Bitches, Please!

These are my bitches...


And the reason that I love them...


We'll reunite in Dallas this weekend for a wedding...
and hopefully, more of the behavior pictured here.

Cheers!

A New View

It has been a rough day today!

Students and coaches have been acting squirrely, and I've had to deal with it. Failing grades are coming in, students not attending classes are being discovered, poor study habits and poor decisions are starting to bite students in the but! A cornucopia of problems.

A bit overwhelming...

On days like today, I need to try to think of something positive!

I cannot let myself dwell on the fact that I have my own problems and deadlines to deal with. I have a huge paper due in just 5 weeks! I have an entire room full of dirty clothes that need to be washed, I have plenty of friends and a handsome boyfriend that I would much rather be spending time with right now! I can't worry about those things.

Something positive...and today this is what I came up with:


In a few months (okay close to a year), my new office will be located here! It will be all new. I will have a new desk, and new walls, I'll have a new kitchen area, and a new walk from my car. I'll have a few new students, and I'm guessing a couple of new co-workers. Hopefully I'll have a new window with a new view.

Until then, I have to adjust my perspective from my current view...and keep at it. I have to keep doing my job. Keep cheering, keep encouraging, keep leading, keep on it.

I have to make my current view...newer.

I'm guessing that a margarita can help with that!

Cati & John Winkel

December 1, 2006

Rosedale Ride 2007

Saturday was my longest (and my first) organized ride!

I chose the 45 mile version so that I could look tough.

Really, that was the only reason. I'm an athlete, right? I can take it, right? I'm supposed to be ready to ride from Houston to Austin in a few weeks. I should be able to handle 45, right?

Maybe not.

I had only ridden a maximum of 30 miles before this - once!

Everything started off just fine. I felt strong, and I could tell that I wouldn't be last (like I always am when I run). Until I got to mile 25, I thought to myself, "this bike thing is easy!" Shortly thereafter, the wind picked up...and, long story short, I began making deals with God to get me through the last 20 miles. I'm not quite sure how I managed, but I counted those last miles off one by one. When I made it to the end, I almost dropped to the pavement.

Fortunately, I managed to regroup well enough to have a few cold beers with my friends who rode the 65 mile version. I put my game face on and didn't really talk about how much harder it was than I was expecting. I enjoyed the Tex-Mex and the stories...

Hopefully at my next ride, I won't let my ego get me into something I'm not ready for...and hopefully the same friends and cold beers will be waiting for me across the finish line.

Photos from the ride and post-ride at Vivo's. Enjoy!

A Balancing Act

There is no doubt that it is a busy time of year.

The weeks after Spring Break are notorious for flying by and dragging on at the exact same time...it is a phenomenon that noone quite understands.

I am rushing to finish my thesis before the semester flys by, but the days drag on as I wait for my students to finish their semesters (the same semester that I'm working on!).

Is that possible?!

I have a lot of work to do this weekend. Even so, there is no way I can feel good about my life if I don't balance my work with some fun!

This is my plan:

Work
Laundry
Getting Rid of Clutter
Thesis: Revisions - Lit Review; Data Entry
Helping Gareth Move

Fun
Rosedale Ride
Capitol 10K
NCAA Basketball w/Lindsey
Champagne & Tequila

A Rough Time

I went camping this Saturday night with Gareth and a few of his friends.

I was reminded that we weren't really roughing it,
...but all the same, I was proud of my effort!

I helped set up our tent...

...by the water.

I took my mountain bike for it's inaugural spin on a real trail!

I enjoyed great company...

...and time by myself.

It's War!

My Enemy: 8-page Lit Review

Tonight, I will be victorious!! Even if it's really ugly, I will conquer it! Pizza is on it's way and I'm about to pour myself a drink.

I didn't say it had to be boring. It just has to get done.

Why I love Austin: Reason 1

Last week in Austin: 70 degrees, sunny, bike rides and swimming

Last week in Omaha...

Omaha Blizzard '07

I received this email from my Mom this morning...

Subject: Snow Day

We have our first official blizzard since January of 1998! At this time we have a foot of snow on the ground and possible 3-4 more inches on the way. We can barely see the mailbox it's snowing and blowing so bad...I doubt if we have school tomorrow even because they're calling for more snow tonight.

Sure, I am jealous of the snow day(s), but...

I am very happy to have the flip-flop, t-shirt and shorts, "I want a snow cone", warm weather of Austin, Texas this time of year!!