China and Bangkok Travels

So, after the Win for KC Triathlon, I rushed home, showered, packed my suitcase, and headed to KCI to hop on a plane for a short (2 day) ride to Beijing.  B&V actually has some project work in China and our regional office needed training in OneSpec.  I hadn't been in Beijing since 2005 and can report that while the air quality was somewhat better, it still is poor at best.  Did not see as many panhandlers (was rumored they were gathered up and relocated before the Olympics).  Since I had done all the sightseeing the first time, I just spent my time working and visiting with the new professionals there.  What a great group of people - completely engaged and easy to train!  Only downside was no dragonfruit at the hotel - egads.  However, I managed to find a fruit vendor on the street so I could get my fix!

How is it I am the shortest person in this picture?

Love my dragonfruit

Outside the Pearl Market

Peking Duck

The Place - neat shopping area

After a week, we then flew to Bangkok, Thailand to train the staff there.  Since I was last there in 2008, not much had changed - still a wonderful place and got reunited with a number of friends.  We did go to the Teak Mansion - gorgeous mansion made of all teak wood.  Of course had to hit the market for shopping and yay - dragonfruit every morning for breakfast!  Was glad to get home in time to get Shelby off to college!

Teak Mansion

View outside my office - elephant building on the right

Hotel Room

Scott, Atasit and his wife 



Pawin



Win for KC Triathlon

Martha and Larry came to town so Martha and I could once again participate in the Win for KC Triathlon at Smithville Lake in Smithville, MO.  Being somewhat analytical, Martha had created an excel spreadsheet with our previous times and then computed what we should do this year.  I felt she was quite ambitious with some of her suggestions, but as I am always one for a challenge, I agreed with them and we set them as our goal for the tri.  This was of course before we got to the lake and the heavens opened up and the torrential downpour started.  Standing around 800 women in a sausage casing is not the most comfortable thing to do; however, standing around in a cold downpour is really not fun at all.  There was really no shelter until my sweet Shelby found us with Larry's big golf umbrella (Larry, Mom, and Dad of course were smart and waited in the car) and she did her best to keep us warm.  Martha and I were thinking that they would cancel (and at one point secretly hoped that they would) but then the rain stopped and they starting sending us into the water.  Our team sponsor Kansas City Chiropratic once again gave us great goodie bags (as well as our tri tops).  The team grew this year as 3 additional Chapter MOers - Heather Carter, Heather Nickel, and Michelle Wilson - joined in on the fun.  I am happy to report that Martha and I exceed her expectations (which was to finish in 1 hour 45 minutes).  Unfortunately for me, I think she is already computing next year's goal (makes me tired to think about it).  Chapter MO has caught the tri fever as we are expecting more members to join the fun next year.  So if you ever need a chiropractor, my I recommend Dr. Lynn McIntosh and Kansas City Chiropractic.


P.E.O members at the tri



Chapter MO triathletes with Dr. Lynn McIntosh

 

Medal

Shelby Heading to Ashford University

It's official - Shelby has been accepted to Ashford University and will be bowling for the Saints!  Registration and orientation is scheduled for the weekend of July 15.  We are so very proud of her and just can't wait to see her bowl in college.  Look forward to big things!  Congrats, Shelbs!

Canada Fishing

The Three Ts made the annual fishing trip to Canada.  Tom had a fall requiring 3 stitches, but that was the only mishap.  They caught lots of fish and Tim caught the biggest (of course).

Graduation Pictures

Shelby was quite quick to point out I needed to blog about her graduation so better late than never.  Martha and Larry came to town (before our Katy Trail ride) to watch Shelby graduate.  We got a surprise appearance by Garnett cousins, Carolyn, Wesley, and Emma and of course Brother Brenton and his girlfriend, Cady came into town from Tulsa.  We had lots of rain and were keeping our fingers crossed that it would stop as the kids only got 5 tickets if they had to move graduation inside the gym.  It was rather chilly, but managed to stay dry so everyone got to witness the ceremony.  Brenton kept me from crying by making me laugh (he is quite funny) and Shelby looked quite beautiful (as always).

Brenton, Shelby, and Cady

Me, Shelby, and Tim

Martha, Shelby, and Larry

The Family without Brenton and Cady

Me and Shelby

Poppa, Shelby, and Dee Dee

 

Clowning with her brother

Great American BBQ

While I was riding a bicycle built for three along the Katy Trail, Tim was busy with Jacks or Better BBQ at the Great American BBQ Contest in Overland Park.  For the second year in a row, they were named Grand Champions of Side Dishes.  They got 1st place for beans (no surprise from this girl), 3rd place for potatoes, and 7th place for veggies for an overall 1st place finish.  Their ribs also placed 15th. 

Katy Trail Day 5

We survived the ride, had remarkable weather (especially considering Joplin, MO got hit by a tornado the day we finished) and even made up a song to the tune of Bicycle Built for Two:

Larry, Larry, we need a rest stop, please
Leslie's tired and Martha has got to pee
It matters not where you stop, for Martha can just drop
her pants and pee, beside a tree on a bicycle built for three.

They were having a civil war reenactment at the St. Charles trailhead which was fun to see.  Mom and Dad met us with the van and my car so we could all get home.  It was a wonderful vacation!