I've had some requests to update my blog. So I will do that. And I'm sick of seeing the same post every time I visit the page (though I'm not entirely sure why I keep clicking on my NZ Blog link like someone will have miraculously updated my blog for me).
Let's see, I'll cap up the past year or so for all of you.
When I last left you, I had just competed in The Mayflower Triathlon and was back at school enjoying (kind of) my classes for that semester. I was taking Homicide, Counseling, American Sign Language I, and Drugs and Behaviour. Drugs and Behaviour proved to be quite the difficult class, and not having taken Psychobio, the pre-requisite, I was very surprised when I finished the class with a B+. Lots and lots of reading and memorization, and when I recently came across my study guides for one of those exams I just stared in surprise that I actually managed to remember all of that stuff. Lots of drug names and neurological pathways.
My second and final semester brought upon lots of stress. I was under the impression that my Photography History and Crit course that I took in New Zealand would count for my History Perspectives gen ed requirement, but after turning the petition in and waiting for a few weeks to hear back, I learned they had lost the petition and simply rejected my request. So on that final day to add classes, I met with my advisor and ran around to different professors pleading with them to add me. One finally added me, and so on top of my 4 courses, ASL II, Family Sociology, Animal Cognition, and the Psychology of Happiness, I now had US World Affairs as well. And it turned out to be the hardest one. But one semester and 4 20 page single-spaced take home exams later, I am done with the class having pulled out a C+, and managed to maintain a 3.29 GPA for college.
During the spring semester, I joined the cycling team. I can honestly say it was the best move of my entire college career, and I greatly regret not doing it sooner. If you want to lose all your shame, become completely content with you are, and experience absolutely ridiculous antics at every hour of the day, transfer to UNH and join the cycling team. You don't have to be experienced, just open to being crazy. And I did fairly well, too, securing multiple wins in the team time trial and a second place criterium finish!
This year I met lots of wonderful new people, and improved friendships with many others. Some of the people that I befriended didn't remain good friends, but others continue to make me smile and enjoy time with them.
Speaking of enjoying time with people, my wonderful sister is currently home, having arrived home for my graduation. She also had a visit here in the winter months, but this time she's home for a bit longer and not rushing around. It was a great surprise to see her at graduation, one that instantly brought a smile to my face. I was hoping that she had the idea to surprise me at graduation but wasn't counting on it because I knew it was far for her to come just for my graduation.
Yes, I did graduate. A couple weeks ago, in fact. On Friday I attended the Honors Convocation to receive an award for being a presidential scholar, and received my small piece of rope to wear at graduation. I went out to the bars that night with some people from high school, and after paying the bartender in coins I had cleaned out of my drawer while packing up my room, I quickly ran off and retired. Saturday morning I woke up half an hour before graduation, learning how to tie a tie via youtube videos, and made my trek down to experience my last moments as a UNH undergraduate. The ceremony was fun and my family, cousins, aunt, and uncle were there to experience it with me. We went out to eat after and I felt reality setting in.
Since graduation I haven't been doing a whole lot besides trying my best to help out around the house since I am living back at home for the summer. I hope to move to Dover once the summer is over with some people from my old cycling team, and I will see how that turns out. I've been job hunting, and was under the impression when I graduated that there would be a position for me at a local bike shop but when I went in to talk to the owner he informed me that because of the slow economy he wouldn't be hiring any part-timers this summer. Gotta love when that happens. So I've been trying to find other jobs that will interest me for at least the summer. I'm doing some freelance photography which is great when there are actually events to photograph, but when there aren't, there's no money to be had.
All the while I have been riding my bike, swimming, and running. Maybe running and swimming a little less than biking. Two days ago I also experienced my first real crash, and went down on my forearms and knees at about 20mph. Let me tell you, 20 mph feels a lot faster when you're sliding across the ground compared to when you're safe on your bike. So the last few days have involved lots and lots of pain, painkillers, grimacing, and limping around.
This upcoming Sunday is the Mooseman triathlon, my first half-iron distance. Swim 1.2 miles, bike 56, and run 13.1. I won't drown thanks to my wetsuit, I'll tear it up on the bike, and probably die on the run. But I'll have fun, and that's what is important.
Alright, as I'm typing this I'm watching heaps of birds splashing around in our bird feeder and creating the potential for great photographs, so I'm going to go take some photos now, after I get some food. Take care everyone, wherever you may be.
