Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone!

I got my official notice from Bike and Build that I am accepted! My profile and link to this blog is now up on the Bike and Build website (I'm doing the Boston to Santa Barbara route).

I rode 4 miles yesterday. Not too bad. I'll probably ride again tomorrow, because tonight we're going trick or treating! This is exciting for a couple of reasons. First, I get to wear my awesome costume (which I am actually wearing most of at work right now). I'm Jem from Jem and the Holograms. If you don't know what Jem and the Holograms is, Google it. It's an 80's cartoon that I was/am in love with.

Second, while we hope to get candy also, we're actually trick or treating for donations for Bike and Build! I'm also making little cards to hand out to people with more info about B&B and the website to help raise awareness.

And finally, I went to the Habitat for Humanity meeting last night and signed up for builds this Saturday and next Saturday. This will be my first time building with Habitat, so I'm super-excited.

I think I should probably actually do some work now, since that's what I'm getting paid to do...

And I'm already slacking with updates...

So I have some updates for everyone on my quest.

First, I sent in all of the paperwork and application fee on Wednesday. I haven't heard anything yet, my bio isn't published on the Bike and Build website, and they haven't deposited my check, so I guess they haven't gotten it yet. I'll post again when everything goes through.

Second, I got my bike! I went to pick it up on Wednesday, but they offered to assemble it for me, so I ended up getting it on Thursday. It was dark by the time I got home, and it rained all day Friday, so the first time I got to ride it was yesterday. It seems like a nice bike. For those of you who know Gainesville, I rode from my apartment, down the road by Little Hall and Century Tower, cut down by the Reitz Union, came back up North-South (which I refuse to call Gale Lemerand) and then heading back down Stadium, across Turlington, and back down that road by Little Hall. For those of you who don't know Gainesville, that's about a 2 mile ride. I could have done more, but it started raining about halfway through, so I just came home.

I need a new seat and/or seat cover. I thought it didn't bother me, but my butt is sore today. Surprisingly, my quads are not sore at all (I definitely felt them on the ride up the hill on North-South, though). I plan to ride again today, maybe the same route, but extend it somewhere on campus. Campus seems like a safe ride on the weekends because there are so few people and cars.

Well, I'm off to meet the girls at Leo's to discuss fundraising and whatnot.

I'll try to keep the updates more frequent and shorter.

Also, totally unrelated note (but it makes me very excited)-I made this awesome Curry Tempeh and Rice, and it was really easy. If anyone wants the recipe, just ask!

Today's update

So I have finished the application. My essays suck. Why do I always have such a difficult time writing about myself? Anyway, once I get a couple of people to proof the essays (Thanks Tommy! And any volunteers, by the way?), I'll send everything in. Trips seem like they're filling up fast, so I had better get a move on it.

That's all. Obviously no bike yet. I'll probably start brainstorming fundraising sometime soon. If you have any ideas, let me know.

I already have news...

I have officially started the application process. I filled out a brief online application, and now am in the process of deciding on a picture to go with it and writing a bio about myself. I also need to start writing a few essays to go along with it and mail in my deposit. So, I haven't actually been accepted yet.

But I bought a new bike! It's a $150 Wal-Mart women's road bike. It will be enough to get started on until Bike and Build gives me a better one (which they do, and that's awesome). The bike should be here in a week and half or so (I had to order it online), and then I can start riding.

Now I'm off to finish work, go to Crisis Center training, and nurse an oncoming migraine.

More bike news soon!

The beginning...

So, just a few days ago, my friend Lisa invited me to a Facebook group called "Bike and Build 2008." Lisa had decided to bike cross-country with an organization called Bike and Build to help raise awareness of the problems with affordable housing in the US. The group would build houses along the way and do presentations to communities.

Some of you know that I enjoy getting involved in charitable events and taking on a challenge. Bike and Build sounds like a great way to do this, so I've decided to sign up. Problem is, I literally have not been on a bike in 2+ years, and the bike I had is kind of dead from rust and plants growing into it.

But, I've never let a challenge like this stop me before, and I'm certainly not going to now. Shannon pushed me to swim even though I never had before, I am got my lifeguard certification. I pushed myself to raise $1000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention this past summer, and then go walk 20 miles overnight in NYC as the reward. Because Lisa (and hopefully our friend Nikki) will be doing this as well, I'll have people to train with, fundraise with, and stay motivated with. We will each raise $4000 and train to ride up to (and a little over sometimes) 100 miles in a day.

So this is my call to my friends and family to read this blog and hold me accountable. If I haven't posted anything about fundraising or training in awhile, call me out on it. I want to do this, and I need as much support as possible to make it happen.

Look for more posts soon as everything starts...