Dave's Lake Sammamish Triathlon

I'm so proud of my husband.  I haven't gotten myself back on the triathlon (or major athletic events) bandwagon, but Dave is so great about getting himself to the gym, in the pool, and out on his bike to stay in triathlon shape.  I know he wants to train harder, and that's great - still I am already so impressed with his commitment.

My level of support was to successful wake up at 5:35 this morning, hobble to the car, and hang out at Lake Sammamish.  I'm giving myself a few tiny wife points only because I am always exhausted from the week and I hate waking up early (tehehe).  Dave has been preparing himself mentally all week, and carefully organized and packed his supplies last night.  He even ate what I think must have been a truly revolting coffee-flavored gel supplement this morning.  If that's not hard core, well I just don't know what is!

This was an interesting tri - much smaller than most of the ones we've been to, which was nice.  There were a good number of serious competitors, but Dave didn't seem to let them get to him.  In fact, he was the first in his wave to the first buoy on the swim.  He'll probably tell you this was a pacing issue, but I'm still impressed since in the Danskin I just got kicked in the face and tried not to drown.

Here are a few photos of Dave in action:

Check out that awesome new(ish) wetsuit.  Thanks, Uncle David Mark!

Exiting Lake Sammamish

Heading out from the transition area for the bike ride

Coming in to the finish line

In case you are wondering what's next, Dave plans to participate in the Kirkland Triathlon in September.  I'm planning to ask Dana and Brianne if they want to do a relay with me, and since I always forgot, I will type it here - consider yourselves asked if you read this, ladies!

We are also hoping to train for the STP next July, and if that goes well, might think about California Climate Ride one of these years...(Crazy?  Maybe.)

The last month

Since it's been almost exactly a month since I last posted, I thought I'd share a recap/update.  More than being a lazy blogger, I kept feeling like I didn't have anything interesting to say.  But I know something has happened in a month, 1/12 of the year, half the time I've had off since graduating... :)

Dave and I:

• Celebrated 3 years since we started dating, 2 years since we got engaged (and by now about 5 years of friendship)
• Traveled to Whistler, British Columbia for a weekend visit with my amazing cousin and her college band who were featured at the Whistler Music Festival

• Attended a great talk by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods, at Town Hall
• Bought some new plants at the Orca K-8 school garden plant sale (one of the school gardens where my service learning undergrads volunteered)
• And just this last weekend went for a bike ride to Totem Lake (the actual lake, not the mall), babysat our favorite twins, went to a delicious wine tasting (Thanks, Jean!), and saw Guys & Dolls at 5th Avenue (Thanks, Blana!).

In case you're wondering, things are picking up in the job search, and I really (really) hope to have good news to report soon.  This month I've had 2 phone and 2 in-person interviews, plus one not-yet-official but promising job prospect.  I've also participated in 2 panels for UW classes, helped at the Seattle Tilth plant sale, volunteered at the Washington Park Arboretum, and spoken to someone about some writing volunteer work for a small environmental education magazine.

We're really excited for the month to come, which includes a weekend trip to the Olympic Peninsula, a wedding Brianne and I are attending in DC, a triathlon for Dave, a small College of Education graduation celebration, wine making class, my 10 year high school reunion, and a trip to Memphis for an exciting family wedding.  More to come...

Starting triathlon season and workout goals

Last Sunday Dave (along with Blake, Heidi, and Brianne) participated in the first triathlon of the season: the Seattle RainMan.  It's a great way to start because 1) you swim and bike indoors and 2) the swimming and biking are timed instead of distance-based.  All of them did great, and I'm so proud of Dave for finding time to stay in shape and motivated for triathlons.

Following his lead, I'm trying to set some new fitness goals for myself.  I had very little time for workouts last quarter and it left me feeling yucky about myself and my athletic abilities.  My first step has been to sign up for another boot camp (like I did before the wedding).  It was really challenging, motivating, and effective, so it seems like a great way to get back in shape.  I'm also setting a goal of working on biking, running, and yoga.

Anyone want to work out with me? :)

We'll keep you posted on our progress this spring!

Recovering lost photos from Dave's phone...

...I came across this beauty from the summer.

Remembering 2010

I just asked Dave, "Can you believe this is the last day of the year we got married?"  Our mutual response, "No!"  Until recently I wasn't sure my brain could think beyond 2010...I guess it's good I'm catching up!

So much happened this year (in no particular order):

1. We got hitched! (See some of my favorite wedding photos: ready for the wedding, you may kiss the bride, a moment to celebrate, exhausted and in love - I swear I didn't mean to pick almost all us kissing!)
2. Several friends had cute babies, including Kaylee, Ethan, Haly, and Kimbre (and Morgan on the way)
3. Ryan graduated from high school and started at UW
4. My cousin Karla got engaged to Brian (can't wait for June)
5. We relaxed on a wonderful honeymoon in Oregon
6. We enjoyed our bachelor and bachelorette parties, and my shower (thanks to Jonathan, Dana, all of our bridal party, and our other supportive family and friends)
7. Dave completed his allergy shots and is now immune to bee stings (phew)
8. I returned to teaching, though I had already started back to school
9. I reviewed hundreds of admissions files and helped select the 2010 freshman class
10. I day-of coordinated a wedding, great practice for our own
11. Dave participated in several triathlons, and discovered he is a true triathlete (see photos from the Kirkland Triathlon)
12. We managed several fun trips and events, despite our crazy schedules (see January trip to Portland, Sounders game, Wooden Boat Festival, Brinnon, and more)

We're looking forward to a great year in 2011, which will include:

1. My graduation from UW (again) with an M.Ed.
2. Our 3rd dating anniversary and 1st wedding anniversary
3. Matthew graduating from high school, and my other cousin Karla getting married
4. Me finding a job?!
5. A weekend trip to Victoria, and hopefully a week-long trip in April (TBD)
6. Triathlons and biking
7. Gardening
8. Several plays, ballets, and symphonies (thank you friends and family)
9. Time with friends and family, including lots of adorable kiddos, trips to Brinnon, time at the cabin up north
10. Cooking, crafting, reading, and generally taking more time for ourselves

I think I speak for both of us when I say that we feel truly blessed with all we have.  Thank you, and Happy New Year!

Kirkland Triathlon 2010

This weekend Dave and Jonathan participated in the Kirkland Triathlon.  This was Dave's 4th triathlon, and his 2nd Kirkland Triathlon.  Jonathan was doing his 2nd triathlon, and the first in Kirkland.

Today the water was 63-64 degrees, which seemed to be much better than the 59 degree water in Lake Sammamish for the Issaquah Triathlon.  We're going to have to get these boys some wetsuits since they have proven themselves true triathletes!

Indeed, they did absolutely amazing, and Rick, Carol, Kaity, and I were so proud of them as they swam, biked, and ran their way to the finish line!  In the end they crossed neck in neck - they were never separated by more than a minute on their split times, which is pretty incredible.

Here's Dave, nice a clean pre-race.

 Aww, brothers.

 Yup, those are Dave's muddy feet.

 Here's their wave lining up to start the 1/2 mile swim.

 And they're off!

Jonathan cracked us up with his facial expressions.  He made it out of the water first, but Dave was close behind.

 Dave wears bike shoes for clipless pedals (which clip, so I never understand that name...), which makes his transitions a little slower.  Jonathan took off on his bike first.  Dave was less than a minute behind.

 Apparently Dave was quick on the hills and descents, and Jonathan was fast on the flats.  At the end of the ride Dave made it in first, with Jonathan just behind.

 Jonathan just had to put down his bike, so he caught up in the transition area and beat Dave out for the run (while he tied on those running shoes).  Dave was now 40 seconds behind.

 Then they came down the final hill neck in neck, and apparently stride for stride (look at these next shots!).

 Way to go, guys!

Apparently they'll need a bit of time to recover before the next one... :)

2 weeks

There are 2 weeks to the big day, which is both exciting and headache-inducing for me.  So, I thought I would share with you the world's worst-quality, but amusing, video of Dave with his new can opener.  I saw this in action at my mom's house and said, "Dave would love that!" (given his love of all kitchen gadgets).  My grandma decided that Dave needed one as his shower gift.  It reminds us of the robots in WALL-E, and how could that not make you smile?

Wish us luck as the countdown continues to click down...

Meet the hummingbirds, part deux

Watching the hummingbirds grow up has been so fascinating and has in fact become a bit of an obsession for me.  I will usually look in on the birds while coming and going from work and occasionally a couple of times during the evening.  An interesting development is how quickly the birds have been growing which means that the mother hummingbird no longer fits inside the nest with the babies.  I don't know where she sleeps, but she'll stop in periodically to check in and say hello while perching on the side of the nest.  Apparently a hummingbirds feet are only good for perching and if they need to move even a couple of inches they will fly instead of walking.

The babies don't look like babies anymore.  They are almost the size of mom and seem to be having trouble fitting into the nest together.  There must be enough room for them to move around a little bit because sometimes they are facing the same direction and other times they are sitting beak to tail.  I am afraid that the day is fast approaching when I will look into the nest one morning only to find that the babies have begun their own lives.  When that day comes I might become an empty-nester, at least for a day or two...

Meet the hummingbirds

It seems fitting on my grandma's birthday to tell you about our new bird friends (my grandma loves birds).  Dave loves to check on them whenever we come and go from the condo, and now I'm hooked, too!

Here is what we assume is "mama bird."  We could almost reach the nest on the tree growing out of the courtyard.  Kind of her to pick a branch on the second story!

I would swear it was a fake bird and nest because she sits so still, but we see her come and go.  In fact, we got to spot an egg!  And then today, for the first time, we got to meet the babies (mom must be out getting food for those hungry mouths).

Aren't they adorable?  It's nice to pause for a "nature moment" each day.

I suggested that we have hummingbirds as pets.  I guess we really have the ideal, they sit just outside the door and we don't have to clean up after them!

(All photos by Dave)

4 months to "I do!", and updates on us

Today marks 4 months to the wedding day.  Dave and I were talking about it this morning, and we weren't quite sure how to respond.  Of course we are very excited to finally get married, but we also feel overwhelmed with all the things that still need to get done!  Like writing blog posts more frequently than once a month...oops.

So what's been going on?  Here's a summary:

The two of us
- At the end of March Dave and I participated in another triathlon.  It was mostly indoor and timed instead of distance-based, so we did very little to prepare!  Still, we finished, and we had fun with our wave of just us and friends. :)
- Our refrigerator is dying.  Actually it died, then kind of came back, then died again.  We learned that cabinet-depth (smaller) costs MORE.  Something we found very frustrating.  So, we've been borrowing my brother's future college dorm fridge.  Today thanks to Dave and Carol we found a good deal on a new fridge, and it will arrive on Friday (hooray!).

Dave
- Just over a week ago we celebrated Dave's birthday!  We had a full day celebration, starting with a trip to the Science Fiction Museum with Dave's family, then snacks at the Seattle Center, dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, an IMAX film, and happy hour at the Melting Pot with friends.
- On Dave's birthday itself I took him to Cafe Flora, a delicious vegetarian restaurant in Seattle (where my shower will be held - woot to my friends and mom!).
- Dave's workload has picked up again, which he seems to be enjoying.  I have to get him to blog to tell you more. :)
- Dave has been doing a lot of biking, and plans to practice for the Issaquah Triathlon in June.  I think after that one I'm cutting him off until after the wedding...

Jackie
- In March I returned to teaching environmental education at Mercer Slough.  It's been wonderful to have time outside, and with kids!  I've been doing a lot of reflection on my teaching based on UW classes, too.  This summer I will work full-time leading summer camps, like I did a few years ago.  It's been so refreshing and inspirational to teach again.
- Spring Quarter started at the end of March.  I'm taking courses in Education Psychology, Science Education, and Community-Based Museums.  In addition, I am teaching a Pipeline seminar on Education for Sustainability for 12 students.
- Yesterday I presented a poster at a teaching symposium on campus, based on a course I was involved in last quarter.
- Just today I learned that I've been hired to TA the ENVIR 100 course in Winter 2011.  In addition to being a really fun course, this will cover my tuition for another quarter (yay!).
- It looks like I am on schedule to graduate in March next year!
- Last weekend I helped coordinate a lovely wedding for some friends I met through Dana.  I wanted to try my hand at day-of wedding coordination.  It was a wonderful experience, and gave me some ideas for our wedding.

Wedding!
- I've been going to dress fittings, and alterations will be done soon.
- All 3 bridesmaids have picked their dresses!
- We had our first cake tasting.  We'll be having two flavors for the main cake, plus small side cakes that are vegan and allergy-friendly.  Yum yum.
- Dave has been helping me with some of the wedding craft projects, like the napkin rings.  Isn't he sweet?
- My bachelorette party will be in May, and my shower in June.  We're celebrating early so everyone can be involved based on travel and pregnancy schedules. :)
- I've been judging the closeness of the wedding by the progress of matron of honor Dana's pregnancy!  The bigger the twins, the less time I have to plan and prepare.  Haha.  But, it does mean two VERY exciting events are getting closer.

By the way, Monday will be our 2 year dating anniversary, and our 1 year engagement anniversary (convenient, eh?).  More to come...and I'll try to do better on regular updates!

Happy Holidays!

Happy holidays, family and friends!

As you've heard, it's been a busy time for Dave and I.

I'm happy to say that I completed my first quarter of grad school.  Midterms and finals melded into one solid month of stress, but overall I think it went well.  I absolutely love my Education classes, and I'm excited about my new position in Admissions.  It will be sad to leave the park, but this position will help me pay for school and allow me to spend more time on campus.  I don't know what I'll be doing spring quarter yet, but I'm confident things will work out.

After taking a quarter off from wedding planning to focus on school, I'm enjoying thinking about it again.  More to come on those things soon...

Dave's been keeping busy, too.  Besides taking care of me during this stressful time, he created a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner at his parents' house.  Rick, Dave, and Jonathan were in charge of the "feast," and managed to serve vegetarians and turkey-lovers alike.  Lately he's been doing a lot of programming, and taking some time outs for gaming with the guys.

We've also been enjoying the holiday season.  Our friends posted some great photos: girls' sleepover, getting the Christmas tree, a cookie exchange, and making an amazing Christmas ornament.

The presents are almost all wrapped, Dave's stocking is filled (and he says mine will be soon, too), the advent house's doors are being opened, and we can't wait to see our families for a several day extravaganza of festiveness.  Merry Christmas, everyone!

It's been a long time

Time is a funny thing. The way my schedule is right now, sometimes I feel like I have a lot of time, and other times I feel so rushed. In general, though, I feel so happy with the right now and the soon to come.

So, the updates. What have we been doing since the Kirkland Triathlon I told you about way back when?

Well, with the start of October came my first day of grad school in the College of Education at UW. So far I'm absolutely loving it. This quarter I'm learning about science educational methods, historical writing of teaching and curriculum theory, and the role of nonprofits in youth education. Next quarter I will have courses on reading comprehension, multilingual socialization and learning, and business strategy for the natural environment (through Program on the Environment, my old program).

As most of you know, when I started grad school I went to half time at my job. That's been hard, as I've worked to build a program over the last two years, and now I have to let go of things. I was stretched to the limit trying to get everything done, including a sea level rise display I organized for 350.org's International Day of Climate Action. Now things are calming down a bit.

But, the big news. I've accepted a graduate student appointee position at school. Being a GSA is the way to go for grad school, since I'll be paid a salary and receive free tuition and health insurance. I'm really excited - I'll be reviewing applications for undergraduate admissions.

There have been a lot of ups and downs this month, but, luckily, we also had some fun in October and early November. We:
- Took engagement pictures!
- Had a great day trip to Dave's family cabin north of Seattle. They have been working really hard to fix things up, and rediscovering a relaxing family retreat. While there, Dave and I walked over to use the neighbors' rope swing. Here's my favorite pic of the day:
- Saw "Where the Wild Things Are" and got a really awesome crown.
- Whiled away a few weekend mornings at one of our local coffee shops sipping lattes, reading, and playing Scrabble.
- Did some manual labor! The sea level rise display faced some of our heavy fall storms, so I spent a good bit of time pounding stakes into the beach. I also enjoyed a work party at the park, and Dave spent another day at the cabin with his family.
- Visited Craven Farm on a lovely, rainy Sunday afternoon to partake in their Halloween festivities. We grew a ton of pumpkins ourselves, but Dave let me buy one very darling little pumpkin, and we enjoyed some delicious cider and a pumpkin cookie. It's fun to see our wedding venue in different seasons! Hopefully it won't be quite so muddy in August...
- Saw a great performance of "Waterlines" by Stokles Towles at Noodleworks by Uwajimaya. Stokley is part of a panel I am helping to organize that features artists from the Water Calling Series.
- Watched a lot of The Tudors and Lost. Netflix instant streaming to XBox is dangerous.
- Returned to E.E. Robbins to look at wedding bands. I think we've picked mine - it involved sapphires. Tehehe.

There are a lot of exciting things coming up, too. I'm looking forward to several fun get togethers with friends (a girls' sleepover, a vintage holiday show at Craven). I know Dave can't wait to start cooking up Thanksgiving food (Tofurky - yum!), and we're planning a fun Christmas tree-acquisition outing for later that weekend. Soon enough I'll be through final projects, and we can enjoy the holiday festivities.

Thanks to everyone for their continual support. Have a happy start to the holiday season!

Kirkland Triathlon

On the 20th Dave and our good friend Blake (who will be a groomsman in our wedding) did the Kirkland Triathlon.  They did incredibly well.  I was so proud of Dave as he swam (super fast!), biked, and ran his way through his first tri.  I think he may have a future in this!

 Look at that confidence.

 

 Tehehe.

 

 Contemplative Dave and Blake.

 

 Dave returning from the swim - already stripping off his swim shirt!

 

 Dave in the transition area.

 

 Blake takes off on the ride.

 

 Dave returns from the bike ride.

 

 Dave heads out for the run.

 

 Blake returns from the bike ride.

 

 Here comes Dave!

 

 Run Blake, run!

 

 Aww.  They did it!

 

 Triumph!

 

Way to go, #400!

All photos by Jackie (I got to use the nice camera - sweet!).