To be determined.

When I titled this blog back in December it was a gesture of the unknown, a comment on the future of me-hood. It was a response to questions of "what are you doing with your life?"; "What are your plans?"; "Who's your daddy?" The answer? Unknown... still in the air... to be determined... at a later date. (Okay, maybe not that last question; hey dad.)

Six months later I am finding that my understanding of the title of this blog, and of my life, is taking on a whole new meaning. I no longer feel like I am floating in a schism of time. I no longer feel like I am "waiting" (for what I never really knew...). I have set goals this summer that are pushing me to work hard. They are pushing me to be dedicated and strict. They are pushing me to be better. They are pushing me to be determined.


Saturday will mark my first personal milestone in this climb of determination. Dolce and I are riding in the MS150 bike tour. It will be me, myself, and Dolce riding 75 miles. I've never done anything like this before. I feel nervous, but not anxious. It's the same feeling that I get the night before Christmas. Butterflies in my stomach, but anticipation to see if I can really conquer this feat.

Come Saturday, when I cross that finish line, it may be time to remove the elipses from the title of this blog. I am still wandering, but I'm not lost by any means. To be determined. Period.

Has a great ring to it.

MS Society- One Week Left to Donate

We are down to the last week to raise money for the MS150 Bike Tour!!!

I am riding 75 miles this Saturday for the cause and need your help!

I am only $50.00 away from making my goal of raising a total of $250.00 to aid in the fight against MS. You can help me by donating- remember, this money doesn’t go to me, it goes straight to the MS Society of Utah!! Donate as little or as much as you want! Every little bit counts and helps tremendously.

Check out my profile page to donate at a secure, online location.

Thanks in advance for all of your help and thoughts!!!!

Ode to my Shoes- A Haiku

My sweet saucony’s
Thank you for saving my feet
Now granting freedom

Saucony's. So hot right now. Saucony's.

... it's been 24 years since my last confession

As busy as life gets it seems that there is always time to gather around good food. For this reason a group of my friends and I decided to hold monthly dinner gatherings where we would enjoy each others company, learn new ideas for the feeding of our faces, and catch up on the details of life that now pass unknown between us. This evening took us to Pleasant Grove and pleasant it indeed was. I always enjoy passing the time with my friends regardless of the conditions that bring us together, but I admit that sometimes it's nice to sit down over dinner and just relax.

I was feeling happy as I left the dinner tonight and decided to celebrate with myself by turning on the radio. As I entered the I-15 northbound corridor a song that I like came over the radio. Hearing a good song is one of my favorite simple pleasures and I indulged by cranking the volume in my car and singing along. The song made me feel happy and I decided then and there that I would download it when I got home. I made a mental note to listen for the name of the "artist" so that I could track it down in my iTunes store. Normally I am really pleased with My99.5 (radio) for announcing the artist after every song. It gives me the chance to find new artists and piece together the web that is the music industry. As my jam ended on the radio I acutely listened for the robot-like announcement of song and artist so that I could add it to my collection. What follows horrified me:

MILEY CYRUS.

Tell me it isn't so. Tell me that I didn't just jam out to Hannah Freaking Montana. Even my 10-year-old sister announced a month ago that she was "so over Miley Cyrus". I felt dirty and broken. My world was spinning fast- I had crossed a borderline that I didn't even know existed until that moment in time. There was only one thing to do: I immediately pulled out my cell phone and confessed my musical sin to my best friends. I had to purge my soul of this secret for they say that the truth will set you free. My guilt and shame was validated by their reactions- this was a breech of talent-trust and needed to be rectified.

Ashley had the solution to that: "Go public with your embarrassment: blog about it".

So here it is- my scarlet letter to be worn for all to see. I rocked out to Miley Cyrus tonight. Let this be penance.

Summer Time Goals

We have all heard about a thousand times that the only goal you accomplish is one that is written down. Someone I greatly admire has sad that when "performance is measured, performance increases." Keeping with this theme I am posting my goals for the summer of 2008, in no particular order:

1. Complete Bike MS tour- 75 miles in one day
2. Run in a 5K race by August
3. Choose a 10K race to train for
4. Take the GRE by August

This summer is my summer of changes. I want to be more active and healthy. I want to find time for myself and the people I love instead of shoveling all of my time into work. These goals- especially the first three- are things that I would never have dreamed of actually doing. I think that is the beauty of setting goals- it can be something big and new and scary.

Do you all have any goals for this summer?

Sponsor Me! MS 100 Bike Tour

I have the opportunity to ride in the MS 100 Bike Tour at the end of June 2008. The MS Society of Utah puts on this amazing event to raise money for a cure for multiple sclerosis, as well as money that helps fund current programs. I have a very dear friend that organizes this event and I see the hard work that goes into it; additionally I have seen the effects of MS in my own family and believe that my ride can contribute, even in a small way, to a better life for people who battle this every day.

As a participant I have committed to raising at least $250 before the ride on June 28th and I need your help! If each of us give two dollars, we can meet this goal! Any donation- large or small- will be greatly appreciated! (It also guarantees that I get on a bike on the 28th, which is at least going to be comical.)

Check out my profile page to donate at a secure, online location.

Whatever you can donate will help. I really appreciate your support and will keep you updated on my progress! If you are interested in riding with me let me know!!

Thanks in advance for your help!!

Thanks, Larry!

Oh how I love my job if only because it affords me discounted lower bowl tickets to the NBA Playoffs. I want to congratulate all of my boyfriends for their win tonight at home. And thanks to my partner in crime... I'm glad that you lived through your childhood so that we could play at Jazz games.

YOU GOTTA LOVE IT BABY!