Bride and Groom at Sunset

Bride and Groom at Sunset
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Heather and Alex had everyone meet them at the Vermont Brewfest to enjoy some microbrews and to take pictures with the newly weds. We took a bunch of group photos at the large Adirondak chair, but Stephanie also snapped off a couple shots of them alone at sunset. They are so perfect together, and I wish them the best!

Under the Umbrella

Under the Umbrella
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

This is a picture of Michelle and I at Heather and Alex's wedding a couple of weeks ago. After months of planning and getting everything in order, the weather decided to not fit into the plan of a lovely outdoor wedding. The bride in groom took it in stride, however, and still walked down the "aisle" to the tree house where they exchanged their vows while we hundled under umbrellas down below.

I'll admit that I did not actually hear much of what was said between the two of them, except I did hear Heather replace "I promise to stand by you through the trouble we may have" with "we WILL have." A nice touch that got a laugh out of those in attendance. The wedding was followed by a pig roast and dancing at the St. John's Club.

It was a great weekend, as I was able to go for a long bike ride with my friend Josh on Saturday AM and then head to the Vermont Brewer's Fest with the wedding party in the evening. I realize being up there again how much I really love the people and the atmosphere in general. Perhaps I'll end up in VT by the end of 2008... who knows?

First Brick Workout

I did my first brick workout today. It wasn't planned but I was feeling great and felt like pushing myself, so after my 30 mile bike ride with Katie, I ran 3.5 miles. I was tired, but I felt like my legs were underneath me and I could continue to push through the fatigue. Of course, I did not swim beforehand and didn't run the 6+ miles I am going to need to pull off on August 26th, but I think this is a good place to be 5-6 weeks out. I am planning on biking 40-50 miles this weekend up in Burlington, VT with a good friend and avid rider. The couple I lived with for 10 weeks is getting married on Friday afternoon at a public park right on Lake Champlain, and I figured I might as well bring my bike and log some good scenic miles on Saturday!

I think I am even starting to think like a triathlete now, scary!

It's A Small World After All

So, last night was Matt's DJ night at Rivergods. A new wave/ post punk night at a very chill venue in Cambridge conveniently located a few blocks from his apartment. He spun from 8-9, 10-11, and 12-12:30. I made it till just after midnight when I had to head out. A good group of my friends came out to enjoy some drinks along with the tunes and I think it was a pretty successful night.

Matt also had a good group of friends come out for it, most importantly his friend Rachel who has just moved from Albany to Boston (a transition he knows well). She arrived with the guy she is currently dating who, as chance may have it, is my ex's good friend from high school. Not Brian, but my ex from 4 years ago Mike. I tried to fight of the ghosts of ex past, but this guy kept offering up unsolicited information about Mike's business, his new girlfriend, and how they've moved in together. I tried to redirect conversation and insert some tidbits about how I am also doing well: dating a wonderful guy, about to finish graduate school, working at an amazing hospital, training for a triathlon, etc. He then started to pump me for information about Matt and I in order to report back to Mike. Yuck.

I am really glad that Mike is doing well, and has finally moved out of his parents' house. I know that I have moved on and have finally reached a place in my life where I feel truly happy, but the conversation last night through me back into a time when I was being rejected and struggling to find self-worth. Luckily I phoned Sara before walking home and going to bed, because I woke up fully refreshed and feeling quite confident that breaking things off with Mike and the rest of the decisions I've made in the last 4 years have led me down an amazing path. One that I am still excited to see where it goes!

Walden Pond Swim Route

Walden Pond Swim Route
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

We went out to Walden on Saturday and I finally swam the entire length! Here is an estimate of my route. I obviously need to work on swimming straight. The pink is the way I went out and the orange back. Notice the improvement in aiming for the correct part of the shore. I think it's much easier on the route back because there are a ton of people camped out on the beach and you have a larger visual target.

It's ~1/2 mile across, so I actually swam over a mile total (counting my detours) with one break inbetween. I felt great and even managed to run for 30 minutes after the swim. I feel much more prepared for the swim portion of the race, although now I need to focus on the run and the bike!

A Funny Side Note

Apparently the suit jacket was a wasted purchase, as the interview for MGH was the one where I had to find a different outfit when my suit was locked in the building. Perhaps my resourcefulness won them over... it certainly wasn't the stylish black button down shirt I wore.

My Year Long Placement

We received notification of our internship placements today at 4pm. I ended up getting my first choice, which is Mass General Hospital Outpatient. I'm not sure yet whether I will be in the ambulatory care center attached to the hospital or at a satellite clinic in Waltham. I think I remember the director telling me that she wouldn't send me to Waltham because I don't have a car, and I would love it if I get to be in the hospital. I am very excited about this news, although I am also nervous for a few reasons:

1. I know that this will be the most challenging of any of my placements... Vermont tends to be a laid back place, and The General (I should start using the lingo) is anything but.
2. I think I may be placed with another Jessica R in my class and she is quite competitive. Great, they will definitely be comparing us now, not that I think I wouldn't match up if we were to be compared. I just don't think that is the point of our internship year.
   
3. And this one is silly... there is no more pretending or fantasizing about the different places I might end up and how each one would present different challenges. I now know where I'll be and that kind of takes the guessing out of things for the moment. I still don't know where I'll be after this year, so perhaps I can just start fantasizing about that early :)