The Haunted Half Doesn't Scare Us

Well folks. I have changed a lot over the last couple of years, and done quite a few things I said I never would. (Number one on that list would be nursing school. That was a hard no. But it turns out you cannot actually give Heavenly Father a hard no, or he will test you on it.) 

Kylie, Rick, me, and Steven keeping warm pre-race

Running was something I always despised growing up. I hated being sweaty, I hated feeling slow and out of breath, and I hated feeling weaker than everyone around me because I just thought I could not do it. I always told myself and others that I simply was not athletic; it is easy to blame things on what is out of your control and rationalize that you therefore have no power to change it.

Spider Man, Harry Potter, Leonardo, and Super Man ready to rock.

As I have grown and matured (or like to believe I have..) I have come to reject the idea that there are a lot of things outside of my control. I have come to love the challenge of being told I can't do something or can't change something. My parents raised me to believe that I could accomplish anything I wanted if I planned and worked hard enough for it. A few years ago I decided to take my health into my own hands and started doing research on healthy eating/lifestyles/etc. I came to truly love how it felt to eat and be healthy. I started swimming a lot to get my exercise in. But the problem with swimming is it is sort of a seasonal sport. Every winter would come and my health would decline for a few months, and I once again would place the blame on the weather; something outside of my control. Last year when I left on study abroad I became determined to continue exercising year round. I realize the only way to make that happen would be to start running...

family fun 

I was lucky enough in London to have a bunkmate who was an avid runner and got me up every morning to go with her for a half hour. It only took a week or two to learn to love our morning jogs through Kensington Gardens. It was gorgeous trails, perfect temperature, and just felt good to move my body and feel my heart and muscles growing stronger.

This summer I made a goal to run a half marathon. Daunting to my beginning runner self, but I wanted to prove I could do it. Fast forward 6 months and I am thrilled (and shamelessly proud) to announce I have conquered that goal. Yesterday me and my roommate/best friend ran the Haunted Half! We've been running every morning together since school started and training for longer runs, but the farthest I had ever run was 10 miles.. How different can 13 be, right? ha.

running 13.1 miles is fun folks

We had two goals going into it:
1. Don't walk/stop running
2. Finish in under 2 hours.

shamelessly proud of ourselves and thrilled that I can now go eat all the pumpkin cookies I want..

We did not stop even for one second and ran an 8:47 mile to finish a few minutes under the two hour mark!  #success. WE ARE SO HAPPY. It was so fun! Can I say that? It was 2 hours of running, but I had the time of my life pushing myself and accomplishing a big goal with Erika. My brother-in-law decided last minute to run it as well, and the three of us ended up running the last few miles together and crossing the finish line hand it hand. Ashley came down to support us at the finish line, and Erika's parents came so we saw them several times on the trail. They are adorable.

Rick's cute fams signs

I would be lying if I did not say it was hard, and I definitely had to push myself. I don't know if I could have done it alone, but Erika is a champion friend and encouraged me in my moments of doubt and up the hill at the end. It was definitely an experience for the books, and we are already looking into future half marathons for us to run. It might be an addiction.. We love to say that we run because we can. Our bodies are strong, and they can do amazing things. I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for my incredible body. The more I study it in anatomy and physiology the more I am blown away by the complexity and perfect intricate workings of our bodies.

 

Health/exercise has become one of the subjects I am most passionate about. I love that I have grown to love running and pushing my body to its limits. It is so empowering and humbling at the same time. I run because I can; I will keep pushing myself and running until I can't. And even then I am not sure I will accept my fate.. Who knows what adventures are in store for me and Erika now. We feel like we can conquer the world at this point! Everyone should go make a health goal and then work until you reach it. I have such a testimony of goal setting. IT IS SO FUN. Go! Get up and move. You won't regret it and I promise your body will thank you for it now and in the years to come.

Spider Man and Harry Potter on cloud 9

Happy Halloween!

Love Always, Aimee

medals are for winners.

MIA

I must have had some theory when I returned to school that my life was suddenly uninteresting and thus did not need to be updated via this blog as often.

But then today I realized it is halfway through March and over a quarter of the way through the year and I have not posted one thing. And sure,  I know longer spend my days wandering London or weekends visiting other countries or castles. I spend my days sitting in classes or studying cadavers in the anatomy lab and my nights writing research papers or reading textbooks, but my life is not inconsequential because of it. Freak. I love my life! Research papers, never-ending classes and all.

First day of class shot. This is home. 

My teachers are amazing. I am learning so so much every day. Anatomy? GUYS. Everyone should take it!! It is so cool to study the body. And really, how can you study the body and not KNOW there was a divine creator? This stuff does not just happy people. It's perfect and beautiful and amazing. Even if the smell is less so.

skully is the only one who understands. 

My other classes are so uplifting. I am so grateful I had an extra semester to complete a minor in Family Life (someone remind me of this in a few years when I just want to be done and graduated).

new desk, old memories. 

Here's what I love about BYU: we accept all truth as what it is: truth. Gospel truths included. Meaning my teachers can testify of Christ and Eternal Families and the Atonement and things the Prophet's have taught us as we study the body or chemistry or family finance. And you wouldn't think those things all relate back to the gospel but holy cow I am here to tell you that they do. Everything is related to the gospel because God created this world and the elements in it. He is the only one who truly understands everything and the one who inspires us to be able to as well. There is no where else in the world that you can get such a good education by the world's standard as well as an education in the gospel. It is unlike anything else to feel the Spirit in a science class. There is no where else I would rather be (even if we don't get a spring break..).

original by yours truly. 

My roommates are bomb. I don't know how I have lucked out every semester so far. I always seem to have exactly the people living with me I need to learn from (it's weird, it's like I have someone watching out for me who knows everything or something).

Just your casual Saturday night jam session. 

Peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth. 

mini London Roommate Reunion. These girls are my favorite humans. 

The weather? Do I even need to explain this one? It has been beautiful. I have never seen a "winter" like this. Sure, we have no water yet for the summer.. But hey. I have nothing against April showers. Those are way better than January or February blizzards in my book.

surprise visit to see my favorite RM in California? YES. YES YES YES.

And that is only the very beginning of the list of reasons why my life is so wonderful.

new favorite place to eat: BAKED. Guys. I am a firm believer that sandwiches = life.

Well. It's almost midnight and I still have some reading to do for class tomorrow, so I will end there.
But just so ya'll know, I am alive and well and still loving life.
Yes, I miss England. I think I always will. But I also know happiness is very much a choice in life. And I will always (try to) choose to be happy.
So come what may and love it.

Love Always, Aimee

 (Sorry I don't have any really cool pictures really to post, just a lot of jumbled up thoughts and shots from real life.. but here's a flashback for your enjoyment and my heart ache)

(this is also home)

How to Succeed in College Without Really Trying

I am sure you are all dying to know the fool-proof, no fail, guaranteed way to breeze your way through college and do well in all your classes with minimal effort on your part.

Well folks, you are in luck.
I am here tonight to share my secret with you. You ready? Because I don't think you are. But here we go anyways.

How to succeed in college without really trying:

you can't.

There you go; I said it. You cannot succeed in college without really trying. Or if you can I don't know what type of university you go to.. But it probably is not a very good education so you are wasting your time.
Anyways. My point is college is hard. Seriously. And this is coming from someone who is good at school! Not in a cocky, I-think-I'm-the-shiz way, but in a honest to goodness, some people-are-better-at-sports-and-I'm-good-at-school way.
Now, I am in no way saying college isn't worth it or isn't fun. Don't misunderstand me.

I LOVE GOING TO COLLEGE. I LOVE BYU. I LOVE LEARNING.

However. I am not as much of a fan at spending 9 am to 12:30 am the next day in the library, studying for finals nonstop, for two+ days. But that is sometimes what it takes to succeed in college.
It is 11:25 pm and I am still at it (except for this minor break to type this up so I can digest info and not go crazy.. ha)

I just thought I would do you the favor or warning you now, you know, for the emotional preparation it requires.

BYU Library at 11:30 on a reading day (open until 2 am. yikes. That is def more hardcore than me).

The other half the periodicals..

Other things I've discovered this year?
PLAN YOUR TIME. Serious. There are 24 hours in a day. Know what you're doing with them, but don't forget to include time for yourself! You need a couple breaks to keep yourself sane and healthy.
 USE THE TAs. They are so so helpful and know exactly what you need to know! Don't waste time guessing.
DON'T PUT OFF TESTS AND PAPERS UNTIL THE LAST DAY
I know this is cliche and you have heard it a million times, but guy. Get your act together.
Honestly it is kind of a joke how empty the library can be on a reading day, designated for studying, and then jam packed while finals are going. Heellllloooo people. Study on the study days, test on the test days. No need to stress. There are no lines the first few days so you save a ton of time, plus the finals aren't getting any easier so why wait?
BRING A BIKE.
I brought mine two weeks ago and it was the best decision of my life. If I could redo anything from this year it would be have brought my bike at the beginning. I am being dead serious. I don't know why it makes life infinity times better, but it does, okay? Just trust me on that. You get wind through your hair and can get everywhere at least 7 times faster. Plus you get some killer thigh muscles.
EAT WELL AND EXERCISE
This is self explanatory.
Eat mainly fruits and veggies with whole grains, eggs, and lean meats. Oh and dairy. But not in the form of ice cream. All things in moderation. Word of Wisdom, you know?
Let's just say I am thee ONLY one of my roommates that has not gotten sick even once this entire year. They have all been sick like 3+ times.
You know who eats the most fruits and veggies?
I rest my case.
And go to the gym or go running or play some soccer! Just use your body and appreciate the cool things it can do. It's our greatest gift from God! Love your body.

And last, look good.
I mean, don't be obsessive of your appearance of judgmental of others, but for your own sake. Get up every morning and get ready. Make yourself presentable and feel confident so you can talk to people and people will want to talk to you and you will just feel better at life. DITCH THE SWEATPANTS. Besides, did you know you focus better and test better when you are dressed up?
True story.

Well. My ten minute break is up. I have a good 45 minutes left of studying before calling it quits and going home. The goal is to be in bed before 1 am. Wish me luck!

Tomorrow I am taking three tests. Saturday I am taking two and then I AM GOING HOME! For Easter, my best friend's farewell, Sunday dinner, and something else..
Oh yeah.
My birthday! woot woot. 19 and going strong.

Love Always, Aimee