Back from Orlando

We are back from our short trip to Orlando. Overall, it was a good trip. We went to Universal, which was pretty cool. I really liked the Simpsons Ride, but it made Brian feel really sick. (If roller coasters make you unhappy, you should skip this ride.) Here are a few pictures from our trip. The first two are at a dinosaur-themed restaurant (fuzzy-sorry about that). The next shot is us out on a paddle boat at the resort. The last picture is at the mini golf course we played: Winter Summerland (Christmas-themed, half winter, half summer). It was a good trip. It would have been a great trip if I had not been coughing the whole time. Sadly, it seems like Brian is now coming down with this same congestion-type sickness. Wish him a speedy recovery!

mish-mash

I got a new haircut, but I have no pictures yet to post.

My conference in Atlanta was great. I had a good time and met many interesting people. My poster was well-received, and we publicized the conference I am running in October a lot.

Now that I am back in Tallahassee, I have been working on grading, calculating semester grades, and research. It is nice to be able to take it easy for a few days, after the busy busy month we have had (first Brian was gone, then I was gone, etc).

We are slowly getting a better idea of what our fall will look like, although we don't have any "for sure" answers yet. Stay tuned--I'm sure Brian will announce when he is ready.

As for now, we were thinking of going to Orlando this weekend for a short vacation, but we are reconsidering because of the swine flu (Disney seems like a good place to spread disease) and also because Brian has been feeling a little under the weather. We will see.

RIP Dave

During the recent family trip to Gatorland, Dave decided to wrestle with a gator he saw. The results, though predictable, are still quite sad to both of us. Oddly, instead of helping his brother, Brian kept his distance and documented the entire gruesome affair. RIP Dave.

Orlando

Last week, Brian joined his parents and brother Dave in Orlando for some R&R. I could not go, since classes needed to be taught, and I am a pretty busy lady the last month or so of the semester. Anyway, they seemed to have a very nice time. Here are a few pictures from that time together. (The second picture should be rotated counterclockwise, but I cannot convince the picture of that.)

Softball

Brian has been playing softball with the court team again this spring, although I have not been able to make it to many games. (They often play when I am teaching.) A couple weeks ago, I made it to the last inning. They were playing a late game that day--so they were still on the field when I got off work at 10PM. Here is a shot of the team--same shirts as last year.

I have been up all night working on a research presentation. It is done now, but I am waiting for Brian to get up so I can bring him to work before I sleep a little this morning.

A few triathlon pictures of Brian

The pictures from the triathlon are starting to filter in from the several FSU supporters who were there. Two have popped up of me but none of Han yet that I've found. I'm the fourth person in the line of this picture. We're running up from the lake (off to the right and down a ramp) to take off our wetsuits in the transition area and start the bike.

And this is me towards the very end. I was sprinting to the finish line, that's why I'm making such a funny breathing face. I was glad to be done. That's our team's shirt that I'm wearing.

Triathlon completed!

Hanneke and I are both back now from the triathlon and it was a success in both of our minds. We didn't finish first and we didn't finish last and we both met our own personal goals; mine was to not stop (to tread water/walk the bike/or walk on the run), and Hanneke's was to complete the triathlon and focus on her running.

For me, the hardest part mentally was definitely the swim and physically it was the bike. I was in the 29 and under group (measured from your birthday at the end of the year, so I just barely made this group). This group also contained the professional triathletes (there were some in other groups as well). Our group started second since the swim groups were released in waves. When the topdogs hit the water, I and a friend hung back a moment so I wouldn't get trampled. To my surprise, the swim was intimidating once I got out there. The water was choppy and I couldn't breathe at all. With dozens of people passing me and throwing water in my face (and mouth), and knowing that you were out in open water and the shore was far away, it was a challenge. The worst was the wetsuit; with it on, I couldn't take a full breath even when I tried. I won't wear one if I do another sprint triathlon. The wetsuit, as much as I loved that it made me warmer, was really very restrictive.

The bike was pretty physically demanding because of the endless hills. I think most of the ride was either going up a hill or down a hill. Unfortunately, the downhills were steep and so they ended quickly, whereas the uphills were often long and gradual. About half way through the biking, my ankle started hurting again, which I'd never had happen on a bike ride before. So I started the run a bit nervous.

The run was actually really enjoyable for me. I was able to pass a lot of people and my ankle didn't give me any real problems at all. It was on nice trails through the woods and they were quiet and peaceful. When I finished the run, I kind of wished I'd pushed myself harder since I wasn't that tired. I was happy to see the finish line.

After Hanneke finished, we went down to the food pavilion they had set up in the park and ate some stuff. They had great energy and health food. Hanneke had a sore neck when she woke up and the triathlon only made it worse, so she had a free massage (also set up for the triathletes). Then we packed up our stuff and came home (after dropping off our mountain bikes with Tim and Carla). Humorously, I am now icing my ankle and Han her neck.

All in all, we are both very glad we did it. Afterwards, we really felt like we were part of something positive. I might do one again next year, but if so I would definitely (a) not wear a wetsuit, (b) get a roadbike, and (c) try and get my ankle sorted out first.

Thanks to everybody for supporting us through this adventure. We were able to raise over $1000 to fight ALS, and that means the time was well spent. Thanks again for helping us make that happen.