Harry Potter Party

On Tuesday, we had a Harry Potter Party in celebration of the newest movie coming out... TODAY! Which is why I saved this post for today. My friend that helped me put on the Pirate Party helped me put on the Harry Potter Party. We only invited people who we knew were really into Harry Potter. Therefore we knew they would dress up and be very excited for what we were going to do.

We planned a very fun menu of snacks to eat before and during the movie. We watched the last Harry Potter movie to get caught up before going to see the new one coming out.

Everyone that came to the party got a list of spells and a Marauders Map that they could take home with them in the end.

We had 10 or 11 girls come all dressed up. Everyone had a blast. We enjoyed drinking our version of "Butter Beer" (which was a HUGE hit) and there was even some spell fighting.

We set up the table with lots of potions and candles (and even floating candles) and even had the Daily Prophet out. I felt like I was at Hogwarts!

It was such a fun group of girls! So happy that everyone came and had a good time. I love me a good party and I love Harry Potter!!!

Confessions of a Brunette on the Internet 40

I am seriously EXHAUSTED. Seriously. The End.

Photo of the Week 38

I love clock towers, and Chicago has a lot of them.

My Kind of Town

Chicago is, my kind of town...

The first weekend in November, I flew out to Chicago to meet up with my good friend from my Rivera days (about 6 years ago) Kelli. I had not seen her in a few years (since she moved out to DC) so I was very excited to see her and spend time with her exploring a new city (we both had never been before). We got to spend the whole weekend catching up on each other's lives and reminisce about the Riv days that we loved so much and talked about where everyone is now. It was so fun.
Our trip was very relaxing. We got a nice hotel that was close enough to the airport that we got a free shuttle ride there and back. It was also right next to a Subway stop, so we could get to the city very easily as well. We slept in every day and took our time getting ready and many nights we would come home around 7 or 8 and would just relax in our hotel room and go to bed early. It was SO nice. I also feel like even though we were not on a tight schedule, we saw the city. I think we did all the major things there are to do in Chicago. By the end, we pretty much felt like locals. We had the city down.

These are just a few highlights from our trip.

Every morning, I would stop at a Starbucks to get a hot chocolate and pumpkin scone for breakfast and then we would get on the subway for our half hour commute to downtown.

We walked around town trying to get familiar and see what we wanted to do. We went shopping at "The Magnificent Mile" where I found myself a very cute coat. It was awesome weather for us while we were there. Sunny the whole time. Perfect fall weather and colors, but the first day was a little chilly and I didn't bring a coat. Silly me. ha ha.

We then headed over to the Hancock Building, which is the second tallest in Chicago. We wanted to check out the view, so we went to the lounge at the very top and had some drinks and enjoyed the view. They had a pretty amazing view in the bathroom actually.

Next, we had to go try out Chicago's much talked about deep dish pizza. Uno's was recommended to me by a friend. Must be good because we had to wait an hour for our pizza's. It was a fun place with good food.

Then we had to hit up Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower) and check out the view of the city from the tallest building in the Northern Hemisphere! I am not going to lie to you... it was kind of scary for me. They even have these clear cases that stick off of the building that you can stand in so it looks like you are just hanging 110 stories in the air. It took a little courage for me to step out in that case... but I did it. It was quite a site!
*It is kind of hard to see in the picture, but the darker picture is of our shoes while we were in the clear case... so you can see the city WAY below us... looks like we are standing in the air*

The next day we went to the Museum (The Art Institute of Chicago) and walked through most of the exhibits. Then we took a visit to the bean! Which is very fun for pictures..... as you can see.....

The city is full of beautiful and unique architecture. What better way to learn about it then to go on an Architecture Boat tour, which we did. It happened to be my favorite thing that we did the whole trip. It was beautiful and educational.

Another recommended restaurant from my friend from Chicago was Ed Debevics. So we went. Boy was THAT entertaining! ha ha. They make you wear the hats, the are loud and rude on purpose and the waiters dance on the counter. The food was pretty good too. Funniest part was my hamburger came to me on a hot dog bun. It was all funny. How nice for them that they get paid to be rude and loud.

Next day we decided to venture to a different part of Chicago. So we took the train and went to the Frank Lloyd Wrights house for a tour. Across the street from that was the University of Chicago. Beautiful campus... especially a sight to see in the fall. We LOVED it. It is what I picture a university to look like... like what you see in the movies!

We then we to see the Museum of Science and Industry, which is a BEAUTIFUL building. I wish we had the time and energy to have gone inside. We ended up taking the train back to downtown and ended up eating at some weird random place and then had the whole drama getting home that pretty much took up the rest of our night. Oh well. It was all very funny in the end.

Overall, the trip was fantastic. I loved Chicago! It was a very fun and classy city. So glad I was able to go, I love to explore new cities. Really glad I was able to go with Kelli. Not only was it good to see her again and catch up on life, but she is also an amazing travel companion. She was easy going and fun and  we had a great time just the two of us. I would travel with this girl anywhere in a heartbeat. Thank you Kelli for an amazing trip!

There is Beauty All Around

Lately, I have been trying to notice the beauty around me while I am on my way to and from and at work. Try and notice the little things... you know? Hopefully there will be many of these posts, but for now here are a few pictures I have taken in the past week. *This is why I love to carry a point and shoot in my purse. You never know when it will come in handy*

Since it has been getting colder, I have on occasion taken a trip or two to the hot chocolate machine at work. This not only warms my body, but it also warms my soul. ha ha. This picture doesn't do it justice, but I also noticed that when you get the hot chocolate from the machine, it forms lots of bubbles on top. If you look at the bubbles, you will see lots of pretty colors, like purple. I thought it was pretty.

We still have a tiny bit of fall colors left. Here are the trees and bushes against my work building. I'm enjoying it while it still lasts.

Because of the time change, when I leave work, I am not catching the sunset everyday. I always try to take a minute to notice how pretty it is instead of just rushing home.

One day when I came out I looked up on a tree that didn't have any leaves left. At first glance, you may not have noticed that though because of all of these birds. Aren't they cute? There were some workers putting Christmas lights on the next tree in the parking lot and they were posing for me because they thought I was taking a picture of them. HA! Sorry guys.

Do you take time to notice the little things?

Turkey Triathlon

On Friday night, my friend Jessica, my roommate Tina and I all drove down to St George.  Driving is not the most exciting Friday night activity, but we all got dinner together and even watched a movie in the car. "Night at the Museum 2" which was fun because I had never seen it. We stayed at Jess's Aunt's house down there and got a good nights rest.

Yesterday morning we got up early and I did something that I never thought I would do. A Sprint Triathlon! I know its only half of a real triathlon, but it was still a big deal to me. I am not the most athletic person. I don't even like running... I only do it because I know its good for me. So yeah... this was kind of a big deal. On top of that, I didn't really train for this like I should have. I ran plenty... I knew that wouldn't be too big of a deal for me. However, I had not ridden a bike since I was a kid, didn't go on any bike rides before the race and only swam a couple times within a couple of months before the race. This was not the best idea. I don't recommend it. I also didn't have as much time as I thought I would to train. In fact I had not even exercised at all at least a week before the race. Opps. I just didn't realize how crazy busy my life would be when I signed up for it a few months back.

This is a pic of Jess and I while we waited in the long line to start the race.

Here is our lovely trackers that we wore throughout the race.

Here we are pumping ourselves up for the race...

The race started at 9 am. We got there at 8 to sign in, get our number to put on our shirt, put on our bike and written on our arm. We parked our bike and then stood in a long line at the pool for 40 minutes until the race started at 9. Even then the line moved pretty slow. While in line, I started to get a little intimidated by the people that were in the race with me. They all looked hardcore with their spandex outfits and swim caps and goggles. I did not bring any of those things, nor did I even bring a towel. I had no idea what I was doing really. We were in the middle of a line of 700 people! There are only so many lanes in a pool and they put in two people per lane. Jess and I started the race when we finally got into the pool at about 10 am. Tina waited along with us and then was there on the side lines cheering us on and taking pictures (which is why I have all of these pictures) Thanks Tina! The swim was 400 meters (8 laps or 16 pool lengths). The swim went better than I thought. I didn't have to stop at all and I think I completed in a pretty decent time. It even went by faster than I pictured it going. By the time I was done though, I was pretty tired... I could barely lift myself out of the pool! Ha! Too bad I was nowhere near the end of the race.

Next came the bike. I felt like it took me a while to find my bike, put on and adjust my helmet (which was was borrowing from Jessica's aunt) and put on my shorts and thermal shirt and other shirt (which my number on it) over my wet bathing suite. Thankfully it had warmed up a little bit outside so it wasn't freezing when I started my bike ride. I was borrowing my old roommate Ashlee's mountain bike, which I am very thankful she let me borrow (Thank you Ashlee). However, she warned me of the chains and condition of the bike before I borrowed it. I didn't even test it before the race. It was not in the best shape, but I just prayed the chains wouldn't fall off. Which they didn't. From the very beginning (and I was already tired and out of breath from the swim) it was hard to peddle. I knew right then and there that it was going to be a LONG 10 miles. The bike really was my biggest struggle. First of all, I don't think having a mountain bike was the best in a race like this. Road bikes are best for racing on the road. But there were plenty of people on mountain bikes... but I think it puts you back on time in the race. Second of all, the course was very hilly. There were some steep hills to ride up. At the same time there were some hills that you rode down... which would have been great if the breaks on the bike worked! Don't worry, I discovered this on the first big hill. It freaked me out a little, but I was okay. It was mostly straight so I didn't have to worry about going out of control on the bike. There was also a "Beginner Triathlon" going on that day, which was half the distance of ours. So the course was set up for the beginner triathlon and then the people doing the Sprint, such as myself, had to do the course a second time. After completing the course and finishing the first 5 miles on the bike, I really wasn't sure I could go and do it again. I almost considered only doing 5 miles on the bike and skipping to the running. That is how hard it was for me. Then I decided I wouldn't be happy with myself if I didn't complete the whole thing. So I went back for the next 5 miles. I just had to pace myself and kept telling myself that I could do it. Jess and I passed each other twice on the bike course. I was so happy to see her each time because she was having a great time. When she would see me she would smile and yell "Missing Missy!" to me and it made me smile and realize this was all in fun and to just keep going. Somehow, I got through those 10 miles on the bike. I parked my bike. My legs were shaky and I was out of breath.

One more event to go! I started the run. All I had to eat before the race was a banana and at the start of the 5k (3 mile) run I got my first glass of water! YES!!! I was so parched! I was looking forward to the run. The one thing I was most comfortable doing. At the same time, I have never started out a run already so tired. I was able to jog most of the way even still and after 10 miles on the bike.... 3 miles didn't seem so far or seem to take as long. By this time Jess was already done with the race so I had Tina AND Jess on the side lines cheering for me, telling me they loved me and that I was doing a great job and that I was almost done and could finish the race. As silly as it may seem, this is really helpful to have people cheering for you and telling you that you can do it. It helps lift my spirits and keeps me going and if nothing else, puts a smile on my face.  Tina and Jess were not the only ones either.  There were many people in the race that would pass me and tell me to keep up the good work and people on the sides that would cheer as I went by and say good job and even one car of a couple of ladies that were just leaving their house for the day and saw me go by on my bike and yelled out "Way to go number 539! You can do it!".  It was great. I appreciated each one of those people that day. And then I was finally done. I had completed my first (and maybe only) Sprint Triathlon!

I don't know what my time was and I don't think I will look to see, because I don't want to beat myself up for having a crappy time. I didn't die. I didn't give up. I finished. That was a big accomplishment for me. I pushed myself harder physically than I ever had before. I had never done all 3 of those events in the same day let alone right after each other within a couple of hours. I did something that many people would not even attempt. For that I am very proud of myself. It wasn't very fun most of the race, and I am now very sore, and I had a wheezy cough for a while, but it was worth it. I pushed myself and accomplished something I didn't think I was capable of doing.

At the end of the race they had music playing, we got a Turkey Triathlon T-Shirt and they had food! We took it easy for a bit as they announced the winners and gave away some prizes then went home left around 1 or 1:30 pm and took a nap and later in the afternoon drove back to Provo. What a day!