Saturday, March 5, 2011
New year, new place
So I know that the new year was a few months ago, but with all the movement and changes that 2011 is bringing, I wanted to start a blog that more perfectly reflects where I am, my journey, and my goals. So, head over to http://lauramrice.wordpress.com and follow me there as I climb higher everyday!
Decision 2011
This past week I decided to commit to Mars Hill College! While they haven't been able to offer quite as much financial aid as Brevard, everything else points to Mars Hill as the best choice. My commute will be a little longer, but I'm hoping to work my class schedule out so that I don't have to drive from Hendersonville to Mars Hill everyday. But other than the drive (which isn't a huge obstacle), I'm so excited to be there in the fall! They offer my program, a Bachelor's degree in recreation, as well as a minor in business, and a very welcoming cycling team!
Becky once again has forged the path, since she'll be starting her junior year there as well. There's a great possibility that we'll graduate the same year! Which is just wrong! Seriously though, it's okay, and even a little amusing. It just compounds the nontraditional approach I've taken in my education! At the same time, I know it makes it easier to be involved as a student having her in and social connections.
I feel so repetitive...school, school, school, work, work. Happily, I can add cycling and training to my activities, which will hopefully make things a little more interesting!
There's been so much movement in 2011...and we're barely into the third month! I feel really balanced at this point, a little too much work, but hey, I've got school to pay for now! Having three classes is very nice, even though biology takes a lot of studying and memorization. Work is exciting as I take on more with maintaining the property Twitter, enewsletter, and press releases. I'll be sad when I leave there. It is fun, complex, exhausting at times, and partially dysfunctional sometimes, but when it comes down to it, I like it. I still miss the park, but right now there are so many more learning opportunities at Highland Lake. I'm healthier, fitter, and progressing towards being at a competition level of fitness. Still a ways off, but heading the right direction!
Kyle is such an amazing support! Without him there's no way I'd be here, now, attaining one step at a time the dreams and goals that I've developed. It's enough to have his approval and pride at the end of a long day at work, after a hard test, and at the top of the evil mountain, reminding me that we're slowly attaining excellence and comfort in our life. Without that, I'd be half of who I am.
Becky once again has forged the path, since she'll be starting her junior year there as well. There's a great possibility that we'll graduate the same year! Which is just wrong! Seriously though, it's okay, and even a little amusing. It just compounds the nontraditional approach I've taken in my education! At the same time, I know it makes it easier to be involved as a student having her in and social connections.
I feel so repetitive...school, school, school, work, work. Happily, I can add cycling and training to my activities, which will hopefully make things a little more interesting!
There's been so much movement in 2011...and we're barely into the third month! I feel really balanced at this point, a little too much work, but hey, I've got school to pay for now! Having three classes is very nice, even though biology takes a lot of studying and memorization. Work is exciting as I take on more with maintaining the property Twitter, enewsletter, and press releases. I'll be sad when I leave there. It is fun, complex, exhausting at times, and partially dysfunctional sometimes, but when it comes down to it, I like it. I still miss the park, but right now there are so many more learning opportunities at Highland Lake. I'm healthier, fitter, and progressing towards being at a competition level of fitness. Still a ways off, but heading the right direction!
Kyle is such an amazing support! Without him there's no way I'd be here, now, attaining one step at a time the dreams and goals that I've developed. It's enough to have his approval and pride at the end of a long day at work, after a hard test, and at the top of the evil mountain, reminding me that we're slowly attaining excellence and comfort in our life. Without that, I'd be half of who I am.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday Ride
Sunday was brilliant. The temp was above 70, the sun played hide and seek with clouds, and Kyle and I set off to Dupont with bikes in tow. We started off easy, heading towards one of our favorite trails to ride. It's a nice long, fast, swooping singletrack through the woods, enjoyable in that the curves aren't too tight and the jumps aren't too jarring. Jubilant at the end, we attacked Lake Imaging trail, a giant stair-stepping trail. It was the perfect interval ride, chugging up the slant, then recovering for a few yards before the next step loomed ahead. We headed towards Lake Dense for our first break, enjoying the sun and breeze, and even the burn. I did feel close to exertion-puking at one point, but even that was exciting since I don't often push myself as hard as I should (and hence, my body's reaction to all the fun!).
We sat by Lake Dense, talking about things, looking over the green lake and up the mountain, into the perfect blue sky. It was so peaceful, so invigorating to be in the middle of action, nature, and each other's company.
We left Lake Dense, heading towards the south end of the forest, then looping back over another mountain towards Lake Julia. This is were we started to feel it, but kept on, pushing towards the lake. More downhill (the reward for the burning legs and screaming lungs), and finally we reached the lake. There's something so peaceful about lakes anyway, and laying there, feeling the tension from gripping handlebars and legs pushing pedals slip away was almost magical.
Finally, we headed home. The return trip is always strange. On one hand, you have that motivation to get to the car, were you can sit and relax, and eventually get home to a meal and nap. One the other hand, your body has just about had it, and your muscles are so unhappy with you! But, the mental overcame the physical and we made it back to the truck rather quickly! At least, quicker than I expected!
One of the most exciting things to me was how much my fitness has improved from our last ride! I didn't give up, my lungs didn't hate me too often, and I put mental over physical. Plus, I got to spend all day ourside with my man!
We're already planning our next route for this coming weekend! And I think I'm getting Kyle excited about the thought of cross county or endurance racing in the future!
We sat by Lake Dense, talking about things, looking over the green lake and up the mountain, into the perfect blue sky. It was so peaceful, so invigorating to be in the middle of action, nature, and each other's company.
We left Lake Dense, heading towards the south end of the forest, then looping back over another mountain towards Lake Julia. This is were we started to feel it, but kept on, pushing towards the lake. More downhill (the reward for the burning legs and screaming lungs), and finally we reached the lake. There's something so peaceful about lakes anyway, and laying there, feeling the tension from gripping handlebars and legs pushing pedals slip away was almost magical.
Finally, we headed home. The return trip is always strange. On one hand, you have that motivation to get to the car, were you can sit and relax, and eventually get home to a meal and nap. One the other hand, your body has just about had it, and your muscles are so unhappy with you! But, the mental overcame the physical and we made it back to the truck rather quickly! At least, quicker than I expected!
One of the most exciting things to me was how much my fitness has improved from our last ride! I didn't give up, my lungs didn't hate me too often, and I put mental over physical. Plus, I got to spend all day ourside with my man!
We're already planning our next route for this coming weekend! And I think I'm getting Kyle excited about the thought of cross county or endurance racing in the future!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Yes, I'm Still Here
...Lurking in the background of the internet, reading what all you wonderful people write, but rarely having the chance to sit down, comment, and write for myself.
2011 has had an amazing start! I'm looking at which college I'll transfer to, and have two great options! There's a chance that I may be a on cycling team by the time school starts in August. That thought both terrifies and excites me greatly! This is what I want to do, who I want to be, the thing that I do! But there's so much to learn, experience to gain, and the biggie, fitness to work on. I'm keeping myself motivated by looking at all my dream bikes, the ones that cost more than my car (well, not quite, but some of them are close!) and I can only justify buying if it's paid for by school or I'm using it to pay for school, and admiring my toned and happy legs.
In May I'll have my Associate's Degree! I'll have finally reached the stepping stone in the middle of my educational river! I'm excelling at work, and impressing everyone with what I can do. It's so nice to be recognized and appreciated for doing things that I enjoy!
And Kyle, my love! We're happily going along, working hard to reach our goals, playing hard in our spare time, and taking each second together as a gift. I'm so blessed to have him as my partner in this life. We're getting close to 3 years of marriage, 5 years together. It seems so long, but at the same time, so short.
All in all, I'm feeling 2011...and it's feeling awesome!
2011 has had an amazing start! I'm looking at which college I'll transfer to, and have two great options! There's a chance that I may be a on cycling team by the time school starts in August. That thought both terrifies and excites me greatly! This is what I want to do, who I want to be, the thing that I do! But there's so much to learn, experience to gain, and the biggie, fitness to work on. I'm keeping myself motivated by looking at all my dream bikes, the ones that cost more than my car (well, not quite, but some of them are close!) and I can only justify buying if it's paid for by school or I'm using it to pay for school, and admiring my toned and happy legs.
In May I'll have my Associate's Degree! I'll have finally reached the stepping stone in the middle of my educational river! I'm excelling at work, and impressing everyone with what I can do. It's so nice to be recognized and appreciated for doing things that I enjoy!
And Kyle, my love! We're happily going along, working hard to reach our goals, playing hard in our spare time, and taking each second together as a gift. I'm so blessed to have him as my partner in this life. We're getting close to 3 years of marriage, 5 years together. It seems so long, but at the same time, so short.
All in all, I'm feeling 2011...and it's feeling awesome!
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