SoCal Ragnar 2011

RAGNAR: noun/verb/

/noun/ A 200 mile relay race characterized by scarce sleep, extreme hills, costumes, van lovin', reflective vests and head lamps, Subway sandwiches, bottled water, and RACE INVADERS.

/verb/ To Ragnar-to think you are going to die going up a 948 ft elevation gain in 5.2 miles of 80+ degree weather at 3 pm. To run in the middle of the night and feel on top of the world. To weave in and out of pedestrians at the beach. To count your slays. To feel like your feet weigh a million pounds. To sport a stylish reflective snap bracelet while running. To have the worlds greatest husband come along as the fearless Van 2 driver to 6 smelly runners who could only focus on their upcoming legs and bowel movements. To carry your own precious Ragnar toilet paper into the nasty Andy Gump's because you know their ain't going to be any toilet paper inside. To get a hotel room for 5 hours. To see costumes you wish you wouldn't have seen. To take the scenic route from Huntington Beach to Coronado(around Camp Pendleton) To survive to tell the tale

(to see some costumes you wish you wouldn't have seen)

Surfing USA

Over Spring Break we braved the elements and went camping... ok so we drove one hour south and camped approximately 5 minutes from civilization at San Mateo. We enjoyed waking to the beach, watching all the crazy surfers at , San Onofre, spying on Camp Pendleton, and playing and surfing at San Clemente.

I became Enoch's official paparazzi on this trip, I need to the photography practice and he doesn't have much choice (but hey neither do the stars)

Day 1 Monterey Bay Trip

School for Enoch and I did not begin until January 24th, so we decided to take a quick trip to Monterey Bay before school started again. True to the spontentiy of the entire trip, I saw a sign for Solvang while on the highway and the next you thing we knew we were admiring the dutch architectures and enjoying authentic aebleskivers, Danish pancake balls

Next stop: San Lois Obispo to see the mission and the acclaimed bubble gum alley. Yes you read that right, we actually walked down this germ infested alley and added our wintergreen gum to the side.

Next to Morro Bay to watch the sunset

And finally to my Aunt Karla's house in Paso Robles to stay the night. It was fun to visit her family, not to mention the deluxe dinner and accommodations. I wish I would have taken pictures.

2nd Anniversary

Enoch and I celebrated our two year anniversary in Utah this year. Enoch worked all morning on a secret project which turned out to be the all time best present ever, an enormous card. The inscription inside read, "some may say that 2 years is not significant, but I think it is a BID deal" We concluded our night by going out to dinner at Mimi's, seeing the windows at the Grand Hotel and viewing the lights on Temple Square.

Although I am usually a very indecisive person, I am constantly being reaffirmed of how right that decision was to marry Enoch. I have gone places I never thought I would go, learned things I never knew, and have achieved more than I ever thought possible. He is my better half and drives me to do my best. Hooray for marriage.

Christmas Greetings 2010

I had very good intentions of sending our Christmas cards this year. I made progress and got a few out to the family I saw over Christmas, so this blog will have to suffice for this year (baby steps right)

Merry Christmas

Life Lessons of 2010

Going to school is an excellent option to delay growing up

*Marissa graduated from BYU in August with an undergraduate degree in Exercise Science after finishing the last year in California. After weighing her options of more school, working, or growing up she concluded that school is the safe way out. She started her Masters degree in Health Administration at California State University Northridge (CSUN) and has LOVED it.

*Enoch has continued along into year two of the physical therapy program at CSUN and has made our family proud. He also enjoyed his clinical this past summer at Progressive PT.

*2 Masters students + a very small income + Fridays off + a long summer break

= 2 incredibly happy people

Sunday naps are a thing of the past

*Enoch serves as the primary music leader and led the primary in the world’s greatest primary program ever. Marissa was the proudest wife ever.

*Marissa educates young minds in nursery as the nursery leader and has become an expert at Book of Mormon Stories and other songs of equal quality.

“M” states are pretty sweet

*This summer we traveled to Mississippi to support Enoch’s mom in a cemetery restoration at a family cemetery in Egypt MS. While in Mississippi we learned a few things about southern cooking, southern phrases, ticks, snakes, poison ivy, devils shoelace, tombstones and the importance of family.

*Rounding off their “M” state tour we flew to Michigan to visit my sister and her beautiful family. We had fun seeing the sites of Detroit, the Ford Empire, and helping them fix up their new home.

*We also traveled to Utah for Marissa’s graduation and completely enjoyed our time there riding horses, kayaking, spending time with family and visiting friends.

California lovin’ happens so fast

*This year I (Marissa) have come to fully embrace California. Once you come to terms with traffic, small spaces, gates, and cement, Los Angeles is a fun place to live. What is not to love with great friends, family, a temple close by, the ocean a long run or bike ride away, sunny weather, and Disneyland annual passes right?

2010 was a year full of blessings

*As we look back on two fabulous years of marriage, we are amazed by how blessed we have been. However, the greatest blessing of all has been the knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, his humble birth, example, atoning sacrifice, resurrection and plan for each of us. We hope this card finds you well this Christmas season.

Love,

Enoch and Marissa Mills

This is for you, My Poor Neglected Blog

I am sorry. It is hard to justify blogging for me when I know that I have a group project to be working on or more reading to complete. Anyhow life is great! I love my program and the 9,000 major changes, road blocks, and other stresses seam worth it.

There is a lot to know about health care and a lot of hard questions to answer: is health care a right? what is the difference between the demand for health and the demand for medical services? (-they are very different you see, the demand for health wants fewer sick day not necessarily medical care) why does the United States have a medical system based on sick care instead of trying to keep people healthy? Which is better in health care the market justice or social justics system? If you would change our current health system how would you do it? What is the difference between a HMO, PPO, and indemnity policy? How should health care be rationed? If everyone in the U.S has health care how are we going to have enough providers to fulfill their needs?

My mind is constantly plagued with questions like these. To begin the program I was a total proponent of the market justice system of health care. America is built on the concept of the economic good, little government interference, and working hard to get where you want. I hated that as consumer in health care we have to pay for the expenses of the un-insured. My perspective has changed throughout this program however. It took a comment for a member of my class to realize that Christ cared for the sick and afflicted- he didn't care how prosperous or poor an individual was. We have a responsibility to maintain social jutice in health care as well.

The medical system has a unique ethical obligation very different from any other industry. You cannot turn away someone who is in dire need. I would like to think the principle of supply and demand could accurately regulate the price of medical care. However, the market is handicapped as the physician not the patient is the agent and insurance desensitizes the consumer and provider from the price of services. Therefore a certain amount of government regulation is needed.

I will stop rambling, but health care is complex and next time you go to criticize someone trying to mend or crippled health care system don't complain about how we got into the mess we are in (becuase the past is behind us) try to imagine what you would do.

On to other important matters. I have also been having a lot of fun playing around with my new camera. Because every post is better with pictures here are a few
here is my brother-in-law Alma with his gorgeous fiance Claudia (I am so excited for another sister in law) They put up with me taking their engagements, here is one I liked

the LA temple is always a good subject for photography, I am growing quite attached to it

Now I will end with some eye candy. This may be my finest work yet, not only is the picture good, but the man behind the picture is even better. I did something right

The Nikon D5000 Dream Machine

For months I have been making deals with Enoch if certain amounts of money could go into my camera fund. Since we really don't have much of an income my fund was set to mature... in a few years probably. Anyhow I loved pestering Enoch about it and it was always fun to dream about it in the meantime. One of my favorite pastimes has been owwing and ahhing over my friends amazing pictures. I regularly check their blogs and gape at their inspiring photos.

Well my wonderful parents (and grandparents) made my dream comes to true. With some substantial graduation donations I know am the proud owner of a Nikon D5000, a SLR camera. I have scoured the instruction manual and frequent photography sites researching what aperture, ISO, and shutter speed mean and how to take the type of picture I love.

Stayed tuned for some photo love coming your way