She just arrived at the airport today. I forgot how much fun it is to watch someone experience Belgium for the first time. We just got back from the supermarket (Delhaize for those of you who know the stores here) and everything from the chocolate aisle to the bread slicing machine was an adventure for her. Even the walk to the store was new and different. To get to the store, we walked by sheep, a farm, a soccer field, two friendly cows who came over to say hello, another soccer field and a church. I'd imagine a walk like this is anything but normal for someone who is from Florida via Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Since she had me as her escort she got the bonus privledge of walking home with mushrooms in hand. My little backpack wasn't big enough to hold all my groceries so the bread, mushrooms and drink umbrellas had to be handheld home. If i simply paid the 3 cents for a bag to carry the food, then I may not learn the lesson of never going to the store hungry. I also woudn't get to enjoy watching the look on my mom's face when I motioned to her that we are going to walk out of the store bag-less.
I just can't wait for tomorrow's race in Geel, Belgium. My mom will get to watch me race and teammie Liz Hatch will be joining in on the fun. Maybe if i go to sleep now, the race will be sooner...
15 comments:
Even going to the supermarket is a great time - when you are with your Mum!
You girls have a great time and race fast!
Are you and Liz racing together???
Pull a few 'team tactics' on thoses Belgian girls.
CT
hey chr: We are eating pasta now - spirelli with a rosemary/garlic infused olive oil sauce. coach elmo would be proud that i kept it to 5 ingredients.
Yep - Liz and i (and adeline) against the peloton.
awesome!
Christine,
As a former cyclist I had the honor to sit in the row before your mom on the plane.
I could tell your mom is very proud of you.
Good luck with all the trainings and the upcoming races!
All the best,
Jeroen
Wow. Liz in Belgium. Very cool. Good luck to all three of you. Should be a lot of fun. Can't wait for the race report!
BTW, since you are racing with Liz, does that mean we are going to have a bunch of her cyber-stalkers leaving comments on your board? Could get crowded.
Hey Christine - I know what you mean about the grocery store! I'm glad you are having a good time with your mom. Good luck for your race - hope it goes well!!
See you on Monday!
Cyber Stalker here.... I told Liz on her Blog to give you a big hug. It is really special to have your mom get to see you race. I always felt extra special when my parents would come to see me perform. When I would ride to see my parents at their farm, my dad would say, "so wheres the engine on that thing?" Or I remember telling my parents, "hey, I just bought a bicycle that cost more than my car!." Now they are pretty use to me pedalling up the pasture road and walking over their cattle guards. Everyone else would say... "you rode your bike out here!!!!
Oh yeah, give you mom a big hug. My mom is still my best friend.
...hey, kiddo...love ta see you, liz & adeline 'hatch' a good working race plan but most of all, i hope you guys just have fun racing together...after all, at like 5 euros a pop for placing, yer practically racing for peanuts, right ???...whoa, where did that come from ???...
...liz's strength of personality, power & style on the bike has drawn some seriously deranged detractors who fail to note that despite her admitted inexperience, & while she does kick ass, more importantly, she's always trying...results are great & yes, they pay the bills but it is about the effort & that's what defines the person...
...so anyway...ride hard but definitely have some fun racing together...it's gotta be cool to be riding belgian roads w/ a teammate who trains back here, in marin, where you got yer chops...
Wow, so Liz is in Belgium.. cool :)
...+1 to bgw's comments...
and now the obvious:
"Soooooo, how was the racing????????"
Yeah how'dya get on????
the suspense is...
sorry! update by tuesday. the short of it is the the weekend was a lot of fun. In one of the races liz and i took turns in breaks - it was so much fun to have a teammate in the races again. I do have some photos and details i just cant wait to share but it will have to wait because mom is in town and we had a big day in leuven today...so i am tired.
I will also respond to all specific comments tomorrow. Thanks for asking about my weekend. That means a lot to me.
bgw: loved the "racing for peanuts". I feel like i do that a lot - both versions of the word, that is.
Hi Jeroen:
I did hear about you - too funny.
GCdavid: Don't worry. I will always make room for you on my cyber-board. haha. Doubtful i will ever get that popular. I'd guess i am more of an acquired taste like Southern Comfort.
rickie
Thanks for being a cyber stalker. I do agree that there is nothing quite like family. Some of the oddest folks i have met are related to me...i'm told.
BGW: I agree on your sentiments on liz and having a teammie here. She is like me - she likes to play on the bike and have fun. And that is what she did in the race. I have a strong feeling (gossip) that i may be seeing more of her here in the future. That obviously makes me very happy.
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