go through a color station in which you have a different color thrown on you.  

Running through clouds of colored cornstarch can choke you for a moment as part of the cloud inevitably makes it past your mouth closed, breathe holding defenses.  You would think that this would be a big deterrent to the desire to finish such a run, but in reality it is extremely fun and enjoyable in a getting yourself dirty way. 

Another part of this run that I can call "cool" was that it was around part of downtown SLC starting and ending at Energy Solutions Arena, the home of the Utah Jazz.  Ending at Energy Solutions Arena meant that part of the run took place inside the actual building.  You ran one lap around the top and then were lead down to the lower level leading you into the actual arena onto the floor.  I have to admit that just as I was leaving the floor of the arena I lifted my hands above my head imagining the whole stadium full of people cheering me on.

Now to the downside.  Most of the time since the color is just pigmented cornstarch the clean up is essentially easy.  One quick shower and you are on your way.  Not so this time.  The bright pink color that you can see dominates my face was not as willing to be removed.  Even today I have small spots of pink still clinging strongly to to my forehead and hairline.  Ahhh!  If only the oddly specific clothes cleaner my cousin found at the store was for faces.

I love that this is for all your "Color Run Accidents"

The Bustle Of A Big City

Sometimes I like to throw myself into the turmoil of a big city.  I like the feeling of so much of what is call the "human experience" happening around me.  I like seeing the world in fast forward as everyone zooms to a fro on a quest to make it to their job, their lunch location, or their next shopping experience.  Other times it is just too much.  At these times I wish I could push the pause button on the world player and tell everyone around me it is okay to take a second to breath.  It is okay to look around you and just stop the crazy time crunch of having someplace to be.  It is okay to have a little calm.

Apples Are Not Nice

Can you decide if you are allergic to something?  I think I have decided I'm allergic to apples.  That is a sad statements because we have all heard the saying, "an apple a day keeps the doctor away".  I think an apple a day would bring the doctor my way.  So, ya.  I will probably continue to eat apples and drink apple juice because I love it, but I'm putting my foot down and deciding I am allergic to apples.

How is that for a post after being MIA for so long?

The List

You have heard of people making lists for what they would like in a significant other.  I have never been one of these people.  I have the romantic (I guess) idea that when the right guy shows up no matter what he is like he will be the right one and I don't need a list of wants.  After having lunch with some good friends they decided to take it in hand and come up with a list for me.  A napkin was passed around the restaurant table and everyone wrote in what I should be looking for in a man.  So now I have a list.  It doesn't seem to bad.  It doesn't match up with my friends list that I will share with you, but it's not bad.

Me:

Male

Kind

Assertive (in a good way)

Worthy

OK with my obsession with Supernatural (the television show I am into right now)

Good taste in music

Participates in said Supernatural obsession

Willing to lead but hand in hand, not in front

Sensitive

Communicator GOOD COMMUNICATION!

Snuggles!

Good hygiene

Romantic

Optimistic

Patient

Funny

Beard - ehhhh (some guys can pull it off some guys can't so this is iffy)

Smart

Reads to you every night (not really necessary)

Sings to you each morning (this one also isn't all that necessary)

My Friends (really fits her personality, this was sent to me over IM at work)

i just want someone to like me for me.
and be decently attractive. 
and taller than 5'7"
and good hygiene skills.
and...
be a GOOD MAN.
and active.
and worthy. i want a tall man.
with a nice personality
who's funny
temple going
 loving
with an occasional swearing problem

and is ok with excessive caffeine consumption. 

Do you think our lists are good?

Achivement

A couple of months ago I decided I needed to whip myself into shape - Literally.  So I joined a gym.  I went through the tedious effort of locating a gym, having the "tour", and sitting through the endless spiels of how I can get a personal trainer for only dollars a day.  Sadly I succumbed to the sales job pulled on me and I signed up for a personal trainer.  My first experience with a trainer really didn't go well, but after switching personal trainers it really wasn't that bad.

Part of the training program that my trainer set in place was to set some goals.  I won't go into what they were except for one.  I go into this one because today I was able to reach it and even go a little bit beyond it.  My goal was to be able to run 5 straight minutes on the treadmill.  It may not seem like much to you, but for me it was a big deal.  Today, I set my mind to do it and to my amazement and pride I pulled it off.  I was able to keep running and not need to stop or slow down.  I was so happy with myself.

I guess it is time to set a new goal for this one.