Week 5 Part 2 (18-22 May, Days 19-21)

Hello again!

I believe I left you last week complaining of the boringness of class and all the homework. Good news! The oppression of the homework has been defeated! The workload is still enough to keep us busy, but not overwhelming. I've been able to find a way to manage my time well enough to get in some pretty good workouts last Thursday and Friday. Luckily there's a functional fitness room at one of the on-post gyms, so I can play around with some more crossfit-type workouts! Since I've gotten a chance to work out I've been MUCH happier! Everything seems to be a little more managable, especially my time. I'm much more motivated to do better in both my classwork and my heathly living habits.
Perhaps the only downside is that my classmates are finding me increasingly less social. In some respects I regret that, because there's a few people in my class that I quite enjoy hanging out with, at the same time though I'm not as interested in partying all night like I'm back at Auburn. It was fun, and still is when I'm in the mood for it and out with the right people...and when its not at Rendevous... It also works against my goals. Being sleep deprived not only wastes half of my weekends (the only time I have to do anything fun) and makes me grumpier and decreases my motivation to workout.

Since I had all kinds of free time this weekend...well kind of...I got some things checked off the ole bucket list. There were two significant activities that I took a part in this weekend, Rock Climbing and Horseback riding.

Saturday 21 May
Rock Climbing was my activity for Saturday. A friend of mine from class (Garrett) and I left the apartment complex (he's also my neighbor) around 1pm and headed out to a place a few miles outside of Tombstone. I should mention that Tombstone appears to be hilarious, and I very much look forward to spending some time there enjoying the kitschy Western "Wyatt Earp" atmosphere. The real joy of the trip however, was riding with the windows down on a dirt road for nearly ten miles leading up to the rock, getting lost in a herd of Angus cattle, then stumbing upon our destination and meeting several new (and very awesome) people.
I'll first mention that my first experience climbing went very well! Vibram Five-Fingers are not meant to climb rocks, so it's worth it to have some actual rock-climbing shoes, but aside from that it was a great way for me to get out of my comfort zone with my fear of heights, and a great workout as well! My forearms were cramping and shaking all throughout church the next morning-very awkward. I unfortunately failed to make it to the top on both of my climbs (started with a 5-8, then a 5-7 aka easy climbs) I couldn't figure out how to get the rest of the way on the 5-8, and then I was exhausted (well my fingers at least) for the 5-7. No worries, there's always next time!! There's great camping (great=free) in that area, so I think next time we go, Garrett and I will get a group together and we'll all camp by the rocks!

The folks we met- 2 british guys, one of the guys that bolted the rock, and a man with his three young sons, were just a pleasure to get to know. One of the boys-the middle one I believe- said that everyone who climbs rocks together is family, even if they have just met for the first time. I think that's the best way to describe how the dynamic was while we were there. One could argue that we're all members of God's family, which is true, but how often do we act like it? I've noticed throughout my experiences with outdoor sports, be it hiking, kayaking, rappelling, and now rock climbing, that the people you meet nearly always treat you like family, or at least a family friend. It is people being good to each other at the most basic level-sharing powerade, bananas, equipment- everyone's goal there is to have a great day, and to make sure everyone they are with or meet has a great one too. It was a refreshing experience, and I'm so glad I have the sunburn and bruised up knees to remember it by until next time!

Sunday 22 May
Now for the horseback riding...its an outdoor sport right, so I should theoretically have wonderful things to say about riding at Buffalo Corral...theoretically...
Horseback Riding is unfortunately, very very unfortunately, the exception to the rule about everyone in outdoor sports being good to each other. In particular the woman who runs the stables on Post. Yet another friend of mine from class and I went riding on Sunday after church, we were assigned a couple horses- I was on Linger, she was on Red, and we started walking towards the trail...I think... Here's were the problems started (oh yes, its that kind of story-please keep in mind that I've been riding for 17 years-it makes the experience funnier)
Problem #1- Red's ears were glued in the 'I freaking hate you' position, and he refused to walk forward and leave the barn, no matter how he was cajoled otherwise.
Problem #2-The trails are unmarked, we have no guide, and I've never been out on the trails here before.
Problem #3- Red still won't move, he alternates walking with as angry an expression as he can muster and stopping and kicking at my friend's feet.
Problem #4- We still don't know where we are going
At last relief! I found Wren Arena and decided that was a good place to see if we could get my friend and Red on the same page (preferably one of friendship, but we'll take tolerance)
After successfully aquainting Red and my friend, my confidence was up that we could now enjoy our trail ride...little did I know that would never happen...
Problem #5-The gate of Wren Arena, I couldn't latch it and hold onto Linger well, and Linger took this as an opportunity to head on home...
Problem #6- I am wearing cowboy boots and trying to run across sand with patchy grass (try it sometime)
Problem #7-Linger is now trotting (much quicker than I am running) towards a road...and I know what happens when horses and cars mix-its not something I want to deal with. Ever.
Problem #8- Linger now thinks this is funny, periodically stopping on the road long enough for me to think I might finally catch him, then continues to trot away-down the middle of a road I know people haul butt on
Problem #9-my friend is slightly inexperienced/rusty and I've now left her alone with Butthead Red
Another break in the misery! My friend catches up to me and asks if I think I can catch him if I ride Red up to him-I seize the opportunity! PS I also discovered that Red can go fast
Yet another bit of good news-I successfully caught Linger! Unfortunately that's where the relief ends.
Upon reaching the stable, the woman who runs the place asked us what happened-not "Are you ok?" or "Did someone fall off?" both of which would be my questions if two strangers rode out on horses they've never met and one came back walking on her own two feet...Instead we got lectured about switching horses and how she doesn't appreciate that I came back on the SAFER horse, because she put me on Linger and I quote "because you SAID you were the more experienced rider." Correct, I said that, and its true-its not like I fell off, or put my friend on Linger, I was on Red in order to CATCH Linger so he didn't get hit by a car. I could have continued to run, but there's also the question of whether or not it would have been a good idea to leave my friend on the trail alone with Red. Did I get lectured for letting him escape? No. I got lectured for about the only thing that day that I think was handled as well as possible.
Wrapping up my little soapbox moment here, I will definately not be returning to Buffalo Corral to ride, not because of the horses, but because of the unprofessional nature of how its run. Just be prepared to deal with a crazy girl when I come back-we all know 4 months without horseback riding can't be good for me...

I'll have more good news by Thursday! And for those of you in my hometown-See you FRIDAY!!!!!

PS- Congratulations to Robert's sister and the whole family on the new addition!!