24 Before 24: Run a Half-Marathon

I think I already mentioned this on the blog once, but in case you missed it: I ran my first half-marathon last month! In fact, this was my first "real" race ever. (Unless you count the two-mile "Friendly Frolic" run at my grandma's practically-retirement-community lake every Fourth of July. I don't.) Anyway, running a half-marathon was #1 on my 24 Before 24 list and also #7 on my Life List, so that was pretty exciting to cross it off both lists. (To be completely honest, my Life List originally said "run a marathon" because I wanted to do one with my sister, but then she saw it and told me she never planned to run a marathon again. So I was perfectly happy downgrading to a half-marathon haha.)

Why did I decide to run a half-marathon? I have never been a runner. I enjoy being active and working out, if that means: playing sports, cycling, lifting weights, doing sit-ups, hiking, swimming or skiing. I do not enjoy running. My mom and sister, on the other hand, have run numerous half-marathons, and my sister, Abby, also ran the Chicago Marathon a few years ago. Abby has been wanting me to run a race with her for quite some time, so when I got engaged, she finally convinced me to train for a half-marathon as a way to get in shape for my wedding.

#28: Be featured on blogger {av}'s "Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" series.

It has happened! After years of reading {av}'s fabulous blog, {long distance loving}, she chose me to be featured in her "Love Is" series!

image via {long distance loving}

A little background: {av} was my first "blog crush." I found her blog because she had this awesome series called "Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" (hence the title of this post, despite the recent name change to "Love Is"). Two bloggers I read faithfully (Christy and Kate) were actually featured, and I thought, "Gee, that would be so cool! I want to share my story and encourage everyone else out there in a long-distance relationship that it can work—and work so well!"

So I put it on my "bucket list" and contacted {av} to see if she had a spot in her schedule for me. Unfortunately, the series dwindled from a weekly feature to a special once-in-a-while feature, and then {av} stopped posting the feature altogether about a year ago. (Although I didn't stop reading her blog; she still posts beautiful content about travel, home, relationships, blogging tips, life—you name it! Plus it's always fun to join her Friday's Fancies link-up every once in a while.)

Then, last month, {av} announced she was bringing the series back, and she chose Jonathan and me to be her first featured couple! So from one excited fangirl to one gorgeous blogger: Thank you for taking the time to write about my story today!

Check out my story on {long distance loving} here. If you're visiting from {long distance loving}, you can read my full engagement story (with lots of photos!) here. And finally, if you want to see more photos of us throughout the years, check out my post from our 8-year anniversary last year here. :)

Thanks for stopping by! And thanks again, {av}!

#31: Have 100+ followers on my blog.

Hi friends! I promise to update y'all soon on my first days of training as an Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultant, but right now I wanted to share some different news with you....

How did I not notice that I've hit 100 followers? I know I've been a little MIA from my blog lately, but I still think I would have noticed a milestone like that. In fact, I've had getting 100 followers on my bucket list for quite a while.

I'm actually sitting at 107 right now. Eep!

I know the number of followers isn't the most important part of a blog, but it is fun to know I've become part of such a great community. A while ago, I noticed I was getting close to 100 followers on GFC and considered hosting a giveaway to celebrate when/if I reached this point. Now that I'm here, I wanted to offer all my readers the opportunity to help make this a group giveaway! Here's what I'm thinking:

• I ask that each participant offers a prize valued at $10 or more. This can be free ad space, a gift card or a physical item — whatever you want to offer!
• I will give each participant up to four entries on the Rafflecopter: One will be following your blog, and you can pick which social media accounts you would like the other three entries to be (Twitter, Facebook fan, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.).
• The giveaway will run from next Tuesday, July 24, to Tuesday, July 30. The winner will be announced as soon as I can verify the entries; hopefully that first weekend of August.

So, what do you think? E-mail me at semicharmedkol@gmail.com or tweet me at @SemiCharmedKoL if you want to participate! Please let me know by this Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m. EST so I can get the Rafflecopter set up by Tuesday. Thanks!

Travel Tuesday: Week 10

Hello, and welcome to another edition of Travel Tuesday! In honor of National Park Week (which ended Sunday), this week's topic is: Which is your favorite national park? What parks have you always wanted to visit? What are your favorite activities to do in a national park? As always, you are free to write about anything travel-related; don't feel obligated to answer my prompt. And, of course, don't forget to link up below!

<a href="http://megancstroup.blogspot.com/search/label/Travel%20Tuesdays"><img src="http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w399/mcszr3/TravelTuesday3.jpg" alt="BWS tips button" width="500" height="338" /></a>

My favorite national park is, without a doubt, Yosemite. I mentioned it a little last week, so this week I wanted to share some photos from when I climbed Half Dome two summers again. It was also No. 43 on my to-do list. (I added it after I had already made the climb, but hey, it was something I had always wanted to do! So I wanted to cross it off my list.)

This is Half Dome! Pretty cool, huh?

#8: Change someone's life ... for the better.

I feel a little silly—and slightly conceited—crossing this item off my bucket list, but I think I have sufficient evidence to say I have changed someone's life. I say this because he told me so himself.

Source: ohsobeautifulpaper.com via Brannon on Pinterest

For six of my seven semesters at Mizzou, I worked at the campus recreation center, first as an equipment attendant and later as a student supervisor. During my last year there I had at least one shift a week with a younger employee who ended up being promoted to take my supervisor position when I left. He was a great kid: hard-working, ambitious, smart, witty and always fun to work with, even before sunrise. (Yes, the rec center opened that early.) We didn't interact much outside of work, but I definitely considered him a friend. Even so, I was surprised after my graduation when a mutual friend of ours gave me a card from him. Inside was a Starbucks gift card (those early mornings had made it quite apparent how dependent I was on caffeine) and a Winnie the Pooh card containing some of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me, including:

"Although this is a congratulatory card, I would like for it to also be a thank you card. So, thank you Megan! What for? Well, as it turns out, you've been like a big sister for me over the past year. I never thought that someone who I only saw once a week at 5:15 in the morning would ever influence me as much as you have. You ... have influenced me more than anyone else I've yet to meet in college!"

As I sat in my mom's rental car on the way to my graduation dinner reading his card, I started crying. Seriously, it was that bad good. I was sad to be leaving Mizzou, obviously, but it was nice to know I had made a positive impact on at least one other person during my college years. I don't know if the person I'm writing about reads my blog (or even knows it exists), but if he does: Thank you. You definitely added substance to my college experience, I'm so proud of everything you've done for the Mizzou community, and I know you'll continue to achieve much more! Thank you for making me feel like I made a difference. (Oh, and of course: I hope MizzouRec is treating you well!)

Source: twopeasinabucket.com via Teresa on Pinterest

51. See my name on the masthead of a national magazine.

Alright y'all, it's been hard to hold this in for the past two weeks, but I wanted to wait until the April issue was on newsstands before I shared this. (On my blog, that is. Of course it was up on Twitter the day I got my office copy.)

That's me! Four lines down from the OUTSIDE ONLINE heading. I might be just a lowly intern, but I got my name on the masthead, so I've crossed off #51 on my to-do list. Yippee! Also, it happened to be the travel issue, so I'm telling myself that's a good omen for my future career path. Right?

#4: Live alone.

This is the first of (hopefully) many posts in a series about completing items on my bucket list. Today marks my third day as the sole tenant of a studio apartment. As soon as my power drill charges, I'll be able to finish putting together my new shelves and can declare myself officially moved in! Likewise, I can officially say I have lived alone, and will do so for the next six months (give or take).

So glad I didn't get the 9-cube unit. Those screws are tricky!

Photo courtesy of Google Images.

I anticipate writing a longer series about living on my own, including pictures of the apartment, shopping lists and budgetary concerns, but for now, here are my first impressions:

• Pro: I have my own washer and dryer, no quarters necessary. Such a relief after living in campus/sorority housing for almost four years!
• Con: My shower doesn't have a tub. Not that I'm used to one (see above), but a bathtub would have been nice.
• Pro: I have my own coffeemaker! Finally, I can save some money by not visiting Starbucks so frequently.
• Con: My fridge is mini-sized. I didn't think this would be a big deal because I only have to feed myself, but I had to take out a shelf to make my gallon of milk fit.
• Pro: I sleep in a queen bed!! No more bunk beds for this girl.
• Con: Honestly, I'm just coming up with cons to even this list out. There are way more pros!

In conclusion, I am thoroughly enjoying my new place! Stay tuned for more details.