First Bike Ride and Interview

First, can I get an Amen for posting another blog less than a month from the last time? I will attribute part of that to the fact that I borrowed a laptop from school which is just easier to use at home since I can take it away from our little guest room/ office downstairs...only to find out that they're buying me my own NEW laptop which should be here this week! Sweet, huh?! Maybe I can keep up this blog thing better??!! I said maybe.

So, yesterday was a great day! Cara, Kara, and I decided to go on a bike ride. It wasn't perfectly sunny out, but nice enough. We decided on a pretty easy ride that Kara found by calling one of the local bike shops; however, we must have missed a turn because we ended up at a trail that the girls have been on called Lair O' the Bear, which is a bit more technical and has some climbing streaks, which of course, I wasn't really ready for...especially on my first run! We had a great time, although I felt extremely out of shape! I need to spend some time on some flat trails just to get used to my bike and get my legs back in gear before I go back out to a rough mountain trail again. I bit it pretty hard coming over the top of one of the hills...there were two pretty thick roots in the middle of the track and I couldn't decide if I should go over them or around since I was going fairly steep downhill. I decided last second to go around to the right and fell into the brush on the side of the trail. I didn't flip over my bike, but didn't land too gracefully either! Not too hurt, just a few scratches, I got up and continued on. The uphills were pretty steep and had a lot of switchbacks (sharp turns going in the other direction like zig-zagging up the mountain) that I had to walk my bike through, although so did Kara and Cara. I'm pretty sure the switchbacks take a bit of experience to be able to handle on the bike.

Riding downhill felt exhilerating! I learned last night that I need to keep pedaling as it continues to balance the bike, even when I'm going downhill. When we got to the bottom, the girls and I were just jackin' around in the parking lot and we decided it would be great fun to try and jump our bikes up onto this foot and a half ledge. What the hell was I thinking?! Cara (Dallas) is super athletic! So she makes it up in a second and I'm thinking, "hey, I can do that!" So I pull my bike half way across the lot, race towards the center median, pull my bike up too late, and flip myself and the bike onto the grass! I wasn't hurt, but it was much like running myself into a wall! It was pretty funny! Then Kara (my roomie) decided she should try and did about the same thing that I did, but somehow she racked the hell out of herself in the process and was on the ground holding herself like a guy! I felt so bad because I knew she was actually in pain, but it was the FUNNIEST looking thing I have seen in quite a while! She and her bike just sat there in mid air for about ten seconds while we all knew it wasn't going to end well. We laughed our happy assess off for a long time about that one. I have a strawberry bruise on each leg from our adventure/ stupidity.

Last night I met with the first family who I've been speaking with about a possible summer nanny position. They were a nice family. The kids seem a bit inactive, which doesn't interest me as much, but they seemed like a good family and I'm sure we'd all get along. I sent the mother my references today and she replied saying that I was their top candidate right now but that they had a couple more interviews this week. I have another one on Wednesday as well that I am looking forward to. This family seems much more active with three girls (13, 11, and 8) who are all involved in various camps through out the summer. Keep your fingers crossed that this family and I actaully connect as well as I'm feeling we might! It's a four day a week job and I like the idea of having most of the week dedicated to earning some extra money. I'm also talking with several people about possible dog and house sitting gigs, some for this month and some for this summer, which I hope work out. I think that is such an easy way to make money and enjoy being with animals. Keep you posted on that...

After the interview with the first family (not of the United States, just the first of a couple families I'm talking to), I went to Darcy's house for dinner with she and her boyfriend Alex. They invited me over earlier in the day and cooked up a yummy good meal! We had such a nice time eating and enjoying each other's company. That is my kind of Sunday...

For now, I'm looking for another trail to ride on Wednesday after school...it's supposed to be 70! Wish me luck!

I'm a once a month blogger...

Sue me!

Anyway, I have no news to report about any of the EHarmony boys...I'm pretty much off that band wagon. My service expires in a week and I'm not renewing...it takes so much time! Not that there weren't some perks, but sitting in front of my computer (especially now that it's beautiful outside) is not my idea of fun! So, no, nothing else happened with any of the guys I met. They were all great people, but none of them really captured my attention. In laymen's terms...I was bored.

Instead, I bought a bike! I love it! My roommate, Kara, and friend, Cara, have been biking lately and I've been thinkig about getting one, so I finally did. It's a great little mountain bike that actually fits me! Shocker, I know...the guy at the bike shop said most women's bikes are made to fit women who are about 5'0". I was overjoyed...no one EVER says that! I took it for a little spin in the parking lot, Cara was impressed that I didn't even stop as I went down the curb, and the bike (which has a few fairly inconspicuous little butterflies) and I fell in love! I decided to wait a couple days so I could do some price comparisons and a little more research, but when I went back, she was still on hold for me. There was this cute bike technician who we visited with briefly when we first went who remembered me when I came in again and he helped me out. He was really easy to talk to and after visiting while he was doing some finishing touches on my bike, he gave me his number and said to give him a call if we go riding soon! I think I actually will! In fact, he's fairly new to Denver as well and I thought I would ask him if he wanted to join our kickball league this summer...yes, it's true...fun people playing kickball in the park this summer. I'm excited! My friend, Darcy, and I went riding on Tuesday after school, but just around the neighborhood park, Wash Park. We had a blast! If you haven't been on a bike since you were about 8, I highly recommend it! Makes you feel like you're carelessly 8 again. My ass hurts, but I can get that taken care of soon...going to get bike shorts tomorrow! Kara and Cara and I are going up to Red Rocks on Sunday...should be great...wonderful weather and Red Rocks is a beautiful area. I want to ask the guy from the bike shop to join us, but not on my first run. I'll call him soon though...he has an infectious laugh, although he didn't laugh AT me when I couldn't take my tire off to get it in the car. He came running out to help the damsel in distress. :)

So, siblings, if you're thinking of birthday gift ideas, I'm all about bike accessories! Fingerless gloves, a small camel backpack, helmet (I'm borrowing one of Kara's right now), water bottle holder, insulated water bottle, etc. Although if any of you buy me a bell, I'll kill you!

The end of school is nearing. I've never felt more productive in my work than I have this year. It's been an incredible year! I love the students in my class and the professionalism that I've experienced thus far. Darcy and I will be working on a book this summer! I'm looking forward to the summer months here. Although I usually take several trips in the summer, I'm only taking one in July...I'm planning to get to Dallas on July 11th for Steph's baby shower, spending time at home, seeing friends I miss dearly, and then heading to Austin with my play group growing up. I'll be in Texas for about ten days. Other than that, I'm looking forward to people coming to visit ME! I'm so excited to be in my new home, exploring, working a bit, relaxing, biking, practicing yoga, hiking, finding a fabulous hot spring! If anyone wants to join, feel free! We have plenty of room at the house.

I'm in the midst of talking with a few families in hopes to nanny this summer. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. One, in particular, sounds quite promising and a great fit...I'll keep you posted...probably next month. :)

I miss my family (all over the country) and I miss, miss, miss my dear friends...

But I still love it here.

Much love...