Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day or as some people refer to it as Singles-awareness Day!

I had a revolution this year.  Valentine's day has never been my favorite holiday.  I think it's just another way for Hallmark to stay in business.  When I was little I always referred to Valentine's day as the day at school where you would get tons of Valentine's cards from all the kids in your class, but you had to be careful which ones you chose for certain people in your class because you didn't want them to think you had a crush on them.  It was always fun seeing which Valentine's cards had suckers attached or the little heart's in bags with the sayings.  As I grew up Valentine's day turned into a "OMG, he likes me. I have a Valentine. He better not break my heart." AND after a few Valentine's days of always being cheated on or hurt I completely turned my back against this holiday.

This year, Valentine's day is not about the boy or the stuff; it's just about the meaning.  Valentine's day is a day to show the people you care about most in your life just how much you truly love them and care for them.  I am so appreciative of my family.  They support me in so many ways and are always there for me no matter what.  I am very thankful for my friends.  Without them I would still be dating the guy that hurt me.  And lastly, I'm extremely thankful for my boyfriend.  I have never been more myself than I am at this point in my life.  I can't give him all the credit but he has played a huge role in that.

To everyone that is against Valentine's day, just stop and be thankful for everything you have.  You have at least one-two people who care about you more than you will ever know: your parents.  Your grandparents who you might not see that much can still touch your heart just by a small post on your Facebook wall.  Your animals, they will love you unconditionally.  You can say all you want, I don't have a boyfriend, I'm single on Valentine's day, but in reality you have so many people in your life who care about your happiness.  I hope everyone was able to enjoy Valentine's day in some way.  I spent mine with my girlfriends, a home-cooked meal from my mother, and the Bachelor.  Be thankful for who is in your life and don't take any second, minute, or day for granted.  You never know when they might not be there anymore.

Sending my love your way if you still feel like you don't have anyone,

Kayla

Week One

I completed my first week of training successfully!! My times are getting better.  My first mile of six yesterday was 9.30.  My average time was 10.30.  I'm really shooting for a 10 minute mile throughout the whole thing though.

Training has been a lot of fun so far.  I feel like my days are busier than ever but when I'm training I go to a completely different state of mind.  It's my time to think and just be by myself.  Yesterday was my long run (6 miles) and I had the best time.  The weather is FINALLY starting to listen to me :)  It was a beautiful day to be outside.  My run didn't consist of much thinking but listening to music and pushing myself through the distance.  Running really is a mental thing.  If you don't talk yourself out of quitting you probably will stop and walk.

My thinking really didn't start until I got home from the run and had an hour to get ready for dinner with my boyfriend and his family and our friends.  I am happier than ever right now.  I am a year away from graduation, training for a half-marathon, living in this perfect town, I have a family that supports me, friends that care about me, and a boyfriend that loves me unconditionally.  I could not be more blessed right now.  I'm living in the present which is not something I normally do (I'm a dreamer!) but what can get better than this?  I don't write this to gloat but to say that you can find happiness in anything if you search deep enough.  Some people search in all the wrong places and can't find what they are looking for.  Find joy in what is in your life at the moment.  You don't get a second chance.  Spend each day thankful for what you have and don't sulk on the bad things. (I'm still working on this daily!)

Okay, now I'm preaching.  Sorry.  I just wanted to let you know training is going great and this next week is going to be a challenge in balancing my school life, training, social life, work life, and finding time to sleep.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you posted very shortly on how life is going in Kayla-ville.

Thankful,

Kayla

Expectations

Good-morning blog readers! Today is the 10th of February and it's my boyfriend's 21st - FINALLY! :D

Today was my fourth day of training.  Running is the best therapy!  I think about anything and everything on my runs.  Today was only three miles but when you get on a runners high you lose track of time, distance, and your location.  I also didn't go to bed until three a.m. last night so I did a lot of thinking then as well.

I did the worst thing a girlfriend can do on their boyfriends birthday.  I fell asleep and didn't call at midnight. :/ That could be a reason I was up until three because I got a quick power nap in until I woke up around 12:34 and realized I had missed it.  I know to some people that's not a big deal because you would rather be asleep at midnight on your birthday but 1. It was his 21st and 2. I would have been so irate if I didn't get my midnight call.  So I began to think about expectations.  Everyone sets expectations.  Whether it be for yourself, of other people, of situations, or just in general how your day is going to go.  When those expectations aren't met you get disappointed.  Disappointed.  I hate that word.  It's worse than angry or mad.  The one phrase a kid (should) never want to hear from their parents is "I'm not mad.  I'm just disappointed." Man did I get that phrase a lot in high school.  Anyways, disappointment is one of those things that is completely preventable.  Yes, you might slip up or make bad decisions but in the end it's on you that you disappointed someone.  Anger and being mad comes from intentionally doing something to piss someone off.  I guess being the rebel of the family anger and being mad didn't effect me as much as disappointment.

When you have expectations of other people and they don't meet them, politely tell them what's wrong.  It's better to know than to just be sit there wondering what did I do wrong.  If you want something done your way you have to tell people.  I guess that's why I always seem to get my way.  I state my opinion way too often.  I have a tendency to place a lot of expectation on myself.  Well and on other people as well.  I only expect the best out of myself and nothing less.  I give 100% all the time and if I'm exhausted at the end of the day, so be it.  I gave it my all.  That's where I have a problem.  The expectations I have of myself, I expect everyone else to be on the same page as me.  That's why I do not work well in groups.  If there is a lot of work to be done, I tend to put it on myself because I don't know if everyone will pull their weight to make things happen.  I know this is annoying and people tend to dislike me after group projects because they feel like they didn't get a say in things.  I'm working hard on a project for one of my classes now and I feel exactly like this.  I enjoy doing the work but it's not far to everyone else who wants to do something.  But on the flip side, slackers just make me mad.  If you don't want to put in the same amount of effort as everyone else in the group, get out.  I don't need my work to be anything less than 100%.

I guess realizing my faults is making me mature as a women.  I believe everyone has something they can work on.  I just think my list is a little longer than everyone else's because I put so much expectation on myself to be/do everything.  I don't think that this expectations are faults but maybe that much pressure is a bad thing.  In conclusion, it's okay to have expectations of people.  If you get disappointed, try and talk/work it out.  Don't just sit there with it on your mind.  It will only eat at you and make you disgusted in that other person.  Also, know that other people are capable of meeting your expectations.  When I say (type) these things I'm doing so for myself as well as whoever it may help/inspire.  These are reminders for me to know that I'm allowed to share work loads and I'm allowed to not be 100% perfect all the time (because I'm far from it).  People are unique individuals and everyone is completely different.  Make sure you take that into consideration when you set your expectations.  Live and learn and make mistakes.  It's what develops you as a person.

Respect yourself and other people,
Kayla

Super Bowl Sunday

Super Bowl Sunday.... oh what a fun day.  I have never been a big NFL fan and I'm still not.  BUT football in general is always fun to watch.  Yesterday, the Green Bay Packers played the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I couldn't tell you two people on the team are minus the quarterbacks but I always find a reason to throw a party.

I had a few friends over for the game yesterday and it was a pretty divided house.  One of my friends is from Pittsburgh and his Mom is a huge Steelers fan (she was at the game, lucky).  So it was a lot of fun to help someone else pull for their team.

Seeing how my major is events, it's always fun to plan and host events.  Seeing people happy makes me happy even if I do like to have things my way.  Let's just say it's a good thing I'm still in college for this stuff.  I am a terrible planner of food.  I either have WAY too much or too little of something else.  This Catering & Events class this semester should help me manage that better. :) The party was still a lot of fun and nice to have so many friends around.

^^Awful Commercials yesterday^^

Commercials this year = I don't know what to think.  I feel like marketing teams are trying way too hard when they could use the simple things to make the commercials hilarious.  Half-time was by far the best thing about the game yesterday.  Black Eyed Peas, although their song "Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night" is way over played, they put on a great show for the world.

Another thing I love about the Super Bowl is it's the end of football season.  That means it's one step closer to MARCH MADNESS!!! That is by far my favorite month of the year.  Now, I do not watch college basketball because every year I have watched it, my bracket is so bad.  The years I don't watch, until March, I get second place every year.  I've seen a few games so I'm hoping it's not so bad this year.

I know this wasn't like my normal blogs but just some thoughts while I have some free time.  ha

Until Next Time,


Kayla

Half-Marathon Training

This weather is getting on my nerves.  During the week, it's pouring and we can barely get to class without getting pneumonia.  And then on the weekends it is gorgeous.  I'm definitely not complaining about the sun being out for two days I just wish it would stay a little longer.  I have always said I want to move to a big city after graduation and Chicago, Seattle, and San Diego have always been at the top of my list after Atlanta.  I'm going to have to scratch Seattle off for sure! and Chicago I might just have to live there for one year; move there in the Spring time and as soon as the winter season starts, start looking for a new place in a warmer city. haha

Speaking of weather though, my half-marathon training has gotten off to an extremely slow start this year.  On January 1st, I was suppose to start training and run a half-marathon by Spring Break.  WELL, thanks to this glorious weather and my lack of effort, I have post-pond my training until... NOW! Tomorrow starts my 6 week training to complete a half-marathon.  I know it's not a long time to train but I've been running and working out so I feel like I am capable of this challenge.  Here is my schedule:

Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Frid.	Sat.	Sun.
30-min XT	3-mi EZ	Rest	3-mi EZ	40-min XT	6-mi LNG	Rest
30-min XT	3.5-mi EZ	Rest	3.5-mi EZ	45-min XT	7-mi LNG	Rest
30-min XT	4-mi EZ	Rest	4-mi EZ	50-min XT	8-mi LNG	Rest
30-min XT	4.5-mi EZ	Rest	4.5-mi EZ	55-min XT	9-mi LNG	Rest
30-min XT	5-mi EZ	Rest	5-mi EZ	60-min XT	10-mi LNG	Rest
30-min XT	6-mi EZ	Rest	2-mi EZ	Rest	HALF MARATHON	Rest

The biggest challenge will be not ever running 13.1 miles until the day of the race.  Also, if you have any ideas on XT (XT = Cross-training) activities PLEASE let me know.  I'm not that great at swimming and I don't have a bike, the only option I have right now is to do the elliptical and strength training.  The race I intend to register for is the Publix Georgia Marathon/Half-Marathon on March 20, 2011.  That will be the last Saturday of Spring Break. :/  BUT I promised myself and Mrs. Cindy, this race was going to happen this year.  No excuses.  I'm going to need a lot of motivation to stick with this training schedule and to stay on top of my school work.  I will be writing a lot on my journey through this.  This is something I have wanted to do since my freshman year at college.  Let's get this marked off my Bucket List and move on to the FULL marathon :)


Happy Super Bowl Sunday!


Kayla

Set in My Old Ways

Humans are all creatures of habit.  I am especially.  I have been bitting my nails since I was in the second or third grade and had to wear fake nails for a year just so I would stop bitting them.  I'm a week strong so let's hope I will stop this disgusting habit.

Habits.  How do we break them? Are all habits bad? My habits seem to always be bad.  I have come to a realization that I'm not as good of a person as I believe myself to be.  I do the right things or so I think but I have some nasty habits that have to be broken.  I have the biggest attitude anyone could imagine.  I have always had an attitude, for as long as I can remember.  My parents have home videos of me acting like a complete brat.  In high school, I thought it was hilarious to show them, and now I'm so embarrassed by the way I acted and still do to some extent.  I always have to be right.  This might come with the attitude and that I'm a female but for some reason I cannot STAND to be wrong.  I always think my ideas are better than everyone else's, I always think the "facts" I state are right and most of the time they are completely off, and I absolutely hate to be beaten.  I also have a tendency to pitch a fit when I don't get my way.  So childish I know, but that's how bad I have to be right.  Lastly, I put people down for my own pleasure.  I hate admitting this because I feel I am such a people person and always try to make other people happy.  This flaw has slowly started to get better but I'm still hurting the people I love most.

So how do I change this stuff? Most of these things have been habits since I was four years old.  These problems are not good.  It is not very grown up of me to be acting in these manners.  I am completely disgusted with myself because I have found myself being completely selfish.  I have been doing some deep soul searching this weekend and still can't find a way to make all these things better.  I hope it changes soon and I will continue to pray that it does.  I don't want to be this way anymore.  It's time to be an adult and handle problems in adult ways.

Searching for answers,

Kayla

Music is Key

It has been a grumbling last few days.  I haven't been myself and this weather is really starting to get to me.  One thing I have found that really gets me back on track is music.  Music isn't much to some people but it can make the world of difference in your life.

I am a huge fan of any genre of music.  I honestly do not have a favorite because it depends on my mood.  If I'm happy I'm usual all about anything I can sing my lungs out too.  If I'm angry, I want loud, meaningful lyrics, rock music.  If I'm sad or feeling down about things, I like to listen to alternative music and love songs.  The most relaxing music to study to is classical.  Nothing beats a piano melody while you are reading horrible ethics articles.

With all that being said I have crossed all these different emotions this week.  It's been an eventful week.  Junior year is starting to settle in and I get more and more excited about what the future holds for me as the days go on.  I have been extremely busy but I always have my music on me.  If it isn't "on-on" it's playing in my head.  Keep this thought with you: music can set your mood.  If you are feeling down, turn on something that is going to brighten your day.  Do something to get your mind away from your thoughts and seriously get into the music.  If people could only see what character (def: the things you do when no one is watching) I have.  I am a dancing, singing, fun-loving creature.  Creature is a good word to use because I pretty much have an out of body experience while I listen to music.  Get into the zone.  While that music is playing, it's you against the music (quote from Britney :D).  

I don't know where this blog is going except to tell you that you can be who you want to be when you have music in your life.  You make that decision everyday when you wake up.  You choose your attitude for the day.  Like I said at the beginning, I've been way off balance this week and you know what NO ONE is going to push me off my pogo stick.  I am a very blessed and lucky girl to have the things I have in my life. You can be too if you just look around.  Music is key people.  Put your headphones in while you are walking to class or working out, go to Google and type in radio stations while you are at work, or just sing a little melody in your head.  You will start to realize just how much music can change your life.

Singing my lungs out,

Kayla