Knee Deep into Week 3

I am almost through my 3rd week at my internship, which even now that I am seeing it typed doesn't seem possible. I guess it's because my first 2 weeks were spend mainly in orientation, and I don't know if that time has really prepared me for the internship like they had hoped. I'm someone who would have been better off spending the past 2 weeks getting used to my physical therapy clinic and not shared my thoughts on what the word culture means or what the MGH culture entails. A few things were definitely worth the time spend, especially observing a clinical specialist do a functionally based examination. Having someone with 25 years experience talk through her thought process while performing an exam was probably invaluable, although it definitely scared me to realize how far I was from her level.

I am also still trying to adjust to working full time. I have to admit that I don't like some of the life changes that have already occurred. I am struggling to find time to see Matt as we now appear to have opposite work schedules and I have spent more time in a car daily than on a bike. I guess with every big life change you have to reprioritize and figure out how to fit in all the important things.

I guess the good news is that I believe I have figured out how to get into work without buying a car. One of the PT aides lives down the street from me and has a very similar schedule. Between her and my roommate, I should be all set. Of course I have a couple of backups as well, because I wouldn't be me if I didn't always have a plan for most situations.

Geishas of 350 Allston

Geishas of 350 Allston
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

I was thankfully not that only girl that dressed up. Check out my fellow geishas... they definitely had the fancier fans, which were a blessing on such an abnormally hot September evening. Most of the guests ended up on the porch as the apartment was unbearable - especially in full costume!

A Ninja and his Geisha

A Ninja and his Geisha
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

Matt and Rob decided to have another theme party this past weekend. As usually, Matt and I went above the normal party-goer. I figure if you are going to dress up, you might as well make it worth the effort. The funny thing is that this really did not take me that much time. I feel some of the other girls spent more time picking out their non-ninja attire.

I have no idea what the theme will be for the next one, but I guarantee that Matt and I will go all out again!

Offically a Triathlete!

CCTri 2007 - bike
Originally uploaded by jessriggs.

So, I completed my first triathlon a couple of weeks ago. There were 584 participants at the Cranberry Country Tri this year, and my results are below. Anna did not end up doing the race with me as planned because she had to get stitches in her big toe the night before after stepping on a piece of sharp metal.

My mom and I had to leave at 5:30am in order to make it down there in time to register and set up my stuff for the transitions. I ended up having some time to relax before the start of the race, which allowed me time to survey the entire scene and check out some of the course.

I was in the Athena group, which was women who weighted over 150 lbs. We were in the last heat, so it was easy to find my bike out of the water (not many left at that point). I got a little lost on the swim, and had to stop twice to make sure I was on course. My goggles fogged up and I could not see at all on the loop back as the sun was rising and I only saw white blurs.

I felt great on the bike where I started passing people and gaining speed. I thought the run was pretty slow, but apparently I was 346 out of 584 for that portion... I guess everyone else was slower! For the bike I was 423/584, and on the swim I was 528/584. That still allowed me to place 424 overall in just over 3 hours.

424 639 JESSICA RIGGS SOMERVILLE MA 3:03:40 9/16 ATHENA 528 34:34 3:53 423 1:22:54 2:34 346 59:46

All in all I am please with how my first tri went. I think I definitely need to improve my swim and transitions! Not sure when I'll be doing another one, but hopefully it'll be soon.

Day 1 & 2

I realize that I haven't posted since finding out my Waltham placement (still a sore subject) and it makes it seem like nothing has happened since early August. This is not the case. Since that time, I have completed an Olympic distance triathlon (my first ever!), changed roommates, had a lovely visit from my friend Sara and her boyfriend Kamyar, attended a wedding in Upstate NY with Matt, and got some very interesting news from my friend Dasha. Yes, her and Zsolt are finally expecting :)

I plan to write about all of these things. I am just a little exhausted from 2 full days of HR orientation, and plan to bike home soon. I decided to keep an evening shift at the computer lab to earn an extra $60/ week. Perhaps that will pay for the car it looks like I need to purchase. it's funny that I was so reluctant to sell my car 2 years ago when I decided to go back to school and now I can't imagine having to deal with owning one again. I plan to fight this and explore every other option... let's see how that turns out, huh?