This is Just the Beginning...

A lot of kids are going to tell you that this is their last blog post ever. Well stay tuned because that’s not the case for me!

At the beginning of the year, Mr. Parker told our class to write down what we thought a blog was. This is what I put: “I think a blog is a personal website with stories where the reader can express their feelings and the posts are published for anyone to read.” 

Little did I know that expressing my feelings would not only benefit myself.

The other day in English class a girl came up to me and said, “OMG I love reading your blog, Liza.” She completely changed the way I think of posting

You gotta love this place.

At the beginning of the year, I looked at blogging as a way to express MY feelings, I didn’t necessarily care who else it impacted. Actually, I guess you could argue that at that time I had zero followers so it really wasn’t impacting anyone else. However, now that I can proudly say I have eight followers, I realize that my blog made a bigger impact on others than I ever thought possible. That’s what blogging is really about. Uniting people through common experiences or beliefs. 

After first quarter, if someone had asked if I thought I would continue to blog once the year ends I would have probably said “no.” At that point blogging was difficult for me, all my ideas were there, I just didn’t know how to put them on paper. On the other hand, if someone asked me if I was going to continue writing my blog after its not a requirement for a grade, I would say “hopefully!” Blogging is no longer an assignment for me, it’s something I look forward to doing.

So, I just want to give a HUGE thank you to all of the people who have given me a reason to write this blog: My parents, sisters, friends, fellow classmates, my mom’s book club, Mr. Parker, and obviously the most important of all: My two fluffy donkeys. If I didn’t have you guys, I would simply have nothing to write about. So you definitely deserve some credit. 

It's so fluffy I'm gunna die!

But I would also like to give an even HUGER thank you to blogging itself. As much as I complain about writing blogs I know I will eventually learn to become thankful for it. 

Ever since I started writing a blog I look at experiences differently and always wondering: “Is that a good blog topic?” Luckily, our wonderful town of Park City, UT is always buzzing with material to write/gossip/complain about.

Every town is known for something:

Aspen, Colorado is known for great hiking trails.

Florence, Italy is known for having great food.

Los Angeles, California is known for being the home of celebrities. 

Dublin, Ireland is known to be filled with kind people.

Big Sky, Montana is known for having insane skiing.

And Park City, UT? We’re known to have them all!

Live in the Moment

I’m upset. You wanna know why I’m upset? Well as usual, I don’t really care if you want to know, because I am going to tell you anyway! So HA.

Anyway, I am upset because we only have 26 days, 17 hours, 32 minutes, and 44 seconds until school ends. UNTIL FRESHMEN YEAR ENDS. That means that we only have 1,124 days, 17 hours, 32 minutes, and 44 seconds until our high school years end. It may sound like a lot now, but before we know it we are going to be beginning senior year. Which if you really want to know is in 842 days, 22 hours, 34 minutes, and 11 seconds. And then we will wish we could add even more time onto our High School years. So yeah… That is why I am upset. Oh, and it is raining. 

Throwback to when I was living 1/7th of my life!

I remember one day when I was younger, I was telling my sister, Katy, how each year seems to go by faster than the previous one. At the time, I thought it was just my imagination, I mean that couldn’t have possibly been true. However, I guess the impossible is sometimes possible. I learned that day, that as you grow up, each year is actually shorter than previous one. Right now, I am fifteen years old. So this year is 1/15th of my lifetime. When I am in my senior year, I will be 18 years old. That is 1/18th of my life! 

So what does that tell us?

We need to cherish each day we have as we grow up because as we keep getting older, more and more days will seem to disappear. As much as we completely dread waking up in the morning at 6 am to go become educated at the dungeon, we will miss it someday. Yes, that’s right. Someday when you are thirty years old working in a cubicle on the fourth floor of some sky scraper in New York City, you might actually miss the crammed hallways of Treasure Mountain Junior High. I know I will. 

“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”

9th grade is the year where we begin to regret the decisions we made in the past because we can’t take the classes we want, or we can’t make the team we want. But it is also the year where we become stressed about our future because grades begin to count. As I look back on my last year at Treasure Mountain I realize that I am a victim of both living in the past and living in the future. When I really wish I had lived in the present and just appreciate each moment as it comes. 

Two Hours of Happiness

There are two nights during the week that my family lives for. 

We go about a routine unlike any other day… We eat dinner on the couch. My mom stays up past eight o’clock. And the weirdest of all, I don’t wait until nine o’clock to begin my homework. 

You could say American Idol pretty much runs our lives.

(For the record that was a joke. We also enjoy watching the Bachelor.)

(For the record that was a joke too. We are actually a very active family that enjoys going on night walks, long hikes and excruciating bike rides. Because we all know how much I LOVE to bike right???) 

"And this, is American Idol!" -Ryan Seacrest
(Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia)

Every family has that one thing that they kind of keep a secret because it’s a little embarrassing. Well ours is the fact that we absolutely live for Wednesday and Thursday nights because we get to watch our favorite singing competition. Oops, I guess I kinda just let the family secret slip. That’s okay I trust my four followers will keep it under the radar. 

OMG I almost forgot to tell you guys the great news! I obtained another follower on Tuesday, that brings me to… Da da da daaa da da da daaaaa four followers!! I don’t know if I have ever been so excited before. Morgan, whoever you are, just know that you totally made my week… And probably my month too. 

HE'S SO COOL.
(Photo Courtesy of Pitch)

ANYWAYS, back to American Idol. 

SO, when I try to express my love for the show to my friends, I am immediately shut down by their gossip from some show called the Voice. Like, why would you watch THAT when you can watch Idol, am I right? I do not know who the judges are on The Voice, but American Idol has the best of the best, which is practically unbeatable. Harry Connick Jr., who has sold over twenty-eight million albums worldwide. Jennifer Lopez, named the world’s most beautiful women by People Magazine. And Keith Urban, I don’t even have to justify him. IT’S KEITH URBAN. The most beautiful man in the world… Named by ME. 

As you can see, American Idol is a pretty special thing. And the best part is it makes everyone happy. 

My mom has something to look forward to all day long and it gives her a reason to stay up past her usual of eight o’clock. 

My dad, although he puts on the, “I am way too cool for this show” face, I almost always catch him texting in a vote on the American Idol app. 

My dog, because if you haven’t noticed, dogs like any scenario where the family is all sitting in one room and they can wedge in comfortably between two members. 

My sisters and I because we simply love the show… And looking at Keith Urban!

And lastly, my super cool teachers, who are happy because television is making a positive impact on the amount of procrastination I do in a week. 

Who knew TV could be so great? 

Obviously not  the people watching the Voice, am I right?

Almost Famous

Hello to my three loyal followers. SO, I figured you were kind of bored about hearing me complain about the warm weather. It may come as a surprise, but I'm actually kind of digging the heat. 

Ski season is coming to an end for me, that means right into track. And track is THAT much better when you can run in shorts, which mother nature has made the only option. 

Every Tuesday and Thursday the distance crew runs to the top of Swede Alley and then down the center of Main Street. You would be surprised how many people gasp as they see our bare legs and sleeveless arms. If you haven't already guessed, these are usually the people wearing a long fur coat, a scarf, gloves with hand warmers, most likely two pairs of pants and carrying a grande cup from Starbucks right under their chin so the steam warms their shivering face. And to keep their mascara from running as their eyes water in the “bitter cold weather”. Not to mention this is all taking place on a bluebird day with a temperature low of fifty degrees. LOW. 

It’s funny to think about what they would be wearing if they had come a week earlier and experience twenty-five degree weather. Or better yet, if they came in December when we considered warm to be three degrees. 

Running Down Main Street!
(Photo from Claire Breiholz's instagram)

Finally they blink after a good eight seconds of wide eyes due to the sight of exposed skin and decide they want to take a picture of us so they can remember the “crazy” runners they saw while visiting Park City, UT. 

I like to think that they send the picture to all their relatives and that I will become famous someday.

Of course I have always looked forward to running on Tuesdays and Thursdays because they are our easy days. However over the past couple of weeks, these two days have become even better. It seems we usually find ourselves walking down main street just because it is easier for all the wide eyed tourists to take our picture. 

I’m not even going to try to hide how thankful I am to these overdressed out of towers because: 

Number 1: Just when I feel like my legs are going to give out in the middle of a run, the tourist’s insane outfits make me smile boosting my energy. 

Number 2: They give me the opportunity to stop running each time they take my picture. Always a bonus. 

And Number 3: if they ARE sending these pictures to family and friends they are bringing me one step closer to reaching my ultimate goal in life of becoming famous. 

#sundance2k15

Hello to my loyal readers! And bon voyage to everyone else. YES, I am talking about you people who just came to look at my pictures... TOODLE-OO. 

Anyways, we all know that it is that time of year again. Park City becomes the definition of a "big" town. Which is a good thing because us locals get to meet famous people for the first time ever. But then it is not so grand when the roads are filled with insane lunatics and it takes me twenty minutes just to pull out of my driveway. 

Sundance in full swing up on Main Street.
(Photo Courtesy of Hoola)

And so begins the annual Sundance Film Festival... and an unhealthy stress level for me! YAY. 

In reality that is not entirely a true statement. I mean I am not stressed the entire time... Only when I have to deal the impolite tourists that think they are driving on the LA highways during rush hour. Although when they are rude I take that as the indication that I can be rude right back. So that means I get to use the car horn, YESSS. I really do love that thing!

Your thoughts perhaps?  " But you can see documentaries!" "And dress up!" "And meet famous people!"

Yeah, all those things about Sundance do make me feel lucky to live in Park City, but they are definitely not my favorite parts. My all-time favorite activity to do during Sundance is people watch. The act of watching random strangers walk by… and judging them. 

Point Made.
(Photo Courtesy to the big sis)

Now you probably think that I am some arrogant, judgmental, person but it isn’t like I am posting pictures of these people on the internet. Well… I have only done that once. Just kidding, I have come close to doing it, but never will. Anyways, if you saw what some of these tourists were wearing, you would definitely struggle to stifle a chuckle.

This year at Sundance I am not seeing that many films. In actuality, I only saw one. The film was called Dark Horse. It was really well made, entertaining, and a wonderful story. 

SPOILER ALERT: Just kidding! I ain’t gunna spoil nothing.

SPOILER ALERT: Did you actually think I would do it this time? #Gullible 

Anywho, today I leave for a ski race in Sun Valley so I’ll be skipping the tail end of Sundance this year. 

Last night I was thinking about this as I fell asleep. Obviously my first feeling was hallelujah, no more sundancers! And then, something weird happened. I felt… bummed.

Writing this blog made me realize something… they always do! Sundance does make me flustered and some people just get on my nerves. However, I think I would feel pretty upset if the festival went to any other town. Sundance is the one time that I get to live in a true ‘big’ town, and I have learned to embrace every aspect of it. 

The Boondocks Ain't So Bad!

As you know I recently moved back into Park City from Peoa, also known as “the middle of nowhere”. Life has become pretty great. 

My house now is approximately four minutes from the grocery store. Peoa is approximately twenty-eight minutes. But if you are a “red light magnet”, which always seems to happen, you are looking closer to a thirty-two minute drive. 

The BEAUTIFUL drive.
*that was sarcasm* 

Let me clarify for you: It’s after dinner, in Peoa, and Mom is making cookies for dessert. OH NO, she forgot the milk. That is a twenty-eight minute drive to the nearest grocery store even if she doesn’t get stopped once. AND our family is safe to make the assumption that there will be no dessert on our table that night. 

Now for the other side of town, Mom is at home (in Park City) making brownies and realizes she forgot the flour… #NOBIGGY. She can drive to the nearest grocery store and be back within the time it would take to even get to the store from Peoa. 

Your possible thought process: “Well I understand that the drive is long but it is probably beautiful the entire way so it can’t be that bad, right?” WRONG. Actually I guess it depends on the person. 

Our cute little farm!

The drive is three colors. Black, being the asphalt of the road. Blue, obviously the color of the sky. And a tannish-brown, which makes up just about everything else. Oh wait, I’m forgetting one. Red, the color of blood. I mean if you enjoy a bland drive accompanied by the bloody guts of roadkill sprawled across the road you would probably take pleasure in driving down Brown’s Canyon. 

I’m sorry, I am being negative again. Peoa isn’t that bad once you get there, it is just the drive that triggers my complaints. 

For instance, that twenty-eight minute drive actually produces a lot of privacy. But seriously, the only sounds I hear out there are the chirps of birds, the moos of cows, and the occasional firing of hunter's gunshots. It makes me feel part of nature. 

As you should know, my family owns two donkeys. It was nice living in Peoa because the animals were only a single hop of the fence away. Eventually we will move back to Peoa, but until then someone will have to make the twenty-eight minute drive to feed the livestock each day. Sadly, this person isn't usually me so I don’t get to see my cute little donkey-donks as often! We also left behind four horses but that wasn’t as hard for me, we weren’t exactly “friends.” 

Blogging always makes me think twice. When I began this post I thought it would mostly comprise my thoughts on not missing Peoa at all. And look where we ended up! I guess Peoa is just like everything else in the world, once you get passed the complications, the perks will reveal. However, the perks will not just uncover themselves, it is up to you to become open to a different perspective. 

Or sometimes the "perks" are right in front of you!

The Answer

I get asked almost every single day why I choose to run cross country. Well, now I have an answer. 

The Park City Cross Country Team lost five seniors last year who made up five of the seven spots on the 2013 State team. This year our state team consisted of one senior, two juniors, three sophomores, and a freshmen. PCHS has never gone to State as the underdog but this year was very different. Everyone was doubting our success. 

I don’t think I have ever been so nervous for something in my entire life, mostly because of the pain I knew I would soon be experiencing. Yes, running three miles as fast as you can feels horrible. No, I don’t know why I do it.  I am hoping to learn to love that feeling at some point in the next four years. 

Besides the suffer factor, our entire team had a lot of unspoken weight riding on our shoulders.

Pine View. White Jerseys. Beat em’. They are the team. The team that was the only roadblock to our glory. 

Diggin' Deep

My coach informed me about two weeks before state that I needed to  beat Pine View’s last two runners. In order to do this, I would either have to run my PR(personal record) or be only seconds off of it. Not an easy task considering my PR was set on a very easy course. 

The dreaded gun went off and the misery began. My only focus: Pine View. 

Their girls were in front of me through the entire course.  I could see the bright white jerseys at least ten seconds ahead of me the entire way. Everyone from Park City, but mostly the agro moms, shouted “White jerseys, Liza, white jerseys!” I hope they are reading this because then maybe they would realize their “words of encouragement” are not encouraging at all. They are pretty much the complete opposite. Like seriously, why don’t you come and run a 5K as fast as you can, up hills, in the scorching heat, with five thousand people shouting in your face “PINE VIEW, LIZA!” It’s not pleasant. I knew my focus from the minute I stepped over that line, I didn’t need some crazy moms reminding me that I was, at that point, not in line to reach my goal. 

The last four hundred meters of the course were on the track at Highland High School. Three Pine View girls were about five seconds ahead of me.

At this point in the race, a runner has nothing left. Their legs feel heavy, their arms dead. Their mouth feels like they just ate a spoonful of powdered sugar, only it tastes like sweat and makes you want to puke. 

This is usually the moment we are supposed to speed up but due to our condition that rarely happens. 

State Champions! WOOHOO

But it did happen and PCHS won their seventh consecutive state title this year by a mere four seconds; the closest race to date. The difference: we sped up when everyone else slowed down. We dug deep when it really counted and were able to pull past those infamous white jerseys. I was definitely not one of the fastest runners on the state team but I still contributed and that will be my new answer when somebody asks me why I choose to run.

Back by Popular Demand

This blog picks up where my sister left off two years ago. She gets credit for the creative blog name. Technically our mother deserves the actual credit for the name, because she suggested it in honor of her favorite country music group, Little Big Town. 

Image Courtesy of The Boot

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, "little" and "big" are antonyms. Based on the definition, most would think that it would be impossible for one town to fall under both of these categories. No town can be little and big at the same time and is usually classified as one or the other. Park City, UT is the exception. 

I attend Treasure Mountain Junior High which begins each day at 7:30 am. On the first day of school I left my house at 7:10. I thought this would give myself plenty of time to get to school and not be tardy. I was wrong. I turned the corner where Treasure comes into view and I was faced with a tremendously long line of traffic. I assumed “traffic” only happened in big towns like Los Angelus or New York City but maybe Park City isn’t as small as I thought it was. 

Image Courtesy of Park City Rental Properties

Having said that, the Police Blotter for Los Angeles most likely contains information about murders or burglaries. Park City’s police blotter on the other hand, includes things such as complaints made about dogs off leash or a moose seen crossing mainstreet. Reading these kinds of things in the newspaper reminds me of how small Park City actually is. 

Park City isn’t confused as to whether it is little or big, it just so happens to be both, which I consider pretty cool. Park City is the ideal place to grow up, not too little and not too big. It is my "little big town".