Okay, the day started out ROUGH.  First thing, immediately when class started, we had to ride a low speeds making a figure 8 within a rectangle.  We could not touch the ground or use our brakes.  It was all clutch and throttle control as well as counterweight use.  IT WAS HARD!  We didn’t get to warm up, get used to the bikes, or anything!  We all sucked, were stalling out or fumbling, and it set a bad start to the day.  We were cranky!

Our Coach, Rich, explained and apologized that this was the schedule but agreed it was not a good plan.  We moved on to fun, fast, and EASIER lessons and started getting our mojo back!

One of the lessons was going about 15-20mph into a tight curve and making an emergency stop.  The thing about stopping when turning is that you CAN’T or else you will probably crash…..so you need to straighten up from the lean before you hit the brakes.  The guys in the class would go into the turn going about 10mpg and not lean…..really lame.  I was booking it and got pretty good.  Coach Rich says to me, “Well, you’re the only one really doing it, the guys are all chicken!”  (I was the only girl today)  Woohoo!

Okay, the test consisted of the figure 8 (doh!), an emergency swerve (no prob), a quick stop (no prob), and a controlled turn which included braking without downshifting (no prob).  Fortunately, I did pretty good on the figure 8 – I learned that my bike was easier to control in 2nd gear, although I DID pop out of the rectangle a little on my second loop.  The others I did pretty well, but I think my quick stop was about 2 feet too long.

Only 5 of the 6 in my class passed…….

1 rider has been riding for several years, using permits, and decided to finally get a license.

5 of us were first time riders.

I got the highest score in the class!

YIPPEE!

Next thing – to pass the written test at the DMV!

Okay, I am VERY tired and a little sore (shoulder is screaming) so this will be brief.

I rocked on the motorcycle! To see pics from the day, click here. Got up to 3rd gear, got really good with balancing on the tight curve course, mastered the emergency stop, and didn’t fall once. I DID stall the bike a couple times – oops, forgot to pull in the clutch! But the instructor DID say to me near the end of the day, “You said this is your first time riding? Wow, I would never have thought that!” Daddy would be proud!

So tomorrow a few more lessons and then THE TEST. We shall see!

As for now, some strong prescription drugs and sleep!

Addendum:

Okay, so let me admit something – I was a little scared.  I mean, the last time I tried to ride, I kind of crashed.  Okay, I crashed.  And I broke my Dad’s Harley.  Serious stuff!  So even though this bike was smaller, I was a-scared!  But the lessons were AWESOME and really eased us into moving the bike, using the clutch, using the bike, etc.  It was very good for building confidence and reducing the fear factor.

I need to get ready for my final class, but I wanted to share something.  As you can see from the pics I added, I was wearing boots, jeans, a long sleeved shirt, and a full face helmet.  It was probably in the mid 90’s yesterday.  IT WAS HOT!  I was really sweating, especially after a break and then sitting on the BLACK seat!  Whoa.  Sorry to gross you out, but I was sweating so much that, even though I had (seriously) 2 liters of water, I never had to go to the bathroom!  NOT ONCE ALL DAY!  When I finally got home, my bladder was not that full either!  TMI?  Well, at least I hope you get it in perspective!  So I am dreading that today as we HAVE to wear the gear noted.  Sheesh!  But I guess there ARE some safety bennies, huh?

Okay, have a great Sunday!

Okay, did I tell you that I am taking motorcycle lessons? Well, I AM! Let’s cover some areas here:

WHO – That would be me, Gina. Oh solo mio. I made a few friends in class though!

WHAT – This is a three day course under the direction of the CHP through the CMSP (California Motorcycle Safety Program) and MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation).

WHERE – classes are held in Orange County about 7.2 minutes from my house!

WHY – Many of you know me, and probably know my Dad has been an avid biker for many years (all of my life). He is even called, on occasion, Grandpa Harley by my kids. (Admittedly, this started because, when Kirstie was little, she was confused by her grandpa and uncle having the same name AND the fact he had a harley!). Alas, I have always enjoyed motorcycles – LOVED being the passenger with my Dad, even in the days when helmets were not required! I have dreams even now where I am riding and LOVE it. So, I want to ride too. But, knowing how dangerous they can be, realizing there is much more to it than just jumping on and doing it, and considering the traffic and other factors in beautiful Southern California, I decided it was best to learn the right way! (And, since I dumped said Harley once, which was more than enough!)

HOW – this class, offered by OC Motorcycle Training, is a three day course; one day in classroom, two days on ranges applying theory AND getting the exposure to actually controlling a motorcycle. IF I pass the class, I will receive a California State Motorcycle Training Certificate, allowing me to waive the on-motorcycle examination at the DMV. However, I will still have to also pass the written exam at the DMV. (AND, I was told last night, if I haven’t taken the DRIVING written exam within the last 6 months, I will have to do that too! Dun dun dun….)

Recap of Last Night

So last night was the classroom portion of the training. LOTS of info to absorb! Most was common sense stuff, but I got a little nervous when the instructor (who is HOT, btw! Hot like Justin Timberlake!) started talking about techniques to avoid problems (letting off the throttle in this situation, applying the brake HERE but not THERE, etc.) But I told myself to calm down because, 1) Most of that info would be covered in detail when we are on our bikes and 2) I am hoping many of the items he mentioned would be intuitive when I am on the bike.

I am fortunate that I have been exposed to bikes all my life, because at least I know where all the items are located (brakes, gear shift, throttle, etc.) I was surprised that many had no clue!

So, we took a written test last night, which had to be passed in order to proceed with the next two sessions. 50 questions! I totally tricked Rona when I got home! She, Sandy, and Stephanie arrived after I did as the class actually got out about an hour early. When Rona was like, “Why are you home already?” I said, “I totally didn’t pass the first test, so I am out of the program!” I have to say, getting out early really helped with the charade! I had her going for about 15-20 seconds before I couldn’t carry it on! LOL

People, of course I passed! 48 correct. That’s 96%! Not my best, but it will do! LOL

So the next two days will be on the motorcycles. 5 hours each day. Intense! I just hope I can learn and don’t kill myself! I wish my Dad was there because he would help me at least stay calm. 🙂

My Dad is an EXCELLENT rider! I believe he was in 2 accidents in his life; one where a car turned left in front of him, realized it was a mistake, and stopped. He broke some ribs on that one I think. The other was on his ATV; he was going fast (it was a big ATV) and hit a downed tree or something that came up quick.

I would always love riding with my Dad, I never was scared. My Mom “forbid” us having rides, but I have to admit when she wasn’t around we would do it. There WAS the time, when I was about 16, when my Mom went to the mountains with friends for the weekend. I begged my Dad for a ride on his Gold wing, which is what he had then, and he agreed. He got it out, warmed it up, I hopped on, and we began to take off. All of a sudden, as we were going down our street, here comes Mom! She had an abscessed tooth or something and rushed back from vacation to get to the dentist! Dun dun dun, we were BUSTED! We pulled it off though, saying we were just going up and down our street (which was NEVER the case). Did I mention my mother is Italian? YOU WOULD BE SCARED TOO! LOL But my Dad loved us and would never knowingly endanger us! And I know some of you might not like motorcycles and I do understand the risk related to them, but I just love the feeling………and I loved riding with my Dad. I am a little sad that he no longer has his Harley…..

Anyway, I got of on a tangent there. This happens when I wake up in the middle of the night and decide to post! *ding*

So I will let you know how day 2 goes. Hopefully I don’t break anything!

And DAD – I JUST got your voice message! I have no idea what the deal is, but thanks for calling and I will call back later today! Smooches!

Sorry for any typos – the Vicodin has kicked in!

Musical taste “defines personality” – Yahoo News.

This is a very interesting article – especially in regards to heavy metal listeners!  Remember, I am ecclectic in my music tastes people, but check this out!

…..IT IS ON!

Well, you may remember that I enrolled in an MBA program earlier this year.  When some drama in my life came about in late March / early April, I put that on hold.  I also was not that impressed with the curriculum/teachers/program at said university.  I had thought I would just give up the idea of an MBA and focus on my kids, finding a job, etc.

Then, I realized that I DO need to find a job, but that this “down time” (especially now that my kids are back in school) could AT LEAST include doing something productive!  So I started reviewing my previous research on MBA programs, and narrowed it down to 3 schools.  I talked to 2, and really felt impressed by both.  However, one seemed to rise to the surface – not only the program structure, but the accreditation, their staff, and the way they handled me as a potential student.

Well, let me tell you, it has been about 32 hours since I gave the “green light” of my decision of attending the school…..and I have applied, been accepted, had a phone interview, had my financial info processed, have been enrolled, and am on track to start school 10/1/08!  I am truly amazed!

Whew!

And, for those of you who know me, the last few months with no real structure has really killed me.  I am so a person who organizes time, maps things out, works best under pressure……well, that has not been my life recently!   I suppose that’s why I didn’t die when I was carrying 12-15 units, working full time, taking care of kids, and still getting things done!  LOL  So I am excited to have a “structure” back in my life – something that has deadlines, that needs my attention, that I need to map out…….oh, to do a mind map again!  Yippee!

So, Gina is back in school.  Wow.  I am jazzed.

I am VERY COOL! LOL

I was able to see my REGULAR female doctor, who just returned to work from maternity leave. She rocks. Okay, just to be completely honest, I did NOT tell I have been boogie boarding and going to K1 with Kenny even though my shoulder kills. Teddi – no need to yell! LOL (Okay, for those of you who don’t know Teddi, she is NOT mean, just very protective.) She checked out my shoulder, was surprised I have made it so many weeks with the bad symptoms, and immediately referred me to an Orthopedic Surgeon. Don’t panic – that DOESN’T mean surgery, although I won’t know the treatment until he checks me out. I will probably need an MRI. So that is scheduled to occur next Wednesday for those who need to know those sort of details.

She also gave me VICODIN for the pain. Can you say SCORE?!!?!!?! LOL I am not going to go crazy on the stuff, but it WILL help me get through the night, which is very difficult for me right now. I am a side sleeper, and I don’t TRY to go on my left side, but I roll over in my sleep and BAM! Not a pleasant thing to go through several times nightly.

She also put me on cholesterol meds. Even though I have reduced my BMI by a lot, have altered my diet, and have been exercising lots (though I have slowed down with my shoulder issue), the cholesterol level did not go down by much. I think part of it is in my genes – my younger brother has always been THIN, including now, and his cholesterol has always been high. Plus, both my parents had heart issues at fairly young ages – although my Dad has done a stellar job with his health since that point. So, I hope the meds work. I will continue to try to eat better and exercise so don’t worry.

Sorry this has been such a boring post……but hey, that’s my life!

Wow, can you believe it is already September?  I can’t!  Time does fly when you’re having fun!

September is a great month for me for many reasons – first of all, two of my kids were born in this lovely month!  There is still a piece of me that remembers being a kid, getting new school clothes, getting school supplies, and starting a new school year as well.  That hasn’t happened in forever, and it seems a bit different for my own kids, but hey – I guess I’ve been conditioned!  I WAS able to get some new clothes and shoes for the boys and they are pretty happy.  Ken has to be all cool for Junior High, you know?

Delving into politics again – you know, I am kind of disappointed with the selection of Palin by McCain.  I mean, on the surface at least, it seems a weak ploy to jump on the Hilary ticket……to get all the women who were so excited about voting for a woman on his side.  Weak.  Disappointing.  So many others have expressed their disappointment so much better than I, but I just wanted to add my two cents.  I need to research more for sure, but that is my knee-jerk reaction.

Having said that, I don’t know what the big deal is about her daughter being pregnant!  I mean, when it was shared that our current VP’s daughter is a lesbian, the GOP peeps didn’t blacklist him.  Weird.  I give them all props that the daughter is keeping the baby……imho.

Okay, I am under the weather so that’s all I have right now.  Sorry to bore you!

Hey, I am not going to turn this into a political blog – I have my opinions, but am not one to post them or debate about them (OH how the years have changed me!).  But I stumbled upon this blog and LOVE it!  Is it because I am an Obama supporter?  Maybe, maybe not.  Is it because it is entertaining?  Yep!  Is it because it is well written?  Absolutely!  So feel free to check it out here or use the link to the right.  (This same blogger has another blog about books that’s pretty good, too!)

Also, found an interesting blog from someone who lives in a little town in Alaska – here.  I have been fortunate to vacation in Alaska, which is a beautiful state, but it IS “small” in occupancy at least.  Interesting to see an insider’s view about the new VP running mate…..

I have this issue – of trusting people too much.  For believing their words, for acknowledging their promises and believing them.  For setting my hopes on things that really are feathers in the wind, moving much too fast for me to grab or control.  I need to learn that there should be a much smaller circle of people who have access to my feelings, to my heart, and that I need to guard my heart much more.  Because, even though my heart has great capacity to love, the odds of someone I have deemed trustworthy hurting me is very high.  And they won’t even acknowledge that HURT.  Maybe I am too low of a priority to even waste time on!

Sorry, another pitiful post by Gina.  Gina, who is tired of sucking it up as others walk through life pretending to care about me and well, don’t even look back as they shatter me……..

And while I am learning to share my hurt feelings (which I am miserable at), at least I am learning not to lash out at the ones who hurt me……..is that progress?

Gina OUT