Wednesday, September 29, 2010

My Parents.

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
-Mother Teresa.


I was getting my hair done yesterday and my hair dresser, who happens to be a gay man, shared with me a little bit about him coming out to his parents and their current relationship. 
He came out one year ago, and they have not spoken in three months.
Having been introduced to many amazing people in the gay community over the past few years, I have heard story after story of heartbreaking broken relationships between parents and child. 
Not only in the gay community, but in any situation, whether it be a pregnant teen, a drug addict, or even a child who doesn't end up exactly how their parents would like:
 Children need love.
Children need their parents more than anything in this world.
Love and acceptance starts in the home. 

This really has got me thinking these last couple of days how thankful I am for my parents.
Many people have asked me, "What did your parents do when your brother came out?"
My answer: Just made sure he knew that he IS loved. 
I've also been asked, "What did your parents do when they found out your 17 year old brother got his girlfriend pregnant?"
My answer: Let him know that they were there to help him in his rough time. Kids make mistakes, and being angry at him wouldn't solve anything or help them move forward.. and they knew that.

I am so thankful for parents who aren't afraid to stand up for what they know is right.
I am so thankful for a dad who treats my mom like gold. 
I am so grateful for a mother who puts her children first.
I am so grateful for parents who not only accept differences in their children, but encourage us to find the beauty them. 
I am so lucky to have parents who encourage their children to chase their dreams and never settle for anything less.

So this one is for you, Mom and Dad. 
This one is for all the parents out there who have been surprised or hurt by their children's actions, but do all they can to show their love regardless. 

Mom and Dad, Thank you for everything. Thank you for being beautiful people who do more than you could ever imagine for so many people. 

I love you.
I am proud of you.

(Gay pride parade, SLC 2010)
(Mom and Joshua)






Sunday, September 26, 2010

Sunday=Goodies.

I heart Sundays.
You know why?
Because they are delicious,
Especially when I'm at home. 
My mom is baking pumpkin choc chip cookies and
zucchini bread right this instant. I can't wait!

I had one of these today. DELICIOUS. 
Ice caramel Latte. 
I spend waaaaaay too much money on this shiz.
If any of you have never been to Kiesel Coffee and Cocoa in Ogden on 24th,
I suggest YOU GO NOW.
The owners are amazing and I have made such great friends with them
They are moving to 25th street soon, and will be called UNCOMMON GROUNDS
So everyone in the Ogden area needs to go. 
Tell the owners Jenna sent you, you may or may not get a discount. haha



I have so much going through my head right now! 
Thanks to my best friend, Arthur... I have a new music obsession.
Ellie Goulding
She is from the UK and it is so hard to get her music here in the US
But I found her cd on Amazon, imported to California from the UK 
I honestly couldn't breathe when I was buying it..
I cannot wait. 


I am just happy to be alive today.
Between the smell of these baked goodies and the sound of this song,
my senses are alive :)



Sunday, September 19, 2010

Greatest Accomplishment: 26.2

Have you ever done something that you feel is completely above you? How did you feel at the end? Was it worth it? Did you feel new?
Yesterday, I experienced the hardest challenge I've ever faced. Granted, it was by choice. I ran the Top of Utah Marathon in Logan!

The first 13 miles I flew! My girl Stef and I got separated at mile 8... leaving both of us to run the remaining 18.2 miles solo, might I add: WITHOUT music. We both thought we would just talk to each other the whole time.. haha, yeah.

The last half was not quite the same story as the first. At about mile 16, I was done. Reality had set in, you still have 10.2 more miles. That's when the mental block started..
I thought I was never going to make it, but I just thought.. take it one mile at a time. I slowly made it to mile 17...18...19..20. After 20, that's when I really didn't think I could take it.

The cheerful spectators along the sides were very encouraging, but also had NO IDEA what we, as runners, were going through. I'd hear their yells, "You are doing great, only 6 more miles!!" SIX?!?! Only six? HA. That seemed like a lifetime away.

By mile 21, I thought, I have come this far, let's just finish this sucker. It got to the point where I could only run about a half of a mile before walking again, my legs had had it. I could feel my right Achilles on the verge of tearing.

At mile 25, I knew it was over. Go Jenna, Go! I hit the 26 mile mark and that was it, only 0.2 left.. It was all becoming worth it. At the 26 mark I saw my Dad and lost it. I started bawling, turned the corner and saw the most beautiful thing I have ever seen: The Finish Line.

All of my friends and family were there, and seeing them made me even more emotional. I crossed the finish line and I was so delusional, the fruits of my labor had not even really hit me yet... until after. All my friends and family came and gave me hugs, (semi- I was REALLY gross). They all congratulated me and it really made all the training, early mornings, GU, soreness, Hot hot summer runs, and tears worth it.

This marathon served such a crucial purpose for me. It was really the first time I set a goal and did everything in my power to achieve it, and I DID IT!! It also served as a metaphor for another trouble in my life I'm currently trying to overcome. If I can run a marathon, I can do anything!

At about mile 14, I met two young girls in their mid 20's.. They were so positive and encouraged me so much. I was bummed because I thought I was "behind schedule," they told me "It is just amazing that we're here, remember that. If it were easy, more people would be doing this." I am so thankful for encouraging words of strangers.

I know there are amazing people out there who run tons of marathons, and with amazing times. But for me, I really think just being there is half the win, and finishing, period, is the other half.
I encourage all of you to take on something bigger than yourself. It will only make you stronger, and be worth all of the hard work. I promise.


Sep 18, 2010
12th Annual Top Of Utah Marathon
Finishing Time: 5:27:18.7
I have the greatest friends anyone could ask for.

and family! 

I love these girls!


Me and Stef! We did it!



Happiest moment!! I did it!!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Back to the south.

This weekend was great! Also, sucky. I HATE CAR PROBLEMS.
So, Patsy (my car) has been leaking anti-freeze for the last few weeks, I had to get home this weekend.. so Patsy had to be temporarily fixed. AKA- The guy at autozone put puddy over the hole in the antifreeze tank. Yes, Puddy.
So that worked for the 5 hour drive home.. but then the car needed to be really fixed.
20 hours of labor and $800 later, Patsy is still being a mean girl.
So I rode the good ol St. George Shuttle back down here! Yay! haha oh dear.

But... The weekend up north was great, despite my car troubles. I had dinner with my boys Friday night at Tepanyaki, weirdest chef ever. Told us his life story about getting kicked out of his house at the age of 16.. Aria did his courtesy laugh every time the chef talked to us. hahah courtesy laughs.
  DEF: Courtesy laugh:   When someone tells a really long story that really has no point to it at all and at the end you make a little chuckle, giggle, or laugh out of courtesy.

I love these people more than anything.


Saturday I headed up to Logan to hang out with my USU friends. I miss them so much! We went to the game and had a baby with us.. that was a trip. haha awesome. All in all a good weekend, I finally  made it back to St. G this morning.. and I'll be heading back north in 4 days for the marathon! Yipeeeee



My gurrrrrl Shae. I look like an Aggie. Pah, Almost.

I love these people!



Everyone at the game



Almost as hot as the girls behind us



Da girls.



Me and Aub cakes.



My boi J.G. 





Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Belated Vacation Post

So, this summer I had the lovely opportunity to go to Europe.  My Parents and I took off for Brussels, Belgium early July and returned 2 weeks later with another member of the family.  My brother Jordan came home from his mission. Yay!  While in Europe, we visited so many amazing places.  Brussels, Belgium; Brugge, Belgium: one of my favorites! Paris, Strausbourg, France; Frankfurt, Munich, and Fussen, Germany.. My very favorite place. We also went to Amsterdam and a few other cities in the Netherlands. I also learned quite a bit about European culture...
1. Europeans drink sparkling water. It is awful. It is rare to find a place that will give you normal water.
2. European food is not so great.. I'll just leave it at that.
3. Almost everybody who lives there speaks at least 2 languages! Amazing.
4. They really DO shave their armpits.
5. They take hours to eat a meal, but I appreciate it.
6. They close everything at 6 pm, so that everyone can enjoy their evening.. a tradition I think us Americans could learn a lot from.
 I loved this trip so much! I am so lucky to have gone. here are some pics from the adventure!
Pictures do not do this justice.


A cool guy I saw playing the accordion and wearing wooden shoes in Holland


mmmm.....Belgian Waffle


This lady was just some tourist who knew the song the guy was playing so she started singing with him


German Pretzels..


Holland was all decked out for the World Cup


Welcome Home Elder Black


A Windmill in Zaanse Schans, NL


The view from our B&B in Fussen, Germany. Beautiful.


Brugge, Belgium


A windmill in Brugge, Belgium


The Neuschwanstein Castle in Fussen. It is the castle that the Sleeping Beauty castle was modeled after.