Happy Valentine's Day!

I've always loved Valentine's Day! And ironically, I can only recall a few of them where I was actually in any kind of relationship. Regardless, I love the idea of celebrating love...not just romantic, but love in general. I love the hearts and the cupids and the cards and the flowers and seeing how happy and giddy everyone else gets over it.

Well...maybe not everyone. Valentine's Day seems to bring out the bitter, the grumps, and the people who just want to whine for the sake of whining. Examples of real comments/facebook posts I've come across today (keeping in mind that it's only 1 pm):

- "Happy Stupid Holiday...I mean Valentine's Day."
- "I'm going to go to work every day so I can pay the bills this month; that's my Valentine's Day present to my wife."
- "Valentine's Day is rediculous."
- "It's just a Hallmark day to make money." (Nerd side note: It goes waaaay back before Hallmark Days...it's actually been celebrated around the world for centuries, and Chaucer--who wrote Beowulf and is one of the most famous poets in all of English literature--is the one who made it a romantic thing.)
- "Being single in Utah sucks. Being single in Utah on Valentine's Day sucks even more."

So why does it tend to bring out the bitter in so many people? I completely understand that there is nothing fun about wanting to be in a relationship or trying to get over a breakup, but it seems like the people who get so bent out of shape about it are the ones who can't imagine being happy single. It reminds me of some advice I overheard once in college. A girl was lamenting not being married yet (at 21! lol!) To which my friend Jimmy turned to her and said, "You should be happy in all stages of your life."

For some reason, this really resonated with me. From that point, I decided to be happy in ALL stages of my life. Not to say that was always easy, esp when my friends starting getting married, then started having kids, then starting to send their kids to school, then turning 30...you get it. Of course I wanted those things too, but in the meantime I made it my goal to do everything that having a husband or children would keep me from, or at least delay, and then I went out and either got them or did them -- I bought a home, a little convertible that fit just me and my dog, traveled, started grad school, took tennis lessons, etc. I also decided to make myself the kind of person that someone would WANT to be with and develop qualities that would be helpful when I had a family, like learning how to cook and manage money or being more patient. And in the process of doing all these things, I happened to meet someone special.

So, from what i've noticed, it seems to me that once people stop looking for love or stressing about being single and instead start living a full life, great things start to happen :-)

Off to the races...

Spring and summer are just around the corner (thank GOD. Even though this winter has been ridiculously mild so I can't complain) and you know what that means! Time for some runs! I picked up running awhile ago to lose and keep weight off and I have fallen in love with it. It's a time to clear my head, listen to some tunes, and get a good workout all at the same time. I have been researching upcoming races online and just registered for the American Fork Canyon Half Marathon. It will be my first half that I actually complete (I think I registered for one a couple years ago and ended up sleeping through it. Such dedication) so I'm excited for it. Not to mention the course will be stunning...see?



I got a little too excited I guess because I also signed up for the Thanksgiving Point 5k in April, mainly because the course goes through the Tulip Festival and they have the prettiest gardens! I can't wait to run through this (should probably load up on the Claritin first though)


I like doing these races and try and do a 5k or two every year...it's good motivation to stick to a running schedule.

Year In Review...

This past year (2011) has been very eventful for me. To summarize:

1) About a year ago, I met this guy:

His name is Trent. Quite simply, he is the man of my dreams. He is smart, handsome, funny, sensitive, sweet, caring, dedicated, hard-working...I could go on and on. He is a police officer, EQ president, and no joke, good at everything he does but always so humble. I'm really, really, really lucky to have him. I cut myself out of the top picture (taken in Indianapolis when we went to visit my family in Dec) because I looked hideous, but this one is us on New Years Eve:



2) Moved to Salt Lake City. Yes, Utah County wasn't really doing it for me. I am about 10 years older than the average resident and I was really getting tired of the whole scene. So, to be closer to Trent and to try something new, I rented out my house to some awesome renters and headed north. I have always wanted to live in the downtown of a large city, and Salt Lake is a good start. I love my little apartment and I love not having roommates.

Here is a stock photo of where I live (mine looks a lot like this, just all hardwoods)



3) Started a new job. A few years ago, I lost what was a really good job shortly after purchasing a home and buying a new car. I spent the next two years scrambling to make ends meet in a bad economy with contract jobs and a lot of freelance. Luckily I was able to keep my home and everything, and a few months ago I was offered a new job (in Provo...right after I moved, lol) that has proven to be an amazing opportunity. I work as the senior writer for a company that makes healthcare products. I work from home two days a week, have an awesome boss, fun coworkers, and a salary that is double what I was making at the job I lost. I couldn't be happier.

This is where I work. I love it.


4) Started grad school. Very exciting! I applied and got accepted to the Master of English program at Weber State. It's a little bit of a drive, but I'm excited to be working towards my master's and for the additional education and doors it will open up for me.

5) Started a business. It's still in the works, and it's not exactly up and running yet, but I started a business that I've been working on tirelessly for the past couple years. My brother Andy is helping me, and I am really encouraged and excited about it. It's legal and organized right now...all I need now are customers! More about what it is and what I'll be doing when I actually find some clients :-)

So these are the big highlights from this year. I'm excited to see what this coming year will bring!

Guess who's back...back again...

Yep...back again! I guess I take about a year-long hiatus or so between blogs, but I really need to do better. Not so much because I have scads of blog followers eagerly awaiting my next post, but just because I like to look back on life and see how far I have or haven't come. Anyway, here's to a New Year's resolution to be better with my journal!

Updates

I have not blogged in ages. The three people who read this (my mother included) may have noticed ;-)

Sooo...what's been going on? Because I have the luxury of working wherever there is an Internet connection, I spent my summer divided between Indianapolis with my family and Ohio/Texas. Very wonderful summer. I also went to the Bahamas with my brother Andy (his wife just had a baby and couldn't go) which was unreal...suites, VIP everything...loved it!

I am now back home, working and playing and loving life as usual. I will try and attach some pictures from this summer if I remember how! Also can someone please tell me how to change the colors on here? Everything is in pink...not very Christmas-y!

Elder Zach....

My little brother Zach has been in Korea on his mission for about a year and a half now. Yesterday in his weekly email to all of us, he attached a bunch of pictures. This is the second set of pictures we have gotten from him! Last ones were like a year ago. It is great to see how different he looks, in a good way. He looks so happy and fulfilled. I'm so proud of him and the choices he has made in his life. He is the coolest, funniest person I know and such a good example!

My New Blog!

I don't post very often on this one as of late because my life is extremely boring. But I have started a new blog. I have a lot of people asking me for tips on how I lost a lot of weight, plus I like to track progress and stuff and it's motivating to hear other stories, so I started this new little blog. I hope it will be inspirational and have some good ideas anyone who is interested in losing a few pounds or working out more effectively.

http://jill-losinit.blogspot.com (I also linked it to the side)

I have lots of ideas for posts and stuff. It's just brand new so there's really nothing yet, but enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

I had a wonderful Christmas in Indiana this year with my family. I got to spend some time up at my brother's house as well. We celebrated a lot together in just a few short weeks...Christmas, New Year's Eve, and my niece Poppy's birthday. It was a great time but went by way too fast!!

Also, I got to talk to my brother Zach who is in Korea on his mission on the phone. I miss him so much and can't wait for next Christmas when we are all together again!