Way to go SARAH!!!

So my amazing sister-in-law Sarah literally just took 3rd place at the USA Track & Field National Championships!!!! I watched the podcast online but the meet will be running on Saturday afternoon as well on NBC I believe. Sarah will be heading to Deagu, Korea for the National championships August 27-September 4! So excited for her!!! She has worked so hard! So proud! Here is a pic I took on my phone of the podcast! Ha! She is on the medal stand receiving her third place medal!

She's the one holding the flag! Way to go lady!

Can't wait to congratulate you in person next weekend!!!!

Lyss

Rain, Rain Go Away

{Day 3} Happy Summer everyone! Today is one of the rainiest days that I have seen in a while. It has been cloudy for the last couple of days and finally the skies have opened up and rain has been coming down steadily since about 4pm today. I'm not a huge fan of rain [unless I can bum around and watch movies all day.] So, today's photo is of bright sunny Arizona skies...

This pic was taken at Arizona State and is of their famous "Palm Walk." I can almost feel the warmth of the sun!

Until tomorrow,

Alyssa

I want a DOG!

So, I've been thinking a lot about getting a dog lately. Today, I emailed the Humane Society asking to partake in their volunteer program. I was a volunteer for the HS when I was in college and I loved, loved, loved it! I truly believe that everyone should adopt their pet from the HS. I know there is a stigma about adopting damaged goods, but let me tell you, these dogs, cats, and bunnies (yes, bunnies) make for wonderful pets! Just like humans, these pets have had a little bit of experience, but you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks. The HS has many different types of dogs including good 'ol retrievers, which are some favorite hunting dogs. If I had a large area, I would certainly adopt the two husky puppies that are currently up for adoption. They are adorable. Here's the HS website if you are interested in volunteering or adopting a pet. {http://www.gfpets.com/} HS always needs donations as well, so if you have some extra change or even some extra dog food, drop it by the HS in GF.

So, I don't currently have a dog, but I do have a neph-dog who I adore! His name is Mack and this is my favorite picture of him form our Christmas visit to AZ.

Isn't he the cutest? I miss him!

Woo! Day 2-so far so good! :)

New Concept

Sooo, as you can tell, I suck
and I mean, suck, at blogging. I could not figure out why I could not get myself
to publish posts on my blog on a regular basis. Then, I figured it out, I'm
bored with my own blog. It takes me too long to publish a post and after I'm done, I feel unispired. I am definitely one of those people who reads the newspaper
simply for the pictures and not necessarily for the news. I think that if
something is newsworthy, it will include a picture. I also am totally obsessed
with photography blogs and blogs with lots of pics. My favorites are Simply Bloom Photography {http://simplybloomphotography.com/blog/} and Shawna Noel Photography {http://www.shawnanoel.net/}. I'm also loving some awesome DIY blogs and interest blogs such as The Sartorialist {http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-03-31T09%3A29%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=20}, New Dress A Day {http://www.newdressaday.com/} and Better After {http://betterafter.blogspot.com}.

The great thing about all of these blogs is that they have tons of pictures and they are updated nearly everyday. So, my new plan of attack is to add a new picture to my blog everyday for 365 days. My posts will probabl be short and sweet, but I think now I may even want to read my own blog! :)

So, here's to day one!

Day One: I took this pic yesterday in downtown GF. I just love the turquoise color of these steps and the cracks and rust.I'm on a vintage kick right now and these steps just screamed vintage cool.

Here's to Summer!

A

New Year's Resolution

Okay, okay, I don't typically make New Years resolutions. Or maybe I make them, but I just don't actually follow them...either way, this year I'm actually writing them down, and not only am I writing them down, I'm publishing them on the world wide net! Sooo, here goes nothin'

Alyssa's 2011 New Year's Resolution:

1. Get Healthy

• Eat healthier - I mean, I've pretty much been trying to eat healthier since I was 3 but I have been doing pretty well on this. I have written down everything I have eaten for a week and a half and am feeling good about it.


• Run a half marathon - that's right, kids, a half marathon, that's 13.1 miles. I started training this week and it's been pretty good so far. I'll let you know how it goes after I have to run 11 miles consecutively.

2. Blog More

• Well, so far so, so good! Huh!? It only took me 14 days into the new year to blog, not too shabby!


• My goal is to block weekly - even if it is only a little blog. Actually, I would prefer the little blogs, these marathon blogs are getting redic and I've got one marathon to run so I don't need another.


• I am going to take more pictures so I can put more pictures on my blog.

3. Find a Cause

• I literally think my cause found me today. I was driving to the post office in Killdeer and right by this rather busy street was an adorable little brown dog standing in a snow bank. I think the dog was a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix. So, I pulled up in my dad's giant pickup and this mini dog jumped right in! I checked it's neck and there wasn't a collar, so I was worried that he either ran away from home or was a stray. Then, I look across the street and another little grey dog jumps across the street and jumped into my pickup - I mean, it was like raining dogs! This pup didn't have tags either so I grabbed both dogs and brought them to my parents house and put them in the garage. Then, I called the local cop, Warren, and asked him what I should do. He told me to bring them to the vet so I did. The vet thought they looked familiar so I hope that they have owners and just escaped. But seriously, I found my cause...animal rescue!


• When I get back to VT, I'm going to call the local animal shelter and sign up to become a volunteer.


• Once I get a real job, I'm also going to get a dog of my own! It was like a sign from the Big Guy! Can't wait!

4. Go to Church

• Speaking of the Big Guy, I need to start going to church more. I just feel so much more in touch when I'm going to church on a regular basis.


• My goal is to go to church 2-3 times per month. Gotta find the one Lutheran church in VT!

5. Work harder, more efficiently, and more productively

• You know how I like a schedule, well starting Monday, I am going to try to have a real, life work schedule like real life people who work do. My goal is to workout at 7AM and start working by 9AM!


• I'm also going to get dressed for work. I know this sounds dumb but when I'm just working on computer stuff, I stay in my jammies and do work in front of the TV. Not anymore, from now on, I'm going to dress in real clothes and work at my desk - I know what a crazy thought!


• Work at a coffee shop - sometimes I just have to get out of my apartment and work! Plus, I love coffee! Win, win.
  

6. Learn how to Meditate

• I have heard great things about meditation. I want to try it. I hope it will help me get some good sleep. I usually think about my endless to do list while trying to fall asleep and believe me, it does not help me sleep. I'll give it a shot and let you know how it goes.

7. Save Some Money

• Self explanatory. I have a big transition coming and I need some money to get through it.

Well, there you have it folks! My 2011 resolutions! Here's to a great year!

The Green Mountain State

Here's an update on my life...

• So, my life in the Green Mountain State has been wonderful! My mom and dad visited Vermont in October and we had the best time! We went for runs and walks, went shopping, visited the Magic Hat Brewing Company, visite the Ben & Jerry's Factory, and went up to Stowe, VT - an adorable city in the mountains! It was so much fun having them and showing them the sites. Dad is now in love with maple syrup and Green Mountain Coffee. I am now going to send him a lifetime supply of both for his birthday! The picture on the right is of us at the Magic Hat Brewery!


• In early November, I headed to Grand Forsk for my mom's initiation into Theta and it was wonderful! Emily, my cousin and aunt who are also Thetas came to GF as well as a number of my amazing friends who know my mom! It meant the world to her that all of these women came - I have such great friends! It was such an amazing experience, one that we will all never forget! Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures :*( The one picture I did take was with my friend Amy who drove all the way from Minneapolis for mom's initiation!

• The Lambda chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta was finally installed on November 13, 2010!!! Mallory and my hard work paid off and there are now 56 more Thetas in this world! It was an unforgettable day with both initiation, the installation ceremony, and the installation dinner. There were some awesome Thetas at the event! I was absolutely in awe at these accomplished women. It was a great cap to the semester!!! The picture to the right is of all of our beautiful women and their lovely ELCs oh and that great big charter!
  

• I headed to Indy for our ELC End of Semester meeting in December. Whenever we are all together, we have such a great time! We went through the typical meeting stuff but we also had some holiday cheer worked in as well! We went out to a nice dinner and afterwards we went over to our boss Kelley's house for dessert and to exchange our secret santa gifts. It's always fun to celebrate the holidays together and to hang out with Kelley's crazy dogs! :)

• After the End of Semester Meeting I flew home and spent a great week relaxing with my fam. Then we flew to Arizona and spent the best Christmas ever with Ross and Sarah in Chandler!!! We had a great time! We toured Arizona State, went running OUTSIDE, went to the Grand Canyon & Sedona, went to a brewery, relaxed, played cards, read books, shopped, and had an overall awesome time! It was so hard to leave them and their dog Mack. Is it sad that I took more pictures of the dog then of the rest of us? He's just too funny and adorable. It's a warm-up for when their kids!
  

  I thought I would never ever dress up an animal like this...but seriously it was hilarious! Plus, he didn't even care. He ran outside with this Santa costume on all day like he wasn't wearing anything. Of course he ditched the mittens asap!
  

Mom and I overlooking the amazing Grand Canyon. It really is absolutely surreal! The GC looks like it is painted it was so cool! I would go back for sure. The day after we left the Grand Canyon, it snowed...I guess we always take it with us.

So, today, I'm at home getting ready to head back to Vermont this weekend! I had a great break at home, but a whole month is a little too long for me. Don't get me wrong, I will probably miss ever having a long break like this ever again, but when everyone went back to work, I was still hanging in Killdeer trying not to sleep in until 10am. I feel most competent when I'm on a schedule, so I'm ready to get back to UVM and get back on a schedule!

I'm ready for whatever 2011 brings!