Leave the Light On

It has been a long time. For a lot of things... A long time since I've posted, a long time since I've been home, a long time since I've taken the time to just slow down, take a deep breath, and just be.

So, I really want to write something smart, insightful, meaningful... something worthy of your time... but nothing is coming to me. And maybe that's why I've stopped writing. I don't know what to say. I don't have time to gather my thoughts, to think, to plan.

So I guess here's a short update of what I've been up to since July:

-Work trip to Nashville was exhausting by rewarding.
 

-Went on a work trip to Sturgis where I a ton about the motorcycle industry and history...


-I have been with a great guy officially for 9 months


-I love my job, my co-workers, and motorcycles

-I am finally a motorcyclist! Officially a biker babe! ;)


-Hiking excursion with Erika & Adam at Interstate State Park
 

-Camping on the Northshore


Finally got a pair of these:


And I will be completing my second ever half-marathon in just a few weeks.

Stay posted... hopefully for something insightful or for some inspiration.

Where has the summer gone??

OMG! Summer is half over already? Where did the summer go... I blinked my eyes and its the last week of July?

MN decided to be terribly hot and humid, so I'm going to keep this ULTRA short. Here is what I've been up to...

-I work for Victory Motorcycles. I love motorcycles... I want one.

-Soccer league on Wednesday nights

-Eric's family from Alaska and Pennsylvania were in town all of June... so we spent a lot of time going back and forth from St. Cloud.

-Kevin Utz got married... so happy for him!

-I am heading to Nashville for a week-long work trip... EXCITED!

-I signed up for a half marathon in October.

-Moving to uptown!

-Its harder to keep up with friends when you don't see them every day...

Well, that's all I have the energy for to write. Nothing inspiring, but maybe I will come up with something at the end of summer when it has cooled down a little bit. :)

Working for [the man]

That's right. It's official. I am officially official at Polaris! [and I'm loving it!]. Despite my horrible nerves for my first day, my first few days have reassured me that I made the right choice, the best choice, and that I found a home. I am going to keep this short [because MN decided to be 100+ degrees today and even typing is exhausting] but let me tell you, it has been a long time since I have been this happy, this busy, this productive, this happy.

Summer [Loving], Had me a Blast!

Summer is finally here, and to stay [I think]! So with my last week of summer vacation coming to an end, let me update you quick on all of my recent shenanigans:

Friday : Drive to St. Cloud with Eric for the Sartell Apple Duathlon [Run, Bike, Run]. We [Eric, Karl and I] spent the night checking in, driving the course and getting everything set for the race in the morning. Eric's dad out-did himself [again!] with another amazing meal! And off to bed early for a 6am wake-up

Saturday : Duathlon! The guys took of at 8:36 sharp, as Dayna and I ran around cheering and taking action-pictures. Both of them finished strong and within 20-ish seconds of each other. It was a perfect day for a race 70and sunny with little wind. Eric got 3rd in is age group and Karl took 1st in his age group! Woot woot! We spent the rest of the day playing with Kelly [their Husky] and just enjoying the outdoors.

Monday : Eric and I tried to go to a Memorial Service but failed due to the weather. But the whole day wasn't a total loss; at about 4pm the clouds cleared and the sun came out! I immediately decided a new adventure, a trip to Minnehaha falls was in order!

 

Tuesday : Lake Calhoun! Liz and I decided that such a nice day could not be wasted, and a little bit of vitamin D was needed. Two hours of sunbathing later, we headed to Jamba-Juice and Target. Did I mention we made cookies?

Wednesday : Sculpture Garden adventures! I've been curious for 4 years, where is this fabled cherry and spoon that everyone has pictures with?? Well I finally made it there! We packed a blanket and snacks and made an afternoon out of it.

 Thursday : Lakeville. I spent the morning/ afternoon in Lakeville visiting my grandma! We had a delicious lunch and tested out her new Ford Focus. It has all the bells and whistles, so I think all of the technology may have been a little intimidating for her. We walked to the post office and had a great time catching up :) I love family! After that, I came home and met up with an old camp friend for happy hour. Emma was the counselor I ran a tent with with I was in the SDP program. It was so nice to catch up with her after 4 years [and she hasn't changed]. I love camp people!

 Anyway, that's been the end of my summer vacation. Not bad for cramming it all in to 1 week, eh?

What are your plans for summer?

The Power of Thoughts

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

 

You  decide every day. What will you think about? What will you say? What will you do? Who will you be? Make a conscious decision everyday, to live up to your potential and determine your own destiny!

Reflecting on Fitness

What is fitness? FITNESS: The condition of being physically fit and healthy.

Does this mean it is it a way of life? A means to an end? A definition of how you should look, a weight you should be, certain sized clothes you should fit in? Is fitness the same for everyone? Should it be?

I have been struggling with this question for a while now, as I am sure a lot of people have. I have always felt certain pressures and judgments from my family, society, and myself to look, feel and perform a certain way.

Let me explain. My family is thin. Not super skinny, but naturally pretty thin. And we work hard to keep it that way. Growing up my dad witnessed a family member struggle with weight problems and depression as a result so he would constantly focus on instilling "healthy" habits in us with little reminders like: "Are you sure you want to eat that?" or "You're looking a little flabby Shan, did you work out today?".

Though he was full of good intentions, I have felt pressure my whole life to look a certain way, be a certain weight, and wear a certain size. And I have had tough competition from my petite and always fit mother. I was not truly aware of the extent of this pressure until the other day I was talking with my boyfriend. We were sharing what we had done that day and I admitted that I had not worked out and looked at him with guilt all over my face, waiting for him to chastise me. He just looked at me, with utter disbelief, and said, "Why are you ashamed of that? I don't care if you work out every day! One day won't kill you". And it was at that moment that I realized I was unhealthily focused on being healthy.

When had fitness become a way for other people to judge me? When did I start holding myself to other people's standards? Fitness is an individual definition, an individual goal and a unique journey for everyone. Only I can know when I am happy with the way my body performs, how it feels, or the way it looks. I want to be healthy for me, for the energy it gives me, for the way I want to look, and the activities I want to participate in.

Today is day one. The day I want to stop comparing myself to everyone. The day I start having a healthy outlook about being healthy.

Only a life lived for others is a life worth living.

If you are given a chance
to be a role model, I think you should always take it
because you can influence a person's life in a positive light,
and that's what I want to do.  That's what it's all about.

 

 This is my friend Laura, in a nutshell. She is the most amazing person I have ever met. She has the biggest heart, one that does not judge, one that does not complain, one that never tires; She is always ready to carry out whatever task she was called to do, and she serves with an amazing spirit that can't be explained with words.

I have had many moments throughout my life where something amazing has happened or someone amazing has come into my life and I think to myself: This can't possibly be a coincidence, this isn't just luck, this can't be left to chance, this was meant to happen to me. Meeting Laura was one of those moments. 

I first met Laura when we both worked for the SouthWestern Company in Michigan in the summer of 2008. Laura was a student manager and lived at the same HQ with me. She not only showed me the ropes of the job but also helped me grow personally and spiritually. Ever since that summer she has remained a constant positive influence in my life. Whenever I start to doubt myself or my purpose, she is right there assuring me that it will all work out. 

All in all Laura has been a great friend, an amazing role model, and someone I hope to have in my life forever. So this post is for you, Laura. For facing uncertainties, for living the life you were made for, and for being such a great mentor. I love you!

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse