Music'ing my life

Music is great. Lots of songs oftentimes say it all, just shouting and crying it out.
If anybody would like to share their top 10 songs with me, I'd be happy!

Surf

In 2 weeks I will head to Oahu for a visit. I feel like coming back HOME! I have been thinking about surfing a lot recently. Within the first weeks after I had arrived on Oahu, a friend, Kurt, gave me a board, took me to Waikiki and told me to paddle around for now. I did not understand what he said and took off. It took me one try to stand up. I surfed wave after wave for about 15 minutes. I did not know how to take it from there so I paddled back in. I think being a gymnast makes it easy to learn surfing. Thereafter I surfed every morning for sunrise. I did so for about a year or so, then sold my boards, because triathlon took over. I think the biggest I have ever surfed was 5-6 foot Hawaiian measures. This picture was taken on Xmas Day 2008. Some friends were heading out for a morning MTB ride up St Louis with T1 to surfing and T2 for a drink at Hilton on the beach. Paradise!
The plans for my trip: Get a surf in!!

An Expert Needs To Know His/Her Field

One of the classes that I am attending is Anatomy of the human body. You might not have anticipated, but I have been a head rubbing expert for about 2 years now. If I ever happen to head rub again, I won't just "head rub". I will make sure to take care of the most favorite area, the nuchal lines; four curved lines on the external surface of the occipital bone: The highest is the nuchal line where the galea aponeurotica is attached.
Below the highest nuchal line is the superior nuchal line. To it is attached the Sternocleidomastoid muscle, Occipitalis muscle, and Splenius capitis muscle, and the trapezius muscle.
From the external occipital protuberance a ridge or crest, the median nuchal line, descends to the foramen magnum, and affords attachment to the ligamentum nuchæ.
Running from the middle of this line is the inferior nuchal line. Attached are the Obliquus capitis superior muscle, Rectus capitis posterior major muscle, and Rectus capitis posterior minor muscle.

NO WONDER IT FEELS SO GOOD TO GET RUBBED THERE.

MY new Car

I bought a car. It was a fantastic deal and I love it, except the steering.. Since all Aussis seem to name their bikes just as their name pets, I decided I put on a competition for naming my car. You will win something if your name suggestions is selected! So email me or comment here to submit your ideas!

Brissy

I am finally a bit settled in here in Brissy. This is the house I live in, together with Rod Cedaro and his family. Check out his site at crocsquad.com. Soon the pool will be finished as well as the gym. Also, Rod will make his own performance lab in the house, with trainer, treatmill and lactate measurements. A private Training School; that’s how it will feel like for me. I just have to head out the door and I am in the greens of the nicest hills in the area, Mt Cootha. It is nicest at Sunrise as you can see to the right. Looks like Tantalus, doesn’t it?

Brisbane

Things are slightly crazy, I am exhausted and frustrated with some things. Internet is sooo behind, even phone services. it's 80 cents per minutes to call people. there is only broadband and skype works only crappy. I am homesick. The suburb and apartment I am staying is nice though and it is dark enough to see the stars. And it is warm enough to be in T-shirt. I miss Hawaii a lot. I already talked to my professor about what the deal is with me leaving for several days (weeks) a year for “racing and training overseas”. The prof’s answer was, “we absolutely support that, as it is IN OUR POLICY”.. - Coool! I am not even unpacking my bags (which finally arrived after 2 days)!! I have to make sure I sign up for the Honolulu Turkey Trot, the Mango 5k Madness and all others (;
I will be back in Hawaii for 2 weeks in September/ October and then for 2-3 months over December/Jan. For this longer stay I am looking for a house sitting opportunity. If you know somebody who knows someone who knows something, let me know.

Dinner for One

Although I did not feel like driving to Honolulu, I had a few reasons to go.
First reason: Track workout. I made an “appointment” to meet with my buddy Jimmy, an awesome runner. I just started again to do interval runs, and having somebody fast on the track helps. Jimmy told me at the end, ”you looked strong; you looked like you had not done any track in a while.” Funny. I actually felt bad- heavy and sluggish and slow. My legs did not wanna go as fast I wanted them to. The first 400’s are ok, but then my feet just would need to keep the speed. It will come back soon, I am sure.
Second reason: (see picture) I have not seen the sunset at Kaimana for a while. So I went down to the beach for my after track-workout shower. Taking a shower at Kaimana beach at Sunset is always something special. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a concert was happening at the Aquarium. Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole, an Hawaiian female singer, who won several Hoku awards was performing. It was stunning. I listened for a while, but then had to leave because of the third reason I went to town.
The third reason was that I had a $20 certificate from Kincaid’s restaurant. The restaurant won several awards for years. Never been there. No one I know had time to go, so I went on my own. It is weird going for dinner by myself, because usually I face always the same question: ARE YOU VISITING? No, I live here. OH! SO YOU ARE AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I SUPPOSE? No I work here. OOHH, OK. WOULD YOU LIKE TO WAIT WITH YOU ORDER UNTIL YOUR COMPANY IS HERE? No, I am by myself and I would like to start with some water please. Thank you. OHHH SURE –NO PROBLEM I WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU!
Then I waited for 15’ to get bread and water. Despite waiting, the food came almost cold. They gave me free desert because I had to wait so long. Figure, I ordered my bread without butter on top and my fish without fried crust. High caloric desert REALLY makes up for it. The only thing that was nice was a band playing in the other room and the view to the harbor. The seat opposite of me was VERY empty and I missed the person who usually would come with me. And actually, the best dinner I have ever had was in Kailuana. It was oven baked Ahi, sweet potatoes and brokkoli. So simple, so stunning, so good. Very special.