It has been so long since I’ve written. That’s not to say I haven’t been busy. So I’ll use this post as an update and review the previous year.
Last January Vicky and I spent two weeks together in England. I had a vacation from my job in Hong Kong; she had a few days off for holiday but worked while I explored York. We rang in the new ye ar with friends in Leeds. We saw Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall, and I spent the better part of a week exploring the surrounding country side, including a day trip to the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) in Bingley.
In April, Mom, Dad, and Vicky met me in Beijing. It was a joy to explore such a vibrant and exotic locale. We returned together to Hong Kong where I entertained for a few days.
I returned to the States in time to celebrate fourth of July. Dyer is a fantastic place on the fourth. The crew and I decorated a City Lumber truck for the Dyer Station Celebration Parade. Our theme: Christmas in July.
I celebrated my 25th birthday on July 21st then Mom and I visited Auburn, AL to look for suitable housing. We visited well over fifteen before settling on a nice place near downtown Auburn and within less than a mile of my work.
Vicky arrived in early August, so we spent a few days catching up in Dyer and packing all of our belongings into the old Tahoe –- there were five bikes between the two of us.
We arrived in Auburn in the heat of summer, but it was no match to what I had experienced in Hong Kong over the previous months. It was nice to finally be settling into a routine. I was able to hire a triathlon coach and really build my time for some late season fall racing. I did well at some local races (1st at Brett Robinson Alabama Coastal) and mediocre at larger venues (5th Local Elite in Dallas).
Vicky and I are doctoral candidates at Auburn University. She is studying biochemistry and molecular biology; I am studying Agronomy and Soils. School work has been slow. My project, Sustainable Warm-Season Turfgrass Sward Compositions (working title), deals with the evaluation of biodiverse turf swards, mainly clover plus bermudagrass. Here it is the beginning of 2010, and I’ve barely gotten the project off the ground. There’s plenty waiting for me once I’ve returned back to Auburn.
Vicky and I have enjoyed nearly two weeks back home in Dyer, TN. We’ve spent time with family; we’ve gorged ourselves on holiday treats. I even stacked some sod one day – ah, the glories of manual labor. Last night Vicky and I brought in the new year Dyer-Style with our friends Justin, Allyson, Tori, Jeff, and Nathan.
As I write this, we’re about to partake in Mom’s annual New Year’s Day lunch. There will be black-eyed peas, cabbage, and hog jowl, all of which are supposed to bring good luck in the new year. I hope all who read this are well.
Happy New Year!
Jay