Chocolate-Banana Protein Smoothie
1 to 1 1/2 scoops Chocolate Protein
1 to 1 1/2 Very Ripe Bananas, peeled and completely frozen
1 to 2 cups Milk (almond, soy, rice, or otherwise)
3/4 cups Yogurt
1 Tbls Coconut Oil
1/8 Tsp Salt
Add all ingredients to blender. Blend. Enjoy.
_________________________________________________________________________________
I have hitherto resisted the urge to add a recipe to our family blog. Food blogs annoy me greatly. First, I have never found a food blog that actually loves food more than stupid, pointless pictures. When you open up a recipe, you don't actually see a recipe, but instead an excerpt from someone's personal diary and page after page of pictures of the ingredients, measuring apparatus, mixing bowls, spoons, and the finished product from every imaginable angle and with every filter on their camera phone. If it takes me more than a minute to scroll down to the actual recipe, I know it isn't going to be worth the time to make.
I have a whole shelf full of cookbooks from legit, amazing chefs. But I have never once seen a recipe from the likes of Joel Robuchon or Thomas Keller that needed a picture of what a cracked egg looks like. Or what a baking dish looks like before and after applying non-stick spray.
Second, there is no qualification needed to authour a food blog, and it is apparent that most food blog authours have no qualifications as a chef. If you have spent any real time cooking, it becomes apparent that most food blog recipes are riddled with inconsistencies, errors, contradictions, and the like.
Anyway, there is my rant.
As far as the recipe, just a few notes: This is a wonderful way to make use of overly-ripe bananas. I let them get very dark, peal them, bag them, and allow them to freeze for at least 24 hours. I like to use frozen bananas in smoothies because it gives the sweetness and texture that you would expect from using ice cream or sorbet, but is decidedly more healthy.
I recommend using Greek yogurt in this recipe. The texture is very nice and it has a lot of protein in comparison to other types. One thing that you will notice when using Greek yogurt is that when you pull out the container the second time, a slightly yellowish liquid will have seeped out of the yogurt. Don't throw that out! That is the whey and it has a lot of the protein. Also, don't buy the non-fat type. Non-fat stuff is evil. (I'll be making a blog post about that in the near future)
Coconut oil is the darling of the health food world these days. I have been taking it for a while now, and am convinced of its worth. I don't won't to go into the details here, but Google it and you will find a large number of articles explaining its uses. Coconut oil is much easier to integrate in an application like this if it is melted first. I would avoid using the microwave. What I do is place the jar of coconut oil in a hot water bath. It will melt within just a few minutes. If you don't have coconut oil on hand, I have also used a tablespoon of peanut butter. Adding a bit of fat really rounds out the flavour of the smoothie.
Don't leave out the salt! Salt doesn't make sweet foods salty, it makes them taste better.
So there's the recipe. I'm not going to put up any pictures. I am sure that you know what a banana or a blender looks like. And making a smoothie is not like baking a souffle for Le Cirque. If you want a thicker smoothie, use less milk. If you want a thinner smoothie, use more. Don't have chocolate protein powder, use vanilla, etc. Feel free to adapt and experiment.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Indoor Cycling Guide (Plus some product reviews)
It's been about two and a half years since I took up cycling, and I have just reached (for me, at least) a significant milestone: I have officially logged 10,000 miles, as evidenced by my trusty Sigma cycling computer
and my very anal cycling spreadsheet.
Now, I realize that for a legit, competitive cyclist 10,000 miles isn't all that much. But for someone like me who has never been all that interested in anything other than casual exercise, it is still a very proud moment. To add a little bit of context, 10,000 miles is about the distance from my home in Orem to Key West, FL and back twice.
Actually, a very large amount of that total was spent on an indoor bike trainer. While that doesn't sound as exciting as whizzing down the canyon at 40 mph past beautiful scenery and much slower joggers, it has been a very successful endeavor. And there have been very definite reasons that I decided to make the change to a trainer.
First, the cycling season in Utah is actually not that long. Between the months of extreme cold, sleet, and snow on the one hand, and oppressive heat on the other, my part of the world only offers a few months of good riding weather. Further more, the only good bit of trail is often clogged with runners and long boarders who have not even the slightest idea that other people would like to share the path with them. It also runs along the south side of a major road for a number of miles. This means that you must approach every intersection with great caution as drivers only seem to pay attention to traffic coming from the opposite direction.
One early morning a rather inconsiderate driver (a young female BYU student) plowed through a red light without looking to see if anyone was coming. (Yes it was a BYU student; she was coming out of a parking lot for a BYU building at Freedom and Canyon; but I have made a promise to my wife to lay off the derisive comments about BYU, so I'll say no more) I soon realized that no matter how dire the situation, it is impossible to get your clips out of the pedals fast enough to save your life. I was lucky enough to miss being smeared across the front of her car by a couple of inches and was able to finish the ride.
All of these factors meant that as it was getting close to winter I decided to seek out an indoor bike trainer. I have liked it so much that it has become my defacto method of training. Of course, there are many benefits aside from avoiding the problems that I have mentioned. Your work outs are extremely consistent. You can train any time of the day and regardless of the weather, it's easier to fit a ride into your schedule, it's easier to incorporate Interval Training, and so on.
It has been about two years, and I feel like I have learned a lot. So, if you are thinking about getting a trainer to stay in shape over the off-season or to avoid the reckless BYU students that are everywhere these days, I've compiled a comprehensive guide to help get started.
The Trainer (Required)
This is obviously going to be the most important part of your indoor training regimen. There are several different types, but they all use a pretty similar set up. There is a frame that supports the bike. The rear tire sits on a metal cylinder called a roller. The roller is then connected to some apparatus that provides resistance. The trainers differ from one another chiefly in what provides this resistance.
At the most basic, there is the air-resistance trainer. In this example the roller is connected to one or two fans (usually they look like high-tech turbines). The basic idea is that as you pedal, the turbines spin and create drag. The faster you pedal, the faster the turbines spin, and the more resistance is generated. This sounds great in theory, especially since these trainers are very affordable, but the reality is that you never get enough resistance, and it feels nothing like regular road-bound cycling. The other draw back is that the damn things vibrate incessantly and make enough noise to irritate every neighbour you have within a three-block radius. While I haven't tried all of them, my experience is that air-resistance trainers aren't worth the little money that you pay for them.
The next step up is the magnetic resistance trainer. From the name you can easily infer what provides the resistance. These are still not all that expensive and offer much better and consistent resistance without making your neighbours hate you. Some makes are better than others, but I'm still not completely sold on them. The resistance doesn't feel terribly road-like. With the other types of trainers, the resistance gradually increases the harder you pedal. With magnetic trainers, you kind of just dial in how much resistance you want and stick with it. There is also a limit to how hard you can push them. If you are standing up and doing a hard sprint you run the risk of breaking the magnetic bond, sending you lurching forward and crashing headlong onto your living room floor.
The next step up is the fluid trainer. These are actually fairly similar to the air-resistance trainers. But in the case of the fluid trainer the turbine is enclosed in a metal housing, which is filled with a silcone-based liquid. These are a major improvement, in that the resistance is much more realistic to what you get on a road. But they are not without their drawbacks.
First, fluid trainers are catastrophically expensive. High-end models, such as Kirt Kinetic or some by Tacx can exceed $1,000. The second problem is heat. Bike trainers generate a lot of heat. The friction by the tire against the roller and the turbine moving through the silicone create problems (I'll deal with the problem of the heat with the roller in the next section). As the fluid in the metal housing heats up, its viscosity changes, and the resistance decreases. Fluid trainers also have the propensity to leak, creating a whole host of problems.
The trainer that I currently use is an inertial trainer made by Wisconsin-based 1 UP USA. I'm really not trying to make a heavy-handed product promotion, but their trainers are freaking awesome! First, it is a really high-quality product. It is very simple to mount the bike, the roller is very large (this reduces wear on the tires), and it generates resistance in a very novel way. The roller is connected to a large, 6lb block of aluminium. It is trying to get this chunk of metal moving that generates resistance. The company claims that it offers the most realistic, road-like feel of any trainer. If you can bike 20mph on the road, you will bike 20mph on this trainer. Do I believe them? Yes, I do.
The are some drawbacks. It is somewhat expensive. Brand new, expect to pay around $300. It is also fairly heavy. And that 6lb piece of aluminium makes for a sure fire way to mangle your ankle bone if you aren't careful when you are moving it.
Those problems aside, it is an amazing bit of kit. It is definitely the one that I recommend.
Trainer Tire (Required)
When I first started with the trainer, I simply hooked up my bike and started off. I didn't occur to me how much heat the roller will create and what affect that would have on the tire. When I had finished, I looked down to see that my expensive Michelin 3 had been thrashed and that my bike frame, the trainer, and half of my apartment was now covered in little bits of rubber. Turns out they make tires especially for trainers. They are not optional. You must have a tire made to handle the heat of your trainer.
Currently, there are three main options available for trainer tires. I have tried all of them for many hours and several thousand miles each and have definitely found a favourite.
First, I should say that all of them are about the same price and are readily available online. The ones that seem to be the most common, and the one that you will most likely see in your local bike shop, is the Cycle Ops Trainer Tire. I went through three of them before I finally gave up. Among the three that I have tried, they had the worst performance. You do need to mount them so that they are facing a certain direction, and I always seemed to cock it up on the first try. They lasted for only around 750 miles before the were useless. The other problem is that as they wear down (and I'm talking only after a couple of hundred miles), they begin to squeak. For the longest time I thought there was something wrong with my derailleur. I used the standard dri-lube, moved up to a fluorinated lubricant, and then replaced the derailleur pulleys altogether. I finally enlisted the help of my wife and we determined that the noise was coming from the tire.
Thus started a daily regimen of cleaning the tire with rubbing alcohol before a work out. This reduced the squeak for the first ten miles or so, then it was back. Moral of the story: don't get the Cycle Ops tire.
The next option is the Vittoria Zafiro Pro trainer tire. First of all, it's Italian*, which is cool. It's also bright red, which is cool. The performance is much improved over the Cycle Ops. It's quieter and it lasts much longer. It is by no means silent. I can usually expect to have a bit of tire noise for the first few miles until the rubber warms up. On average you can expect at least 1,200 miles before you should think about swapping it out. I've taken one as high as about 1,400 miles, but that is really its limit. After that the tire becomes kind of sticky and grips the roller too much. I have found this tire at my local shop, but they are a little harder to find locally.
The most recent tire that I've tried is the Schwalbe Insider. Schwalbe is a German brand, and German stuff almost never sucks*. As far as durability, it's right up there with the Vittoria. But it is most definitely quieter. Unlike the Vittoria, the Schwalbe doesn't need to warm up before the performance is optimal. The downside that you need to be aware is that as the Schwalbe wears, you will see little blue bits of rubber begin to break off. It's nowhere near the level of a regular road tire, but it is more than the other two options.
To sum up: the Cycle Ops is crap, the Vittoria lasts the longest, the Schwalbe has the best performance.
* I am aware that all tires are made in factories in south-east Asia, not in Italy or Germany. But your iphone is made by slave labour in a factory in China, not in Cupertino.
Bike (Required)
This is the last of the "required" hardware elements and kind of a no-brainer. My preference is a road bike, but most trainers will accommodate other types as well. The one thing that I will say about it is this: avoid the temptation to use a crappy bike on your trainer. It's sort of like that adage that chefs always prattle off about cooking with booze: don't cook with a wine that you wouldn't drink. It's kind of the same with indoor training: don't train with a bike that you wouldn't use on the road. Even though you are in a controlled environment, you're still putting lots of strain on the bike. And since the rear tire is pretty much static, the bike frame has to take all of the punishment from your pedaling. Just look down as you are riding and you will see the frame flex back and forth with every stroke. That isn't to say that you have to drop 15k on a new Cannondale Supersix Evo, but in the long run spending a little more for your ride will ensure that you aren't constantly fixing problems.
Fan (Highly recommended)
When you are riding outdoors you are surrounded by hundreds of miles of sky and an endless supply of refreshing cool air. When you train indoors you are in a confined space with walls and a ceiling a few feet away and a small amount of air. Let's not forget that cycling is an intense form of exercise. You sweat a lot. Pretty soon your room is hot, dank, and as humid as Miami in the middle of summer (actual experience). You can open windows and doors to help, but nothing beats a high-quality fan. While not a requirement, it's worth spending $20 on.
Floor mat (Highly recommended)
When I started with the trainer, I was amazed at how much more I sweated. I didn't think much of it, but when I was finished I looked down and saw that I had left two dinner-plate-sized areas of sweat on the carpet. My wife wasn't happy. You can drop a decent amount of cash for an exercise mat, but I have found that an old bath mat works perfectly well at protecting the carpet or wood floors.
Sweat Guard (Highly recommended)
Your sweat will destroy the finish on your bike. It won't happen in a day, but over a winter of indoor training the constant stream of sweat hitting your bike frame will strip the finish and paint. There are actually a number of products that will shield your bike frame:
After already dropping good money for the trainer, I decided to go with a cheap DIY option: just wrap the top of the frame with plastic wrap. It looks really ghetto, but it protects the bike frame for just a couple of cents.
Cycling Computer (Highly recommended)
If you don't already have one, now is a good time to try it. When you are out on the road, it's easy to get a feel for how you are performing as far as distance and speed. On an indoor trainer, not so much. You are stationary. You have no idea how fast you are going. You have no idea if you are doing better than yesterday or worse. A cycling computer almost becomes a necessity. You can track any number of factors such as current speed, average speed, trip distance, cadence, etc. Being able to keep on top of this info helps to motivate me and set goals for my performance.
Again, I'm not going for a big product placement here, but I will say that I have really liked my Sigma computer. They are reasonably priced and there are lots of different models with any number of different features. Like I said before, German stuff almost never sucks. But there are lots of comparable options from other brands. The one feature that you should insist on is that the computer automatically starts and stops as you begin pedaling (some Cateye computers don't).
Clothing (Required)
Cycling shorts:
When I was a kid, I rode my bike all the time. It got me to school, to my friends house, and kept me from getting too bored during the summer. It was comfortable enough and I never had a problem with the seat.
A nice road bike is a different experience. The seat on your road bike might feel firm, but it still seems cushy enough. Once you're on the bike, it takes about two minutes worth of riding to realize that the seat on a road bike is 2.7 times harder than granite. You must wear cycling shorts with a chamois.
Like anything in cycling there are lots of options, some that are much more expensive than others. I've seen shorts sell for hundreds of dollars and some that go for around 20 bucks. I personally have used shorts from Canari and from Pearl Izumi. Also, I like to use short liners and cycling shorts. Not strictly necessary, but it gives a little extra cushioning. You will avoid discomfort and potential damage to your junk by using them. (It's also worth noting that cycling shorts are meant to be worn without underwear.)
Cycling shoes and clips:
I've never spent so much money on a pair of shoes in my life, but shelling out at least $100 on a good pair of cycling shoes is a necessity. You will avoid potential injury to your achilles and hamstring because the shoes keep your feet in the ideal position. Also, you increase your pedaling efficiency because you exert force on both the up- and down-stroke.
Cycling Socks:
Regular socks just don't cut it. Typical cotton athletic socks will lead to blisters. Again, there are lots of options with all kinds of price tags. I personally like the Nashbar brand socks. They've lasted me many many months and only cost around $3.
Cycling Gloves:
As you are on the bike, you support a good chunk of your body weight as you lean into the handle bars. After a while that pressure will lead to pain and numbness. I've heard of riders doing permanent nerve damage to their hands. Cycling gloves offer enough cushioning to prevent that. Because you are indoors, you don't need a heavy, full-fingered glove, but don't think that you can get away without using something. I've tried lots of different brands, and generally speaking all of them are fine. Currently, I use Nashbar gloves that have a crocheted upper. Their just a couple of bucks and are minimalist enough to keep me hands cool.
Clothing (Recommended)
Cycling jersey:
I've mentioned four or five times already that you will sweat a lot will training indoors. Wearing just a regular t-shirt quickly becomes uncomfortable. Cycling jersey is a great option. They are designed to wick moisture away from your body. Personally, I take issue with spending a couple of hundred dollars for a jersey. There are plenty of options online for around $20 to $30 bucks.
Headband:
Hey, it will keep the sweat out of your eyes and that's a good thing. I picked a regular one up at Sports Authority for a couple of bucks, and it works just fine. I recently tried one that is more geared towards cyclists by a company called Halo. It doesn't really absorb your sweat per se. There is a band of silicone inside the band that redirects your sweat away from your brow. It seems to work well and was only about $10.
Compression sleeves:
This one for me is really close to a requirement, in my opinion. As my workouts have gotten more intense, I have had to deal with moderate to severe leg cramping. Compression sleeves aid both in preventing cramps and decreasing recovery time by increasing blood flow to your calf muscles. Honestly, the first time that I used them not only did the cramps completely go away, but I increased my average speed by 0.50 mph over 25 miles.
I haven't tried many different brands, but I did a fair amount of research and talked to people more knowledgeable than me. I settled on CEP calf compression sleeves (German stuff almost never sucks). Other options are out there, but these have worked well for me.
Thigh compression sleeves are also available, but I haven't had issues with my thighs and have never tried felt the need to use thigh compression. But they are available.
Entertainment (Highly recommended)
Staring at a wall for an hour or two is boring. Staring at your cycling computer as hundredths of a mile tick by is boring. Indoor training is not as exciting as road training, let's be honest. Set your trainer up in front of your TV or grab your computer and put on Netflix. I've watched all the episodes of Top Gear, MASH, Star Trek TNG, and any number of other shows to fend off boredom. If you miss the feel of outdoor training, they even make DVDs of great bike rides from around the world. I personally haven't been inclined to drop 20 bucks on a DVD of some guy riding around the Tour de France route, but they are available.
Nutrition (Highly recommended)
Cycling is a hard demanding sport. Staying hydrated is important and so is fueling your body. One issue that I have had to deal with as the intensity of my rides has increased is the loss of salt.
When you sweat you lose all sorts of nutrients, notably sodium, potassium, and calcium. After a ride your electrolytes get pretty jacked up. The problem is exacerbated by drinking straight water. (Google hyponatremia) This further reduces the level of sodium in your blood. This can lead to cramping, reduced performance, and even water retention. You can avoid this by hydrating with something like Gatorade. Another option that I have used over the last few months is a product call SaltSticks. It's a supplement that has all of the nutrients that you lose as you sweat. You take a couple of caplets during and/or after your workout to help restore your electrolyte balance. It isn't the only option out there, but it has worked for me.
Post workout, you also need to feed your body to aid in recovery. After a ride the two main things that I need to eat are protein and some kind of sugar. I personally make a smoothie with at least a scoop or two of whey protein, a frozen banana, Greek yoghurt, etc. Skip this step and your blood sugar will crash and your wife will complain that you are in a really bad mood. True story.
I hope that this is useful information. Maybe it's crap. But everyone is different and these things work well for me.
Winter is coming. But don't let that keep you from cycling!
and my very anal cycling spreadsheet.
Now, I realize that for a legit, competitive cyclist 10,000 miles isn't all that much. But for someone like me who has never been all that interested in anything other than casual exercise, it is still a very proud moment. To add a little bit of context, 10,000 miles is about the distance from my home in Orem to Key West, FL and back twice.
Actually, a very large amount of that total was spent on an indoor bike trainer. While that doesn't sound as exciting as whizzing down the canyon at 40 mph past beautiful scenery and much slower joggers, it has been a very successful endeavor. And there have been very definite reasons that I decided to make the change to a trainer.
First, the cycling season in Utah is actually not that long. Between the months of extreme cold, sleet, and snow on the one hand, and oppressive heat on the other, my part of the world only offers a few months of good riding weather. Further more, the only good bit of trail is often clogged with runners and long boarders who have not even the slightest idea that other people would like to share the path with them. It also runs along the south side of a major road for a number of miles. This means that you must approach every intersection with great caution as drivers only seem to pay attention to traffic coming from the opposite direction.
One early morning a rather inconsiderate driver (a young female BYU student) plowed through a red light without looking to see if anyone was coming. (Yes it was a BYU student; she was coming out of a parking lot for a BYU building at Freedom and Canyon; but I have made a promise to my wife to lay off the derisive comments about BYU, so I'll say no more) I soon realized that no matter how dire the situation, it is impossible to get your clips out of the pedals fast enough to save your life. I was lucky enough to miss being smeared across the front of her car by a couple of inches and was able to finish the ride.
All of these factors meant that as it was getting close to winter I decided to seek out an indoor bike trainer. I have liked it so much that it has become my defacto method of training. Of course, there are many benefits aside from avoiding the problems that I have mentioned. Your work outs are extremely consistent. You can train any time of the day and regardless of the weather, it's easier to fit a ride into your schedule, it's easier to incorporate Interval Training, and so on.
It has been about two years, and I feel like I have learned a lot. So, if you are thinking about getting a trainer to stay in shape over the off-season or to avoid the reckless BYU students that are everywhere these days, I've compiled a comprehensive guide to help get started.
The Trainer (Required)
This is obviously going to be the most important part of your indoor training regimen. There are several different types, but they all use a pretty similar set up. There is a frame that supports the bike. The rear tire sits on a metal cylinder called a roller. The roller is then connected to some apparatus that provides resistance. The trainers differ from one another chiefly in what provides this resistance.
First, fluid trainers are catastrophically expensive. High-end models, such as Kirt Kinetic or some by Tacx can exceed $1,000. The second problem is heat. Bike trainers generate a lot of heat. The friction by the tire against the roller and the turbine moving through the silicone create problems (I'll deal with the problem of the heat with the roller in the next section). As the fluid in the metal housing heats up, its viscosity changes, and the resistance decreases. Fluid trainers also have the propensity to leak, creating a whole host of problems.
The trainer that I currently use is an inertial trainer made by Wisconsin-based 1 UP USA. I'm really not trying to make a heavy-handed product promotion, but their trainers are freaking awesome! First, it is a really high-quality product. It is very simple to mount the bike, the roller is very large (this reduces wear on the tires), and it generates resistance in a very novel way. The roller is connected to a large, 6lb block of aluminium. It is trying to get this chunk of metal moving that generates resistance. The company claims that it offers the most realistic, road-like feel of any trainer. If you can bike 20mph on the road, you will bike 20mph on this trainer. Do I believe them? Yes, I do. The are some drawbacks. It is somewhat expensive. Brand new, expect to pay around $300. It is also fairly heavy. And that 6lb piece of aluminium makes for a sure fire way to mangle your ankle bone if you aren't careful when you are moving it.
Those problems aside, it is an amazing bit of kit. It is definitely the one that I recommend.
Trainer Tire (Required)
When I first started with the trainer, I simply hooked up my bike and started off. I didn't occur to me how much heat the roller will create and what affect that would have on the tire. When I had finished, I looked down to see that my expensive Michelin 3 had been thrashed and that my bike frame, the trainer, and half of my apartment was now covered in little bits of rubber. Turns out they make tires especially for trainers. They are not optional. You must have a tire made to handle the heat of your trainer.
Currently, there are three main options available for trainer tires. I have tried all of them for many hours and several thousand miles each and have definitely found a favourite.
Thus started a daily regimen of cleaning the tire with rubbing alcohol before a work out. This reduced the squeak for the first ten miles or so, then it was back. Moral of the story: don't get the Cycle Ops tire.
The next option is the Vittoria Zafiro Pro trainer tire. First of all, it's Italian*, which is cool. It's also bright red, which is cool. The performance is much improved over the Cycle Ops. It's quieter and it lasts much longer. It is by no means silent. I can usually expect to have a bit of tire noise for the first few miles until the rubber warms up. On average you can expect at least 1,200 miles before you should think about swapping it out. I've taken one as high as about 1,400 miles, but that is really its limit. After that the tire becomes kind of sticky and grips the roller too much. I have found this tire at my local shop, but they are a little harder to find locally.The most recent tire that I've tried is the Schwalbe Insider. Schwalbe is a German brand, and German stuff almost never sucks*. As far as durability, it's right up there with the Vittoria. But it is most definitely quieter. Unlike the Vittoria, the Schwalbe doesn't need to warm up before the performance is optimal. The downside that you need to be aware is that as the Schwalbe wears, you will see little blue bits of rubber begin to break off. It's nowhere near the level of a regular road tire, but it is more than the other two options.To sum up: the Cycle Ops is crap, the Vittoria lasts the longest, the Schwalbe has the best performance.
* I am aware that all tires are made in factories in south-east Asia, not in Italy or Germany. But your iphone is made by slave labour in a factory in China, not in Cupertino.
Bike (Required)
This is the last of the "required" hardware elements and kind of a no-brainer. My preference is a road bike, but most trainers will accommodate other types as well. The one thing that I will say about it is this: avoid the temptation to use a crappy bike on your trainer. It's sort of like that adage that chefs always prattle off about cooking with booze: don't cook with a wine that you wouldn't drink. It's kind of the same with indoor training: don't train with a bike that you wouldn't use on the road. Even though you are in a controlled environment, you're still putting lots of strain on the bike. And since the rear tire is pretty much static, the bike frame has to take all of the punishment from your pedaling. Just look down as you are riding and you will see the frame flex back and forth with every stroke. That isn't to say that you have to drop 15k on a new Cannondale Supersix Evo, but in the long run spending a little more for your ride will ensure that you aren't constantly fixing problems.
Fan (Highly recommended)
When you are riding outdoors you are surrounded by hundreds of miles of sky and an endless supply of refreshing cool air. When you train indoors you are in a confined space with walls and a ceiling a few feet away and a small amount of air. Let's not forget that cycling is an intense form of exercise. You sweat a lot. Pretty soon your room is hot, dank, and as humid as Miami in the middle of summer (actual experience). You can open windows and doors to help, but nothing beats a high-quality fan. While not a requirement, it's worth spending $20 on.
Floor mat (Highly recommended)
When I started with the trainer, I was amazed at how much more I sweated. I didn't think much of it, but when I was finished I looked down and saw that I had left two dinner-plate-sized areas of sweat on the carpet. My wife wasn't happy. You can drop a decent amount of cash for an exercise mat, but I have found that an old bath mat works perfectly well at protecting the carpet or wood floors.
Sweat Guard (Highly recommended)
Your sweat will destroy the finish on your bike. It won't happen in a day, but over a winter of indoor training the constant stream of sweat hitting your bike frame will strip the finish and paint. There are actually a number of products that will shield your bike frame:
After already dropping good money for the trainer, I decided to go with a cheap DIY option: just wrap the top of the frame with plastic wrap. It looks really ghetto, but it protects the bike frame for just a couple of cents.
Cycling Computer (Highly recommended)
If you don't already have one, now is a good time to try it. When you are out on the road, it's easy to get a feel for how you are performing as far as distance and speed. On an indoor trainer, not so much. You are stationary. You have no idea how fast you are going. You have no idea if you are doing better than yesterday or worse. A cycling computer almost becomes a necessity. You can track any number of factors such as current speed, average speed, trip distance, cadence, etc. Being able to keep on top of this info helps to motivate me and set goals for my performance.
Again, I'm not going for a big product placement here, but I will say that I have really liked my Sigma computer. They are reasonably priced and there are lots of different models with any number of different features. Like I said before, German stuff almost never sucks. But there are lots of comparable options from other brands. The one feature that you should insist on is that the computer automatically starts and stops as you begin pedaling (some Cateye computers don't).
Clothing (Required)
Cycling shorts:
When I was a kid, I rode my bike all the time. It got me to school, to my friends house, and kept me from getting too bored during the summer. It was comfortable enough and I never had a problem with the seat.
A nice road bike is a different experience. The seat on your road bike might feel firm, but it still seems cushy enough. Once you're on the bike, it takes about two minutes worth of riding to realize that the seat on a road bike is 2.7 times harder than granite. You must wear cycling shorts with a chamois.
Like anything in cycling there are lots of options, some that are much more expensive than others. I've seen shorts sell for hundreds of dollars and some that go for around 20 bucks. I personally have used shorts from Canari and from Pearl Izumi. Also, I like to use short liners and cycling shorts. Not strictly necessary, but it gives a little extra cushioning. You will avoid discomfort and potential damage to your junk by using them. (It's also worth noting that cycling shorts are meant to be worn without underwear.)
Cycling shoes and clips:
I've never spent so much money on a pair of shoes in my life, but shelling out at least $100 on a good pair of cycling shoes is a necessity. You will avoid potential injury to your achilles and hamstring because the shoes keep your feet in the ideal position. Also, you increase your pedaling efficiency because you exert force on both the up- and down-stroke.
Cycling Socks:
Regular socks just don't cut it. Typical cotton athletic socks will lead to blisters. Again, there are lots of options with all kinds of price tags. I personally like the Nashbar brand socks. They've lasted me many many months and only cost around $3.
Cycling Gloves:
As you are on the bike, you support a good chunk of your body weight as you lean into the handle bars. After a while that pressure will lead to pain and numbness. I've heard of riders doing permanent nerve damage to their hands. Cycling gloves offer enough cushioning to prevent that. Because you are indoors, you don't need a heavy, full-fingered glove, but don't think that you can get away without using something. I've tried lots of different brands, and generally speaking all of them are fine. Currently, I use Nashbar gloves that have a crocheted upper. Their just a couple of bucks and are minimalist enough to keep me hands cool.
Clothing (Recommended)
Cycling jersey:
I've mentioned four or five times already that you will sweat a lot will training indoors. Wearing just a regular t-shirt quickly becomes uncomfortable. Cycling jersey is a great option. They are designed to wick moisture away from your body. Personally, I take issue with spending a couple of hundred dollars for a jersey. There are plenty of options online for around $20 to $30 bucks.
Headband:
Hey, it will keep the sweat out of your eyes and that's a good thing. I picked a regular one up at Sports Authority for a couple of bucks, and it works just fine. I recently tried one that is more geared towards cyclists by a company called Halo. It doesn't really absorb your sweat per se. There is a band of silicone inside the band that redirects your sweat away from your brow. It seems to work well and was only about $10.
Compression sleeves:
This one for me is really close to a requirement, in my opinion. As my workouts have gotten more intense, I have had to deal with moderate to severe leg cramping. Compression sleeves aid both in preventing cramps and decreasing recovery time by increasing blood flow to your calf muscles. Honestly, the first time that I used them not only did the cramps completely go away, but I increased my average speed by 0.50 mph over 25 miles.
I haven't tried many different brands, but I did a fair amount of research and talked to people more knowledgeable than me. I settled on CEP calf compression sleeves (German stuff almost never sucks). Other options are out there, but these have worked well for me.
Thigh compression sleeves are also available, but I haven't had issues with my thighs and have never tried felt the need to use thigh compression. But they are available.
Entertainment (Highly recommended)
Staring at a wall for an hour or two is boring. Staring at your cycling computer as hundredths of a mile tick by is boring. Indoor training is not as exciting as road training, let's be honest. Set your trainer up in front of your TV or grab your computer and put on Netflix. I've watched all the episodes of Top Gear, MASH, Star Trek TNG, and any number of other shows to fend off boredom. If you miss the feel of outdoor training, they even make DVDs of great bike rides from around the world. I personally haven't been inclined to drop 20 bucks on a DVD of some guy riding around the Tour de France route, but they are available.
Nutrition (Highly recommended)
Cycling is a hard demanding sport. Staying hydrated is important and so is fueling your body. One issue that I have had to deal with as the intensity of my rides has increased is the loss of salt.
When you sweat you lose all sorts of nutrients, notably sodium, potassium, and calcium. After a ride your electrolytes get pretty jacked up. The problem is exacerbated by drinking straight water. (Google hyponatremia) This further reduces the level of sodium in your blood. This can lead to cramping, reduced performance, and even water retention. You can avoid this by hydrating with something like Gatorade. Another option that I have used over the last few months is a product call SaltSticks. It's a supplement that has all of the nutrients that you lose as you sweat. You take a couple of caplets during and/or after your workout to help restore your electrolyte balance. It isn't the only option out there, but it has worked for me.
Post workout, you also need to feed your body to aid in recovery. After a ride the two main things that I need to eat are protein and some kind of sugar. I personally make a smoothie with at least a scoop or two of whey protein, a frozen banana, Greek yoghurt, etc. Skip this step and your blood sugar will crash and your wife will complain that you are in a really bad mood. True story.
I hope that this is useful information. Maybe it's crap. But everyone is different and these things work well for me.
Winter is coming. But don't let that keep you from cycling!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
The trip: in the beginning (Zurich and Dijon)
Early on July 14, I had my first views of France and Switzerland. Granted, they were from thousands of feet in the air in a 767 from Philadelphia to Zurich, but the excitement for our trip stated growing even more.
Ever since Wolf and I got married, we talked about going to Europe. Germany specifically for Wolf. We looked at plane prices, but nothing ever seemed to fit our schedules until this spring. We were this close to going on a spring break cruise. So close. The price was right and the destination seemed perfect. Why didn't we go? We couldn't find my pesky passport. Then and there I determined we were going to Europe that summer.
Wolf thought it was another instance of dreaming. Until we bought two tickets to Zurich on his birthday in late May. Everything came together smoothly after that. Thankfully.
We arrived in Zurich early that Monday morning. As excited travelers do, we pushed aside cases of jet lag and grogginess for the time being and began our adventure.
We took a regional train into the center of town, deposited our bags into a locker, and started exploring. Zurich apparently has few touristy things to do. We didn't mind. We were only in town for a few hours. We meandered up and down cobblestone hills, enjoyed schnecke from a local bakery, visited a beautiful church, and started feeling exhausted. We spent the last hour before our train left in the train station waiting room.
Apparently the train ride to Dijon was beautiful. I wouldn't know. I slept through most of it. We pulled into France on their Bastille Day. Everyone was out enjoying that holiday. Our hotel room was a twenty minute walk from the station. It was a cute little attic room with a shared bathroom next door and no air conditioning.
We went to sleep shortly after arriving and woke up at one to the sounds of fire crackers being set off every few minutes. They continued until three or four.
We walked to the train station when the sky was just beginning to show strains of light. The only other people out were bakers and people on morning strolls.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
These are a few of our favorite things
I know that about five minutes ago, you sat there wondering, "I wonder what Wolf and Laura have really been into lately, especially pertaining to snacks..."
Well, how ironic is it that I am writing about our favorite things? Very. I would start into that oh so famous song but truth be told, Wolfgang hates that movie and eventually when we go to Austria, he will not let us do any Sound of Music tours. Sad, right?
Our awesome, new panini press. It makes everything taste that much better.
This one is especially for me. I love happy hippos. Best treat ever.
I know, I know. Everyone is on the hi-chew train. My personal favorite flavor is green apple. (They used to only be sold at Target around here, but I just bought a bunch at Harmon's. They have the sticks and bags, plus they cost less there.)
Take some hummus and spread it on these chips and you have a magical creation in your mouth.
Wolf's favorite snack and meal lately has been tzatziki sauce, cucumbers, hummus, and some quinoa on flatbread. We always have some tzatziki sauce made up in our fridge. I don't know what it is about this miracle sauce that I love so much, but it is a spread made by the Mediterranean Gods.
There you go. Most of our favorite snacks and our new favorite kitchen device.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Fish are not animals
That's right. I've come to the conclusion that, despite all that you have been taught in elementary school and the Discovery Channel, fish are not animals.
How did I arrive at such a conclusion? Well, I am a vegetarian. I have been one since I was about 13 years old. I admit that while I was on my mission I had to sort of go with the flow. My rule was that I would eat what was placed in front of me. That wasn't always easy. I had a few meals (for which I was very grateful, don't get me wrong) that reaffirmed my decision to go green (as it were). But aside from that it's been a long time happily getting by with salads and various soy products.
Now, in the many years of being a vegetarian I have come to an amazing conclusion: I must be one of only perhaps two or three Mormon male vegetarians in Utah Valley. I say that because if I tell someone that I don't eat meat they look at me with an absurd level of shock and bewilderment. You can see it in their expressions. Meeting a real, live vegetarian is like finding a unicorn. Who knew they actually existed?
But invariably, as soon as the shock has worn off, they all (and with the exception of my wife, I really do mean all!) ask me the same question: "Do you eat fish?" It's hysterical to me. I almost just say it upfront now: "I'm a vegetarian, and no I don't eat fish."
Now, you've been told since you were a youngster in elementary school that there is no such things as a stupid question. I don't think that that is totally correct. I have a suspicion that we just tell kids that so that they won't be afraid to ask questions. But come on, there is such a thing as a stupid question.
I think the whole "Do you eat fish?" thing definitely qualifies. Think about it. It's like if I were to say, "I don't like British pop music from the sixties." "Oh, do you like the Beatles?" Or, "I don't like American cars." "Oh, do you like Fords?" Or perhaps, "I don't like fast food." "But you must like McDonalds?"
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Does anyone actually know what a vegetarian is? The Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative on such matters, says that a vegetarian is "a person who does not eat meat." That's pretty definitive, isn't it? Maybe the problem is that there are people who say that they are vegetarians, but really aren't. I've heard of people claiming the title of vegetarian if they only abstain from red meat. Or if they only eat chicken. Come on! That's not a vegetarian. It's sort of an all-or-nothing thing. You either are or you're not: that simple!
Can you think of any other all-or-nothing things? How about being pregnant? You're never just sort of pregnant. You're never just pregnant on the weekends. You're pregnant, and that's that.
Maybe people think that I have just forgotten about fish? I guess that's reasonable. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked me that. I thought for the last 14 years that I was a vegetarian. But thanks to your highly original question, I guess I'm not. Silly me, I'd totally forgotten about fish."
In any regards, if you disagree with my initial postulate and insist that fish are animals (and I have a nagging suspicion that they really are), then something is awry.
So, if in the slim chance that you ever meet another vegetarian, take my advice: don't ask them if they eat fish!
How did I arrive at such a conclusion? Well, I am a vegetarian. I have been one since I was about 13 years old. I admit that while I was on my mission I had to sort of go with the flow. My rule was that I would eat what was placed in front of me. That wasn't always easy. I had a few meals (for which I was very grateful, don't get me wrong) that reaffirmed my decision to go green (as it were). But aside from that it's been a long time happily getting by with salads and various soy products.
Now, in the many years of being a vegetarian I have come to an amazing conclusion: I must be one of only perhaps two or three Mormon male vegetarians in Utah Valley. I say that because if I tell someone that I don't eat meat they look at me with an absurd level of shock and bewilderment. You can see it in their expressions. Meeting a real, live vegetarian is like finding a unicorn. Who knew they actually existed?
But invariably, as soon as the shock has worn off, they all (and with the exception of my wife, I really do mean all!) ask me the same question: "Do you eat fish?" It's hysterical to me. I almost just say it upfront now: "I'm a vegetarian, and no I don't eat fish."
Now, you've been told since you were a youngster in elementary school that there is no such things as a stupid question. I don't think that that is totally correct. I have a suspicion that we just tell kids that so that they won't be afraid to ask questions. But come on, there is such a thing as a stupid question.
I think the whole "Do you eat fish?" thing definitely qualifies. Think about it. It's like if I were to say, "I don't like British pop music from the sixties." "Oh, do you like the Beatles?" Or, "I don't like American cars." "Oh, do you like Fords?" Or perhaps, "I don't like fast food." "But you must like McDonalds?"
I could go on, but you get the idea.
Does anyone actually know what a vegetarian is? The Oxford English Dictionary, which is pretty authoritative on such matters, says that a vegetarian is "a person who does not eat meat." That's pretty definitive, isn't it? Maybe the problem is that there are people who say that they are vegetarians, but really aren't. I've heard of people claiming the title of vegetarian if they only abstain from red meat. Or if they only eat chicken. Come on! That's not a vegetarian. It's sort of an all-or-nothing thing. You either are or you're not: that simple!
Can you think of any other all-or-nothing things? How about being pregnant? You're never just sort of pregnant. You're never just pregnant on the weekends. You're pregnant, and that's that.
Maybe people think that I have just forgotten about fish? I guess that's reasonable. "Oh, I'm so glad you asked me that. I thought for the last 14 years that I was a vegetarian. But thanks to your highly original question, I guess I'm not. Silly me, I'd totally forgotten about fish."
In any regards, if you disagree with my initial postulate and insist that fish are animals (and I have a nagging suspicion that they really are), then something is awry.
So, if in the slim chance that you ever meet another vegetarian, take my advice: don't ask them if they eat fish!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Passion
I have a passion. (Well, I have many passions.) One of my greatest passion is that of creation. Have you ever seen this message before?
I adore it. First, I love that man. Second, I completely agree with what he has to say. I'm no artist (in the traditional sense), but I love making things with my hands, a tool, machine, or computer. (**Warning, if your name is Mark, Jill, Tricia, or you are my dad, you may not want to read more until after Christmas**)
This weekend, I was on a kick. Lots of Christmas presents were made for various people in my lovely family. They include the following:
Math nerd clock
Button earrings
Elephant onesie
Brown paper packages tied up with butcher twine. The bottom rectangular one is one I made for my husby but I wrapped it up before he could peak. (I used tape from this website to tape them up. I love washi tape.)
Creation space. My two prizes grace the table. Silhouette Cameo and Bernina.
Most of my creation materials. Don't mind the messy fabric.
Felt ornaments. One for the Mrs., one for the Mr., and one for the two of us.
Glitter ornaments. Glitter graces the inside so there is no mess once you get it in.
I love to create things for my own home and for people I love, but I also try to incorporate creation into my classroom. I had a couple of BYU students in my classroom a couple of weeks ago and they were impressed with the number of different things my students have created. I try to have them making things all the time to encourage their own creations and to gain the love that I have.
Want to come create with me?
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Remembering
My as-close-to-perfect-as-a-mortal-can-get mother passed away on Monday September 3 at around 11:15 am. This post is to share feelings and memories of the time shortly before and the time just after her passing.
Friday August 31
This was the day I last saw my mother in her paralyzed body. Wolf and I went on an old people date. An old people date is the kind of date where you go out to dinner just after 5:00, scrutinize the list of every movie at the theater, and decide just to go home. On our way back to Orem from American Fork, I remembered I needed to pick up something from my parents' house. I am now so thankful we stopped by. We entered their computer room to find a usual scene: my mother was in the reclining green chair that she spent most her time; my father was seated on a love seat next to her, holding her hand; and Michael was next to my dad with his iPad in hand. They were playing out a stereotypical Friday evening. Friday night brought date night for my parents. This meant a movie was playing and they were holding hands. My father always held her hand if he was next to her. Wolf and I stayed for thirty minutes, chatting and watching part of The Princess Bride. I gave my love to my mother and told her how much I love teaching. The only words she uttered to me were to repeat some words my father spoke. I left her with an embrace and a kiss.
Saturday September 1
I thought of my mother in brief intervals. My day was spent making bows, grading papers, and enjoying time with three of my original best friends back in the day when they used to all live less than a three minute walk from my house. We ran into my old next door neighbor at the restaurant of our choosing. She asked about my mother (as all friends of the family did) and I replied that I would not be surprised if she passed away soon.
Sunday September 2
Wolf and I had a discussion. We tried to figure out what our procedure would be if my mother passed away. Wolf was debating whether or not to call me if she passed during the school day. I realized that I had not signed up for the Alpine District sub service. I would have no way of calling for a sub if I needed one. I determined to talk to my principal about what to do if I received the news during a school day and sign up for sub services the Tuesday school resumed.
Monday September 3
I awoke to an email my father sent in the wee hours of the morning. He mentioned that Mom seemed to have a cold--something she had been blessed with not received for many years. He sent a copy of her obituary that we had been working on for several years to see if there were any revisions we could suggest. I set it aside for the moment and determined to have a long visit with her later in the day.
Wolf, Angi, and I met up for a late breakfast of crepes in Provo. Because it took the employees way too long to get us our food, we had a nice discussion about life and random topics. After we finished eating and went to our cars, it was 11:45. We talked about what we were going to do in case of her passing. I mentioned to Angi that it would be nice for me to finish up my school day, but I would like to be home for Michael's sake. As we parted ways, I gave a prophetic statement. "Well, I might see you later this week at a funeral." I now feel ridiculous and slightly calloused for uttering that remark.
I had my phone in a loose skirt so I could not feel any vibration during our meal. As Wolf and I drove up the University Parkway hill, Wolf received a phone call. I did not know who it was, but as he answered it, I heard a girl in hysterics on the other line. After speaking for a few seconds, he roughly told me to turn around. He hung up and my heart stopped for a second. I was worried that Angi had gotten in a car accident or something (even though she had all of 200 yards to drive). "Your mother has stopped breathing."
At that moment I guess it did not impact me yet that she was dead. We had a couple close calls this summer that brought screaming police cars and ambulances to our house. Wolf asked me once or twice if I would like him to drive. I felt numbness and anxiety. We stopped by Angi's apartment. She was still in her car, sobbing. I finally looked at my phone to realize I had missed several calls and texts. Whoops. As I cursed all the road construction being done on University Avenue, we called Michael. He confirmed that she had passed. I do not remember the rest of the drive.
We pulled up to my dad's house and rushed inside to the thick feeling--and smell--of death. Wolf and I went into the study. Angi opted to stand in the doorway, out of sight of the body. Tim's family and Maria beat us to the house so there was already a small gathering of people. It really is a testament to me how different a body looks without its soul. Even in my mother's case. She was trapped in a body that did not work anymore and now that she was gone, her body looked no more than an empty shell. She was free.
Eventually, Matt's family arrived and all of us that live in Utah were gathered. The day flew by. we reminisced planned, and tears were shed. Some of her best friends dropped by to give condolences. Gentlemen from the mortuary eventually arrived in a red SUV to pick up her body. Her wheelchair was eventually moved and the green recliner she usually sat in was left untouched the rest of the day. It still held her air padding and an old fleece blanket with cats on it that Michael or Angi made years ago.
Tricia thought of food, something I had completely forgotten about. We ate Zupa's outside as we went over the plan we made for her funeral three years ago.
As I went home that evening, I looked at my plan book for Tuesday. Nearly blank. I quickly planned a days worth of lessons and went to bed, still numb.
Sleep was a rare commodity for me the rest of the week.
Friday August 31
This was the day I last saw my mother in her paralyzed body. Wolf and I went on an old people date. An old people date is the kind of date where you go out to dinner just after 5:00, scrutinize the list of every movie at the theater, and decide just to go home. On our way back to Orem from American Fork, I remembered I needed to pick up something from my parents' house. I am now so thankful we stopped by. We entered their computer room to find a usual scene: my mother was in the reclining green chair that she spent most her time; my father was seated on a love seat next to her, holding her hand; and Michael was next to my dad with his iPad in hand. They were playing out a stereotypical Friday evening. Friday night brought date night for my parents. This meant a movie was playing and they were holding hands. My father always held her hand if he was next to her. Wolf and I stayed for thirty minutes, chatting and watching part of The Princess Bride. I gave my love to my mother and told her how much I love teaching. The only words she uttered to me were to repeat some words my father spoke. I left her with an embrace and a kiss.
Saturday September 1
I thought of my mother in brief intervals. My day was spent making bows, grading papers, and enjoying time with three of my original best friends back in the day when they used to all live less than a three minute walk from my house. We ran into my old next door neighbor at the restaurant of our choosing. She asked about my mother (as all friends of the family did) and I replied that I would not be surprised if she passed away soon.
Sunday September 2
Wolf and I had a discussion. We tried to figure out what our procedure would be if my mother passed away. Wolf was debating whether or not to call me if she passed during the school day. I realized that I had not signed up for the Alpine District sub service. I would have no way of calling for a sub if I needed one. I determined to talk to my principal about what to do if I received the news during a school day and sign up for sub services the Tuesday school resumed.
Monday September 3
I awoke to an email my father sent in the wee hours of the morning. He mentioned that Mom seemed to have a cold--something she had been blessed with not received for many years. He sent a copy of her obituary that we had been working on for several years to see if there were any revisions we could suggest. I set it aside for the moment and determined to have a long visit with her later in the day.
Wolf, Angi, and I met up for a late breakfast of crepes in Provo. Because it took the employees way too long to get us our food, we had a nice discussion about life and random topics. After we finished eating and went to our cars, it was 11:45. We talked about what we were going to do in case of her passing. I mentioned to Angi that it would be nice for me to finish up my school day, but I would like to be home for Michael's sake. As we parted ways, I gave a prophetic statement. "Well, I might see you later this week at a funeral." I now feel ridiculous and slightly calloused for uttering that remark.
I had my phone in a loose skirt so I could not feel any vibration during our meal. As Wolf and I drove up the University Parkway hill, Wolf received a phone call. I did not know who it was, but as he answered it, I heard a girl in hysterics on the other line. After speaking for a few seconds, he roughly told me to turn around. He hung up and my heart stopped for a second. I was worried that Angi had gotten in a car accident or something (even though she had all of 200 yards to drive). "Your mother has stopped breathing."
At that moment I guess it did not impact me yet that she was dead. We had a couple close calls this summer that brought screaming police cars and ambulances to our house. Wolf asked me once or twice if I would like him to drive. I felt numbness and anxiety. We stopped by Angi's apartment. She was still in her car, sobbing. I finally looked at my phone to realize I had missed several calls and texts. Whoops. As I cursed all the road construction being done on University Avenue, we called Michael. He confirmed that she had passed. I do not remember the rest of the drive.
We pulled up to my dad's house and rushed inside to the thick feeling--and smell--of death. Wolf and I went into the study. Angi opted to stand in the doorway, out of sight of the body. Tim's family and Maria beat us to the house so there was already a small gathering of people. It really is a testament to me how different a body looks without its soul. Even in my mother's case. She was trapped in a body that did not work anymore and now that she was gone, her body looked no more than an empty shell. She was free.
Eventually, Matt's family arrived and all of us that live in Utah were gathered. The day flew by. we reminisced planned, and tears were shed. Some of her best friends dropped by to give condolences. Gentlemen from the mortuary eventually arrived in a red SUV to pick up her body. Her wheelchair was eventually moved and the green recliner she usually sat in was left untouched the rest of the day. It still held her air padding and an old fleece blanket with cats on it that Michael or Angi made years ago.
Tricia thought of food, something I had completely forgotten about. We ate Zupa's outside as we went over the plan we made for her funeral three years ago.
As I went home that evening, I looked at my plan book for Tuesday. Nearly blank. I quickly planned a days worth of lessons and went to bed, still numb.
Sleep was a rare commodity for me the rest of the week.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Time for a little vacation
In precisely 20 days, Wolf and I are heading out of Utah for a lovely and much needed vacation. Here are some of the places we will head to...
Los Angeles
San Diego
Ensenada, Mexico
(as shown here by my darling baby Gus)
San Fransisco
Santa Barbara
This famous place that needs not be named
And to hang out with this darling boy and his family
Twenty days could not come sooner. I cannot wait for this ten day vacation! (Wolf is pretty excited, too.)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Farewell to the Little Yellow House
For the first eight months of our marriage Laura and I have lived in a basement apartment in Provo just south of BYU. We loved our apartment. From the very first day (or night since we got in extremely late after a cross-country flight) it felt like home. We had all sorts of adventures in our place, like when we tried to cook our first meal and the contents of a very hot pan suddenly combusted. I think Laura wrote about that one. The moral of that story is to not leave a cast-iron skillet on the stove too long before adding ingredients. Come to think of it, there was one more incident involving that pan. I tried to cook a steak in it. The recipe said to leave the pan on the stove to heat up for something like five minutes. By the time I threw the steak on, the pan had become rocket hot and within about 13 seconds the entire apartment was filled with smoke. It wasn't just a little bit either. It was almost like a scene out of Back Draft. Now that I think about it, I don't think that I like that pan very much.
But this post is not about why you shouldn't use cast-iron cookware. Getting back to the story...We loved out our little apartment. Laura thought that it was perfect. I agreed with just one exception.
On our first night in our apartment we discovered something: we had no control over the heating and air conditioning. On that night the upstairs neighbours cranked up the a/c. It was downright cold downstairs. I got up, went to the thermostat, and turned down the temp. We waited. Nothing happened.
Apparently the thermostat in our apartment wasn't connected to anything. It was just there. It didn't really serve any purpose other that letting you know how hot or cold the apartment was.
During the next couple of months we endured many sweltering nights. You see, the next set of neighbours didn't ever turn the a/c on. Come winter time we found that they didn't like to turn the heat on much either. Once we got into November it started getting cold. How cold? Most afternoons (afternoons mind you) it was in the low to mid 50s. At night the heater would come on, but Laura and I had to sleep with every blanket we owned to stay warm enough.
This went on for a while. I happened to mention it at work (University Mall management). One of the security officers (all of them are off-duty cops) works for Orem City. He told me that I should get in touch with such-and-such a department and they might be able to help us out. In my mind I assumed that that meant we would get control over the heating system for our apartment. I shot off an e-mail to Provo City. Nothing happened. Enough time went by that I figured that we would not hear back at all. Then one day I got an e-mail from someone. It was just a short request for our address. Knowing now what the outcome of that was, I probably should have hesitated. But I didn't. I gave him my address. A few days later I get a call from that employee. He said that our house wasn't zoned for a basement apartment and unless the house owner could come up with some sort of documentation (what kind he didn't say) we would be forced to move.
This was not what I wanted to hear. Moving during the middle of a semester did not sound like fun to me. Moving period is not fun. He told me that he would call me in a few days when he had heard back from the house owner. Then he actually thanked me. Maybe he gets the bureaucratic equivalent of brownie points for every newly-wed-student couple that he gets kicked out of their apartments.
Well, since Laura and I are now living in new accommodations, you can probably guess what happened. On a Monday afternoon I got a call from the landlord. We had to move and we had 30 days to do it. The other thing that made this difficult is that I hadn't told Laura. I thought that until I knew if we had to move for sure I wouldn't worry her about it. But she handled it very well. She only got slightly furious/raging mad/run for your life she's lost it.
I know Laura is reading and raising one of her eyebrows at that last comment. Actually, she really wasn't mad at all. Good thing. I felt really bad. But regardless of whether I did or not, we had to start looking for a new place. The one that we liked the best was a two-bedroom apartment next to Sierra West Jewelers.
Most of last Friday was spent moving. I don't think that we had any idea how much stuff we've already accumulated in eight months of marriage. But thanks to a lot of help from my family (I'd like to acknowledge my parents, brother Blake, and sister Amber) and from Laura's (thanks Mike, Mark, and Jill!) we did it.
We're still faced with at least a week's worth of organizing to get the apartment into a decent shape, but we're at least moved in.
So, goodbye little yellow house with the blue door. It's been great and we'll miss you.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
How it all began part V
The proposal:
My brother celebrated his 23rd birthday, my sister celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary, and one of my bffs from high school decided to get married that day.
I had the day off work somehow; I probably let someone else take my shift so they could get more hours. I slept in and worked on an art assignment that was due later in the day.
Wolf picked me up for lunch at the usual lunchy time and we decided to go to Red Robin mostly because I had never been there before. (My family never went out to eat when I was little. The only places we went to were Brick Oven, Chuck-a-Rama,other places and that just about covers it.
I gravitated towards the onion rings as a girl allergic to onions is bound to do every time she goes into a restaurant.
* Side note: My darling Wolfgang had one requirement for his proposal. He only wanted it to be a surprise. He told me around the time he got the ring and I knew he could not hold onto it for long without giving it to me so he had a very narrow window in which to propose.
Continue reading. Please.
February 17 was one of those days...My brother celebrated his 23rd birthday, my sister celebrated her 10th wedding anniversary, and one of my bffs from high school decided to get married that day.
I had the day off work somehow; I probably let someone else take my shift so they could get more hours. I slept in and worked on an art assignment that was due later in the day.
Wolf picked me up for lunch at the usual lunchy time and we decided to go to Red Robin mostly because I had never been there before. (My family never went out to eat when I was little. The only places we went to were Brick Oven, Chuck-a-Rama,
I gravitated towards the onion rings as a girl allergic to onions is bound to do every time she goes into a restaurant.
Fact: I am allergic to onions, peppers, and garlic. (And other things.)
These allergies do not stop me from eating whatever I want to eat.
I adore spicy food.
I used to eat onions like apples.
Wolf is trying to wean me from these foods.
This was an occasion in which Wolf actually let me eat the onion rings. I should have caught onto his hints. He had a black bean burger as he is bound to do and I ate a meat burger as I am bound to do. We munched and chatted wedding plans.
After lunch, I had plans to meet up with my darling friend Manny to go shopping for the wedding reception. Monica and I talked boys; she had just gotten out of a relationship and I was on top of the world with my current relationship. We bought the most comfortable blanket for Alyson and decided to meet up later that evening for more breakup talk.
I had to rush off to make it to my two classes on Thursday. Music went by quickly and art was full of clay and chatter from friends.
Fast forward to that evening.
I was waiting for 9:00 before I went to Monica's place. Up until July of last year, I was the manager of our cute little kiosk at the University Mall. Every single evening, I received a phone call from the girl that closed to give me the numbers and details of that day. That evening, Kaeli (my best friend's little sister) was closing. I took the numbers from her, called my boss, and rushed off to Monica's house.
Immediately as I pulled into Manny's driveway, I received yet another call from Kaeli.
Sadly, Kaeli told me that she had locked her keys into the cart and needed me to help her out.
I was in a bind.
There were many solutions to this problem that did not involve me going to the mall to help her. There are ways to get into the cart without a key, there were girls that live closer to the mall she could have called, I could have come up with a great solution.
I did not.
I sped right back out of Monica's driveway and called her as I rushed up University. "I am so sorry. I was literally in your driveway, but I have to help Aud's sister at Katelyn & Co. She locked her keys in the kiosk. I promise I will hurry as quickly as I can." I was off.
As I pulled up to the mall, I noticed Wolf's car still in the parking lot.
Hmmm. He normally leaves immediately at 9:00.
As I ran into the mall and approached the cart, there was nobody in sight. I circled the cart once. No Kaeli. I went around another half time.
Kaeli?
Kaeli?
As I pulled out my phone to call her, I saw someone walked towards me. Wolf.
"Hey. What are you doing here?"
"Kaeli called. She locked her keys in the cart, but I cannot find her."
"Oh. Well as long as you're here..."
He pulled out a small box and handed it to me.
I opened it and saw a ring.
A big, fat flower ring from the 70s.
Seriously? That was one thing I made him promise me; to never do a fake proposal.
Next I saw him pull a thin platinum band from his pinky.
Wolf offered me a replacement for what was in the box. It was a gorgeous halo setting ring with a gorgeous diamond in the middle.
Come to think of it, I do not think I said yes.
We hugged. We kissed. We found his dad and hugged him. We visited my family and called everyone that was not at my parents' house. Wolf texted his mom. Seriously? A text? We then visited his family and I told my story dozens of times. I apologized to Monica. I texted my boss to tell her I became engaged at work.
The world was good.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
A semi recreation of our first date
Yesterday was the year anniversary of mine and Wolf's first date. (It's strange; he remembers these dates better than I do.) Wolf took the evening off work, very unusual for a Saturday night, and we headed off as soon as he got home.
On our first date, we went to Bombay House, headed over to see a movie, and then talked on my doorstep for a few hours.
On this lovely recreation, we headed to Mama Chus for some delightful Mexican food. At least we kept up the foreign cuisine. I love Mama Chus. It is a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant just up the street from the mouth of Provo Canyon. I went there for the first time in 8th grade right after our Spanish festival held at BYU. My junior high is just a half mile away. Wolf claimed that he indulged in the best bean burrito he had ever had. There is my plug for Mama Chus.
The Chocolate has since moved to a delightful little location on State Street. I grabbed a chocolate caramel cupcake and Wolfie indulged in a slice of the Brooklyn Blackout. I do not understand how he can scarf down dark chocolate like that.
As for the final leg of our date? We grabbed the 8:00 showing of Puss in Boots. It was a clever and terribly cute movie that made me miss my cat and convinced Wolf that we need a cat someday... Okay. That last sentence may not be true...I would support your decision if you decided to go see that movie. Especially if you have popcorn.
We did not stand on our doorstep for a few hours talking. We decided to forego the cold and instead chatted inside our house.
Lovely date.
On our first date, we went to Bombay House, headed over to see a movie, and then talked on my doorstep for a few hours.
On this lovely recreation, we headed to Mama Chus for some delightful Mexican food. At least we kept up the foreign cuisine. I love Mama Chus. It is a reasonably priced Mexican restaurant just up the street from the mouth of Provo Canyon. I went there for the first time in 8th grade right after our Spanish festival held at BYU. My junior high is just a half mile away. Wolf claimed that he indulged in the best bean burrito he had ever had. There is my plug for Mama Chus.
After we had our fill, we headed off for dessert. The Chocolate. I have known about The Chocolate for a long time but had never been until I started dating Wolf. They used to be my neighbors. Do you see the cart in the background, just behind the Chocolate? That is my beloved Katelyn & Co cart that I used to frequent on an almost daily basis. Now that I have moved higher on the totem pole, I just sub there occasionally (including this Black Friday).
The Chocolate has since moved to a delightful little location on State Street. I grabbed a chocolate caramel cupcake and Wolfie indulged in a slice of the Brooklyn Blackout. I do not understand how he can scarf down dark chocolate like that.
As for the final leg of our date? We grabbed the 8:00 showing of Puss in Boots. It was a clever and terribly cute movie that made me miss my cat and convinced Wolf that we need a cat someday... Okay. That last sentence may not be true...I would support your decision if you decided to go see that movie. Especially if you have popcorn.
We did not stand on our doorstep for a few hours talking. We decided to forego the cold and instead chatted inside our house.
Lovely date.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Reason #1 why you should get married
Your husband will probably make you applesauce when you ask for it on a Friday night, put away all the laundry, and then rub your feet while you do last minute studying for a test you have to take in the morning.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Am I lucky...or am I lucky?
I happen to have the best husband in the world. Ladies, do not be jealous.
1. I rarely lift a finger in helping him cook. He cooks everything and anything. If I crave coconut cake, he will whip out coconut cake for me. It will be light, fluffy, taste dreamy, and be the best coconut cake I have ever tasted. True story.
2. He cleans the house for me all the time. I will come home from work, dreading to think what the house will look like and wondering how long it will take me to clean and do homework. I walk in and see a happy, clean house that smells like the dinner he cooked for me.
3. He makes the most out of the time we have together. I see Wolf for an average of 1.25 hours each day with the exception of Sunday and Friday (and sometimes Thursday if we are lucky). He is great at making sure we go on a date Friday night and that on Sunday, we basically do not leave each other's sight. (We are trying to work out an arrangement for the third hour of church.)
4. He takes care of me. I am not used to this yet. I am used to being completely independent. When I wake up in the morning and he has already left, I will sometimes find breakfast and a packed lunch sitting on the table for me to take. He buys me the food I mention he should buy when I really want hot chocolate or saltines or soup (I had a small cold recently...). He drops off assignments I left at home without me asking him to do that. He bought all the seasons of my favorite TV show. He makes me laugh and gets really excited when we get to see each other. He supports my dreams even if "all I want to be" is a teacher and a mom. He will play with me when I am crazy but keep me serious when I need to be.
He is the best. Ever.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
How it all began part IV
My relationship with Wolf was only the second one in which I dated the guy before we became friends. Wolf and I watched our friendship "blossom" at the mall. He closed every night and I often worked evening shifts so I would often meander down to the customer service desk when I was done with work and would stay with him until the mall closed. We also spent several hours after the mall closed just talking or playing card games.
Christmas came and went. I spent most of Christmas day at his house (even accidentally falling asleep on a couch while his family roamed around).
January came and went. We celebrated my birthday in a quiet way and he gave me the practical gift that I wanted (an OXO tupperware to keep my flour in). I was getting antsy. I was the one that said "I love you" first and I was the one that brought up marriage first, but I also did not want to go into a ring shop with him. (I had a pretty bad experience in a ring shop before with a different young man.) Wolf was worried because I laid out what I liked in rings but I wanted him to choose. The only time I went in a jewelry store with him was to check my ring size.
Once I asked him when he would propose.
"Springish."
Springish? What did that mean?
The first half of February came and went. We had talked about dates. Originally it was set for July but then I realized I wanted to go to summer term and it would be better to get married at the beginning of June.
Finally Wolf told me that he was ordering the ring and it would arrive in 5-7 days. I was ecstatic but still antsy. He could hold onto that ring for months before giving it to me...
Saturday, August 13, 2011
How it all began part III
To read the first two parts, for your reading pleasure, here is part I and part II.
The next day was a Saturday. Saturdays are days that Wolf works for at least 13.5 hours. That particular Saturday was also a day that I drove down to Cedar City with one of my besties/roommate that endured me for the longest to see one of my other old roommates give her farewell talk. Julia and I enjoyed the ride down and had a blast dancing and eating and catching up with friends. Because it was a sleepover, we had to have girl talk and chat about boys and life.
So I chatted about Wolf. The girls thought he sounded cute and I completely agreed. Especially because before the sleepover part of the weekend, I texted him quite a bit. One thought I had about him was that it was really late to be up (around 1 am). I am very much a morning person and cannot do late nights. I wondered if he was the complete opposite and I worried about what would happen if we continued to date.
That weekend passed by, I gave a hug to my darling missionary Kyrie, I made up songs with Julia on the way home from Cedar City, and I continued to text Wolf when I got home.
Well, we continued to see each other and date. We went to the symphony and had a few dinner/dessert dates. Thanksgiving had passed by this point which meant a couple of things.
1. The mall hours were now longer than usual.
2. The mall hired a couple more people to work at the customer service desk during the crazy gift-giving season.
Wolf suddenly found himself working with Angie, a lady that just happened to live in my brother's ward. Angie is...talkative. She would talk to my sister-in-law about Wolf and then talk to Wolf about me.
One night after a family dinner, my sister-in-law in question approached me and described this unusual conversation she had had with Angie. Tricia (the sister-in-law) told me that Angie talked about a conversation she had with Wolf:
A: So, have you kissed her?
W: No
W: No
A: You need to kiss her soon or else she won't stay around.
uh...
Do I seem like the type of girl that would not stick around because a dude I started going out with had not kissed me yet? (Your answer here is NO!)
Well, that evening (December 5) I met up with Wolf. We made a delicious flourless chocolate cake. I still dream about it. We made the cake and then talked for hours.
As I walked him to the door that night, the topic of Angie came up. I mentioned that Tricia had told me an amusing story about her. I knew very well where this would lead if I told Wolf the story.
Wolf wanted to hear the story.
I told him the story.
He kissed me.
I stayed around.
It was a pretty good first kiss.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
It has been two months
of wedded bliss as of three hours and two minutes ago.
Here is to an eternity of bliss.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The tragedy of the wedding cake
For anyone who knows Laura and me, you know that we love to cook. It's one of our favourite things to do. Most of our wedding presents were things for the kitchen. Laura got me a really cool cookbook for my birthday. Well, before the wedding I was feeling enthusiastic and confident enough to try my hand at a very daring project: The wedding cake.
But I love to cook. I wasn't going to make an edible version of styrofoam. No, this cake had to be delicious. To that end we decided to use one of our favourite cake recipes: America's Test Kitchen's flourless-chocolate cake (a fatal mistake as you will soon see).
It is a delicious cake. Extremely rich. But I couldn't just leave it at that. Between the five layers of said cake would be rich chocolate ganache and bavarian cream.
This was quite an undertaking. I started making the cake layers days in advance. Then it all had to come together the day before the wedding. Of course I was working right up until our wedding day, so I didn't get off work until quite late. By about ten o'clock on Tuesday night I started.
Everything looked like it would work. The cream and the ganache were ready. The first few layers had been successfully transferred to the frosted glass cake stand that my mom had let us borrow. Then disaster struck...
My mom and I stood there in horror as the third of five layers split in half right down the middle. The rest of the layers soon collapsed. In the course of a few seconds I was left with $40 worth of delicious chocolate blob. My mom asked what we could do. Nothing. It was dead. Cake making had failed. It didn't help that it was about two in the morning by this point. I kind of crammed it all together in the hopes of making something at least cake-like and went to bed.
This is what we had to work with on the day of the wedding. Unfortunately, the generous layer of icing didn't quite hide the disaster of the previous night.
This is where I want to thank my mom. She, on the day of the wedding and with only a few hours to spare, went out and bought a beautiful chocolate wedding cake from Magelby's.
The only thing left to do was tell Laura...
Come sail away with me
Le Carnival Freedom
Free at last!
After taking a *free* shuttle to Port Everglades (one of the main reasons we booked that particular hotel), the madness began. Boarding a cruise really is not as bad as lots of people try to make it seem. It did take about 90 minutes from start to finish, but what else would you expect while loading thousands of people onto a vessel?
We had our passports looked at (we passed that part), and then we went through security (we got through this part but possibly because a southern lady next to us kept screeching that she had a pacemaker and could not go through the detector), and finally we were checked in and got our sail and sign cards. My card was gold. Wolfie's was blue.
I was so excited as we boarded. My only thought was that I could not lose my sail and sign card over the side of the gangway. We were on!
After trying to find a seat in one of the buffets, we gave up for a bit and tried our luck at seeing if our room was available. We had much better luck at that. Our room was on Panorama Deck 10. Room 1003. Front of the ship. The highest deck with cabins on it is Deck 11 so we were up there! I adored our room. I would get it again in a heartbeat. It was technically an interior room, but it did have a large window. The reason why it is classified as interior is that the window overlooks a public walkway. This was never a problem; we only saw a handful of people out there ever. (See picture.)
After putting our bags down, we tried our luck again at eating. This time, we had success. Wolf and I each got food from the Tandor Grill which was entirely Indian cuisine. It was amazing. Not quite as good as Bombay House, but it was honestly almost up there. They even had naan (Okay, the naan was really not as good as Bombay House's naan, but since the ship really probably does not have a tandoor oven, it makes sense.)
The curry I had was amazing and Wolf tells me that his food was superb.
We settled in our room and relaxed until we had to report to our muster stations (we're #1!) for emergency briefing.
Then we had more time to relax before dinner.
This was right before we headed off to dinner the first night.
Our dinner experience was interesting. On the first night, two other couples besides ourselves showed up. Our table was meant to be a table for eight. We learned that one of the other couples was on their honeymoon, but the third couple was about ten years into their marriage. Our servers were excellent and I have nothing but praise for them. The second night, the older couple did not show up and for the rest of the cruise, there were four of us at a table that sat eight.
We chose late dining and after a few days, we wished we would have chosen early dining. The dining room opened rather late the first half of the cruise (partially thanks to late arrivers to the early dining) and most the time, we were rather tired by the time 8:15 came.
The food was amazing. I loved my appetizers, meals, and desserts that I got. Wolf only had one appetizer that he did not like and loved the rest of the food. Our favorite dessert was the bitter and blanc, a white chocolate bread pudding. The chocolate melting cake (that everyone raves about) was either amazing or not so good. Apparently there is a precise time to cook these little cakes for or else they are just chocolate cake. No melting involved.
The food was amazing. I loved my appetizers, meals, and desserts that I got. Wolf only had one appetizer that he did not like and loved the rest of the food. Our favorite dessert was the bitter and blanc, a white chocolate bread pudding. The chocolate melting cake (that everyone raves about) was either amazing or not so good. Apparently there is a precise time to cook these little cakes for or else they are just chocolate cake. No melting involved.
Speaking of food, the rest of the food on the cruise was amazing. We were not expecting 5 star and so we were pleasantly surprised. The breakfasts were filling enough and gave lots of options. Lunches gave more of a variety. We would head to the Tandoor Grill oftentimes, if just to grab some pieces of naan. We had burgers, chips and salsa, pizza, sandwiches, Mongolian bbqs, salads, and just about anything else you could want for lunch. We had self serve soft ice cream every day and I had at least one (usually more) mug of hot chocolate daily. I also showed Wolf the wonderful concoction of hot chocolate and ice cream together.
Someone surprised us with this awesome cake. It was chocolate and absolutely delicious. We got it our first day on board.
Right before the emergency prep. At least we knew our life jackets fit.
This was a bench right outside our cabin. We loved going on the walkway outside our cabin. It was right on the front of the ship and you could see for miles around.
This may have been the only reason Wolf wanted to do this cruise. Wolf saw that we would go somewhat close to Cuba (a place he really wants to go) and was excited to see it. I thought he was envisioning being so close we could see native Cubans in their natural habitat. This was as much of Cuba as we could see.
Apparently, that's all of Cuba Wolf thought we would see. (You can barely see the island.)
Apparently, that's all of Cuba Wolf thought we would see. (You can barely see the island.)One thing Carnival is known for is their towel animals they place on your bed each night (with chocolates). They had a few demonstrations, and this is the only thing we brought our camera to on board. We only learned how to make an elephant and a dog. This is the only type of dog I will ever own.
This is Wolf making the head of the elephant. I liked the elephant more, but it was hard! There was a dude sitting next to Wolf and he kept asking me how to do the different parts. I was basically a pro.
My finished elephant
Wolf's finished (midget) elephant.
This was our Costa Rica day. Wolf wore this outfit:
Right after we got back on the ship on our Costa Rica day, I made the mistake of saying this: "If we had a slave, I would send him to go get me a calzone. That way, I could get in the shower and finish showering right after he got back and then I could have a hot and delicious calzone and be clean."
Right after we got back on the ship on our Costa Rica day, I made the mistake of saying this: "If we had a slave, I would send him to go get me a calzone. That way, I could get in the shower and finish showering right after he got back and then I could have a hot and delicious calzone and be clean."I guess sometimes Wolf thinks he's my slave.
This is the view we had of Panama after getting into port.
I was craving another calzone after our day in Panama. (If any of you even think you know me, you must know that pizza is possibly my favorite food and I used to have it at least once a week. Calzones are like version 2.0 of pizza. I think I had 4 on our cruise.) While I ate my calzone and Wolf had some Indian food, we looked at Panama one last time. This is a beautiful Hilton Hotel. It is right next to the dock. What does this picture and the picture below it have in common?
They are in the same neighborhood. That lovely hotel was surrounded by cramped streets, peddlers, and factories. I guess it is rather close to the free trade zone.
One of our favorite things to do was wander the ship. We went to the Serenity Area (adults only) and they asked me if I was 21 as we entered. Apparently I am at the age where I can pass for a number of different ages.
During a lazy afternoon, Wolf decided that it would be a good idea to play mini golf. So we rented our clubs and balls and headed up to the green. It would have been more enjoyable if the wind was not at 30 mph. The balls would often roll around after they had previously come to a stop. You had to yell to be heard.
A couple nights, we lounged in lounge chairs and watched movie on the large screen. We often had popcorn and ice cream as we watched.
One last important thing to note about the cruise is the best show we went to. Ticket to Ride. A Beatles tribute. Wolf thought I was hilarious that whole evening (the second to last evening we had on board) because I would burst into Beatles songs or just get really excited and...do those things I do when I get really excited. I think he got a video of me right before the concert, but it is not on my computer. Basically, I was determined that they would choose a volunteer from the audience (me, of course) to sing the last song as a solo.
Strangely, that's not quite what happened.
Disembarkment day! Because of a prior cruise I had been on with the same company, I thought that I knew exactly what to expect. I did, kinda. During my past cruise, the passengers disembarked based off what deck their room was on. The same thing happened this time, but the big difference was last time, the larger the number, the sooner you got off. It was the opposite this time. Wolf and I finished packing and ate breakfast for one last time. (Sadly, it was not until the second to last day that Wolf discovered they have soy milk on board.)
The disembarkment started a little late because the main gangway that is normally used for the particular place we were docked was broken and a new means to get off the ship had to be put together.
As we took our luggage to the Victoriana Lounge (the main showroom on the ship), we settled down and watched CNN as announcements would come on every 20-30 minutes announcing a new deck to come to the gangway. They got up to deck 9 before disaster struck. Okay, I don't actually know what struck. It was not disaster or lightning or a semi. For some reason, the US government would not let us continue getting off the ship for a while. After they called deck 9, Wolf started to get antsy. Ten minutes later, when we expected them to call down deck ten, the cruise director came on for another announcement. Wolf and I started heading towards the stairs, when they told us that we would have to halt our process for a while. We were already out of our great seats and wanted to get out of the crowded lounge so we moved locations.
Because we were not getting off the ship on this level (the place level passengers usually got off), the cruise director turned the lounge into a waiting area. Here is our cruise director, shuffling things around. (He's in the middle of the picture.)
This is an even worse stalker photo of our cruise director. His nickname is Ryan Ryan Dandelion. I love just about every aspect of this picture.
(Question of the day: how many pictures of cruise directors do you think are out on social networks or blogs?) Soon after the stalker pictures were taken, they announced that they were back on track and that we could get off the ship. Since I packed so lightly and Wolf was carrying the bag I packed in, a dozen people asked me if I was certain I had all my luggage. I would casually wave back to my husband and they would understand then.
(Question of the day: how many pictures of cruise directors do you think are out on social networks or blogs?) Soon after the stalker pictures were taken, they announced that they were back on track and that we could get off the ship. Since I packed so lightly and Wolf was carrying the bag I packed in, a dozen people asked me if I was certain I had all my luggage. I would casually wave back to my husband and they would understand then.
We flew through customs. (They didn't even ask us any questions. I wanted to plead the fifth.)
Then we were off the ship.
Our honeymoon was basically over.
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