10 Mile Run

Saturday I ran a 10 mile race with my running buddy!

We didn't come in first.

We didn't come in last.

But we finished.

Just wanted to say that I'm proud of myself.

I have a goal to run a 1/2 marathon this year.

Let's see if I can....

Quiet Dignity

This topic has been on my mind a lot lately, although I haven't really known it was called "Quiet Dignity" while I've been thinking about it. But this morning I realized that the thoughts on my mind lately have actually been summed up in these words - quiet dignity.

Quiet dignity is something LDS missionaries are instructed to seek for on their mission. I think it's in the little white handbook we carried around. Or maybe it was just in my mission rules.

Either way, it's doing what's right without making a big deal out of it. It's flying below the radar, but still living true to your testimony.

I've had a calling change at church recently and I have the opportunity to work with some women who are great examples of quiet dignity. They have a calming presence that makes the stress and weight of the world go away. And that says a lot as I study for the bar exam!

At the same time, I've noticed a lot about LDS people in the media that seem to be very flashy and shocking and really in-your-face. It's kind of bothered me. Not what they're doing, but just how they're doing it. I guess I almost feel disappointed that there's such a stir about just being a good person.

And then there's part of me that feels like it's about the attention and not what they're doing. While I agree with some of what I've seen in the media about LDS people, I don't think they need to make a media scene to live what they believe. I can't help think that more meaningful than a blog post, a march, a angry rant on Facebook, or anything of the like, the more meaningful thing is being a friend, listening to a person who is struggling, having dinner with someone you know needs support, etc. etc.

And what I see in the media is not quiet dignity. I'm kind of disappointed in that.

Now, I am also an old lady. Well, I think I have the soul of a grandma. I've come to not care to be a spectacle or a freak show. I don't want people in my life who want to just see the drama of my life. I just want a few good friends and family members to peaceably live out my days with in laughter, tears, and lots of tasty food.

I feel like I've had my day in the sun. The other day I was thinking about how excited I am to turn 30. Well, I still have a couple years before that, but I feel like I have completely exhausted my 20's. I feel as though I have lived them to the fullest and I am ready to be old. And boring. And mature or whatever. Maybe I am just really tired from studying for the bar. Although I am far from prepared for it.

And somehow this all relates back to my original thought of Quiet Dignity. I am inspired by these women I spoke of earlier. I want to be like them. I want to be a person who quietly goes about her life and just does what's right without being loud.

So that is what I am working on now. Aside from the bar exam and everything else in life, I am striving for quiet dignity.

Also I've been addicted to Fredericksburg peaches lately.
So tasty. 

Motivation

Planning always motivates me to work hard through finals. So here's what I'm planning to do when I finish finals on April 29th.

April 29th: Feed missionaries

April 30th: Some sort of secret date to celebrate my birthday with Russ

May 1st: Fast Sunday. Church. LAZY SUNDAY.

May 2nd: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Clean the house. Catch up on the weeks of TV on the DVR.

May 3rd: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Arcade Fire in the evening.

May 4th: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Clean out my closet. Shop for a sewing machine. Make Russ dinner.

May 5th: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Finish my crochet projects. Prepare my Relief Society lesson.

May 6th: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Start studying for the summer quarter.

May 7th: Float the River. Maybe Kayak. Date night with Russ.

May 8th: Church. LAZY SUNDAY. Cry at 8:00 pm because I have to go back to school. Smile because I don't have to leave until 8:00 the next day.

YAY!!!

2010: What happened?

Before I dive into resolutions for 2011, I thought I should look back at what did happen in 2010. I mean, that last post looked like 2010 was uneventful. But here's a look at how eventful it was:

• Sunday Lunch: So at the beginning of 2010 I decided to try an 'experiment'. Russ and I decided to hold a standing Sunday Lunch for our friends from church every Sunday. I have to say, it was a LOT of fun. I think I became closer to a lot of good people this way. But... 2011 is shaping up to be busy with law school. So the 'experiment' has come to an end.

• Finished my first year of law school.

• Met some of my dearest friends: Jessica, Rebecca, Victoria, Kelsi, and so so many more. 2010 could be dubbed "The Year of the Friends"!

• My little brother got married

• I started my second year of law school!

• I took 3rd place in the Moot Court competition

• Took 1st place in Client Counseling competition

• Traded in a vehicle- from an X-terra to a Fit

• Became a Yoga instructor!

• Taught ballet, put on a full-on ballet performance! Directed the lighting, costuming, program design... everything! It was fantastic!

• Dyed my hair brown. It was also an experiment

• Traveled to: DC, Chicago, Dallas, Utah

There were a lot of downtimes in 2010. But I'd rather not relive those sad moments. But I think 2011 will be a good year. I am amazed about the optimism I feel about it. I haven't made my resolutions yet, but here's what I'm planning to look forward to:

• Finishing my 2nd year of law school!
• Going back to being blonde
• Starting and finishing the dreaded "Practice Court"

Believe it or not that is it. Hopefully we get through the bulk of law school this year....hopefully.

A (sad) Look Back at Resolutions

Last year I thought I made some realistic resolutions. Here look, what do you think:

• Bungee jump in tandem
• Make out in a movie (I've never done that... neither has Russ)
• NYC (Green Day Musical)
• Go camping (sleep in sleeping bags)
• YogaFit Certified
• Toobe the River more
• Schlitterbahn
• Weigh less at the end of the year
• Finish New Testament, Start Old Testament
• Get the dinet set from Canada

So I thought they were realistic. But here's what I accomplished:

• YogaFit Certified (and teaching weekly)

• Toobe'd more (almost weekly!)

• Schlitterbahn (with Dave and Steph in Aug. Can't wait to go back)

• Weigh less at the end of the year? (debatable. But I feel more healthy)

• Finished New Testament! ... and started the Book of Mormon. Whoops. I forgot we wanted to start the Old Testament.

Maybe it it's a Resolution for two years it will happen?


Sad, sad sad. Well, I guess 5/10 isn't too bad.

Hay Bale Goal: Check

When we moved to Texas 3.5 years ago, I had this strange desire to get my picture taken on top of a hay bale. I haven't really had a chance to fulfill this goal... until last Friday. Russ and I spent the day in Fredricksburg and when we passed a bale of hay, I demanded we stop and get out so we could get a picture.

Chow's New Year Thoughts...

So! Here's looking back at 2008, the parts to remember:

Moving into our first house! I will never forget the first few nights and how weird it felt to wake up in our own place.

Kayo and Troy's wedding! Such a special day! The airline lost my luggage, but it was such a special day to be part of! Love you two!

Dad and D's visit for Easter. Good memories.

Graduating from SUU. Finally! Felt good to finish.

Meeting Hilary and C Whitesides. Love those guys.

Having Richy visit. CUPCAKES!!!

Having our moms visit.

Finally have a group of friends that are girls. It's a miracle! They are so smart, and I love them.

Beginning to teach ballet! I love the classes and to see the girls learn to improve.

Finally getting a good score on the LSAT! This one slid in at the last second but I'm grateful for it.

Things to forget about 2008:

Working in Kyle, Texas.

Taking the LSAT the first time. The tears, stress, drives to Austin.

That one weird fight Russ and I had in the summer. I think it was over laundry. And no one said anything, but it seemed like a fight.

SO! Now to look forward to 2009, the resolutions!

1. Dance more

2. Get to bed by 10:30 at least four nights a week.

They are simple but I am sure I'll think of more.

What to look forward to in '09:

Seeing my little brother for the first time in two years!

President Bush going back to Crawford and President-elect Obama taking office!

Picking a law school!

Starting law school!

Did I mention LAW SCHOOL???

I am so excited. I have a feeling '09 is going to be the BEST YEAR EVER!

A new year

2008 was pretty eventful:

• It was our first full year together. 
• We moved into our home. 
• Chow graduated. 
• We had several visitors. 
• Chow quit the bank and started a handful of new jobs. 
• She also took the LSAT twice, did great and is now applying to law schools.
• Russ worked. Saw a lot of new exciting things. Covered the former, current, and next President of the United States. 
• He played in a hurricane, met up with some old polygamous friends and met a bunch of interesting people along the way.
• What will 2009 bring? Who knows. 

That's why we're starting the year off like we do every year, eating black eyed peas... For luck.