Biking in Austin

I don't see these guys every day on bike rides around Pittsburgh! This was a little one that I almost sat on when I took a...break. :)

Yesterday I took a long bike ride around Austin. I was able to rent a ridiculously nice bike, a LeMond Buenos Aires with a carbon fiber frame. The wind was equally ridiculous and so I nearly was blown off the road a couple of times. A girl at the bike shop said that a race began along the river with 70 Category 1 & 2 riders...but only finished with 20...at full steam they were able to pedal only 9 miles an hour, so I guess they just gave up. I really enjoyed riding around the near west side on Red Bud Rd. where there are lots of little hills (like Pittsburgh) and some great modern architecture. When coming down off of the hill, Red Bud deposits you downtown along the river, and best of all -- at Whole Foods.

Apparently the Whole Foods here is the original deal. It even has an escalator! And, unlike Pennsylvania, one can buy beer and wine in the store and drink it with the hundreds of deli options.

Today I needed a short recovery ride and so I spent some time at the Veloway. I loved the lack of traffic and being able to challenge myself to faster times, quicker gear changes and flying by the very fit biker guys. :) I also loved thinking about friends from Team Caffeine who were biking in 34 degree weather. So sad. It feels good to have a little bit of a sunburn.

So, all in all this trip to Austin for work and biking was very nice. Tomorrow I'll try to get in a short jog before heading back to the airport. Hopefully this time I'll get back to Pittsburgh in 3 flights or less! I'll have to remember to keep my coat unpacked. :(

Something New

I guess old folks can learn new things too. I am currently in Austin doing some social research on MultiEthnic teams in InterVarsity as a part of my sabbatical project on internship development. I am loving being in the city and the 80+ degree weather.

I am also having a lot of fun with this staff team. There is a 18 year age span, 30+ years of staff experience, mixed gender, five ethnicities, and many personalities on this staff team. They have been very gracious to open their office, team, and lives to me as I've quizzed them about their joys and trials of being on staff with IV.

Last night I went to a one-of-a-kind South Asian student fellowship called "One-Way" where I learned more than I knew I needed to learn about South Asian culture. I also have an idea now of how much I have yet to learn!

Silly me. I had begun to think that I had seen it all. Not so...and, I love it.

Where to Find Pictures

I have finally figured out how to make a live link...(welcome to the 21st century, Chloe!)

Here are some of my more recent and fun pictures, if you dare. Enjoy.

Turkey-Swiss Stromboli

I haven't done as much baking as I would like to recently, but I love to try out new recipes and discover new things to enjoy. But, so far I've just been trying to "cook the cupboards" which has resulted in some creative muffins... Its amazing how much unnecessary food I have stored up in this place!

But, as I was reading through some old magazines (another little sabbatical "project") I came across this one. I think it has some potential. It took me approximately 5 minutes to put together.

(from Fitness magazine)
Turkey-Swiss Stromboli

1/2 lb. frozen pizza dough, thawed (I made wheat pizza dough in a breadmaker)
1 tbs. spicy brown mustard
4 oz. sliced reduced-fat Swiss cheese
6 large leaves Swiss chard, tough stalks removed
8 oz. sliced turkey breast
1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 425F. Coat a nonstick baking sheet with butter-flavored cooking spray. Unroll dough and shape gently into a 6x12" rectangle on top of the prepared baking sheet. Spread mustard over entire surface, then layer with cheese, Swiss chard and turkey. Fold over length-wise and seal edges. Lightly brush dough with egg. Bake 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool 5 minutes. Makes 5 servings. Enjoy!

per serving: 232 calories, 21 g. protein, 23 g carbs, 7 g fat, 1 g fiber.

I'm Not Crazy!

The past couple of weeks have been full of random activities such as writing a will, finishing my taxes, evaluating my diet, and visiting with doctors. I did spend the past week in bed, but that is not what has kept me busy at the doctor's offices.

I have been treated for five years now for severe migraines. I love my doctor, Dr. Soso. He just seems to "get" me. He understands the pressures of middle management, the world of professional musicians, and the hell that women living with chronic pain experience. The nurses must wonder what goes on during my appointments, because there is usually much laughter.

Of course, he is no stranger to pain himself, seeing that over the past 2 years he has had to have both of his hands reattached...don't ask.

As a musician, I have a certain fear of hands and pain. A paper cut makes me cringe, a broken finger makes me gag, and hand torture scenes...I nearly faint dead away.

So, as you can imagine, the fact that I haven't been able to play the piano professionally in at least four years (because I can't feel my arm)...has been a major source of disappointment, fear, and pain.

While the rest of the world sat snug in bed during a snow day this week, I braved the weather to make it to Dr. Soso's office. And, since he had no patients and nothing better to do, we visited for close to 2 hours. During this time, he discovered that I can't feel my arm -- and then...the experiments began! After many needle pokes, we mapped out the area and discovered that I can't feel my right cutaneous lateral nerves...? Who knows what that is. The point is -- I am not crazy!

And so, the hunt begins again to discover the source of my mysterious and elusive ailment. The neurologist I met with today set up an EMG (a.k.a. extended torture session) which will hopefully give some clues as to whether I will be able to use my hand again or not. I'm hoping so. It would be nice to hear some Liszt again in my house...

Day 26, Vacations are Wonderful

I love vacations. They are a relatively new phenomenon to me.

Others seemed to take to them naturally, often taking those cool spring break trips, but I was always working. In fact, there hasn't been a time since I was of legal working age (13) that I wasn't working nearly fulltime +. So, not to bemoan my poor state, but just to say that I never really caught on to how to "vacate".

I've had some friends over the years show me the ropes. In fact, Mike, Shayna, Toby and I just had our 3rd winter vacation together. On our first trip we went to the Poconos where I almost met my death at the hands of two pieces of plastic attached to my feet. Ever since my Wisconsin roots kicked in and saved the day, I have had a love affair with downhill skiing.

There are very few moments in life that could say that I have felt pure joy. Skiing in beautiful places has been just one of those. This year we went to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Since I haven't been on skis in a year (it has been too warm here in PA), I decided to take a class. I was glad I did because I was finally able to ski "black" runs. Not well, and not without fear...but I could ski them! This made me able to start at the top of the mountain and mosey my way down any run my fancy drew me to. I can't wait to go back.

Our vacation had many other highlights including two adorable baby boys, game playing with friends, drinking Starbucks in book stores, arguing, watching Heroes, eating lots of yummy snacks, discussing, laughing, and a hike in the beautiful and frozen Moligne Canyon.

Now...to start plotting my next getaway! :)