The Pseudo Mechanic...
I spent that night at my Aunt Becky and Uncle Dave's home. It was fun to just sit around and talk. I was able to catch up on all their past summer adventures and see the amazing pictures they took from their recent hikes. That morning I went on a run with my Aunt Becky. She is such an inspiration on doing races, and continuing on with goals. She was able to give me some great pointers on running.
That afternoon I got my owner's manual out of my car, and figured out how to replace the brake light to my car. I think that was one of the easiest things I have ever done on my car. But it was fun to be able to use my electric screwdriver. I love using power tools whenever I can.
At night, the neighborhood I live in invited everyone to see their version of "Freedom Festival" fireworks. They put on a really good show. They closed down half of the road, and everyone brought treats of some kind to share.
It's fun to celebrate the 4th of July in Utah. It's feels like one continuous party all weekend.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Day 100!!! - Friday, July 4, 2008
And on the 100th day....
Where I live, the town goes all out for the 4th of July celebration. People begin to reserve places to watch the parade at the beginning of the week, and camp out the night before to insure a good spot. There is a small carnival going on, and then an amazing fireworks display at night. It does cost money, and they have really good entertainment (like Hannah Montana and Blue Man Group this year), but you can still see the fireworks anywhere around there. In the morning, they have a 1 mile fun run, 5k or 10k. I signed up to do the 5k. I have discovered that I LOVE to run in these races. There is something about being with a lot of people trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Plus with everyone camping out for the parade, you have a lot of people cheering you on during the entire route. There were a lot of people who turned out to run. Several people had fun with the event and got dressed up in costumes, and created funny shirts or signs to carry. I did well during the entire run. I couldn't believe though that they had us end going up a hill. I need to work on my hills more. But I am grateful to have had this experience, as I now realize I enjoy doing this, and I also have a baseline to go on for my future runs. In fact I have goal to do a half marathon later this year.
This run represents a big accomplishment I have been able to make in my life. About 4 years ago, a friend of mine asked if I wanted to run with her in the mornings. After one week, I had to tell her I couldn't run anymore, as I would be having Crohn's attacks after each run. I had decided then that my Crohn's disease had taken away my ability to ever do any kind of running, or sport similar to that again. So this is really exciting for me to see how far I have come in life since then. Now I love the way I feel after each good run.
To celebrate this achievement I actually made myself a breakfast (I tend to just make breakfast really easy each morning). But I made a somewhat omelette (ended up being scrambled eggs really), with a ton of vegetables in it. I garnished the plate with my miniature rubber chicken.
That afternoon, I went to a BBQ at my cousin Dan and Brittany's new home (really cute home by the way). They purchased a professional type nice BBQ grill Memorial weekend. The food was out of this world (aka - really good), and the people were fun and entertaining. After dinner, we went to the Sandy's 4th of July Parade. That is a fun parade to watch. The majority of the float participants throw candy at us (mostly salt water taffy). The kids around me were having a great time! After we stayed around the area waiting for the firework show. They had live entertainment going on. They put on some great shows. My Aunt Becky, Uncle Dave, their grandson's (Kenny and Ethan) and I danced for the majority of the time. The fireworks show was incredible, and it was fun on how they choreographed it with music.
I think it's funny how in Utah, you will see company's use hymns, or popular sayings within the Church to advertise. Here is a Tax Company float from the parade that said "Count Your Many Tax Deductions Name Them One By One."
Where I live, the town goes all out for the 4th of July celebration. People begin to reserve places to watch the parade at the beginning of the week, and camp out the night before to insure a good spot. There is a small carnival going on, and then an amazing fireworks display at night. It does cost money, and they have really good entertainment (like Hannah Montana and Blue Man Group this year), but you can still see the fireworks anywhere around there. In the morning, they have a 1 mile fun run, 5k or 10k. I signed up to do the 5k. I have discovered that I LOVE to run in these races. There is something about being with a lot of people trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Plus with everyone camping out for the parade, you have a lot of people cheering you on during the entire route. There were a lot of people who turned out to run. Several people had fun with the event and got dressed up in costumes, and created funny shirts or signs to carry. I did well during the entire run. I couldn't believe though that they had us end going up a hill. I need to work on my hills more. But I am grateful to have had this experience, as I now realize I enjoy doing this, and I also have a baseline to go on for my future runs. In fact I have goal to do a half marathon later this year.
This run represents a big accomplishment I have been able to make in my life. About 4 years ago, a friend of mine asked if I wanted to run with her in the mornings. After one week, I had to tell her I couldn't run anymore, as I would be having Crohn's attacks after each run. I had decided then that my Crohn's disease had taken away my ability to ever do any kind of running, or sport similar to that again. So this is really exciting for me to see how far I have come in life since then. Now I love the way I feel after each good run.
To celebrate this achievement I actually made myself a breakfast (I tend to just make breakfast really easy each morning). But I made a somewhat omelette (ended up being scrambled eggs really), with a ton of vegetables in it. I garnished the plate with my miniature rubber chicken.
That afternoon, I went to a BBQ at my cousin Dan and Brittany's new home (really cute home by the way). They purchased a professional type nice BBQ grill Memorial weekend. The food was out of this world (aka - really good), and the people were fun and entertaining. After dinner, we went to the Sandy's 4th of July Parade. That is a fun parade to watch. The majority of the float participants throw candy at us (mostly salt water taffy). The kids around me were having a great time! After we stayed around the area waiting for the firework show. They had live entertainment going on. They put on some great shows. My Aunt Becky, Uncle Dave, their grandson's (Kenny and Ethan) and I danced for the majority of the time. The fireworks show was incredible, and it was fun on how they choreographed it with music.
I think it's funny how in Utah, you will see company's use hymns, or popular sayings within the Church to advertise. Here is a Tax Company float from the parade that said "Count Your Many Tax Deductions Name Them One By One."
Day 99 - Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Packet
I went on my lunch break and picked up my 5k packet of all my information, cool t-shirt (that was bigger than I thought - but still cool), and running chip. I found out that my number was 906. I was thinking it would be funny to put the running paper on upside down, but then forgot the morning of. It was so exciting to go and pick up the packet as it became more of a reality that I was actually doing a 5k. In the race because they have a couple thousand people participating they give everyone a chip to tie on your shoe laces. When you cross the finish line the chip records the time it took you to run the race.
After work I went to Sport's Authority and found a running wallet type thing where you can place your ID, and keys in it and then velcro it to your shoe laces. I liked this idea as it's always a problem of trying to figure out how to carry everything and not worry about it. I bought it and then found out that it was on clearance, which was even nicer. I really like it as you can't even feel it is there. It doesn't interfere with your run at all, and frees up the feeling of wondering if your keys will fall out of your pocket sometime as you are out and about. Yeah, it may look dorky, but it's a working dorky.
I went on my lunch break and picked up my 5k packet of all my information, cool t-shirt (that was bigger than I thought - but still cool), and running chip. I found out that my number was 906. I was thinking it would be funny to put the running paper on upside down, but then forgot the morning of. It was so exciting to go and pick up the packet as it became more of a reality that I was actually doing a 5k. In the race because they have a couple thousand people participating they give everyone a chip to tie on your shoe laces. When you cross the finish line the chip records the time it took you to run the race.
After work I went to Sport's Authority and found a running wallet type thing where you can place your ID, and keys in it and then velcro it to your shoe laces. I liked this idea as it's always a problem of trying to figure out how to carry everything and not worry about it. I bought it and then found out that it was on clearance, which was even nicer. I really like it as you can't even feel it is there. It doesn't interfere with your run at all, and frees up the feeling of wondering if your keys will fall out of your pocket sometime as you are out and about. Yeah, it may look dorky, but it's a working dorky.
Day 98 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Music Therapy Outlook
I am a music therapist at a psychiatric hospital, who has the opportunity to work with children, adolescents and adults. In school, we were taught to really plan the sessions out beforehand. The past year though I have been learning that this is not a philosophy I agree with when working with this population. I have come to learn that we all know deep down what we need to become healthier, and we have the capability to do this, we just need others to direct us in our thinking and help us have those "Ah - ha" moments. Although I have been believing in this philosophy more and more, it is still scary as a facilitator to not really have as much control in the session. I have been trying to incorporate more improvisation in my sessions, and to be more aware of those whom I work with to see if they are guiding me in a way to showing me as to what they are needing right then in their life. Today I really stretched myself with the children. I had a session planned out, but when I got their realized that the entire session would not work. Instead of becoming stressed over the situation, I talked with the group, and in a sense they came up with their own session. It turned out really well, and benefited both them and me in a way that needed at that time in our life. It's amazing how much more powerful our intuition is compared with our mind. I see that I need to spend more time looking inward and to just take that leap of faith more to trust what I internally know.
I am a music therapist at a psychiatric hospital, who has the opportunity to work with children, adolescents and adults. In school, we were taught to really plan the sessions out beforehand. The past year though I have been learning that this is not a philosophy I agree with when working with this population. I have come to learn that we all know deep down what we need to become healthier, and we have the capability to do this, we just need others to direct us in our thinking and help us have those "Ah - ha" moments. Although I have been believing in this philosophy more and more, it is still scary as a facilitator to not really have as much control in the session. I have been trying to incorporate more improvisation in my sessions, and to be more aware of those whom I work with to see if they are guiding me in a way to showing me as to what they are needing right then in their life. Today I really stretched myself with the children. I had a session planned out, but when I got their realized that the entire session would not work. Instead of becoming stressed over the situation, I talked with the group, and in a sense they came up with their own session. It turned out really well, and benefited both them and me in a way that needed at that time in our life. It's amazing how much more powerful our intuition is compared with our mind. I see that I need to spend more time looking inward and to just take that leap of faith more to trust what I internally know.
Day 97 - July 1, 2008
4Miles..... oh wait it was really 5 Miles!!!!
When I woke up Tuesday morning, I wasn't feeling "the best" in many aspects. Since I didn't need to go to really early that morning, I decided to go for a jog. I was gone for almost an hour, and I thought that I had clocked this one route that I did earlier to be 2 miles one way, which would equal out to be 4 miles round trip. As I was talking to a co - worker that day though and telling him what I did that morning, the distance and time just didn't seem to add up. I found a great website where you map out your route, and they will tell you the exact distance. I put in my route, and found out I actually went a little over 5 miles instead. I don't ever remember going that far before.
Also today, my supervisor invited me to join the session group she has been having the past couple of weeks at work for a yoga class. One of the new occupational therapist's knows how to teach yoga. At first I was going to turn down the offer because I was really behind in a lot of paperwork. But instead decided to attend. It was really nice, as it helped me relax, and also to become more focused to get more work down later that afternoon.
When I woke up Tuesday morning, I wasn't feeling "the best" in many aspects. Since I didn't need to go to really early that morning, I decided to go for a jog. I was gone for almost an hour, and I thought that I had clocked this one route that I did earlier to be 2 miles one way, which would equal out to be 4 miles round trip. As I was talking to a co - worker that day though and telling him what I did that morning, the distance and time just didn't seem to add up. I found a great website where you map out your route, and they will tell you the exact distance. I put in my route, and found out I actually went a little over 5 miles instead. I don't ever remember going that far before.
Also today, my supervisor invited me to join the session group she has been having the past couple of weeks at work for a yoga class. One of the new occupational therapist's knows how to teach yoga. At first I was going to turn down the offer because I was really behind in a lot of paperwork. But instead decided to attend. It was really nice, as it helped me relax, and also to become more focused to get more work down later that afternoon.
Day 96 - July 1, 2008
It's All About the 2's...
This week will be a lot about me pushing myself to prepare for the 5k on Friday. I went to the High School Track after work to get in a session. Although it was still hot outside, I was able to go 2 miles in 22 minutes. I'm excited on how I have been able to increase my length as well as decrease my time. Just those few extra seconds off of the original time gives me the motivation that I can do this, and that I am getting better.
This week will be a lot about me pushing myself to prepare for the 5k on Friday. I went to the High School Track after work to get in a session. Although it was still hot outside, I was able to go 2 miles in 22 minutes. I'm excited on how I have been able to increase my length as well as decrease my time. Just those few extra seconds off of the original time gives me the motivation that I can do this, and that I am getting better.
Day 95 - June 29, 2008
Seeing the world in a different view...
Sunday night I wanted to see how long I could do a head stand for. I realized that I first do not have a strong enough core to do it free style. I needed to be near the door or wall to support myself. I also discovered that a minute is all I can do. I seem to remember seeing my brother doing this for a very, very long time growing up. How did he do that?
That night, my cousin Holly and I were in charge of our Family's 3rd Sunday dinner, that was held on the 5th Sunday this Monday due to some members vacationing. It was a lot of fun. We had it outside in my Grandparent's backyard. Their roses were in full bloom along with other flowers. Holly and I decided to serve Shish Kabobs. Holly was adventurous that night to BBQ the dinner. I found out during this that she had never BBQ'd before. She did a really good job. I would have never had known that this was her first time.
After the dinner the family played "Charades." It's been so long since I have played this. I think my younger cousins had played this before recently as they were able to guess each others really quickly. But I have to admit, they are really good at acting out different animals, and can come up with really creative ones.
My grandpa did one of the best charades that I had ever seen. He was so good that none of us could guess it. He was a Frog Prince trying to get a kiss from someone to turn into a Handsome Prince.
As I mentioned earlier, my grandparent's rose garden was in full bloom that night. It is one of the most beautiful, peaceful places for me to be in . Here are a few pictures of the beauty we were able to enjoy. 
Sunday night I wanted to see how long I could do a head stand for. I realized that I first do not have a strong enough core to do it free style. I needed to be near the door or wall to support myself. I also discovered that a minute is all I can do. I seem to remember seeing my brother doing this for a very, very long time growing up. How did he do that?
That night, my cousin Holly and I were in charge of our Family's 3rd Sunday dinner, that was held on the 5th Sunday this Monday due to some members vacationing. It was a lot of fun. We had it outside in my Grandparent's backyard. Their roses were in full bloom along with other flowers. Holly and I decided to serve Shish Kabobs. Holly was adventurous that night to BBQ the dinner. I found out during this that she had never BBQ'd before. She did a really good job. I would have never had known that this was her first time.
After the dinner the family played "Charades." It's been so long since I have played this. I think my younger cousins had played this before recently as they were able to guess each others really quickly. But I have to admit, they are really good at acting out different animals, and can come up with really creative ones.
My grandpa did one of the best charades that I had ever seen. He was so good that none of us could guess it. He was a Frog Prince trying to get a kiss from someone to turn into a Handsome Prince.
As I mentioned earlier, my grandparent's rose garden was in full bloom that night. It is one of the most beautiful, peaceful places for me to be in . Here are a few pictures of the beauty we were able to enjoy. 
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