Vacation!!!

So I didn't get back to the gym yesterday to swim because I had work but today I managed to bust out 50 laps, which is 1,250 yards. It may not seem like a lot to actual swimmers, but considering that I never did more than 30 laps training for the triathlon, it's a lot to me. Swimming is really starting to grow on me and I'm not noticing the lingering chlorine smell even after taking a shower as much as I was before. Best of all, it doesn't seem to be bothering my knee much as long as I remember to push off with only my right knee, ha ha.

Since this is supposed to be Eric and my "vacation" this summer- we decided that today would be a touristy day once we got back to the Cape. I would say above anything else Eric and my favorite things to do involve being a tourist at new places we have never been. You'd think after spending the better part of 5 summers (minus working haha) at the Cape we'd be out of things to do, but no.

Today we took a river cruise on the Bass River. The Bass River separates the towns of Yarmouth and Dennis and leads out to the Nantucket Sound. Eric and I both love boats, but I have a tendency to get sea sick on the ocean so I decided a river cruise would be a good way to experience the boat but not get sick. Since the company we used also rents kayaks, I would say most of the younger people tend to rent kayaks (which I may have considered if it didn't look like it was going to pour at any minute). We were definitely some of the only people under 60 on the boat, but that was okay with us.

Basically the boat cruised us down the river, pointing out wildlife, houses and other areas of interest. Since we don't visit Yarmouth or Dennis too often there was definitely a lot to learn about the area. Plus, since the houses are beautiful, waterfront estates lots of famous people own or once owned them.

My first favorite house had FIVE master suites. Yup, five.

My second favorite house had NINE bathrooms. If Eric and I ever decided to quit teaching and get rich, I think our mansion would probably have nine bathrooms.

The best part about this house though (besides the nine bathrooms) was that the guy who owned it decided he did not have enough space, so he bought the house next door for an "entertainment center" and a little space even beyond that for a library. WHAT?!

The most random part of the boat ride was when we were going past a family fishing on a dock. All of a sudden I realize I know them- I taught both the son and the daughter and there they are fishing. I had the son my first year teaching and the daughter last year, they were both awesome kids but definitely invented the blank stare. I was afraid if I called out to them I would just scare the whole family and they may not be able to tell who I was out on the boat. I'll have to tell them when I see them around school next year.

After returning how we decided to continue to enjoy the cloudy, but still not rainy day. We order take out from our favorite Japanese restaurant and ate it on the porch. I got shumai (shrimp dumplings), miso soup and some rice with teriyaki sauce.

I love Japanese food because it's delicious but you don't feel disgusting and full after eating it.

Now I'm off to take it easy tonight because tomorrow is the beginning of Katie's wedding festivities, wahoo!

Race Addiction

My name is Kelly and I am becoming a race addict.

Now, in my defense, my summer job allows me a lot more time to think about random things than teaching a class of 20 kindergartners does. However, I have been nonstop plotting the next race I can do. I have also been considering what kind of bulletin board I can buy to put in my "gym" room to keep all of my numbers and other race souvenirs. During any possible break I have I had been engaging in frantic googling hoping to somehow find a race I want to do, somewhere nearby, on a weekend that does not already involve one of my friend's weddings, bachelorette parties or bridal showers. I love my friends, and I am so happy that many of them have found fabulous guys to spend the rest of their lives with but WEDDINGS ARE TAKING OVER MY LIFE!!! As a result, there are only one or two weekends where I am actually available to do a race and of course there seems to be nothing offered those weekends. Boo. I think I will end up doing at least 1 or 2 5K's- I can picture myself doing one of those and still dancing the night away...but another triathlon probably not. Of course this has not stopped me from constant googling in hopes that I will find something I have not found before.

Some 5K's I am considering:
- Dennis Chamber Labor Day 5k- September 7th
- North Suburban YMCA 5k- September 26th
- Doug Flutie 5k for Autism- October 4th

I got the okay from my physical therapist today to do a 20 minute work out that includes 5 minutes jogging/5 minutes walking and then repeat. She said to see how that feels and I can go up from there. Considering my knee heroically made it through a triathlon the other day (which I decided to NOT mention to my PT haha), I am guessing it won't mind 10 minutes of jogging. But I'll take it slow just in case. Especially because my insurance officially stops covering my physical therapy at the end of next week. I'm bummed about that in some ways because my knee JUST started to feel better so I'd like to have the option of going for a little while longer. However, I also feel like PT has somewhat taken over my life and I am looking forward to getting that 4 hours of my life per week back. Hopefully if I am really nice to my knee and keep up all the exercises and stretching, it will be nice to me back.

On a totally different note I am in a MAJOR food rut. I literally have no idea what to eat. I am sick of EVERYTHING I eat. Even my morning oatmeal that I used to look forward to so much is boring me so much!!! I really need some new ideas but it's so hard to find things that my stomach is okay with. I am really wanting to try some Japanese restaurants at home since they are usually delicious and my stomach seems okay with most Japanese food. However, I am always so intimidated by the recipes for Japanese cooking. The ingredients list is SO long and it's hard to find all the ingredients. I like quick preparations and like 6-7 ingredients, TOPS. I know, I admit it, I am more of a surivival cook than a cook who enjoys it. If anyone has any great ideas for EASY Japanese recipes, please let me know. I'd be willing to do low fat Chinese or non-spicy Thai as well. I love Asian food :) I am also wanting to try "tempeh" which I have read about on many blogs, but do not know where to get it, or what in the world to do with it. So, please help!