Invincible

I recently saw the movie "Invictus". This is one of the most inspiring movies I have ever seen. If Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela can live his life by these words, I truly believe anyone can. Invictus Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. -William Ernest Henley The last two lines continue to send chills of inspiration up and down my spine.

Rest In Peace, Brett Anderson.

Brett's obituary can be viewed at Ochilltree.com.

Brett was a great guy. The world will miss him, as he offered so much to those around him. He was patient, kind, forgiving, and fun. Hopefully, those who choose to remember his positivity and zest for life will carry on that attitude as a tribute to the souls of those who are taken from this world so suddenly and the surviving family members and friends.

I have submitted his mother's and father's names to the LDS Temple prayer role. If you could pray, hope, meditate, chant, or do whatever it is that you do to increase positivity in other peoples' lives, please do it for the happiness and strength for his family and close friends in this difficult time of their lives.

Running In The Dark

I ran in the dark this evening for the first time in 5 years. I was with a woman from church. It was a blast. She is incredible. She has done 3 full Ironman triathlons, and when I asked her how many stand-alone marathons she has done, she had to pause and count. Wow! She is really laid-back though and just likes doing cardio for fun. This seems to be a great new experience for us both. We have decided that we will keep each other motivated through the winter to get out there and just stay fit! I'm excited to have someone to run and be active with out here!

Winter Always Catches Me Off Guard

Those people who said, "It like never gets below 30 in Seattle" are liars. All of them. Today was so cold, I thought my lungs were freezing. Haha. I'll quit whining now. I just was amazed that I was waiting at the bus stop wearing a cotton hoodie, my Carhart coat, a wool scarf, cotton socks, wool socks, wool mittens, (and of course pant and other regular clothes. . .) and I was STILL cold. Winter is officially here.

Yessssssssss!

I passed the NATABOC! Yay! Now on to figuring out state licensure, etc.Wow! I am SO psyched!

On another note, if you want proof I finished the Amica Insurance Seattle Half Marathon 2009, visit: http://www.seattlemarathon.org/marathon/2009Results.htm. The time is embarrassing, so don't comment. LoL Just kidding.

Giving Gifts of Hope

I have been decorating Christmas and Holiday cards like a machine for like a week now. I just want everyone to know they will get theirs in time. I have had SO much fun. I, while looking through ads and such, had the idea pop through my head, "How is anyone going to know what YOU want for Christmas without you telling them?"

First and foremost, I want to be with my family and for my family to be happy. That is always my number 1 priority. However, if you are able to make a contribution to the American Cancer Society, it would mean the world to me and hundreds of thousands of other people worldwide. Please visit http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp to make a donation today. Anything is appreciated. One dollar is enough to buy 1/3 of a tank of gas, but it could also save someone's life.

Thanks in advance.

Amica Insurance Seattle Half Marathon Run 2009 Report

Forgot my shoes at my apartment. Got them 1 minute before official start. I survived. It was brutal. Preztels, donuts, and knee wrap at mile 10 saved me. More later.

The Beauty of Autumn

I love this time of year for many reasons: the fall colors transitioning to the winter colors, the festivities that families and communities have, and the very mild temperatures in this quarter of our planet. I also, feel very blessed to have experienced many of these things ina new environment. Rainy days make the body and soul so grateful for the sunshine that restores and rejuvenates!

Belated "Happy Thanksgiving!" to all those who I didn't get to say it to! Miss and love you all!

Family, I will have a picture (Yes, just one because I forgot I had my camera with me until right before we left) of myself and Hank. I had to have proof of the miraculous reunion! :o)

Side note: Praises to UW2tv for their piece on shoulder injuries, specific surgeries, and the realities of the rehab process. Great. Absolutely great.

A Great Sunday

I went to church today, and it was great. A woman in my ward gave me a ride, and the sacrament talks were fantastic. The were about giving thanks on a daily basis. One speaker emphasized how grattitude naturally shift our attitude to positivity from negativity. What a great principal to strive to live by! Sunday school and Relief Society were great also.

Dave and I put up Christmas decorations today. Our tree flew off of the trailer during the move from WY to WA. I wa already aware of this. However, upon pulling out what we thought were our other decorations this morning, we found out that our first "special" ornament, our tree skirt, the lights, the garland, and the stockings were all in that box that flew off the trailer. Finding out that all of that was in the box was a particularly interesting learning experience for me; I learned that though material items may be taken from us, and some material things are simply unattainable financially, we have the power to just take it as an opportunity for a fresh start or a time for creativity. That' what Dave and I did. I learned that the memories will go on, no matter if the beautiful snow-globe ornament we bought together for our first Christmas as a married couple is in our home or somewhere on a wild, treaturous stretch of I-90, the memories do not have to fade.

Goodnight.

I would like to wish Heather Hawk a happy birthday. She is a wonderful woman, and I wish she wasn't have the world away (literally). I miss my family as well. I just hope to get home for the holidays. I feel so blessed for all that I have in my life. Happiness seems to be just an arms-length away each time I open my eyes to my own needs and those around me. I love the ability that we each have to take control of our attitudes, which can shape our utter existence.

Insomnia will. . .

. . .lead to blogging at 6:12 am.

People have always said "life isn't fair." Don't worry. This is not going to be a post of drudgery and negativity. No, I, Acceber feel the need to tell my future followers (since I haven't gotten any followers YET), that I am not one to dwell on issues. I just sincerely enjoy picking apart everything, analyzing everything, and then putting it all back together. Well, I must go for now. I think I MAY be getting tired. . .

Never Did I Ever

...Think I was going to end up blogging! Oh my goodness. Please, brace yourselves 'cause this is going to be a bumpy ride through a technologically unsavvy journey. Enjoy, though, as will I.