Runner 5313

I know many have been anticipating this... the results are finally in from the "big run" yesterday.

I was able to talk my brother and sister into running with me, which made it even more fun.

Here are the stats for the 5k:

Out of 219 runners...

Riley was 31st with a time of 23:48:8 (3rd out of 17 in his age group)

I was 69th with a time of 27:40:9 (7th out of 31 in my age group)

Carynn was 120th with a time of 32:20:3. (11th out of 24 in her age group)



I was just glad that being the first real race for all of us we at least crossed the finish line, but it's a little sweeter that none of us were even in the bottom 1/4 of the ranking!




Now that I am an expert in running, let me share some of the wisdom I've gained in the past 3 months:



- Good shoes really do make a world of difference.

- Waking up at 5:30 to run still sucks, even if you've been doing it for 3 months and it's the day before your race.

- Running outside is better in the morning when there aren't people around and it's not hot

- Running on a treadmill only works if there is something really good on tv to watch while you run.

- It really is the diet + exercise formula that works because even when you exercise 4 times a week, if you eat a lot of cupcakes, ice cream and cookies, your high school jeans still won't fit.

- Crossing the finish line is a great feeling, no matter what time it was at.


There are more races coming up in August and September, if anyone else wants to join in the fun!

Shaina's Spa and Resort

*Spa is only open on weekends when Mike is out of town and Shaina is left home alone on a Friday night and can only service one person (Shaina) per day.

Services include:

* scrumptious dinner of all salad and no meat
* complete facial with the exclusive exfoliating scrub with olive oil extractsfollowed by an avacado mud mask to purify and mosturize
* overnight hair repair treatment with a deep conditioner the next morning
* free showing of the best chic flics cable has to offer, ice cream optional (this week's movie of choice was Little Women)
* a luxurious queen size bed all to your self with no snoring or morning breath to bother you and no one else to steal the sheets

Also available: hot tub, pedicures/manicures and pilates classes (well, a DVD).

Total cost: $4.00 (for salad and ice cream) thanks to the free samples in the mail, newspapers, and grocery store.

I'd prefer to have Mike home with me every weekend, but when he does have to leave, at least I make the most of it!

Office Romance

*Some people are married to their jobs, we're just dating ours*

A couple is dating. One person decides that things aren’t really going as well they used to be and that they aren’t really as happy in that relationship as they thought they would be. The “maybe it’s time to break up” idea starts forming in the back of their mind. They have nearly reached a definite “I want out” when suddenly something happens: flowers for no reason, a real engaging conversation, or just a great doorstep scene, and the person starts to reconsider. They think “well, maybe things aren’t SO bad, I’ll stay in a little longer and see what happens.”

The “maybe, well maybe not” battle continues, sometimes for years, before any definite action is taken.

I thought I had left all of that behind when I got married. I was wrong. Apparently the mind games that go on in the dating world can also happen in the corporate world.

Lately more than ever, Mike and I have been thinking about how un-thrilled we are with what we’re doing at work. It’s not that we have bad jobs; they just don’t make us really happy anymore. We talk about when and how we can “break up” with work.
Then, this week happened.

My work bought everyone lunch and cupcakes and I had a great morning with one of my coworkers restructuring a process that has been a mess for years. It was like having one of those “engaging conversations” with my job.

Mike’s work took us to Park City and paid for an evening of zipline, alpine slide, and roller coaster rides kicked off by a nice dinner where the head of his department lathered on the flattery and praise for each individual member of the team. It was a sort of “flowers for no reason” night.

So we ended the week with a “well, maybe it’s not SO bad.”

Although, in the back of our minds we’re still thinking about breaking up. Unless an incredible "doorstep scene" raise comes along…

Land that We Love

We are celebrating the 4th of July this year by sleeping in and then attending 4 different BBQs/Picnics.

Lots of food, lots of friends and no work for 3 days.

That's what I call living the American Dream.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Hitchcock

I've seen the movie "The Birds" twice. While I appreciate Hitchcock's contribution to cinematic history and have enjoyed some of his other films, this one really didn't do it for me. It might have been the people I watched it with or something, I don't know. But I think if I were to see it again now, I would have a much better appreciation for it. Why? Because now I've lived it.

For the past 2 weeks every day after work, and sometimes at lunch too, when I have walked out of the parking garage at my office this little blackbird has swooped down towards me and continued to fly near me until I reach my car. Each day he has gotten a little closer.

Two days ago I was on guard, looking for him as I careful walked out. At first I didn't see him. Then I turned my head to see his sharp beak coming at full speed straight for my face. I turned and ducked quick enough to feel his wings brush against my head.



Like the silly characters in the movie, I tried to think that there was nothing to it. I was overreacting and anyway it was just one bird that was acting crazy.

Then yesterday, as I cautiously made my way to my car, once again the blackbird dived dangerously close to my head. As he passed me on the right, suddenly a second one passed just as close on the left.

They're grouping together now. This can't be good.

Monday Morning

This morning we woke up with sore backs, pulled muscles, sprains, bruises and sunburns.

Consequences of the awesome weekend we had jogging, golfing, swimming, and playing soccer.

I love summertime.

Election 2008

For those who are still undecided as to who they should vote for in November:

I dreamt last night that I was at a huge informal party with tons of people there. As I was walking around and mingling I noticed that also there were John McCain, Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, and Barack Obama. Here were my interactions with each:

John McCain - As I sat down with a plate of finger food he walked up and introduced himself with a nice handshake. There were about 10 seconds of small talk before he left. Nothing really memorable.

The Clintons - After John walked away Bill slid over to me (I think we were on a bench or something). He shook my hand but held on a little too long before finally pulling away. And he was a little too close when talking to me that it was uncomfortable. The other Clintons were mingling in other parts of the room. He said that Chelsea could sure use a friend like me around as she travels the country helping her mom out. I said an opportunity to go on someone else's tab and visit all the cool places of this country, yeah I'd go with her. But then he said I'd have to cover my own travel expenses so I shook my head no and he walked away.

Obama - I actually never spoke to him. He didn't circle the room like the others but waited for the people to approach him. I did watch for a few minutes though while he and my brother had a contest of who could tuck in their high fashion dress shirts the quickest. My brother's got caught on his belt so Obama won.

I'm Shaina Burgoyne and I approve this message.

525,600 Minutes

Yesterday was our one year anniversary! Yeah!

So, in commemoration, here is a sonnet - the most romantic of all poetic forms.
It might not be in 100 % perfect iambic pentameter, (Shakespeare even fudged it sometimes) but everything else is true to form - and any one who really scans it to check is an even bigger English dork than me.

So here it is:
*uh hum*

It has been one year since the day we wed
which means fifty-two weeks of marriage bliss.
Day one had begun when our vows were said,
three sixty-five was still sealed with a kiss.

"Newly weds" no more for us, we are wise
and know the secrets, the "don't"s and the "do"s
so we can bless others with our advice -
help them to be a Perfect Couple too.

Be sure that stress and conflicts will befall,
but a quality mattress will cure all.

The Black! The White! The Blue!

June 3rd 2008 marked the closing of a chapter in history, the final day of the Groves Family at West Jordan High School. Their legacy, like most great things, started small. In 1995 Allan was the first to enter the dull brown brick building with gleaming white and blue lockers, a nervous 15 year old sophomore. Shaina, Elise, and Carynn all followed in his wake. In 2008, proof of the presence the family name had held over the years was seen as Riley accepted his diploma. An almost unanimous shout of "RY-MAN" echoed through the stands. The moment was so empowering that as Riley literally danced his way off the stage, the entire audience sat in stunned silence.

Undoubtedly, the Groves siblings have left their mark at WJHS, both individually and collectively. The following are a few statistics showing the influence of WJHS in the Groves household, and of the Groves on the Home of the Jaguars:



Consecutive years at WJHS: 13 (1995-2008)

Cumulative years attending WJHS: 15

Student Drivers to pass and be licensed: 5

Locker combinations remembered: 25+

Hours of Seminary attended: 2,400 +

Parent/Teacher meetings attended: 30+

Prom Dates: 10

Concerts, shows or other performances attended: 300 +

Lunch breaks taken: 3,000 +

Hours of "Pomp and Circumstance" endured: 10 + (Classes of 1998, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008)



*numbers are estimates only

50 Nifty United States

A "newsletter" from a business associate at my work comes in the mail every month or so. It's usually just random silly stuff that he finds interesting. This month there was an article on some of the crazy laws on Utah books. I thought I would share some of them with you. And for you out-of-staters, I've included proof that the legal system is whacked out where you are too.

Utah:
It is illegal not to drink milk. (Actually this one makes sense. Especially if chocolate chip cookies are involved.)
It is illegal to detonate any nuclear weapon. (I see where they're coming from, but how enforcable is this really?)
Birds have the right of way on all highways.
A husband is responsible for every criminal act committed by his wife while she is in his presence. (This opens so many doors ...)
It is a felony to persistently tread on the cracks between paving stones on the sidewalk of a state highway (or you'll break your mamma's back)
It is considered an offense to hunt whales (uh, desert)
Alcohol may not be sold during an emergency (that's what 72 hour kits are for)
It is illegal to cause a catastrophe.

In Kaysville - You must have identification to enter a convienence store after dark.
In Logan - Women may not swear.

California:
Sunshine is guaranteed to the masses.
Women may not drive in a house coat. (Only in Hollywood would there be official fashion laws)

Colorado:
The dog catcher must notify dogs of impounding by posting, for three consecutive days, a notice on a tree in the city park and along a public road running through said park. (what grade level is your dog's reading at?)
It is unlawful to lend your vacuum cleaner to your next-door neighbor. (Sugar, eggs, sure. But there must be limits.)

Pennsylvania:
You may not catch a fish by any body part except the mouth. (I'd like to see someone catch one with their mouth!)
You may not sing in the bathtub (That's why Mike likes it so much here!)

Oklahoma:
Dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property. (Again with dogs. If you've seen my parent's dog, you'll know they really aren't the smartest species out there.)
Oklahoma will not tolerate anyone taking a bite out of another’s hamburger.

Texas:
A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. (That's why there is no "CSI: Houston")

Wyoming:
You may not take a picture of a rabbit from January to April without an official permit. (shh! Be very quiet... we're photographing wabbits.)

Arizona:
It is illegal to manufacture imitation cocaine. (those purists!)
When being attacked by a criminal or burglar, you may only protect yourself with the same weapon that the other person posseses (fair is fair, after all).

*I got these from www.dumblaws.com if you want to check out more!
** Also check out how smart you are at
http://www.lizardpoint.com/fun/geoquiz/usaquiz.html

As if! It is so true!

So do you like ever have one of those days where you totally know that it's like a perfect hair day?
OMH I like totally had the most perfect of perfect hair days on Monday. I was like doing stuff around my house or whatever and it was like 7:00 at night and I happened to walk past a mirror and it was like Whoa! check out that hair! So of course to my husband I was like "look at how great my hair is today!" and he was like "uh-huh" or whatever, but I mean, he's like a guy so whatever, he doesn't get it.
But really, it was like SO totally soft and straight and clean. I mean it's almost always clean, but by the end of the day it's like never all straight and usually it only looks good, like really good, for the first hour of the day and or whatever and then it's like way blah for the rest of the day.
So like a day when it's perfect all day and I didn't even go to the salon or anything is like seriously one of the best days of my life, like ever!

What's in a name

Don't you think that names are so interesting?

My dad knew a guy whose name was Harry Pitts. I knew a girl who married a Skank (but what about a Harry Skank?). Burgoyne isn't too wierd - although now telemarketers can't pronouce either my first or last name.

On the day I got married my father-in-law took the time to tell me how important the Burgoyne name is and what a heritage I have to live up to.

Have you ever known someone who lived up to their name perfectly?

Mike and I gained a niece this weekend. Her parents were kind enough to give her the normal name of Isabelle. I wondered if she was the only Isabelle Burgoyne out there, and if not what did history have to reveal about her? So I did what any other person would do and I googled her. It was so much fun that I googled the names of my other neices and nephew too. Here's what I found:

Madelynne Burgoyne - No one else in history seems to have that name. (I knew she was one of a kind!)
Elijah Bell - if history repeats he will most likely be an anesthesiologist or a baptist pastor. (his fascination with things that hurt and kill turn to ways of healing and salvation?)
Hannah Burgoyne - born in Boston in 1713 and now has a facebook page (that I can access if I create an account, it's free and easy!).
Leah Bell - Studied art in Italy for years and now has her own studio on the east coast. (That might make her my favorite now).
Isabelle Burgoyne - only daughter of the revolutionary war general, scorned Adam O'Brian during their love affair. (Watch out for those Irish men!)

I know you're all going to go google your own names now, let me know what kind of heritage you have to follow! (There is no other Shaina Burgoyne, in case you were wondering. Guess I'll have to write history myself).

It's written in the stars

Today is the first day of the Gemini period in the zodiac calendar.
Here's a shout out to all my fellow twins:
(Especially Brigham Young, Marilyn Monroe, Alanis Morissette and my father-in-law Bill who were all born on the very best of the Gemini days - June 1st!)

We are*:
Adaptable and versatile
Communicative and witty
Intellectual and eloquent
Youthful and lively
Nervous and tense
Superficial and inconsistent
Cunning and inquisitive

We like:
Talking
Novelty and the unusual
Variety in life
Multiple projects all going at once
Reading


We dislike:
Feeling tied down
Being in a rut
Mental inaction
Being alone

*source: some astrology website I googled. I really didn't make it up, I promise. It's eerily accurate though.

I've been working on the railroad

Our weekend adventure was so great, it deserved a soundtrack! So feel free to hum aloud as you read! (You might have to be a little creative with the rhythym but I'm sure you can figure it out, you're smart enough).

I've been living in Utah, all my live long day.
But I've not seen all the landmarks that make this place so great.
So I took a little venture
with my husband dear
So we took a little venture
to see the history here!

Promontory Point! Promontory Point!
With the Golden Spi-i-ike!
Promontory Point! Promontory Point!
with the Golden Spike!

Someone's in the picture of history, someone's in the picture I kno-o-ow.
Someone's in the picture of history, it's great grandpa Grenville!
He's singing "fee-fi-fiddly-high-oh, tickets-fees-I'm-in-the-dough-oh! Fee-fi-fiddly-high-oh!" That's grandpa Grenville!

(*applause*)
Thank You.
We really did have a great time watching the re-enactment of the spike, better than we expected. And it was cool to learn that my great grandpa was part of the ceremony! He's the one circled in the photo. The national parks brochure says he was the Cheif Engineer for the Union Pacific. Sounds pretty important to me.

"Shaina, I think I hear the train coming!"

Yeah, it's a real steam locomotive and yeah, we really got to see it speeding down the tracks, and yeah, it was cool.

This time I mean it

I'VE HAD ENOUGH! I can't take even more one day of it. All the whining and complaining, the feeling sorry and making up excuses. It's the same thing every day and of course it never changes because NO ONE MAKES IT CHANGE!
Well, baby get ready, because it's changing RIGHT NOW!

That's right. I'm done walking past the glass doors at work and noticing what has gradually worked over me. I'm done starting a program and giving up 2 weeks later. I'm done "taking a water break" after only 10 minutes of playing any sport or outside game. And I am most certainly done squeezing into those capri pants from High School until I can BUTTON THEM UP and BREATHE at the same time!

I bought the MP3 player ($20 at Overstock.com) and loaded it up with songs.
I bought the Hello Kitty digital watch with timer ($6 Target).
I found the training program (Google "couch to 5k")
And I set the goal: The Deseret Morning News Days of '47 5K run on July 24th.

I will train and I will run this race.

ARE YOU WITH ME?

GOOOAAAL!

Our little family is big on themes. And the theme of this weekend has been a soccer one. It started with a friday evening picnic and pick-up soccer game we had with Mike's sister, her husband, and their little ones. It ended with us going to the Real Salt Lake game (our local major league soccer team, pronounced Ree-al)and Mike splurging on good tickets because they were playing LA Galaxy with David Beckham.

(side note: at first we were a little skeptical about all the hype around Beckham, but after clearing a goal from the middle of nowhere and then a picture perfect free-kick goal, we too are now believers. If even if he is an arrogant brit who takes his shirt off and walks late onto the field because he can and if he has a high-pitched femmy voice. He still is one of the best in the game.)

Both nights we had a great time. And I noticed a few similarities and differences between the games:
* Both nights there were moments of unsportsmanship. One night yellow cards were given out, the other just good old time-outs on the blanket.
* Friday night, Eli (my 4yr old nephew), got upset that his team wasn't winning so he threw a tantrum and pushed another player down. Saturday, Donovan from LA did the exact same thing.
* Both nights I found myself cheering just a little for the other team because of really good plays they made.
* The MLS didn't really have the challenge of one of their players being 7 months pregnant, or of a toddler who kept picking up the goal and walking away with it.
* The family league didn't have a problem with cocky players, stupid refs or annoying fans.
* Both nights I ending the evening looking forward to the time (hopefully soon) when we get to do that again.


Proof that we were there with Beckham and #10 from Real, one of Mike's favorites, taking a nice one in the face.
(second side note: the best way to get tickets to Real is through KFC for a discount price or through a Happenings coupon book for an even better discount. And call us if you're going so we can join you!)

Vacation Report

For our Spring Break Vacation my family went to Ocala Florida. We visited Papa and Grandma Eleanor Openhowski. They were really nice. Everything in their house is green or pink or has flowers on it. We spent one day at Silver Springs where we got to go on TWO boat rides and the boats have glass on the bottom so you can see the fishes and stuff. We saw tons of alligators! It was cool. I was a little scared of the alligators, but Mike wasn’t, he's brave. The next day we went to Universal Studios, just Mike and me. It was pretty cool we went on some good rides and ate funnel cake. I really liked the Men in Black one and Mike liked the Mummy one. It was a good day, but I heard Mike said it was “highway robbery” when he paid for the ticket to get in. After that we went to eat at The Hard Rock Cafe. It’s one of my favorite places and Mike even let us order a chocolate milkshake to share! The rest of the time that we were there was spent watching tv or reading books or playing dominoes and stuff. And lots of sleeping in. I liked that. The best part of our Spring Break vacation was when Papa kissed me on top of the head before we went to "Palooloo Land”(that means bedtime). He said I wasn’t really part of the family before that, but he thought I was nice enough that he’d let me into the gang. I like Florida and can’t wait until we get to go back!

Scheduled Outage

Have You Seen Me?

Michael Burgoyne was last reported seen on the campus of BYU last week moving from computer lab to computer lab as they were each being shut down for the night. His wife says she misses him and wants him to come home soon. She thought finals were tough when she was still a student, but now thinks this is much worse.

Baby Hogs

Both of my sisters-in-law are expecting babies this year. I also have cousins on both sides of my family that are pregnant. Of the 15 "friends" with blog links listed on this page, 8 of them have either had a baby in the past year, or will have one before the end of the year. And then I got an email from a old co-worker this morning announcing to our office that she's expecting her 2nd child.
Ok, so what, right? I mean it makes sense that most people around my age are in the child-bearing stage of their life. And I am happy for them and their little bundles.
But Mike and I were talking this morning about how we're living in the last days. Who knows how much longer this world is even going to exist.
What if they are sending down the last shift of the entire human population right now? What if they run out of babies to send down before we're ready to have one?

So to all my reproducing friends out there I say:
Dudes, save some for the rest of us, ok?