Dangerously Close to Old

A few weeks ago I became alarmed when I realized I was about to turn 26. I can deal with being 25, but 26, on the downside of the 20's, seems dangerously close to being OLD. So, I did the logical thing and attempted to prove that I am still young by staying up wayyyy past my bedtime and going to a hip concert with young people, aka my little sisters. 

I proved what I needed to: I stayed for the whole show till 1 am, jumped up and down and screamed my lungs out with the best of them, drove back to STG getting in at 4am, and worked the next morning at 9am. Age is just a number, yo! I am henceforth embracing being 26. True, I'm not where I'd projected I'd be by this age in my 6th grade notebook (married to an italian count, working as brain surgeon, having two doberman pinschers, and driving a black mercedes convertible). And sometimes I'm tempted to get bogged down thinking about the years of my life i've "wasted" not becoming a neurosurgeon. But the years I've had have made me who I am, and I've enjoyed them. And is it so wrong to have your overarching life goal to simply be happy? I think not. So here's to kicking of year 26 with my new mantra: Do more of what makes you happy.

And thats just how I spent my birthday: being happy

Doing my favorite hike in Zions, Observation Point, with my parents. 

Eating at my favorite restaurant in Springdale: Oscar's. 

Getting awesome balloons and a custom minion flower arrangement at work from my Dad. He is rad. 

Going to see a new Tom Cruise movie

Opening presents, including the amazing donut pillow from my sister Anna. 

And ended the day by being in bed at 10pm reading a young adult novel. I mean really, does it get any happier than that?

Hashtags 5

#Ifeelreallyold

I always wondered when I'd finally not feel 17 anymore and  I think it may have happened. Seeing my sister graduate from college - that made me feel old. Also, it really proved the lengths of my love that I returned to Utah Valley to watch Kiersten walk across the UVU graduation stage. I abhor Utah Valley. I did however throughly enjoy the post ceremony dinner at Macaroni Grill. I also got a good laugh at the inscription on this empty wine bottle there. Congrats Kat. Job well done. 

#cutestthingever

For family home evening we went and visited my mom's friend's sister in law's puppies. They were silver labs and so cute I could die. There are not words to express adequately how much I love dogs. 

#birthdayseason

Birthday season at the Benson's has officially kicked off. (With the exception on my mother, we all have summer birthdays.) First with my Dad's. He is awesome, and seems to be getting awesomer every year.

And then two days later it was Otto's birthday. Of course we had a cake to celebrate my surrogate child's second year of life. Also the "Otto Curse" has struck again. Any time Dan leaves on military assignment something bad (read:expensive) happens to Otto. The day Dan flew out of country Otto tore his ACL. Yes, dog's have and tear their ACLs and require surgery. The first vet I went to recommended taking him to Vegas to an Orthopedic Vet Surgeon (who knew there was such a thing?!?!) to the tune of $5000. Oh. My. Gosh. Luckily I got a second opinion from a more down to earth vet who said he could do the surgery himself for a fraction of that. But seriously Otto, you are million dollar dog. 

#carbskill

As of late I've read two books explaining that carbs really aren't super good for us. I agree with the science behind it to a certain extent and decided to embark on my own "Whole 30" where you only eat whole foods: sans gluten, dairy, sugar, and legumes for 30 days. I made it 24 hours without diet coke and started shaking like a chihuahua. So I added DC back in but committed to keep eating right. On day 5 I tried to go for a 25 mile bike ride but was so carb depleted my peripheral vision kept coming in and out and seriously almost passed out on my bike. So I went home and ate a piece of bread. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now. I know what's healthy. But I also know what tastes good and gives me enough energy for endurance cardio so... We'll see. As for the diet coke - we all gotta die sometime. 

#depressingbutgood

If you're looking for a book that doesn't make you hate your food, I highly recommend "The Fault in Our Stars." I generally only read non-fiction and shun chick flicks. However, I picked up this book on a whim and LOVED it. Its young adult fiction so it moves quickly and is kinda sappy but really well written - the dialogue is incredible. If you're looking for an amazing movie and are a bad person like me and watch rated R movies I highly recommend "Her." It is now in my top five movies of all time, which is very serious. I can't stop thinking about this movie and what it means. Maybe you can watch it on clear play? Do they even still make those?