Too Many Things, Too Little Time

So this blog is off to a slow start. Sure, the turtle wins the race slow and steady, though I don’t know about you, but the rabbit seemed like the guy to root for. He simply didn’t plan it out. Too many expectations, too many goals, too much confidence, and thus, this recipe led to his demise. But he had it. That’s what I believe I did. I have too many hopes, too many ideas, too many priorities to prioritize, and thus, this blog, much like the rabbit, drops out of the race. But I can fix that. Life is all about moderation. From healthy habits to drinking enough water, and having your slice of pie too, (I vote pie over cake anytime), to working to make money, while not jeopardizing valuable time with family and friends, this one word should resonate in your mind like the ringing of Morgan Freeman’s voice in your head after one of his three-hour long movies: moderation, moderation, moderation. But sometimes moderation is hard to find. For example, take a look at a typical day in the life of a student-athlete balancing three AP classes, work, a relationship, college scholarships, family responsibilities, friendships, and nine mile runs daily: aka me. 5:15 am BEEP BEEP BEE-smack. Roll around for a few minutes regaining conscienciousness and whereabouts while struggling to remember that strangely lucid dream you had because you had too much sugar before bed. 5:25 am Roll out of bed, gracefully of course, and stumble out the front door, thankful you put on your gym clothes the night before, else god knows you’d show up to the gym naked before you realized it. 6:15 am Hop off the stair-stepper feeling sweaty and rejuvenated. Caught up on pinterest goals and listened to that one song you downloaded yesterday about three times over because it is just that good. 7:00 am Showered up, lotioned up, and food in hand, it’s time to head out the door for school after involuntarily changing your outfit about two times. The struggle between sweats and pants is real. Everyday. 7:15 am Finally get out the door and drive to school, again listening to that one song and singing at the top of your lungs before you pull into the parking lot and have to regain your “cool.” Admit it, your butt still is wiggling until you hop out of that car. 8:00 am Ah…school. The first class of the day is College Prep English. Analyzing literature through the feminist criticism lens is a wonderful way to start the morning, though let’s be honest, you’re just happy you brought a spoon to eat your oatmeal. Yum. 1:20 pm So much for relaxing. Three AP classes, two honors classes that had projects due, four tests, one pop-quiz and quick mental breakdown in the bathroom later, school is over. From here, the day stretches out into a beautiful array of endless opportunities and wonderful possibilities in which you can catch up on work, takes notes for the next three weeks, go on a walk, or finally read that book you’ve been wanting to read because school is…over… 7:00 pm …What the heck? It’s already dark out. You had time to run, and eat, then sleep because you were so exhausted from running nine miles that you slept right where you fell after your shower and now your hair has dried into a strange, kinky fashion that even Lady Gaga would be jealous of, you realized you have yet to do your four hours of homework. 7:30 pm And so it begins. 10:00 pm Sleep is important. Much more important than AP Statistics notes, so it’s time to prioritize (knowing I have 98% in the class) and head to bed, because hey, you’re a student-athlete and without at least seven hours of sleep, you’ll just be a zombie. This logic fuels my last reserves of energy as I lay out a breakfast for tomorrow and hop into gym clothes before passing out. You can catch up on homework in Physics class. And do it all over again. So where in the world can I fit in the time for a blog? It’s second semester of senior year and I’ve yet to fnd a system that somehow allows me to finish my homework, study, even work ahead while having time to run, and relax. I may preach the ideal of moderation, though I have yet to find it myself. What keeps me going is the fact that this hard work will pay off, and in a matter of a few weeks, I will finalize my fifth-year plans and summer will be right around the corner. Track will take up more time. Work will begin as the weather warms up. Graduation will be right around the corner and school will take first priotity as I try to finish in the Top Ten, and at times, these ambitions feel like they’re too much to handle, but I know, that it’s all for a good reason. It’s a race worth winning and I’m in the lead. Bear with me as this blog takes form. It’s the turtle right now. Slow… but steady. It’s gaining momentum and it’s only going to get better as my adventures begin to open up. So in the mean time, moderation, moderation, moderation. Keep trying to find it.

Summer Bucketlist

summer legs

Ah summer… So close, yet so far. Winter offers its fair share of splendid treats like warm fires, hot cocoa, snow, and comfy sweaters, but with it also comes terrible driving, freezing rain, and ten layers of clothing when going for a run. I love winter, don’t get me wrong, but there’s something about summer that always gets the heart beating faster. Maybe it’s the brighter skies, the sun-kissed, tan skin, the excitement of longer days and warmer nights. It’s magical.

I, as I do every summer, make a bucketlist. My days whizz by and blur together and you don’t want to bundle up in November on that first, cold day and think, “Wow, I wish I had done that. Now it’s too cold…” You want to make the best of everyday, even if you just spend hours under the sun, staring at the clouds passing by. A good quote to remember: “Time you enjoy wasting, is not time wasted.” -John Lennon.

Thank you John Lennon for that wonderful insight that encompasses the spirit of summer so well. Now here are some great ideas to try out this summer before the cold days set in again.

  1. Star-tripping

starry sky

No, not star-gazing, star-tripping. That’s right, it’s just as fun as it sounds, and no, there’s no drugs involved, I promise. All you need is a flashlight, a friend, and the sky. A favorite passtime of mine created from my summer camp which I must pay homage to for this strange tradition; it’s a hilarious and delirious spin on spending the night under the stars. My only warning, if you can’t handle spinning, then it may not be for you. I recommend you be the one to hold the flashlight and record a video of your friend who will be falling on their face. It’s unavoidable. To star-trip, you simply start by pinpointing a star. Look up and focus on that one point and start to spin. Spin, spin, spin! As fast as you can! (Sounds ridiculous yet? Wait. It’s gets better). Spin for about 20-30 seconds, focusing on that star above you, and when time is up, have your friend turn the flashlight onto your eyes. Try to look long and hard at that flashlight. From there, I promise you that up will feel left and down will be somewhere off to the upper right of you. All senses take a hay day. The only hazard I have found from this activity is hitting the ground with my face, so I recommend the “tuck and roll” maneuver. Good luck, be safe, and have fun with this one.

2. Frozen Yogurt Pops (and other tasty treats) via Women’s Day

yogurt pops

One Word: Yum.

3. Make a Summer Playlist

Music makes everything better. Whether you’re into that summer lovin’ country vibe, or want to relax to the lovely ukulele tunes that bring you back to the islands, or get revved up with the newest rave hits, I personally recommend some of these sweet artists. With these songs, I came to be the main DJ at more than one bonfire, so be rest assured, these songs have been tested and approved by yours truly.

  • The Dirty Heads. They rock the PNW rap/reggae vibe with their lyrics and beats. Highly recommend their album “Cabin By the Sea” and “The Sound of Change.” They range from easy ukulele tunes to bass drops.

DH

  • Aviccii. He has hit the top charts more than once and stays consistent for an great party playlist. I love the song “The Nights” as it reminds you to carpe diem.

aviccii

  • Zac Brown Band. Alright, who can sum up summer in one beautiful sound more so than these guys? Especially with Jimmy Buffet, the legend of Margaritaville? That’s right, don’t fight it. No one.

zbb beach

4. Read More Books

Did you know that the average number of books people 16 and older read a year is 6? Only 6? What is this? Off the top of my head I can instantly name 6 must-read novels you must buy. And after you read these 6, go read some more. And more. Keep your mind young, and read.

  • Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
  • The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (currently reading. It’s emotional, but I can’t put it down).
  • The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
  • Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
  • Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
  • Yes Please by Amy Poehler

And after you read these six books currently on the NY-Times Bestseller list, read these awesome tales:

  • 11/22/63 by Stephen King
  • Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James (yes..guilty…)
  • Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
  • The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

And and and…the list goes on. I’ll stop myself now before I even mention classics like Harry Potter, Catcher in the Rye, The Things They Carried, The-

I’ll stop.

5. Get That Summer Body

Every year it takes you by surprise. Like animals rising from hibernation, when we take those first, few, hesitant steps into the sunlight after months of hiding away under layers of wool and cotton, staying warm with buttered toast and hot cocoa… and it can a bit humbling. Don’t get left behind and rock these awesome styles this summer with confidence!

  • feelgoodfoodie seems to have quite a few tasty summer treats. See what you can make.

fruit

  • Runner’s World never disappoints with their workouts. Your muscles will hate you for it, I promise.                            Roxy even has great workouts for toning up and working those muscles when you’re not up to running 7 miles at a time.                                                                                                                                                                          Victoria’s Secret workout from pop sugar even leaves you feeling sore, which when the goal is to get in shape, that’s a good thing.

run

If motivation is lagging though, try these little tricks to get you up and moving. I’ve used them myself and they work! All it takes to make it a habit, is to start in the first place.

  • A motivation board. It helps to surround yourself by your goals.

motivation board

  • New gear. My new Garmin Forerunner 15 and Roxy leggings got me out the door more than once, because hey, you bought it – you might as well use it.

nike pink

  • Last but not least, the best way to complete your summer body, is happiness. That’s a given.

confidence

6. New Bikini

Because why not? It’s a new year. Time for a new bikini. You can never have enough! Try these awesome sites:

For now, that’s just the start! Summer may be a few months out, but it’s coming back around that corner, and I just can’t wait.