My First Day of Work

Today was my first day of work. If you did not know I am working for Holland America Cruise Lines. I got to the port at 8 a.m. Nobody realized that I was supposed to be working... good sign huh? Well the morning was spent helping people find their bags. They have a great system worked out, dump all the bags in one room, in no order, and let everyone in and have them find their bag. The great thing is that the workers, me, are not allowed to help the passengers carry their bags! Which is great because I am very lazy... I couldn't take pictures of that because due to customs and such no phones or cameras are not allowed in that area, plus I'm not allowed to be on a phone during work.
After that it was time for lunch, I wasn't told to bring a lunch so I had to go to the cart across the street and got a hot dog. It was really good though! After that it was time to check in new guests for the cruise leaving that evening. I was really scared that I would really screw up loging people in. It was scary the first few times, I was really nervous! I got the hang out it a few times around, pretty soon I had a pretty good groove going! Except with huge familys of like 10 or so I kind of was nervouse getting everyone in.
I didn't get done until about 3:30, and I was soo tired. But it was worth it for making that sweet cash money! I go in again tomorrow, same time same deal. I realized today that the people that take cruises are a very interesting group. They are either extremely old, from northern states, canadian, fat, rude new yorkers, and extremely ugly! These are a few pictures of some ships, basically my office... Also me in my uniform. Well until something interesting happens...

Christmas and My 1st ride

Merry Christmas all. It was a warm one today in Ft. Lauderdale, it was around 80 maybe high 70's... The day started late, as usual with my family, we opened presents at around 12... I made out ok, I didn't really want anything. I got new shades! I'm pretty happy about that. I need new riding glasses since the ones I have, for those who know of my Rudy Projects, they are not very practicle. The new ones are Oakley Radars. I might trade em in for a different color, I don't know if I like all black, I'll shop around.

My brother Craig got an iPhone! Brat, I had to pay for mine... Oh well. He gets to pick it out tomorrow. He was very happy with this present, let me tell you.

My dad got socks!

Well he got a little more than that, but that was the only pic I had of him. He got a new watch and some goodies from the Scottish Shop, which he loved, thanks Rebecca! My mom got him our family crest to put on his wall in his office!
I put a red bow on Figaro, needless to say he did not enjoy it. I thought it was cute and he should dress up a little. It took forever to get on him, but I could tell he was not enjoying it and took it off after a quick picture, sorry it's a little blurry. He later bit Craig, but for good reaseon, he wouldn't stop poking his tummy.

After presents we where going to dinner at a friends house. I decided to ride there and meet my family. I figured it would be a good chance to get out and make room for dinner. I also got to rock my Christmas present from Rebecca's mom, a Scottish Cycling Jersey, it is so sweet!
I figured nobody would be out driving on Christmas Day... wrong! It took forever to get past Ft. Lauderdale Beech. So many dumb people just walking in the road/bike lane. Just standing there... watching me come from about 40 feet down the road, not moving at all... I hate Florida soo much. I just wanted to unclipp and kick there fat asses onto the sidewalk... Other than that the ride was great, a little windy, but that's Florida. My legs felt good after not riding for 3 weeks, with traveling and finals. On my way up to our friends for dinner I missed the turn and went a few miles past it...opps... but it was not my fault. The street that I was supposed to turn on had no sign. I had my eye out the entire time, oh well extra miles! I mapped it out in case people want to take a look. http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/fl/fort-lauderdale/453178610341
All in all it was a great day! I am going to try and ride tomorrow as well, see how my legs feel after round two! I did miss being with Rebecca, it does really suck being so far away for so long :( I hope this passes by fast. Until I have more stuff, take her easy...

Birthday/Being Home

So I am home from school :( which really sucks. I don't mind visiting for about a week or two, but 6 weeks??? To get through being away from my gal I plan on riding all day everyday, except the days that I work. I will work and then ride the rest of the day. If you haven't heard i shall be working for Holland America Cruise Lines! Ya pretty bad ass! I will be doing computer check in! So if your mean to me I will send your bags to the wrong ship... I don't have a picture of me and my uniform yet but when I do I will post that asap. This is a pic of me going to my interview.

I also got my hair cut, I really needed one, it was getting too long. For my birthday my mom took me shopping. I needed nicer clothes, I am getting tired of t-shirts. I like dressing up now and looking good. This was my birthday outfit, It was all under $60. My mom is the queen of complaining and she said that the sweater had a defect and we got 40% on top of the 30% already marked down. Everything else was on sale too!
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This is the cake my mom made me for my birthday! It's pomegranate with lime, it has a lime glaze and sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and mint! It was damn good!


That is what I have been up to so far since being home, not much. I haven't started riding yet, a number of set backs have stopped me. My fingers are crossed for tomorrow though. I just want to get break over with so I can get back to my special lady friend. I don't see how I can do this 6 weeks thing. I want to get back so we can get "hitched" as she so lovingly put it! I will update everyone with pictures of sunny south florida and

Bristol Cross

Today the team went down to Bristol, TN to indulge in a little bit of cyclocross. It was freaking cold, the ground was frozen solid and all the ruts were like hitting big tree roots. I did alright, I got 9th. Nate got 1st in the 4 race, which is great since it was his first cross race. He raced on his brand new Salsa 29er that he got yesterday. I think I broke my pedal but I need a second opinion. I also flatted but that was after, luckily, I hit a big ass rock on the way back to the trailer after cooling down and flatted. Later during the 1-2 race it started snowing hard core. It was pretty intense! Rebecca came out to watch and cheer! This was her first time seeing a cross race, she had a great time. Apart from the fact that it was colder than hell.
Tonight we went and saw the School's Christmas Concert, it was great! Now were just gonna relax and snuggle and watch tv and go to bed. We have a big day at Everything Scottish tomorrow! Can't wait! Here are pics from the race!

Hickory Nut Gap-Roubaix and Christmas Party

Today I went riding out side, something I haven't done in a while. So the town decided to tear up a good part of Hickory Nut Gap to repave it. The funny thing is that they tore it up about a month ago, so the road is pretty tore up. Then once you get past the really crappy construction you hit the part of the road that should be torn up to be repaved, which is the the entire road to the top... Plus the ice, salt, gravel, rain run-off did not help.
So I rode to the top and came back to the gym and did 4-5 laps of the cross course to get ready for the upcoming race on saturday. Well that was extremely fun seeing as how it was muddier than hell. I was going sideways the entire time, but that is good practice since my handling needs to be improved by a hell of a lot. It got cold fast and was threatening to rain so I peaced out cause I had to get to class anyway.
After class Rebecca and I had to set up for the Cycling Team Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun setting up. Ronin was there helping out and we helped put up her tree that she bought. She decided to give it a test run in the bike room before taking it home. Rebecca and I made streamers the night before and hung those up in various places and also hung up lights that we bought, which are now hanging up in the apartment! All in all it was a great party.
The DeFeet rep. for this area came out to the party and was selling socks and such for $5 each! Holly cow, that's such a great deal. I got like 4 pairs of Woolie Boolie's my fave socks ever. I got Rebecca 2 pairs of arm warmers and 2 pairs of socks! Kristi gave up a pair of Hot Pink arm warmers that Rebecca really wanted. Thank you Kristi!!! The pics are up so enjoy! Later!

Long Time No Blog

So long time no blog right? I just have kind of been busy and plus I have not uploaded photos onto my computer because I don't think it can handle it. It has been snowing like every other day, so I have made friends with the rollers.
So Rebecca works at the Scottish Shop in Lineville and I enjoy going to work with her because the Shop is always interesting. They have food and candy from Scottland. They have a condiment called Marmite. Marmite is a yeast extract that is collected from breweries. It's the extra stuff left over from beer brewing. It is very interesting and has an unusual taste. Actually it taste exactly like soy sauce, it is actually good on buttered toast. It ain't Nutella but I saw Graeme Obree eat it in The Flying Scotsman so it apparently makes you fast. Sorry the pictures are backwards but blogger was being gay...




Rebecca and I made a trip to Nashville the other weekend to pick up her younger sister at Vanderbilt. It was a really cool place, a lot more to see than Banner Elk, but driving around there is a lot harder.

I spent Thanksgiving in Mountain City! It was awesome, I got my cat and dog fix for a while. Since I can't go home and play with Fig for a while I get to play with Rebecca's 5 cats and 2 Cocker Spaniels, it was a blast! On Thanksgiving Day we started " The Tour de Mtn. City" That way we didn't feel bad about stuffing our faces at dinner.
Well that is that for a while. I should have more soon. Sorry for not writing for a while but please check daily for posts!
Laterz!