Extreme Sports

Wow. What a weekend I had upstate in the Catskills where my brother lives. We went Mountain Biking... and I mean the REAL DEAL Moutain Biking. There is no flat land, just 3-inch high tree roots, LOTS of rocks/gravel, dirt, trees 1 foot away from you, thorn bushes, and what I like to call mini boulders. It was in a forest, so you could only imagine the raw terrain.

I survived though! All two hours of it (from 9am to 11am) Just call me Mrs. Armstrong.. NOT! I wish! Although, I am proud I was the only girl in my family who went. Granted we all had to dismount our bikes at a couple of insane inclines and these "stairs" nature made out of tree roots and rocks (rocks I'd like to call boulders, but whatever). My nephew ran into a bush, and I looked closer, it was a thorn bush!! He had to pull a couple off his arms and face, but he was good to go. lol. I have to admit, my stamina out-lasted Jordan's. =D I have to give him credit though b/c he made it dehydrated, but I was the one still energized after, ready for trail #2.

There were a couple of moments were I had to say a small prayer b/c I swore I was going to get thrown off. Especially when my hands left the handle bars for a split second due to the speed and terrain. There were pot holes that were ridiculous -- you either had to know how to dodge them using your rear brakes ever-so-slightly or just eat them. I just didn't want to go home in a stretcher b/c looking around you, that was possible if you fell the wrong way or direction (we're in the mountains, ya know). Changing your bike gears were important. I only learned the importance of them yesterday. What was funny was that when there was an incline, you could faintly hear all of us clicking our gears to 1 (lowest gears are used for inclines for easier pedaling). Every time I picked up speed, all I kept yelling was "SPACE!!!!!". I didn't want whoever was behind me to come too close b/c I could slow down at moment's notice since the turns and twists are all blind, and I might underestimate the group of rocks (mini-boulders) ahead.

Since trail #1 was straight out of an extreme sports magazine, trail #2 was more relaxing and more to enjoy scenery. We (this trip included the kids) biked 7 miles to New Paltz and I love that town! Its a small, quaint, college town. There are some spots where the view is crazy! You were looking at a mountain right in front of you. Definitely more breath-taking than the Poconos. I will definitely go back there and just explore. For a moment I felt like I was not in NY while biking and being in the town.

So in total I biked 15 miles that day. I would've biked 7 more miles back from New Paltz, but my butt was soooooooooooo sore (I feel like I was shot in my butt) and my arms and back and legs are sore. I even have blisters on both my thumbs and a black and blue on my calf (how did that happen?) But boy, did it feel good! I've used muscles I never knew I had before. Living w/ my brother and his lifestyle of semi-extreme sports will make anyone's body look incredible. No wonder he is in the best shape of his life. I've agreed to do the 15-mile bike tour on October w/ him and his wife. Now I need to find shorts w/ padding. I can't even sit on a soft couch w/out wincing. Enough about my butt...

He's introduced me to: skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, moutain biking. what's next? Sky diving? Let's Go!!

Everyone has to experience what life has to offer at least once, right? ;-P

Since we didn't want to bring cameras to the rough trail in fear of crushing it when we'd fall, these are some online pics that resembled a mountain bike trail (the trail we went to had more trees and more inclines than I wanted)

HOTT!!

It's so damn hot out! I wouldn't mind so much if I was headed towards the beach rather than work. Speaking of beach, I'm burned, which will eventually turn into a tan (yes!). I cooked my front more than my back.. whoops! But now I'm itchy. I can't wait for the redness to go away. I decided to cook b/c I doubt I will have the opportunity to go back to the beach. Now the color of my thighs won't scare me =P

Oh and speaking of heat, it is the 3rd time in two weeks I've sat through a NON-air conditioned train car. I've just sat there and endured the stuffiness of it all w/out any complaints b/c (1) I have my book AND a seat right by the door (2) I'm too lazy to get up (3) No air = less ppl = better for me (4) Its SOOOOO cold at work that I think my blood turns into ice anyway and I use that to cool myself off in that hot train car. I really try not to think about it otherwise b/c, like any normal human being, I'd go nuts and maybe hyper-ventilate.

So tomorrow is 95 degrees and Wed is 96.. But the office will still be 30 degrees. I would like very much to go to the beach, but since that definitely won't happen due to 'increased activity' at the office, I will just work late so that when I get out, it'll be 89 as opposed to 95! =/

Kitchen Chaos

**with edit**

I was bored, so for some reason I went into the kitchen and decided to 'experiment' w/ Baked Ziti using turkey sausage (healthier, duh)... What a mess!

Again, I overheated the pan while I was still cutting up the sausage into neat slanted slices. Anyway, threw in full-proof flavoring: chopped onions and garlic, salt and pepper. I accidentally put too much black pepper. Then I put in the sausage and what a disaster b/c the shape didn't stay, so now it really looks like ground turkey. Completely forgot about the sauce and mushrooms (which I still had to chop and wash) so I added it late and didn't know if I was supposed to let it simmer. whatever. I went about this w/out a timer and w/out a recipe book. There is a quote that says we're supposed to cook w/out inhibitions - like just take a 'live and learn' attitude. Well that's what I did and it was definitely a 5-year old scene in there. I think I also over-cooked the pasta (which I never do). Anyway, its in the oven. Looking like a mess.

I was also frantically looking for Bay leaves for the marinara sauce. I couldn't find them, but I managed to destroy the neat assembly of the pantry shelf.

I THINK I take out the Ziti from the oven in 30 mins. At this point, I don't care b/c I don't think I'll be eating my own cooking .lol. =P Like I said before, if I keep cooking bad, I'll eventually cook good.

[edit...30 mins. later]
Hmm.. I'm pleasantly surprised. I served myself seconds. I'm not sure if I really like it or I'm just plain surprised that its edible. Oh well, whatever it is, it can only be a good sign if I don't get a tummy ache today =/

Complaining & Babbling

I feel like I have so much to write and complain about, and its going to be all over the place, so here it goes:

I am deaf in my left ear. At least sounds are muffled, I hear myself chewing, and when I drink soda I hear the bubbles fizz in my mouth. It's like I'm closing my ear w/ my fingers 24/7. This BLows!!! I need to find an ear doctor. Great. Another errand to add.

I passed up what looked like a great turnout and fun day on Sunday w/ my SWE girls (and guys). Its OK, my sister and her baby really needed the family, and so I was there. Although the baby seemed to only cry in my arms, at least I felt useful in changing his diapers and clothes.

I have a canker sore in my gums. Poop! This is what I read: "Pain decreases in 7 to 10 days, with complete healing in 1 to 3 weeks. They may develop in response to a mouth injury such as dental procedures or aggressive tooth cleaning [I stabbed my gums w/ my toothbrush my accident]...They can be triggered by emotional stress [well then....]. It makes eating HURT!! And you know how much I love eating!!

I need to do laundry. Its so HUMID outside it makes every body part feel completely nasty.

Stinky surprised me today w/ food in the fridge! Now THAT's what I want to come home to: food. And to think, I was secretly cursing under my breath going home b/c he said he couldn't go food shopping. soowweee

I have to cook.. something. shiet. A whole chicken is defrosted, so no excuses. shiet.

I want to go to at least one restaurant during restaurant week.
I want to finally bring my 4892705 articles of clothing to the dry cleaners.

Any more complaints? Wait, I'm thinking...

*OUCH!!*

That's all my feet can say!!!! I'm cursing the man who invented sexy pointy-toe stilletos. There are gorgeous shoes out there, but I rather keep my feet =/

2 glasses of wine for a feather-weight is pure bliss... niiiice.

Annoying Day #2

I don't want to blog, but I'm so tired that I can't get up from in front of my PC, so I might as well babble about another annoying day.

Stress levels are slowly climbing. I'm chasing so much work and slapping the middle of my forehead too many times once I've remembered what I forgot to ask/do/confirm. I'm supposed to be more proactive in something, but I'm too busy chasing other stuff, I forgot the whole proactive thing. I just have to organize myself, that's all. If anyone knows me well, they know I usually keep my desk close to immaculate. Its not that case this week. It looks like a tornado came by. Its OK. I need a little stress sometimes.

I need to wake up and get with the program!

I had a bad lunch! I don't know how to cook beans! Its OK. I'll learn. Keep cooking bad beans and eventually I'll learn to cook good ones. ;-)

I finished my Boar's Head Oven Roasted Turkey :-(

I need a gooooooood drink.... I'm already getting happy thinking about it >=P

Annoying Day

Today was the most annoying day (not a bad day, just annoying) I've had in a long time.

1) First off, my work day did not start off so well. There needs to be rapport between BAs and SQMs - that's all I have to say.
2) One developer was having a bad day and decided to take out some frustrations w/ hostility towards me. Not cool, buddy. I can't let the attitude affect me b/c its his own attitude that won't get him anywhere. whatever. I got the info I needed.. dirt off my shoulders
3) Semi-choked on my sandwich, burned my tongue w/ hot tea
4) Train ride home: Someone sitting next to me was laughing obnoxiously out loud w/ his friend while I was reading my book. I decided the loud music from my iPod would drown them out, and I rather tune out the music while reading than having to try to tune them out. Then they left, so I stopped playing my music and went back to my book. Turns out, my new neighbor had bad sinuses or something b/c he had the severe case of dry sniffles. Back to my book AND loud music to drown out his sniffles. Announcement came that the express is running local to Queens from Manhattan. Nice. At least I have my book.
5) Came home and someone posted a comment on my blog that irked me sooo much and I wasn't sure of the connotation. Deleted it. Apparently, I neglect my "Present" section and I now know I should update it b/c comments seem to come from the content there. erf.
6) A co-worker my age is leaving the company to pursue Law school. I'm jealous. I NEED to decide about grad school before I definitely become unmotivated. I have this INSANE curiousity about law school, but I just don't want to pay for it or study for it or quit my job for it... Nice approach to a goal, Jam =/ All this uncertainty is annoying! Maybe its annoying b/c the end result will be me standing still. Mm.
7) Thanks to Agatha, here is an interesting CNN News article for you Comp Sci grads

Other than my annoying day, I came home to find a surprise in the fridge: Boars Head Oven Roasted Turkey (current favorite), milk, whole wheat wraps, and eggs. yess! Had myself a turkey wrap w/ a tall glass of milk. For lunch tomorrow, rice and beans w/ a fried egg on top (learned it from Jackie's mom)

Summer update

Quick update:

1) Taking mini vacations upstate in Catskills (brother's house w/ his wife and 2 kids). The whole family of 12+ members goes up there for a weekend and enjoys "the country".
2) Went to a drive-in movie the other night. What a nice experience. My brother has a pick-up and we put a futton mattress and pillows/blankets in the back and watched the movie from there.
3) I'm learning how to cook thanks to my sister-in-law. Before every meal, you'll find me in the kitchen observing/learning/chopping/sautee-ing/stirring..
4) Work just got busy -- just makes time go faster, but makes my stress levels jump
5) Let's see where I am w/ my summer goals so far:
[From previous post]
>>Think seriously about Grad school - still not sure
>>Read more books - yep, still on track w/ this goal
>>Work out better (??) - yeah, let me re-think this - still rethinking =P
>>Road Trip!! - aiming for August for Montreal, Canada?
>>FINALLY put together the guest room/office - soooooo slowly
>>FINALLY clean out the "storage/junk" closet - CHECK!!.. DONE!!
>>Keep cooking (I've gotten this much better) - ever-so-slowly kicking ass in the kitchen
>>Save money - ummmm... errrr....

London Bombing

sad news.

July 4th Weekend

I had one of the most eventful 4th of July weekends. And I didn't even get to see fireworks.

Friday = went out w/ Jackie. Got all glammed up to go to a club in Chelsea, then decided the entrance fee (or music we heard) wasn't worth it, so went to a diner to have the best chicken ceasar salad. Got home @ 3am.

Saturday = Since my sister is not feeling well (she will sue the stupid doctor) went to her house w/ Jordan to help out in any way we could. Got invited to Park Side w/ Jackie's family and had a delicious Italian meal. Drove around w/ Jackie and our coffee coolatas. Was dead tired at night.

Sunday = Went to sister's after Church. Learned how to cook by staying in the kitchen. Jackie passed her physical and she is on her way to the NYPD Academy. Don't mess w/ me b/c Officer "Ontanader-rader" is my best friend, and she has a gun =P Went to Long Beach's BridgeView to celebrate. It is a beautiful reception hall-turned-club-at-night (indoor and outdoor) and it reminded me of one of those clubs you see on TV. Amber performed (wow) and I didn't know until I saw her standing on stage singing. She gained weight. Had a great time, had a good hair day, lost all feeling in my feet wearing my 5 inch gold heels, and came home around 4am. POOPED!

Monday = back to sister's, stayed in the kitchen some more. Ate like a beast. Fireworks were cancelled at Valley Stream, so we went back to Queens @ 9pm and got some Italian Ices from the Lemon Ice King on Corona, then slept like a baby.

Tuesday = took off b/c I knew I would need it from the hectic weekend. Hung out w/ Karen - Got some Dim Sum @ Chinatown (YUM), and then headed to Little Italy for dessert.

Back to work tomorrow. *sigh*