One of the Worst Things in Life

... is not being able to fall asleep when you want to.

I've been trying for over five hours.

I think I've finally hit my turning point.

My eyes are burning.

peace out.

Dingo's First 5k!!!

A week ago Saturday I loaded Dingo into the car and headed up north a little way. I had signed up for a 5k that was organized to raise money for dogs that assist the disabled. The reason I signed up was because I saw, "well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome."

Dingo is very well-behaved.

I went planning on walking the whole thing. Dingo's getting kind of old (though I'm pretty much in denial anytime someone mentions that) and I knew he wouldn't be able to run the whole way. (I used to take him running with me almost daily - 2 miles regularly - and he was great. But he started slowing down and having a harder time with the constant running. Sad!)

To my surprise, he wanted to run right at the beginning because he was getting excited seeing everyone else start running. So we ran for a bit, but I stopped before he was ready to stop. Since I hadn't planned on running, I wasn't wearing my (now, necessary) knee brace. Oops. We did run again later-on and we ran across the finish line. Yay!

Dingo and me before the race.

Some of our spectators:

Dingo and me after the race.

There was a reptile rescue group that had some cool snakes and lizards on display. There was a large python, and this little alligator:

There was also a coyote:

I didn't have the heart to tell the guys that coyotes aren't reptiles.
his name is ... I completely spaced his name, but he's 6 months old.
when I reached over to pet him, he started licking my hands. then he did the playful gnawing that puppies do sometimes.
so cute.
and SO soft.

people said that Dingo looked like he was related to the coyote.
maybe they're distant cousins.

The day's highlights:

- beating a dog across the finish line that Dingo early-on picked as the one to beat
- a lady coming up to me, pointing to Dingo and saying, "Is this..." I looked at her, not at all sure of what she was going to ask, and she finished with, "I heard someone has a coyote...?"
I told her that Dingo is just part dingo, but that he was flattered to be thought of as a coyote.

For some pictures of Dingo's relatives (some of whom I think he looks remarkably similar to) click here.

ps - this was my first race since the marathon and mud run in the spring/early summer
i loved it!

More of My Happy Birthday

Scenes from my walk:


Scenes from dinner:

pictured: center - strawberry shortcake
starting from upper left corner, moving clockwise - my nephew w/ a noodle hanging out of his mouth, my sister Caitlin and me, me with dessert, my nephew using a straw for the first time, my parents, and avocado egg rolls
(if you ever go to the cheesecake factory, eat the avocado egg rolls as an appetizer - wow!)

My Happy Birthday!

Yesterday I turned 28.

It was a good day.

I started out by going to the temple.
(the first time I've done that on my birthday. i like it. i think i'll do it again.)

Then I went to lunch with a friend.
Olive Garden.
(:
(came home with a boxes for leftover lunch and leftover dessert.)

Went on a walk with a friend and my Dingo.
beautiful day!
(decided that we should have the bonfire we've been talking about having for the last month)

Went to dinner with my family-that-I'm-living-with (minus Rob - he had to work) at the Cheesecake Factory
(my first time there. it was really good. for dessert i had... strawberry shortcake - at my sister's suggestion. it was a good suggestion.)
(and I came home with leftover dinner, and leftover dessert)

Had an appointment with my Bishop. The executive secretary brought me a cupcake to celebrate. (:

And ended with a bonfire in the backyard.
so fun.

Ben, Annikki, Robbie (in the flames, look closely!), Justin, and me

Ben, Robbie, Justin, me, and Annikki
we need to do it again.

It was a great day.

bonus: I didn't do any reading for class.
I should have done some reading for class... oops.

More Gems From Grad School

Jennie Gave Me Lunch, She Gave Me Dinner, And She Gave Me Her Pants

How many friends do you have that would let you invite yourself over for lunch, then encourage you to stay for dinner, and let you wear their pants when your own ripped?

everyone should have a Jennie.

and in case you were wondering, no, I did not forget my siblings whose birthdays were in September.
I'll get to their posts.

Promise.

Fun Theory