Festival of Trees

Here they are...the long awaited photos from the Festival of Trees. My mom's tree was awesome, and I had lots of fun doing the gingerbread house version of Ralphie's house, from A Christmas Story, complete with Ralphie in his bunny suit, Randy stuck in a snowbank, and the warm glow of electric sex in the window.

Utah Human Race...

Troy was, justifiably, afraid of my crane-kick, and showed up at the 5K with this beaut of a sign. Take your time, admire the artwork. What can I say...he's a great brother! Also, I like to pose for pictures with him because it makes me feel cute and petite. Troy turned 22 on the 27th...hope you had a great birthday Buddy!

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving...

I'm not in charge of the turkey for the big day tomorrow. I am in charge of making the mini pumpkin pies (so that you don't feel guilty eating more than one...because they are mini). Also, I will be running the Human Race 5K at the Draper Factory Outlet, although sadly not in costume because I couldn't talk Troy into running as a pilgrim, chasing me as a turkey. He is no fun. However, I am still thankful for him. I am truly blessed to have a wonderful family, friends, and a better life than I deserve.

Hope you all have a very wonderful Thanksgiving!

BEST. SIGN. EVER.

Friends and family...if I don't see this sign at my next race...I will totally crane-kick you. Thanks.

My Big Fat Greek Vacation

Kalimera! I'm back, with a smattering of Greek words...mostly ones that involve food...baklava, souvlaki, gyro, chocolate (believe me, it translates). For those of you worried that on our brief foray into Turkey that Mom would accidentally trade me for a couple of pashminas, a camel, and a box of Turkish delight, rest assured that I am OK and we all returned safely, although I did receive a couple of proposals in the bazaar.

Make no mistake, the Athens Marathon is HARD! I started to understand how the ancient guy died when I'd been running uphill in the rain for 20 miles. Those of you wanting to run it, be prepared...it is more uphill than San Francisco. But, running around the Olympic stadium for a grand finish was amazing. (You can see the stadium in the background to the right of my head.)

Greece is amazing...you should all go. I have some tasty restaurant recommendations ...God's Restaurant, for one. And, any little cart selling yummy fried things with sesame seeds...get a couple of them, trust me. Also, Turkish Delight...not delightful. Stick to the baklava, and stay away from the shredded wheat dessert unless you are eating it for breakfast.

Since that whole marathon thing was a piece of cake (ha), I hiked up the Acropolis the same day. There was no way I was going to miss it...the Acropolis was breathtaking...I am the worst photographer in the world, and still got some pretty good shots...which proves that it is truly beautiful.

I have picked out my beach house in Lindos (see it there...with that little private beach...that will be mine) ...you may all visit me there, hopefully soon.

Take a cruise...visit the beautiful islands...Santorini has great views, and doughnuts.


Seriously...go to Greece. And take me with you. I can't wait to go back.

θα σε δω σύντομα (That is Greek for "see you soon")

Well, friends, I am off to Greece for an exciting week of running, cruising, eating, sight-seeing and keeping my mom out of trouble. I will be following in the footsteps of Pheidippedes running from Marathonas to Athens, but hopefully not dying at the end. I'm looking forward to running a victory lap in the stadium used in the 1896 and 2004 Olympic games, and then cruising around the Greek islands for a little R&R. See you in a couple weeks!

Is it too late to learn Greek?

I recevied my Athens Marathon confirmation by email on Saturday. This is what it looked like...

Αγαπητέ/ή δρομέα, Ο αριθμός συμμετοχής σας στον ΜΑΡΑΘΩΝΙΟ ΔΡΟΜΟ του 27ου Κλασικού Μαραθωνίου Αθηνών που θα διεξαχθεί στις 08 Νοεμβρίου 2009 είναι 8295. Τον αριθμό, το chip χρονομέτρησης και το πακέτο συμμετοχής σας θα τα παραλάβετε από το Κέντρο Εγγραφών και Διανομής Υλικού που θα λειτουργήσει στο Zάππειο Μέγαρο στις 06 και 07 Νοεμβρίου 2009, από τις 09.00 έως τις 20.00 και τις δύο μέρες. ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗΣΑγώνας: ΜΑΡΑΘΩΝΙΟ ΔΡΟΜΟΑριθμός Συμμετοχής στον αγώνα (BIB): 8295Επώνυμο: BUNTINGΌνομα: HEATHERΈτος Γεννήσεως: 1976Φύλο: ΓυναίκαΣας παρακαλούμε όπως μας ενημερώσετε άμεσα για τυχόν λάθη στα παραπάνω στοιχεία. ΠΑΚΕΤΟ ΣΥΜΜΕΤΟΧΗΣΜαραθώνιος - Πλήρες πακέτο υπηρεσιών (Κωδικός Συνδρομής: 132642) Για να αποφευχθούν καθυστερήσεις και πιθανά προβλήματα κατά την παραλαβή όλων των παραπάνω, θα πρέπει να έχετε μαζί σας αντίγραφο του παρόντος email καθώς και την ταυτότητα ή το διαβατήριο σας. Σας ευχόμαστε κάθε επιτυχία στην προσπάθεια σας. Παραλαβή Αριθμού & Πακέτου Συμμετοχής (υπογραφή δρομέα κατά την παραλαβή του αριθμού και του πακέτου συμμετοχής του) Αριθμός Ταυτότητας / Διαβατηρίου Δρομέα(συμπληρώνεται κατά την παραλαβή του αριθμού και του πακέτου συμμετοχής)

I have no idea what it means, but it does look pretty. Anybody have a Greek-English dictionary? We leave on Thursday, and it's all Greek to me. Yikes...