Because it's a shame to wait until tomorrow

   I've always considered myself a goal oriented person.  In fact, in a recent interview when I was asked to give two words to describe myself, 'goal (hyphen) oriented' was one of them.  I wanted to answer 'sparkly' and 'amazing' just to see a reaction, but I digress.  I like to make lists.  I like to push myself to do things I've never done before-- big or small.
   I've deteriorated.  I've been wary of setting new goals lately, because I'm disappointed in the lack of my own follow through. Gumption.  Mojo.  Motivation.  It's not there.  While I've had more time on my hands than, well, EVER before (thank you State of New York for taking 4 WHOLE MONTHS to process one tiny RN license), I feel like I've accomplished next to nothing in that time. As the Yiddish proverb goes, "The hardest work is to go idle."  I'm hoping that I may hold myself more accountable by making a few of my goals public.  (And by NOT waiting 'til tomorrow, or the next day, or the next day, when this list is more perfect or complete)  It's time to get back to work.  (No pun intended)

1)  Languages.  I have the basics of Spanish down thanks to my Argentina trip, and Rochester is one of the most densely populated areas in the US for deaf people.  The LDS services I attend are translated into both Spanish and American Sign Language.  I don't want to waste this opportunity.  By the time Matt graduates from med school, I would like to be proficient in both Spanish and ASL (and, hey, my English vocab could use some work, too).  Not sure how to break it down into 2013, but I'm starting with an ASL class tomorrow!

2)  Diet.  I want to be more conscientious of what I am putting into my body--- less processed junk, more natural and organic foods.  I gave up pop for lent last year, I'm pretty sure it's time to kick it for good.  I want to try green smoothies and cut my sugar intake.

3)  Complete a half-ironman distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) triathlon.  Why not?

4)  Publish at least twice.  (Why are those essays still sitting in a folder on my desk?!)

5)  Read at least 30 (quality) books.

6)  Plan and carry out a 10 year high school reunion well worth attending.

ETC

Wish me luck!

I miss my mountains

I bought this print at the DI in Idaho for $3, intending to use the frame for some kind of project.  Amazingly, it made the cross-country trip to NY (and I'm very glad, as similar finds are few and far between and cost more like $20 here).  This isn't the best photo, but a month ago I free-handed a John Muir quote onto it and hung it in 'the brunch nook'.  I love it.  Who knew I'd use the print, too?!  I'm growing to appreciate the scenery around Rochester, but I miss my Idaho mountains.

Liz the Ragamuffin

Today Matt and I went to Marshall's to buy Matt some new church/school shoes. I looked in a store mirror and my first thought was 'you look like an orphan'. All those times my mother used 'orphan' and 'ragamuffin' in a sentence while simultaneously wiping my face with a spittle-laden kleenex are not lost on me.   I had been wearing a beanie, and currently need a haircut, but I'm still amazed at the small things that stick.  I'm sure one day I'll have some orphans of my own.

Hide not your talents...

Matt has a habit of absent-mindedly singing church hymns or primary songs.  Sometimes he just steals the melody and inserts his own lyrics.  I should have been writing these down from day 1.  I like this because:
1) I always like to listen to Matt sing
2) Sometimes it's really touching
3) But most of the time it's just funny
Today he informed me we were cleaning up the house.  A few minutes later while he folded laundry he sang, "I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain..."

Just one of those little things that makes me happy.

O Christmas Tree

I have seen a book tree online before, and decided to save money this year and try something awesome.  I love the way it turned out!  It helped that I found a set of free encyclopedias on craigslist-- I used them for the base layers.  Add an evergreen-scented wall flower and ... Wah-lah!  We hardly miss our usual live tree.

Matt-isms

I know, I know. Matt's not senile. He's not a toddler. But, 'Out of the Mouths of Babes' has got nothing on him:

-Matt: Liz, it's snowing!

Liz: No way!

Matt: Yeah!... either that or it's raining... slowly....(getting quieter) Maybe it's not snow. Maybe it's rain.

-I often ask Matt to 'come look at this' when I find cute baby animal pictures online. His response this time was, 'I would rather throw up in my mouth... and swallow.'

'It isn't easy for me to calm down. I wasn't born calm... and I'm gonna die crazy!' Matthew David Preslar's response after I told him to calm down.

- (speaking of spells while watching a 'Harry Potter' movie) 'So, why didn't she just use that one in the first place? I don't understand magic at all.'

-(pointing to the 'not-socks' I was wearing) 'They're like little lingerie pantyhose on your feetsies!.... every young man is turned on by lace.'

-(during his Pharmacy rotation break and after I confronted him about drinking ALL of our Mt. Dew stash) 'That's what happens when you have nothing to do.... you fall into vices.'

-(saying prayers before bed)

Matt: It's your turn

Liz: No, it's your turn. I said it last night.

Matt: Well, it must've been pretty uneventful, cause I sure don't remember that.

- (after listening to me lament about how my weight fluctuates uncontrollably 7-12 lbs, and how, 3 weeks after our wedding (photos!), I promptly lost 12 pounds. STUPID HORMONES! ... anyway...) 'Liz, we men like curvy women...*continues driving through 30 seconds of silence* ... not so much 'roll-y', but curvy.'

-(on the couch and out of the blue on a weekend when we'd both been inoculated with a case of the blahs) 'Aren't we supposed to relax and feel good?! This is bull crap! I feel like crap!'

- 'You're always copying me like a little sister, Liz.' (He was eating an apple and I asked him to throw me one.)

- (attempting to mock me for stuttering) 'Please, speak... in complete paragraphs.'

- (picking me up for church and observing my vintage dress) 'Hi, sweetie. Ah, you look like a third grade teacher.'

- (during a small argument) 'If you're happy, I'm happy... that's why I'm mad all the time!'

Matt also likes to scold me occasionally by way of false compliments.

-'Well, you are dressed very austentaciously!.... you look... good.'

-'You are so adept at teaching, you can prepare your whole lesson during sacrament meeting!' (this was not true)

This kid makes me laugh! Love you, Matt ;)

Thoughts of a Female Mountain Biker

Matt and I took our bikes on a recent trip to Island Park/Yellowstone/Tetons and have been mountain biking regularly here in Pocatello. (LOVE City Creek trails!) Narrow trails and heavy breathing don't invite stimulating conversation, so sometimes I simply pedal and think thoughts to myself. (stimulating or otherwise) Here are some of those thoughts in written form:

- 'My arms are itchy' (10% from the seeds and weeds that flip up and 90% from the jiggling action of the redundant flesh I apparently pack around on my upper extremities)

- coming up to a steep incline 'PEDAL HARD, GO, GO, GO!' I'm self-taught, but I'm convinced a big part of successful mountain biking is successful shifting which (I know you're surprised) has been more difficult for me than I would think. It also doesn't help that the shifters on my road bike are completely opposite.

- I endured an impressive wreck last year, and since then have decided Matt should always FOLLOW me in case I have another. (he was long gone before he realized something must have happened to me) After a steep incline I sometimes reflect on what Matt's thoughts might be. Usually I come up with '... well, if she can do it, then I can do it.'

- 'Oh, geez. This is scary. YIKES! Don't wreck. Well, at least if I endo and break my clavicle I can call one of the ortho guys and have him set it...and then I'll get some time off work! Hmmm, I could break my clavicle.'

- 'Good for you!' I think this almost every time I see an overweight and/or older person going for a walk on the trail. I don't mean this condescendingly. I see so many patients living in misery due to aging poorly and/or obesity, it makes me sincerely happy to see a person doing something good for their body.

- 'No, FOCUS' talking myself into keeping my eyes on the trail when a scampering chipmunk or other mobile wildlife tempts my attention. I've had some intense near-misses on this account... you'd think I would learn.

- I RAN OVER a good sized snake sunbathing on the trail. I also screamed bloody murder. I think the scream was more about my wheels leaving tread on this animal's body than just seeing a snake. Either way, I think it was more distracting for Matt, who, by my dramatic reaction, must have thought an Anaconda was eating me alive. I still feel squirmy and icky inside thinking about this.

- I endo-ed coming down East Fork (of all places) about a month ago. True to our guidelines, Matt was behind me and witnessed the whole thing. I landed primarily on my right elbow (and I have the scar to prove it) and my anterior torso. I was going fast, landed hard, and ended up hot, sweaty, dazed, confused, unable to catch my breath, and facedown in the dirt. Matt was very sweet and actually stopped to see if I was alright. Actually, he wouldn't shut up and asked, "Liz, are you okay? Did you hit your head? How's your arm? Is there one area of your body that hurts worse than the rest? Did you get the wind knocked out of you? Are you just having a hard time breathing? Do you need a minute? How's your bike? Are you okay? Where's it hurt?"... all in rapid succession. I may not have been the most responsive, but I was definitely still conscious enough to be irritated. (slightly)