Back in school

My first week of grad school is officially over. It's strange to be a student again, and I can tell it will take a while to get used to it. This semester has me taking organic chemistry, microbiology, and a wine microbiology lab where I learn to make wine. I am also a TA for a "Vines and Wines" class, which is a class I would have enjoyed sitting in on anyway, so it's a pretty good deal.

My task now is to officially determine which direction I want to take within the Food Science department. I have to choose between doing a wine project that involves making my own wine (hence the wine lab) and product development/dairy science. Both directions interest me at this point, so I'm not sure which way to go. The wine lab would be super fun. I have already met with the potential advisor with whom I would work on the wine project, and I will meet with the dairy/product development advisor this week. Then it will be decision time.

I have been encouraged to look more at the skills I hope to have when I complete graduate school than at the actual commodities. Afterall, I will be able to spin my job title any way I would like, but my skills are what truly will be evaluated.

I was hoping to spend much of my first long weekend on my bike, but it's not happening. I have amazingly already gotten sick! I came down with a sore throat during our Wednesday ride, which has progressed to a nasty cough from my chest. I haven't been on the bike since that Wednesday ride. It's not worth pushing it and getting worse, so I'm waiting (and sleeping!) it out. Yep... 12 hours of sleep last night, followed by a huge breakfast (?) around noon at Old European.

Next weekend I plan to do my first sprint triathlon, followed by a mountain bike race the next day; not sure how either will go, considering that I haven't been on my mountain bike since February, and I don't even know the last time I swam. I have, at least, done two 10-minute runs in the past couple weeks, but considering that the run will be over twice as long, that may not get me all that far!

Mmmm...

Homemade s'mores cupcakes with toasted marshmallow frosting.

Rusty and Deborah's Wedding

This is long overdue, but here is a photo update of Rusty and Deborah's wedding in Tennessee. Mom and Dad also threw a pre-wedding party at their house in July. Ted and I were scheduled to take separate red-eye flights to TN, in order to make it for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, and both our flights were simultaneously canceled. So, I spent one more night in Orange County and Ted was in downtown Spokane. We made it for the dinner, but not for the rehearsal. It was a great wedding, with lots of family and friends. I'm sure more pictures will come.


Mom and Dad threw a pre-wedding party in Clarkston for those who would be unable to make it to the wedding in Tennessee. A surprise bagpiper played some tunes, so, of course, Rusty had to have a try...imagine a dog stepping on a cat and you can hear Rusty's beautiful music.


In town for the pre-wedding party: Cote and Barbara (my cousin and Dad's niece), Ted, me, Rusty, and Deborah.


Rusty Beall is officially riding his bike again. He and I rode together when they were home for the pre-wedding party in July. I dropped him, of course. First sibling ride in a few years.


Mom and Dad after their party in Clarkston.


Ted Chauvin a.k.a. Secret Service.


Ted and me.


Dad and me.


Mother of the groom/groom dance.


Mom, Dad, Rusty, and me, not long before the ceremony.


The new bride and groom.


The day after the wedding was spent relaxing on the river. Here I am with Adam Umber, Dave Lawson, Tom Nelson, and Ted.


Floating down the river in Townsend, TN with friends Dave and Dinorah Lawson, Ted, my cousin Jimmy, and Jimmy's wife Jessica.




I was the 6th kid to have a go at the pinata.


Next, it was my turn to spin my new sister-in-law and let her have at it.

First Up: National TT update

I flew to Orange County, California two weeks ago to compete in the elite national time trial championship. There were about 50 women registered, including some very fast time trialists, so I knew I would have to have a fantastic ride to really compete. Pre-riding the course last Tuesday, I found a hilly, very challenging course, with numerous rolling hills. I was very happy with the course selection, given that it had a little bit of everything: rolling climbs, fast descents, and a few flat sections.

I awoke Wednesday to a very hot day, so I knew I would need to stay hydrated up until my race start. I opted not to take a bottle with me for the actual time trial, as I figured I would lose time every time I took a sip. I started out well, keeping a hard, steady pace. I knew I had some very fast ladies immediately behind me, so I was hoping to hold them off as long as possible. Three miles into the race, I was caught by the woman (Alison Powers) who started one minute behind me. I felt a twinge of demoralization, but it quickly passed when I told myself she would surely finish in the top 3; she ended up being the national champion.

My effort felt hard to me, with each progressive roller hurting my legs more than the last. I kept Alison Powers in sight until I reached the turn-around, but then she started to pull away more and more, and I started to lose more and more time. I had very little left for the last few miles, and I found myself greatly fading. I finished feeling as if I had done all I could do for that particular day. It turned out not to be a good result at all, but I am still glad I did it. For whatever reason, it just was not my best day.

Time Trials and Tribulations

Today was the WA state 40 km TT. Neither Ted or I had a great ride, but we're okay with it. I have no excuses, other than the fact that I did not put in a great effort. I simply did not push myself hard enough today. It was my first 40 km TT in three years and it was definitely good to get one in before the nationals TT Wednesday. I cannot allow myself to put forth such a shoddy effort there.