Day 9: Someone you wish you could meet

I love the show The Biggest Loser.  Watching people transform their lives is beyond cool.  My all time favorite season is Season 11.

I think this was the last season where the people were in it to really get healthy and change their lives.  In more recent seasons, particularly season 13 the people were clearly in the it to win the game and not for the correct purpose.  My favorite two contestants from this season were Hannah and Olivia.  For some reason I connected with them and really saw myself in their journey.  Here are their before/after shots:

Hannah

Olivia

Did I mention that Olivia ended up winning the show and Hannah got second place?  Which all goes to prove that if you are in something for the right reasons, you get rewarded!  Hannah and Olivia blog here, and they are totally inspirational if you need some today (or any day).

Hannah and Olivia-

You guys!  First I have to tell you how amazingly inspirational!  I watched your season when it aired and since then I have watched the entire thing twice on Netflix.  Whenever I need a bit of motivation to continue on my weight loss journey I look to the two of you and you never disappoint.  You both have done such an amazing job of staying fit and making sure you stay positive for everyone.  I love you guys and I think that we are all lucky that you were picked for the show and decided to change your lives.  

Thanks for being amaze balls!

Love ya

Day 8: Your Favorite Internet Friend

Alli-

Ours is not strictly an internet friendship, we met in college but since then haven't been in the same place, so its most;y an internet friendship now.  We don't talk as much as we used to because unlike last year we have jobs that keep us busy now.  Our chats kept me sane through law school and in my year in Lake Placid.  You always know the thing to say to get me back to reality.  I like that we can be honest with each other and just say what we are thinking about a particular situation.  We think differently, so its great to hear a perspective that is opposite of mine in situations where I can only see my side.  I am glad that we were able to stay in touch after college and I am excited that you are taking a ski trip out here this year (I just hope we get some snow for you).  I hope things are going well in your new job (we haven't talked in weeks!) and I can't wait to see you soon!

Have a great Christmas!

~Hales

Day 7: Your Ex

I'd like to address this letter to all of my exes, to protect their identities...

Hey Guys!

This could go one of two ways, I could either totally bash you for how terrible you were to me or we could go over all the things that I learned from you.  I think that a little bit of both is appropriate.

Let's start with the terrible, shall we?

I am the type of person that falls hard, and I am also the kind of person who cares about other people sometimes more than myself.  This combo creates a situation that can be easily taken advantage of by less than stellar men.  A few of you have completely taken advantage of that, and some of you did so unknowingly.  This combination makes for an incredible heartbreak.  Unfortunately, I am also that girl that when she has a few too many glasses of wine thinks its a good idea to send you a text and see what you're doing.  That is never ever a good idea, sorry about that I am sure its super annoying.  I think that the worst part is when some of you come back into my lives randomly, it was worse when I wasn't completely over some of you but it still stings.  Just like every girl, I imagine, I have had several tear filled nights over some of you.

Alright, enough of the bad on to the good.  You all have taught me so much about who I am and what I want.  In the middle of these relationships my self esteem was so tied to you that the second something went wrong I went into a downward spiral.  Since then I have learned more about my self worth and that sometimes it is ok that I am selfish and taking time for myself is not selfish it's necessary.  I also learned what kind of guy I want in the future.  Not to say that it is someone that is opposite of all you guys, its actually small parts of you all put together.  I am grateful for that, because I try to always take something away from a failed situation, it makes you a better person.

Thanks for being in my life and teaching me something.  I hope you all are happy in your current situations.

~Haley

Day 6: A Stranger

Initially I had a hard time thinking of how you write a letter to a stranger because I guess I do not interact with that many strangers.  The idea for this person came to me when I was brushing my teeth last night...

Dear Lady walking up the stairs at the Maverick Center during the Eric Church Concert between Justin Moore and Eric Church on November 17th, 2012--

I am sure that you thought your comment about my outfit was well meaning and appropriate, but it was neither.  Since you do not know me, it was extremely inappropriate for you to say to me as you walked by that I needed a longer skirt.  First, its none of your business.  Second, I am not sure if you were looking around but there were countless other people that you could have said something too about the inappropriateness of their outfits.  I followed the golden rule, if you are showing skin on your legs then you don't show skin on top.  Also my skirt was not too short, it was completely appropriate not only for a concert on a Saturday night but I actually wore that dress to work and it was 100% appropriate.  Third, if you feel like you need to say something like the comment you said to me, maybe think twice before actually voicing it.  You have no idea what I go through every time I pick out something to wear.  I try on 5 or 6 different things, trying to decide whether or not it looks appropriate, that is what you do when you are supremely self conscious about how you look.  I waited for that concert for 3 months and it was amazing, but your comment in that moment almost ruined the whole thing for me.  You seriously rude and inconsiderate comment made this, strong on the outside girl breakdown.  You made me cry, in the middle of one of the best nights of my life.  Luckily, Eric Church was so amazing that I mostly forgot about your comment, but I wanted to write you this letter and put it out into the universe since I didn't get the chance to tell you this in person, you suck.

Thank you for your time-
The appropriate dress wearing girl in section 111, seat 14 at the Maverick Center for the Eric Church Concert.

Day 5: Your Dreams

Dreams-

There are so many of you that I am not even sure where to start.  First, for me, dreams and goals are the same thing and in order to be successful you should set small goals that lead to a bigger goal.  The small goals are hard but achievable when the larger goal seems impossible.

The first one of you, dreams, is to go to the Olympic Games in an official capacity.  So far, I have achieved several small goals running up to you but sometimes I feel like I have taken a step away because I wanted to move home at any cost.  But I think that I am starting to understand why this step was important.  The news came out this week, that Salt Lake City would attempt to host the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.  This is my ultimate dream job.  To work on a games from beginning to end, extremely hard work but extremely invaluable experience.  Similarly, this opportunity would allow for me to stay in one place and have some time for your other friend dreams, of having a family and a home town for them, to come true.

For now I'll just keep working on smaller goals to achieve you, just stay out there for me and I'll get there!

Love you dreams-
Your creator

Day 4: Your Siblings

Josh-

We haven't always been BFFs, but I think that now that we are grown ups and working on our lives I think that we have a better relationship.  Other than that one time you told your GF that I was sort of a bitch, I think that we get along for the most part.  I want you to know that any girl that I was less than friendly with before was because they were not good enough for you.  From what I've seen, I highly approve of Allison.

I am glad that you have found your passion.  It makes me extremely happy to see you succeeding and being fulfilled.  There was a time when I wasn't sure if we were all going to make it out.  When you were in the thick of your recovery and mom and dad were across the country I wasn't sure I had the strength to help you.  It made me a stronger person and I am grateful that we both made it.

I can't wait to see what's in store for you once you graduate and start your career.  I am so proud to be your sister.

I love you-
Your favorite sister


Rob-

You kill me with your one liners, you don't talk very much but when you do you're pretty dang funny.  I am sad to say that I missed most of your formidable years, you were in 7th grade when I left for college and I wasn't home much after that.  It makes me a little sad that I missed that part of your life.  You're extremely talented and I can't wait for the world to see that.  Hopefully soon you'll realize that to succeed in this world you're going to have to talk to people, in person, not just on the Internet.

I'm gonna get real here for a sec, I really wish you would quit smoking.  It is so terrible for you and it worries me that your life will be cut short because of the choices you are making now at 22.  Please please quit!  It would also be great for you if you partook of the plentiful Florida sun once in a while, when you're not working your butt off at school.  I only say these things because I love you!

I can't wait to tell people, "my little brother designed the stuff in that video game"! I am so glad that you found something that you are good at and that you love.

I love you-
Your favorite sister

Day 3: Your Parents

Mom-
Thanks for birthing me!  For keeping me in your uterus a full two weeks after my due date and making it to the hospital in a North Mississippi snowstorm.  I guess that with an entrance to the world on a snowy day in Mississippi, I was meant to live and work in a winter sport environment.

I am grateful for your unwavering support, even when you don't understand why I am choosing to follow the path I am on.  You are a fantastic example of strength through everything we have taken on as a family.  Never giving up in the face of adversity, I am proud to have such a strong example of what a mother and wife should be.

Thanks for always making sure I have everything that I need to succeed, even now that I'm a "grown up".  I am the person I am today because of what you and Dad have provided for me.  I know there is no way I can ever repay you for everything that you have given to me and I hope I can make you proud.

Love,
Your first born


Dad-
I like to make fun of you by thanking you for every weird thing I possess: bad knees and long monkey toes to name a few.  However, I do think that the number of non-werid things I got from you far exceeds the weirdness.  From you I get my drive to do and be better, even if that requires moving once a year.  I got my conservative political view point and my argumentative nature (although the latter is a combo of you and mom, which makes me SUPER argumentative).  You also gave me you love for mountain towns, and I am glad that you can come visit me in your favorite of those mountain towns.

You are a fantastic example of what happens when you go after what you want and work hard to achieve success.  You've always wanted to live overseas and you never thought a kid from North East Mississippi would get that chance.  Not only did you get that chance, you've lived in Scotland for 2.5  years and you got to experience that adventure with mom.  I am grateful that I was able to fly over for Thanksgiving and experience it too.

I am grateful for the example that you have set for me on what a husband and father should be.  Every man in my life is compared to you and those that come close can have a place, those that don't can leave.  Thanks for supporting me unconditionally, I love you daddy.

Love,
Your favorite Daughter