Free Bus(c)h

First Race of 2012

2012-01-28T19:41:00.002-07:00

Let the year begin...

Race Schedule...

2011-08-29T19:14:00.003-06:00

So here are the races for the rest of the year and into 2012...Let the games begin.

16 October 2011 - The Other Half - Moab, UT

4 December 211 - Las Vegas Rock-n-Roll - Las Vegas, NV

29 January 2012 - Tinkerbell Half-Marathon - Disneyland, CA

26 February 2012 - Princess Half Marathon - Disneyworld, FL

4 March 2012 - New Orleans Rock-n-Roll - New Orleans, LA

April 2012 - Horsetooth 1/2 Marathon - Fort Collins, CO

6 May 2012 - Colorado 1/2 Marathon - Fort Collins, CO

Jelly Making...

2011-08-29T19:09:00.004-06:00

So the last two weeks have been a jelly/jam extravaganza at our house...

I had lots of Peaches from the Fruit Share I get...so many in fact I had to do something with them. 24 jars of peach preserves later...Yummy.

I also made 12 jars of Jalapeno Pepper Jelly.

The next adventure is Pineapple Habanero Jelly.

Daisy

2011-03-27T11:12:00.005-06:00

I was informed that I haven't been doing a good job of keeping the old blog updated... So.. I did get the bike last summer: I also have managed to complete a few races since last October: Walt Disney Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon: Palo Duro 20k Heart of the Rockies 10k New Orlean Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon Medi-help Sunrise Monster - South Africa

2011 Race Schedule - Possible

2011-01-30T20:22:00.002-07:00

So here is the so called possible plan...as of today anyway.

Feb 13 - New Orlean 1/2 Marathon
This one should be interesting...seeing as how my training went to crap after my three in a row in October of 2010.

April 24 - Cheyenne Mountain 25k Trail Run
Maybe...Maybe not

May 1 - Fort Collins Old Town 1/2 Marathon

June 4 - Golden Gate Dirty Thirty
Does one do the 7-mile or the 12 mile??

Wine and Dine...

2010-07-24T19:47:00.002-06:00

So my first 1/2 marathon back in the first weekend in October in Florida...

The Disney Wine & Dine 1/2

Here's to finishing in a wine tasting.

Paid off...

2010-04-29T07:47:00.002-06:00

So now that the 4-runner has been paid off for a number of months...I have been thinking it is time to start looking into some new transportation...

I was thinking something along these lines...

Races...

2010-03-02T19:24:00.002-07:00

Now that I am running again...not very far or fast yet, but running none the less...

It's time to set some goals (besides hashing)

1) June 26, 2010 - Slacker Half Marathon

2) August 21, 2010 - Warrior Dash

Always keeping my eye out for interesting and fun races.

Warrior Dash

2010-03-02T12:44:00.002-07:00

So this race looks absolutely hysterical!!!

Warrior Dash

Where: Copper Mountain Ski Resort...

What: 3.27 Mile course with 12 obstacles from hell

How do I train for Warrior Dash?
1. Day one: run as far as you can. Go home. Day two: do the same thing.
2. Find the dirtiest pond in your neighborhood and snorkel in it - in your slippers, without goggles.
3. Practice your climbing and crawling skills at your local jungle gym. Ignore the small children and parental glares.
4. Do not shower or shave for weeks in order to obtain a true Warrior look.

Pop Tarts for Warm Feet.

2010-01-06T18:41:00.002-07:00

So I have decided I need some warm, fuzzy wool house slippers from New Zealand. I should have got these when I was there last year...but I didn't.

I am currently working a deal to trade pop tarts for a pair of these woolies.

You see they do not sell pop tarts in NZ...and some Hasher friends of mine love pop tarts...

So let's make a deal!!! You have what I want and I have the PTs...

Happy New Year...

2009-12-31T17:41:00.002-07:00

Let's hope I keep this thing up to date a little better in 2010.

See you all next year!!! Ha-Ha

Hello...

2009-12-16T14:30:00.002-07:00

Hello??...

Tap tap tap...

Is this thing on?

No, I have not fallen off the planet, I have just been a busy living the dream and trying two-a-day workouts.

I promise to update soon with lots of stories about how my knee hurts, what I am doing about it, what races I have set as goals, where I am going in 2010, blah, blah, blah...

Stay tuned for the excitement.

New Fort Collins Hash Website...

2009-12-11T13:50:00.002-07:00

So I have been working on the new Fort Collins hash website this past week...

It is all done...

www.fchhh.webs.com

Take a gander...

PETA...

2009-11-09T18:12:00.002-07:00

So if you need any ideas for a gift for me...I wear a medium.

Tofu doesn't scream when you cut it...

I also would take the reusable shopping bag...to go to Whole Foods and by raw chicken!!!!

On-On to Hawaii

2009-10-29T21:37:00.002-06:00

Time to blow this popsicle stand...16 inches of snow is enough for me.

Time for 86 degree, humid weather...island winds, sand in my toes, fruity drinks with little umbrellas...all starting tomorrow.

Upgraded to First Class baby...happy birthday to me.

BORDERLINE TALENT - PONG PONG

2009-09-30T02:58:00.001-06:00

Tsunami

2009-09-30T01:59:00.002-06:00

Well the earthquake in Samoa hit...and we got the wave action from it here in New Zealand. Luckly we were headed out of the ocean town of Napier...approx. an hour after we left the waves it...not very big about 1 meter at most.

We are safe and sound in Wellington now.

Australia...

2009-09-16T17:41:00.000-06:00

Hanging out in Melbourne Australia for the nexyt couple of weeks...

Update...

2009-08-05T21:36:00.003-06:00

Ok...I am trying to get this blog updated before I leave the country again...does Ames, IA count as out of country??? OK...Melbourne it is...

I will get the pictures of Singapore, KL, and South Africa from this spring up...

Great Weekend...

2009-07-06T07:47:00.002-06:00

So we packed up on Friday and headed to Keyhole Lake in WY. The entire dirve up it rained on us...overcast, chilly...not a good start to the weekend. We arrived to a little drizzle, but not bad. That evening...it rained, the wind blew, and I was beginning to worry about the weather all weekend. But alas...the sun came out and what a day Saturday was. We fished inthe morning, tubed in the afternoon, and then fished some more in the evening.

Good time was had by all.

Sunday we packed up and decided instead of driving straight home...to detour over to Devil's tower. We took funny pictures and then made the 5 hour drive home.

Favorite Author...

2009-06-22T20:46:00.002-06:00

My new favorite author is Laurie Notaro

I have read a couple of her books...ok maybe all of them.

The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club
Autobiography of a Fat Bride
I Love Everybody (and other Atrocious Lies)
We Thought you would be Prettier
An Idiot Girl's Christmas
There's a (slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell

But the latest is by far the funniest...

An Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death - Reflections of Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal

Facebook

2009-06-20T09:20:00.001-06:00

So there is a reason I have culled over 100 people as my "friends" on facebook...

If you have been culled...you have to ask yourself...Why?!?

Flying

2009-06-20T07:49:00.002-06:00

I have to ask myself...

Why am I paying for Joel to get his pilot's licence?? Could he not think of this while he had a job?

Oh well...at least he is not playing rockband and Call of Duty all day anymore.

Great Quote

2009-06-20T07:44:00.002-06:00

So I found this quote on facebook...

"Can't spell families without lies."

Pretty much sums it up.

Rain, Hail, and Tornados OH My

2009-06-20T07:24:00.002-06:00

So what is the deal with the Colorado weather?? We have had rain at least once a day for about 3 weeks, I had 5 straight days of hail (not good for the garden), and what is up with the tornados?

Before I left for MN we had tornado warnings...and even a funnel cloud spotted in Severance (actually just SE from our house). Then I get to MN...and those little bastards followed me there.

I must admit...my yard looks great...I don't think I have ever seen it so green.

Nosy People

2009-06-20T07:22:00.003-06:00

I love nosy people. They absolutely make my life something to live for...

That is all...please return to your regularly scheduled program.

Say What??

2009-06-12T11:43:00.002-06:00

Now I ask you...

Who stands and looks at a pair of men's briefs and says hmmmm...I can make me a nice summer top from these!!

Catching Up

2009-06-04T09:05:00.002-06:00

Wow...where does one begin. I have been a little lack luster on keeping up with my blog lately due to being out of town.

I was in Oklahoma at my parents for 2.5 weeks. During this time there was camping, barn cleaning, garage cleaning, shelf building, child watching, cattle working, hay cutting, etc. Never a dull moment...and I think Joel and I both increased our chances for skin cancer dramatically.

This week I have been in the Chicago area. Haven't gotten to see a lot of the city due to the whole job thing. Made some interesting finds and opportunities on the sales side of the job.

I will be in Colorado for a week and then it is off to MN. Not sure when I am going to get my yard, flowers, and garden all in order.

Trying to keep up...

2009-05-02T08:31:00.003-06:00

So the past 3 weeks I have been training non-stop at work...doesn't leave much time to keep up with all the other stuff at work. It doesn't help that I will be on the road the next couple of months.

Running is still not going very well. PT started back up...but I don't know if it is helping or not. Will keep working out and see.

Still waiting for Joel to get a job...anyone out there got one for him??

Chicken...

2009-04-15T07:48:00.003-06:00

So we hippies here in Colorado are always looking for ways to help the environment...maybe it's
1) Drinking beer instead of water,
2) Recycling our beer cans,
3) Using our newspapers as worm bedding in our worm farms,
4) Having our own bloody mary gardens, etc.

I think at the Busch household it is now time to look into getting ONE (1) backyard chicken. Since we don't have a dog...a chicken might be a more suitable animal for our life style. The bonus is the little fluff better lay some eggs. Now it would be too easy just to add a chicken or two to the flock our friends already have (and I note that they live further out in the country than we do). Since the average lifespan of a chicken is 4-6 years (but alas some live as long as 12 years)...we should get a few eggs of the little bugger.

WEAK...

2009-04-14T20:29:00.004-06:00

So having not done anything since Nov. 2008...has left my body weak. :-( No more man legs, hips, washboard abs, etc.

Today was the first day back to physcial therapy since being back in the country (been in South Africa and Kulala Lumpur) and cleared for strength training and "light running". The "light running" is not going well. How am I supposed to run a 25k...or maybe a 10k...ok maybe a 5k the first weekend in May if I cannot even get one lap around the track (aka 1/4 of a mile)??? PT better get me up and running...my hip muscles have gone to hell in a hand basket...not to mention my leg muscles.

We did get the Wii fit on Monday...so it has been rather funny. I started out yesterday at Wii age 34 and today I am 35. Joel was Wii age 24 yeasterday and today he is 35. Wow - he sure did age fast. I am kicking him on the Hula Hoop game!!! I can't do some of the one leg things, since the whole knee surgery thing doesn't leave me with a strong enough leg to do them.

Venting...

2009-04-11T11:32:00.004-06:00

So...here is the venting post...I will drink for whining later.

I absolutely love the fact that he never ever answers the phones (cell or home) when he knows that it is anyone he might have to talk too more than 5 min. I also love the fact that his family chooses to call his cell phone and then they wonder why he never calls back or answers them. He doesn't even bother listen to the messages half the time.

I just sit back and laugh anymore...it took him 3 days just to listen to a particular voicemail from a female...and then didn't even bother to return the call. She then proceeded to call the house phone (which he didn't answer while home) and I had to send an email declining all invitations.

The Great Stew Incident

2009-04-07T19:59:00.003-06:00

So last Saturday started out per usual...you know, wind blowing and snow blowing around. So it was decided that it was the perfect day to brew beer. So while the boys brewed beer...the girls would keep the two littlest helpers entertained. With four adults and two little ones, we would eventually need to eat.

So before leaving the great plains of eastern CO (at least that is what our friend's think)...7.5 miles east of I-25...I decided the best way to feed a house full of brewers was to make a STEAMING, HOT, crock pot full of beef stew. Up I got...early enough to have the stew ready to leave the house at noon...so we packed up the Wii, playstation 3, Rockband, and the stew and off we went to the big city (Fort Collins) to brew the beer.

Now out here in the eastern plains, when it snows and the wind blows, we tend to get a few drifts and one needs a vehicle that sits a little higher so one doesn't get high centered on the drifts. Now I managed to drive just fine and keep the stew in the crock pot. YEAH!!!

Now we get less than 4 blocks from our final destination...and the house of brewing...and I took a corner no more than 0.00006 miles/hr and of course the stew goes flying across the back of the 4-Runner. Needless to say...Joel didn't say a word...probably for the best.

As we pulled into our destination...I started cleaning my baby. Now about this time M & B came out and welcomed us to the brew house...but their dog Cooper also welcomed us and was really happy to see my stewed up 4-Runner...he was more than happy to help clean up the mess. I just hope the after effects weren't too bad!!!

The Great Stew incident is now complete...the steam cleaning of the vehicle was completed tonight.

Daily Haiku

2009-04-06T18:58:00.001-06:00

So a friend of mine started doing this daily haiku thing...this one was by far the funniest so far...Thanks Brownie!!!

conference call bullshit
could we waste any more time?
thank gawd for bloggers!

What's Up?

2009-04-05T19:31:00.003-06:00

So I survived SE Asia once again. Hung out in Singapore for a day...trying to get adjusted to the time. Still find things I haven't seen before. Then flew over to Kuala Lumpur for the week. Saw all sorts of things. Then of course there was the work thing. I will try to get the pictures posted soon.

Now back to the real world...running is not going well. I can't even get to the end of the block without serious pain. This is not looking good for my race season this summer. It's also not looking good for my waist line.

Joel is still riding the unemployment train...good thing it has been extended another 13 weeks...although if he rides it that long...we will have some serious issues at my house...There will be no working for Melody that long...we have a new wal-mart going in..."Welcome to Wal-Mart - How may I help you???"

Off to SE Asia...

2009-03-18T09:52:00.002-06:00

So I leave for SE Asia tomorrow morning at the butt crack of dawn. I will be in Singapore for a couple of days and then Kuala Lumpur for the rest of the time. We will be teaching durning the week...but then are staying over the weekend to check out some sites.

My running isn't going real well...quite frankly it hurts. But I keep telling myself...stairs hurt also when I started taking them after surgery. I guess you have to start somewhere.

Lap One

2009-03-12T18:29:00.003-06:00

Was cleared to start "light jogging" today from the Ortho-pod. So of course I went right out to the Windsor track.

Walk one lap to warm up the knee (4.5 min)...and then jogged one lap (3.5 min.) Yes I did feel it...so now we start the real rehab.

Start back with the physical terrorist after I get back from SE Asia.

Back from South Africa

2009-03-12T06:25:00.002-06:00

WOW...what a trip. Where does one begin???

Arrived in J'Berg just fine on Saturday evening...my luggage however never left Denver. I didn't get luggage until Wednesday evening.

Training went well...week one consisted employees of the company and a key account. The second week consisted of distributors and customers. Attendence was very dissappointing.v

Did get to go to Kruger National Park again...will try and get pictures posted soon. Also had a good time in Durban. Finally got to try Bunny Chows!!! Now I just have to figure out how to make them.

I am now getting ready to leave for Singapore and KL. No rest for me.

It's the Final Countdown...

2009-02-15T19:13:00.002-07:00

Let the countdown begin...I told my physcial Terrorist to just meet me at the track for PT on 1 April. Let the running and swelling of the knee begin. Gotta get ready for my races in June, July, August, Sept, Oct...oh you get the point.

Getting Ready for 5 weeks away

2009-02-15T19:02:00.002-07:00

Had nine students last week for my laboratory class...I have 7 for the process and applications class this week. Should be pretty good...nice mix of sales, service, sales support, technical support, and new instructor.

I leave on Friday for South Africa for two weeks. We get to go to Kruger once again for the weekend...staying at Jan's home. We will be doing training for company associates the first weeka and customer sessions the second week.

I get to come home for one week and then off to SE Asia for two weeks.

Should be a wild month. All coming to an end 1 April.

Unprivate...

2009-02-07T21:14:00.003-07:00

So I had to put my blog on a private setting there for a while because people I work with who have no business reading this had nothing better to do that read blogs on company time. I did not give them the address or invite them to read it. Yet they felt the need to try and comment on my posts. Seriously...get to work and quit wasting company time.

But...because I created this blogg to keep my family up to date on my travels...and my grandmother could not access this blog, I decided to put it back out on the web.

Hopefully, those will learn to keep their nose out of others business...and you know who you are.

Still leashed...

2009-01-26T18:32:00.001-07:00

So I will be leashed for another 6 weeks.

Still not allowed to run, bike more than 20 min., lunges, squats, etc.

I have however been cleared for Wii Fit...but only the balance part, no strength training.

Back In Colorado

2009-01-25T13:48:00.007-07:00

Totally missed a good friends retirement Happy Hour on Friday...since I was trying to recover from the Sales meeting, flights, and PT.

Did get a great beer dinner in last night. Four course meal that included spinach artichoke dip, prime rib, potatoes, asparagus, caramel apple pie...and of course beers from the Leinenkugel brewery. Mummmm.....can't wait for the next one in April.

Great Fajita Marinade

2009-01-11T15:01:00.002-07:00

Yummy...for chicken, flank steak, or shrimp

1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
4-6 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Place desired meat in the marinade, and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or overnight.

I also made a full recipe for the veggies...green bell pepper, onion, red bell peppers, etc.

Survived the Holidays...barely

2009-01-06T12:40:00.003-07:00

Well I am finally back in CO after the holidays. What a trip!!! My sister-in-law keeps trying to have a baby way to early, my knee swelled up, rock band has now entered our house, and my grandmother gave us the use of her condo in Hawaii!!!!

I am now officially behind in PT...it's time to pick up the pace. I guess not going for 2 weeks tends to do that to one after surgery. I am now 6 weeks out of surgery...less than 9 more until running my first steps.

Heather (sister-in-law) is bound and determined to have "cletus the fetus" early. She is now on permement bed rest...lets get those lungs developed before popping out of the womb.

I am totally excited about the prospect of spending my 35th birthday in Hawaii!!! Bring on the warm waters and sandy beaches.

We now have Rock Band and Guitar Hero in our house...as if we needed anything else!!!

Joel's Xmas...

2008-12-16T07:14:00.001-07:00

New Years Resolution Early

2008-12-11T17:09:00.003-07:00

So I have started my New Years resolution early...making our house more environmentally friendly.

1) We already changed out all of our light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs about 2 years ago.

2) I got a worm bed to stop wasting food...problem is I fried all the worms on a really hot day this past August...so I have to get some more worms. It worked great...while alive.

3) Finally got my recycling bins...not that Severance has recycling...so I have to waste gas and haul it to Fort Collins when they fill up.

4) Got rid of all phosphorus containing soaps/detergents in the house and replaced with non-phosphorus.

5) Got rid of all cleaners that were not environmentally friendly.

6) Finally have enough reusable shopping bags so that we don't get plastic or paper anymore. Hey and did you know you get a $0.05 credit for each bag you take into Safeway, Wholefoods, etc.

Latest Knee Update

2008-12-08T19:28:00.002-07:00

17 days out of surgery...

Day 4 - Post op Appt - No infection, 2 stitches out

Day 5 - First Physical Therapy (PT) appt - still swollen pretty good, but can bend over 90 degrees and straighten to almost 0.

Day - 10 - PT - Get to 0 degrees, Down to 1 crutch

Day - 12 - PT - still on one crutch...Physical Terrorist tells me to slow down

Day 13 - No more crutches...Surgeon tells me to slow down and my first race can be in the fall of 2009. Hey...no swelling and rest of stitches out.

Day 14 - Still 0 degree and 125 degrees...allowed to start riding bike for 10min twice a day. Set goal of 10 degrees per week for myself.

Day 15 - Drank too much beer at Festivus Party night before and knee is swollen pretty good this morning.

The Great TV Adventure

2008-12-07T10:51:00.002-07:00

So with the economy in the tank...Joel had decided that it would be a good time to find a deal on a new flat screen TV.

Now the last time we bought a TV...it took about three weeks, 3 televisions delivered to our house and returned, and that doesn't even count trying to find something to set the 300 pound thing on!!!!

Mark my words...I am not going with Joel to look for the "new" tv. I will take on the responsibility of trying to 1) find something to put it on and 2) get rid of the 1970, formica bedside tables we currently have as our tv crap stands (in the living room).

Couldn't Be Stated Better...

2008-12-04T18:38:00.002-07:00

Sign taken at the Ourayle House out in Ouray

My Farm...

2008-12-02T19:31:00.001-07:00

I am sooo addicted to My Farm on facebook...so anyone out there...send me some trees!!!!

Repeal of Prohibition Celebration

2008-12-02T15:28:00.001-07:00

Raise your glass to 75 Years of Beer this Friday, December 5th!

On December 5th, 1933 came the repeal of Prohibition. After 4708 long dry days, America was once again able to join friends to raise a glass and cheer this historic day!

Join us any time on Friday, December 5th, have your World Beer Tour card swiped and we'll add a WBT credit* (#1933), good toward your main tour just for celebrating this monumental occasion with us.

*No purchase necessary. Members can only receive 4 WBT credits per day.

“I think it would be a good time for a beer” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt after signing the repeal.

For more information on 75 Years of Beer, visit: www.75YearsofBeer.org

New Dinner Exchange Club

2008-11-29T20:51:00.003-07:00

So I am now participating in a Dinner exchange club. This is where families get together and exchange dinners. So depending upon how many families participate each month will determine how many meals you make and will get. This is the first month that I am participating and there are a total of 8 families (including me). So I have to make seven dinners of the same thing to exchange...I will get 7 different meals out of this.

The rules are simple:
1) Must be child friendly (since most have children under age 7 and are learning to eat)
2) Must be high quality and mostly healthy...aka no fatty meats...get the good stuff.
3) No gross combinations...ie green olives, raisins, and cinnamon. (What?!?!)
4) Not too spicy...hot, salty, pepper, etc.
5) Must be able to be frozen and reheated easily.

I am excited about this...hopefully I will get some new recipes out of this and quit eating the same old thing during the week.

Post Op Recovery

2008-11-26T09:26:00.003-07:00

Well...it's all fixed. I have a new ACL out of my hamstring tendon. Let the healing begin.

So I had the surgery on 21 Friday...and just slept most of the day. Saturday and Sunday were interesting...I was taking pain medication about every 4 hours. I woke up on Saturday night in tears...oh yeah the knee was awake!!!

Monday and Tuesday weren't too bad...I am now down to 2 pain pills a day...one in the morning and one at night. Although I totally over did it on Tuesday and paid for it last night.

Today is the first meeting with the Physical Terrorist. We will see how I feel this afternoon.

Time For Bingo!!!

2008-11-15T09:18:00.002-07:00

Bring on Colorado!!

2008-11-14T08:13:00.002-07:00

So finally scored CU-OSU tickets for the game on Saturday...so we will be going to the football game tomorrow.

Also have book club tonight...finally finished the book...so bring on the wine!!! Isn't that what women do at book clubs anyway...act like we read the book and just drink wine?

Melody or Maddi???

2008-10-30T11:50:00.001-06:00

Guess Who...

Dine for a Cause

2008-10-30T09:28:00.001-06:00

Next week, from the 3rd-9th, when you eat at the following Fort Collins restaurants, 8% of your check will go towards energy and water efficiency improvements in those restaurants. It's a painless way to lower energy and water use in our City!

Mugs Coffee Lounge
Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant
Austin's American Grill
Enzio's Italian Kitchen
The Moot House
CooperSmith's Pub & Brewing
The Egg & I
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Aspen Grille
The Melting Pot
Eliot's Mess
Bisetti's Italian Restaurant
Nyala Ethiopian Cuisine
Cafe Ardour

Favorite Website!!! Cupcakes!!!

2008-10-28T12:49:00.001-06:00

Check it out...

http://buttercreamcupcakery.com/home.php

Back in CO

2008-10-28T07:24:00.000-06:00

Well...I am back in the USA and the state of CO...at least for the next three weeks.

After being in Atlanta/Savannah for the past week...I feel like I need to detox my body of all the greese I ate. I have been feeling a little dumpy lately...don't know if it's because I haven't been exercising or that is around the monthly. Could have something to do with both.

I think that I have got to find some sort of exercise regime...I am not very happy with myself at the moment...but with the upcoming surgery...I am not very motivated. I have started looking into gyms again...we shall see.

Work has been driving me batty...for some reason the boss units have gotten a little micro-manager like...for gawd's sake just let me do my job!!! Ok...I feel better.

Old Chicago's Halloween Mini-Tour

2008-10-15T07:20:00.001-06:00

Sample all eight brews and get a special Halloween Mini Tour T-Shirt... the design even glows in the dark—we heard a glowing Mini Tour shirt will also keep you safe from Stingy Jack!

• Blue Moon Specialty
• Woodchuck Hard Cider
• Samuel Adams Cherry Wheat
• Left Hand Terra-Rye'zd Black Rye Lager
• Plus four local choices

The Mini Tour starts on Wednesday, October 15th with our Kick-Off Party from 7–9pm.

AP Football Poll

2008-10-13T14:55:00.002-06:00

AP Top 25
1. Texas (39) 6-0 1,599
2. Alabama (26) 6-0 1,582
3. Penn State 7-0 1,492
4. Oklahoma 5-1 1,306
5. Florida 5-1 1,284
6. USC 4-1 1,247
7. Texas Tech 6-0 1,210
8. Oklahoma State 6-0 1,184
9. Brigham Young 6-0 1,131
10. Georgia 5-1 1,081
11. Missouri 5-1 984
12. Ohio State 6-1 908
13. LSU 4-1 893
14. Utah 7-0 834
15. Boise State 5-0 714
16. Kansas 5-1 620
17. Virginia Tech 5-1 540
18. North Carolina 5-1 416
19. South Florida 5-1 397
20. Michigan State 6-1 371
21. Wake Forest 4-1 330
22. Vanderbilt 5-1 258
23. Pittsburgh 4-1 182
24. Ball State 7-0 166
25. California 4-1 115

OSU's schedule for rest of year...
Saturday, October18 - vs. Baylor (Homecoming)
Saturday, October25 - @ Texas
Saturday, November01 - vs. Iowa State
Saturday, November08 - @ Texas Tech
Saturday, November15 - @ Colorado
Saturday, November29 - vs. Oklahoma

#8 Baby!!!

2008-10-12T19:10:00.001-06:00

Can you say upset city...and now ranked in the top 10???

GO POKES!!!! OSU!!!

Being in the Big 12 South...we still have to play Texas Tech and Texas...

Bowl game bound???

Durango Hash Website Up...

2008-10-09T15:18:00.002-06:00

Big News...

The Durango Hash got their website up!!!

http://www.durangohhh.com/

Isolation Ale is here!

2008-10-07T05:04:00.002-06:00

Once again I am out of town...but check it out!!!

Isolation Ale Event - Isolation Ale is here!

Host: Odell Brewing Co

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: Odell Tap Room
Street: 800 E. Lincoln Ave.
City/Town: Fort Collins, CO

Survived the Weekend...

2008-10-06T06:20:00.003-06:00

Well...I made it through another White family function...barely. I have come to the conclusion that I am officially done with these sorts of things. I am at a point in my life where I do not need to be told what to do, where to go, what to wear, etc. I am pretty sure that Joel and I have our own jobs, pay our own bills, live our own lives, etc...without the help of our parents (unlike some of our siblings).

The latest is that I was told what I could/could not wear to a wedding that I was a guest. I was not in the wedding in any way...yet was told I could not wear a formal wedding appropriate sari...yeah right...I guess it would have been more approaprate to wear a wife beater with no bra, ragged blue jeans, and flip flops. Joel proceeded to veto the former outfit and I wore the sari anyway. I guess trying to introduce and break cultural boundries just isn't the cards. Although most of Joel's counsins, aunts, and uncles loved the sari.

Joel and I are now off to Houston for a traditional Philippeno wedding...I brought Joel a traditional men's pineapple cloth barong (shirt) back for wedding. I will be wearing a traditional Indoesian skirt and scarf (ok...not Philippeno, but hey same part of the world).

Back from SE Asia

2008-10-01T07:06:00.002-06:00

Geeze...what a trip. I was all over SE Asia for the last three weeks...Singapore, Jakarta-Indonesia, Singapore, Phuket-Thailand, Manila-Philippines, Kyoto-Japan. Lots of work and very little play.

I will try to get all the pictures posted this week...at least before I get back on the road for the next three weeks or so.

Good to be home...now I need to get back to the biking thing and get off any weight I thought I might put on over in Asia.

Doppel Bock Tapping Party - FC Brewery

2008-09-09T14:49:00.002-06:00

Although I cannot attend...

Host: The Fort Collins Brewery

Doppel Bock Tapping Party - Sausages, big brews and the FCB crew.

Date: Friday, September 26, 2008
Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Location: FCB
Street: 1900 E. Lincoln Ave #B
City/Town: Fort Collins, CO

Contact Info
Phone: 9704721499
Email: info@fortcollinsbrewery.com

New Bike...

2008-09-08T10:59:00.002-06:00

So maybe I should screw this whole competitive thing and go with more leisure like activities...

This would of course require two things...1) a change in attitude and 2) new hardware.

As far as the attitude...that might be the harder part...but the hardware...

Below is what I was thinking...isn't it the coolest...I could ride around Severance in style!!!

Getting ready for surgery...

2008-09-03T19:40:00.003-06:00

So I have to get a bike trainer for my knee workouts...since there is no more running.

Looking at two; both ~$300

1upUSACPR-A2000 All Aluminum

The other is a Demo Unit Kurt Kinetic 2008 Rock & Roll PRO

Getting ready for Labor Day...

2008-08-27T09:06:00.002-06:00

I will be so glad when this Invihash thing is over...bring on the beer.

Made it through California last week...Now getting ready for SE Asia.

Not much else going on...

Vernal, UT

2008-08-11T22:05:00.002-06:00

So made it to Vernal, UT...there are only about 2-3 places to even get a beer in this town...so of course we hit 1 of them.

Had a couple of Ambers...and watched the olympics...nothing like half naked women...hugging and slapping each other's butts...diving for balls in the sand...ahhh women's beach volleyball...all the boys like it!!!

The big adventure is finding food and beer in the same establishment...

Bike Workout #1

2008-08-10T06:55:00.002-06:00

OK...since I can't run or do any activities that involve such...I got the old mountain bike out for the first time in I don't know how long...

Distance: 8.60 miles
Time: 43:22

I am headed to UT for the rest of the week...and won't be getting a whole lot of exercise...at least my legs...liver maybe...legs not so much.

Meet my new Knee...

2008-08-09T18:03:00.003-06:00

Taking up Old Hobby...

2008-08-09T17:28:00.002-06:00

So after sulking around for a couple of days...it just came to me as to what I could do with some of my new found "free" time...

Competative Shooting.

We finally have an indoor shooting range in Fort Collins...so I guess I will start running up a bullet bill and go back to working on my shooting.

Officially Done...

2008-08-08T06:12:00.002-06:00

I got the call from the Orthopod last night...Torn ACL in Left knee. But hey...I didn't rip it off the bone.

I am done at least until next summer...

My list of things I cannot do:
Snow Skiing
Snowshoe racing
Running
Softball
Volleyball
Dodgeball
14ners...due to having to get down...he stated I can go up.

What in the Hell am I supposed to do???? This is not going to be pretty at my house for a while. I am already in a mood.

Softball Results...

2008-08-08T06:05:00.003-06:00

OK...I might as well focus on the good of the summer seasons.

Played in 3 leagues this summer...2 co-ed and 1 womens.

Wellington Co-ed
Took 1st in Regular League with a record of 14-2
1st in Tournament (this is where I got hurt)

Windsor Co-Ed
Took 3rd in Regular League with a record of 7-5
Took 2nd in Tournament

Loveland Womens (Season Not Over)
Currently 3rd place with a record of 7-4

End Game...

2008-08-07T12:00:00.001-06:00

So...For those who don't know...

While Playing in a softball tournament the last weekend in July...I fielded a ball and came down on my knee wrong...probably blowing by left ACL.

MRI was on 5 August....waiting for the results.

Looks like my softball days are over until spring. Still holding out that the Adventure Race will be a go...depends on what kind of brace they get me into to stablize the kneee.

Totally Irrirated...

2008-07-31T07:19:00.002-06:00

So just to fume a bit...

I totally hate it when you donate to someone's cause...and do not get a thank you, a kiss my @ss, or even a Fuke U...

Just a little acknowledgement would be nice.

Special Olympics

2008-07-30T07:31:00.003-06:00

Signed Up to participate in the Denver Oyster Adventure Race...as part of the race need to raise some money for the kids...

Help a girl out...

you can give on-line ***HERE***

Team Name: "Formidable Scent"

Gotta love a team name that expresses stinch...

Back from South Africa

2008-07-20T19:59:00.002-06:00

So we are back from South Africa...Joel got home on Sunday, July 7...but I stayed an extra 5 days and didn't get home until Thursday, July 11. Had to help out my co-workers there.

I will try and get the pictures posted as soon as I can...but lots to do at work after being gone 2.5 weeks.

Yummy Veggie Corn Pie Recipe...

2008-06-19T09:40:00.002-06:00

For all those that have wanted this since the Wild West Relay...

Ingredients
Salsa: 2 1/2 cups chopped tomato
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons chopped seeded jalapeño pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Pie: 1 1/4 cups crushed fat-free saltine crackers (about 35 crackers)
3 tablespoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg white, lightly beaten Cooking spray
1 1/4 cups fat-free milk, divided
2 3/4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 5 ears)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
3 tablespoons chopped ripe olives
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten 1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/8 teaspoon paprika

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°.
To prepare the salsa, combine the first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl.
To prepare the pie, combine crackers, cheese, butter, and 1 egg white in a medium bowl. Toss with a fork until moist; reserve 2 tablespoons. Press the remaining cracker mixture into bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 5 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
Combine 1 cup milk, corn, sugar, and onion salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Combine 1/4 cup milk and flour in a small bowl; gradually add to corn mixture. Cook until thick (about 1 minute); remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup onions and olives. Combine 2 egg whites and the egg in a small bowl; gradually add to corn mixture. Pour into prepared crust, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cracker mixture and paprika.
Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until the center is set.

South Africa Planned...

2008-06-15T18:55:00.002-06:00

Finally we have our trip to South Africa figured out...at least until we get there.

20 June - Leave on Plane out of DEN
21 June - Arrive in J'Burg and Drive to Jan's Cabin
22 June - AM Jan's Cabin; 13:00 Check in for Rhino hiking/camping in Kruger
23 June - Rhino Walking Tour
24 June - Rhino Walking Tour
25 June - Rhino Walking Tour until 11:00; Back to Jan's
26 June - Toodling around Kruger and Jan's
27 June - Leave Jan's and drive through Swaziland to Santa Lucia
28 June - Santa Lucia
29 June - Drive to Durban and toodle around; Fly to Cape Town
30 June - Joel Golfing; Melody Working in Port Elizabeth
1 July - Cape Town
2 July - Cape Town and Wine Country
3 July - Wine Country
4 July - Fly to J'burg for touring
5 July - Touring J'burg...Fly back to USA @ 18:00

My new mailbox in Severance...

2008-06-13T07:26:00.001-06:00

Presidential Fitness Test

2008-06-10T13:26:00.001-06:00

For all you out there that remember the presidential fitness test in grade school...

http://www.adultfitnesstest.org/adultFitnesstestLanding.aspx

Now you can get your adult version.

Nail Gun...

2008-06-06T09:43:00.002-06:00

My new Nail Gun, made by Dewalt.
It can drive a 6-D nail thru a 2 X 4 at 200 yards.
This makes construction a real breeze…you can sit in your lawn chair and build a fence.
Just get the neighbor kids to hold the fence boards in place while you sit back, relax with a cold beer, when they have the board in the right place just fire away.
With the hundred round magazine, you can build a fence with a minimum of reloading.
After a day of fence building with the new Dewalt Rapid fire nail gun, the neighbor's will not ask you fix or build anything else.
Available for a little more is the "band-aid magazine" for those near missing when fence building.

Pea Shooter...

2008-06-03T12:17:00.001-06:00

Manual Labor...

2008-06-01T19:52:00.004-06:00

So what started out as a quick trip back to OK for some camping and fun...turned into camping, shooting, four-wheeling, beer drinking...then the manual labor began at my parents. So instead of coming home on Tuesday eveing...I stayed another four nights to help out around the ranch.

I will get some pictures posted of the fun.

Some of the chores...
Building raised flowerbeds out of cinder blocks around a celler
Building a firewood stand
Cleaning the crazy garage (my father is a packrat...and a full long-bed pickup bed full of trash later)...we still had not even touched most of it.
Correcting my father's tomato garden made out of feed buckets
Feeding general livestock animals (horses and cattle)
Watching the little rat dog run the fence line "playing" with the bull and feeder steer.

Oh...we did have a 50 cal. gun for destroying a tree!!!

Softball results so Far...

2008-05-22T08:10:00.002-06:00

Women's Tuesday nights
1st game - Won 16 - 0
2nd Game - Won 16 - 10

Co-ed Friday Nights (Work Team)
1st Game Lost 4 - 14
2nd Game Won 10 - 3
3rd Game Lost 14 - 22
4th Game Won 16 - 5

Softball gripe

2008-05-01T14:28:00.003-06:00

I swear...being the captain of a co-ed softball team sucks. What is the deal with everyone wanting to play the same position??? Nobody wants to catch...all the women want to play 2nd...AHHHH....

I have one girl that tried to say I was being sexist toward her because I told her to wear a mouthpiece to play SS. WHAT?!?! As if I'm not a feminist?!?! Fine I hope your teeth get busted out. Don't blame me.

First Run

2008-04-30T20:00:00.002-06:00

So I haven't run in a while...quite a while to be exact. After all the injuries (knee, hip, lower back, etc). I had to lay off for a while.

But with the arrival of the new GPS, heart rate monitor, watch thing...Garmin 405, I had to start back up...that and the health fair at work was an eye opener...

I will post the nast results from the health fair tomorrow.

As for my pathtic run...
1.38 miles
14:00:00
10:08 pace

Will keep this route for at least the next 3 days...don't want to start hurting in the joints again.

Survived Vegas...

2008-04-30T15:54:00.003-06:00

So we all survived Vegas...barely. Came home with 3/4 of the money we took. Not bad...so I am going to spend it on a Garmin 405 GPS heartrate monitor!!!

On Saturday we laid at the pool at the Flamingo all day...in a cabana. It is the way to go....not ever going to fight for a spot at the pool again...will have my own chairs, shade, TV, etc.

Managed to hit the Spirament Rhino on Sunday night...google it...

Lame O

2008-04-23T19:55:00.003-06:00

So I have been so swamped at work...I haven't been able to keep up with this blog, my facebook account, my hash space, etc, etc...

We are trying to launch an entirely new training program at work...and it's getting closer to the launch date and we are still trying to come up with instruments and presentations. One of my co-workers is in Argentina teaching...so not much help there. Oh well...it will get done eventually.

Tomorrow is Steve's b-day!!! HAPPY B-DAY Steve!!!!

We leave for Las Vegas on Friday...at least I get a little break. Gina got us a cabana at the pool for Saturday...can't wait. Joel thinks he wants to take the Wii and play all day at the pool.

Also trying to decide if we are going to South Africa this year...started looking at airfare...Ouch! But it would be the trip of a lifetime...and I would get to see some good friends I haven't seen in a year.

Found on bottom of a kleenex box

2008-04-10T13:52:00.000-06:00

don't be bashful.
don't be shy.
it's time to unabashedly let it out!
so be messy.
be imperfect.
be liberated and free.
be what you are.
be human.
blow it loud and blow it proud.

Mexico Write Up 2006

2008-04-10T13:49:00.000-06:00

Hola from Mexico…where to begin…

Dia Uno:
Left Denver on Sunday morning…you all will be happy to hear that I did not take out anyone in the airport this time around (think India). Managed to get to Monterrey, Mexico without any international incidents. The hotel was very nice and is right outside a macro plaza and many museums (that I won't get to visit). Dinner…where does one begin. The restaurant's name was "El Rei de Cabrito" which translates to "the king of little goats". Is anyone catching on to this yet?!? For someone who refuses to eat veil and lamb…bring on the baby goat (just eat it Melody and don't offend the locals). Although I must admit…it was quite tender. We (my co-workers and I) proceeded to walk off our dinner of infant goat in the macro plaza and took in the local arts and culture for the rest of the evening. Let me mention how hot & HUMID it is here…my hair is doing the "Pollyanna" curl.

Dia Dos:
Ahh…time to begin actually working. One thing to note is that everyone in Mexico is on "Hawaiian time"…don't get in any big hurry and if they tell you to be ready @ 07:30…they won't show up until at least 30 min. -1 hour later. So needless to say…setting up the room for training at 08:30 didn't occur until ~10:00. So once we got the room set up…we didn't actually start the training until 15:30 in the afternoon. WHAT?!?! Who's bright scheduling idea was this??? And no…I got no siesta in between all this. Ahh…let's not forget dinner. Four of us walked to a local restaurant…again with the infant animals…but let’s start at the beginning of the meal. Appetizers - some sort of cheese dish and cuitlacoche (this is a dish that they let mold grow on…tasted like mushrooms to me); we will see in a couple of days if I have to get into the Cypro. On to the main course…my co-workers decided to share a "suckling pig"…I swear I dissected something like this in high school (fetal pig). I had to tap the ball of the femur just to make sure it had hardened up. I thought I would play it safe and order a chili shrimp dish…oh the shrimp was "cooked"; not how you & I think of cooked…it was "cooked" in vinegar i.e. soaked in acid for 30 minutes. So my first bite of shrimp was cold…humm…but very vinegary…Look up "Ceviche".

Dia Tres:
Good Lord where to begin on this day. Have I mentioned how hot & humid it is here? Day starts with meeting our distributors at "08:30" for a 3-hour training. Needless to say around 09:15 we finally are off to the offices. We stood around for about another "15 minutes" and didn't get started training until 10:00. Now let's remember that I have the "beast" that I have to feed ~every 3-4 hours. This training didn't get over until ~13:00…and we had to wait "30 minutes" for everyone. Needless to say the beast was very upset when 14:30 rolled around and still no food. Have I mentioned again how hot and humid it is here. This becomes very important shortly. With "lunch" finished…we now have to pack up and head to the next town "San Luis Potosi ". This is about a ~5.5 hour drive from Monterrey. We again sit around for "30 minutes" before we leave. There are 5 adults (with a week's worth of luggage), large laboratory instruments, and 5 computers in 1 Nissan wagon vehicle (about the size of a outback) with no A/C & 1/4 tank of gas. So about 17:00 we finally get on the road (Monterrey is a city of 6 million people) right in the middle of rush hour. As I am sweating away into a pile of salt, trying to catch a few zzzz's…I am awoke by the rest of the car telling me that the car is overheating and we need to turn around. WHAT??? We aren't going to try and cross the desert on a horse with no name??? About this time…all I can do is start laughing. We manage to get back through traffic and to the rental car place (Sheraton Hotel…and I'm thinking I should just say). We are now currently in a Ford Mini-van with A/C. I am much happier now…out of my sweat-stained suit and in my Keen's and knickers. I will let you all know how the tequila is…for I fully intend to hit it when we finally arrive at our destination. A destination that we were supposed to be at ~17:00pm…it's now 01:00

India Past Trip Write-Up 2006

2008-04-10T13:41:00.003-06:00

For something fun I thought I would publish the e-mails I sent about past trips...this was before my blogg.

India 2006:
As some of you know or may not…I am currently in Hyderabad, India for work.

Day 1-3 (it all blurs together):
Tried to take lady out at Denver airport when two of my bags decided to jump ship on the escalator (they just kept sliding down) while on my way to the check in counter…I'm surprised that it didn't break her legs…What was my name in the whole situation…Jan, Jan Brady.
Got on plane in Denver at 08:30 local time (2 hour flight). Had 2 hour layover in Chicago. Get on plane for Frankfurt (8 hour flight). Thank goodness my company had the sense to put me in "Economy Plus", although I think I need first class next time (seats turn into little beds). Did not get much sleep at all on this flight.

Arrived in Germany ~06:30 local time…had a 5 hour layover in Germany…jet lag starts to set in. Couldn't find any place open to convert currency to Euros…so had to eat at McDonald's with credit card. Mumm…cheeseburger at 6am local time. Is this what Mr. Jimmy Buffet was talking about?? Also last time I will see ice.

Get on plane to Hyderabad ~11:15 local time (another 8.5 hour flight). Jet lag has officially set in and I feel like I am drunk as a skunk…without having had one drink. So needless to say, I am out like a light from take off. I must note…I am the only skinny little blonde on the plane…everyone else was either very very tan or maybe a different culture…I will let you all ponder that one. When I did finally awake, the airline attendant stated "you slept the entire time, we have been keeping an eye on you"…WHAT?? Is there something I needed to know about my safety??
Get off plane in India (local time now 23:30). Customs was a breeze. Getting my luggage however took over an hour. Once I acquired my luggage…the fun begins. I now have to find my driver in a sea of beggars…but first I had to pee. I now get my first experience of a toilet in India. There is a reason mother's teach their daughters the "hover" technique. Every heard of the "cocaine nail"…well here it is the left hand and not used for snorting…there ain't no toilet paper, all there is is a little trickling faucet in the stall with you…think hard kids. Although the beggar woman in the bathroom did have toilet paper for me…I really did try to tip her 3 quarters…but she didn't want them…she wanted "dollar"…that's all I could understand…and I didn't have a paper one. So NO TIP FOR YOU. I kinda felt like the bathroom Nazi.
Anyway…on to finding the driver…It is now 01:00 local time…In the sea of beggars and taxi drivers, I find a gentleman with a sign with my name on it…and off we go. We almost ran over, no less than 3 motorcyclists for the 6km ride to the hotel. Again…have no Rs (rupees) so no tip for him either…although I don't even know if I am supposed to tip or not. I just make a beeline for the hotel door.

All checked in…I must say, all of the hotel floors are marble and countertops are granite. I'm still trying to figure out how I can sneak it on the plane with me. There are some sort of protests going on…so no going out. At this point I haven't got the nerves to try and venture out by myself…also still tired.

My co-workers will be taking me out tomorrow. "I feel today you can take rest as it being a local bund called by Naxalites (protests). We can go to Charminar, Chudi Bazaar and have Hyderabad biryani at Hotel Paradise (dinner at 8:00 pm is ok with you!!!)." Maybe I will have more to report on the local culture side tomorrow.
I must now nap again.

Let's see, where did I leave off…Oh yes, sleeping all day to try and get over jet lag…I am still not sleeping through the night (as it is 5am local time and 5:30 pm CO time)

Day 4 (Sunday):
I must make a small correction to Saturday…there was not a religious holiday, it was protests from the extremist groups…good thing I didn't go try and venture off by myself.
Sunday brings a day of outings…to the Charminar (four tombs). The first thing to note is the heat and humidity as I walk out of the hotel. This was a very interesting site…it is located in the "old" part of the city…Muslim dominated, so of course I am not covered in a burka. Talk about getting starred at…but let me back up to the drive over to the site. Traffic is crazy here…there are no "lanes" so to speak of…everyone just drives where ever…I was told that at least 5 people get run over everyday. As one walks to places of interest…you must learn to not get run over by cars, buses, and/or "two wheelers" aka motorbikes. After visiting the tombs…off to the bizarre we go. If you have ever been to NYC and into Chinatown…it has nothing on this place. It was the craziest place I have ever been…one almost feels a bit uncomfortable walking up and down the lanes. The shop owners send out the kids to try and get you to walk into the shops…and they all have the same krap. Anyone want a 9k gold bracelet…can't guarantee that it won't turn your arm green. Have I mentioned yet how hot and humid it is here?!? Also worth mentioning is that the air pollution is so bad here that it is like smoking 20 cigarettes a day to breath the air.
After the bizarre, we go to a famous hotel for dinner…this is my first experience of Biryani. This is supposed to be a spicy indian rice dish. One must also keep in mind that Mutton is goat here in India…I opted for the chicken biryani…although I cannot guarantee that they didn't kill the chicken in the kitchen. Oh well…it was good. On the way to dinner…the beggars were pounding on the windows of the car…beggars with no arms, no hands, etc…just keep looking forward Melody…don't turn your head and draw more attention. I don't know who wanted to stare more…them at me or me at them.

Day 5:
Work actually starts…pooh…but after work we head for the bar for cocktails. I am the only women in the bar…this is where I experience my first "Indian" beer...

Day 6 will bring more work…and an outing to an old fort and more restaurants.

Picture of SE Asia...

2008-04-10T13:37:00.001-06:00

You can see the pictures by checking out the links on the right hand side of this blog.

Vietnam...

2008-04-06T05:23:00.003-06:00

So I arrived in Hanoi in the middle of a Cholera outbreak...don't drink the water. Good thing I was doing a drinking water and wastewater training.

Got to see a water puppet show, shop for silk, and tea.

$1 - 16,000 VMD

It rained the entire time I was in Hanoi. I flew to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) on Wednesday evening. Much different weather...very hot and humid. Not quite as bad as Bangkok, but hot.

I did two seminars...one for Drinking water on Thursday and one on Wastewater on Friday. I got to tour the Cu Chi tunnels from the war...very interesting. They are small. It is quite amazing that considering the fire power the American forces had...they couldn't compete.

Bangkok...

2008-03-31T00:29:00.002-06:00

So I arrived in Bangkok...

$1 = 28.97 THB

Saturday we toured a little provice outside of Bangkok by the name of Ko Koed. I dropped about $10 there. We then proceded to have some lunch, had a 1.5 hour thai massage, and then went to Chinatown.

Sunday found me seeing the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Chatuchak (JJ) market. I definately helped to stimulate the Thai economy in the JJ market. I got some cool bronze bells, a bronze budda, a 25" wood carving, some marientes, and my favorite...a bronze that is of 2 Thai dancers holding a bell between them. I will see if I can't get some pictures posted later.

I flew into Hanoi early this morning...I have already had a bowl of Pho!!! Mummmm....noodles.

Arrival in Singapore...

2008-03-22T22:48:00.002-06:00

So I am finally in Singapore...

I was upgraded to First Class from Denver to San Fran...upgraded to Business Class from San Fran to Tokyo...and cattle car from Tokyo to Singapore...2 out of three isn't bad.

#1) US $1 = Sing $1.363

Got up early and went to Little India in Singapore...bought a sapphire blue and magenta colored Saree for $35 sing bucks...big fun. Now I have to figure out how to put 12 yards of material around me and not choke myself to death!!! If I figure it out...I will try and post a picture. I am also looking at a silk Saree for something fun. I guess I will wear them when Pays 4 Busch takes me out to eat at an Indian Resturant in Fort Collins or Denver!!!

I am eating lunch today with some of our co-workers here in Singapore...the Easter bunny came to my hotel room for two of the children (ages 4 & 7). I guess the Easter bunny isn't something that makes appearances here...so it should be pretty funny watching their faces and explaining that a large white rabbit left goodies for them in my room!!!

Will try to keep updates posted.