My First 5K: An Colorful Experience

So this past Saturday, I finished a goal I had set myself out to do. I finished my first 5K. Color Vibe hosted a color run in my city of Flint and I was stoked getting ready for the race. Actually paying $40 to participate made me more motivated to get ready for the race...and my dog loved it. We took some walks around the neighborhood in the month leading up to the race and I spent some time at work also preparing.

About to begin

But nothing really prepares you for the day with all the excitement and people. After waiting through a major traffic jam outside the Everett E. Cummings Center, I parked my car and joined the estimated 2,100 people by the DJ booth. There were people in tutu's, there were people with crazy outfits, there were people EVERYWHERE. But more importantly, there was much more excitement.

I joined the group of people I said I would meet, including Nick and Katie and their two sons. They were walking in honor of a friend's child who had lost her life earlier this year. It was inspiring seeing them out showing support. Before the race even started, we were tossing color in the air. Pink...for Meagan.

After we finished!

As the race started, we were herded (literally) towards the rows of flags that showed the beginning of the race. The race was let off in heats, with about 100 people starting every 5 minutes. We were near the back so we did a lot of waiting while the DJ played some tunes and got us pepped up. When it was our turn to get to the start area, workers threw bags upon bags of color at us that we threw all over everyone. The DJ counted us off and we were a go. There was a guy with a leafblower blowing color on everyone who passed the start line. It was crazy.

Once out, we all set our pace. The rest of the group were well ahead of me so I threw in my headphones and started jamming. About 1/4 mile in was the first color station. Here workers had one specific color, in this case pink, that they threw on you. After I passed the station, my calves were not having this. I was thinking that this "race" was going to one long race if it hurt all the way. I was making it through though, I was DETERMINED to finish without shortcuts (Which there were them).

About a mile in, Daft Punks "Harder Better Faster" came on and I was like, "THIS IS MY JAM." It was about this point that the endorphins FINALLY did their trick and my pace picked up again. The second color station- blue- they were out of color which made me kind of sad. I just kept going. At the 2/3 mark was the green station where the volunteers were all cheering and telling everyone to roll on the ground. Some people did, I just wasn't doing it this early in the morning. ;)

Me before the dance party

After the water station provided by the charity for the event, United Way of Genessee County, Nick, Katie and the kids were waiting for me. It was super awesome of them to stop for me! We watched Connar kneel in the purple station and finished the race together.

A color throw at the end

But the color awesomeness was not over yet! At the end they were having a dance party with the DJ. Every 10 minutes or so they threw out about 100 bags of color and went around with boxes of color for people to take handfuls and throw in the air. And it was awesome looking. In that last dance party, I got a ton more color on me and had a blast. Some random girl loved all the color on me and asked me to pose for a picture with her. Why not?

Me after the racce

Trust me, somehow I ended up not making a HUGE mess of my car, just a little one. Thank God for trash bags. I went home where Tonks freaked out because I was covered in stuff she didn't know. I had one rainbow shower and had an enjoyable and relaxing rest of my day! I think I am down to do another 5K sometime soonish!

Daughtry/3 Doors Down VIP Amazingness

So on February 1st, I had the pleasure of seeing my favorite band and 5th favorite band in concert together. And can I say it was an amazing night.

When Daughtry and 3 Doors Down announced a tour together, I wanted to go. When they announced a Detroit show in December, I wasn't able to go to it. And well, I was really sad. But I got over it. Then over Christmas, I got an email from the Daughtry fan club that a 2013 leg of the tour was announced with a Michigan date, February 1st in Battle Creek. When I had gathered up the money, I decided to go all out and get the VIP package.

And it was literally the best concert experience ever. Seriously. Before I go into more detail, if you are ever going to a concert of a band you adore, and have the chance to get VIP tickets...DO IT!

So, I took my 2 hours drive to Battle Creek yesterday afternoon. The VIPers for this show had to be there at 3:30PM to check in. There were about 40 of us in total. We checked in, got our snazzy VIP lanyards and waited for the bands to be ready. I didn't get my ticket until I got there, so I didn't know were I was sitting until arriving. I was ecstatic about getting a 4th row seat! While waiting, we got the meet and greet rules. There were 3 rules we had to follow:

1. No kissing any of the band members...since they are all married.
2. No touching Chris' bald head
3. Don't tell the band any sad/personal stories that could be upsetting. If we would like to share that with the bands, we were told to write it out in an email.

And we were off. They told us to get as near the barricade as we wanted for the VIP soundcheck party. This was where both leads from the bands, and random members from both bands (guitar, drums, bass, etc) were up on stage and they played us several songs. It was pretty cool because they would look down and defintely sing portions to each and every one of us. And he was so close. I got some amazing pictures!

After the sound check, we were ushered to one of the back halls to wait for the meet and greet. We got to take a turn meeting all the members of both bands by ourselves (or with a group if we had one and wanted to). I was alone, so I went in alone and I was so excited. I was so giddy (and it made us all laugh) and I was just like, "Can I give you a hug?" And Chris obliged. Yeah. Best thing EVER. I of course gave one to Brad from 3 Doors Down too. Then they put their arms around me and I got my picture in the middle of both bands!

When our meet and greet was over, we were sent out to do whatever we needed after getting our signed poster and t-shirt. I went to put some stuff in my car and buy some merch. I grabbed myself a zip-up hoodie which is soooo warm and a tour shirt with the 2013 dates. Then I went to wait in my seat. As VIP, all the staff treat you just like one. Several of the security guards and a couple of us struck up a conversation before the show. They were telling me some of the best excuses people would try to use to get backstage. It was hilarious!

Then Aranda came on. I had never heard of them before but, they are seriously really good. They have a great sound and are fun to see perform. On their last number, their guitarist was showing off by playing his guitar like a piano...and then he asked the audience for a boot. One of the girls in the 1st row threw hers up there and he played his guitar with that! It was pretty sweet really and great fun.

When they played the guitar with that woman's boot!

Then Daughtry was on. And well, what can I say. Since the moment Chris was on American Idol, he was a performer. He knows how to perform well and he sounds amazing live (which you have to in order to even make it anywhere on AI). He played a lot of his music from his new CD, and threw in some of his best songs from earlier CDs, It was quite wonderful. Brad from 3 Doors Down even came out to join them for a song.

4th row was awesome!

Then 3 Doors Down was on before I knew it. Not to lie, I was a little let down but that may be because I could listen to Daughtry for hours and hours. But 3 Doors Down was also amazing. Brad is extremely polite and thanked us after every song for being fans and for coming out. I was a little bummed they didn't play ,y favorite, which is "When You're Young," but I still loved their set. They played a lot of old stuff as they were promoting their Greatest Hits album so it was wonderful.

Brad from 3 Doors Down!

Then the night was over. But I won't forget it for a long time. I also met some pretty awesome people in the VIP opportunity. The mother who was there because her daughter was a fan like me. The fans that have enough money to see them in every city near them and were there in front of me (and were a tad jealous when I got a hug!), and a wonderful couple who were right next to me in the seating who partied, danced and sang with me the entire night long. What an experience.

The Election: A Reaction Post

So, here is another post about the election...yup I know, you are probably tired of this election by now. But, we all have our own opinions on how we wanted things to go yesterday and well...I feel like some things need to be said.

Our new President of the United States is...

Barak Obama. I'm pretty sure you know this by now. And while I have some friends who were upset that our President is going to be around for another 4 years, I am not. Yes, I voted for President Obama.

In general, I tend to lean towards the democrats. My views and their views seem to line up in general. But, I also like to be informed. So, I listened to what Romney/Ryan said in their speeches and debates. I listened. Some of the things that Romney said were not okay. As a woman, I was not in agreement in the overturn of Roe vs. Wade for one. That huge court case gave women rights in general. I am not here to fight for abortion (or against it), but that court case gave women more rights than just abortion. It showed that we are important and that what happens with our bodies should be our decision.

Planned Parenthood, though they do offer abortions for women where it is legal, also does many other services for women AND men. They test for STDs, offer mammograms and cervical cancer screenings and help keep us healthy...at a fee that is based off of your income so it is affordable for all Americans. I have used Planned Parenthood for birth control, and while some people don't believe in birth control, some people need it. I have a friend who actually has hormone issues and their use of birth control is for a medical issue. She shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for that, and I agree. Insurance coverage of birth control is a very important issue near and dear to my heart.

As a woman, I couldn't even let myself vote for Romney as the differences in interest was just too much. Obviously, there are other things I was unhappy in what the governor said, but I am not going to beat this into the ground. Am I happy that Obama won. I am not going to drag Romney supporters through the dirt since some of them are very near and dear to my heart. You can believe what you believe and well...I guess you can complain about it too.

This is all I want to say. Obama won, you can't change that now. It is time to take the next 4 years and let things happen! I remember reading how Congress was filibustering EVERYTHING these past few years so that "Obama would be a one term President" and tried to use that argument that Obama got nothing done. He didn't get it done because you wouldn't let him.

So, lets come together. Let's be nicer to our fellow man, no matter if he is a Republican or Democrat (or Libertarian, or Green!), and be a little nicer. Karma is a crazy thing but it will come back to you when you are nice to people. In another 4 years, you can rise up and choose whomever you want for President and there will be all new candidates. Just some food for thought.

Ballot Proposals...

So, Michigan had a lot of proposals on the ballot. And they all failed. Now there were a couple I didn't want and I voted no for. I mean, I don't care if they want to build a bridge to Canada without hearing from us. I pay taxes too! But they have money for these bridges and if the people don't want it...it still just sits there. Part of our budget is for that international bridge.

Collective bargaining...really? You didn't pass it? Don't you remember the Flint Sit-down strike? Our state is built upon unions with our huge ties in the auto business. Unions BUILT our state. And you are going to deny those the ability to get together and bargain? Really?

As for the home health care proposal...wow. One of the major things that proposal would give was a list of home health care workers who had background checks. Home care is cheaper than sending our elders into a  home and research shows that many have a better life living at home than in the home. Depression in nursing homes is a major thing that accounts for much of the decline of our family members. Why wouldn't you want a list of qualified individuals who are going to be taking care of YOUR parents? They are going to come in and care for their needs.

A step towards equality...

Last night, we elected the first gay Senator. Three other states also made gay marriage legal making a total of 7 states that it is now legal in. That for me is awesome.

I have many friends who are homosexual and I am close to them. I hope that eventually Michigan will join the bandwagon and I can see these friends marry. This is my basis, if you don't believe in gay marriage...don't get gay married.

I am happy that we have made some strides towards a new tomorrow of equality for these individuals that want to express their love.

Birthday-ness and More Acts of Kindness!

My birthday week finally got here!!!!!!!! Yay!!! On Monday I turned 22 and had a blast with some friends getting some food. I've been celebrating all week long by doing different things. I love all these people I have in my life :)

Today is sweetest day (a made up Hallmark Holiday that I don't like at all) but Kevin still got me a rose and some chocolates. He's the best.

I've been hard at work on my random acts of kindness. Here are some more below!

8. Helped a worker at the supermarket clean up someone else's mess.
I worked at Meijer, though I wasn't a stock person or anything. But I know through my work there that people are messy. And half the time they don't want to fess up for the messes that they make and walk away...leaving them there.

These people are rude.

Anyway, the other day I was shopping at Meijer and noticed that someone had knocked a bunch of soup cans off the shelf and that someone was rushing to the aisle to clean them up. I hunched down and helped him restack them onto the shelf. He had an appreciative smile on his face as we joked about people not cleaning up after themselves.

9. Renewed my membership to Gift of Life
So, when I renewed my license, I hadn't gotten my heart on it as I had before registered for gift of life. So, I renewed my registration and once again got my heart. Just the small things but you never know, when I pass away, they may be able to use some organ of mine...and save a life.

10. Brought donuts back to the people on duty last weekend.
Saturday evening, I met some friends at Past Tense in Lapeer, a cider mill. I love their cider and donuts and grabbed some. A couple of my fellow RAs were on duty and had a rough Friday...so I brought them back a donut to brighten their day.

11. Congratulated a newly engaged couple.
So, I'm at the age, everyone is either getting engaged, married or having babies. One of my friends got engaged over the weekend, and I took the initave to personally congratulate them on the next step towards their new life together.

12. Adopted a soldier
This is something that I've wanted to do for awhile now. But I used this as a reason to actually do it! On Thursday, I went to the website and registered to adopt a soldier. This morning, I got my email with the information of the soldier I adopted. Though I can't say much as to where my soldier is stationed and such, I did just email him to let him know that a letter and will be in the mail soon!

13. Bought a drink for a friend
It was my friend Cass' birthday this past week also so I bought her a drink at the bar when we went out the other night.

14. Wore pink and donated to breast cancer!
One of our local fraternity houses had a Thursday night party to save the boobies. SO...I donned some pink, donated to the cause and had a nice night out with friends :)

In memory of my beautiful mother! 

15. Shared my food with everyone.
Today, some friends and I went to our local Buffalo Wild Wings and watched the big Michigan/Michigan State game (spoilers: Michigan won!!!) and I got some food that I shared around the table...including an amazing dessert nacho. Seriously, get it in the next time you are there!

btw...those are cheesecake balls in the middle. Rolled in graham crackers and deep fried....

16. Gave our waitress a nice huge tip.

So normally, as a college student, we can give the 10% tip but not much more. Today at Bduds, we were there for like 5 hours watching the game, and our waitress was nice...even giving us a fresh refill of pop after we had not paid attention to it when I was drinking my cocktail. So I gave her a nicer than normal tip. She was very thankful when I got up to leave that she came over to thank me in general. Always nice to make someone smile!