Thursday, July 17, 2008

Boo!

Ricardo Ricco (Italy) tested positive for illegal substances in the Tour. He and his team were promptly kicked out. He was performing really well so far, a fun thing to watch that in retrospect seems, well, suspect. I'm sad. This Tour has been exciting to watch and they've done a lot of advertising about turning the Tour around, getting past all the doping scandals, and just riding. I guess they didn't convince the riders of that tack. I just hope that Vande Velde and Hincapie stay out of trouble...I would be beyond crushed.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Sums It Up


This picture might just sum up all of what I need to tell you about Nicaragua. Here's me running...I did a lot of that there (67 miles worth according to my Nike SportBand, which apparently was a bit short in it's measurements, so who knows really). I think that the kids only really knew me as the lady who always had to go to bed early so she could get up early and run. It's also a great shot of the bus we rode. Look at this relic! It's from Georgia but they pimp it out with colored electrical tape on the steering wheel. I'm surprised there's no "God is the guide on my road" along the windshield like most people have (although they have it in Spanish). The story behind this picture is basically that I was given some freedom (some rare non-kid time after 7am) and I just started running. Kind of like Forrest Gump en Espanol. What is odd is that I'm on the sidewalk. I never once ran on the sidewalk there...it was beyond dangerous and I hate running on cement and I see it as my right to run on the road (snotty, but true). I guess I didn't trust the bus driver, given that he's not using any hands. Note to people in wheelchairs and blind people: Do not vacation to Leon, Nicaragua. They have made it perfectly clear with their unkempt sidewalks that they don't really want you there. Sad, but true.
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Things Have Changed

Gas was $3.50 when I left, now it's $4.50. That's hard to get around when I'm hoping for a summer of seeing your family around the Northeast.

California is on fire. There seems to be a constant haze and temperatures in the 90 s and 100s aren't helping. Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.

Tampa Bay is also en fuego. The Red Sox need Big Papi back in the line-up for a spark.

We have an Olympic track team! I am watching all the video on NBC.com and tearing up watching the women's 10K. I was pulling for Adam Goucher, but I am excited to see Kara Goucher, Shalane Flanagan, Bernard Legat, Nick Symmonds, Shannon Rowbury, and the rest. Obviously, I will be anxiously watching Deena and Ryan Hall too!

I am thinking about investing in the Speedo LZR Racer. My swim times are too slow and I hear that suit helps.

I will be happy to get on an American Airlines flight tomorrow. Last night when we landed in SFO, the TACA airline crew played some kind of trance/club music. It was bizarre. What would my Nana have said?

I'm fairly certain that my run tomorrow will not include any whistling, hissing, or "chelitas." I can't remember when I've been so excited to lace up the Mizunos.

The Celtics are the champs! I know this is old news, but I can't believe that it's only been three weeks. I can't wait to get home to my own version of Titletown.

Nicaragua Pics


I've posted my pictures online. If I can stay awake, I'll try to add captions soon.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

A Pretty Good Day

I'll admit, my birthday started out a bit shaky. With a restless night in the top bunk (which included two descents to go to the bathroom) and a sub-par run, the day only improved. Apparently, when you have facebook, everyone remembers your birthday. I've never received so many well wishes on July 3 (unless you could the 200 boys who sang to me in 2004 and 2005). We went on a tour of some churches in Leon and got to go on the roof of the Cathedral. It was so beautiful up there. I never knew that Leon had so many trees. From the roof, we could see all the churches in the city and about half a dozen volcanoes.

Lunch today was a great. We went to my favorite place--La Olla Quemada. They served the vegetarians (it's just easier than trying to figure out how to be kosher) spinach and cheese quesadillas (they probably have another word for this) with a huge slice of avocado and pina jugo (pineapple juice). I was in heaven.

After lunch, I started the family phone calls. Skype really is great if you're abroad. At 2 cents a minute from here to the US, I got a lot of good talk time. After dinner, everyone sang "Felix Cumpleanos" and there was a big tres leches cake (the only dessert I've had here, so hence, it is my favorite) with 28 candles. Thankfully, I was sitting under a ceiling fan, which blew out 26 of the candles before I had the chance.

After dinner, we had a cultural performance scheduled. It was the best thing we've done so far...lots of Nicaraguan dancing and singing. It made my birthday end on a great note. When all the Nicas were done, some of our kids got up. One of our girls did Tihitian dancing. She pulled me up on stage to dance with her. I definitely have hips more suited for Chubby Checker. She was awesome at it though. Then a few girls did Irish dance and some people sang and beat-boxed (I don't think that's a verb). It was too much fun. I am off to bed...hopefully I get a good night sleep and a better run tomorrow. Thanks for all the fun birthday notes today! You all definitely made it easier to be in Nicaragua on my birthday.