Biker-Friendly

Before I moved to Lexington I'd been hearing that it was not a bike-friendly city and I had to have a car.  Eek, gross.  The responsibility of a car right now is the bane of my existence.  Ok, that's a slight exaggeration, because I don't even have to pay for parking here (Lexington has a pretty low cost of living), but overall a car just strikes me as a money pit.  Anyway, it turns out that that Lexington seems pretty hospitable to bikers!  Sure, it could be better, but it could also be much worse.  School, grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops...all within easy distance, and reasonable drivers on the road.  Woo!  Photos above are of some sweet rides, a bike shop I ride past on my way to school advertising the awesome-ness of Wisconsin, and my favorite detail on my orange Gitane - a miniature coat of arms with a ship. 

Brought to you by Maker's Mark

The first week at Kentucky is complete!  It started off completely disorganized and a bit stressful because the school is...not the most clear communicating organization I've ever come across.  I felt frustrated and discouraged the first few days, and even entertained doubts about returning to school.  But two things happened that made me feel excited about being a student.  

1.  I parked my bike alongside hundreds of others when I went to my first German lesson, and when I came out, every single bike was outfitted with a waterproof seat cover and reflector swatch.  This made me feel happy to be a part of everything.

2. I went to my opening 20th century music history lecture, and the professor managed to make a lesson centered on the syllabus captivating.  Totally rad.  Bingo - ready to learn, student-style.

And of course, everything starts feeling good as you get to know those around you.  I went to a bbq last night with cool people and found out that the orchestra is sponsored by Maker's Mark.  Now that's when you know you're where you're supposed to be.

These pictures are from around campus.  Lots of brick, lots of green :)

A "Hooray!" Day

There are a couple things that call for an extra-satisfying, celebratory breakfast today (Mom's homemade quiche and toast with goat cheese and jam, yum).  The first is that this beautiful woman had her birthday yesterday!  We did the best we could with texts, phone calls, and online chats, and we will celebrate together in person next week when I go out to Massachusetts for a few days during my vacation, which includes her wedding shower, because yes!  there is a wedding happening in September!  So, another birthday wish and xoxo to Trish this morning, and sips from the twin mug made in her honor :) The other thing is that I finally found a place to live in Lexington, where I'm starting grad school in just a few weeks, and I think I'm going to love it.  It's a garage converted into an apartment, encompasses two floors, and was built by a Swedish psychology professor.  It's all wood paneling, and as far as I can tell, will feel like living in a log cabin.  There is also a little pool in the backyard.  Woohoo!  Looking for an apartment is always stressful, and it's such a relief when something is settled.  I move and start and school in 3 weeks, eek.  Feeling nervous and excited.


ps:  By the way, do you ever get tired of looking at tiny apartments when you're trying to find a new place?  I scrolled through a million crappy craigslist ads and almost didn't even respond to the one I ended up taking because it didn't give much information.  The whole process made me keep thinking of this Tom Robbins quote:  "Priscilla lived in a studio apartment.  It was called a 'studio' apartment because art is supposed to be glamorous and landlords have a vested interest in making us believe that artists prefer to sleep in their workrooms.  Real artists almost never live in studio apartments.  There isn't enough space, and the light is all wrong.  Clerks live in studio apartments.  File clerks, shop clerks, law clerks, community college students, elderly widows, and unmarried waitresses."  Ha!  And graduate students.