A lot can happen in a year!

Well hello again ... it's been some time. But in the past 18 months a lot has happened and changed (for the better!) so I thought the blog should be resurrected.  A quick recap: left Leander in Nov 2011 and moved to California where I helped a tiny bit with the US M8+ camp, won the San Diego Crew Classic (by 24 seconds over a bunch of college freshman...), and won the Grand Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. We were the first US crew to win the event since 1995! Sweet! I also flew back to the UK to watch the Olympics (AWESOME!) and did some fall racing like starting almost dead last at a windy Head of the Charles Regatta (it wasn't all bad, we finished a respectable 10th).

Since then I've been invited on a 3 week training camp with some of the US women- mostly returning Olympians- at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.  We are beginning our last week of camp and it's been great. Mostly great weather (it's 75 degrees F right now as I sit typing...) and great training. It's been mostly small boats but I've gotten to go out in the 8+ a couple of times. The men's camp is here too so it's great having a lot of people around. Some of the athletes I know and am getting to know better, other's I'm completely just getting to know for the first time.

Beyond getting to know the athletes- their personalities & rowing habits- I'm also getting to know the coaches and everything about training with this group.  I'm super grateful for the opportunity and look forward to being able to prove to everyone that I belong here and have what it takes.  Besides training I'm just enjoying the training center and being at a National Team camp.  The boathouse is really nice and the lake is great when there aren't fishermen to wake us out. The dining hall is open all day and they've even worked with me to have appropriate food for my wacky vegetarian diet.

Also on site is a great weight room, physical therapy and sports medicine services, the AT&T athletes connections center (basically a sweet place to hang out with big screen tv's, sofas, pool and ping pong tables, computers, etc) and a great little jogging path around the entire center. Meeting the other athletes who train here has also been very cool. There's a rugby camp here, some track and field athletes, archers, a BMX camp, and a USA field hockey camp too.  Yesterday I tested out my archery skills (I was terrible but did shoot one TEN! yes!) and I love Meb (Olympic medalist in the marathon! http://marathonmeb.com/) who has inspired me to run a marathon myself and thinks I can qualify for Boston (lofty goal, but hey, it could happen... maybe...) On that note, I need to go get some marathon training in. More adventure stories to come!

attention rowers, start your engines!!!

It’s time to start your engines…. That’s if you’re wearing “USA” or “GBR” or “CAN” or whatever nation you’re representing at the World Champs right now. Racing has started and there have been some good ones! While I wish I was in Bled right now (so beautiful! Dubbed “the land of castles”) the next best place is Henley to get ready for another round of fun. As I spent my lazy Sunday keeping tabs on all the racing I was struck with how “connected” I feel with the rowing. Let me explain. For a long time I’ve dreamed of being an Olympian or representing my country and achieving the highest honors in my sport. As a result I passionately followed the national team and tried to keep tabs on what was going on in the world of international rowing. And who doesn’t do that? Every young athlete dreams of superstardom and being the best and we all find idols and heroes and follow the best.  But this year it’s different.

This year I’m struck with how many people I know that are racing in Bled. There are so many people that I’m friends with- some of my closest even- that are racing for the title of “world’s best” and getting ready for the Olympics.  And unlike in years past, I feel so in tune with it all. It’s hard to articulate.  Maybe it’s because I’m really part of that scene- coxing at Leander opens doors… big ones. Just the magnitude by which I improved my coxing skills in a year alone is impressive but the pink palace does more than just make you better at rowing or coxing. You get to know important people. You get to interact and train with the best and it brings you so much closer to attaining your dreams.  You just make that step up to being part of such a tiny group of athletes in rowing, in the world. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking. Maybe. Or maybe it’s because not yet, but someday I’m going to be there with them too. Of course a long shot but those are the best kind of accomplishments- the ones that you had to work so hard to get. I know I have so much work to do still but I’m in the best place in the world right now and all I can do it take that advantage and work hard. "Unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game. It's such a surprise." Keep dreaming people, keep dreaming...

BIG THANK YOU to Jamie Redman (US w8+) for the photo of the US m8+ on the start line, knicked from FB

To follow the World Champs I recommend the following websites:

www.worldrowing.com

www.usrowing.org

www.row2k.com

 www.twitter.com (just search @worldrowing and you’ll find tons of people tweeting from Bled)

I'm on vacation

It's a classic saying, "I'm on vacation". Everyone's used it and used it to rationalize everything from overspending to eating that whole bar of chocolate when you exactly how many calories are in it .... don't deny it. You've done it. And I'll be candid and say that I was a (cute) piglet while "on vacation" over the summer. Granted, I DID still train- running, cycling, swimming, yoga- but when you spend 8+ hours a day with cheese, chocolate, crackers, and olives it gets hard sometimes no matter how strong willed one is.  So that being said, Mr. Scale claims I'm not as light as I was 2 months ago. (No, I'm not THAT fat...) I'm talking a kilo or so. A couple of pounds. Well under men's weight still and reasonably close to women's min. But I like being skinny (who doesn't?) so I'm on a quest to get back down to the skinny minnie I was at the end of last year. 

To kick it off I'm tracking everything on www.myfitnesspal.com again and training to keep my metabolism up. A healthy cox is a happy cox. And a happy cox is SO much nicer to be around. That means that I'm not going to give up the occasional treat or indulgence. It's about balance ... something that took me a long time to figure out- I've been to both extremes. Yes, I was the "fat cox" once upon a time but I was also anorexic and neither is pretty (or healthy). So have that piece of chocolate just DON'T eat the whole bar. Otherwise you'll be running a marathon to burn if off. Speaking of chocolate, I'm all out so this calls for a trip to the grocery store. Mmmmmm.... chocolate ... my favorite ...

What to do when there's no rowing??

Ok, I need to rephrase the title a bit: "what to do when there's no rowing for you?". There has been PLENTY of rowing going on. After HRR I personally didn't have much going on but there were the u23 and Jr World Championships (in which I had a ton of friends participaiting) along with other national and international events to keep track of. Let's not forget all my friends training with their respective squads for the 2011 World Rowing Championships in Bled, Slovenia in only a short week or so.  This is a really important WC because it's Olympic qualification year... yup!

But I'M not going to worlds (sadly, but I'm working on it!) so what to do with my time??? After spending 4 weeks at home I've returned to the UK and have about a week and a half before we start formally training again. Today I find myself sitting on my bed looking out at the rainy-ness that is Saturday afternoon. So I've decided to be erudite! It is my aspiration to go back to grad school for public and international affairs .. and the top programs at schools like Princeton, Harvard, UPenn require superb GRE scores in combination with a myriad of other qualifications such as being a diplomat for example (no, I'm not kidding...).

Without the factor of diplomacy on my side I'll have to work my other qualities and of course, blaze the GRE.  That being said I'm sitting here making vocabulary flashcards, doing online quizzes and trying not to pillorize the people who make me take such exams. So the point of this garrulous post is that just because you don't have any rowing to do doesn't mean that you can't pursue other ambitions. No matter what your ambitions are GO FOR THEM! And have a little fun too! Until next time...

Ps, support the women of the US National team by sponsoring their 2012 Power & Grace calendar (or just buying one). Info can be found on Megan Kalmoe's blog http://megankalmoe.com/2011/08/01/power-and-grace-get-some/ 

we will beat you ....

Report as promised ....

so we did two pieces side by side with the "first 8" on Tuesday morning I am going to go ahead and say it was a success. While the official results may indicate that the first 8 is quicker I think that they a) are incorrect (there are some major discrepancies in the timing, noted by many individuals including coaches) and b) not 100% indicative of our true speed.

On the 1250 off the start we stumbled a little off the start and had to play catch up. We walked back on the other 8 by the end of the piece and we were really happy with the way we settled into a really nice rhythm. On the 750 we stepped into our build and rhythm really well- everyone right onto the feet together and the boat just lifted off. We pushed away from the other crew and coming into the last 250m I was calling to take it up and walk away as we were almost a length up on them. (the timing claims it was a dead even piece. sure.) We got a little excited and things fell apart but we were happy to see that we have places to improve and gain more speed.

Right now just relaxing at the club in between races at the Met Regatta. Won our heat and just chilling before our final this afternoon (more racing tomorrow). We did well in our heat but we can push ourselves more and make a few more positive changes. It's guaranteed that Molesey, Thames and Imperial are going to come after us in the final. Another report to follow tonight. Keep the adventure going!

only a month to go

So it's come down that final countdown ... a month to go until Henley is here and we're duking it out for the Ladies Plate against our other 8, Harvard, Molesey and whoever else shows up to pick a fight with us. At this point we have "selected" crews but of course that will change because, well, let's be honest, it just will. I'm coxing what some people like to call the 2nd 8 or the "B" boat, blah blah. Call it what you want but it's MY 8 and I'm going to make it quick and dominate. They may be young and a little underpowered in comparison to our "1st" 8 and say, Harvard but we will make up for that by the fact that we are a very technical crew. I will reference lightweights here: they aren't as big so to make up for it they (usually) tend to row very technically sound.

We have the Metropolitan Regatta this weekend at Dorney Lake where we'll be racing in the Senior 8+ category but before that we've got some pieces (a 1250m and a 750m) to do vs our "pesky rivals" (to quote the BBC- who had some good commentary this weekend during the 1st World Cup I might add!) to get us fired up. I shall report back after our pieces. Also, one full side of the booms is up and about a third of the other side is in so it's making for some interesting encounters on the reach now. Not long now and every stroke counts. Too bad it's a bank holiday and it's raining ...

PS- shout out to my boyfriend who did really well (11th overall) with his u23 LM4- at the (senior) World Cup in Munich this past weekend. Go JP! xx

pennants, maladies and seat racing

It's Tuesday and it's raining (typical England, right?). But as much as the rain sucks I'd much more rather be out in the rain at Caversham (where the GB squad train) to assist with my guys' seat racing than stuck here on the sofa with whatever malady is plaguing me. I do not know what's wrong with me- headache that comes and goes, a tired and wiped out feeling. No appetite (the only positive to this mystery). I feel like I've got an endless hangover. And NO, I did not party THAT hard on Saturday night. I really didn't drink much at all. Must have been the Tideway I accidentally* drank whilst calling a piece during training before the 8's head.

Speaking of the 8's head and partying ... you might have well painted everything pink on Saturday. Leander owned the Thames. Our 1st 8+ of mostly squad guys won the whole thing & set a new course record. Our 2nd 8+ (the lightweights) won the lightweight pennant and finished 4th- the highest our lwts have EVER finished in the race. A big congrats especially to my sweetheart of a boyfriend- John Preston- who sat in 2 seat and helped make that boat go so quickly!

MY 8+, Leander III, finished .07 seconds out of the top 10 (11th). We won the senior pennant. The 4th 8+ was full of blossoming youngsters and while they didn't win a pennant they blew past TONS of people! #36... #37.... #44! (or something like that). WELL DONE LEANDER! So today's lesson is if you want to go fast and win stuff go row for Leander (also, DO NOT drink the tideway- heck, avoid it all costs costs if possible). Until next time...!

where have all the bowsiders gone?!

Well in the last week we've gone from good to worried ... all of my bowsiders (starboards) are either injured or ill! We were supposed to be seat racing today, tomorrow and Wednesday but as of Saturday we had ONE guy left- Ed Whitely. So that being said we're not seat racing but rather we're in quads and now a coxed 4 and a pair for two guys who are recovering from injury/ illness. Alas, fear not! (or so says my coach, Chris) He expects that we should have the 8 up and running by the end of the week. Doing the 2k pieces, probably not. But at least we'll have an 8 going (hopefully!).

It's less than a month before me race Oxford (who beat Molesey on Saturday, btw...) and while I'm not going into the race with the expectation to beat them I am at least hoping to be close and not get my ass kicked. Anything can happen- you just never know. The only thing I can do is focus on myself and my crew. The rest is out of my control.

On that note I'm going to go back to watching some soppy movie from the 80's. Until next time, remember ... adventure is out there!

insomnia

It's 5 am. I can't sleep. I don't know why- maybe because I'm fighting off a baby cold. Whatever the reason I just can't sleep. So I'm blogging. Someone save me.

It's time for the Tideway. Yes, my last post was about the Tideway and now I'm back. Only this time it's prep: prep for our fixture against the Oxford Blue Boat in a month's time and the 8's Head of the River in a month and a half. In the past 2 1/2 months I've gone through a sort of coxswain metamorphosis and am much better than I used to be. Hence why I get to show my stuff and give Oxford a run for their money. Yeehaw! But seriously, I'm pumped and doing my homework. I'm going to win. Now if only I could get some sleep...

me? lazy?

So there has been a lot going on and as a result I've become a tad bit lazy about a few things ... like this blog. But this time I mean it (really). So the fall has been a busy time with a lot of rowing in small boats (1x's, 2x's, lots of sculling) and a handful of opportunities to get out in the 8+ and a couple of coxed 4s. This coming weekend we have the 4's Head of the River. www.hor4s.org.uk/ I was supposed to be racing with one of our coxed 4s but took a "leave of absence" and headed home for a couple of weeks for a few reasons: 1) It's been 6 months and I haven't seen my family 2) I need winter clothes (yoga pants and juicy hoodies will not cut it even now) and 3) I wanted to race the Head of the Charles and Head of the Schuylkill.

Before I even booked a flight I checked with our head coach several times to make sure it was ok and that I wouldn't have a problem with my absence. He said yes every single time. Yet when I came back I found that my seat in the 4 had been replaced with the explanation being "you were away". I'm going to say that I'm frustrated. Let's leave it at that. This is not my personal b$!@# board.

That being said we've got a full regiment racing this weekend and I plan to go down to cheer for all of my teammates and friends- some from other clubs- racing. Before we could race though we needed to do some practice. In an effort to acclimate ourselves to the tideway (yes, the Thames in London is tidal... loads of fun! ;-) we've spent the past few days training there. I had the opportunity to check the tideway out for myself on Thursday when one of our other coxies wasn't able to make it. It was windy, cold, rainy and smelled of sewage. Definitely not the nicest of introductions to the tideway. But we managed and I'm proud to say that my crew handled the constantly changing but always adverse conditions as well as could be hoped. I hope that they kick some ass on Sunday. On that note I need to go find a ride into London so until next time, remember that adventure is out there!

how do you take your rig?

So it's Monday ... but don't let that stop you from looking for adventure! I came across something rather neat recently, courtesy of my pal Gareth who happened to be part of this interesting rowing/ science experiment. It involves rigging, i.e. the order/ placement of the riggers on the boat. You've got some rather standard and traditional rigging styles that you see on about 95% of boats. But then there are the "different" ones. Mostly known as a bucket or the Italian rig, it consists of having usually two rowers of the same side directly in front/ behind each other. But Imperial College Boat Club took that to a new extreme in an 8+ recently. The full explanation appears in "The New Scientist" (not sure if this is only in the UK or not) but for an explanation you can just head over to Imperial's website: http://tiny.cc/qb87j

The photo above is of the crew putting their experiment to the test. I'll be honest- I'm kind of glad that's a boat I didn't get to cox? Either way it's pretty cool to see rowing mixing with science. So check out the article (and the research behind it if you'd like) .... happy reading!

movie

Ok, so I thought I'd add a few more bits on the movie. Only because every time I was the proper trailer I get really excited. Here is the imdb link to the movie's page: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/ The director, David Fincher is awesome; he's directed a few films you might know like Seven, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button oh and everyone's favorite, Fight Club. So go see it. It'll be better than you think and it'll be my 2 1/2 minutes of fame. Cheers! xxx

it's been a while

Well hello there! It has been a while hasn't it? My sincerest apologies to anyone who actually reads this thing; I have been pretty busy coxing, coaching, being a movie star (yes, more below...), traveling. But fear not! I intend to try to post more often... and I mean it this time.

So recap: I got to cox at Henley Royal this year in the Ladies Plate with the "B" boat at Leander which was a lot of fun. Yes, having a length put on us by the end of the island by Harvard was tons of fun! No, seriously, it was a great experience. I'm so lucky to have had the opportunity to race and be a semi-finalist; I am one lucky girl.

On top of coxing and coaching for Henley I got to do a lot of coxing for a movie. Yes! you heard me right- a real movie... It's out on October 1st in the states; October 15th in the UK. (http://www.thesocialnetwork-movie.com/) Be sure to check it out! Basically the story is that the Winklevoss twins raced in the final of the 2004 Grand Challenge Cup v the Dutch Olympic Team (stroked by Michiel, how ironic...) and lost. It was the catalyst that caused them to take Mark Zuckerberg to court. So my Leander teammates and I portrayed the Harvard (that's me!) boat and the Hollandia boat. We did two filming runs during finals at HRR and then a week and a half of filming at Dorney Lake for a total of about 2 1/2 min of screen time. Wicked cool.

Beyond that I went to Scotland for half a week. I didn't get to race at Nat Champs because it was so far away and no one sent coxed boats (no one I knew anyway) but my teammates and friends were racing so I came for moral support and a vacation. I took a day and was very touristy in Edinburgh- where I thought of my parents a lot since they spent some time there, oh about 25 years ago....

Other than that I'm back in Henley, enjoying the summer until we start training as a group again at the end of August. Still looking for a job (because making movies is cool but not reliable employment) and just enjoying life. Because after all- you should live life to the fullest, right? Photos from Henley, Yorkshire and Scotland are all on facebook. Until next time ... adventure is out there! xxx

long time no post...

Ok so to everyone who actually reads this I just want to say I'm sorry for not posting anything in a few weeks. Things are getting busy in a good kind of way. I am at Leander regularly (i.e. every day unless told otherwise or I'm sick) for practice and I've even gotten to cox a few times. It's mostly when Zoe (our other resident cox) is sick or has a conflict or e.g. when we took the lwt 8 out this past Friday. I am just happy to have the opportunity to train at Leander and am taking nothing for granted. I'm expecting nothing but preparing for anything. As someone once said "unthinkably good things can happen, even late in the game... it's such a surprise". I think taking everything with an open mind and a positive attitude is the perfect recipe to accomplish great things.

That being said I'm looking forward to the summer. Everyone here is so nice and just genuine. They all want to train hard with you but be good friends too- something I didn't find in Philly or even most training centers in the states. People were just so "cold" or closed and less willing to open up and let you be "part of the gang". So I've made friends and am just happy. On that note I'm going to end this post but I end it with a promise to TRY to update more frequently so you have something read when you're bored out of your mind or fed up with facebook or just want to see how things are going. Thanks for checking in and remember to have a mini adventure of your own every day! :-D

One week anniversary

Well it's been a week. And what a week it's been. I have come to a few conclusions:

1) I miss Heidi. I miss my running buddy.
2) commuting from London to Henley and back is a) not fun and b) expensive
3) Everything here is expensive
4) Henley is gorgeous and Leander only makes it even better. Henley is going to be fantastic whether I'm racing or not
4) I'm such entertainment for everyone via my pronunciation of such words like "bottle"
6) Did I mention it's expensive?
7) Cars are costly but I really want one
7) I did not bring enough warm clothes as it just happened to be really cold this week
9) I am addicted to oatmeal and have been experiencing oatmeal withdrawal (if that's even possible)
10) I will be spending my 25th birthday in England. And have no idea how I'm supposed to celebrate this kind of "milestone" ... maybe I'll convince all those hot boys I'm newly friends with to come out Saturday night?

In the past week I've gotten a bank account, a sim card (but no phone with which to use it since apple is ....), almost found a job, almost found a room in Henley, got stranded at Dorney Lake, learned to use the Tube and buses, decided Hyde Park is a great place to run, realized how much I love (via missing) my [family, dog, friends, walk in closet, pistachio larabars, kale smoothies, the discovery channel, history channel and Vanguard- yes, I said I miss my corner cube...], and made plenty of new friends. I've been here a week and I feel like I could end up staying forever...

Well, It's England... it DOES rain there...

Cheers for checking in everyone! So yesterday was a great adventure at a lovely little place called Dorney Lake. Dorney is Eton College's Rowing Center and the equivalent to Mercer Lake in NJ- all the major sprint races such as trials, UK regattas, World Rowing events, even the 2012 Olympics will be held there. A really nice facility... though I wish yesterdays weather would have been just as nice. It was cold (in the 40s), wet (raining/ pouring at times) and windy (think 19 mph cross wind). I can handle any one of the three- I'd lose the wind first- but all three together? That was just a miserable combination. One of my teammates, Nick, introduced himself formally at the end of the day as "hi, I'm Nick and I'm miserable". He wasn't miserable because of the weather but if you'd asked me to introduce myself earlier in the day I might have said "hi, I'm Alex, I'm happy to be with the team but thanks to this weather I'm miserable".

Things cleared up eventually and it was actually sunny on our ride home. Er, I mean my ride from Nick back to the club and then hour long train ride back to London since the friend of a friend who was supposed to give me a lift sort of forgot about me and left. Oops. All was fine though as I got to relax on the quiet train ride back. The team did alright considering it was the first major regatta of the season.

Today I have the day off (the boys were not so fortunate) and then they start seat racing on Wednesday back at Dorney again. I'm actually thrilled to be typing this blog on my net book in my flat as opposed to McDonald's or Starbucks again. My internet works and that's prob the best news of the day. Only thing better would be finding out that I could unlock my iphone and add a UK sim card so I don't have a $600 At&t bill.

Today is going to be a day for getting more logistical things done like finding a flat and job closer to Henley so I don't have to spend lots of time and money to commute every day, some kind of cell phone that won't cost me a limb a month and maybe another jog around Hyde Park. I'll try to take some photos for everyone too! Pass the blog on!!! Thanks everyone and remember "adventure is out there"!!!

On the other side of the world...

Well, I made it! A little later than I'd hoped for but I made it none the less! So my flight was uneventful. I have a nice little temporary flat in Holland Park (think Rittenhouse for the Philly people) and have decided that Leander & Henley are GORGEOUS! But back to the adventure updates...

So on day 1 I was so productive (yes, I am so proud of myself). I successfully opened a bank account and in a few days I should have a bank card. I almost secured a job at Whole Foods in Kensington (nicest store ever!) and that should hopefully be done within a few days- cross your fingers people. London/ the UK is an expensive place and I need money! Just to survive and pay my bills...

I got an oyster card... basically a transit pass and have been using the tube (almost) like the rest of the people who live in this city. I can't seem to get my internet to work though in my flat (I'm sitting in McDonald's right now as I'm writing this because they have free wi-fi...) and I need to unlock my iphone so I can get a british number and stop paying exorbitant charges to access the web, call, text, blah blah blah. We'll see if that works. Ps, I just ate a McFlurry and I feel ill. Fast food = yuck.

Today started with quite the adventure. I got up at 5am to catch the bus to the tube to catch a train to Henley for 7:30 practice. Well I missed my train... and got the next one but I was going to be late. What a nice first impression. I somehow made it a little late but caught everyone and biked back and forth along the GORGEOUS racecourse. The day started off rather crappy but I managed to salvage it and then got some errands in and figured out that I still don't have internet at my flat and I need to jail break my iphone or cough up 450 pounds for a new one (I don't think so...) Craigslist anyone? We'll see how that goes.

Alright, I know that was a lot but, well a lot has happened since my last post and I wanted to share. That's all until tomorrow folks. Remember, adventure is out there !

It's raining

So it's raining and pretty much all my "rain gear" is packed short of one jacket that's hanging up to dry because it's already soaked from chasing my dog around the yard last night at 1 am (don't ask...) and another plastic poncho from Disneyland Paris (Yes, I know it's called Euro Disney now, that's how long ago I was there...) that is a little uh, too poncho-ish for wearing around the Main Line.

T - 36 hours and I'm still not fully packed and I have so much to do that it all prob won't get done. Hello care packages!

Time to think about "the big move"

So I'm getting closer every day!!! My flight is scheduled for 10 pm on Tuesday night and tonight's project is re- packing all of my things to a) clean up my room b) make sure I have everything that I need/ want to have with me from an initial standpoint and c) well because some things just became unpacked over the last week that everything has been sitting around my room. I would love to go to bed early but somehow I feel that I'm going to be up until midnight or some other middle-of-the-night hour. Yes, it's going to be one those evenings.

Stay tuned and I will try to post of photos of just how much of a mess my room has become due to my luggage having seeped out of it's bags and all over my room like a slow moving and destructive lava flow (yes, volcano reference intended) and everything once it's jammed, crammed, and squished back into place.

Volcanos are not good for coxing adventures...

So here we are, almost a week after I was supposed to be in the UK and I'm stuck, stranded here in the US. Despite my daily efforts to find a new flight out since mine was canceled, the earliest flight my airline could offer me is on the 27th!!! (unless I can find a cool $5000 for a new reservation on one of the few seats available) Eeek! That means I'll arrive in the UK a solid week and a half after I was supposed to. Things are not exactly off to a great start. But I'm not giving up- I haven't even gone anywhere yet! This is just turning out to be an exercise in patience. A lot of patience.

Regardless, it just means that this adventure is starting on with well, some adventure. Next will be to see how well I handle wheeling two big duffels around plus a smaller "carry on" and an overstuffed back pack through JFK, Heathrow and then the train to my initial abode. My new title will be luggage wrangler. I'll be sure to take pictures.

So until next time, remember that "adventure is out there!"