Complain Less, Smile More

So True. I needed this reality check.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOtEQB-9tvk

(Thanks Aunt Cathy:)

Smile Center 10k

Last Saturday I ran my first 10k with Sarah, Sarah, (and both their last names start with an M!), and Tammy. Tammy race-walked (which is awesome and hilarious at the same time) and me and the Sarahs stuck to the Jeff Galloway Plan.

It was a little chilly when we first got there but despite the forecast it didn't rain!! I had nightmares of me trying to run in a downpour wearing an over-sized poncho I purchased from the dollar store.

Our race packets were filled with lots of goodies:

We finished in just over an hour. I never thought I could really enjoy running but I had a blast jogging alongside these awesome gals.

I sprinted at the very end...


Isn't this picture of Sarah awesome?
I told her that it's going to be the next Wheaties box cover. Totally.
(man, why didn't I put my hands up? it looks so much cooler)


Post-Race Happy Faces


Yay! I did it!


Tried the free oxygen bar....interesting.

Enjoyed a free massage that I wanted to last forever...

Now we are going to train for a half marathon!

Flashback Friday

Senior Campout
Graduation's Eve
May 2001

La Roux - Bulletproof

I know this song is trendy and overplayed but I still love it:
(it won't let me embed so you have to click watch on youtube)
ps. are those dice dangling from her shoulder?

Graduation Ceremonies

The morning of graduation I woke up with a smile. My heart was full of gratitude. I felt so loved by friends and family who have supported us all along... even though took us a little longer than most. I was overwhelmed at the sweet cards and thoughtful congratulations we received. I felt intense appreciation for the fact that we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend college and further our education. I felt pride knowing that we both hard worked so hard to earn these degrees. I woke up and looked over at Nate and felt so content.
Life is good.
...

The celebration started out with a graduation lunch party at work - we work with such an awesome group of people! They had our conference room totally decked out with graduation decor and even had a U graduation cake. It was so thoughtful!

Social Work College Convocation
5.6.10

The College of Social Work had it's own convocation ceremony Thursday night...

BSW Class of 2010








The Fam

University of Utah Commencement
5.7.10

Kelsey and Jacob had enough graduation goodness from the night before so they decided to stay home and chill with grandma and grampa so they could all meet us for lunch after. So it was me and my mom and Kraig, and Nate and his mom and dad that all piled into the Tews' car and headed to graduation....we were like sardines! Too funny.




The dropped us off to get in line...


Of course we had to get a picture by this sign...
Tew Perfect!






Once we got inside we found our peeps...


Former Governor, and now
Ambassador to China,
John Huntsman Jr spoke.
It was a great speech!


Our fan club was cheering when we came out!


We are official graduates!








We met up for lunch at Trio.
It was delicious!






Thanks for all the love and support!

Patio Breakfast

First Flea Market of the Summer

Abode's first flea market of the season got featured on Studio 5!  Nate and I stopped by the market and had a blast looking at all the treasures (so many fantastic vendors with all sorts of awesome "junk"!) and it was great to catch up with Merm.  I miss Abode!  (ps: green shirt, pink floral bag, sexy white arm....that's me)

Fra-gee-lay...it must be Italian!

Thursday night Nate and I attended a Social Work Dinner where I received my "major award".  Not really, but I sure was excited about it! I was awarded the College of Social Work BSW Faculty Award for promise in Social Work based on interest and dedicated service in my field practicum (internship) and scholastic ability and acheivement. (I copied that right off the award letter!)  I was nervous when I got the letter in the mail because when you are this close to graduation and you receive an official looking letter from the school my first thought was that they changed some requirement and I would need to take Math 1050 or Stats again!  But to my surprise the letter brought good tidings and I feel very honored to receive this award.  We got to attend the tasty dinner, hear some great speakers, I got a cool plaque, and we even got to take home one of the lovely fresh flower centerpieces. 

Two of my professors-

   Irene Ota and Ruth Gerritsen-McKane