Little has changed...

I've always been a cat-person at heart. And here's the proof that we've always had House Monsters, no matter my age. (Yes, I'm a natural blond even if I need chemical help as an adult. No, I didn't cut my own hair. Yes - behind me is one of the many beautiful gardens that my Mom has planted. And ABSOLUTELY - Perounka was the most docile cat ever. Sure my "hug" looked more like a death-grip, but I was young and enthusiastic and wanted to "love" the kitty).

In other news, we're back in California - back to work, life, violin practice, flying, and no training (in my case). As difficult as it is, I've decided to wait until I finish the medication completely before (re) re-starting training. Again. Which means that in another ten days (perhaps) my body will be ready.

EVERYONE GO KNOCK ON WOOD RIGHT NOW!

How many times can one restart something?

If this was cat-lives, I think I'm somewhere on my sixth life - but not quite that dramatic. Obviously.

But hey, I'm doing the best that I can with the tools that I have. Going with the flow, coping, learning, surviving - and building up massive amounts of energy that I'm SO ready to unleash on short-course races. Oh yea. And doing my best to have fun in the process - triathlon training/racing or not.

Soon enough, my friends, soon enough.

But in the meantime, it was quite the shock to return from Flagstaff to Carlsbad. And because I like making lists...I've made another one. Goody! Here we go...

10) The daytime highs in Flagstaff are nearly the same as in Carlsbad. I hope you Flagstaff people feel good about that...

9) Walking up a flight of stairs in Flagstaff (at 7,000+ feet) left me breathless at first. Walking up a flight of stairs in Carlsbad still leaves me, um...breathless.

8) When you bring condiments (mustard!) from sea level to higher elevations - STAND BACK when opening. Trust me. Although to some, the spatter patterns could make interesting art work... Mustard on Canvass...? Has a nice, ring, eh?

7) The second violin part in Mozart's 40th and 41st Symphonies gets exponentially more difficult for every rehearsal you miss. I had one of my "not-supposed-to-play-solo-but-I-make-a-mistake-and-play-loud-anyway" moments again. Luckily - to anyone else listening, I could have passed my mistake off on one of the violas. Unfortunately, none were sitting near my person. Oops.

6) The lack of oxygen at Flagstaff and Northern Arizona levels prompted Nathaniel and I to download the April 2nd version of "The Soup" with Joel McHale. I wanted to show him the "clip of the week" and he just wanted to laugh (after 8+ hours in the car). It was funnier the second time and we both laughed. A lot.

5) Nathaniel will be extremely busy with flying for a while, and I'm trying my best to not think about it. But as with anything in life, the more I try to keep my mind off the subject, the more difficult it becomes to focus away from what I'm trying to NOT think about in the first place. Does that make sense? So instead I think about one of my favorite quotes by French novelist and playwright, H. de Balzac, "Our greatest fears lie in anticipation..."

4) The same quote also applies to my health. Right now I'm just waiting...and doing my best to be healthy...thinking healthy thoughts...doing healthy things...And just waiting for the medicine to work and take the next round of blood tests. Waiting, wondering, wanting, and wishing...

3) I'm amazed at what a BIG deal the local (Southern California) weather-people make about "storms" that "blow through" our area. All .02 of an inch of rain the other night...(I'm NOT kidding). There was more snow on the ground in Flagstaff and at the higher elevations than anything San Diego will ever see. Ever. IT'S JUST A LITTLE RAIN! I'm getting a bit tired of the frenzy that our local forecasters get into at the first sign of rain. Seriously. Move to Chicago and then get back to me...

2) I spent about :02 seconds contemplating a summer job as an Ocean Lifeguard. The Symphony will be out of session, and I've spent so many years life guarding through high school and college, that it could be possible. Then I realized how DEATHLY AFRAID OF SHARKS I am, and quickly squashed the thought.

1) Its been over a week since we've had stir fry of ANY sort. Woa... I think I know what's up for dinner tomorrow or Thursday...

And for now, my friends - that's it. Elevation + impromptu solos + Mustard Art + big ocean animals + not-so-scary "wet" weather + House Monsters old and young... Cheers!