Preparing the Apt for the Trip & Being a Pet Owner... AAAARG!

     So, a  large dilemma presented itself early on in the planning process:  What in the HELL am I going to do with my pets while I'm gone away for two and a half weeks?! (Not to mention when I fly home for 5 days in March for spring break.  Who wants to spend their time in a warm climate when they could ship off to the frozen tundra?!  This girl, apparently.)  The answer?  Well, that's to come, my friends.
     I have a 6 year old boxer, Dodge, and a newly gifted-to-me kitten, Zephyr.  They get along really well--the kitten cries whenever he hears Dodge & I coming back from a walk.  It's kind of pathetic how much the kitten loves the dog.  They play hide n' go seek, wrestle and bat each other around like they've been friends since birth.  And, of course, they love the other specie's food (& feces) more than their own... damn animals.  Rearranging my apt since I moved in has been such a pain; I've had to do it several times because each animal has a different set of strengths and/or climbing ability that I have to account for.  BOO!
     I tossed around the idea of sending them to a pet boarding facility, but then I remembered that I'm POOR, and will be spending enough money on the trip... wah waaaaaaaaaaaah!  Also, with as attached as they are to each other, they may not handle being apart very well.  And, my dog has a moderate case of separation anxiety that has gotten much better since he was neutered and has been living with me again, but we just moved here from rural WI and gotten our routine going.  Him being around so many new dogs at once is a bit overwhelming for him, and he likes to pick fights for dominance; not the BEST thing for a dog to do in a kennel.  That being said, I'm not sure that I'd want him in an area full of new/strange dogs.  So, hmmm... what to dooooooooo...?  The kitten I think would be fine, but he may get lonely without his cohort in crime.

Why not find an arsenal of friends who are willing to pet sit and/or stop in at random times?

OF COURSE!  

     I am creating a chart (SURPRISE SURPRISE) with dates, times, names of who needs/can stop by, what needs to be done, where things are in the apartment, etc. for my potential animal sitters.  One good thing, I think, is that I'd prefer my pets to stay at home & and don't need to go with the sitter--the sitter, however, does NOT need to stay at my apt for any amount of time; they just need to pop in, feed/walk them, and be on their merry way.  I'd feel bad if someone was "required" to stay at my cruddy place, not to mention watch my crazy animals while they were there.  My animals are pretty use to me being away because of my busy school schedule, so I figured it'd be better that a sitter only pop in like I do, rather than smother them with affection (especially because I don't/can't do that when I get back--I don't need them getting use to be pampered!).  If the sitter wants to take Dodge or Zephyr for a bit, great, but I'm not asking for that.

     In order to make my apt Dodge-proof (his separation anxiety makes him search & destroy anything that is food or garbage-like) I have to do a few things before I leave.  All garbage will be out before I go; clean waste baskets!  I'll have to have the sitter flush the toilet when they come--my dog (and cat) prefer this to a water bowl (don't ask me), and they'll need fresh H2O :)  I have to keep my kitten's food (and litter box) in a guarded area--otherwise the pooch will eat from both sources.  Both animals' food is in a Rubbermaid container so they can't get into it while I'm gone during the day (or the mice for that matter). ETC.

     Also, I really want to unplug as much stuff as I can, so I'm going to eat or get rid all of the food in my fridge/freezer.  I will soon have a chest freezer that I'll keep all of my long-term frozen goodies in, but I will unplug EVERYTHING else in the apt.  I will leave my ACs in the windows in case it gets warm--the sitters can turn them on/off as needed to make sure my animals don't become jerky while I'm gone--but that's it.

     Bleh, so much to think about.  So much planning that is yet to be done.  Mapping.  Charts.  Reservations for camping/couch surfing.  Setting up the recital.  Finding an accompanist.  Oh geez--I better get started.

     

The First Ride on the New Bike

     Yesterday was my first official "ride" on the new bike.  I wanted to do a ride that was a bit challenging while still being easy enough so that I could concentrate on biking, and to more importantly get a sense of how it feels on the new bike.  So, around 10 am on Saturday I filled up my camelback in my backpack, tied my sneakers & bandana, and hit the road (Yes, I wore my helmet.) 

Man, oh man, did the Judy take a beating. 

     It had been a good 6 months since I had done a ride over 10 miles.  I think my last decent ride was in August, when I would bike to & from work, which was 20 miles away from where I lived.  I talked to Jasper and asked him where he thought would be a good ride for distance, terrain & time.  He suggested going up to Baltimore County around an area called Loch Raven.  He said there were hills and it was a pretty area.
     I ended  up only doing about 20 miles because there was an ATROCIOUS headwind that I had to constantly fight, uphill and all!  When I got about 10 miles out of town and there was yet another winding, semi-steep incline I decided I had tested the bike's handling enough.  I had to get back to see a friend's dress rehearsal for her recital and make sure I actually ate something so my body wouldn't give out.  I wimped out to be blatant...  Twenty miles, how pathetic!  Then again, 44 degrees, a headwind, and a very stiff biking seat [even w/padded pants] that you're not used to can make even the best give up a little early (at least that's what I'm telling myself). 
     Oh well, this was the first of many.  After I build up my rider's callus to this new, stiff seat I'm going to switch over to my comfier one.  I will DEFINITELY be using the other seat for the trip.  I want to do a day trip down to DC too, but I'll have to wait for more biker-friendly weather and find someone to let the pets out.  Onward!

Food For Thought [and Energy]

     Food Food Food, I Love Food!  And I've taken enough human nutrition and biology courses to know what your body needs to function.  Needless to say, I don't eat only what my body needs--I eat tons of food, whether I "need" it or not.  Blasted over-eating habit!  I curse you (and so do my larger than normal inner thighs and saggy bum)!  BUT, this entry isn't about my cellulite-cushioned extremities or what I eat on a daily basis; it's about what food(s) I should take along on the bike trip to keep me nourished during the taxing ride.

     A little back story...   

I went to watch and cheer on a friend at the Door County (WI) Half Iron Man Competition in the spring/summer of 2009.  I had never been to one, so it was neat to go.  Seeing all of the swimmers/cyclists/runners and their endurance was incredible!  I stayed relatively close to the start/finish area so that I could take pictures of my friend, and while doing so I saw a lot of people offering different flavored "goo" and other things to nourish the athletes while they competed.  I hadn't ever seen or knew about that--I mean, yeah, there's Gatorade commercials and all of those over-the-top things in nutrition stores "for athletes," but I hadn't been introduced to much before that competition.  It was one of those *DING* light going on in your head moments where my science brain and practical brain had a love child:

When you work out, for whatever length of time, your body uses different sources to provide itself with energy.  For short, quick bursts of exercise, your body uses a few different ways to re-synth ATP [(adenosine triphosphate) what your cells use for energy] into sugar/energy.  After 10-30 seconds your body will use up these stores because it's done during an oxygen-phobic time (supposedly), and this process needs oxygen to be continually done.  Also, the reserves of the chemicals needed are in relatively short supply and are burned up quickly.  After using up that energy source, the body turns to its intracellular sugar reserves--glycogen.  This can only last for a few minutes, then it's onto the BIG GUNS: blood glucose.  
Your blood glucose level is pretty darn important.  Your liver can and must convert stored glycogen reserves--AKA fat--to maintain blood sugars, otherwise, well, if you've every seen anyone faint or go into hypo-glycemic shock you'd understand.  It's not good.  However, your liver isn't the fastest guy in the factory, and it can't keep up with the rapid rate at which you are depleting your BG (blood glucose) supply during intense and long-term exercise.  So, this is where the whole gut/quick replenishment/FOOD snacky treats come in...  TA-DAAAAAAA!  FULL CIRCLE.  Your body uses the sugars that are "in progress" in the gut as a rapid replenisher of the sugar that you're expending.
     THAT being said, onto the food!  I have been fiddling with a "breakfast cookie" recipe for a few days to attempt to come up with a semi-healthy cookie that will be easy to carry and give me a boost of sugar & other nutrients on the ride.  Try it out--it is still being tweaked, but the initial product is pretty darn tasty!

Breakfast Cookie Recipe

(makes 3 dozen)

2 cups sugar                                               1 cup whole wheat flour                         1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/3 cup molasses (whatever kind)               1 cup all-purpose flour                           1/8 tsp ground cloves

1 1/2 cups quick oats                                 1 1/2 cups chunky peanut butter             1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 cup Craisins                                         2-3 eggs (depending on size)                  1 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup chocolate (or butterscotch) chips    1/2 cup butter (or margarine)                 1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup crushed walnuts                              1 tsp vanilla extract

     Preheat the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Cream the butter, sugar, PB & molasses.  When no lumps are left, toss in the eggs & vanilla & give it a quick mix.  Next, add all of the "non-powder" ingredients (Craisins, nuts, oats & chips) and mix.  Sift together all of the remaining ingredients and incorporate them.  The batter should be a bit moist [it sticks a little to my fingers in the next step, so it should to yours too].  Roll the dough into golf ball sized pieces, place on a lined baking sheet, and then flatten the balls a bit with either your fingers or a fork.  Bake for 15-17 minutes, until the tops crack & start to fall.  You don't want to over bake them or they turn into concrete.  Let them cool on the cookie sheet before transferring or storing, as they will be very soft for a bit.  When they're done, they are a little crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside--delish! They're great to dunk in milk (or soymilk :D), which adds icing to the breakfast cake.

     After creating this recipe (well, creating is a bit pompous--I found a basic PB & oats recipe and then doctored it up some), I got to thinking about other food I should carry... or rather, WHAT should I carry?  Does anyone have any recipes they think would be good for travel that I could make in advance and then take for the trip?  Do you have any recommendations for things I should have on me at all times?  Jot them down!  I'd love to try them out :) 

A Thought...

     So, I'll be turning the big 2-5 in two weeks.  Some of you may be thinking, " Twenty-five?!  You're just a spring chicken!"  Others may be thinking, "I wish I were that old--then I could do whatever I want!"  Whichever side of the fence you're standing on doesn't matter... my upcoming quarter-of-a-century  birthday just made me think a little bit, about life, goals, etc., and I figured I'd share some of my thoughts with you.
     When I was younger (which wasn't so long ago, but it seems like it sometimes), I remember telling myself I was going to learn EVERYTHING and be the smartest woman alive.  I wanted to know math, science, music, history, be able to play every sport, speak different languages fluently, cook like nobody's business, make my own clothes, grown my own food, etc.  I never thought I'd be anything less than spectacular in every facet.  Then, reality sets in as you get older; you realize you don't have time to wipe your own ass, much less study your French, read about the Americian Revolution or gardening, clean your apartment, go jogging with the dog, go to the opera and art galleries... and this is just being a working musician & student, much less a working parent who chooses to go back to school.
     I have to admit, I've done some pretty neat things thus far and am definitely making my life my own.  I never settled for being average or followed the flock--CHECK.  I worked my ass off to pay for 1 1/2 years of my undergrad education, working 30-50 hours a week, all while maintaining a 3.6+ GPA.  I've become much more fiscally responsible (which had to be done by falling flat on my face).  I made it to grad school and can actually pay my bills, despite many peoples' skepticism, via singing.  I, along with my family, started a summer road trip tradition that will hopefully continue.  I'm going to be BIKING 1/3-1/2 of the way ACROSS THE COUNTRY by myself!  I've made some amazing, lifelong friends and relationships that I cherish deeply and will always take care to maintain.  I've learned a ton about human physiology and nutrition and make a point to eat healthy(ish) and lead an active lifestyle (most of the time) so that I can enjoy this frail yet amazingly, genetically strong body I inherited from my parents.  I've been making solid progress on my vocal technique in just the past week--it's amazing when something finally clicks!  ETC!

     Even with that list of "cool schtuff I've done," there is another, even longer list of things I want to do and learn.  I have a ton of goals, some of which I may never accomplish.  Nonetheless, I still strive to be "that girl" who continually learns, and, someday, will know as much as I possibly can, have done all/most of the things I've wanted to do, and am completely content with my accomplishments in my life--that's not asking too much of myself is it?  There's so much to do, and I've only got 75 (more or less) years to do it!      

Here's to living your dream--making your life the way you want it and doing what fulfills you.

... and to think, I'm only 25... in two weeks.