SLOC 2002

I got an email from a friend today bragging that he went up to Vancouver and hung out at the Olympics. He didn't go to any events but just got to go hang out. At first I was pretty annoyed because I freaking love the Olympics. Well la-te-da you live in Washington and can go. Pfft whatever! While moping and planning snarky response to this email I remembered that I was a volunteer for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake. So in reality I should let him have his moment. I'll sit back and pout quietly. But this got me thinking about the 2002 Olympics. Here in Utah a lot of people have been talking about when the Olympics were here and reminiscing, so I'll jump on that bandwagon. Why? Because I'm a sheep. Baaa! I follow. I'm sure you would like to see photos wouldn't you? Yeah me too...but I could only find my credentials so that's all you get. Sorry. My job in the Olympics was event services. If any of you went and/or saw the Olympics I was one of those people in the Yellow coats. My specific job was opening and closing ceremonies. Which in all honesty was probably the best job to get. As an event services volunteer the majority of my time I did security. At the opening ceremonies my job was to direct people on where to go outside of the stadium and then during the ceremonies was to make sure we had no gate jumpers. Exciting no? The best part was when the secret service man had to go to the bathroom and I was in charge of guarding President Bush's car. He gave me a secret service pin!

I also have another pin (well I have a lot of pins, but I only mention the cool ones) from the BLM, guess who THAT is from! Yup Dad. Gooooo BLM.
After opening ceremonies we were then assigned to go all over the valley to different events and help out. It was awesome! Because everyone else was assigned to only one venue. I worked the skeleton, met the Queen of Latvia, Hockey, worked the VIP tent and met, Jacque Rouge, Mit Romney, Evgeni Plushenko, The Bare Naked Ladies, Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, I worked the medals ceremony, met Steve Young and Nelly Furtado, worked men's aerials, didn't met anyone cool, but the aerials are cool on their own, worked the bobsled, confiscated this guys really nice flask, he got mad, worked figure skating directing traffic, not car traffic, people traffic and ended with the closing ceremonies, were I saw Harry Connick Jr. changing clothes! He was doing it outside! Not my fault. I was also directing people at the end and this drunk Dutch speed skater wanted my lanyard and I wouldn't give it to him then he finally convinced me so I gave it to him and he kissed me. Let me tell you being kissed by a drunk man is not totally unpleasant...I loved being a volunteer and it was for sure a once in a lifetime opportunity and I'm so glad I did it. They gave us a watch at the end of the games and I still wear it to this day as a great reminder.
Now on to the current Olympics. I used to love figure skating as a kid. Now? Blah, snore. My sports now are snowboarding and moguls, and really any downhill, men, women doesn't matter.

I absolutely loved Shaun White's half pipe run. It was amazing! He is amazing.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=d924411a-bea6-4fd8-b485-f58dc5238dfe.html#mens+halfpipe+white+wins+gold

Torah Bright's run was also amazing.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=a0bde7de-9843-4851-ba23-f640961c8f3b.html

I also was really excited for the Canadian Men's moguls winner. He's just a cool guy and for sure deserved to win.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=2f250b2b-19c7-4322-ac49-4ccdaa0f1001.html?chrcontext=goldenmoments#mens+moguls+bilodeau+wins+first+canada+gold

After Wednesday I can watch more and I'm ubber excited because I love the Olys. Who doesn't?! One of my mom's favorite Olympic sports is curling. Really? Lame. As Stephen Colbert said, there is a reason they normally play that game in a pub with lots of drinking. But actually I got her on the half pipe bandwagon by making her watch Shaun White's run five times. What? They have a better tv. HD and bigger. On mine you can barely see the faces since its so old and blurry. I had to sit in front of it to watch LOTR so I culd read the translation. But hey it was $30 bucks and I won it in a law school auction. I would also like to fully admit that I have no idea how to post non-youtube videos on here so cut and past the link...

So the next Olympics are in London 2012. I have signed up to be on their volunteer newsletter so then I could hopefully fill out an application to become a volunteer. How cool would that be?! Granted London is going to take UK applicants first then European applicants. Hopefully I can squeeze in their and do it. I'm hoping my Spanish helps and the fact that I've volunteered before. Who knows! We can always hope right?

A Faceplant and Falling Pants...

First off my frustration. I love running. That is my exercise of choice. It is an exercise that challenges me physically and mentally. It helps release my stress and thankfully that has been my replacement for food. Well lately my ACL knee is mad at me. So I've had to cut way down on my miles. So Monday I ran only 2 miles. Of course the knee was mad so I bought a knee brace and have been icing it. So then today I decided just to keep in the mindset of running I'd only do a mile today. Well I started on my run and the knee wouldn't let me. I ended up walking my mile and I wanted to cry. I miss running. But I guess I have to suck it up until the things get better. Its just depressing. So to feel like I'm still getting a workout I go to 24Hour Fitness classes at night. Last night was 24Set. Weight training mixed with cardio. Tonight I did 1 hour of cycling class and then right after 1 hour of yoga. Which leads me into the funny. 2 stories for you.
#1 So cycling always makes me ubber sweaty because its a tough class but I love it. So I was all sweaty and gross from cycling and I went into yoga. I went into the studio set up my mat and then went and changed into my yoga clothes. I ran back upstairs and the class had already started. I was still sweaty and gross and I went into my first downward facing dog after the warm up...well apparently I got either water or sweat on my mat and I put my hands out moved back into the downward facing dog and totally slipped and face planted on my mat. You can't see it but I have mat burn on my nose. It was pretty awesome! But as Janelle said story number 2 is better.
#2: So my Dad told me a story about a guy who worked at the church had his car die and he counted 90 cars in the church office building parking garage drive past him until someone finally stopped. So I was driving back home from the gym and this guys car died. So I about went around and then remembered my dad's story. So I stopped and asked if I could help because no one else was. This was at 5400 South and Bangerter Highway. If you are not familiar with Bangerter Highway it is pretty big and really busy. The guy said that if I could help him push his car across Bangerter to the gas station that would be great. So I park my car and the light changes and I start pushing (FYI a new cadilac Escalada truck is not the lightest car I have ever pushed) So we are pushing and its moving and then these two guys come help. We are in the middle of the intersection and I am wearing my yoga pants that are too big for me but I like them. Well I stepped on one leg and ended up pulling my pants down in the middle of Bangerter Highway. Thankfully I had other shorts on underneath or everyone on Bangerter would have seen my skivvies.
Ah yes. There we go...I try to be normal and it just doesn't work.

Now you know

I figured out this morning why they say don't put a metal spoon in a blender. I got up this morning to watch a segment on Good Day Utah about the Empress Theatre out in Magna. My brother and sister-in-law are ubber involved with this theatre and honestly when I can afford it I would like to invest in this cute little theatre. Here are the segments if you want to watch http://www.fox13now.com/news/gooddayutah/ Go to the Big Buddah segment and its parts 1-4 I think. I also now want to stop by the Kiwi Bakery and get some aussie treats. I actually like the Magna. But anyway, back to the blender. I was making a smoothie this manana when my fruit wasn't blending so I just poked it a bit while it was going and I hit the blade. Out spruts half of my smoothie! It was all over the floor, counter, and cupboards. And later I went to go pull my hair back and there was part of a raspberry in my hair. I washed it out and went on with my day. But now I know that you really shouldn't put your metal spoons in a blender. By the way if you are wondering about my smoothie here is the recipe.

chuck in some frozen raspberries
toss in a chopped up banana
squirt in some honey for sweetness
a spoonful of plain yogurt
and dash of skim milk.

It actually was really good. I might have to make those more often. I also got up before 8 for once! Go team!

I had a few thoughts...

I had a couple thoughts about A&E today. Not the Arts & Entertainment channel, Adam and/or Eve. As some of you know we are studying the Old Testament. I had a few thoughts while in Sunday school today. First thought, what do you think Adam and Eve talked about in the garden? I mean really, they have no knowledge and so what were their conversations? "Hey honey! There's a new flower over by the apple tree." Woo...stimulating conversation. Here is my second thought, Adam totally sold Eve out! I mean the Lord said "Adam did you take of the fruit?" Adam answers with, "dude you know that chick you gave me? Totally her fault." Isn't that like a guy? Those are just a few thoughts I had.

Empuje!

That means "Push!" in Spanish. No I'm not delivering a baby. That was the thought I had on my run this morning. When I was in Florida I loved pushing myself in my workouts. Making myself go further or faster. I would run my normal 5 miles then the last minute back to my apartment I'd make myself sprint. I decided I need to get back that desire to push myself. I know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. So my run today I did an out and back, meaning out 1.5 miles and turn around and back 1.5. On the way back through the business park the head wind sucked!! It was horrible! I wanted to stop and walk so many times. I made myself run through the wind. Because my thinking was once I got out of the open business park back to the homes that there would be a wind barrier. So I said, "ok run to the end of the business park." I got to thinking while running though about "empuje" I decided that I would run through the neighborhood to the next stoplight. My theory by the way that the houses would kill the wind was way wrong! The houses just created a wind tunnel down the street. But I pushed myself. I ended up taking 2 minutes longer than I normally do on a 3 mile run, which by the way I need to really calibrate my ipod. Because its way off. I didn't meet my goals for this run, which were to finish in less than 2 minutes over and not walk. I did walk twice. But that just gives me the opportunity to push myself the next time. But it got my thinking what can I push myself to do better in other aspects? So here are some ideas I had for myself.
#1: Be a better member of the church: Push myself to get to the temple once a month. Hello! I have 4 temples within 30 minutes of my house! There is no excuse. I also can take my scripture reading and prayers more seriously. The biggest thing is to go to church for the gospel not to find friends.
#2: Push myself to be a better friend: I have been neglecting some friends lately and these friends have been with my for ages and they don't deserve to be pushed on the back burner. I will make it up to you all I promise!
#3: Push myself to be a better future attorney: I need to push myself in my bar studies. I do the minimum currently. When in reality I need to do the maximum. I need to fight for those people I want to help and the best way to do that right now is to take the bar seriously and pass.
#4: Push myself to be a better sister, aunt, and daughter: This means hang with my family more. Realize that out of everyone in my life they will always support me and will always be there for me. Some friends come and go but my family never will and I need to show them that I am there for them as well.
#5: Push myself to be a better member of society: What am I doing to contribute to the welfare of my fellow human being? Lars came up with a brilliant idea of traveling with purpose. Meaning when we take our vacations we would do a humanitarian project along with it. Not only can I help those abroad but I can help those here. I can get out and vote (for those that think that this means I am picking a political party, sorry no dice. I am still very NON partisan.) But getting out to vote gets my voice out there even if sometimes its very quiet. I can also volunteer for things. I used to love donating blood but I haven't done it for a while. That is one thing I can do that is quick. I better go eat some cream of wheat then. :)
Well that's word of the day, "empuje!"

What better way...

to break in a pair of new running shoes than by pounding the pavement? It was a great day yesterday for a run. So I put on my new shoes and ran 3.25 miles. It was glorious! I always forget how much I love running. I got a blister and it was worth it. I tend to have issues with my knee when I go from treadmill to pavement so it was not happy with me yesterday. I opted to not go to 24Set this morning and give my knee a rest. I decided that that was just an excuse. So I tried to get to the 9:15 24Set but I was too late. So I biked hills for 25 minutes then did weights for about 25 minutes. I should have done more. But the thing is I'm worried about hurting my knee. I try to tell myself that I'm just making excuses. But every time I stand up I have to walk on my toes until it stops hurting. It was probably a good idea to take a break. I'll get back to the run tomorrow. And while at the gym there is a really hot personal trainer at 24Hour Fitness. Going to get a personal trainer? Heck yes I am! No I'm not really. But I was embarrassed because I wore my High School Musical socks. Thanks Christi. Oops.
I forgot to share my stories about my experiences with the singles ward. So two weeks ago I was talking to this guy and he asked where I came from and I said I had just graduated from school. He asked what I graduated in and I said law school. He looked at me and walked away. Then last week I was talking to the branch presidents wife (I know the branch president and his wife. I worked at his insurance firm while in high school) and she asked if I had graduated from law school. I said yes and that I was taking the bar and then I'd be an attorney. This guy walking down the hall who I have never seen nor talked to before turns around and says "YOU are going to be an attorney?!" I said yes and the branch presidents wife asked why that was so surprising. He said, "Well uh there aren't a lot of women attorneys. I'm just kidding anyway." Riiight. Whatever. Anyway, its been fun going there. Ahem.
Moving on, so I decided that my blog can no longer be titled "Life of a Law Student" because I am no longer a law student. I'm thinking, "recent grad"? or "life of a bar prep student." Or leave it until I become and attorney then change it then. I don't know...I'll have to solicit suggestions.

The cloud gods are messing with me!

I was in some serious need of some sunshine today. It had been weeks since I'd seen it. I don't like my air looking nice and brown. I have never been so affected by the inversion my whole time being a Utard until now. I just have this sense of gloom with me all the time. I'm working on being more chipper. But its hard with no sunshine to help out. So I got up today did my homework for bar prep, worked out, went to lunch with Linds and decided to drive to Park City to see the sun. I was driving up the canyon and its starting to get lighter and I get excited! Round the top of the canyon and what the?! Its overcast in Park City! What the crap?! I came to you Mr. Park City to see some sunshine! You failed! Failed Park City! You are now on my stink eye list Mr. Park City! Actually going to PC did put me in a better mood. As I was leaving the sun finally peaked out of the clouds for two seconds. It worked. Made me happier. What also helped with my mood was buying a Columbia jacket that is normally $90 was on clearance for the end of the season for only $40. Go team! I like this jacket. It'll be great for hiking once the bloody snow goes away. I really need to get into snow shoeing or skiing or something so I will enjoy winter more. That's my goal for next winter. I want to be an ubber sporty girl and the best way to dot hat is get my workout back on and then get out and hop on my bike, pull on my hiking shoes and just get out there. I'm pretty excited for the spring. But in the meantime I'll work on getting in my daily workouts. Ok that's it for now...except for this one quote. This was from my torts lecturer. He was talking about someone ralphing into a toilet.

"She was what we like to say talking with Ralph on the big white phone."