a little adventure

Since haven't been spinning in awhile and Bekah gave me some awesome cold weather workout gear for Christmas, I decided to break out the bike and give the new clothes a try.

My "little adventure" started with me trying to fill my air with tires. I haven't had the bike out since October, so the tires definitely were deflated. I successfully filled my back tire with air in about two minutes. Apparently, I lost all talent after that moment and became bicycle pump impaired. I literally struggled with the air pump for about 15 minutes to try to fill the front tire. After working up a sweat (remember I'm wearing cold weather clothes), I gave up; convinced that it was full enough. I finally exited the garage about 20 minutes later, sweaty, but thoroughly excited for my ride and the brisk air.

At this point I was feeling quite proud of my attempt to brave the thirty-five degree weather. It took me a few times to clip in, but finally I was out of the driveway and on my way. Immediately I started having second thoughts about the ride; it was a little chillier than I had expected and the road was covered in sand. Nevertheless I pressed on, determined to stay out longer than the amount of time it took till fill my tires. About two blocks down the road, I noticed that my fleece was beginning to be coated with little white dots. I had started sleeting. I continued, figuring that I could just cut the ride short and bike one lake, not two.

A few blocks later, my body had finally started to warm up. I had convinced myself that this was the life of a hardcore triathlete, and if I wanted to be a good one, I just needed to stick it out. The rest of the way to the lakes I tried to enjoy the ride, but it was difficult. The road was like an obstacle course filled with potholes, snow, and sand and the cars seemed to whiz by closer than normal. After making to the lakes without incident, I realized I was not as hardcore as I had originally thought. The walking paths at Harriet was littered with runners, and dog walkers. I even saw a couple of kids trying to cross country ski! Although most runners were wearing hats and jackets, I did see two men in shorts.

I completed my lap around the lake in a relatively short amount of time and then headed back home. I blamed the "lake effect" for my frozen toes and runny nose. Mostly I was disgusted by the amount of people at the lake. Apparently, Minnesotan's really don't mind the cold. On the ride home I focused on my love for Hawaii and how I would be there 48 hours. I really don't think I could last the winter without it. Even this "warm winter."

Obviously, I survived my first "winter" ride. Honestly, it really wasn't that bad. Some warmer socks and I really would have been fine. The most surprising thing about the ride was the amount of people at the lake.

Popping the bubble

According the MSNBC and a variety of other sources the real estate bubble is beginning to burst. (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/10585961/). Although the housing market typically slows down during winter, this slow down is looking a bit bigger than normal. Since houses taking longer to sell, the buyer has more negotiating power. That means lower prices and better deals for the buyer. I am just hoping prices and home sales will continue to spiral till Summer. That would be ideal timing. Perfect in fact. :)

Christmas has come and gone once again. We had a pretty good Christmas at our house. I got over my sickness and was feeling much better in general. We watched some old Christmas musical that we put on in elementary schools. We were pretty hilarious. I've give Mrs. Hines so much credit for organizing a musical with 200+ children. The patience she must have had! Amazing!

booo

Somehow I managed to get sick the day before Christmas eve. I blame Cecile. I'm not happy about it. I've managed to stay healthy this entire semester. I almost didn't go to practice this morning, but then I thought about this being "training trip." If I was on training trip, I would go...With no seconds thoughts. So...I of course went. Suprisingly, I ended up having a pretty good practice. Now I am just exhausted. Hopefully this sickness goes away before we leave for real. That would be awful.

I'm crazy

So I fell asleep in the team room before practice #2 today. I went in there at about 1 o'clock for a little nap. It crossed my mind to get my cell phone for an alarm, but I was lazy and figured I wouldn't sleep for more than two hours. Apparently I was wrong; I woke up at about 3:05 to the sound of people getting into the pool. Ooops...I felt a bit stupid. But I guess I needed the sleep. :)

According to Terry we have started training trip. Mentally, I'm not quite there yet. I think I need to see some palm trees before training trip officially begins for me. Working out for over 5 hours should get me there, but for some reason I'm just struggling. It's at times like this when I realize swimmers aren't normal. 5+ hours a day is really quite insane.

is it bedtime yet?

Elf Hats

I would just like to say that my parents went to the timberwolves game tonight wearing these ridiculous looking green and red striped elf hats. The hats even have huge elf ears. I think that this is the craziest thing they have done in the last 10 years. For their sake, I hope they run into someone they know.

On an equally exciting note, I finished my Christmas shopping. It feels GREAT to be done! I can't believe Christmas is in 5 days and Hawaii is in 8. I can't wait for either... it just seems so soon!

Time

Do you ever know what you will be like in the future? How you will act or what you will be doing with your life?

I have this vivid memory from when I was 16. I was at Jr. Nationals in San Antonio, Texas and my teammates and I were walking down the boardwalk at night. David Ni started asking me what I would be doing in 5 and 10 years in the future. I don't remember exactly what I said or even thought, but somehow I don't think this is where I thought I would be.

Presidential elections always make me wonder about the future as well. I supposed it is because they only happen every four years. On election day, I always figure out how old I will be in 3 or even 4 elections and then try to imagine where I will be living or what I will be doing at that time. I don't think that I have ever predicted my future even remotely correctly.

Do you think that anyone ever knows? Can anyone plan or control their life so well, that they can place themselves where they want to be in the future?

My dad's birthday is today, and he's turning 53. Do you think he has ever correctly predicted what his life would be like down the road? Has he done everything he thought or expected he would do?

just curious.

Spell check

I actually spent a considerable amount of time searching google for a blogger with spell check. I have tried blogging in the past but have been frustrated by my inability to spell. Hopefully, this blog will keep me writing. The only way to improve your writing, is to write more (or so they say). Therefore I plan to write...A lot. I suppose I am implying that I am a horrific writer. This is not the case. Mainly, I just have an overwhelming desire to be good at everything I do. Call it perfection, call it being focused, call it whatever you want. I just like to excel in everything I do.

Needless to say, I've already spell checked TWICE. It is a fabulous tool. I think I'm going to like it here.

later people.