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Sunday, June 17, 2012

Pushing myself... and succeeding!

I've been on a mission lately. A mission to make ME happy.  A mission to do things that I want to do.  I've been trying to challenge myself to do things that scare me or that I think are hard but I want to accomplish.  I have the drive right now to push myself and succeed.

Example #1 - Weight Loss.
I decided that I wanted to lose some weight. My ideal goal was 150lbs by the end of this year.  Here is it, June 17th, so half way through the year, and I'm at 153.5 lbs.  3-1/2 lbs to go and I'm there - half way through the year.  I know I'll be there - probably in the next few weeks. In 9 months, I have lost 25+ lbs.  SUCCESS! New goal? 140lbs by the end of the year. And I will do that.

Example #2 - Fire Walk.
You know that post a few weeks ago where I was completely awesome and totally walked on fire?  Yeah. I did that. For me. Because you are told you can't do that and that it's crazy. But you know what? You CAN do that. I did it. And I plan on doing it again soon!

Example #3 - The "Pucker Pole".
Back up at the same place where I did the fire walk, they have a ropes course. I can't go into all of the details. I can't tell you about all of the events that they have there without giving away the secrets. But I'm going to show you some awesome pictures of me on the "Pucker Pole" (I can't remember what the real name is because I just thought the name "pucker pole" was awesome...)

 The "Pucker Pole"

Did you know that I'm scared of heights? Yep. Just a little bit. So what did I do yesterday?  I went back to the place where I walked on fire last month to help out with a group and see what the ropes course was all about. The activities were all about the small group that was there, but they offered to let me try a few of the activities myself. After watching for over half of the day, I decided I wanted to try this one. For ME.

(Click on any of the pictures to make them bigger!)
Top to Bottom, Left to Right
Me Conquering the Pole

It's pretty simple, but it produced such an amazing feeling. Climbing up the ladder until it runs out. Then climbing up the pegs until you reach the disc. Then pulling yourself up. Then figuring out how to stand up on the disc when you are 26 feet (I think that's what they said?) in the air. Then stand there. With your arms out. Then jump at that ball. Hit it. Then float to the bottom (that's what it felt like to me - floating.)  And have people come over and hold you and tell you how awesome you are and how proud of you they are. And it's such a loving environment. No judgement. You are all there to deal with something. To conquer. Some things are more intense and personal. Or something more simplistic, like a fear of heights. Or just to prove to yourself that you CAN do it.   
(...and that was just 1 event!)

 Me coming down - see that smile? :)


Yesterday was an amazing day. I was able to watch people have these revelations of themselves. And to make connections / friendships with strangers. And to build their self confidence. To work together as a team and love each other so strongly. If one was struggling, they were all there to tell them it was okay or that they could do it - they have faith in them. They are stronger than they think. They CAN do it.

...Just a really amazing day...

I'm going to go work with them again because I WANT to.  They have asked me to help out again in the future and I can't wait. I want to see these people succeed. I want to see them have their break through. I want to be a part of their process. I want to support them in making their life count. I want to do this because it matters to ME. By seeing them push themselves, I will continue to push myself... and continue to succeed.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Getting to know me - 50 questions

I received an email from a girlfriend of mine and thought instead of answering it just for her, I would post my answers here (while I wait for my monkeys to go to sleep!)...


1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
April or Amanda came from a character on one of my mom's soap operas. :) Mandy was the only name sent back from my parents' friend who was on a mission. So he named me. :)

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Probably last month-ish... I was having a hard time making a pretty big choice regarding my job...

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Meh... Sometimes.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Roast Beef :)

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes, Robyn age 4, Archer age 7 and Tanion age 8.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely! :) I am an amazing friend and fun to be around.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
I think I use it about as much as everyone else...

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yep

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Tonight? No. Sometime soon? I'm working up to it. Challenging myself with stuff that scares me is sort of my goal at the moment.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
It really depends on my mood - and what's in my cupboard!

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically, not so much.  Emotionally, generally. 

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Various coffee flavored ones...

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Smile

15. RED OR PINK?
Probably Pink... depends on the mood!

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
Physically? depends on the day! 

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
Right now, my Angie. She needs me and Florida is way to far away.

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
Losing MY people (people I claim as my own). Family, friends, loved ones. I don't like thinking about what I would do without them.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
I don't like wearing shoes - so none... But generally black and white.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
2 fun sized butterfingers... Angie was stressing - I was eating chocolate with her!

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Neon Trees... They are my current musical obsession...

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Not sure - that would be a changing answer all the time for different reasons.

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
fresh cut grass and fresh watermelon

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Angie

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
Either. Can we leave right now?

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Dancing. I love talented dancers... Or if we're talking like "guy sports", pro football.

27. HAIR COLOR?
Reddish. Any shade. I like to switch it up but I love the look of red hair.

28. EYE COLOR?
Blue-green. They like to change, depending on what I'm wearing.

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Yep. Blind without them or glasses.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Mexican or Italian - oh and soup. I love soup.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
I used to love the scary movies, now I'm a happy ending kind of gal.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
The Muppets

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Black tank top

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Summer all the way.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both! :)

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Depends on the reason... For any old day - Mocha Brownies :)

37. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Cardio

38. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Depends on what I need to do... I've not been watching as much TV lately. I've been reading more (one of my goals for the year...)

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle (holla!)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
No mouse pad... It's sad, really...


41. WHAT IS YOUR BEST QUALITY?
I like to think it's that I'm a forgiving and / or understanding person. I can relate to / get along with pretty much everyone.

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
Laughter

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Florida

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
hehehe.... Um... I can speak jibberish! :)

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Richfield, Utah


47. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Provo, Utah

48. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Red brick

49. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Black

50. WHAT IS THE COOLEST THING YOU HAVE DONE?
Probably walking on fire.