Mission Control

Okay, so I don't usually post about work, but I figured this was worth it. Even though I have been "front room" certified for over a year and have over 1000 hrs of console time already...this is my FIRST mission (STS123/1JA) working as the ADCO (Attitude Determination Control Officer) in the front room (or FCR- Flight Control Room). Here's a picture of me at the start of my first shift :). For details about the mission, read the emails I send :).

Cat pictures

My Aunt Alice has been asking me to post pictures of my cats and this was the perfect opportunity. I'm moving offices at work and found these in my desk drawer (I had to scan them, so the quality isn't great)

Eggs and Bacon on the day I went to pick them out (they were still too little to leave their mom

I think this was their first night at my place

Classic Eggs and Bacon...look how big Bacon's ears were!

Squinty Bacon and grouchy Eggs...3.5 years later...(see I told you all that Eggs was fat!--she's very poofy)

Rosie the Riveter

My friend Stacy is writing a book that takes place during WWII and she found this picture while doing some of her research (the US Department of War took some color shots)...I thought it was pretty cool...remind you of those posters?

PR...

So for this race they recorded our split time (the time at the 5K distance) and I beat my last 5K time by 22 seconds! So a PR for me :). Makes me feel better that I completed one of my goals for this race!

You can also see me cross the finish line (red shorts, orange bandana, ASU shirt) at the following link:

http://w3.conocophillips.com/RodeoRunResult/media.aspx?rn=2087

10K: Mission Accomplished!

We did it! Lisa and I ran in the Houston Rodeo Run 10K this morning! 6.2 miles- whew! And it was the most humid-hottest weather I have ever run in. The race didn't start until 9:45am, so it was already pretty warm by then. And there were hills!! Seriously, why plan a course that makes you run up an overpass...twice? I had to walk at some points because I was afraid my face was going to explode...my final time was 1hr 10min 4sec. So I didn't make my goal of 1hr 6 min, but I finished. I came in 203 place in my age group (no idea how many there were) and 2659/8000 runners. So it really was a decent time. I can't wait to run another one! That's a good sign, isn't it? :)

I did learn a lot about where to focus on my training (hills, heat) so good thing the weather will be getting warmer...now to find some hills....

6.2 miles later...

Busy Weekend

I had a busy weekend:

On Friday night, I had dinner at the Smythe's and Heather and the kiddos joined us (Eric had to work late- silly tax season).

This is Morris the Bear. Sarah and Katherine helped me build him a couple of years ago at Build-A-Bear and he always goes with me to visit them so he can play with his "friends"- a flamingo named Lilly and a dog named Amber :)

Katherine's favorite animal is the flamingo and I think she does a pretty good impression...

Katherine and Mikaela

Sorry Sarah, the pictures of you and I didn't come out...we'll try again next time!

Then on Saturday Lisa and I went for a run- 4.5 miles in 47ish minutes- a 10:20 pace! Whoohoo! Followed by standard weekend errands...

Later that evening, Adrienne and I went to see the musical, "The Scarlet Pimpernel". We had both recently read the book and LOVED it! It's a fantastic story, whose main character inspired Zorro...

The musical was done by The Masquerade Theater Company at Zilkha Hall and I was very impressed by both the acting and vocal talent. The score/lyrics are just incredible (I recommend the song "Madame Guillotine). The first act was outstanding. The second act, well, they really changed the ending from the book and I didn't really care for it. I would still recommend the musical, but definitely read the book. There is a lot of subtle intrigue that is difficult to capture on the stage. All in all, a good show.

On Sunday, the McFerran gals (Sara, Stacy, Stephanie, and Shelly) and Pam hosted a birthday picnic for me at Challenger Park. Yummy food and cake and picnic-perfect weather! I got to break in my fabulous bright ORANGE Crocs (thanks Mom and Dad!). You girls rock!

Birthday Picnic 2008

And then I finished it off by heading over to Lisa's for scrapbooking (although I worked on some invitations instead)

I think I need another weekend...

Birthday Surprise!

For my birthday, my friends Sara, Stacy, Stephanie, Shelly, Sandi, Sophie, and Samantha "broke into" (they have a key :) ) my apartment and decorated it with balloons and streamers and flowers and beautiful gifts. It was the best part of my day. Thanks girls! I am blessed to have you as friends and pray that God will continue to grow our friendship :)