Saturday, 6 June 2009
Jimmy's
I volunteered at Jimmy's again on Wednesday night. It was a really easy night because we had four helpers! We served sandwiches, soup, chicken curry, and strawberry cheesecake. I helped clean up afterwords and then was able to leave early to go make an appearance at my friend's going away party. I'm really enjoying volunteering. The people who are staying there are always very thankful and polite. It's nice to be able to give back.
Edinburgh Marathon
Last weekend I went to Edinburgh to run in a marathon and visit a friend from USNA who is studying there, Mallory. Several people from my ESD course planned the trip so we could compete in the Harry Haggis Relay. We put together two teams of four each. We would split the marathon between us. However, the legs of the marathon were different distances and I got picked to run one of the longer ones - 8 miles.
The travel up was a long car ride. We decided to make a day of it and stopped in Durham where there is a cathedral for lunch and then stopped at the border of England and Scotland.
When we reached Edinburgh it was beautiful! Mallory said I was so lucky - it was the best weather she had seen. It was so nice that we decided to get some food at the grocery store and have a picnic dinner in the meadows - a big grass field where all the students hang out.
The next day was the marathon. I met up with my team mates at the hostel where they were staying at, picked up one of the green shirts we had made for the group, and headed towards the race course. We watched Emily and Jude start and then headed towards our buses to be talking to our legs of the race (I was running the third leg). It was only suppose to take 45 minutes to get there, but our bus went to he wrong place so it ended up taking an hour and a half. By the time we got there, we knew our second runner would be coming soon. I barely had time to stretch before Uven showed up. It was fun starting at mile 13 because at that point I was passing everyone which felt good. The run was beautiful! We ran out along the water and my leg reached the race's furthest point away from town. At about mile 17 the race changed into a dirt road and we went on to someone's private farm. No spectators were allowed so it became very quiet and serene. At mile 18 there was a beautiful private castle set back into the trees - I felt very lucky to have gotten to run this leg of the race - none of my classmates got to see it. At mile 19, we left the farm and were back on the pavement. I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes, which is just over a 9 minute mile which was my goal. I thought it was pretty good for not training. I handed off to Phillipe who proceeded to run the last 5 miles at a 7 minute mile pace which allowed our team to finish in 3:48!
After the race, I caught up with Mallory and we had ice cream in the meadows. I then met up with the people from my program for dinner. We had Mexican food and then fried Mars bars for dessert (apparently they are really popular in Scotland). We then did a pub crawl until late into the night.
The next day I was leaving at 2pm so Mallory decided to show me around a bit before I left. We hiked up to Arthur's seat. It's one of the highest points in the city. I was really sore, but I made it. We sat up there for awhile and just took in the view and then hiked down and walked up the Royal Mile to the Elephant Cafe for lunch. The cafe is the birthplace of Harry Potter! It's where JK Rowling wrote the first novel and you can see why! The back wall of the cafe is glass and it overlooks the castle. I tried to get Haggis for lunch but they were all out, but I did have a can of Irn Bru (a pop that tastes like orange and bubble gum). It's very popular in Scotland!
Mallory and I had just enough time to make my train before I left. A quick goodbye and we were off.
The travel up was a long car ride. We decided to make a day of it and stopped in Durham where there is a cathedral for lunch and then stopped at the border of England and Scotland.
When we reached Edinburgh it was beautiful! Mallory said I was so lucky - it was the best weather she had seen. It was so nice that we decided to get some food at the grocery store and have a picnic dinner in the meadows - a big grass field where all the students hang out.
The next day was the marathon. I met up with my team mates at the hostel where they were staying at, picked up one of the green shirts we had made for the group, and headed towards the race course. We watched Emily and Jude start and then headed towards our buses to be talking to our legs of the race (I was running the third leg). It was only suppose to take 45 minutes to get there, but our bus went to he wrong place so it ended up taking an hour and a half. By the time we got there, we knew our second runner would be coming soon. I barely had time to stretch before Uven showed up. It was fun starting at mile 13 because at that point I was passing everyone which felt good. The run was beautiful! We ran out along the water and my leg reached the race's furthest point away from town. At about mile 17 the race changed into a dirt road and we went on to someone's private farm. No spectators were allowed so it became very quiet and serene. At mile 18 there was a beautiful private castle set back into the trees - I felt very lucky to have gotten to run this leg of the race - none of my classmates got to see it. At mile 19, we left the farm and were back on the pavement. I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes, which is just over a 9 minute mile which was my goal. I thought it was pretty good for not training. I handed off to Phillipe who proceeded to run the last 5 miles at a 7 minute mile pace which allowed our team to finish in 3:48!
After the race, I caught up with Mallory and we had ice cream in the meadows. I then met up with the people from my program for dinner. We had Mexican food and then fried Mars bars for dessert (apparently they are really popular in Scotland). We then did a pub crawl until late into the night.
The next day I was leaving at 2pm so Mallory decided to show me around a bit before I left. We hiked up to Arthur's seat. It's one of the highest points in the city. I was really sore, but I made it. We sat up there for awhile and just took in the view and then hiked down and walked up the Royal Mile to the Elephant Cafe for lunch. The cafe is the birthplace of Harry Potter! It's where JK Rowling wrote the first novel and you can see why! The back wall of the cafe is glass and it overlooks the castle. I tried to get Haggis for lunch but they were all out, but I did have a can of Irn Bru (a pop that tastes like orange and bubble gum). It's very popular in Scotland!
Mallory and I had just enough time to make my train before I left. A quick goodbye and we were off.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Football
Today we played Kettering in Cambridge. We won 2-1! We have two games left before the season is over. One is Thursday night and the last one is next Sunday.
Jimmy's
I volunteered at Jimmy's again last night. Everything went very smoothly. We served sandwiches, salads, and a desert with custard. Afterward, we cleaned up and were done by 9:30pm.
Friday, 15 May 2009
Rotary Club of Littleport
Last night I spoke at the Rotary Club of Littleport. They meet in a restaurant which closes every Thursday just for their meeting. The chef used to cook for the Queen and you can tell because the food was great!
I had a great time catching up with several Rotarians whom I'd met before. My speech went well and they seemed to enjoy it, asking lots of questions afterward. One of the club members wrote me today saying, "Thank you so much for you visit to us old fogies of Littleport. Your presentation was excellent. Your success and enjoyment brought back the pleasure I had during my school and student days. We all wish you very much success in your future career and am sure you will squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of it possible. Please give your parents our thanks for "lending" you to us . . they must really miss you."
I had a great time catching up with several Rotarians whom I'd met before. My speech went well and they seemed to enjoy it, asking lots of questions afterward. One of the club members wrote me today saying, "Thank you so much for you visit to us old fogies of Littleport. Your presentation was excellent. Your success and enjoyment brought back the pleasure I had during my school and student days. We all wish you very much success in your future career and am sure you will squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of it possible. Please give your parents our thanks for "lending" you to us . . they must really miss you."
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
Rotary Club of Ipswich Orwell
This afternoon I spoke at a lunchtime meeting of the Rotary Club of Ipswich Orwell. The club meets at a very beautiful location right on the marina! It was the first time I gave my presentation without a Powerpoint, but all went well!
One of the club members said, "Thank you very much for giving an outstanding account of your life and career to date. From my point of view you were also a very positive ambassador for the USA - a reputation that has been a bit jaded over the past few years. Good luck for the future - Admiral Ortman has a certain ring to it!"
My next presentation will be on May 14th to the Rotary Club of Littleport. I may have to wear my whites (uniform), but we'll see.
One of the club members said, "Thank you very much for giving an outstanding account of your life and career to date. From my point of view you were also a very positive ambassador for the USA - a reputation that has been a bit jaded over the past few years. Good luck for the future - Admiral Ortman has a certain ring to it!"
My next presentation will be on May 14th to the Rotary Club of Littleport. I may have to wear my whites (uniform), but we'll see.
Friday, 1 May 2009
Paris
I just got back from spending five wonderful days in Paris. I stayed with an Air Force girl (Heather) I recently met on my Eastern Europe trip. Her place was just a five minute walk from the Eiffel Tower!
I was able to visit the Louvre where I saw the Mona Lisa. I was surprised to find its not that big.
I walked from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Elysees past the Louvre all the way to Notre Dame.
The next day, I visited Notre Dame and climbed the towers. I was able to have a view over the whole city.
I stupidly went to the Paris Catacombs by myself. It was cool, but pretty scary!
Since I'd already seen the city from Notre Dame, I went up the Eiffel Tower at night. It was beautiful! There is a reason they call it "The City of Light."
I took a day trip to Versailles. Where I toured the palace and the beautiful gardens.
I also visited Montmartre and Sacre-Ceur basilica. Since it's near there, I walked by Moulin Rouge.
While I was in Paris, Heather took me to a wonderful creperie (Ty Breiz) for dinner.
On the last day, I visited the Musee d'Orsay and saw original Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh's.
I was able to visit the Louvre where I saw the Mona Lisa. I was surprised to find its not that big.
I walked from the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Elysees past the Louvre all the way to Notre Dame.
The next day, I visited Notre Dame and climbed the towers. I was able to have a view over the whole city.
I stupidly went to the Paris Catacombs by myself. It was cool, but pretty scary!
Since I'd already seen the city from Notre Dame, I went up the Eiffel Tower at night. It was beautiful! There is a reason they call it "The City of Light."
I took a day trip to Versailles. Where I toured the palace and the beautiful gardens.
I also visited Montmartre and Sacre-Ceur basilica. Since it's near there, I walked by Moulin Rouge.
While I was in Paris, Heather took me to a wonderful creperie (Ty Breiz) for dinner.
On the last day, I visited the Musee d'Orsay and saw original Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh's.
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