30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 30

Day 30 - A picture of yourself

I began this 30 day photo challenge with a picture similar to this one.  There are many things that are important to me at this stage in life represented in this snapshot. 

- Sunshine
- Team In Training
- Cycling
- Nature
- Power much greater than myself


Wow.  The challenge is over.  I may have to do this again sometime and see how it compares. If you've been thinking about taking the challenge too, do it.  It's fun, and a great way to begin the day.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 29

Day 29 - A picture of someone you miss

 You each know why and how.  Love you all :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 28

Day 28 - A picture that can always make you smile 

Step 1 - get in car with best friend.
Step 2 - start driving.
Step 3 - keep driving.

Best road trip.  EVER.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member

 My brothers have always been there for me.  They've protected me, stood up for me, and been my friends when I've needed someone to talk to.  I have so many fond memories of playing football, climbing trees, chopping wood and running around outside in the summer with them.  I can't imagine having had any better choice for siblings.  God chose them well.
Love you guys!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you

When I first decided I was going to complete a marathon with Team in Training I highly doubted myself.  I doubted my abilities, doubted my stamina and doubted my self-discipline.  Miraculously no one else seemed to.  Two people showed me the most faith though, and stood behind me the entire endeavor.  They were my best friend, Richard, and my sis-in-law, Danielle.  This picture reminds me of both of their encouragement and support. 
Richard was going to travel with me to the marathon from day 1.  He was going to be at my side during the weekend, and at the finish line when I crossed.  Danielle strapped on her running shoes and was on the trail with me every week running and walking at my pace and pushing me to get better and better.  They both stepped up in big ways.
When it came time to head to the race, Richard had a big conflict in scheduling and was going to be unable to travel with me.  I understood, of course, but was bummed that my support team was going to miss it.  Without missing a beat Richard told me that he was paying for Danielle to go with me and be there to see me cross the finish line.  Danielle was on the course to cheer me on, and Richard was on the phone with me at mile 16 to talk me through my mental block.
I could not have asked for a better team to be at my side while I conquered the biggest challenge I have ever given myself.
Love you both!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 25

Day 25 - A picture of your day

I went for a ride with some team members after work yesterday.  It was fairly uneventful (especially in comparison to this ride!) just 10 miles in the rain and a little wind.  When I got back to my apartment I checked my handy little odometer and realized that although I've gone on a handful of pretty lengthy training rides, I just now hit 100 miles. 
100 miles.  The distance of my ride in June will be 100 miles in one day.

In
One
Day!

I got to thinking about just how far 100 miles is.  Pardon my language, but that's a long damn distance!
Here are some comparisons:

• If I were to get on my bike in Boise and ride to Wendell, that's 100 miles.
• If I were to get on my bike in Boise and ride to Ontario, OR  AND BACK that's 100 miles.
• If I were to get on my bike in Boise and ride to McCall, that's 100 miles.
• If I were to get on my bike in Seattle and ride to Olympia AND BACK that's 100 miles.
• If I were to get on my bike in Portland and ride to Olympia that's 100 miles
• If I were to ride around Lake Tahoe that would be 100 miles.... oh wait, I'm going to be doing that in June!

Whoa.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change

You're probably looking at this picture thinking, "where is she going with this?  How in the world is this a picture of something Macey wants to change?"

Well, let me explain by sharing my thought process on this one:

Something I wish I could change, hmmm... something I wish I could change.  Well, let's see.  I wish I could change my weight, oh wait, I can change that.  And I am.  Ok.  Well, I wish I could change my job.  Oh wait, I have the power to change that too...  Ok.  What is something I can't change, no matter how hard I work, or how hard I try I have no power to change this.  
Hmmm... (look around my office) 
Hmmm... (look over at my boss)
Hmmm... (stare out the window)  Man, I wish the weather was nice.  WAIT!  That's it!  I wish I could change the weather.  I want the sun to shine, the temps to rise and have an excuse to escape the office that includes some sort of activity that involves shorts.  

So folks, my picture 'describing' this change is one of the sun on my toes.
Don't you feel silly now for questioning me?  Sheesh.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book

I quickly grabbed the copies of "Peter Pan" from my bookshelf that I could easily find and snapped this photo with excitement. I may have a slight obsession with the notion of never growing up.  Life on an island with pirates and mermaids, an active imagination and fairy dust... yes please!

Peter: Why do you have to spoil everything? We have fun, don't we? I taught you to fly and to fight. What more could there be?
Wendy: There is so much more.
Peter: What? What else is there?
Wendy: I don't know. I guess it becomes clearer when you grow up.
Peter: Well, I will not grow up. You cannot make me!

Yes, I actually own more copies of this treasured story than these 4, and have my eye on a few other editions too.  Ooh... this one too :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at

I remember climbing trees as a kid with my older brother and loving it.  We would find the tallest tree on our property and climb to the tippy-top, surveying the world below us and pretending we were famous explorers discovering new worlds.
Somewhere along the line I developed a fear of falling to my imminent death and stopped. I still have an irrational and intense fear of heights and haven't climbed a tree since my pre-pubescence.  I wish I was better at climbing trees and discovering the joy again.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 20

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

I want to travel all of Europe.  Mostly, for art and culture experiences I want to see Rome, Paris, and London.  My dream is to spend a substantial amount of time (we're talking months) in each city.  I don't want to just be another tourist.  I want to truly experience life in these places.  But if I was handed a wad of cash and told I could visit anyplace in the world for just a few days, it would hands-down be Santorini, Greece.  My photographers soul yearns to be there.  To capture the famous white buildings with blue tops.  I want to stake out the perfect spot to capture the city and wait until just before sundown - magic hour - and capture it in true splendor.

Sigh... someday...

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 19

Day 19 - A picture and a letter

Today's photo is brought to you by the letter "S" for Silly -- as in what kind of face I told Joie to make before snapping this picture with my phone. 
This kid could not be more awesome.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are… Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect Tomorrow. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in my pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
- Mary Jean Iron

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity

This photo was taken in jest, however  it speaks truth.  The excess weight that I carry is a constant reminder of years of apathy and lack of self discipline. 

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently

Confidence.
Strength.
Inspiration.
Dedication.
Determination.
Friendships. 
Perseverance. 

Team in Training has given me all of this and more.  I was stuck.  I didn't care anymore, and I was heading down a path of very poor health habits.  And then I found TNT.
In a nutshell... it changed my life.

GO TEAM!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you

In an interview with Byron for Meridian magazine back in October about his journey with Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Byron told me:

"Before being diagnosed, I was on a dead end road.  I had just finalized my second divorce, things weren't good at home and I was living by myself so I ate nothing but fast food, something I had been doing for years and years.  I would grab a combo meal and a case of beer after work, go home and just sit there and eat and drink my beer until I'd pass out, then I'd get up, go to work and do the same thing the next night...

My doctors, when I was diagnosed in 2004, told me that I'd better get into shape.  I was pushing 290 pounds and I'm only five feet, eight inches tall.  The morning after I was diagnosed, I went on a mission to get in the best shape I possibly could so that I could beat this."

Byron is the most inspiring person I have met.  He is filled with life and love and truly cherishes every day as an individual gift.  I am blessed to call him a teammate and friend.
Love you B!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but mine will forever be in Seattle.  There is just something about the Emerald City that speaks to my soul, especially in Alki Beach.  I can't quite explain it, and don't necessarily feel compelled too, but there's something special in the air there, and I just feel at home.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 11

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 10

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most crazy things with

This is my friend Miss Jayme.  Together we have trained for (and completed!) a marathon, completed a very "Dirty" 10k, gotten tattoos and numerous other crazy and fun things!  I'd say the craziest thing is the marathon though... who saw that coming?!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most 

Richard - I can't imagine my life without this man. Although I've only known him for 5 or so years, I feel like I've known him my whole life.  No one knows or understands me as well as he does. I won't digress into the "things he's gotten me through," but they are many.  And for them all, I am grateful.
Love you bestie!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh

I'm cheating today - I couldn't hold this to just one picture.  It cracks me up how often a picture is taken of my niece and I together where in we have the exact same (or eerily similar) expression.  This kid is awesome.  There's no denying it.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item

I don't put much stock in "items."  They are just things.  Something for the ego to identify itself with.  I've been thinking about this more and more lately with the devastation in Japan.  What if all my possessions were to disappear in the blink of an eye?  Would my self-worth or value be diminished?  Would I be less of a person, or in need because of the loss?  No.  Don't get me wrong.  I feel for the people who have lost.  I wish them nothing but recovery, hope and strength.  But the things that they lost.  They are just things.  The loved ones that they've lost; however, that it a different story.  For that I grieve.  I mourn with them.  Love is a powerful thing, and it is felt deeply within when it is torn from us.  Love is my most "treasured item."