And it keeps on keepin on.

Today I put in 6 miles without stopping at a pretty fast pace. I felt good and I probably could have kept going, but I didn't want to kill my knee. Every day I go to run and I have no desire to go, but something makes me go, something makes me do it... I am really hoping to keep this up.

I have been thinking a lot lately about finishing what I started...I'm not the best example of it, but I feel like Heavenly Father has been leading me a lot lately and it has been really helpful, especially since things sometimes seem so hard.

Grey's Anatomy has made me cry the last three episodes I have watched...ridiculous I know.

Training training training...

Well day 2, 3 and 4 were...pretty miserable, but in a good way.

Actually day 2 wasn't that bad, 3 was tough, and today was really hard because I have come down with a head cold which makes running the last thing on my list of things to do.  BUT I went anyways because I don't want to miss a day for fear of dying when it comes right down to actually running the marathon.

I have learned the following things :  I am very particular about the type of headphones I wear, mainly because my ear drums are tiny, though my ears themselves are giant.  It doesn't matter what I wear, I always end up with a cherry red face at the end (I somehow thought less clothing would change that...not true) 

Life has been pretty interesting as of late.  Because of certain decisions I have decided to make this a 'really fun summer'.  One where I invite everyone I know to do everything I do so that there is always a group. (Kristina do you remember when we used to do that...back in the day??) I am excited at the prospect of an adventure filled summer, and it has actually helped me rekindle a few friendships I thought could not be saved.  I have been really grateful for my new I am still friends with everyone attitude. I hope it stays around for a while!

Getting back into the swing of things

I have been home about four weeks now. I can't believe it has been so little time. I feel like it has been months since I was teaching a workshop or strolling through the park...I really really miss it. The good news is that I have been keeping my eyes open for cheap tickets. If all goes well I should be headed back in 28 weeks. Yeah I am a nerd I know, but it seems that I left something down there.

And I think that I should have taken more pictures! I am starting to go through mine and I honestly feel like I have most of them memorized. That can be either good or bad. I'm not sure which.

I started my hard core marathon training yesterday evening. It was funny because I had to get a physical for work yesterday and found out I had gained back a lot of the weight I had lost in Chile, so I find myself strangely remotivated to get into my training habits. I am running with a good friend of mine who ran track and cross country in high school and college so I figure he'll know what is safe and what not. Yesterday we put in 4 miles on the tredmill. It felt good, but my legs are a little sore today. I'm sure today will not be near as much fun.

I am learning how determined I can be. Lately I have been having to excercise a lot of self control and realizing that certain things in life are decisions, not circumstances. We have to committ to being committed. It isn't something that just happens. So my training and other events in my life that will be revealed at a later date are proving to me that I can do 'all things in Christ which strengthen {me}' and I feel great about it.

So good news blogging world, you will be updated on my marathon adventure!

And a side note, though I still have one more class to finish before the end of the month, I currently have a 4.0 for last semester. Yeah...I am STOKED!

Jet Lag and Missing It Already

I really didn't think I would miss Chile this much this soon after getting home, but I feel really out of place here in Provo for some reason...and that just isn't fun. My dad and I flew in this morning. The first thing I did when I got off the plane was go right to Best Buy to take my computer in and then I went and got my hair cut. I love my priorities. Now I am doing laundry and trying to organize my life. The next few weeks are going to suck.

I loved visiting my mission with my dad. It was a challange helping him feel included in conversations and I didn't get to see EVERYONE that I wanted, but I know this won't be the last time I visit Chile, so I am not worried about it. Yesterday I had planned on taking dad all around Santiago before we left, but there was a huge student strike so we decided to just walk around...a lot. :) Dad and I did that a lot this trip, we tried to walk as much as possible since we were eating so much bread in houses, and it was really fun. We didn't even get tired of each other.

I think I might start a countdown to Chile...7 months

Bitter sweet goodbyes

The last day of the workshop actually turned out pretty wonderful. For it being the last time we would ever teach it, I felt really good about it. We had several people get interviews, and everyone was able to achieve something from their phone calls which made me feel pretty good about life. We had our out interview with Hermano Nuñez and it was great to hear that he had really appriciated our service.

Thursday night we had a going away party. It was so wonderful to see all of our friends and say good bye. I am truly going to miss this place.

Friday bright and early my dad got in and we went on a hike first thing. Then the office had a going away party for us and it was great and sad. As I stood and looked into our teaching room for the last time, I started crying. I cannot believe how much I have changed and grown and how much closer I am to the person I have always wanted to be. I have achieved so many of the goals I set for myself here and I am working on so many others so that I can continue in my progress. I love that room and everything that it has symbolized in my progress. As I went to say goodbye to Hermano Nuñez, I cried again and th anked him for all that he did for us.

I am so grateful I came.

The never ending workshop...

I really feel badly about how hard this group is for me to relate to...

Today´s mock interviews were pretty random. Well, the interviews themselves were normal, but we have a man in our workshop this week that felt the need to tell each woman what they needed to change about their appearance in order to better their interview...and the funny thing is, he is not that sharp of a dresser at all. He told them what colors to wear and not to wear and even after we specifically told him several times that we were focusing on the nervous tendencies and responses to the questions, he still kept making comments about their hair, makeup and other such things.

After work Sarah and I went with Antonio to this aquarium...It was supposed to be fun, but it was pretty lame. We did get to hold some parakeets which was awesome. Then we watched most of the Chile Uruguay game. Uruguay is known to be a really agressive team, so it was intense. They tied, even with Chile getting a red card and playing one man short for the last quarter of the game. Yeah, they are awesome.

I was trying to take a picture of this one fish that had just been sitting there looking at me, but of course when I pulled out my camera it swam away.

The whole no flash thing makes taking pictures quite complicated...

Sarah was the first to brave holding the birds. She is gonna be a great mom! :)

I think I was trying to kiss it...I don´t really remember.

Antonio was actually quite scared of the birds and quickly returned them after the picture was taken.

A really great last FHE and the first day of the last workshop...

Tonight we went to our last FHE with the senior missionaries down here. The missionaries are serving in many different capacities here in Santiago, either with church administration, church health for the missionaries, temple missions or serving in mission offices. They have been some of our favorite people here and have taught us some amazing things. Tonight, the Leavitts were in charge and they decided to ask a few people to share significant experiences that were had around conference and how people prepare. They asked Sarah and I to share one from our lives and I shared my experience last conference. I was amazed as I talked about how I had been struggling and then how I felt as I heard Elder Cook´s talk ´Hope Ya Know We Had a Hard Time´ at how far I have come in just these six months. The Lord has been so good to me. I was also absolutely amazed at these wonderful missionaries, their faith, and all that they had been through in their lives. It was really the best last FHE.

In other news, I have some pictures!! I bought this cool little gadget that you can put your SD card in and it has a USB plug in, so here you go!!

A picture I am quite proud of of the temple...Amazing I know.

This is our workshop group from last week. Me, Daniel, David Andres, David, Jorge, Patricia, Andrea, Maria and Sarah.

Nell and our friend Ivan on the bus to San Jose de Maipo

Ivan working his negotiation magic to get us a private ride back to the city for about a dollar more and we got to stay longer too!

Ivan. :)

Sarah and Nell at the ranger station. Sarah looks so cute here :)

I am aware that it appears I took a lot of pictures of Ivan...I don´t know why.

All my single ladies! Ha ha these are the women of the hike. Daniella, me, Pancha, Sarah and Nell

And our fearless leaders. Nico, Ivan and Victor.

The fellowship of the hike. ha ha

Us white girls stickin together.

This sign says Rock Sanctuary...I thought it was kinda funny. How hard could the life of a rock be??

This is me about halfway up feeling really great about life. It was hot, but I had hiked 4k without dying.

Lunch break at the lagoon about 2k from the glacier.

And we made it.

Nell and I had just discussed how happy we were and decided to photo document it. I love Chile!

Um...the sign...

The view looking back as we hiked down.

My workshop from last week. Me, Gabriel, Marina, Victor, Christopher, David, Cristian, Nadia, Jorge and

Antonio´s dad cookin up some chicken while the lamb is roasting.

Me and Antonio behind roasting lamb.

Antonio´s dad attempting to take a picture while his crazy uncle tries to push me in the pool with all my clothes on...Nice.

The lamb roast.

Today we started our last workshop...We have 11 alumnos which is exciting, though we already know we are losing one so we are hoping to finish with ten. It was kind of a struggle today, they aren´t like any of our other groups so it was different. We have way more adults than PEF students which is interesting, but for some odd reason, they think they are the exception to the rule and that they don´t need to do anything to get a job, so we´ll see if their attitude changes...