Training is hard.

This past year, during a family ski trip to Whistler, Preston's family convinced me to go down this really steep black ski run, which we now call the Katie Wipeout Trail. It didn't look that bad from far away, which is when I agreed to do it.

I didn't realize how steep it really was until I was standing at the ledge (yes, there was a ledge) looking down at the three of them, thinking that riding down the mountain on the back of a ski partol snowmobile seemed very appealing... except that the snowmobiles couldn't make it to the top of this ski run to get me.

So I went. And I fell. It was a good fall; I slid about 50 feet. I think People clapped. When I finally stopped, this man that skied like a gazelle brought me my skis and helped me get back up. He said in his Arnold Swartenager voice, "I just saw you fall. Training is hard." I imagine that he was a coach for the paraolympics(which were taking place in Whistler at the time) that took pity on me, but needless to say that in return for his helpfulness, my family mocked his accent for the rest of the week.

But, as with all types of training I assume, it is easy to fall. To get behind. Until today, I hadn't even looked at Rosetta Stone for one whole month. Although I don't have a gazelle like Austrian Paraolympic ski coach to help me up on a regular basis, I can kick my own self in the butt and get a move on things.

Today, I started unit two of four in the first level of Rosetta Stone French, covering exciting topics such as the numbers 7-12, families and playing soccer.

I also finished two sections of the Enriched Air Diver speciality certification, which I signed up for online.

So basically, I know what enriched air is and that I need to have someone that knows their stuff service my tanks. Considering I don't have my own tanks, I think I'm good so far.

Adventures in Dinner Sitting

Crab cakes! These were a little harder than meatloaf. Either they fell apart very easily or I misremember the consistency of crab cakes. I fried these, but I have 4 more in the fridge that I'm going to bake later this weekend. Even if they fell apart, they were still good! Thank you Libby Avery for Cooking for Food Allergies Everyday & Gourmet.

I also made a white bean and eggplant hummus that I watched Giada make the other day. Yes, we are on a first name basis. Giada's hummus was probably better than mine but only because I had to work in batches due to my janky food processor. She put about 1/3 cup of olive oil in her hummus, but her olive oil must have been way better than mine because 1/3 cup of olive oil from my pantry was not a good choice. I doctored it with what I should have used originally: the lemon flavored olive oil from Texas Olive Ranch that I bought at Gruene a few weekends ago. Yum!

I like your meat... loaf

Meatloaf without eggs: Successful. Preston even liked it. He sent me a text, which my student worker interceded while playing games on my iPhone. He said, "I like your meat... loaf."

On a different note: I broke my blender/food processor the last time I made vegan mac and cheese(yes, the recipe calls for a blender) and didn't realize it until I needed to chop the peppers, onions and carrots for this meatloaf.

Thankfully, we received several food processors as wedding gifts (that I now appreciate a bit more) so I had a backup.

I am no hand chopper. I don't have the patience for chopping, nor do I own a knife sharpener. I guess the next time I make vegan mac and cheese, I'll also have to make margaritas because I'll be using our dusty but still working Margaritaville Margarita Making Machine.

Progress?

image from http://rathausartprojects.com/blog/2009/11/13/i-think-we-are-making-progress-at-wonder-fair-art-gallery/

Hi Aunt Charlie (who reminded me that I need to update this blog)! So since I have been MIA, I'll just give a quick update on my goals and which ones I have accomplished, and the one I amended. I guess I need another year!

1. Collect donations for a charity by participating in a triathlon. - ACCOMPLISHED

http://blogblevins.blogspot.com/2009/09/triathlon-pictures.html

2. Stay involved in Tae Kwon Do. - AMENDED: Complete a marathon in two parts.

If you remember, I hurt my foot in Tae Kwon Do class. I tried to wait it out, but it was never as fun after that. However, I am still creating fitness goals for myself. I just signed up for two half marathons, which is really a full marathon in two parts. :)

3. Reach my goal weight of 160 lbs. and maintain it.

I am still working on this. My body seems to be very content with itself. It has a mind of it's own. Some people say their body is a temple. My body is a stingy B@&%$ with high self esteem.

4. Learn how to cook without dairy and eggs. ACCOMPLISHED!

Some of the recipes I've tried include Mac and Cheese, Crab Wontons (which caused a minor allergy attack - did you know wonton wrappers have eggs in them?), Chicken Capone from Auntie Pasta's (A creamy, spicy Alfredo pasta with chicken, tomatoes and artichokes), squash quesadillas, pancakes, several different types of muffins and cupcakes (including upside down pineapple cupcakes!) and pear cobbler. This week's menu includes crab cakes, meat loaf, creamed corn, squash and bacon wrap w/ salsa, corn bread and if I can find a good recipe... donuts!

But my newest discovery is that (keep in mind I have not had eggs in two years) Yellow Squash tastes like eggs!!! I'm planning to try out scrambled squash soon. :)

5. Write a novel.

I haven't really been writing much, but I did combine several short stories that I realized were the same story and have plans to continue writing about those characters... which is something that might be defined as a novel? I think so.

6. Submit five short stories to literary journals.

Nope. Haven't done this yet.

7. Learn another language AND 8. Backpack through Europe

My mom and I are going to Paris in August. It isn't backpacking.... it's better! We are both studying french with Rosetta Stone. I can't have conversations yet, unless someone wants to know about the driving policeman, the running horse, the eating woman or the reading girl. Those are some of the random phrases I know. But I will tell you this: I will NEVER be able to pronounce the french word for shoes. It's very ironic.

9. Learn how to drive a boat. ACOMPLISHED.

I'm really good at the driving part and really good at pulling into the boat house. Reversing out of the boat house, however, needs improvement as well as the whole "remembering to turn off all the switches and not run the battery down" thing. Other than that, I am a wiz.

10. Meet more people in Nacogdoches, TX.

Nope.

11. Earn a scuba diving specialty.

Nope, haven't done this either. Although, I did get a new diver card because the old one was out of commission.

12. Be more appreciative, more thankful and less lazy.

This is really an ongoing thing! But I would definitely classify myself as less lazy.

I Got Seconds

Goal 2. Stay involved in Tae Kwon Do.

Earned the second black stripe on my yellow belt last night. Just thought I'd let the world know.