Sore Arse(s)

This is a picture from our fabulous biking vacation in Augusta, Missouri. Actually, at the time this photo was taken there had been no biking whatsoever done. We were, in fact, enjoying a very nice meal at a local brewery the night before our aforementioned fabulous biking vacation.

Let me back up and start from the beginning. Friday afternoon we took off from Iowa City for Augusta. We had, er, Scientist, rather, had made a reservation at the cutest, sweetest little bed and breakfast in Augusta. Apparently, this part of Missouri is known for its wines, and it attracts a fair number of tourists interested in combining some nice uncomplicated wine with biking. An admittedly uncommon combination, but one that works nevertheless.

Anyway, we spent our first (and only night) in Augusta enjoying some semi dry white wine and a nice meal at a local brewery. It would've been nice if one of the wineries had actually stayed open later so that we could've enjoyed sat outside, drank and relaxed, but apparently this time of year they have really funky hours and don't stay open late. We were a little disappointed at first, but it ended up working out well: the food we had at the brewery was good, the waitress was nice, and we got some awesome pictures taken of us together and of each other.

Then we made our way back to our room at the bed and breakfast and relaxed in the semi-broken jacuzzi bathtub (the bubble maker didn't make any bubbles, it just leaked water all over the floor, which in turn dripped water through the ceiling into the restaurant below). Our bed was huge (I literally had to run and jump onto it to get in it--no joke) , comfy and warm. I was out like a light.

The next morning we got up and had the most fabulous breakfast ever--Eggs Benedict. God damn, I love Eggs Benedict! Is there anything better in the world than eggs smothered in hollandaise sauce? In fact, I would venture to say that the bed itself, along with the breakfast made the insane price we paid for everything worth it--maybe that's why it's called a bed and breakfast (badoom ching!).

Then, we started out 26.8 mile ride. It was pretty chilly at first, but we warmed up a bit as time went along. By the time 4:30 rolled around we weren't really talking: not because we were mad at each other, but because both of are respective asses hurt. I didn't believe Scientist when he said we'd be sore by the end of our ride.

Saturday night we visited Scientist's sister, niece and nephew, and then made our way back to his parents place where I fought the urge to crash at 8 pm like the old woman I am. By Sunday afternoon we were back in Iowa City and our little den. What a kick ass weekend.

New Update Coming Soon

So, I've been incredibly busy, which is why I haven't posted squat in the last, um, 2 weeks. Forgive me. I'm in the middle of writing an update about an awesome bike trip Scientist and I went on a little over a week ago. For now, though, you'll all just have to wait until I finish studying for my Biostatistics test.


This is a picture of me drinking some nice wine we had at one of the local wineries.

The New Face of Thirty

Awww.....

Aren't we cute?

This picture was actually taken on Saturday, September 23rd, just hours before I turned 30.

Jesus, I'm THIRTY.

I actually ended up having a fabulous birthday. Saturday night we went to Devotay, by far the best restaurant in Iowa City (in addition to being the only Spanish restaurant) and filled up on paella, which is a rice dish with green olives, shrimp, sausage, chicken, tomatoes and a sundry of other yummy stuff in it.

After that we made our way over to a bar in the Ped Mall, Donnelly's, which has a really cool laid back atmosphere with the bestest sweet potatoe fries ever (I mention this only because I've had them before, not because I was actually able to eat any of them after stuffing myself with paella). I was afraid no one was going to show up for my birthday, but I actually had a few people turn out. My friend Ellen took this picture of Scientist and I. (There is actually another great picture of Ellen and I from that night, that I may post later.)

At about midnight I was feeling pretty good, not drunk, but just tipsy enough to be grateful I wasn't driving. After engaging in a really weird conversation with a friend of Scientist's about how great 30 is for women sexually, said friend of Scientist's bought a round of shots and I was officially almost drunk. Then we left.

I turned 30 at 12:31 am at the corner of Iowa Avenue and Linn in front Atlas, another Iowa City fixture. Upon announcing that I had just entered a new decade of life, Scientist and I started making on the street (did I mention we're disgustingly cute, and, um, drunk?), which elicted a reaction from a passerby (we actually thought he was making fun of us, but he told that, he, in fact, thought our making out was nice).

We made our way home, passed out and got up in the morning and had the best day ever. Scientist made me an Egg McMuffin (my favorite breakfast), and then we just laid around for awhile. I didn't study. I didn't worry about money. We just enjoyed each other's company.

At around 2 we went and had a mini-picnic at a local park. Later that night, we went to dinner with my mom and my aunt and uncle who live in Arizona, and I rarely see. My dinner didn't compare to the Spanish food I had the night before, but I honestly, I was getting tired of eating out and was far more interested in spending time with my family and Scientist, than anything else.

I really couldn't have asked for anything more on my birthday: I spent time with people I love, I didn't stress, I had yummy food, lots of beer and wine and generally just chilled out. It was awesome.