run to the sun 2014

This weekend marks another successful run! I trashed my knee last year, and was worried I would mess it up again. I ran my first leg and it wasn't feeling great, so I decided not to push it and didn't run my second leg. I was disappointed, but I'd rather be disappointed than not be able to run for 6 months like last year. I had fun cheering everyone else on after my leg. This is going to be mostly a picture dump, with this years video at the end! Enjoy!!

My amazing team! (For some reason my phone pictures aren't fitting, so click on them to see the entire image.)

This year Brandon brought his snare drum to cheer people on, and to make sure no one slept on the bus. It worked.

 And we're off!

 The first stop got everyone excited.

 4 is now my lucky number because...

I won! They gave ridiculous prizes (I got a Texas sized shot glass) and a bottle of great vodka. I was quite excited!

Emily, one of my running partners. She, Larry and I have been running together before school all year long and I was so excited to run with them!

During one of the stops someone asked to interview me for a promo they were shooting for the race and foundation. I'm famous!

It was pretty hilarious/awesome that about half of the stops had beer and/or liquor for us to enjoy.

The Benson's family had another great stop this year! Complete with BBQ, moon pies, and beer.

It was really strange not starting my leg until midnight. Even stranger because a few people had already finished their legs before I even started. Coming in from my leg with Larry and Emily!

Done and done!

Amy's birthday was on Saturday so we decided to have a surprise party for her after her second leg. The UT Texas Cowboys were at that leg and were so excited to be a part of it! They made sure the cake was ready, as well as the music so we could all sing happy birthday.

We were eagerly awaiting her arrival.

So were the boys!

Since the first run we have thrown some sort of food at our runners while they are running their legs. Amy's favorite thing to throw is powdered donuts, so we thought what better way to bring her in than throw 3 bags worth of powdered donuts at her?!

Let the pelting begin! You can see a few of the donuts at the top, those were the first to be thrown. She was so confused and then finally understood when EVERYONE was throwing donuts at her, and the boys started singing happy birthday.

Passing out cake to everyone.

Another stop (last years was Western) was Gilligan's Island themed. The people in charge of the station were all dressed up like the characters, they were showing reruns of the show, and had a whole luau theme ready for us. There was even a baby pool if anyone felt like laying out.

One of the best ones were awesome ladies giving head massages! AMAZING! I told them they should have someone rubbing our feet at the same time. One of them actually considered it! If only...

After a long and fun night, we finished! 

Walking to the official finish line together, united as a team.

That's a wrap!

True story.

Thank you to everyone that donated, and supported me emotionally as we got ready for the race! You helped our team raise over $36, 000!!!!!

Click here to watch our video!

moving

It's really strange to think I am only sleeping in this apartment for 1 more night and then I'm gone. I know moving isn't that big of a deal, especially when moving to a place that's not too far away...but a lot has happened in this apartment. First of all, I've been here for 6 years. I've lived in Austin for 12 years, and half of that time was in this place. That's bonkers! It's also bonkers to think that the house I lived in longer than this apartment was only by 2 years. 

I moved in here at the peak of my sickness 6 years ago. I was living here as I had to relearn how to eat. I was living here when I decided to start running, and live a healthier lifestyle. I was living here when I had my heart broken for the first time. I was living here when I got, and then lost my cat, Luna. I was living here when I made some amazing friends, all of whom will put up with my ridiculous themed parties. 

There are a lot of memories in this place, and I am going to miss it a lot. I feel like I grew into the person I was meant to be while living here. I know this seems super sappy over just an apartment....but 6 years is a long time. A lot can change in 6 years. I hope my new place can live up to my expectations!

Peace out Apt. 3014!

tacky

Kid: Ms. Ewing, did you brush your teeth this morning? Your breath stinks. 

Me: Are you sure it isn't your breath you're smelling?

After smelling his breath he laughed. Not sure if that meant he thought he was right or wrong. I think it's time for summer.

veronica mars premiere

My sister is obsessed with Veronica Mars. She tried getting me to watch it for years, and I finally caved about a year and a half ago and became obsessed myself. (If you haven't watched it, take care of that. You'll thank me.) Not long ago I realized one of my friends is the wife of the creator and writer! Rebecca and I got excited, and I loved getting behind the scenes scoop. Because of their big kickstarter campaign, they had a big premiere and party in Austin during SXSW to thank the backers. They took over an entire Alamo Drafthouse and had the movie on every screen. Katie was able to get tickets for me to go to the premiere and after party. I was pumped!!!

Some other friends/parents at the school, along with Katie and myself.

Before each movie started the cast came in and thanked everyone for their help in making the movie. As they waited to come in I had a prime seat to take pictures of the cast. When Logan (yes that's his character name and I will only ever call him that) saw me he started posing and making funny faces at me. Unfortunately this was the only one that came out. 

I apologize for the not so great quality, these are zoomed in from my phone. The entire cast was there (minus 2 that were there to walk the red carpet and do some interviews before the movies, but for some reason didn't stick around for this part)

I'm definitely team Logan...but Piz was really cute and nice! (As I'm typing this I realize the majority of you have never seen this show and don't know who I'm talking about....That just gives you more of a reason to watch the show so you can come back and reread this post and understand everything.)

I was somehow able to convince David to come. I think knowing we were getting free food and drinks (the studio picked up the tab) helped convince him.

After the movie we were able to get a picture with the entire cast! I was super jealous of Evangelina there on the floor. I should have joined her! I only really talked to Dick and Keith (guy on the floor and Veronica's dad, also the womanizer on Just Shoot Me. Ridiculous reference. I know.) Dick was hilarious and I wanted to be his best friend. Keith was really nice as well!

We hung out for a little after this and finally left when it seemed like the cast had disappeared. The night was so much fun!! I like hanging out with the fancy people. Ok, now go binge watch the series and then catch the movie when it comes out next week! You're welcome!

the oscars

You know the drill around here. Lots of delicious themed food, betting, and talking crap about what everyone is wearing. There was pretty terrible weather, so unfortunately a lot of people canceled, but that just meant more food for the rest of us! 

I made a kale and spinach salad with almonds, craisins, and goat cheese (12 Years a Slave), corn with different toppings (Nebraska), chimichurri shrimp (Captain Phillips), "wolf" bacon cheeseburgers (The Wolf of Wallstreet), Texas sheet cake (Dallas Buyers Club), vanilla ice cream (Frozen), and moon pies (Gravity). Everything turned out great! It was also pretty exciting for me to be able to eat sheet cake, something I haven't done in over 7 years. (Not as good with gluten free flour and homemade vegan buttermilk, but beggars can't be choosers!)

We had a lot of fun and ate a lot of food. I have won the past 2 years with my friends, and almost lost this year! But I was able to pull away from Becky and Kristen for the win! That meant I got to keep the statuette again. I decided to put the winners name and year on the back so it can travel from person to person each year...obviously it didn't go that far this year. Maybe next year I won't get so lucky and they'll rip that statue from my grips! But for now, he's safe under my bed. 

i'm feeling very olympic today (...2 weeks ago)

I know, I'm late. I'm aware closing ceremonies are tonight and I'm about to tell you about my opening ceremonies party. I would apologize, but I'm not going to because things have been crazy around here. Between me trying to survive this stupid GRE test prep class, and have a social life with this cute boy who seems to like me, I haven't had time to sit down and tell you about other awesome things I'm doing. So here goes.

My family has always loved the Olympics, and you all know I love an excuse to have people over and have a party. Everyone brought food from their country of origin, and I provided vodka. There were also several events everyone had to compete in. One was best outfit (I dumbly thought I would win based on the amazing jacket I got from my grandparents house), best dish, Biathlon, and Ice Curling (a cross between ice hockey and curling). It was a blast!

 Gold medals were up for grabs!

 The amazing food!

See my sweet jacket? It's so old Russia is labeled as the USSR. And it's made out of paper or something. Clearly I lost best outfit...

The events got pretty heated...

And the gold goes to....

I got a gold because I was the only one to hit the bulls eye. That's right. I nailed it...but only on one shot...the rest were pretty terrible.

Next up, Ice Curling!

The gold goes to...

Best dish also went to Derrick which Katie was not happy about.

She broke his medal. Things got real.

I hope everyone has enjoyed these Olympics as much as I have! Check back soon for my Oscars party.