I went in for a foot rub and came out with a black eye...

My friend and I are down in Vegas, today is the last day of work for me and tomorrow we head home after being down here for 12 days. We have tried to be adventurous and get out from time to time, which often seems difficult with me working 12 hours days every day.

Last night we decided that after I was done at the rink we would go out to eat and then go to one of these Foot Reflexology places that are everywhere down here. We asked a few locals and they said that they should be pretty legit. We decided we would go in, get a feel for the place, and if it didn't seem sketchy we would stay and get a 30 minute foot rub for only $19 bucks.

We saw a place not far from where we ate dinner and stopped in. As we entered we were greeted by a young pimply-faced Asian kid who I questioned about reflexology and we decided to give it a try. The place was open, no closed rooms, we weren't asked to remove our clothes.... it felt pretty legit.

About five minutes later we found ourselves sitting side by side with our feet in ginger and lavender foot baths and chatting about how good it felt.

They told us about a special they were running. Either $19 for 30 minutes of a foot massage, or $30 for a full hour that also included our arms, shoulders and backs. We decided to splurge for the full hour for only $30, we deserved it.

Then our crazy little Asian man came in. He told us about how it was his lucky day because all his patients had been female, he danced around barefoot with his pleated jeans rolled up to his mid-calf. He was quite comical..... then he grabbed my foot.

He had hands of steel!!! He dug his thumbs into my feet and legs and ankles and toes..... youch!! He kept asking me if it hurt and when I said no he would dig deeper, when I said yes he would say, "A little pain is good sometimes, be tough."

There were times I was arched off the little chair, my toes curled, my hands clenching the padded blankets I was sitting on. I had to consciously remind myself to relax, it hurt worse when all my muscles were clenched.  I tried to breathe deeply. At times my friend would start laughing and ask if I was ok, it was then that I realized I probably sounded like I was giving birth. Just breathe, in and out, deep breaths.....

He did point out a few interesting sore points on my legs and feet. Apparently I'm really sensitive to sugars, I am thinking I will check into that when I get home. And possibly my adrenal gland is struggling?? Again, look into it later.

He was finally done with my feet and legs and I was grateful. I thought, the back and arms can't be that bad.... phew!!

Oh boy was I wrong. I turned over in my little chair and that is when the true torture began. His elbow worked down my spine and into my traps. He bent my arm behind my back to get my rhomboids. He would ask if something hurt and when I said yes he would lean down and whisper in my ear (in his Asian accent), "Pain is good, be tough."

I looked over and caught a glimpse of my friend. At this point she was reclined, covered in a blanket and her little Asian lady was giving her a scalp massage. It looked so serene.... how did I get stuck with the torture-inducing reflexologist?!?! (I later found out hers was pretty painful as well, apparently she is just better at hiding it.)

At the end of my session he covered me in a blanket (which I was completely grateful for.... by this point my body was shaking and different muscles were contracting randomly... looking back I realize my body was probably in a state of shock). After I was covered and tucked in he started a tapping/slapping technique known as tapotment. I usually really like it and after what I had just been through it felt pretty good. He started at my shoulders, worked down my back, my glutes, my legs and then back up.

I thought we were done, but apparently he felt my glutes needed a bit more attention. As he slapped my ass from side to side for about 20 seconds (which felt like forever) I heard him start to giggle. Apparently he was enjoying this.

Yes, the little Asian man spanked me for almost half a minute straight.

Then it was over. Just like that. He gave me a drink of water and left me to pay at the front door.

I got in the car, barely, my entire body a combination of relaxation, pain and convulsions. I looked over at my friend and we both started to giggle. What the hell was that?!?! What the hell did we just experience?!?!?

Wow, what an adventure. I'm sure it did some good, but man.... I feel like I got into a bar fight last night! I feel bruised over my ankles and in my left armpit. My right upper back feels strangely tight and my neck feels like it needs to pop. My toes feel kind of swollen and it's a bit hard to get the energy to go anywhere quickly.

Detoxification to blame?? Getting beaten up by a little Asian man and actually paying for it??? Probably the later.

Two weeks I look forward to every year....

Tomorrow I leave for Vegas, I'm going to be there for two weeks. It's an annual trip I look forward to every year. I get to work with hockey and see my friends that I only get to see during these two weeks every year.

I look forward to being back in the rink. Hockey was such a huge part of my life for eight years, now this is my only chance to satiate my hockey palate.

I'm excited to stand ice side as the pucks hit the boards and the blades carve through the ice. I'm anxious to deal with bratty, conceited hockey players and testosterone that you have to use a knife to cut through.

There is something magical about hockey, that you can't deny. There is something special about working with hockey players, I can't explain it.... I often try, but it never seems to come out just right.

I'm never a fan of fighting, but it usually leads to blood.... which means it's go time for me. I love closing cuts and stopping blood. Call me crazy, but it's one of my favorite things. This means I love it when the big boys come to camp.

Big boys = more ego + more speed+ more to prove + more strength + no facemasks = BLOOD ..... which equals more fun for me!!

Pool time

Tuffy and I went to the neighborhood pool today. I sprayed him down with 50 SPF sunscreen and then made the brilliant decision that since we wouldn't be there long I didn't need any.... I wanted to get SOME color.

So we played, Tuffy made some friends and saw some friends from school. I listened to the ridiculous women next to me talk about all kinds of ghetto ridiculousness. I watched a few younger girls lay out and take kissy face pictures on their phone.

Well, three hours later we decided to go home. Time to get ready for baseball and work.

I checked myself out in the mirror and decided that I got some decent color.

Well, that decent color has now turned into a lovely shade of LOBSTER.

Why do I always think I can get away with no sunscreen my first real time in the sun? You think I would have learned by now. On a better note, it usually just takes me one burn at the beginning of the summer and then I'm good for the rest of the year.

I'm headed to Vegas on Sunday for two weeks. Hopefully I don't peel because I hate feeling like a leaper when I'm laying pool side. But on the flip side I probably could have a decent base layer if things die down to a nice tan.

Time will tell!! Now where is the aloe?

Poppa's birthday 5k

It all started when I ran my first 5k on my birthday. Owen ran with me and Poppa was out of town for work. So when we found out there was a 5k on Poppa's birthday too we knew we had to run. (The exciting news is that Owen found out there is a SPRINT TRIATHLON on HIS birthday this year, eek!!! I think we are going to do it...)

Owen decided he wanted to actually run this 5k for a great time for himself.... so he took off ahead of Poppa and I and finished in 23 minutes and some change, great time Owen!! Then he waited for us at the finish line with the rest of the family.

They made a sign for Poppa that said, "51 and still runnin'"... they sang happy birthday as he crossed the finish line too! So fun!

We started to kick it in.... we did pretty well. I was mostly pleased with how I did. Tuffy came and kicked it in with us. I think we are going to get him out there with us next time.

The time clock that is running is actually the time clock for the half-marathon that was going on as well. Our time was actually 46 minutes and 26 seconds. I had a new PR by a little over 5 minutes!! Wahoo!!!

Thanks for the support everyone!! Love you!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, POPS!

Last weekend's 5k

Last Saturday was Poppa's  birthday... so in this years new tradition of running 5ks on our  birthdays we ran the Fight for Air 5k in Sugarhouse.

Owen took off ahead of us and ran great! He finished in 23 minutes and some change.

Poppa stuck back with me and we did pretty good.

We finished in 45 minutes and 26.5 seconds.

Not fantastic... but it's still a new PR for me by over 5 minutes!! I'll take it!

Sub 15 minute miles? That's awesome for me!

At the very end a girl kicked it in and passed me, that started the fire within. I'm ready to run again, my competitive side is starting to kick in. haha

I'll get pictures up soon. Maybe tomorrow.

FRIDAY FUN

What have you done?

Everything I have done is bolded.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyworld

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art form from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an over night train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Participated in a 5K

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung Karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in movie

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Time Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guard in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved some one's life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous-ish

92. Joined a book club

93. Got a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

What have you done? :)

Winter's Photo Shoot

Winter's new hair cut + me needing to practice photography skills = PHOTO SHOOT!!!

Keeping Book

When I was in high school I worked with the baseball team doing athletic training for three years. It was one of my favorite sports and I have a lot of fond memories from then. I remember when they surprised me with a birthday cake and team bag on my 16th birthday. I remember freezing to death during snowy games in the early season and my parents showing up at the dug out with armfuls of blankets for us. I remember our trips to Seattle. I definitely remember keeping book.

I really enjoyed keeping book. Maybe it was my OCD kicking in, but I was meticulous with that thing. Every pitch was marked. Every hit appropriately categorized. I did it in pencil and not a mark was missed or out of place.

A couple days ago I went to Tuffy's baseball game and the coach ran up to our little family sitting on the first base line. He asked if any of us knew how to keep book. I said I did and took the job.

It wasn't until the first batter struck out that I realized I had forgotten a few things!! But what are smart phones for other than to save you in situations like this?!?! So I googled a baseball score book and it all came rushing back to me.

I had a fun time keeping book, but that meant I didn't get to play with my camera..... but Winter took over photo duties and got some great shots.