Last but not least...Day 30!

My favorite song...

This is impossible for me because I have more that just one

So here are 10 of them (in no particular order)


Somewhere Over the Rainbow-Almost any version

Memories of Us-Keith Urban

Love Like Crazy-Lee Brice

Bring it on Home-Little Big Town

Three Little Birds-Bob Marley

Utah Man-Utah Marching Band :)

The Way You Look Tonight-Frank Sinatra

Bless the Broken Road-Rascal Flatts

Moving On-Rascal Flatts

Breath-Faith Hill


Now for taking a break for a few days from blogging!

Day 29

I have learned one major lesson from this past month. Unfortunately it doesn't really have anything to do with this challenge or the goals I have set.

It started back on Jan. 11. (I only remember the date because it was the day of the Utah/BYU game). I started feeling sick early in the day and it quickly progressed into chills, fever, body aches and a sore throat. I decided it was best to stay home and cheer them on from the couch. Little to say it was a good decision as that night was terrible (ask Brian). But I woke up the next day feeling better, just tired and congested. Since that day, I have been dealing with congestion and it has been quite annoying.

Despite not feeling 100%, I still went about my life. Never missed a day of work (at both jobs) made it to every basketball game, hung out with friends and family, cleaned the house, and continued training for my 10k.

The week before Valentines Day I thought I had finally rid myself of it. I could breath at nights, mornings weren't spent decongesting, and I had energy again. Well, I was wrong. I woke up Feb 15, now 1 month and 4 days after it all began, and it had come on even stronger. Unfortunately I had early morning meetings every morning at school and could not afford to stay home for even one day. I tried to keep running. I still went to basketball games, the grocery store, etc. I took on the stress of work without even thinking that some things could wait a day.

Friday morning my vice principal came into my room to ask a question and it took her saying "Emily, you look sick. You can see it in your eyes" for me to finally admit I had bottomed out. I did feel sick, I had zero energy, and my body was finally shutting down.

With the help from Brian, Saturday was spent on the couch doing nothing. I slept in, watched 3 movies, took a nap and did nothing. I finally listened to my body and gave in. Sadly, I was forced to be a bum on Sunday (only going to my Grandmas for dinner) also. Today I felt better, so I tried running again, only to realize I am no where near where I should be with my energy. So I stopped at 2.17 miles and I don't feel bad about it. The laundry is still not done, I have not vaccumed in a week, and I have yet to run the errands I need to. But guess what, life has gone on.

So the lesson I learned is this...listen to your body the first time it tries to talk to you or 6 weeks later, you will still be fighting over the same thing and ultimately, it will win.

Day 28

Valentines Day 2010

Last year at this time I was working half time, living at home, and still dating Brian.

Now, I am married, own my own home, and surviving my first year of teaching full time. I thought I was so grown up a year ago. Little did I know, I had a lot of growing up to still do. I have learned a lot about myself in the past year and continue to learn more every day.

Day 27

Why I am doing this 30 day challenge...

1) I love challenges

2) It has given me something to blog during this uneventful time of year

Day 26

What do I think of my friends...

well obviously I like them, or they wouldn't be my friends. We always laugh, there is never drama, and I am planning on them being in my life forever...can't ask for much more than that.

Day 25

What you would find in my purse...

Wallet
cell phone
gum
glasses case/cleaner
lotion
chap stick
epi-pen

Those are my only needs in life :)

Day 24

My Last 5 Facebook Status's

Just when I thought the cold/flu/whatever was over, I woke up with another sore throat and runny nose...good thing I have Ellen in my life to take away all the worries

To celebrate Valentines Day, change your profile picture to you and your spouse/significant other. Re-post, and make sure to tell how long you've been together! We've been married for 7 months, but together for over 4 1/2 years...best time of my life! I'm so grateful to have a forever Valentine who loves me for exactly who I am. Love you Babe!!!

What makes this warm, sunny Sunday even better...knowing I don't have to get up to go to work in the morning!

A 2:30 exit was just what I needed...now for a 3-day weekend :)

Truly a sad day. Thank you Jerry Sloan.

Day 23

Something I crave a lot...

"I would sell my soul for a Pork Salad"


Hawaii (view from our beach house on our last trip)


Lime snow cone please

Once you go Double Stuffed, you never go back

Cheeseburger, hold tomato and onion. Fries + fry sauce. Diet Coke.

Day 22

What makes me different from everyone else...


I am deathly allergic to all nuts and anything with a shell

I have never been skiing/snowboarding and I've lived in Utah my entire life

I have to eat breakfast or I don't function

I don't get flu shots

I don't like taking medications, only if there is no other way

I can remember the score of a football game from 10 years ago, but can't remember something told to me 10 minutes earlier

I drive with my left foot, not always, but often

Day 21

Something that makes me happy...

Sports...but more specifically...

Any time we beat BYU

The Utes across the board

Rice Eccles Stadium...my sanctuary

and The Huntsman Center

The Jazz

and Energy Solutions Arena

Real Salt Lake

and Rio Tinto Stadium

The St. Louis Cardinals

and Busch Stadium. I have yet to make it here, but I will someday.

Sports is my favorite thing in the entire world. Nothing (besides Brian) brings me more happiness. From football in the fall, to basketball in the winter, and baseball/soccer in the spring/summer, I don't have a time of the year where sports is not in my life.

Day 20

Someone I love...

...this one is hard...

...not really...

Day 19

Nicknames

Well of course the obvious...

Em and Emmy

And now (finally) I am Auntie Em

But the 3 that actually have stories behind them

Eac

Look closely, they are my initials pre-married life (Emily Ann Castleton)

Cami and I went through this stage where I was EAC and she was CEC (Camille Erin Crawley). We thought we were so cool

Trip

This started at my gymnastics and infiltrated over to school when I was in 4th or 5th grade. It is pretty self-explanatory. I use to trip, A LOT. Over nothing at all sometimes. I was, and still am, pretty clumsy believe it or not.

Dumbo

It might sound mean, but it really isn't. This stemmed from cheer my senior year. The next time you are with me, check out the size of my ear lobes. They are huge and flop around. I was born with them not connected to my head. So my mom pierced my ears when I was young to try and weigh them down. They have come down, but still flop around. I am almost always wearing earrings, but you can still see them. So there you have it, the origin of Dumbo.

Jerry Sloan

In the midst of my 30 days of insight, it would be a shame to not post about one of the greatest coaches of all time.

Players have come and gone, but Sloan was a rock. In a world where most people are in it for themselves and for the glory, he was in it because he loved the game.

It is truly a sad day to see one of the few "old timers" finally break. I for one never wanted to see it happen.

Thank you Jerry.

Day 18

Plans: Live my life one day at a time.
Get Healthy

Goals: Run a 10K
Be the best wife I can be
Be Positive in all situations
Hang up pictures in my house


Dreams: Be a mother
See the Utes win a National Championship in Football and Basketball
Go to New York and see Wicked on Broadway

Day 17

Someone I would want to switch lives with for one day...


Brian.

I would love to see me from his perspective. I would love to be in his brain and hear his thousands of thoughts and ideas. I would love to know exactly what his day is like to better understand his frustrations.

Sounds weird, but I think it would be sweet.

Day 16

You guessed it. Another picture of me. Probably my favorite wedding picture

Day 15

It's not my full Ipod., but the Iphone will have to do (The Ipod is in the car and it is snowing)

Shuffle....first 10 songs

1. Man in the Mirror--Michael Jackson

2. Stigmatized--The Calling

3. That's How You Know--Amy Adams (from Enchanted)

4. Chasing Pavements--Adele

5. Need You Now--Lady Antebellum

6. The Way I Am--Ingrid Michaelson

7. More Than A Feeling--Boston

8. If It's Love--Train

9. I Run To You--Lady Antebellum

10. Magic--Colbie Caillat

Day 14

My Little Family

My new MUCH BIGGER Family

But both I love oh so much :)

Day 13

Dear Future Me...

Today you are happy. And here are the reasons why...

You are totally in love with Brian and he is very good to you

You live in a super cute house in a safe neighborhood

Both you and Brian have jobs that provide a good life

No matter how tough it can be, you have a great job with great co-workers

You are running 3-4 times a week, becoming healthier every day

Ellen is hilarious and puts a smile on your face every day

You are looking forward to one day being a mom

It is tough, but the budget DOES have a purpose

Spring is near

You are excited and optimistic about what the future will bring

If times get tough, read this and remember what all the struggles in life are really for.

Life is good!

Love, Emily

Day 12

How I found out about blogger...

I honestly can't remember


But the reason I have one...

I have never been good at writing in my journal, but for whatever reason blogging has been much easier. I have at least some record or what has been going on in my life. It has been so much fun to go back and look at the fun events I have had over the past few years, just like a reading back in your diary or journal would be.

That's why I do it...

...and who knows, maybe one day I will follow my secret dream and start a sports blog...

Day 11

We have the greatest friends and family...

...that we have traveled near and far with...

...that have stuck with us from the beginning...

...and will be there to the end! We love you all :)

Day 10

Songs I listen to when I am...

~~~happy~~~

anything by Jack Johnson, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum

3 of my favorite artists/bands therefore the reason I listening to them when I am happy

~~~sad~~~

Angel by Jack Johnson, Stigmatized by The Calling, Disney Music

always seems to perk me right up

~~~bored~~~

anything...therefore stopping my boredom

~~~hyped~~~

Utah Man (usually is the reason for my hype) Don't Stop Believing--Journey

~~~mad~~~

Dashboard Confessional, my Chillin' playlist to calm me down

Day 9

Something I am proud of over the last few days...


One month into the new year, and I am on track with all of my resolutions

1) still training for a 10k

2) being more positive...last week was tough, but keeping my attitude right has made this week much better