BB 10K

Memorial Day Weekend in Boulder is always awesome.  It was a bit (nay, quite) rainy this time around, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the Boulder Creek Festival and Bolder Boulder. 

I've run the BB10K once before, walked it before that, and volunteered a few times.  Last year, I was in Europe and missed it...but I was definitely here this year!  I began training in March, but was rudely interrupted by a cold during finals week.  Definitely messed up my training for a full 2 weeks... completely set me back.  I still had fun, though, and beat my 75min goal.  Ryan ran it with me, and we finished in 1:08 without having to stop or slow down to a walk.  I don't have any pictures other than the copywritten ones from the photography company the race hired, so here are the really small resolution pictures: 

 You can barely see me and Ryan weaving through the crowd in this photo...I think we could have shaved a few minutes off our time if we didn't have to expend so much time and energy weaving through the crowds!  55,000 people is a lot, and it didn't help that we accidentally got registered under a walk/jog wave instead of jog/run.

French Toast Muppet Face

Hanging Lake

As promised, and quite a bit late...here are photos from our trip up to Hanging Lake in Glenwood Springs.

It is one of my favorite hikes.  The milestone at the end is breathtaking, and everything in between is just as beautiful.

The entire 1.2 mi is lined by rushing water, which sometimes spills over onto the rocky trail.

The trail is short, but pretty steep.  We ran into lots of winded tourists who were not used to the elevation gain!  You know you're almost at the top when you can finally see more than just water and trees...

After about 45 minutes, we finally got to the end: a pristine lake fed by waterfalls:

The water is a crystal blue, and the entire area is very pretty.  We spent some time at the top, and made a little friend before heading back down!

Glenwood Springs

Ryan wanted to surprise his mom for Mother's Day, so we made a quick trip up to the mountains for a few days.

The weather was beautiful!  Mt. Sopris was covered with snow.

We were greeted by the resident pups of New Castle, CO...Molly and Kesha.

First thing's first...breakfast at the Village Smithy is mandatory!  Anybody passing through I-70 on their way to Glenwood, Aspen, or surround areas must stop in Carbondale for breakfast here.  I got my favorite, the deep-fried multigrain french toast with fruit and a side of bacon.

Ryan indulged in the Chile Relleño with pork green chile and eggs.

Hiking photos will be up soon...

The End of an (Undergraduate) Era

The past two days have been filled with smiles, photographs, and celebrations.  I did not attend the University-wide commencement, but instead, the College of Engineering Recognition Ceremony and the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences Ceremony.

Me and Leah at the Engineering Recognition Ceremony

The Counties Trip Gang (minus Ryan)!

The department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences...represent!

Me with mom and dad.  :)  DEFINITELY couldn't have done it without them!

At the Aerospace ceremony, we had cake and drinks with our families and friends...it was an awkwardly-organized event, and people had nowhere to sit, and no direction as to what to do...but it was still nice to have one last huzzah with the gang.  They had a photo slideshow playing the entire time with photos from the teams, and it was fun to revisit some of the photos.

The most exciting part of the morning was when we absolutely cleaned up at the awards ceremony!!  There are 7 teams, and 8 possible awards...the ones in bold are the ones we won!

-Best Data Gathering and Analysis Methodology

-Most Complex Build

-Most Technically Innovative Project

-Best Fabrication Lead

-Best Software Lead

-Best Electronics Lead

-Best Project Manager

-Northrop Grumman Award for Best Project Overall

Really exciting to be formally acknowledged by the department and professors for our hard work.  Nothing better than bragging rights. ;)

After the ceremony, Mom, Dad, Sam, Ryan and I went to get lunch at Sakura Sushi in Longmont.  It was delicious, and we followed the lunch with a nice walk around the Baseline Reservoir Trail with Porter.  

It's been a fun few days, but I think I'm ready to get a good night's sleep and watch some movies!

Graduation is close!

6 more days until my undergraduate career is officially conferred,

5 more days until the College of Engineering graduation ceremony,

4 more days until I have no more final exams...

In an effort to spare you from the usual graduation monologue, I'm going to be honest and say I'm downright speechless.  

With a BS/MS track, it's easy to forget what graduation is supposed to be like.  I kept telling myself, friends, and family that the big day won't come until May 2010, and that May 2009 is just another spring semester.  However, as friends begin to pack their belongings to move across the country and as I have farewell lunches and dinners with those who will be getting their diplomas this time around, things are starting to hit closer to home.