Facebook Finds Friday

Did you know I was giving away a Naked 3 Pallette?

Did you know I was giving away a $35 gift card to bareMinerals?

Did you know it is Friday?

Did you know that means around these parts it is Facebook Finds Friday? If you are one of my new friends, this is just a little somethin' somethin' we do most Fridays where I post the most fantastic things I {or you!!!} have found on Facebook during the week.

I think my favorite is the Hunger Games one. Or the middle child one, represent! 

Which is YOUR favorite?

P.S. Happy Friday, people! :)

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If you would like to contribute to Facebook Finds Friday, please either post it on my personal page or the Best.Day.Ever. page on Facebook. You may also email it to runaholic at gmail dot com. If you would like a link to be provided to your blog, please include it! :)

bareMinerals Giveaway

Oh, hey.

Today I was going to have a post on how to pick out the PERFECT running shoes.

Buuuut, I got distracted by operational definitions and frequency, latency, duration, event, rates and intensity recording. That's fancy talk for HOMEWORK. I know, you're jealous of my life. 

Who isn't?

Oh, the people who were smart enough to declare their conclusion of schooling at a bachelors. That's who.

Because I am being a stick in the mud, I thought the least I could do was offer you a fantastical $35 gift card to bareMinerals.

Sign up via the Rafflecopter widget below. If you have questions on how to enter, please feel free to leave a comment or email me and I will respond ASAP, which is French for sometime soon. ;)

. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, you can still enter to win a Naked 3 Pallette here! If you follow all of my links on one giveaway, you are that much closer to getting entries on the other! Killing two birds with one stone! {There really needs to be a less violent analogy for that!}

GOOD LUCK!

I'm not a teacher.

Having said that, I sure have graded a lot of papers in my day for not having that as my profession.

It actually might be a good thing too {for starters, I am in absolute love with my actual profession} because I tend to leave comments on the children's papers written in the exact same way I would have said them out loud ... which, might not be the best way.

For example, the other night I spent two hours grading essays on comparing and contrasting the film and book versions of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I don't recall what the child wrote, but it was ridiculous. Quite ridiculous, actually. So my response? I put an arrow to the ridiculousness and simply wrote, "Uh ... no."

The student was quite ridiculous and I was quite helpful, no?

Speaking of quite, I was quite amused with the entire process. And the icing on the cake? This little gem.

Genius. Absolute genius, I say.

Of course the Hitler scene had to be cut out of the film version. He was dead. Obvi.

And, I think that is all I am going to leave you with today ... except for this little reminder of a BIG giveaway! Enter to win a Naked3 Pallete here!

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Coming up this week: 

How to decide which running shoes to wear for the Becoming a Runner series

A post for the Friday Facebook Finds series

And whatever else tickles my fancy. :) If you are new to these parts, please leave your blog address in the comments section so I can come visit you!

Naked 3 Giveaway!

It's Monday, which usually is a no fun day. But to make it more fun,  I have teamed up with some peeps to do another giveaway! Sabrina was the brains behind it all, so I will let her take over from here on out. :)

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Together, a ton of lovely ladies are giving away the Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay! I am so so so excited to be able to share this giveaway with you all today because I've literally been kind of *dying* to get my own Naked palette + I know the Naked 3 is a huge hit right now.

hosted by: Sabrina of Cattails + Cardigans

 Best. Day. Ever.  /  Girl in Glam  / Sky Fisher - Lilla Rose / The Happy Cactus 

Julie's Notebook  / Oh, The Things That I Think  /  Justina's Gems

THIS GIVEAWAY WILL BE INTERNATIONAL- If someone from outside the states wins, I will either give them a Sephora/Ulta gift card for the amount of the palette (52$) or I will directly deposit the money into their PayPal account.

Good luck. xx

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thhhhe ... shower.

You might think I have hit an all-time low if I am talking about showering.

You just might be right.

Or wrong.

But who am I to say? ;)

Last night there was an away Aggie basketball game. I normally am able to find a stream online, hook my computer up to the TV and have a grand viewing of my beloved team. The game last night was no exception, except for the fact that it didn't begin until 9:00 PM. Which is to say, me and my senior citizen habits {eating dinner at 5:00 PM and trying to be in bed no later than 10:00 PM} might impede me from staying up to finish the game at such a wicked hour {especially considering I am up the five o'clock hour for work}.

And yes, this is still about a shower. I promise.

I decided the only chance I had of staying up until 11:00 PM was to take a mini-nap before the game started. So, I decided to hop in the shower to see if that would help a nap come more freely.

I actually felt badly about taking the shower. I mean, showers are to clean yourself or warm your self up, and I was really doing none of those things. And maybe I wouldn't have felt so bad if we didn't share ONE water heater with Claire and two married couples that live in the basement apartments. Sorry, peeps. But I guess not sorry enough to not take the shower. :)

When I told Claire I was getting in the shower she said, "Good luck!"

I stopped in my tracks in panic. What did Claire know about our shower that I clearly did not that warranted well-wishing? I'm not gonna lie, images of a masked murder behind the curtain came to mind. I questioned Claire's statement and she said, "I mean, have fun!"

I remained stopped in said tracks. I mean, I enjoy showering, but it isn't like there are bells and whistles in there and it is a hoot and a holler, after all, it's not Disneyland. It's just a shower. So, I asked Claire how to have fun in the shower.

She didn't oblige.

So I showered.

The following photo is not of me taking a shower. Because that would be inapprops {short for inappropriate}. But it does exist for a couple reasons.

One// To show you that I have an adorable chevron shower curtain.

Two// To take my first bathroom selfie EVER. And, most likely, my last.

Three// "Good" bloggers who oblige to the blogging world ensure they put a picture with every post.

Killing three birds with one stone! Except, killing birds isn't nice. So we shouldn't do it. RIP to the little guy I accidentally shot while shooting clay pigeons. And it must be said, I didn't ever hit a clay pigeon, just the real thing. Oops? I really do feel badly, but not as badly as the day when I killed the cat.

But we're talking about showers, guys.

By the way, I have I mentioned my shower has three liners in it? I sometimes feel like Bubble Boy when I am in there. And sometimes, back to showers being fun, I don't think they are fun at all ... because they make you wet. And sometimes, I don't want to be wet.

So, I guess that wraps up just about everything I wanted to say about showering ... at least for today. So I bid you farewell by wishing you good luck or have fun in your next showering experience {which should be daily, just sayin'}.

Shut.out.the.world.

It's been one of those times that I just want to shut out the world. Completely. Entirely.

It's one of those times where I are reminded that the marks humans leave are far too often scars. 

I am tired of lists on social media that tell you what you should or shouldn't do. 

I am tired of people judging others.

When did we become the experts of everyone else's lives? 

Too.much.intrusion.

And not even into my life, just the life of others. I see it and I cringe and I ache. We are all fighting a battle, the likes of which are fought silently in the quite chambers of our own souls. 

I want more kindness. I want more gentleness. I want more genuineness. So, I will make the change I can by being more of those things myself. Because that is the only person I can change. 

And for today, friends, that is all.

Just breathe.

For some reason, only heaven knows why, some people are concerned about breathing. And concerned about breathing while running. As if breathing is a big deal or something. ;)

I never thought I would write about this on my blog, but here goes nothin': I am a nose breather while running. This works for me. But if breathing for your mouth works for you, ignore me and my nose. I wouldn't recommend changing your breathing method if what you do currently works. 

// The key is to keep your breathing consistent. Erratic breathing patterns {e.g. fast then slow, deep and shallow, etc.} actually can cause you stress, resulting in you feeling like you aren't getting enough air, which you might not be! 

// Breathe in slow and deep. Ever notice that many relaxation techniques include slow, deep breathing? It is calming and soothing. 

// Breathe in patterns. This one is not for the faint in heart, but eventually comes extremely natural {this is how I run without even thinking about it}. Coordinate your inhales and exhales with your footfalls. This can strength your diaphragmatic* strength {fancy way of saying stronger diaphragm = easier breathing}. To coordinate, you can start with a 2-2 breathe in while stepping left, right; breathe out while stepping left, right. You could eventually advance to a 3-3 pattern and then a 4-4 pattern. 

// Breathing exercises. For those who really struggle and are serious about breathing with more ease while exerting yourself, there are uber easy breathing exercises that you can do {before, after, near, never-near your actual run} that will help you get the 2-2 coordination down. Here are a couple video examples: The Hundred, the Swan, the Roll Up and the Saw. 

// Pilates. Over all, Pilates is a wonderful tool for all runner {particularly beginner and ones who have difficulty with breathing} because it is so heavily focuses on controlled breathing. 

And then some other fun facts, helpful hints:

// In colder temperatures, breath through your nose. It warms up the air for you!

// People with asthma usually do better breathing through their nose while exercising. Studies have shown that people with even mild asthma who breath only through their mouths during exercise can exacerbate the problem. 

Happy trails to you, runners. :)

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If you have a question pertaining to running, please leave a comment or email me at runaholic {at} gmail {dot} com. I will feature your question in a future blog post. 

* Betcha didn't even know that was a word, did ya? ;)

My work > Your Work

I am generally not one to say something I have is better than what someone else does.

Buuut, today, I cannot help myself. 

And you will see why.

First of all, I have no work today, and I won't even throw in that it's a paid holiday.

And secondly, because I have no work today, we had do this little gem of a game on Friday to celebrate the reason for the season errr, our day off.

Pin the mustache on Martin Luther King Jr.

Like I said, my work > that your work. And because of this reason alone, that's not debatable.

Here's to hopin' you have the day off too! Happy Monday, people, and for realz this time!  

Facebook Finds Friday

It's Friday, so that means this weekend I am going PAR-TAY. And by party, I mean do homework. Seriously, I have no other plans. It's even a three day weekend. Let's not talk about how depressing my life is. I just might cry.

Speaking of the three-day weekend, I really want to have a Black & White Party on Monday ... ya know, to celebrate the holiday. Buuut, I hate throwing parties. And I hate throwing parties by myself. I stress out enough trying to decide what I want to eat, what I want to do with my life, how can I do that for xx amount of party guests? That's right. I can't.

Anyway {!}, it's Friday. So we know the real reason you're here. Not to hear about my weekend plans or parties I consider but don't really consider having.

I like the Amazon one and the printer ones best, I think. :)

 A friend of mine actually took this one ^^. :)

Which one is your favorite?

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Sorry we are a tad low on funnies this week. I have been away from FB. 

If you would like to contribute to to Facebook Finds Friday, please either post it on my personal page or the Best.Day.Ever. page on Facebook. You may also email it at runaholic at gmail dot com. If you would like a link to be provided back to your blog, please provide a link.

Pure.happiness.

This should have been posted the second week of December. Read as accordingly. ;)

This past week marked the end of an era.

My dear friend JD married his sweetheart in the Brigham City LDS Temple on December 5th.

It looks like the Star Wars gang is partyin' it up over these nuptials. It should be noted that I stole this photograph off JD's FB timeline. His friend posted it. In no way shape or form am I that in love with Star Wars. The ride at Disneyland isn't even on my top 10 favorites ... So, yeah. This is not my photograph. Plus, I don't receive bills from Heico. I don't even know what Heico is. But I think all of that is what makes this photo perfect. :)

But I digress.

We came into each others' lives at the perfect time, too perfect if you know what I mean. This guy was there for me thick and thin for the last five years. I would like to think I did the same for him. 

Even when he was away at medical school in Missouri we kept in touch regularly. We shared the good news, the heart breaking news and the ridiculous pointless news of each others' lives. When he came back to good ol' Utah for Christmas or Spring breaks, he would always make a drive up to Logan {from his home in Plain City} and we would grab a bite to eat and talk about the most important and the least important things.

Every Sunday we played a little game via text. In attempt to always accentuate the positive, we would tell each other the best part of our week. So many times I would receive a text Sunday morning that simply said, "Go!" or I would send one that said, "I'm ready!" And we knew the drill.

Attending his reception last week was one of the most important things I have done in quite awhile. I was so glad to be able to be there and meet his gorgeous wife for the first time. 

I'm not entirely sure why I am blogging this ... maybe to just have a record of how blessed I am to have such a remarkable friend and to express how important that friendship has been to me. I hope everyone has a friend that treats them as well as this man treats me. I have truly been so blessed. 

And, with that ... I think that's all. :)

2 Cool 4 School

Guys, classes start again today.

Sigh.

Five weeks is too long for "them" to realistically think any of us want to return now. Can't we call being halfway done with the program as good and give me my degree already? 

I didn't take a back to school photograph, so this stick figure created via Paint will have to do. And no, I don't have a pink and pink striped dress, nor an adorable blue satchel. And yes, I do have a nose. Had I taken a back to school shot, think along the lines of pink hounds tooth sweater. And hands. And feet. And nose, ears too. 

But enough about that, I think most of you know I have all my appendages and facial features.

Besides school starting, I have at least one meeting every day at work this week. And I am pretty sure that LinkedIn is obsessed with me. No, those two thoughts don't really go together, but I am tired of getting emails from LinkedIn. Who needs a professional version of Facebook anyway? 

Speaking of Facebook, I am kind of tired of it. Not in a "I am going to threaten to get rid of it" kind of way, but guess what, sometimes people post stupid things on Facebook. If your baby is sitting in a pumpkin and crying, I am no baby expert, but I can only assume they don't want to be sitting in a pumpkin. And how many times can the exact same things be posted? It sometimes feels like brain rot. And!!! I am tired of the Facebook guilt trip. You know the one, right?  "But I bet no one will repost this" ... DANG STRAIGHT. I don't care what your cause is, even if it is dear to my heart, if you try to manipulate others through a Facebook guilt trip, you're right, I won't repost!

Wow. I am glad I got that off my chest. And to think, I was just going to ask if LinkedIn stalks anyone else?

Look what grad school does to me! You'd think it was 100* temperatures and I didn't have air conditioning with that beast of a tirade. 

Well, I guess ... I will awkwardly end this post now that I have wigged out on y'all.

Have a great Monday {at least better than mine, mm-k?}.

Walkers, Joggers, Runners!

I absolutely loved your comments in the Becoming a Runner post! This post is a spin off from those comments and questions, so thank you!

Guess what, guys? It's okay to walk while running. 

When I write workouts for beginner runners I always start out with running {I generally refer to it as jogging, it seems to cause less anxiety for people} for a short period of time and then let them walk for a short period of time.  For example, I am currently helping a co-worker train for a marathon in September. I asked him how long he could run {jog} without stopping. He said he was sure he could go for five minutes. So, the first workout I gave him was run for three minute, walk for one and then repeat for a total duration of 20 minutes. 

I was also sure to tell him the pace he went needed to be a pace where he could  hold a conversation. He may have laughed and said he couldn't hold a conversation while jogging at all. The point is this: it doesn't matter how slow it is, as long as it is running/jogging.

If you can only run for a block, start becoming a runner by going outside, running half a block, walking the other half and do so for 15-20 minutes. It is just that easy.

The next question I will address will be about how to breathe while running, so make sure to check back soon!

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If you have any questions pertaining to running, please feel free to shoot an email to runaholic {at} gmail {dot} com or leave a comment and I will answer your question in a future blog post! I will also answer personal questions whether it be about training programs or whatever you heart desires. :)

To see the first installment of the Becoming a Runner series, please go here. 

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I have a guest post up on From L&P to English Tea today regarding my success {or lack of it} with my New Year's Resolutions! Check it. :)

Facebook Finds Friday

I am typing this while watching an episode of Project Runaway All Stars on Hulu. I thought I would be watching the finale. But I thought wrong.

But, it's Friday and so that makes me not care about anything else that I could be possibly wrong about ... unless, of course, I was wrong about it being Friday.

So, there's that. 

And here are my finds from Facebook.

I think my favorites are the fox, homework & murder and the monsters one.

Which one if your favorite?

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Today, I have a post featured on Put A Bird On It for the Countdown in Style series.  Check it.

Don't trip or you'll get a fat lip.

I don't know where you live, but here in Logan, Utah it is cold.

And cold means ice.

And ice means falling.

Well, it used to.

Roommate Claire was sent this helpful diagram to assist us {and the world} in no longer slipping on said ice. And all you have to do is ... drum roll please ... walk like a penguin.

I mean, obvi. Why didn't we all think of this before?

You're welcome.

You may look a tad ridiculous when trying this, but it works. I have been walking like a penguin for about three weeks now and guess what? No slipping, tripping or falling ... except for the times when I forgot to walk like a penguin and walked like a human instead. 

P.S. We don't make any guarantees on alternative footwear, such as heels.

I mean, have you ever seen a penguin wear heels? 

Lastly, can you see that one sparkle on the left shoe? Perfection.

Well, yeah, so, good luck on your winter walking. :) And please, by all means, let me know how it goes for you.

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The title comes from a comic I saw once in high school when I was running cross country. It had a drawing of cheerleaders at a cross country meet and said something along the lines of, "Why you don't see cheerleaders at cross country meets". The cheerleaders were chasing the runners around the course, out of breath and cheering, "Don't trip! Or else you'll get a fat lip!" Alas, if only I had kept that comic. :)