Since She's Been Gone.....

....many unusual things have been occurring.

The couch has blankets and pillows askew...

the animals don't get as much attention, nor has there shedded fur been vacuumed up...

the drive way is getting repaved...

the kitchen table is covered in stuff...HER pet-peeve

the dishes are not done...

clothes are on the floor...

and I went to the Tourist Baseball game with Eliza and Susanna but had to pay for my ticket because the FREE tickets we have at the house I could not find....only SHE knows where things are!

PS: Mom, come home soon!

Fun Times Sharing!

This week I shared about being a missionary in Mexico City during the "missions" focus on Wednesday at Trinity Church's Arts and Sports Camp (aka: VBS). I had fun dressing in my pseudo-Mexican attire and entering the sanctuary to Cumbia, a very traditional form of Mexican music.




Picture compliments of Alex Bruns,

Swim, Bike, Run!!!....Biltmore Lake Triaton

Yesterday marked my one year anniversary with racing. Exactly a year ago I competed in my very first race (well, not including the Krispy Kreme Challenge, but this is a whole different kind of race). Since the Biltmore Lake Triathlon of June 2009 I have completed a 10 mile road race, a 9 mile road race, two half-marathons, a full marathon, and two sprint triathlons. Whew, what a year! These races are things I never would of thought possible, but it just shows me if I'm willing to work hard enough I can achieve anything.

Well it was most appropriate to celebrate my second showing at the Biltmore Lake Triathlon by racing with my dad (his FIRST triathlon). He trained since October 2009 for this race and he BEASTED it!!!! I was so proud of him for his diligence and motivation. So, here is to his upcoming year of races and marathons (right, dad?) and round-two for me!








The Biltmore Lake Triathlon consists of a 750 meter swim, a 17.5 mile bike, and a 3.1 mile run.

My dad's times were 19 min 40 sec swim, 1 hour 12 min bike, and 36 min 50 sec run; for a total time (including transition stations) of 2 hours 13 min 28 sec.

I did a 16 min swim, a 1 hour 8 min bike, and a 27 min 11 sec run; for a total time (including transition stations) of 1 hour 54 min 25 sec. I also won 3rd place in my age group!

My dad's good friend Dave and my good friend Rico also competed with us! And BIG thanks to my mom for coming out and cheering all morning and taking a thousand pictures!

Mexico Support Update

Well, my goal is to leave in two months to Mexico City! Financially speaking......

One Time Goal: $7,000
HAS BEEN MET!!!

Monthly Goal: $2,600
Still need about $1,800/month

I'm excited to see how God provides!

Mom's Recital, First Mountain Bike Race, Sunset Stampede!

Mom's annual piano recital was of course a success (all 60+ students she weekly teaches). And I assumed my annual job of serving cake!










Thanks to Rico's influence I entered into my first Mountain bike Race...and boy was that shocking! There was a course near Bent Creek Forest that was a loop about 1.5 miles long. The course had narrow bridges over creeks, jumps, stumps, roots, hills...you name it! The race lasted for about 55 minutes and whoever had completed the most laps by the end wins. There were about 30 guys in the race and 3 girls. I got second place out of the women and won a really cool handmade trophy that was made out of bike parts in the shape of a "2". I also left with about 10 solid bruises because I fell about 20 times (no joke).


















I competed in my very first Sunset Stampede race the weekend after the bike race. This race is a 10 mile race up Sunset Ave. near the Grove Park Inn and they use to do the race at sunset in the evenings. The race is 5 miles UP hill to the top of Town Mountain and then 5 miles back down (soooooo much more fun :)). My running inspiration Bill Smith (a runner from my church who has been so very supportive of all my running endeavors from the beginning, and a Boston Marathon Qualifier!) also ran the Stampede with me. I ended up getting Second Place in the Women's 20-30 age group. ...My award made that LONG up hill not seem so bad!

Surprise Party, Graduation, and Biltmore Classic Road Race

Well for starters, I graduated yesterday from NC State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education with an ESL licensure. In attendance, were my mom, dad, and Grandmother Kincaid. After graduation we went and celebrated at the Cheesecake Factory.


















Last week I hosted and co-planned a surprise birthday party for Alex, a friend from work. Come to find out half of the surprise was on me. The party ended up being for both of us! He thought the party was for me, I thought it was for him....SURPRISE! It was very thoughtful of everyone who helped (mom, Sara, Hannah) make it a success. I was definitely surprised and it's hard to surprise me! I felt very honored and loved of the GIFTS!









This morning, my dad and I, and Rico, ran in the Biltmore Classic that is hosted on the Biltmore House property. It was HILLY, but very beautiful. My dad did the 5K (3.1 miles) in about 33 minutes and Rico and I did the 15K (9.3 miles). It took me 1 hour and 26 minutes and Rico 1 hour and 7 minutes. I had hoped to do it faster, but was just worn out. Overall it was very enjoyable!

Last Week of college classes as an undergrad!

Amanda and I celebrating with Strawberry Daquires for me getting into grad school...but really for no real reason other than that we had the "mix" to make them!










Last Saturday evening was the Mi Familia Gala. I had a great time getting dressed-up, eating a banquet style dinner, and then dancing the night away with all my Latino friends here at NC State!

Sunday I headed up to Danville, VA to visit with my grandparents. My grandpa cooked us a yummy meal of cubed steak, gravy, biscuits, and tossed salad, and then chocolate cake and apple pies for dessert. Grandma and I each took a nap after lunch and then we all watch the Talladega Nascar Race on TV.










On Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature's Awards ceremony took place. I received three awards, Teaching in Excellence for both ESL and Spanish and then the Malinowinsky Memorial Award for a love of Spanish culture and a love for teaching. My name will go up on a permnament plaque in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature for the ESL Teacher Excellence award, and I also receive $100 for the ESL award and $100 for the Malinowski Award. ...What can I say "Go big, or go home!"

(Pictures: Me, my professor/adviser Karen Tharrington, my adviser Susan Navey-David, Dad)

After the ceremony, my dad took me out to eat dinner at a cute "up scale" Mexican restaurant and then took me too the drug store to buy medicine...because I was sick! I had been feeling achy all day, and was having chills. I not sure what I have, but I have a fever, headache, and sore throat...so now I'm just taking it easy. I'm working on a paper and I write a paragraph or so while sitting in my bed, then lay down for five minutes, then repeat!

Tonight I am suppose to go to the Campus Crusade Senior Dinner (I'm going because of Destino) but that depends on how I feel. Later this evening I am suppose to go get Sushi with the Destino group...but we will see. Tomorrow is an end-of-the-year cookout for Campus Crusade and I probably spend the rest of the weekend studying for exams, finishing a paper, packing, and hanging out with friends.

Happy Thursday!