Meet Beatrice

About two months ago, after much thought, I purchased a Trek road bike. It has proven to be one of the best investments I have ever made. I look forward to getting to ride my bike everyday that I can. I bought it initially because I wanted something better to ride during the upcoming triathalon, but now I am thinking about really trying to get into my biking during the spring and summer. Last weekend I was about 5 miles out when I got my first flat. As a newbie, I didn't have any of the necessary tools to fix the tire, so I ended up walking the whole 5 miles back to campus.

A shot of the lovely Beatrice

This is the new carry on pack I bought for the bike. I ended up getting it for free because the cashier forgot to ring it up.

Remembering Dad

The other day I noticed some herbal essences shampoo and it brought me back to a childhood memory of the smell of the shampoo that my dad always used. From this, I realized shampoo rhymed with the word canoe and that just got me going. The following is a poem I wrote in memory of my dad and all the things that remind me of him.

Dad

The taste of an orange and the smell of herbal essences shampoo

the sound of man who can't sing in church and the sight of an 'ol canoe

The cans of sardines covered in mustard and those blurry programs on tv

The feeling that there was someone bigger and knowing church held the key

The time he told my ccd class that I had a brownie with something more

and the fact that he would pay me way too much money for just  about any chore

The idea that a tree house should be twenty feet in the air

and the way he wore his clothes, giving matching no care

The thought that pictures were the best type of souvenir

and the ugly head above the fireplace of his first killed deer

The stink given off by one of those old rusty vans

and the thrill of leaving for a vacation without any plans

The way he rubbed my feet not worried if they were dirty or clean

and the embarrassment he loved to give me when I was about thirteen

The rumble of a motorcycle and the constant energy he always had

and how each and every one of these words leads me to the word Dad

Skiing in real snow

Over mid semester break this year, five of us girls took a road trip to Michigan to go skiing. A friend of mine and her parents were generous enough to drive us up there and let us stay in their cute as can be cabin. We spent two days on the slopes of Boyne Mountain in the most northern part of the lower peninsula. We all had so much fun skiing the days away and piddling around the town--which had the cutest little shops and restaurants.

This is the black diamond called DL's Drop that I made it almost all the way down until I fell at the bottom while celebrating my feat

All of us girls before going out on the slopes

No ski trip is complete with out some hot chocolate!

Triathalon Training

I just got back from a 14 mile bike ride and a 2 1/2 mile run. I have been trying to train for this spring's triathalon here at Earlham. I participated last year just for fun, but I am hoping to do a little better this year. Hopefully my new Trek road bike will aid in my pursuit. I purchased it after much thought about a month or two ago and I have been getting some really good use out of it! 

To the Beach and Back

For Spring break this year I decided to travel down south to meet up with a friend and start out on a journey. We spent the first day enjoying the beauty of the ATL, then headed out early the next day for Savannah-another beautiful city! We realized a few days before heading to Savannah that it holds a huge St. Patrick's Day Parade and party. The entire city was crazy and covered in green. I found myself really counting down those three months until I turn 21! 

A quick snapshot during the parade in Savannah

After spending the day walking around all the squares of Savannah, we headed off to St. Joe's Peninsula State Park in Florida. There we beach backpacked into one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. The best part about all of it was that we pretty much had the beach to ourselves! I had never backpacked before but there is something special about having everything you could possibly need on your back. We had fun cooking our little dinners on our tiny foldable stove, playing on the beach all day, and finding our way around the peninsula. My only regret is that we didn't have more time to spend on the beach. 

What we hiked through 3 times with no shoes, there and back, before realizing there was a beach access path

The gorgeous beach with a good shot of the sand dunes

We had to run to catch this sunset but it was definitely worth it

Alexis and Gabe, the children of some close family friends, just celebrated their 1st and 3rd birthdays. Alexis' theme was an entire array of princess apparel and decorations. I also joined in the festivities by dressing as Belle, with the help of my mom's sewing abilities to alter a dress I found at a thrift store. Gabe was also happy as can be with his Thomas the Train theme and thoroughly enjoyed destroying his first birthday cake.

Gabe enjoying his first cake

All of the princesses

Alexis and me (Belle)

Gabe chewing on a balloon with an evil brow

Vino y Queso

The annual wine and cheese party is one to remember, and this year's party proved to be just that . The semi-formal event was a weekend almost all of us enjoyed. After hair, makeup, and dress selection all of us girls headed out for a night of fun. 

I thought this one was really funny. You've got to check out the bendage on Karman's nose!

A great group shot

One with the roomie

Me, Meg, and my crazy date Mark