Back to life, back to reality...

Back to work, and real life. I just about went CRAZY getting to work on Friday, took just under two hours and I was hot and sweaty and miserable. I never really recovered and was in a bad mood all day. Basically sprinted out the door at 3:15.

But... my last week or so at home was awesome!

My mom's birthday party was really fun. My Aunt did a great job planning and cooking. She also bought the most beautiful cake from a local bakery, fancier than a wedding cake, and there were peanut m and m's everywhere, so of course I was thrilled. And, my friend Amy, who was in Nice with us this summer came, and that was really fun! It was the only time I saw some of my family. Time just seems too short!

The next day we had a BBQ at my brother's house, he does the best chicken! My dad came over too, which was nice. He seemed to enjoy himself. Gavin was hilarious, using scissors to "mow" the lawn. It was really relaxing and fun.

I went and visited the Lam Family after, which was AMAZING! I miss them so much and only was able to see them twice this time home. I was just going to stay for a little bit and then head out to the beach, but I couldn't leave and ended up going out to dinner with them and then driving to the beach much later than anticipated, but it was so great to see them!

We had a great time at the beach, it was totally relaxing and I love all the time I can spend just hanging out and relaxing. The drive over was a bit scary, the road was so dark and windy and I was pretty convince that a deer was going to jump out at any given second. It felt a little like a video game till I realized, wait this is real... As always, the beach was one of the best parts of my trip home, beach time, McMenamins, Cannon Beach (and the best pizza ever), walks to Pacific Way Cafe, runs on the beach, hanging out at the house just relaxing, it was just great! I had to say my goodbyes, Ella always says something that just breaks, my heart, as I was leaving this time, she just gave me a hug and said, it's just so sad when you have to leave, there's never enough time to do everything. She's so right!

I drove to Marisa's and she arranged it so that we could drive down to Troy's wedding in Sisters together, which was AWESOME! We had lots of time to talk about everything and I don't feel like we always have that, so it was perfect and the drive flew by. We settled into the hotel, opened a bottle of wine and relaxed until it was time to go and see everyone else at this place in Sisters. It was so great to see Troy, his family, friends from high school and college and just have tons of fun! The night ended with me flagging down a police officer and asking for a ride home. Unfortunately he didn't think my idea of turning on the sirens to scare Marisa was such a good idea, but he did stop and pick her up too, so we didn't have to walk home. The wedding the next day was absolutely perfect. The house it was at could have been, and actually I think was, written up in Architcectural Digest, or some other magazine. It looked like a movie, set, so beautiful, amazing views, gorgeous decorations, and many of the things weren't just there for the wedding, but were part of the house all the time. Jill looked amazing and everything seemed perfect. It was an amazing wedding and super fun to see everyone.

We had to get up early and drive to Portland so I could catch my flight back to Vienna, which I barely made. Bridgepedal, this great Portland biking event... just about made me crazy! I did make it, but it was pretty stressful and close, I barely made the 60 minute checked baggage rule... but I did make it, so that was good!

Being back in Vienna has actually been great. Seeing Steve was great, I really missed him and am realizing being gone for 3 or 4 weeks is just too long. It's hard because I want to be home longer, but don't want to be away for that long. As usual, the life abroad, wanting things that you just can't have... Work is work. I had to go back right away and time is just flying by. I have a zillion things to do and am having a bit of trouble organizing it all and my time. I have also decided that I want a more "active lifestyle" and not do any race specific training, so Steph and I walked to Kahlenberg (up this long hill) yesterday and a few of us are going on a bike ride to lunch and back this afternoon. Steph said we were turning into "nerds" and I said, no, we're just turning into Austrians...