Photo overload

Ahhh, life back on the east coast. I've been home now since Friday and have been meaning to update since....a while..

Since I can't get my damn act together I'm just going to recap the rest of my time in California while I simultaneously keep up to date with what's going on now. I'm a great multi-tasker like that.

Last I left off I was writing about the riding, running, froyo, good food, and sharks. The rest of that week was pretty much the same except that I flitted to the airport on Thursday afternoon to visit an old friend up on Northern CA. Ray is a good friend I met while studying abroad in Italy during college and I haven't seen him since May '07. It was so wonderful to see him and catch up, and see a different side of California.

UCSC Campus.

Redwoods 'hike'.

Me & Raype.

Upon returning to SD on Saturday, I met my boyfriend in the airport so he could experience CA in all its glory as well. I'm going to get a bit gushy for .02 seconds when I say it was SO nice to see him. Anyway, we spent Saturday going to get my packet, getting groceries, going for a quick run, and heading out to dinner with Whitney & Michele. Oh, we also got froyo. I mean, that kind of goes without saying now.

Sunday was race day in Solana Beach (recap later), which was really fun. I was happy bf was there so that he could take over my Dad's position of race day photographer, even if there were many empty shots, or shoulders of friends. No big.

Mmmm, fruit juice.

Itty bitty avocado.

Monday through Thursday were spend exploring, eating, froyoing, and enjoying life. We went on an awesome hike with Whitney, Michele, and her boyfriend Jim which left us with breathtaking views and a nice foot soak in a little stream/waterfall. We did some kayaking in La Jolla, standup paddleboarding in Carlsbad, sunset watching in Solana Beach, and walking. Thanks to Adam letting us use his car we were able to see a lot more than we thought we would.

Hiking group.

Whitney & Michele.

SILF.

Drinks with Sydney & bf.

Overall, I had an amazing time in San Diego and can't thank my friends enough for taking care of me while I was out there. Whitney took me into her humble abode and I just had so much fun with her. It was great to see Sydney and her family so much and reconnect with her. Adam was awesome in making sure I was getting out and helping me get around, not to mention again letting me use his car my last week there. Being a part of Breakaway in person was also fantastic. I did a bunch of workouts on my own (like Thursday track, and only made it to one Sunday group workout), but I was there for every Tuesday spin class and felt such a sense of community when I raced on Sunday.

Since being home I've been trying to catch up with everything. Soaking in the hot east coast sun, driving with my windows down and music up, spending time with family, and getting out. It's been really great actually. I had froyo the night we got in (Friday) and have had it the past 3 days in a row. I think I'll try to resist today. I've also been having a TON of smoothies since I got home, and not of the green variety that I typically have, but fruit smoothies. They are the bomb diggity and most quenching thing I can think of in this heat & humidity.

Smoothies all around.

Gettin' it.

Last but not least, I cannot go without posting this picture. If I EVER have any kind of shop I will get chairs and I will put this sticker on them. Maybe I should start with my classrooms this year. We did in fact see this in a froyo place in El Cajon. No lie.

Today will be my first track session since being home so I got up early to hit it. Every run I've been on since I've been home has been in my sports bra and shorts since it's so hot, so here's hoping I'm up early enough to miss any high schoolers who might be out on the fields. Then I've also got a bike ride, but I've got no bike to ride outdoors on yet. It was supposed to be ready from being built on Tuesday, latest Wednesday (although on the phone they told me Monday) and now I'm grumbling since it's Thursday and I still have no bike with a race on Saturday. Crap. Ah, well, there's always the bike in my trainer which has two flats! Riding my trainer these past 3 days has been super fun.