Finally Pics =D

Hello my friends! ;]

First, my day yesterday... Along with some pics!!  I promised so here they are ;]

chocolate banana oats made with dark chocolate

dreams pb and overripe banana... 

me with the dogs after their day at the salon!

aren't they cute!?!?

So I went to school, and suffered through another math class :/  Then in band, I did a playing test, and it was pass fail and he failed me!  What a jerk!!!!  Other than those minor mishaps, I had an amazing day =D  After school I went on the Nebo training ride, which was amazing as usual :]  we had probably 50 people there, and it was a ton of fun.  I ended up  winning one of the sprints =D  there are three on the course and I won one after getting extremely annoyed with another rider who had extremely bad etiquette.  I beat him though, so it is all good ;)

Today was also a pretty good day, I had a late start so I got my homework done in that time before class.  I had no tests or quizes today, so that was nice.  I even had some time in last period to read some blogs!!!  Our school computers block the pictures though :(  I don't understand, we can go to youtube, but we can't go to blogger or see any pictures on blogs?!?!?!  Whatev...

Then tonight I had church =)  It was about baptism, and what it symbolizes.  I was baptised when I was a baby, but I think I might want to again now that i am older and know what it means.  And I feel like after going through an ED, my relationship with god has grown tremendously.  I think it kind of "broke" me so that I could be made whole with christ.  I want to proclaim that through baptism... I have to decide soon though....  

I think tonight it really hit me that I won't be here next year :/  I am excited about the new things in Arizona, but I don't want to leave here.  I LOVE my church here, and we have the most amazing youth group.  I have really connected with my small group, and all of our pastors and stuff.  I just don't see how I can find something as good as what I have here.  I guess some of what I have here is partly because I have grown in my faith, and I have just been able to get more out of what we have.  I am just going to have to have faith that everything will be great in Arizona, and that I will find a church there that is just as good for me.  God has a reason for this, I just need to find it..

So that(those) was my day(s)!  Tomorrow is my last day before spring break!!!! I can't wait :)  I hope all of you are having a great week :)  Promise me you will all have a terrific Thursday!!

Scott

hookah?!?!?!

It is Monday :/  I am actually quite happy though because spring break starts on Friday!!  I am not going to do much of anything, but I am still excited ;)

So I will update you on yesterday sound good?  I left you when I walked out the door for the showings.  From there we headed to what we thought was an espresso bar, but it turned out to be a hookah bar that serves espresso! What?!?!?!?!  We were planning on sitting in there to drink the coffee, but it was just too weird!  So we took it to go ;]

Next stop was the bike store (BGI) to pick up some brake pads.  They are Yellow!  I guess I am probably the only person that thinks this is cool, but oh well hehe.  It matches my team colors!

Then we got home and I had a Boca burger for dinner.  With avocado ;) I am really getting bad about posting pics.  I am sorry =(  


Today was pretty good.  I woke up and made a delicious bowl of banana sunflower seed butter oatmeal.  I didn't have any oats yesterday and I missed them!  Like a long lost friend lol ;)  I got to start off my school day in first period with reading your lovely blogs =D  I hate our school computers though, because I can't go to your site directly to leave comments, and I can't see pictures :(  It is a travesty!  I enjoyed all your posts though and it was a great way to start off my school day!

Then in SRT I got a lot of homework done, and had a pretty easy rest of the day. So kinda boring but nice at the same time I guess...

I got home and went up to the allergist.  I did fine with my shot, and I saw a friend from school there so that was nice.  She is in German also and said our student teacher is leaving tomorrow.  Can it be!?!?!?!  She is fine as a person, but I miss Frau B. !!  (my real teacher)  I hope she is right!

I also finished reading regaining your self today, and I really reccomend it.  It is so interesting to see an eating disorder from the perspective of the therapist.  I also found it so interesting because it makes me realise how great my therapist is.  Most importantly though is that I feel like I understand myself a lot more now.  I understand what could have caused my ED, and why I unconsciously chose to deal with anxiety in that way.  It also helps me to keep an eye on the symptoms and triggers for a relapse.  Basically I feel like I gained someting for myself from reading this book :)  I am planning on discussing it with my therapist at our next meeting.  I definitely recommend it to all of you who are further along in recovery, and I didn't find it triggering at all.  

While I was reading it^^ in chem class today, the girl I talked to you about earlier looked at it and was like "what are you reading?"  ummmm so I showed her and she just read it and didn't say anything :/  I dunno what to think!  I guess I should have talked more, but hmm.....  Maybe she will ask me about it again if she reads it or something? idk

Welll, that is it for me tonight.  I am off to read some more of your blogs and watch some 24 while enjoying some yogurt :]

Have a terrific Tuesday!!!!

Scott

P.S.  I promise to get pics tomorrow!  Sorry :}

catching up...

I have a lot of catching up to do!

I will start with friday.  I went to the best resturaunt ever!!  It was this Italian place, and our friends know the owner.  He was a really funny Italian guy who grew up in New York and was just great to be around.  The food was great, and we ended up staying for like 3 hours after we ate just talking.  By the end of the night, the whole kitchen staff was sitting around our table.  So much fun!  I had the tilapia.

I started out my Saturday with a bike ride.  It was really cold!  30 degrees in March!?!?  And windy, but I had a good time :)  there was just three of us.
Then last night was my sisters 21st birthday!!  I went up to Purdue, about an hour drive, to celebrate and have dinner.  I had fish tacos at Don Pablos, and they were pretty good, except for the minuscule amount of fish they put in :(  Then my sister's friends (all 26 of them!) sang happy birthday to her and I was in the bathroom=(  She got some pictures though!  Then I took her and friends out to a bar and drove home.  She called this afternoon and said she was doing fine :)

 Love you Meagan!!!!!! <3

Then I got to skype with the wonderful Maggie :)  It is so nice to actually talk with our blog friends!  


Today it is really rainy :/  It is so depressing because it feels like it is night because it is so dark.  I guess there is more motivation to do homework then!  We went to church this morning, which was really good.  It was all about how each and every one of us has a purpose to serve to bring god's dreams into a reality.  They include,

1. caretaker of creation
2. herald of peace
3. catylist for community  
4. agent of healing 
5. rescuer of the poor 
6. runner of reconciliation 
7. ambasador of christ 
8. spokesperson for God 
9. dispenser of grace
10. models of holiness

Number four really resonates with me because it reassures me that my desire to become a therapist or psychology is a good thing.  It can be a way for me to help be an agent of healing and help people bring people to god.  So that is one more thing I have to consider when I think about my career choices...

Now I had lunch of a grilled ham and cheese, and am working on a puzzle with my mom.  

The house selling is going really well!  We put the house on the market on Thursday, had two showings yesterday, and two showings scheduled today.  Then our friend (and relator) calls and says we have an offer!  What!?!?  So we will find out about that in a few minutes.  But I am really thankful things are going so well because it has only been 3 days =D

So that was my weekend, well most of it.  I will talk to you all tonight or tomorrow! 

Scott

Oh, and I think I finally got that video from church up online.  The service was from Feb 20th!  It is about how to find good things in your life god is doing, even during the hardest struggles.  I think you'll like it :)  here it is! Now I have to go for the showing!  talk to you later and wish me luck ;]  nevermind, I am this close, but it isn't working :(  I will get it asap :]

Happy (almost) Friday

Hi lovelies!!

I am sorry if I missed some of your posts. I tried to get them into a word doc so I could read them away from the computer, and I had them all copied and pasted and it crashed :( I went back to my reader and everything was marked as read! So terribly sorry if I missed your post :(

Well the weather was rainy today :( I hate that! Luckily, all of my classes had no windows today, so I didn't have to see the awful weather! I usually hate not having windows in my classes, but when the weather sucks, I don't mind it so much ;]

The only major thing I did at school was I took a chemistry test, and I think I did pretty well. I was planning on telling B about my ED like I said I was going to, but with the test, I didn't even have any time, and she didn't ask :/ I don't know what to think, I mean I guess it is easier not to say anything, but I was ready to. I really like the idea of busting the myths and taboo around ED's before I move! We'll see what happens...

After school, I had a German club event! It was so fun, we just played card games and made these things called Scherenschnitte, where you cut out an ornate shape out of a piece of paper. It is harder than it looks!

Here is mine

I have been a bit confused latley about my future and career options. I thought I had it figured out. I want to be a psychologist / therapist. Now I am reading that book I told you about, Rediscovering Your Self (great by the way, I defiantly recommend), I read about how the "caretaker" role is very often a part of the ED identity. Dr. Sacker (the author) talks about how his approach to recovery is replacing the ED identity with that of yourself. I This made me wonder if in fact my desire to help others in the field of psychology could possibly just be another aspect of my ED. I mean, I never really wanted to do this in the past, but I am more mature now, and maybe it is the right occupation for me? I don't know right now. On one hand, I don't see how wanting to help people could ever be a bad thing, but on the other hand, I can see how it could be my ED playing a role in my thought process here. What do you all think? I would love to hear your input on this one...

one more pic for you all!  My mom bought these strawberries yesterday and they are THE BIGGEST strawberries I have EVER seen!!

here it is in all of it's glory! hehehe

And here is one for perspective.  

Look at it next to the keys and the spoon!!

Goodbye for now!

Wishing all of you a fantastic Friday!!

Scott

Hello all,

Hope you are having a great day today! I sure did :]

So math was blah, we just did review and worked on problems with partners. It was cool though becasue I got to talk with a friend, and drank my coffee! Health was ok too, we just finished up the presentations. I guess I am biased, but I think ours was the best ;) we got a 91% so I am pretty happy!

In band, we had a different teacher who usually teaches the better band. It completley showed how incapeable our normal teacher is! We got through more than we would in like a week with the normal teacher!

German was fun too (as usual). We got to watch a lot of our movie. It is about a kid who's mom woke up from a coma and germany had reunited while she was asleep. So they are trying to keep her from realizing that there is no more DDR(East Germany) because if she gets too stressed or excited she could have another heart attack. It is interesting and funny at times, plus our normal teacher taught us vocab, so that was good. So much better pronunciation!

Tonight was church, and we did an entire service of worship! It was so awesome, we just sang and reflected on our lives the whole time :) I have to share a few of my favorite worsip songs on here, but I am too tired tonight! haha


I want to thank you so much for all of your advice on my question from yesterday. I thought about it, and I mean, why not tell her? She is a friend, and I am going to be moving anyways, so I don't really care what everyone thinks (not that I should anyways...) So I am going to tell her tomorrow. I am a bit nervous (ok quite a lot) because I have never really told anyone at all. The only people who know about my ED are my doctors, parents, and sister, and of course you guys!  And anyone else that does know, my parents told them, like my coach (to make sure I was eating while I was riding and stuff) so I have never had to do it myself. I have nothing to be ashamed of so I am going to go ahead and go for it I guess :) wish me luck!

P.S. Lucie, to answer your question, no my bars haven't come yet, but I am patiently waiting! :) I will post a pic when they get here! And ALL of you should check out lucie's bars! She's got bars named after some of our fellow bloggers =D So check it out! 

Nebo ride and a tricky question

Hello all!

First I will update you all on yesterday sound good? The only major thing that happened in school was I gave my presentation in health over ED's! I was nervous, especially because my partner was really upset from her class before :/ It went really well though and i think we portrayed the disease in a very clear light so I was really happy :) And I got my homework done in band so it was a good day for me =D

Then I got home from school, and I found an email from the owner of the bike shop I interviewed at. He said he wanted me to work there, and he would pay $8 an hour. Great!! But then I realized that I will be moving over the summer :/ So I told him I would love to work for him until then, but I would understand if it wouldn't work out...

So today, I had extra time in engineering today and I got to look up some cycling teams in Arizona. I found quite a few, and one that is a U23 team (under 23 years old) that is sponsored and looks so awesome. I am going to apply tomorrow :]

Lunch was a tofu and avocado sammie! Yummy!!

In Chemistry I got a quiz back and I did OK (79) I was pretty happy because chem is SO hard!! The only really interesting thing that happened was that my friend B saw me eating a few food should taste good chips left over from my lunch, and asked what they were. I told her what they were and let her have one. Then we got talking about trader joes and stuff, and she asked me how I got to like eating so healthy. I was like "....um...... It is a long story." She wanted me to tell her but I don't know what to say! I told her I would think about it. Ya, awkward, but i didn't know what to do! I can't just be like "oh yeah, I had an eating disorder for the past year and a half" and then just stop talking! What would you do?

Then NEBO training ride tonight! (Nebo Ridge is the name of the bike shop it starts from.) I felt so awesome today! I rode with G again, and it was so much fun! I ended up in the front group of like 12, and we started out with around 50 riders. I was so happy because I think they all had to be at least cat 2-3. It was exhilarating!! I got another comment from one of my teammates. He said that I have made some major gains (performance) over the past two years. WOW! He is such a strong rider, so for him to say that, I was really happy :]

overall today was a good day for me. I hope you all have a Wonderful Wednesday!!

Scott

Monday...

Hello my friends! I missed you! I will start out with a few pics of my bike! I absolutley adore these weels! They have ceramic bearings and they are SO light!! I weighed my bike today and it weighs 16.8 pounds. I figure it is ok to mention bike weight right? ;]

Race Report =D

This morning we left around 8:00 for Cincinnati. We packed my bike last night and we packed everything else this morning (including our dogs!) and headed out.

We got to my grandma's at like 10:00. She isn't really feeling well at all :( My dad and I left for my race at around 11:00 to get there in time to warm up and stuff. We got there in plenty of time and I got checked in. Later I found out that nobody was in the junior category, so I would be racing with the cat 4's. (see explanation here) I guess I am happy though because the field was big (about 30) and I felt great! It was 40 miles instead of 30 though :/

So the race started right on time (amazing!) and wasn't too crazy. I stayed with the pack the whole time and ended up getting an 8th place finish or so. I am so proud because last year, I dropped off the pack on the second lap. I was so sick and at a low weight and my mom and sister who came to watch were so worried for me. It makes me so sad to hear what ED made my family go through, and how much it scared them :(

So race details =D The first lap was kinda stressful because the turns were insane! The downhills were so fast and they went right into turns. You can't brake because it throws you off your line, which could make you go off the road :O so that isn't good, and if you do brake everyone else gets way ahead. So I got used to it though and like I said, I stayed with the pack for the whole race :] I got up to 38 mph on a downhill though =D so exhilarating!! I love it! I tried to sprint at the end but I didn't have it in me to win, but I am happy with my first race of the season and my first cat 4 race ever :]

then over to my aunt and uncle to have a birthday party. It was fun, and the food was ok. I even had a bit of cake! We had carrot cake and chocolate... yum..

I wasn't planning on blogging tonight (it seems as though everyone is taking a break right now am I right?), but I ended up staying with my other aunt and uncle who have a computer. yesss!! So here I am. Going to first watch for breakfast tomorrow. I can't wait because the menu looks so great!

enjoy your Sunday!! You deserve it!

Scott

l missed you!

TGIF!!! I am so glad it is the weekend you have no idea!! This is the first time I have really been able to sit down and blog for the past two days :O I missed you all so much, really :( I tried to read as much of your posts as I could but I have just been so extremely busy! I guess I will catch yall up a bit ok?

Yesterday I had a normal day at school and had my training ride again =D It is such a Release for me during a hectic week... I did pretty well but I dropped of the pack, but overall it was great :) I had fun and got reconnected with some friends I hadn't seen in a while...

So Graham I hadn't seen for quite a while and he was at the ride :] He is such a great guy. He is so incredibly fast and a great cyclist, but so humble and nice. He is only a year older than me, but he is a cat 1-2. (There are 5 categories, and you start at 5 and move up. I am a 4 and 1 is just below pro) I really look up to him because he is so grounded in life. So I had a great ride and then went out with some friends and my parents for dinner, which took forever, but it was good. I had a fish sandwich.

When I got home, I commented on Graham's facebook saying it was nice to ride with him tonight. He posted "Hey man. i was really impressed today. you smashed that ride with me. attacking and pulling through looked really smooth. You have deff. put on some muscle. whatever you are doing keep it up.”


He is just so awesome and this made my day!!

On to today. Today was soooo looonnnngggg. I went to school early so I could get some homework done that I forgot to bring home last night. I got there at 7 and got everything done so that was good. Then I had engineering, which was fine then in SRT we had a convo, where all of the school goes to the gym to hear about something. I hate them because I don't have time to do homework, and then to top it all off you can't even hear what they are saying because the sound is so horrible :/ I brought my chemistry to study though so that was good...

Then a chemistry test which was so hard! I think I did ok though... And English was ok, but my teacher seemed to be in a bad mood. He is usually very cool...

Then I got picked up by my dad and went straight to the allergist. He packed me some fruit and a bar though so I was set =D Thanks dad!! Then I got my shot, waited the half hour, and went to the bike shop. My dad and I volunteered for their spring sale because they sponsor my team. We got there right on time at 4:30 and worked until 8:15. I was helping with food and I brought a lot of food to the tent with all the bikes in it to the shop and back and forth a lot. It was fun though but I am tired now!

Tomorrow I am headed to Cincinnati with the family. My family just got out of the hospital so we are going to go and see her. I also have a race nearby :] I am so excited to start the season off! I have a feeling it is going to be a great season for me. I am a bit nervous though, but I guess that is always a good thing to be just a bit nervous... wish me luck!

Enjoy your weekend :] I'll be reading on my phone buy my grandma has no computer :( So not much commenting for me :( I will talk to you all on on Sunday night :]


Scott

wednesday 17 mar 2010

Hello happy Wednesday!!

I wrote this post below in a lot of short sessions, so It will be a bit scattered. Bear with me ;]

I am such a rebel today!! I read some blogs during 1st period after I got my project done ;] shhhh. Don't tell!!

Today's school day was pretty ok. I just got so tired by the end of the day :/ and I only went to bed a half hour later than the night before! But first period went well, we had time to work on our "stress analysis" in engineering. Basically we take some parts of a product we made, and the program we use can test their strength! It is so cool in a really geeky way ;] Then in SRT I got all of my homework done so no homework for me tonight =D Then in chemistry, we got to work on our work that is going to be due next class so I got a lot done there. Then English was so awesome, because we had the most awesome sub ever!!! He comes in and is just so laid back and stuff, NOT like a normal sub at all! He then proceeded to give us all candy bars! Just to be nice :] then we worked on our second rough draft of a paper we are doing. So my productive day at school ended on a nice note :]

I got out of the school and Oh. My . Gosh! The weather is so beautiful!! I absolutely love it ;] I got home and it was almost 60 degrees! So I went outside and did a bit of homework on the deck while listening to some music and took Gretchen on a run. It was so fun and I refuse to give up this weather. I simply refuse ;]

Tonight my dad is bringing something home from Costco, but I have to leave for church so I had a tofu stir fry. It was so good, I made a tahini miso sauce with a bit of rice whine vinegar. And it used up the leftover rice from last night.

On my way up to church there was a MASSIVE wreck on the main road to the church. I tried to go around it like three ways, and I finally got there, but it took like 20 minutes and it should have taken 5! I really want to find out what happened but there is no news today.

church was so great tonight. It was about how we can worship in so many ways. I learned so much about how I can praise god through not only the usual ways, like singing, but also through things I never before would have thought of before. We can worship by saying to god something simple like "thank you for getting to work today." It can be as simple as that. I really want to work on this more.

I got home and our friends were over to put the house on the market. I guess it is final now :/ I still don't know what to think about it. I mean I wouldn't want to move if I didn't have to, but I am looking forward to it for the adventure of it you know? It will be a change, but I am confident that I can get used to it.

So that is pretty much I got for tonight. I want to apologize for not commenting on your posts tonight :( I was so busy! Don't worry though, I am reading them before I go to bed tonight :]

Stay strong an have a great Thursday! We are more than half of the way through the week!!

a new realization

I just want to thank you all so much for all your insightful and uplifting comments :] It is really interesting to hear what you all have to say about complete recovery. I have really learned a lot from you guys! After reading these comments, I really feel that it is possible to fully recovery from an ED. If nothing else, this realization is so encouraging that we do not have to live with this demon inside of us for the rest of our lives! And I will never find out if it is possible for me if I do not try it for myself. So that is what I want to do, what I must do. This is what I am going to do :)

Book Update: I read the beginnings of both books from my last post, and I really like Regaining Yourself, but Inside Out is a bit upsetting :( I just want to warn you that it may be triggering to some.

Today was awesome!! Nothing really special happened, but I was just so happy from reading all of your posts that I read throughout the day ;] I had math, ugh :/ but I got a lot of homework done, so that was good. Then I had health with a sub and we watched the. most. boring. video. EVER!! it was about fad diets, and was just a woman talking on the tv. borrrrringggg!!! Then we had band, which wasn't too bad. German was better than usual because we actually had our real teacher. Frau B ist sehr nett und cool! (das ist fuer dir Alexis ;)

Then the highlight of my day, the training ride =D It was so beautiful, and I felt so good! After being weak a lot of last year from ED, and continual discouragement because of it, I felt so awesome to be able to keep up today! We had a really fast ride and I ended up taking a flying sprint up the right side when the road opened up near the sprint point =D I think I may have one, but there wasn't really a "finish line" so to speak. Either way, it was such an accomplishment for me, and further encouragement that ED LIES because he never would have let me believe that I would be faster if I gained weight. Rigggghtttt... i gained XX pounds over the past year and a half and am faster, stronger, and feel better than ever! Take that ED!! Also on the ride, one of the guys I really look up to (he is amazingly fast) told me good ride and that it looked like I gained some muscle over the winter :] I was so proud, and I took it for what he meant it to be (a compliment), and not what ED thought it was (something to put me down) So it was quite awesome and I am so happy, and thankful for you and my family and all my other support, because I know all of you have helped me see things like this!!

Dinner was nothing to post about. Some take out chinese for the fam while I had a boca burger with a bit of chinese. good though!

So that was my day! This week is going by so fast no?

Have a great wednesday! You more than deserve it!!

Love you all!

Scott

That was pretty much my day,

Monday and weekend wrapup

Wow, no post yesterday :O hehe, I don't know why, I guess I just wasn't that busy? So here is a recap of my day yesterday and of Saturday night!

I had a nice relaxing day with my sister. We watched The Italian Job, which I had not seen in a while. I really liked it though! My sister said that it is the only "guy" movie that she likes ;] We were thinking about waiting for my parents, but luckily we didn't. They went out for dinner on the south side of Indy, so like an hour away. They had fun though so that was nice. I had a really nice time talking with her :) we talked about a lot of stuff, like my blog, blogs I read, and how I am doing right now. She is really curious about how this disease works. She asked me if I would consider myself to have an ED or not anymore. I really couldn't think of an answer to this. I feel like I have much fewer ED thoughts, but I do sometimes have them. The difference is that now i can differentiate between ED thoughts and those that are my own. I feel like it is in some ways a battle that I must continue, and not let myself forget that I am vulnerable, but I really want to think that I won't have to have that fear of a relapse in the back of my mind for the rest of my life. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think that an ED is like an illness that you can get over, or is it more of a thing like alcoholism, where it is an ongoing struggle?

So the weather turned out to be nicer than I thought it would be, but I just didn't feel like riding :/ But I had a great time at my church group :] we did a service project, cleaning up a used clothes sale at the fairgrounds. I was glad I hadn't worked out before because it was a hard! We ended up having to take everything we loaded into the truck back out again at the church and upstairs. I had fun though :)

I got home and took Gretchen on a really short run. It was really windy and cold out :/ I think she enjoyed it more than I did :]

Then I went out with my sister. She needed to buy some books for school. I looked on the computer while she was looking and I found a book that I really wanted to read, Goodbye ED Hello Me, but they didn't have i in stock, or at least I couldn't find it :/ I am going to try and find it at the library though. Then we went and rented Precious. have any of you seen this movie? I really liked it, I'll tell you more in a bit :] Lastly we stopped at Chipotle to pick up dinner. I was a bit nervous because I don't ever go there, and I wasn't really sure about the nutrition. I was looking up the nutrition facts in the car and stuff, I don't know why, but I was just really nervous :/ I got there and it was all fine. You see them make everything and tell them what you want. I did find something really weird in the nutrition facts though. The hard tacos had less calories and fat than the soft. I would have never believed this before: Proof that ED LIES!! I ended up getting a rice bowl with pork (carneasada?), peppers and onions, lettuce, and green tomatillo salsa. I wanted guacamole, but my sister paid already and they said it cost more :( I was really proud of myself because after so much worry about the cals and stuff, I didn't look up what I ate or anything =D

Then we watched Precious. It is such a sad movie, but it is really inspiring at the same time. Precious is a 16 year old girl who can't read and is pregnant with her seco0nd child by her father. Her mother is abusive, and her life is a mess. The movie chronicles her time in a school for people that can't go to regular school. She overcomes her obstacles in life, and it is a so awesome to see her stand up for herself, after having such a tough life that would make most just lash out with anger. I recommend it :]

I am typing this in SRT, which I am not really sure is allowed, but my teacher is pretty cool and I don't think she cares ;] Or she doesn't notice... If she does I will say I am doing homework ;]

After school now, and the teacher didn't catch me!

after school today I got picked up to go to the dermatologist, and my sister went with me and we were playing with the chair when the doctor came in ;] I swear though, they really prescribe stuff on a whim. It is like, you say you have x, and they are like, oh here's x. I guess it makes for a quick appt though! Then we went to the library, and I tried to find that book, but it wasn't there :( I did find Inside Out by Madia Shivack and Regaining Your Self by Ira M. Sacker. I started Inside Out in the car, and it is really interesting. It is a collection of drawings a girl drew while in IP after meals. Have any of you read any of these books?

I cooked my tofu when I got home today. I marinated it in tahini, miso, a packet of raw sugar, and some water to loosen it up a bit. Then I grilled it to get it nice and crispy :) Here's a pic!! I had a little simple and it is amazing :) Sorry, it is not too photogenic, especially in it's plastic container ;]

I am so looking forward to tomorrow. Why you ask? It is the start of the training ride, and it is supposed to get to almost 60 degrees!! Finally the season for me to go out to the training ride, struggle to stay at the back of the pack on my bad nights and hopefully sprint to the front on the good days :] No really, it is a lot of fun and I can't wait to get back out there with friends and a huge pack. The ride averaged 50 people last year every ride with some over 100! I am so excited. I hope I can find a ride like this in Arizona :/ I am sure I will :]

Sorry for the long post, I guess I had a lot to say today :] I missed posting yesterday!

Have a great Tuesday, because you deserve it!!

Scott

Happy Saturday

Happy saturday to all of you! I am a bit bummed because it is rainy :/ but I guess it is the spring and I should get used to it! Note to self: it is sunny 340 days of the year in arizona =D

started out the day with a press coffee. I am really missing my espresso on the weekend :( I think I will survive through the week with the aid of my French press ;] I also took this picture of mini

Isn't she cute!?

I got to talk to Pascal today! I just love talking to him :) Pascal is just so funny! He told me to give my sister a hug for him ;] I will have to do a post on the three weeks he was here...

Then I worked on my bike with my dad. We got a lot done so I am ready for race season! We replaced the brake and shift cables, and we also put on some better handlebars that my dad had off of his bike. I am so lucky, I get the best hand-me-downs from my dad ;] He loves to buy new parts, so I get the "old" ones that are perfectly good and I love it!

I worked in the cafe at church today, and we must have been busy because we went through 3 gallons of milk. It wasn't too hectic though...? The service was so good today. It was about why we should share Christ with everyone in our lives. It made me understand a deep desire within myself to bring people to Christ. I realized the reason behind it is that I have seen what God has done in my own life, freeing me from my ED, and I know that everyone deserves to be saved in the same way. I want to help that to happen in any way that I can...

For dinner I am having a Boca burger. For some reason i thought it would be good with a bit of sunflower butter and... It IS!! A little bit of sweetness with my Boca yum ;] Maybe it is weird, but I like it!

Night snack was a mixture of regular and goat's milk yogurts.

Now I am going to have a nice night with my sister :] Have a great Sunday!

Scott

P.S. I was talking to my sister about my blog and she asked me about my post on friday, and the thing I said about the font. Apparently you can't see it except on my computer :( So no I am not crazy and my handwriting isn't like printing ;]

Friday 12 March

Hello all! We are finally to the weekend!!! :]

Today, I had a pretty good day at school. I had a free day in band, so I got my math homework done and got caught up on some of your blogs ;] German was ok, we had a pretty easy quiz but my teacher is just SO annoying! It was so funny though today ;] She always says the word fünf like frünf and it is extremely aggravating. She is a teacher, so she should have correct pronunciation!! So today someone asked her, "I have a quick question, I am confused because I have always learned it as fünf, but you pronounce it frünf. which is right?" I tried my hardest to not crack up! I guess it was just the way she said it, it was so funny!

When I got home today, I had a quick snack and headed out with my dad. We found a local company recommended by the people that make my espresso machine to fix it. He said that he has a few of the same machine there, so maybe he can get some spares from them. So we dropped it off there and then stopped by the bike shop to pick up a few parts for the upcoming season. I am seriously impressed with this repair company. They called us back to let us know what it needs before we even got home! I should get it back by Friday...

I made "mush" again for dinner with my mom. My dad wanted to go out, but I just felt so bad to leave the dogs alone for another time. They had already been alone for three times today. I think they are glad ;] Then I headed home to the grocery to pick up ice cream for my parents. I ended up doing a mini grocery run, and I bought what I wanted! Mainly a block of tofu for some lunches next week!

This weekend is supposed to be rainy :( so o riding for me. I can deal though. Maybe I can talk to you all on my new found skype! My address is scott.gramke and I'd love to talk!!

Kinda random post, sorry about that ;] off to watch some 24! Do any of you watch that? Don't tell me what happens though, we are like way behind and watching it on the dvr.

Have a great Saturday morning and I'll talk to you later!!

Scott

FIRE!!

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It is almost Friday my friends!!

I got up this morning and thought I wanted an espresso instead of a press this morning, because I just roasted a fresh batch of espresso blend I want to try. I turned on the machine to warm up and i started making my sandwich right by it. After about 4 or 5 minutes, I heard something short out, and then the front panel caught on fire inside!! I panicked and started blowing on it. Didn't work. So I poured water on it, SO STUPID! It didn't make it worse but it definatley could have. Then I searched for some baking soda, and finally I blew it again and it went out. I guess it was probably like 45 second, but but felt like forever! I told my dad, and obviously didn't get any espresso ); I am just glad I am safe and it happened while I was right by it. My dad took it apart while I was at school for me, and it doesn't look too bad, only one switch is burnt out, and I am pretty sure we can get it repaired. I for sure do not have any money to buy a new one now...

By the way, I am typing this on my new keyboard for my dad's really old pda. I know it is really 1999, but I have no money for a laptop and I don't want to type at the computer all the time. So it is a cheap solution. I got it for just $3.50 plus 9 bucks shipping. I figured it was worth a try then!

So ( I say that a lot don't I?) today was quite good! I had engineering first period and I got a lot of homework done because I was dne ahead of time.

Side note: I am watching this show now that is about lunch meat production, and it is a bit gross, but kinda interesting ;]

Thn I had SRT (our school's innovative name for study hall) am got some more homework done. So NO homework for me tonight! =D

Then I had lunch, a turkey sandwich with swiss laughing cow and lettuce. Along with a plum, I haven't had one of these in forever! And I love them! Talked to my friends, and overall a lunch :) Then I went upstairs to my locker, asked a guy how chemistry was, and he said they had a quiz! Yikes! I think I did well though, so all is well :] English was nice, and I went to the lab and ended up looking up parts for my espresso machine ;] Didn't feel like working.

Then I got home, tried to get this keyboard set up (success! I can type letters like these Ö) and inspect the damage on the espresso machine. It isn't too bad, and I think it can get repaired. *crosses fingers*

I just ate dinner cooked by my mom is making salmon cakes with broccoli. We had peaches on the side, and bread. Nice and simple and delicious.

On to some seriousness. It looks as though I will be moving in the future. I am not sure when, but my dad is starting his job in April. I am sure I am staying here though to sell the house, and finish up the school year. I also have my trip to Germany like half paid for by now, so I will be going there for sure to see Pascal :] I am not sure how I really feel about the move, I mean I'll be moving away from friends, and most importantly family. :/ I have really gotten to like this living close to family. Especially because my grandparents are getting older and stuff. I don't want to be away from them for the last years of their lives... But then again, I am looking forward to a new experience, and I know everything happens for a reason. Plus, riding all year long ;] I know everything happens for a reason and it will all work out.

Have a great Friday!! You deserve it :] Can't wait for the weekend!!

Scott

P.S. How do you like the new font?? It actually kinda looks like my handwriting, but a bit neater ;]

Wednasday!

So, I didn't blog yesterday :( I was busy, but I can't really remember with what now ;] Oh well! I can today =D

So, today I had math first period, and It was SOOO boring! She talked for an hour and a half straight, which is even worse because she is SO disrespectful! The class ended well though, I got a test back and I got a 93%!!! That is like my best grade in math for the past... a long time!

Got most of my project on EDs done in class today. It is going pretty well I think, but I still haven't told my partner that I have had one :/ I feel kinda stupid because I am like "I think it should have something about this in it" and it is something we haven't even read about, so yeah, I think she might have a clue ;] Oh well, it is going to be one great project!

Then band and German, which was so hot! I heard someone else in the language hall say they saw a thermometer say 80 degrees F in their class =O I was happy to leave... and go on a bike ride!

I went out on a ride with my parents, and we rode about 20 miles (which I need to put in my log darnit!) and stopped towards the end at a restaurant and I had an Elk burger! This is the same restaurant that serves a 1 pound burger, and if you eat it, you get your picture on the wall. I didn't want to try that ;] so I went for the smaller one with mushrooms. so good!

Church was SO great tonight! We talked about outreach opportunities, and how much we grow closer to god when we serve others, for their benefit, not our own. I have been meaning to put up this prayer for a good week now, so I finally got it up today. It is a prayer that I use to pray for all of you, and everybody else in my life that is struggling with anything. Here it is
Oh, and here is a picture of a latte I made my mom yesterday. I am not a fan of lattes really, too much milk for me, but I love to pour them! They turn out so pretty ;]

I will call it... an apple :)

I will leave you with a quote from Lucie

Have a fabulous day everyone! You deserve it!You DO!! so enjoy it :]

Scott

Hello All!

So, it is a Monday... ugh :/ At least I started off with a great bowl of oats! Sorry no pic, but I enjoyed a nice bowl of banana oats topped with my new (super runny!) sunflower seed butter from TJ. I thoroughly enjoyed it ;]

Then I had health class, and I started working on my project with my partner. We are doing ED's like I wanted to but was a bit nervous. I took the leap and I signed up for it, so here it goes! I will let you know how it goes...

Not much else happened in school, except in German. We did a Waltz =D I couldn't tell you why, we didn't learn much, but it was really funny. We did it out in the hall and all the other people in the hall were looking at us like we were crazy!

Afternoon was some Medjool dates (my first ever!!) with my new TJ crunchy almond butter. Melted in the micro for a few seconds... (pictured on my velonews mag)

I am in love with Medjools! They are so sweet chewy and...wow

Next I enjoyed this cappuccino before I headed off to the allergist. I bought some whole milk at Trader Joes, and it is SO much better than the stuff we get at Kroger usually!! Look at the latte art!! I always determine what it is after I make it sooo... it is an apple/heart ;]

The allergist took a long time, because I had to get a regular appointment, but thankfully no reaction this time (phew) Got home and made a quick frozen veggie pizza with salad for the fam. and read blogs!

So, all in all a nice Monday :] Here's for a great Tuesday!!

Scott

perfect weekend :]

I had the most amazing weekend! I guess it wasn't really anything too special, but I just really enjoyed it.

I wanted to post yesterday, but I was just so tired!
So first, I just relaxed because, well, it was Saturday, and that's what we do :] I had breakfast with my dad and then my parents left for a bike ride. Then I got ready for my ride, had an espresso, and I drove up to meet them for a second breakfast where they always stop for breakfast. I had a bowl of oats with them (sub par restaurant oats:/) and then headed off to my ride. I ended up having time to go home and ride from there.

The ride was SO great! It was the first ride I had done with my team since the fall, and it was so nice to feel like a part of a group again. We had a good 15 people and had a pretty fast ride. I am so looking forward to this season! I am healthier, faster, and more mature and I can't wait =D I wish I could explain to you the beauty of a double rotating paceline going 27mph all in a perfect harmony... ahhhh

Today, I went on a bike ride with my dad and two friends of ours. The ride was good, a bit weird though because I felt better when I got home than when I left, like less tired? IDK why, but I like it :) It was a slower ride than yesterday, but I was ready for that after yesterday's ride! We went up to a coffee shop and I had oatmeal ( I always eat two breakfasts if I ride around breakfast time) and a nice macchiato. It is always funny when I order this out though because I just say "I'll have an espresso macchiato" and they are so used to "grande nonfat doubleshot sugarfree extra whip caramel macchiato" that they usually get ordered. Nothing wrong with that, it just isn't me :] Then right when we left, I was getting my bike ready and I saw a Corvette ZR1!! I guess most of you out there are girls and don't know what that is so... It is the top of the line corvette and has 650 horsepower (that is a LOT) and costs $100,000+ so I was excited to say the least. I gave them a thumbs up and the lady in the passenger seat saw me and waved. I told my dad and friends "My day is complete" ;] it was so cool, but my day got even better!

I got home and was ready to make lunch when I found out we were out of lunch meat, so no sandwich for me :( Not to worry! I made a salad with edamame, feta cheese, strawberries, and strawberry vinaigrette all over a bed of mixed greens. With a nice crusty roll.

After that, I sat down for a few minutes Gretchen (my dog) before I headed over to small group (A.K.A. Bible study) Then I rode my bike over to small group and we have two new guys (YAY!!) and we discussed trust, prayer, and giving thanks to God and studied Psalm 31.

A lot of what we talked about was trust, and how sometimes it is easy and sometimes it is harder to trust in god and what his plans for us are. (I was trying to get a message similar to this from a few weeks ago in church up on here, but I can't get it posted yet :( Hopefully I can share that with you soon)

A lot of people told some of their stories of when it was tough to trust in god, and one of the guys in our group told us about how last year he was diagnosed with Melanoma, and it was really hard to understand what God had in mind for him, he learned through that experience how to trust God better. Then we also talked about the speaker on the retreat, and how he had no idea where God was in his life, and now he is a motivational speaker that uses his experiences to move the audiences he talks to.

This made me think of my ED and what i had been through and why that could be. I wanted to share with the group, but I always chicken out when I get the opportunity to talk about it. I guess it is just some irrational fear of mine that they will think less of me if I share my experiences with them... but rationally I know that this is not true, it is a church group of my friends and they wouldn't judge me... IDK :/

So, I will share with you what came to me during small group today...

I am thankful that I had my ED. I know this sounds really sick, but if I hadn't I wouldn't have had the experience in my life and the understanding and connection I have with all of you. While I find it tough sometimes to figure out why God is putting me through some things, I always find comfort in the fact that there must be a reason and I am going through whatever I am going through and that it will be OK.

I am thankful for the simple things in life

• The sounds of birds coming back from the winter
• Driving around the block to finish the song with my dad
• family
• the opportunity to learn
• Riding my bike
• the smell of spring
• the happiness the sun can bring
• music
• friends

and I could probably think of more. I want to pay more attention to these simple gifts from God in my life, and thank him every chance I get.

I am also thankful for Trader Joe's, which is where I went with my dad after dinner today! We don't usually go there because it is pretty far from home, but we went out to eat at skyline (where I got a black beans and rice pasta, I decided I had gone this long without meat today, I might as well make it a vegetarian day right?) I saw it on the way and said I had to go there on the way home, because we needed milk and lunch-meat anyway...

I bought most of what I convince my dad to buy ;] which included...

• Medjool dates
• raw milk cheddar cheese
• sunflower seed butter
• crunchy unsalted almond butter
• goat's milk yogurt
• TJ greek yogurt ya, I eat a lot of yogurt ;]
• milk
• some really nice looking lunch-meat

I love this store!! I must go there more often... maybe if I go grocery shopping for the family, but my parents wouldn't let me go in there alone, I would buy EVERYTHING!! hehe ;]

Well, off to read your posts! Hope you all had a great weekend as well, and let's make this upcoming week great k?

Scott

Interview and looking forward to the weekend

Happy weekend! I am so glad this week is finally over! Time for me to relax, ride my bike, and make lots of coffee (and drink some of it) ;}
So today. I had My interview, and it went really well! He asked re a lot about my availability. I told them that I Should be available most weekends, except that I would be racing this season so I would miss some weeks. He said that we need to keep an open line of communication so he can keep staffing in order, which I expected. So he Said he would let me know. And gave me some brochures to read up on the products. So I am anxious to hear back from them!

School was Sooo boring today!! I had an extra half hour or So in first period after I Had finished my work. Then srt. where I had no homework due, So I got a head Start on my chem work. Don't you love how it feels when you get to work ahead on something? then chem and English, follower by my dad picking me up So I would have time before my interview. then you know how that went :] So Happy!

So I can't wait for the weekend! It is supposed to get to 5o degrees! That is crazy! Is it that warm where you are?

I Just found this wonderful girl and her blog and her shop! I so want to buy her bars! Here is the nutrition facts for her Pistachios and Rainbows and Nourishing Mornings bars named after our one and only Maya, and Eliza :] I love the special sayings on it!

I wish you all a happy and healthy weekend and I will talk to you tomorrow!

Scott

FRIDAY!!

I am so glad it is almost Friday! I can't wait for the weekend, especially because we have great weather predicted :]

Here is a pic of last night's snack
the yogurt came out of the tub and kept it's
shape! I know you love this Killian:]

So today I had a math test first period this morning. It was ok and i think i did well. Then in health we watched"super-size me" ugh :\ it was pretty gross. I was glad though because it didn't really bother me too much.

I am a bit nervous about a project we are starting. It is a partner project about any health or fitness related subject . I am wanting to do ED's because i feel it is so misunderstood. My only problem is that i feel unsure about working on that with a partner, ya know? I think I'll do it though.

Then had a free day in band so i git my math homework done. Then an ok German class. After school, i went to the allergist and thankfully didn't have a reaction this time! Then i went on a run and my dogs got into a fight. They are going crazy! So i locked them away while i ran. It was nice to actually enjoy the weather again!

Dinner was tomato soup with sandwiches.

Have a great Friday!!!

Scott

P.S. Sorry about the above font, I am experimenting with writing on word and copying and pasting so I can work on my posts away from the computer (like on pocket pc, or at school...) I will work out the kinks though :)

A (late) peanut butter day celebration

Hi, halfway done with the week already! I'll take that ;]

So, after reading a couple of posts about national peanut butter day, I was so sad because I missed it :( I am always behind the curve on these things... Determined not to miss out, I made myself a late celebration with Oats in a Jar!! (of cinnamon raisin swirl) ;]

I made oats with a half a banana in this almost empty
jar of Cinn raisin swirl

followed that delicious jar of oats with a straight espresso and headed off to school! (insert boring school stuff here) ;]

Then I went to church and worked in the cafe before merge. We only had two orders :/ Church was great though, and I will tell you more tomorrow, I want to reflect some more.

Evening snack was a yoplait honey vanilla greek yogurt (I am still amazed they have these!) with strawberries, granola, and nuts (cracked table-side with the torture device ;) while watching American Idol.

Two important things are coming up in my future! 1)I have a math test tomorrow :/ and 2) I have a job interview on Friday!!! This will be my first interview ever, and I am a bit nervous. The job is at a bike shop pretty close to my house, so perfect for me ;] wish me luck!

Have a great Thursday :D

Scott

Auditions and espresso explination

Hello and happy Tuesday!

I guess I always seem to start my posts with happy (blank)day, but hey, I like to be happy, what is wrong with that? ;]

Today were auditions in band for next year to figure out what band (we have 3) we will go into. I wasn't really planning on doing band next year (I'm still not sure if I want to) mainly because of my inconsiderate, rude, etc. etc. teacher... But I decided to audition anyway to keep my scheduling options open for next year. I tried out for trumpet, and I played trombone this year, but I am just really getting bored with trombone...I have been playing for like 5 years now, and I am tired of bass lines!

I got a comment from Maddi yesterday asking about how I make my coffee, and I realised that I never have shown you all the complete process. So here it is!

Here is my set-up. On the left is
the espresso machine, with the grinder next
to it, then my knock box for old coffee,
and my fresh roasted coffee on the scale!So, to begin, I grind 14-18g of coffee and pour
it into this, called the portafilter. Then I tamp it
down to make it smooth and compact.Next, I put the portafilter back into the machine
and turn on the pump. Then the extraction takes
25-30 seconds, and goes through this progressionYou need to turn off the pump when it starts to
get lighter like this^^ This is the result! A shot of espresoNow, if it is really good I will drink it like this.
Sometimes however, I prefer to add steamed milk ;]
You shouldn't be able to see bubbles in it, it is
called microfoam when it is done correctly,
and it looks about like wet paint :D

Then I pour it into my espresso. Today I made a
macchiato, which has only a bit of milk. A cappuccino
has a bit more (about 1/3 espresso 1/3 milk and 1/3 foam)
and a latte has the most

It looks complicated, but I promise it isn't that hard! It is pretty easy to do, but to do right that is a different story! I have yet to get the so called "God shot" Hope that clears up some questions out there :] Oh and by the way, Also like to make americano, which is just espresso and hot water. I make this for my dad quite a bit. I have never gotten a picture because it just isn't as pretty ;] Still tasty though!!



I also wanted to let you all know about Stef's first give-away of two cookbooks! over at her blog, More to Life than Lettuce! So sorry for the late notice :/

New template is a success :]

So, I got some feedback and I guess it was my template that was causing all of the commenting issues. So I will keep it all white and boring for the time being ;]

Can you believe it is march?!?! I feel like I just had my super bowl party... geez I am ready for spring though!

So here is a bit of a recap on my last couple of days to get you caught up

So, on Saturday, as I said briefly yesterday, I went to Staatskongress. While there, if you talk to some of the staff, you get Sprachgeld, which means "talking money" that you can spend at the end of the day.

So, after a lot of talking, I got these!


I must admit that I don't know every word on there, but isn't it cute? ;]

Then I got home and I was dead tired, so I watched some TV, had a bowl of cereal, and called it a night.

On Sunday, I helped my sis with babysitting our cousins. It was pretty fun, and luke kept jumping from the bed into my arms so much that they got sore :/ He loved it though! Then I went home and ate this sandwich, and headed off for a ride with my coach.

The ride turned out to go ok, but my asthma bothered me a lot. I got home though, so all is well :) Then my sister brought the kids home again, and I tried to occupy them while she worked on a poster for homework. I ended up getting them really excited to take pictures with the strobe light. So I had some fun photography experimentation at the same time.

On to tonight,

I had a pretty average day at school today, so I won't bore you by sharing ;]

I got home and helped my dad work on the bikes, we cleaned them and changed brake pads. I had this while working. It had a beautiful heart on top, but then I got too excited and I took a sip and it kinda ruined it :/


Then my mom came home and picked up a salmon roast from the grocery and we made that! It was salmon fillet stuffed with spinach and feta cheese...YUM! I really liked it, and my mom made a salad with it, strawberries, cranberries and pistachios. All with mixed spring greens!!

There it is, and wow I just realized the big tub of smart balance
my dad bought is there! He loves to buy in bulk ;]

So that is all, I hope all of you had a good weekend as well :)

Scott