Trippity-Trip-Trip

Hello folks!

I've safely arrived back home from the East Coast and dodged getting struck by lightening (thanks TH!) and the earthquake.  I stayed with my dad in Alexandria, VA for the past 2 weeks and spent nearly everyday touring our nation's capitol.  TH flew in and spent 7 days with me during my time there.  The weather was less humid then average for the region, but still bad for Oregon standards!

I did all the typical touristy things you can do.  I saw the majority of the Smithsonian museums, toured the national monuments and walked and took the Metro everywhere.  I even met up with a law school classmate for lunch and was able to venture out into the "real" DC and see some culture.

Some places I visited:

• National Space and Air Museum - reminded me of OMSI
• Hirshhorn Museum - cool modern art
• National Museum of Natural History - spent 2 days in the minerals exhibit:  METEORITES!
• American History Museum:  cool pop culture things (Ruby red slippers anyone?)
• National Portrait Gallery and the American Art Gallery - meh...
• White House
• Washington Monument
• Holocaust Museum- yikes and very educational
• American Indian Museum- I only spent  few minutes there coz I was pooped
• Jewish Military Museum
• Lincoln Memorial
• WWII Memorial
• Arlington
• Mt Vernon
• Old Town Alexandria
• Library of Congress
• And a bunch of others I prob forgot to mention.

My favorite highlight included a 11 mile running loop TH and I did to see the city.  I also learned that my IT Band still hated me. 

I was unable to see to Supreme Court due to it being closed (sad face!) it was the ONE thing I REALLY wanted to see.  I did see the outside.  It was beautiful.  The capitol building was also equally impressive.  I've been to many historical sites in other countries and it was amazing to see my own nation's historical buildings and appreciate the amount of hard work and artistic details that went into every single structure. 

The Original G Dub's Pad at Mt. Vernon. (I know, by crotch offends me too)

View of the Potomac River

Us after an evening of Sangria and jazz music at the National Gallery of Art Garden

The usual.

The humidity gives me volume. (Mind my face. This was taken right after I woke up.)

It was great to spend the time with my dad and see bits and pieces of the East Coast and the South.

Some things I learned:

• People in the east coast ARE more harsh then over here in the West coast.  I don't mean that as an insult.  The attitude is just different.  Things just run at a quicker pace.  
• Cars will not stop and slow down for you at cross walks.  Thank you Corvallis and most of Portland for being so pedestrian friendly!
• Chiggers.  Stupid flea-like bugs.  I was a dumb Oregonian and walked through tall grass with shorts on.  oops.
• There are a lot of Black people in DC.  Is that legit to say?  I'm from Oregon so this was quite an eye-opener for me.  
• We really are a bunch of laid back hippies over here in the PNW.  No, really.
• People run for cover when it rains over there for a reason.  3 inches in a few hours?  Lightening? Flooded Metro system?  yikes.  It WAS fun to run through it with TH and get drenched and a bunch of weird looks.  A lot of comments like "you must be from Oregon"
• 7-11 Slurpees are a God-send.
• I really love the NW and am more thankful for the beautiful place I call home!

I can't keep track of the jobs I've applied for so far.  Someone PLEASE HIRE ME.  I swear I have a brain.  Come on, I at least have a pretty face and am somewhat decent to look at in the office.  Yes?   I will bring cookies!

I'm off to run/walk Hood to Coast again this Friday and Saturday.  I have no clue if I can even run due to my damned IT band.  Ah.  I hate not being able to run.  boooo.    At least I trained my power walking skillz over the past couple of weeks.


--Are you running H2C?

---Have you been to the Capitol?  What did you enjoy while you were there?

--What's your dream job?

--Why does no one comment anymore?  (oh right.  I don't post anymore. haha  I'z so smartz)

Best Chocolate Cupcakes EVER!

TH left to go floating the river and camping with the boys this weekend.  I wanted to bake something good without having to go to the store.  I searched the internets and came across a gluten-free chocolate cake recipe  HERE.   I used a 6 muffin tin instead of a cake pan and baked for only 25 minutes instead of 30.  I also added 1 teaspoon of instant coffee.  It's a great recipe.  Simple and tastes like real cake!   I then decided that the only reason why I like cake is for the frosting.   I had no powdered sugar nor enough butter.  I found a quick method for making frosting which I think is also referred to as boiled frosting.  IT WAS SO GOOD AND EASY.  OMG OMG.

Thank goodness I have by KitchenAid with me in Corvo.  


7 Minute Boiled Frosting:

• 2 egg whites
• 2/3 cups granulated sugar 
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tsp vanilla
  

Using the stand mixer bowl, heat the egg whites, salt and sugar over a double boiler.  Continue to mix the mixture with the whisk attachment for about 5 minutes or until the egg whites are cooked. The mixture will go from goopy to runny.



Remove from heat and place on mixer and immediately whip on high for about a minute.  Add in vanilla and continue whipping until peaks form.   THAT'S it!   How easy is that.

The frosting has the consistency of Cool Whip.  But it's so yummy.  On the plus side it's also fat free.  

P.S;  I went running today.  It was warm. I was sweaty.

My pace is finally picking up.  Still slower then half marathon pace though.  I need to do some speed work.

 

Off to watch more SHARK WEEK.

I'm Baaaaaaaack and a race report

I took the Oregon Bar exam this past week.  I don't really want to talk about it.  I had some interesting physical reactions though.  First the last 2 weeks of studying, I got a reoccurring crazy itchy rash on my upper thighs and wrists.  Second, I went from my usual "I can't stop stuffing my face with junk food" stress eating to not being hungry at all.  AT ALL.  Very un-Jayme-like. 
I officially have have the world's best boyfriend ever.  He took my on a surprise horseback riding tour and massage the day after.  Fab U Lous.
The race world has been non existent.  The Long course tri happened and I found out that they forgot to take my entry out right after bike check-in closed.  I was tempted to do the race on a  whim, but like I said... missed check-in.   I did a relay Oly tri at Hagg lake with TH and a friend.  I really felt left out and not doing the entire thing, but it was nice to be done after the swim.  I squeezed into my "new" full sleeve suit and had a 7 min PR on the swim, even though I missed a buoy and had to back track. 

Yesterday, TH and I ran in the Wildwood Trail 10K at Forest Park.  TH had registered me a week ago as I was busy studying.  I really didn't think much about the race.   We showed up and realized that I wasn't on the confirmation list.  It was a sold out race.  Anyways, the race director took our sob story and let me run anyways.  We later DID have to pay an increased race fee.  The race was a trail run that was pretty much uphill for 3.25 miles.  It was a 6.5 mi race but was listed as a 10K. Towards mile 2 my heart rate skyrocketed and I knew I had to slow down.  I gave in a walked for about half a mile.  It sucked.  A lot of people passed me.  I then decided to start running again and passed most of the people who passed me.  I was so thrilled the see the turnaround cone and flew back downhill.  It was kinda scary running so fast down hill with switchbacks and roots and rocks everywhere.  I managed to only twist my ankle once but now it's uber sore. 

I ended up getting 3rd in my age division (20-29).  I was not far behind 2nd or 1st place.  Made me kind of regret walking, but I was still happy to have done as well as I did considering I haven't ran for a really llng time.  My runs have been easy 10min/mi jogs here and there and that's about it.  I had one longer run with TH but mostly just 3 miles. 


Now all I have to do is find a job.  It's horrible to say but I've resorted to seeking non-lawyer jobs due to the lack of jobs anywhere.  It's pretty crappy that I'm even considering that option, let alone actually doing it, but Girl has loans to pay.  I swear, law school has been the biggest case of buyer's remorse. 


I don't get the Bar results back until September 22nd.  Prob, didn't pass seeing that day two left me speechless.

Ciao.