As predicted, being up at Dad's house was a very healing experience. Yes, the environment was a contributing factor. What was probably more influential was the distraction of being up there. Dad and I had a blast. He managed to keep me quite distracted from my own ailments and keep me active. Sophie "the pinball" was definitely a distraction too. When she plays with me like I'm not injured, the occasional "ouch" is definitely worth it for the feeling of normalcy.
On Saturday, we all headed up to Nederland to eat at the Nepalese/Indian restaurant up there. I love Nederland. Just take in the sign for the annual "Frozen Dead Guy Days" festival or the new menu from "Chef Ted." For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of visiting Nederland, I highly recommend it. A warning for the guys, though: you're probably going to stand out if your ponytail is less than 12 inches long. You could probably make up for it by wandering around the "Mountain Market" parking lot high out of your mind, though. I hope to be a doctor in a mtn town like Ned someday.
The major event on Sunday was Dad's purchase of a 29er! While I was healing up back east, he said, out of the blue: "I want a 29er." And so the search began. For those of you who don't know, a 29er is a mtn bike with extra large and, therefore, extra badass wheels and tires. As if it was fated, we found a boulder craigslist ad for a pimped Surly Karate Monkey, called, and got it. What an experience, though. The seller was the typical Boulderite with a garage jam-packed with 6 dirt bikes, many bicycles, a jeep, kayaks, and mountaineering gear. Of course he also has a beautiful family, works from home, and takes 5 hour rides in the middle of the day. Dad and I have ordered some parts for the Karate Monkey, so we'll be putting those on this coming weekend.
Monday is somewhat lost to me at the moment. I spent most of the day recovering from the intensity of the weekend and realizing that I felt a lot better. On Tuesday, I had another Tichy appointment and then spent the afternoon walking through different parts of Denver with Kristen. One cool story is that Tichy poked me in the chest and abdomen to "draw energy up through my scars so that they don't block my energy channels." And...and, and, and...on the way home, I felt a strange, but powerful warmth all through my abdomen. The afternoon with Kristin was a wonderful distraction and a great way to enjoy sunny weather. I've included a picture of Ester the friendly greyhound with me at Stella's coffee shop. Ester was very insistent on joining Kristin and I for our mid-afternoon drink, but we didn't mind. And today, I headed up to Boulder to spend the day with David. As always, David and I laughed the day away as we reconnected with our roots as disgusting, stupid teenage boys. Today I asked David if he was ever going to grow up. He laughed and said, "Of course not." On another note, David and I visited a couple of bike shops in Boulder, including the Sports Garage. Strangely, I had never been in there. Those of you who know me well know that I am VERY, VERY averse to bike shops and their attitude. I can say that Sports Garage is, without a doubt, the best bike shop on the planet. The guys and dogs there are incredibly nice and welcoming. The shop inside the tin can of a building is absolutely world class. There was over 100k in bikes in the small front showroom alone. After I starting talking to David about my new Serotta, the guy got super excited and took me in the back to show me his new Serotta. Super, super nice. And after he found out that I was only in there to get my bike fix due to the surgery, he went out of his way to talk bikes with me in a very nice and not condescending way. Anyway, I got to check out the new Campy Super Record for the first time, pick up some more Orbea's, and fondle some amazing Serottas.
So...the health update. I'm doing MUCH better. I made a lot of progress over the weekend. My insides feel more stable, though the occasional movement still catches me wrong. The feeling is starting to come back in my leg! Pinching the skin actually hurts now, and the sensation of wearing underwear doesn't feel like I'm rubbing myself raw anymore. The muscle pain is also subsiding. I'm beginning to feel much more normal. So, I'm going to keep on the track of being active and distracted.
And finally...the Dartmouth return update. I'll be returning back to the Hanover area on Saturday, April 4th, so that I can be back in time for the first Kaplan MCAT class that I'm teaching on April 7th. That's right folks...I'm back in the test-prep industry. I figure that it will be a good way to make some extra dough and ease into working again. To be honest, I'm VERY nervous about my return to Hanover. I have no idea what kind of research I'll be doing or when that will start. I have no idea what my living situation will be like. Katie is gone from Barry and Sarah's now, so I'll be moving into her room. And Barry has moved to North Carolina for a year, so the house dynamic will be very different now. Basically, I'm going back to start a new life, and I'm scared. The only constant things in my life will really be Teresa and my friends. They have been so rock-solid during all of this that I expect nothing else upon my return. Still, this is an opportunity for me to be there for them again. And, of course, no one can make me feel at home like Teresa. I know that no matter where I am or what I'm doing that returning back to her at night will make everything ok. She makes me feel so strong and supported and safe. I know how important it is for me to stand on my own now, but it is so nice to know that I have Teresa, my friends, and my family to fall back on...always. Thank you for everything you guys.
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