the 22 list | run a half-marathon

19 November 2013

When I ran my first official 10K run back in April of 2012, never did I imagine that I would run a half-marathon just eighteen months later in October 2013. To me, 10K runs were pretty manageable. But I thought that half-marathons were just a little too long and certainly not for the faint-hearted.

I don’t know what possessed me to sign up for the craziness of a half-marathon. But I did. And now that it’s over, I’ll say that it was one of the best things I did this year.

This race was originally scheduled for July of 2013. However, due to the haze that smothered us in June, the organizers postponed it until October. It would’ve been pretty cool to add “Ran my first 21K” to the list of things I did at twenty-one. But at least I still get to say that I ran 13.1 miles in 2013 (:

I wasn’t as prepared for this race as I should’ve been. Training started late, but I tried to be consistent with my long runs as much as possible, working up the miles each week to race day. My goal for this race was just to FINISH under three hours. I really wanted to push for two and a half, but I think under three hours was much more realistic.

I felt pretty good during the first 15k – my energy level was high and I hardly walked at all (must’ve been those GU chomps!). But the last 4k really killed me. Everything was hurting and all I wanted to do was stop. It took everything I had to keep going. But I had my support team who pushed me on and soldiered with me to the end. I crossed the finish line with a time of 2:37, which exceeded my expectations so I was pretty happy about it (:

I surprised myself. But I know I wouldn’t have done it without the support of my siblings, who were my biggest supporters. They cheered me on, pushed me forward, and just ran with me even when I felt like giving up.

Sometimes, I’m still in disbelief that I actually ran (and finished) a half-marathon. It’s one of those things that I never thought I’d do. But I guess, you can accomplish more than you think you can – if you believe you can.

I’m not sure if another half-marathon will be a part of the future. But I’m definitely loving this running thing while it lasts.

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The 22 list is a list of things I made to accomplish while I’m twenty-two. For more about my 22 list, read this post.

22 recipes | ferrero rocher nutella cupcakes

15 November 2013

Ferrero Rocher Nutella Cupcakes by Lick the Bowl Good

I don’t know if these technically count as cupcakes, because they don’t have the traditional buttercream/cream cheese frosting. Either way, cupcakes and I have a love-hate relationship. Sometimes they turn out beautifully; other times, they stress me out to no end. But I love that these cupcakes turned out wonderfully with no stress at all. The chocolate cupcakes came together easily and the “frosting” was so easy to put together.

Plus, the thought of Nutella AND Ferrero Rocher together for this Nutella-loving girl was too good to pass up.

Interestingly, the chocolate cupcake recipe for this uses chocolate syrup instead of cocoa powder as most other chocolate recipes do. However, this cupcake base didn’t impress me – it was a little dry and wasn’t one of the better chocolate cake recipes that I’ve tried. But the combination of Nutella and Ferrero Rocher more than made up for the lack of flavor that the chocolate base was.

How do you resist such layered goodness of chocolate cake, Nutella and Ferrero Rocher?

We ate a couple, and I stored the leftover cupcakes in the fridge. I suppose there’s no reason not to store them outside. But I decided against that in the end, because of how humid things get around here, and because I wanted to ensure that the Ferrero Rocher remained crisp. So the refrigerator it was. Or you could always store them in an airtight container. Problem solved.

2 down, 20 to go.

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The 22 recipes are part of my 22 list, a list of 22 things I’m working to accomplish while I’m twenty-two. Check out my other 22 recipes here.

Right Now | Wednesday

13 November 2013

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Choosing not to let myself be overwhelmed by all the things I need to do but don’t have enough time for.

Embracing the rain + cool weather.

Staying warm despite the rain.

So, so thankful for God-given friendships.

Eagerly anticipating the weekend.

Plodding on to the end of the week.

Persevering to the end of the term.

Really needing a break, pronto.

But counting down the weeks until Christmas break(!!!)

Getting into the Christmas holiday spirit.

Still a little bit in disbelief that it’s almost halfway through November and 42 DAYS until Christmas!

Reminding myself to dare to dream BIG.

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If you can dream it, you can do it. – Walt Disney

I hope your week’s been some kind of fabulous xx.

Wednesday Word | no. 019

6 November 2013

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Lately, the truth of this quote has truly resonated with me.

I really feel like I need more hours in a day – more hours to spend time with people I love, make creative fun stuff, go to places, and check off things to do (like writing blog posts). On a side note, I actually have an entire backlog of posts I need to finish writing and post. I’m getting on it, I promise.

But anyhow, while the number of hours in a day stays the same, I’ll try to make every minute of it worthwhile and productive.

Here’s to right priorities and mind-blowing productivity!
Happy Wednesday – I hope your week has been super duper so far (:

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Every Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Hello, November

1 November 2013

I thought I just wrote one of these posts not too long ago.

But October was pretty incredible.

I loved everything about it, from running my first half-marathon and going wakeboarding, to spending lots of time with friends and family. THE BEST.

Anyhoo.

Hello, Thanksgiving + preparing for the holidays. Hello, school work + counting down to getting a break! Hello, sunshine + rain. Hello, running with friends and doing better at a running routine. Hello, goodbyes + see you laters. Hello, laughing and making time to spend with people who matter. Hello to routine and switching things up at the same time. Hello, new 2014 planners.

Hello, November.

You’re here a little too quickly for my liking. But I promise I’ll make you a good one anyway (:

22 recipes | snickerdoodle blondies

31 October 2013

Snickerdoodle Blondies by My Own Sweet Thyme

I think it seems like snickerdoodles have a very special place in my heart. The reason? They were one of the first cookies I remember learning how to bake. I had a Betty Crocker Cookie Recipe book and snickerdoodles were one of the things I kept making whenever I needed cookies. (Chocolate chip cookies are the exception to this, but let’s just focus on snickerdoodles for now, shall we?)

But I stopped making them after awhile, for some reason, and just never quite got to them again.

Then I came across this recipe for Snickerdoodle Blondies and they combined all the goodness of snickerdoodles into one easy bar! My friend and I made this for our baking date and I think they turned out pretty well – these blondies are soft and crumbly, pretty much all you could ever want in a snickerdoodle (: Plus, it came together in about fifteen minutes, which is definitely bonus ~~brownie~~ blondie points. No pun intended, ha.

Fast and tasty recipes are always right up my alley.

1 down, 21 to go.

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The 22 recipes are part of my 22 list, a list of 22 things I’m working to accomplish while I’m twenty-two. Check out my other 22 recipes here.

Wednesday Word // no. 018

30 October 2013

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I’ve been an Anne of Green Gables fan since I was little. And Anne Shirley certainly has some wise words for me today.

In between trying not to feel overwhelmed by all the work I need to do/to-do lists I need to complete, and balancing my overachiever tendencies, I’m remembering how thankful I am that I have another chance to make tomorrow even better, despite today not being as good as I would’ve liked it to be.

At least there’s still a brand-new tomorrow to do better.

I’m so glad Anne Shirley is right.

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Every Wednesday, I share a quote + some thoughts that have been especially relevant in my life during the week. Read more Wednesday Words here.

Beginning with Mondays

28 October 2013

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To be honest, I haven’t come up with a complete makeover plan for this blog. It’s all still kind of up in the air and whatnot. But I missed being around here too much that I decided to (officially) come back anyway. After all, this space (as with most things in life) is still a work in progress.

This semester is proving to be pretty crazy busy. Four classes and tons and tons of reading. I’m not even kidding. But that’s what college life is all about, isn’t it?

So despite the piles of reading and assignments that need to get done, I’m starting the week reminding myself, Small steps every day.

Beginning with today.

And as my philosophy professor says, I should handle all this work like how I would eat an elephant – one bite at a time. Uh-huh.

Here’s to a super-productive and nothing-less-than-amazing week! (:

Right Now // Wednesday

23 October 2013

(image via my Instagram – something crafty I worked on today)

Can’t believe how long it’s been since I (officially) went on my blog break.

Am officially back to blogging.

Determined to brace myself and do my best for the crazy busy next eight weeks.

Exploding with ideas of things I want to make and do.

Needing more time to do them.

Wishing there were more hours in a day.

Trying to embrace the busyness.

Learning to love each season of life for what it is.

Focusing on what I can do, not what I can’t.

Remembering to breathe, and not stress out.

Taking things in my stride.

Reminding myself of God’s sovereignty and goodness in all things.

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The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead. – Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I hope your week’s been super fabulous so far! xx

Checking in + Hello, October

1 October 2013

image via my Instagram @ameliawritesblog

I’m still planning and working on blog goals. But I thought I’d check in with you guys. Because I don’t know about you, but I certainly miss being around these parts of the world wide web.

And really, Is it really October already??

It seems like the last four months of the year always seem to fly by a lot quicker, and I can’t believe September is already over.

Craaaazzyyy.

But hello, new goals and greater boundaries. Hello, running + my first-ever half-marathon. Hello, new friends, new routines + new experiences. Hello, family time. Hello, laughing + hanging out. Hello, growing, learning + being enriched.

Hello, October.

September was really special in it’s own way. But I’m actually looking forward to October more than I actually thought I would – October has so many good things in store.

Can’t wait.