Funny

Just cracks me up!
Being a mom means you are the 'jack of all trades'.  But now that my kids are getting older, it seems to possess very different challenges, some I was never prepared for!

Ordinary People

who do extraordinary things.... truly amaze me.  I think in today's age and times, it takes a lot for most of us to not fall in the pits of mediocrity and 'that's what everyone else does'.  I don't know how many times I have heard, "But that's just what you are supposed to do!", or "Well, it is good enough for the so-n-so's"...

So, like every Sunday I am out on my long ride...  head into the Industrial Park to 'top up' the last of the mileage.  I see the teachers crowd and met this woman named Terry.  She's out for a year of volunteering! 

WHOA...

Talked with her only briefly, clearly much younger then me, a breast cancer survivor and headed around the world on a volunteering trip.  She's been in the very rural areas of Da Nang and headed to India to work in one of Mother Theresa's homes.

here's her story:

http://www.afreshchapter.com/

The Final Sprint

Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings are may just be normal riding days for some, but for the good boys (or bad boys) of the Nguyen Van Linh, its a suffer fest that this bikermom continues to expose herself to!

Why?

I have no idea!

This particular Thursday morning I missed the start.  I rode hard to catch the back of the pack.. I was successful, but got dropped prior to the turn around, so I turned early and thought, "with my new handy dandy iPhone.... I want to film what I never get to experience"

So.... here it is.... for those of you that think cycling in Vietnam is dangerous... this is NOTHING to how dangerous it could be....

My hand shakes a bit..... one of these days... I'll be in the sprint.

Quieter ride...

Feeling a little distraught (I am half junkie here....) about not getting to ride, Gjermund suggested, "hey, lower the seat on my bike!"....

HEY?!?
WHY NOT?!?

 It is about 7:30am in the above photo.  There are several kilometers of riding with the beach on one side, the sand dunes on the other.  It is easily understandable why a person could be so upset if not able to ride.  It is so calm, peaceful, and recharging.  I rode to the 'turn around' and back, about 60km.  Completely soaked up the conditions, scenery, and enjoyed the ride.

 There was no traffic on this day.  It was the 2nd day of Tet and most locals are celebrating with their families...  It was a beautiful sight to see everyone basking in their traditions!  I think as Americans we often feel we should show the world how to live, but what I have learned living over seas... especially in developing countries, us Americans should step back and take a lesson! 

 There was a mine on this stretch of the road.  Most of the big machinery is gone now, but this sign remains a reminder....

 Pity my camera didn't take a better shot, the mine is on the right directly across the street from the ocean. 

Close up of one of the mine shacks.

Sometimes riding a bike should just be for the fun of it.  If you don't step on the pedals and feel like you are 12 years old again.... you are truly missing out!