Princess Diaries: May 2008

Track Racing Cancelled

I was all excited for the opening track race of the season tonight until I heard it was cancelled because a car managed to drive through the fence and crash on the actual track. No racing because the track is covered with car parts and glass...shucks! (This isn't an actual picture, I just wanted something for you to look at.)

Oral Surgery Round 3

I had the third phase of my oral surgery completed yesterday which means in six months I will have my permanent crown and will be finished with all of this stuff!!! Yesterday my oral surgeon implanted a 15 mm rod in the roof of my mouth. In a few months he will put the bottom half in and then a few months later I get the crown. Hard to believe this all start October 2004!!!

About Time!

Track season is finally on! While it was still pre-season, I finally got the chance to race in the Creamed Corn Cup. If you win, you win a can of creamed corn. I didn't win any corn but had a ton of fun and am psyched for the real track season to start in 9 days!!!

Celebrating the Bride-to-Be

Saturday night all of the girls got together to celebrate Anne's upcomming wedding...she's in the center in back...it's the first time all of the girls have gotten together in awhile so it was good to celebrate Anne and catch up.

Red Ribbon Ball

As I mentioned yesterday, last night was my first benefit. It was pretty fun; although, the event organizers tried to get too many things in and everybody left before the dancing even began.

Too my surprise, Georgianne Lymberopoulous was the hostess for the evening. She is the newscastor on channels 5/30 here in town...that's my channel...and I got to wash my hands next to her in the bathroom. My new claim to fame! :)

In addition to a silent and live auctions, the male choir "Out Loud" performed. They are the first gay choir in Colorado. Good performers and funny songs.

And then, finally, it was time for Roseanne Barr! She was just as I expected: Funny, often offensive, and pretty crude at times. Glad to see she hasn't changed one bit!

My First Black Tie Affair

Tonight I am going to the S-CAP Red Ribbon Ball, an AIDS benefit, as a representative of my school. And the infamous Roseanne Barr is the guest speaker! Should be interesting and you can definitely expect pictures to follow! In case you want to learn more about it: Red Ribbon Ball.

Delicious!

If you live in Colorado Springs, or are just passing through, and have the itch for good seafood, you definitely need to stop by Palapa's Surfside. A new restaurant in town with great food and an awesome atmosphere!

Graduation Round 2: Buff Time!

I drove up to Boulder Thursday night to hang out with my family and celebrate Chris' graduation from Colorado University. The weekend started out with dinner at Zolos...good fish tacos but even better atomic fire balls. If you are wondering how hot they are, just ask my mom!

Graduation was bright and early Friday morning (8am!) The cool thing about CU's graduation was we were able to sit close to the field and I was able to get a shot of Chris as he walked in. Oh, and they had a much better keynote speaker (Jeanne Jackson) and a really cool 2008 class video.

Two new college grads...I love my "little" brothers!

And I think Chris has a secret crush on "Ralphie" (CU's mascot)...though he'd never admit it!

Just after graduation with Folsom field in the background. Folsom is the football stadium and happens to be Chris' favorite spot on campus.

Family shot at Farrand Field...appearantly this place is famous for it's 4/20 festivities. Glad we got a family shot there!

Ralphie #2...this statue was over by the basketball arena (not a very popular spot on campus) and not as crowded so we were able to get better pictures.

After graduation and campus pictures, we headed over to Chautauqua Park for a little hike. The Flatiron in the background happens to be Chris' favorite as he likes hiking to the top of it.

We dropped mom after the first picture stop but dad and Peter were in for the real deal. Notice they look relaxed but I am pretty sure they were working hard up that hill! And I found out my Pumas turned out to be somewhat decent hiking shoes for the day.

Dad was smiling much bigger on the way back down!

After hiking, we grilled out at Chris'. Dad had the opportunity to remember what life was like pre-gas grills.

I had class all day Saturday and Sunday morning but I drove back up to celebrate Mother's Day and check out the infamous Flagstaff House. It was quite impressive and well worth the drive. Now mom and dad are headed down to the Springs for a few days!

Happy BIG 3-0 Amanda Jeanne!!!

Mandy is celebrating her 30th birthday somewhere in southern Ecuador today...I sure hope they have something similiar to sheetcake for her birthday celebration!

Bloomington Rocks My World Part 3: Sunday

Sunday began with brunch at Scholar's Inn. Appearantly my family has been patrons for as long as the restaurant has been open!

Then we took Peter shopping for alumni gear...despite all of "old" jokes for me and Steve, he did not take to kindly to alumni jokes for himself!

And, of course, I had to be nostalgic and visit my old house...this is where I lived three of my four years at IU. Great location, good food, lots of fun, and awesome friends!

And what would a trip to IU be without spending time on a singlespeed, coasterbrake Little 500 bike?! Don't worry, I definitely did NOT try an exchange with Peter.

But we did head out for a campus cruise on the bikes. That was perhaps my favorite part of the weekend: Riding around campus!

At the end of our ride, I took one last look at Kirkwood as it was almost time to head home...

and got a few awesome photos of the Sample Gates with campus in the background. Could not have asked for a better day to play on campus with bikes!

Bloomington Rocks My World Part 2: Saturday

Saturday was graduation day which also meant time for photos! Peter was in the afternoon ceremony so we were able to squeeze in Sample Gate shots in between graduation rushes. In this picture, two hoosiers and a buff!

Family shot minus two...dad realized 2008 marks the family's 12th year in visiting Bloomington!

Check out those tulips...they were huge...and beautiful!!! I love Bloomington in the spring!!!

Peter and his petri dishes. We walked over to Jordan Hall so Peter could show us the lab he slaved away in for two years. While there, we got to meet his favorite prof and see his bugs.

What is a graduation without a picture with Herman?!

Ah, Assembly Hall...where I spent way too many hours...unfortunately not all of them were watching basketball!

Assembly Hall got a jumbo-tron!!! The guy pictured was the keynote speaker...I forget his name but he makes crossword puzzles for the NY Times. Definitely not Dick Enberg (who spoke at my graduation) and far from memorable. In fact, the school president (McRobbie) delivered a much more inspiring and memorable speech shortly after this guy!

Bloomington Rocks My World Part 1: Friday

Friday's wet weather did not stop me from enjoying the best burrito on earth...Laughing Planet! That was my very first stop once I got to town. Ben (officially an IU Law grad as of Saturday-congrats!) met me there for the tasty hippy food. The best part is LP had a 2000 50th anniversary Mongoose hanging on the wall and that's the year I rode Little 500!

Later, Peter and dad grilled steaks at Peter's house...with dad's help, Peter did a great job! Chris is on the left, Peter the right, and Abby (Peter's girlfriend) is in the middle. While not very big, Peter's house is prime location only three blocks off of Kirkwood!