Memorial Day Antics

I think this is the second Memorial Day where we didn’t have any plans, but that is a very good thing. Most of this weekend had been about relaxing, exercising, and catching up on a little cleaning  

Roboy-mantis

Ro and I went to ninja class on Saturday and then spent Saturday afternoon watching part of Aquaman at Sharon’s. Ro got a kick out of meeting Al because I let him as Al every question he had under the sun such as debating the purpose of rods and cones in human sight. They also got excited looking up stuff and printing out information. 

B and I have been trying to exercise more. B is still doing his long rides out into the hills. I’ve picked up on doing karate exercises on youtube. I didn’t realize that my Garmin wasn’t taking into account any extra exercises that I did out of my recorded running and biking exercises. I’ve stopped recording my ebike rides because it doesn’t seem accurate unless I record it as “other” for our long rides to Old Town Clovis. I usually like using my Garmin to let me know when it was safe based on my body metrics to exercise without straining muscles. I recorded a few cardio exercises to see how it would affect my recommended rest times. One allowed me to rest for 12 hours and so I thought I would be safe doing another one to hold over and be able to run the next morning, but I ended up having a 41 hour recommended rest time. Oops. 

I’m still really enjoying the ebike. I did get my first flat tire, which is amazing for riding it for over 800 miles. I think I ran over a couple of staples awhile ago and they finally punctured through.  Last Saturday was the first day we had to take the car to ninja class because we needed to get more tubes and flat repair supplies.  Ro was upset and I was a little sad because I think our biking days are numbered before it gets too hot to ride around noon. 

Work had continued to be stressful. I had signed up to start counseling again at the beginning of May and it turned out to be just in time. My boss may be a fun person to hang out with outside of work, but she is a terrible supervisor otherwise who needs to retire asap, but her family situation at home is less desirable than going to work and taking everything out on her subordinates.  I finally reconnected with my old professors and applied for a position with a state agency. I know I said never, but I gave up and the job description really lit me up since it involved habitat restoration, and that’s pretty much what my specialized studies were in school.

I was pretty sure one of the professors who I asked for a reference hated me for the longest time.  I had taken at least five classes with him and had an idea of his personality.  He actually graded one on my papers as 100% because he “couldn’t find anything wrong.”  I actually chose to not work with this professor or ask him to participate in my thesis committee because I felt like I had to make my project ideas seem like his before he would let me execute the project.  I probably could have finished my masters in only 2-3 years if I had this professor as my advisor.  Then a few years ago, we happened to run into him at Art Hop in downtown Fresno, and he seemed so happy to see us there and meet Brandon and Ro.  So, I thought it would be safe to ask him for a reference a few weeks ago.  He replied with, “Sure, but I don’t think I’ll be a good reference because you didn’t work in my lab.”  I replied with, “I get it, but...” and listed all of my projects I did in his classes.  He then replied with, “Good play!” and agreed to definitely be a reference with no further hesitations.  I was pretty relieved because I’m not sure how else I would have been able to qualify for any scientific position. 

In other news, we finally planned out our summer vacation!  I wanted to take Ro to Mom’s in WA as well as spend a couple weeks hanging out where it’s cooler temperature-wise.  Ro’s Grandma Wanda’s 60th birthday is on the 4th of July, and so we wouldn’t be able to leave until after then.  B and I figured out that the first couple weeks of July after her birthday would be a good chance to go, drop Ro off, and then figure out another time to pick him up before school started. So, after we got the days off, I told Mom and she said she already had another friend staying with them during that window.  I was pretty upset at first. Luckily, we just talked over text so I didn’t have a chance to take out my grief and anger on her.  After having space, B and I decided that we would just slowly make our way up north with Ro camping or renting rooms on the way and air mattress two days at Mom’s before leaving Ro there for three weeks.  We finalized our lodging plans yesterday, and I’m super excited about it.  We’re even going to rent a much larger car and take the bikes up with us, too!

I hope things are going well and that you’re able to make your own vacation plans.  I miss you and love you.