For the love of all things mini

As many of you know, I am quick to squeal at the sight of anything mini. Not just something small, but something that is a miniature version of a normally larger item. Babies included of course. I'm sure deep down that's where all this stems from, but anyway...I love MINI stuff. So. When I was at a hotel on one of my numerous trips in April, I got some mini condiments in my room! So cute!
So, for the love of all things mini, let's play a game...guess the mininess! How tall do you think these are?

Vegging Out

Yesterday I vegged out. After swimming and biking of course. But after that I would definitely say I vegged out. I watched way too much TV. I ingested way too much crap. But we call that relaxation. Hmmm. I need to eat more vegetables. But wait...I vegged out. Why does that not involve eating vegetables? Why does it, in fact, usually involve eating anything BUT vegetables. Hmmm.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary says this:

Main Entry: veg out
Pronunciation: 'vej-
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): vegged out; veg·ging out
Etymology: short for vegetate
: to spend time idly or passively

Phrase finder says this:

Veg out

Meaning

Relax in a slothful and mindless manner.

Origin

From the association of vegetables with mental incapacity; in the way that mentally disabled people are sometimes referred to as vegetables. 'Couch potato' comes from the same notion.

Hmmm...so why are you a vegetable if you do nothing? Cause veggies don't move? Hmmm. Maybe because it comes from vegetate? Let us investigate further...

MW says:

Main Entry: veg·e·tate
Pronunciation: 've-j&-"tAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -tat·ed; -tat·ing
Etymology: Medieval Latin vegetatus, past participle of vegetare to grow
intransitive senses
1 a : to grow in the manner of a plant; also : to grow exuberantly or with proliferation of fleshy or warty outgrowths b : to produce vegetation
2 : to lead a passive existence without exertion of body or mind
transitive senses : to establish vegetation in or on

Definitions of vegetate on the Web:

lead a passive existence without using one's body or mind

establish vegetation on; "They vegetated the hills behind their house"

produce vegetation; "The fields vegetate vigorously"

grow like a plant; "This fungus usually vegetates vigorously"

grow or spread abnormally; "warts and polyps can vegetate if not removed"

propagate asexually; "The bacterial growth vegetated along"

vege out: engage in passive relaxation; "After a hard day's work, I vegetate in front of the television"

So...vegetate either means grow rapidly or lay around. Two opposites. Very interesting. So maybe we should start a revolution with this phrase and start using it to mean you can veg out by being active or lay around? Hmmm.

5000's in love

WARNING: Before reading this post you should be aware of the following side effects. If you read this post and you get grossed out easily by sappy stories, couples holding hands and the like, it would be in your best interest to close your browser window now. If you continue reading, you may experience side effects like nausea, disgust, bloating, or possibly even death by cuteness. You have been warned.

Wes has been wanting to get a road bike for a while now. He has a bike, but he likes to go fast, so a road bike was just around the corner. He has been admiring them from afar, and he finally even decided to build one of his own. He even found a frame his size and got some good deals on components. BUT THEN...his friend who is on a racing team got a new bike. So lo and behold his friend had a bike to sell. Not only was this bike a very high quality bike. taken very good care of by a racer, exactly Wes' size (which means size ginormus), a really good price...BUT it is EXACTLY the same as the bike Wes and all my friends and family got me for Christmas. Same paint and everything. It was a tough choice...did we want to have matching bikes? Hmmm... Did we want to be one of those super cute couples with matching gear? Well...hmmm.... But the bike was such a good deal, and better than the one he was building that he could hardly say no. So today, Wes took home his Trek 5000. We took some silly photos of our matching bikes together and Wes titled them '5000's in love'.










I hope those of you who read this even after the warning did not experience too many of the side affects I mentioned. And don't worry....Wes drew the line at the bikes...no matching jerseys for us.

Presents from Wes

Wes went on a hike yesterday and took some pictures of my favorite things.

Scissor plants! I don't know what they are really called, but as a kid, I used to pierce one at the base with another. Then you could thread the other one through and they would be like scissors!

Poppy...

Poppies...And more poppies!

Crack Dream #1: Adventures in Mexico

There we were. Mexico. We were on a tour of poppy fields. It was amazing. All kinds of different poppies. Big ones, small ones, some the size of your head! Red ones, pink ones...we drove past this field of GIANT blue poppies. They were the size of palm trees, their petals blowing softly in the wind. Wes and I got out of the car to admire some of the smaller poppies. I just gazed around at the beauty and I said to Wes, "I want to move here so I can live on a poppy farm." It was truly a spectacle.

Next thing I know we are in the back seat of a sedan driving back from a safari. It is a dirt road and it is full of puddles because of a heavy rain. Our drivers, an older couple, seem to be maneuvering through it fine though. We come to a big puddle that spans the road. It looks deep too. Then I see an elephant's head emerging from the puddle. I shriek, "Holy sh*$!", then I realize my company and say, "Pardon me, I've just never seen a real live elephant before." It was a calm elephant, but that puddle must have been really deep to contain a whole elephant. But we drove on through. It seemed harder to steer because of the water, but again, the drivers were handling it.

We were almost across the puddle when I saw another elephant ahead in the water. We tried to steer around it, but we ended up almost driving over its head. When we bumped it, the elephant bucked and sent our car rolling out of the puddle and on the side of the road.

The car had flipped a few times and was clearly not drivable. So we decided to set up camp. Apparently we had more passengers because now we were setting up camp with K, J, D, & J. We went through everything in the car and salvaged what we could to make beds and a shelter to keep us safe in the Mexican outback.

After staying there for a few days, I realized that we had camped right outside of a resort. So Wes and I decided to go in to try to get some help. We were kind of dirty and clearly the people in the resort thought less of us. They looked at us very funny. After finding no use in the hotel prospect we decided to go back to our camp. In the time that we had been gone, our small camp had grown into a refugee camp. Makeshift tents everywhere. Then we realized why we had been treated weird. We were being discriminated against because we were refugees! It was an awkward feeling, but we just decided to go back and live among the people who were outcasts. It felt much more like home.

Flip turns & Sea otters

Wessy says:
how are you
Elaine says:
I practiced flip turns today!
Wessy says:
sweet
Wessy says:
you're a sea otter
Elaine says:
:)
Elaine says:
yay! a sea otter!
Wessy says:
but way cuter though
Elaine says:
awww
Elaine says:
not as hairy

Save a sea otter!

Facelift & Poll

Well I was inspired by Donna and how she keeps her blog updated with things she's reading, watching, and listening to. So I've decided to do the same. Sorry I'm a blog copycat! The sidebar names may change as I find the words I like best, but I hope you enjoy my mundane interests ;). I was thinking about putting all the titles in Garifuna to go with my title, but then I thought maybe I would be the only one to read it. Hahaha. We'll see what fun linguisticy things I come up with.

Meanwhile...since I haven't had much to blog about recently, I've wondered what is most interesting to read about. So here's a poll. Vote in the comments by telling me which thing you like to read about the most:

A - Triathlon tales - eg Wildflower, Mermaid, and training adventures
B - Traveling diaries - eg work trips, fun trips, sad trips
C - Rants & Raves - eg ...remember the Hummo??
D - Crazy dreams (haven't posted yet, but I've had a request...but beware if you vote for these they are commonly known as 'Elaine's Crack Dreams')
E - Random ponderings - eg the monogamy of ducks

Ok, let the voting begin!

Life goes on

I've been wanting to post for a while, but I haven't had anything exciting happen since the triathlon. I kept thinking, nothing is happening, nothing to post. But I suppose it's just that life is back to the ordinary for a while. No more crazy feats of strength or traveling. But you know what? It's kinda nice!

The week after my triathlon, I came home from work on Tuesday, which is normally a work out day, and I did nothing! I don't even remember what I did in fact. But it was awesome. I'm getting addicted to this freedom.

As for now, I'll do some light training for my next tri at the beginning of June, but it's not too long, so I don't need to be so intense. And I'm trying to rope in a friend or two into trying triathlon. You know who you are!

So that's it for now. Next up, I guess I'll have to come up with some more antics for you all to read while life is going on. :)

Wildflower: The race report of a lifetime!

Ok, the race report you've all been waiting for! Let me just start out by saying...it was AWESOME! I had the best time ever! Ok, now for the narration with illustrations...

Woke up at 6:00am feeling ok. Not as sick as the night before. Relatively good nights rest. But VERY nervous. I tried to convince Wes to let me go home, but he wouldn't let me. Ate some cereal bars and a banana, packed up and was on my way.

Around 8, we arrived at transition and I promptly racked my bike and started to set up. It was all I could do to busy myself and distract my nerves. I was FREAKED. Wes went to fill my water bottles and I unpacked the wonderful transition bag he bought me the day before as a present. It was great to be able to put all my gear in one spot. And when I was done, this is what it looked like:Much more professional than any other race I've done. You have a spot set out for you, you don't have to fight for a good one, and thankfully I was right by the bike exit, so I had ease of maneuvering. After I set up I was still REALLY FREAKED. Wes tried to calm me, but I wasn't really listening. I was trying to find Elizabeth and deliver her the team socks I had bought for she and Pattie and I. While waiting Wes and I took this picture. (Don't let my calm face fool you...I was FREAKED!)Finally Elizabeth spotted Wes. Thank goodness he is tall. I jogged around looking for Pattie and didn't find her amidst the crowd. We watched the collegiates start, and I jogged around some more. My shins started hurting so I quit jogging. Finally it was time to go to the bathroom before suiting up. Pattie spotted us in line! Yay! So we got a picture with her before I headed out. By the way, at this point...I am still FREAKED!! What am I doing here???
Ok, I suited up, and parted ways with the girls and Wes and went down to join my wave. I started chatting nervously with a woman next to me. She was nice. It was good to talk instead of standing around freaked. I knew once in the water I would be ok, but man I was freaked. SOOO many people. My age group wave, women 25-29 had so many people they had to split us in 2 waves. The yellows and the pinks. I was in the pinks.

After the yellows went, we got to get in the water for a warm up swim. Then back out of the water to wait. Then a countdown, then we were off! Thank goodness the waiting was over and time to swim. The water was sooo warm compared to my training swim. Very comfortable. The buoys were easy to see, and though it was hard to swim with so many women around me, it was easy to go in the right direction...just stay with the crowd. After the crowed thinned I got my rhythm and just kept swimming. Here's a picture of the 1 miles swim course I was in the middle of.

Time just seemed to stand still, I had no concept of how long I had been in the water. I finally rounded the half way point and then the speedsters from the next wave started to swim over us slowpokes. Hoping they would go by fast, I just kept swimming. I felt strong and steady, and finally the finish was coming up. I was dreading that hill on the bike so much that honestly, I wished I could just keep swimming.

I got out of the water, pulled my cap and goggles off, and as always I realize I should take off my wetsuit first! It's hard to switch hands with your stuff while you are running and pulling the wet suit off. I found my row of bikes and ran down to my bike. There was Wes and he got a great shot of my butt while changing into my bike gear. Chugged down some sun warmed energy drink and I was off on my bike hoping to have energy to make it up that hill!









Lynch hill its called. I wonder why! You want to hang yourself instead of ride up it...well it wasn't that bad, but pretty close. I knew if I could just get over it, I could have a breather and gear up for the bigger hills to come...Although it is either the biggest or second biggest on the course. It was slow, but I was steady and I made it to the top. Coasted down a bit, caught my breath, and the rest of the ride was AMAZING! Up huge hills, and flying down them! I was fast! It was fun! The rolling hills were so beautiful. I saw the most amazing wildflowers. I got a picture after the race of these cool purple flowers I saw, but I don't know what they were called. Any ideas? They were amidst the yellow/orange golden poppies! Oh I love them. It was amazing.

I knew where all the hills were and I was READY for them. I did have to pee like crazy and it was really uncomfortable, but I made it. I think I ate too many cliff blocks, which made my tummy weird, but hey, I'll remember for next time. I felt soo cool as I slowed down to grab water and gu from the aid stations.

Finally headed down Lynch hill back to transition and I knew I was over halfway done! I got to transition and who was waiting by my hill angel Sean! He had talked me through all the hills on the training course. He found me in my transition and reminded me that I had already done the run, so it was no problem. Easy for him to say, he had already finished the race in 2:38. But I was so glad to see him. I put on my shoes and bandana, grabbed some water and I was off again.









Not long till I realized how crazy tired I was and my tummy was not happy from all the blocks. I found a bathroom...thank goodness..a 2 hour bike ride when you have to pee is not fun. I walked most of the big hills...man those were big hills..and I ran on the flats and downs. My quads started cramping, which hasn't happened before...probably cause I used them so much on the bike hills. I knew it was going to be a long run, but never once did I feel like I just couldn't wait for it to be over. Almost any other race, I reach that point where I just CAN'T WAIT to be done. But not this time. I was enjoying it even though it was so hard. I was watching my time and I knew I was going to beat my long estimate of 5 hrs...and maybe ever before 4:30!

When I got to the top of Lynch hill, I had over a mile to go, and I was running down that huge hill. The view was amazing! I wish I had my camera then. I got some shots similar to that, but it wasn't quite the same. But it looked something like this.
It was a long down hill, and as I was heading down, I was thinking...I'm doing it...I'm really doing it! I'm going to finish and Olympic distance triathlon! It was an awesome feeling. I passed this guy cheering and he said "Praise God!". It took me a second to realize what he said, but then I was like, "Yeah! Praise God! I'm doing it!". And down the hill I went.

Right before the finish they weave you through this blue path to get to the finish. I think right when I entered that route my calves did their thing. Cramp cramp cramp. At any other part of the race I would have stopped to stretch for fear I might fall or something, but then I saw Wes with the camera. And I knew I had to run to the finish...OUCH they hurt so bad. But I kept going. I thought I would look ridiculous in the pictures, but it wasn't so bad. I almost stopped again just before the finish cause they hurt so bad, but I kept going.
And then...I FINISHED!!! With a total time of 4:10! So much faster than I had thought! Not that I was very competitive with my age group, but I beat all my goals! Even during the run I was thinking...Next year I'm gonna do so much better. Next year I'm gonna run this whole thing... I was so pumped. And I still am if you can't tell.

Well after the race my legs cramped some more, and that was painful, but I lived. Elizabeth and I went and stood in the lake to cool off. Ahhhh...it was wonderful. Then I got a short massage to try to work out the kinks. Still hurts, but better. Then I went to get my free pasta and they were out! Bummer man. Next year remember to eat first...then massage. Pattie found me in line for the massage. She sure is good at finding me in a crowd! So I got to see all my friends at the end. It was awesome.

I had so much energy. My legs were tired, but I was so pumped up. Normally I want to be fed my steak and put to bed. But I was still going. Finally Wes and I trudged up the hill to the car. Poor guy, he worked hard too. A good sherpa. He carried all my stuff and my bike back up to the car and loaded up. Then he even carried all his stuff and his bike up too.
We took some more pics of the view, and then we were off! We stopped at In-n-out on the way back and I had a cheese burger, fries, and a chocolate shake. MMMM. Indulgence! And in the end, let me say again. It was AWESOME! I had so much fun! What a wonderful gift of God to be able to be strong and celebrate that in such beauty. Here's one last pic of me before heading home with the beautiful hills in the background. Thanks for all the prayers and encouragement. I loved every minute of it and honestly, I can't wait to do it again.

I AM MIGHTY!!! I am a TRIATHLETE!

I stole this title from my Curly Gurl cause that's how I felt today during this race.
Here we are! If you can't tell those are MEDALS we are wearing. Woo hoo! It was awesome. More to come soon with a full Wildflower race report and lots of pics! For now...time to shower.

PS Happy Birthday Katie!

Flowers for Wildflower!

I came home early from work today cause I'm still not over this cold. I have lots of resting to do before my huge triathlon this weekend. If I don't get over this cold soon I'm not sure if I'll be able to participate. Please PRAY! Anyway, I came home early, and just after I sat down for lunch, a woman called telling me she had a flower arrangement to deliver for me. What a surprise! She came by a few min later and voila! Beautiful purpleness lit up my lunch table :). Mom and Dad sent me good luck flowers for the race. Thanks Mom and Dad! With any luck there will be a photo of a big fat medal and a very tired Elaine after this weekend. (Doesn't look dyed to me :).

Utah? ... Utah!

Well after my whirlwind weekend in Seattle, I went on an even faster trip to Utah for some business. My very first business trip ever! I'd never been to Utah before, and I have only heard rumors including the beauty of the mountains and lots of other ridiculous stereotypes.

I arrived in Utah, after at least 2-3 hours of traveling, not much sleep, given that I had just flown back from Seattle the night before, and with a cold. I wandered down to the baggage claim thinking..."so this is Utah". Immediately I looked up and saw a sign with a giant question mark and the word UTAH underneath it. I just chuckled to myself...silly Utah and its silly question mark. Does it not know what it's doing here or what to expect either?

Then I found my coworker and we headed off to interview some soldiers. Very informative really, but I wont go into the details. We got in the car to drive to our meeting place, and I chuckled to myself again. (I really am silly when I'm tired...well that's my excuse...I'm just a weirdo.) The license plates say "Utah!" What's with the exclamation mark? Are they defensive after all the question marks? Are they excited? My coworker offered the explanation "I-tah, we-tah, U-TAH!". Hahahaha. CHEESY!

Anyway, enough rambling. Onto the photos! Because I was on business, and because apparently Utah isn't a very expensive place. I got to stay in my very own mini-suite. A king sized bed, a sitting area, and get this...TWO, yes TWO TV's! What single person needs two TV's I do not know, but I had them. I only turned on one. And, yes I have to say, Utah does have some beautiful mountains. Check out the view from my room.

I also got to catch up with an old friend there, but just for a bit since he was off to work. Then I downed some nyquil and hit the sack around 8. Too much traveling and too many colds! I caught my 3rd cold this year in Seattle and it kept me miserable during the flights. And one week before my triathlon no less. Ok...now I'm really rambling. I-tah, you-tah we all tah!

Weddings & Babies

Or should I say Wedding & Baby singular. Last weekend Wes and I took a trip up to Seattle to go to my wonderful friend Maurisha's wedding. The first wedding of this year's wedding mania extravaganza! I was a bridesmaid too, for the first time, so it was tons of fun! Got my hair done, got all dressed up, made Wes do the same, well the dressed up part ;) and we danced the night away. I had a wonderful time. Here are some awesome action shots of me catching the bouquet and Wes catching the garter.









Ok I admit, I did "mention" to the girls that I wanted to catch the bouquet. So that might explain why they are just standing around not trying. But I certainly didn't expect there wouldn't be any competition. Wes on the other hand did have to work pretty hard to get that garter. See that shot? He nearly pushed a guy down to get it!

And here's a photo of the happy couple and the lucky winners.

When we weren't taking part in the wedding festivities of the rehearsal dinner, bachelorette party, pampering, and wedding itself, we spent most of our time hanging out with our favorite baby! I could have posted dozens of adorable photos, but I'll restrain myself and just show you one of the best.
Short long weekend, but sweet! More traveling adventures to come shortly. Stay tuned. (Oh and if you want to see more wedding/baby pics email me...I have TONS.)