Happy Day to My Dad!

We had such a fun Father's Day filled with lots of fun and family. I failed however, to wish my dad a happy day on my blog. So... Happy Father's Day to a wonderful Father! My Dad is such a fun guy with an amazing outlook on life. I am so proud of the things he has accomplished and the things he has taught me just through his example.

Happy Fathers Day Dad!

Wishing Vacations Lasted Forever

But then, I guess it wouldn't be called a vacation. I have a new love in my life. That love is a country people call Greece. I never thought I could go on a vacation and dread the day that I had to go home. Normally I love a vacation, but welcome the return home to normal life and my soft bed. Not this vacation. Even with rock-hard mattresses, Greece is simply amazing! Simple because the people (on the islands) choose such a simple satisfying life where iphones and nice cars aren't the object of ones affection. And amazing because the clean white architecture set against the bright blue Mediterranean Sea and the sky with not a cloud in sight really does take your breath away.

I have thought for about a week what the best way to present this trip would be via blog. I have about 900 pictures (that is not an exaggeration in the slightest) and I know full well I can't post 900 pictures with a little story of how I loved that exact moment... as much as I would like to. Instead I will share my favorite pictures and thoughts as it pertains to this wonderful adventure.

Lindsey, Sarah, Erin, Lacey and I left to Greece not really knowing what to expect and not really having much of a plan. We knew what day to be on what island, but other than that the trip was free game! The 4 of them all left from Utah, had a layover in Paris, had their bags lost but finally arrived on the island of Mykonos in one piece (their bags arrived a few long hours later). I, leaving from Oregon, decided to travel on a different route that would shorten my travel time, but would leave me alone for the 24 hours it took to get there. I had a layover in Amsterdam. Getting off the plane in Amsterdam I was a little nervous that I would somehow get myself stuck in this foreign country where I wouldn't know how to communicate and be sold into some sort of questionable trade where people eat Americans for dinner (too many scary movies i.e. 'Taken'). That was not the case, the people were lovely. Most everyone spoke English and even added an accent to their English that made me just want to sit and listen to their words. I will note that they stood WAY to close to me, apparently personal space is a non-issue for some Europeans, but I was successful in making it to my connecting flight to Greece.

When I arrived in Greece I had one more plane to catch to take me to Mykonos and meet up with the girls. When I stepped off the plane in Mykonos I don't think I have ever been so excited to hear my name. Lacey was there waiting for me and I probably gave her the biggest hug I have ever given anyone. Tired (oh SO tired) and confused.. finally, I had made it!

We visited 2 islands while in Greece, Mykonos and Santorini. We also spent a day in Athens at the end of our trip. As to not spend hours and hours spilling every detail of every second (I bought a journal on the trip to do that) here are some pictures and key observations about our travels.

Mykonos - the locals are incredibly friendly. They would spend time with us just about everywhere we went trying to help us perfect our Greek greetings. They have the smallest roads I have ever seen. No joke, I think their 2 lane roads are 10 feet wide and their passenger cars are about a half of a step up from a smart car. They don't may much attention to road laws, to be honest I don't even know if they have any! We saw one cop the entire time on the island. Party town... it didn't help that it was spring break for the surrounding universities, but holy moly! They begin their festivities at about midnight. They get breakfast about 6am and head to bed about 8am. One morning as we were heading out for a run at about 7am our neighbors were coming in for the night. Gotta love it! We transferred to the next island by a hydrofoil. It was like an airplane on water! Super comfortable, they even had a little store on the boat to by treats.

When we arrived in Santorini we were (for lack of a better word) attacked by people trying to sell us hotel rooms, cab rides, rental cars and more. The first one or two who approached us were told very politely, "no thank you". About about 5 or 6 we just started pretending like they weren't there! We rented a car in Santorini as well and driving was a lot more comfortable. Still ultra small roads, but I do believe traffic laws are followed some-what because we couldn't leave the island before paying a parking ticket that we received in our short time there. The story of Santorini is that it used to be a perfectly round island. Some thousand of years ago there was a volcano on the island that irrupted and broke a significant amount of the island off. The piece that broke off, along with the volcano, sunk into the sea and has since resurfaced about 20 miles away from Santorini. Now, because of the volcanic irruption the west side of the island is steep cliff. However, west side is actually where they have built most of their towns and houses. This is where you would see movies like Momma Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants filmed. The small towns look just like that. Santorini is exactly how I pictured Greece to be - we even rode donkeys! Because of all the lava rock on the island the beach that we stayed at, Kamari Beach, is a black beach with lava rocks as sand. It was really cool!

We did our final transfer from Santorini to Athens. Athens is like New York City before Giuliani. The buildings are big and but the streets are dirty. Dogs roam the city with no owners and no where to be. The people are friendly in a more fast paced sort of way. We visited the Acropolis and the temples surrounding. We saw markets that were built thousands and thousands of years ago and we stood atop Mars Hill where the apostle Paul preached of God. To be right where history took place was amazing and the craftsmanship of each structure that had been built or re-built is truly indescribable. And to top it all off... the trip couldn't have been complete without an ice cream cone every night! I would have expected to see gelato in Greece, but we never found any. However, Greecian ice cream = amazing (even though it's probably the same as everywhere else).
I feel like I just puked out Greece pictures with no rhyme or reason. I have so many pictures I love that I have such a hard time choosing only a couple. Maybe as I look through them as time passes I will choose one to tell a story about every once and a while. I loved every second of this vacation. I love my life in Portland, but I've been home for 7 days and my heart still wishes it was on top of a mountain staring at white houses set against the blue water. Greece I miss you!

Ode to the Mother

Thank you for

...teaching me to tie my shoes. That has proved useful throughout my life.
...being disappointed in me when I quit my high school job (to go to a basketball game with my friends). You taught me responsibility.
...having a vegetable garden every summer to make fresh salsa.
...buying me drawing books, crayons and pencils and allowing me to be creative.
...taking in my friends and giving them another place to call home.
...teaching me how to nicely load a dishwasher.
...leaving a couple days late for our annual Labor Day camping trip so I could get my drivers licence the exact day I turned 16. This was a really big deal to me.
...being proud of me. Even if it does mean having the most awful picture of me and Nate on your debit card.

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom and all my dear friends who are Mothers! You really are appreciated for all you do.

10 Honest Things About Me

My friend Ashley did this on her blog and I thought it was a fun way for you to learn just a little more about me!

1. I don't do well with emotions. I like to talk, understand and come up with a solution. I have my own theories about why people act how they do and love to share my ideas, but as soon as the crying starts I get a little ache in my stomach and panic onsets. I just don't know what to do.

2. I have no problem spending full price for a great article of clothing. Don't get me wrong, I love a good deal, but I have no remorse for paying too much for something I feel amazing in. Call me crazy, but the way I feel overrules the checkbook.

3. I hate hearing the following words or phrases, "No", "You won't/can't do that", "You don't understand", "That's not a good idea". Often times I think there are more constructive ways to say the above statements. Once I hear these words I shut down.

4. I read in a book just the other day that Satan would have us believe that love is a sign of weakness. It stopped me dead in my tracks and I can't stop thinking about it. I need to show more love.

5. I like to push my body. I haven't always been this way. I don't know what happened, it's like one day I realized that I was capable of more and there was no excuse for not giving my all to get to the next level. I think that's why I like to run, it's a challenge.

6. I am obessesed with hair. Hair color, hair product, hair texture, hair accessories, hair care, hair styles, hair spray. I have hair fantasies (the way my hair would be if I only had the courage). It's the first thing I notice on people. I always thought I would go to beauty school, for some reason it just hasn't been in the cards.

7. Sometimes I forget that I am 'all grown up'. I remember being 16 and dreaming of how my life would be as an adult. It happened, I grew up and somehow I just feel like a more self aware 16-year-old.

8. I know times are hard. I know the economy is bad and world is confused. We hear more bad news everyday. Our lives are quickly changing or maybe we are just becoming more aware of the evil around. Even still, I wouldn't have asked to be born in a different time. With all the craziness happening I am continually impressed with the good.

9. I relate songs to chapters in my life. Graduating college was "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield. Moving to Oregon was "The Road and The Radio" by Kenny Chesney. Currently it's "Vegas" by Sara Bareilles.

10. I believe in being an active participant in your own life. I can't always control the things that this life brings, but I can control my actions and reactions. Life doesn't just happen, we choose how to live our lives. I hope I choose a good one!

I tag everyone, it's fun - do it!

This Sums It Up

I saw this quote on Amiee's super genius of a blog and thought how appropriately it sums up my life right now. For me, change usually comes a little at a time. In fact, so slowly sometimes that I hardly even notice it. But when I look back at a year ago Amber and today Amber, they are two different people sewn together by time and experience. It just keeps getting better!

Celebrating Christ

I love the Easter season. I love the symbolism as the weather turns to Spring and the trees and flowers begin to blossom we are reminded that Jesus lives. This morning as I was reading through scriptures and past words spoken about Easter I was touched by the reality of the Resurrection and overwhelmed with gratitude for the Savior.

My oldest niece, Ashley, passed away 2 years ago in July. Yesterday would have been her 22nd birthday. All day my thoughts were about Ashley and as with many people who have someone close to them pass away, I wondered what the proper way to celebrate her was. I like to think the best way to celebrate someone is with happy memories of them and so I remembered. But as I was reading this Easter morning I came across these words that President Hinkley spoke in 1996,

"There is nothing more universal than death, and nothing brighter with hope and faith than the assurance of immortality. The abject sorrow that comes with death, the bereavement that follows the passing of a loved one are mitigated only by the certainty of the Resurrection of the Son of God that first Easter morning."

I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for me, for Ashley, for everyone, so that we too will live again. There have been many, and will be plenty more, times in my life where this knowledge has been the only thing that I am sure of - even so, it's always been enough. Ashley is such an incredible addition to our family and what special time of year for her to have her birthday.

Happy Easter!

You Can't Slow Me Down!

My previous post I talked all about the wonderful trip to Moab. Moab was wonderful, but also came with a price... i.e, my left foot. After the race I noticed my left foot was a little sensitive. Putting weight on it hurt, therefore walking was kind of uncomfortable. I told the girls, "I think my foot is broken." Assuming that I was over reacting since my body usually always hurts somewhere I hiked around Arches for 2 days and ran around putting the least amount of weight on it as possible. When I got home to my parents house I told my Dad, "I think my foot might be broken" (I fractured my foot about 4 years ago - therefore I thought I MUST know what it feels like). He replied, "You're just in luck! I have 2 walkers here, you can use one! We can walk around in our walkers together." So sweet.

Well, I let a couple days go by walking and running as if nothing was wrong, but still feeling a definite pain and swelling in my foot. Finally, I decided if I was going to have to see a doctor it was going to be the one who helped me with my foot last time. Since he is in Utah I made the appointment. To my demise I have a fracture in my 5th metatarsal (pinky-toe bone) and a tear in one of my peroneal tendons (runs behind the ankle and attaches to the 5th metatarsal). Fabulous! I then got a 30 minute lecture from my favorite doctor about how running is hard on my body, how I have to wear a cast boot for 6 weeks, and REALLY need to take it easy so it will heal. I asked him to specifically list the things I absolutely could not do and those which I could do and was gone wondering how this could have happened - again.

And then I figured it out (well Traci did). I had been running in the same style and brand of shoe for 4 years. I bought a new pair of shoes in January specifically for Moab. I bought a Nike shoe (not the one pictured above) because I wanted to train with Nike plus. I had been running in them for 3 months... and now this! Then to top it all off, Traci, Michelle and I entered the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Fransisco in October and DID NOT get in! Not only did Nike break my foot, but then they didn't even let us into their marathon! The nerve. So, To Nike: You can't slow me down - in 6 weeks I will be running again and next year you better believe you'll let me into your marathon! (I would like to note that I am not actually blaming this on Nike, however the timing is suspicious :-) I also just bought 2 pairs of Nike workout shorts, so I am not completely black listing them.)

The bad news: I can't run for 6 weeks and I am going crazy - seriously. Also, I didn't get into the San Francisco race which bums me out. Lastly, it's really hard to find shoes the same height as this cast boot, therefore cute shoes for the next few weeks are out of the question.

The good news: Having a boot on your foot makes people everywhere want to talk to you. The running store gave me store credit for the Nike (alleged foot breaker) shoes and I will be able to pick out a new pair. And my dad is also in a similar boot now, yay! Too bad I am not closer so we could get a picture together.