Goal Setting

I figure since I am doing a lot of running outside with my dogs lately, I should set a goal and train for something. Besides the junior high track days, I have only done ONE race in my life. The first year they did the SL Marathon I ran the 5K. I have been at the finish line of several marathons cheering on friends and loved ones, very tearful and inspired by the energy and sense of accomplishment as they come across the finish line.

Personally I don't think I will ever have the stamina or endurance to run a full marathon, but I have been encouraged by plenty of people that I could surely do a 1/2 marathon. I just bought this little device to help me with my training, and I am excited to see if I can really do it!

So tonight I signed myself up for the Provo Half Marathon and then if all goes well, I will also be participating in the Moab Other Half Marathon in October. Anyone who would like to join me, please do!

India: part 2

After all the hard work, we did get some time to enjoy ourselves in India. Holy man at Red Fort in Delhi. He asked for some rupees after I took his photo.

Flying over the beautiful, sparkling, majestic Himalayas. One day I'd like to be climbing these mountains.

Holy men in Guwahati.

There are thousands of stores that sell beautiful sarees, scarves and shawls.

Getting a henna tatoo.

Our last night in Guwahati before the farewell dinner. Dr. Sellers and his wife Marion took care of us there. We called them our adoptive parents.

Our night shift crew- Julie, Jamee, Marisa and I.

Since we hadn't slept after our last night shift we took a cab back to the hotel early.

A big group of us were able to take a bus to Agra where we saw this elephant on the way to see the...

TAJ MAHAL!

Allie and I checked this off our "bucket list."

It was the most beautiful, clear day to be here. We had an English-speaking guide to show us around and tell us the amazing story of the construction of this Wonder of the World.

National Geographic shot.

Yamuna River flowing behind the Taj. Muslim mosque seen on the left.

No paint was used in the facade on this beautiful building...

Colored jewels were embedded into the highest quality marble that was carried in from all across the land.

Allie and I at the Taj.

An evil maharaja :-)

India Gate in Delhi.

Ancient tree.

Qutub Minar, built around 1200 A.D. We didn't go in to the park to see this monument out of principle. Indian citizens could buy a ticket for 10 rupees where any foreigners had to pay 250! (Which was about $6.00)

Outside a beautiful Hindu temple in Delhi. The lei of "lotus flowers" were put around our neck as a symbol of good luck.

The red dot on the forehead also means good luck and was placed by a holy man in the Hindu temple.

Red Fort in Delhi with Penny and Xia.

The tomb of Mahatma Gandhi, "father of India."

We ended the trip on high note and I was glad to have seen some of these beautiful places. It was an opportunity of a lifetime and I'm so glad I got to go!

Operation Smile- India

The day of my birthday I flew halfway across the world to join with the Operation Smile Team as a volunteer for the biggest mission they have ever attempted. The destination: Guwahati, India. The goal: fix the cleft lips and palates and give new smiles to almost 1,000 kids in the state of Assam. I worked the night shift and got paired up with some great girls! Jamee, from UT, Marisa from CA, and Julie from CO. We had a blast together!

Since we worked the night shift, we had some time during the day to do some shopping in the crowded and dirty city of Guwahati. Always on the look-out for a bargain!

Post-surgery- this kid doesn't feel too great. The only pain medicine they receive is Tylenol! Moms and Dads are there 24/7 to take care of them, making our job a little easier.

Unfortunately after one night of working I came down with a horrible stomach bug. I was fortunate to be with a great medical team who helped me feel a little better after a while. I was down for 3 days, and my awesome friend/ room-mate Allie was my personal nurse.

Back to work- spraying on some DEET to keep those pesky mosquitoes (and malaria) away.

Our night shift team. The two Indians are brother and sister Azun and Razia, our awesome interpreters that were there night after night, then went to their normal jobs in the day.

My favorite little buddy. He was buzzing around the ward in the morning singing a little Indian tune and playing with some of the toys we brought.

We had some long nights together!

Beautiful mama and baby.

Playing ball with the kiddos.

I was so happy to have my good friend Allie there with me. Although she worked the day shift and I was on nights, we managed to hang out whenever possible. When I was feeling ill and homesick, she made it that much better for me.

Morning Chai. An Indian tradition.

Even though being in such a foreign and far-away place was sometimes very difficult, especially when I didn't feel well most of the time, these kids and families made it all worthwhile. These children are born into very poor circumstances to begin with, and a facial deformity can make their lives that much more difficult. I feel blessed to have been a part of this organization that brings new smiles to kids all over the world and makes a big difference a little bit at a time.

Birthday Get-away

February is the month for celebrating birthdays! Me, Emily, Courtney (and Dave), Wendi and Natalie (and Aubree) are all Aquarius babies. We rented a cabin in Tollgate Canyon, near Park City and all cozied up that weekend for fun in the snow, playing games and eating yummy food!

Good friends Ben and Katy

Would you guess this gift came from Wendi? She could wrap a roll of toilet paper and make it cute!

Love all these lovely ladies! Jayleen, Natalie, Wendi, me and Hillary. Courtney and Jen didn't get there til the next day.

Making mom's famous bran muffins in the morning. I don't know how Hillary stayed on her diet all weekend long! We had home-made Cafe Rio and pizza and of course b-day cupcakes and treats.

It was Colonel Mustard in the library with the candlestick! Playing "Clue." Upstairs we had our choice of pool and foos-ball as well.

Birthday girls

A beautiful afternoon snow-shoeing in the mountains.

Getting ready for the Patagonia photo shoot.

Natalie, Jayleen, Jen, Courtney, Hillary

Steve, Ashley, Clint, me, Brandon and John.

I couldn't have asked for a better way to say goodbye to my twenties and hello to 30 with all my favorite friends! Thanks for the good times everyone.