Biggest Loser = Big Motivation?

How many years has this show been on, and we always make the joke: we're going to sit around and watch fat people get thin! But this year, I decided it was time to get into better shape. No, I have not yet implemented my whole jumping-jacks-during-commercial-breaks scheme (though I still think it's a great idea). I decided to make an exercise schedule and try to stick to it. Last week was my first week and I did a pretty good job, but there was some evaluating that needed to be done, so this evening while I was baking rolls for the chili cook-off tomorrow and catching up on the last two episodes of The Biggest Loser I wrote up a revised Exercise Schedule and posted it on my fridge.

Some of you might be wondering why I, of all people, should need an exercise schedule. But the fact of the matter is that I am not as fit as I once was: I bike slower, I can't lift the things I used to be able to lift, my endurance seems to be less, etc. And most importantly: the job I'm in right now doesn't necessarily offer the same level of activity that I would get at Bodie. There we walked an average of 8 miles a day. Here I'm lucky if I walk regularly at all. So the goal is to try and counteract that.

Aside from the stress of Thursday when I found out about the sudden uncertainty of my job (which, as you read, was all figured out by Saturday afternoon when I got off the river), and aside from being on the river (which is a sort of workout in and of itself), I actually did a pretty good job of keeping "on-task". What I actually struggled most with was my self-delegated bout of pushups, situps, and pull-ups. Surprising? I certainly think so. When I was a kid I was awesome at pull-ups, but as I went through high school they got more and more difficult, as did pushups. I didn't even make it through my first set of 15 pushups, and I have yet to do a full set without a little downward-facing dog rest at least once in there. Situps I pretty much rocked all through high school. I used to be able to do 250 at a time, and then I really only stopped because I had to let my muscles relax so I could breath. Now I'm struggling just to do 20. But back to those pull-ups: I can't actually do them. And perhaps it's a lack of equipment (I'm using the door frame instead of a bar because I just don't have a bar anywhere in my massive house.), but I literally can only get to the point of dangling and have no ability to "pull" myself "up" at all. I've been doing 2 sets of 3, and while I feel like I'm making progress I certainly haven't succeeded in doing a single, real pull-up yet.

My other activities, aside from hiking, are yoga and cycling. I've never been very flexible (not even when I was a kid: I couldn't get the Presidential Award in P.E. because I couldn't meet the v-sit qualifications for girls. It drove me nuts!!) and since I am now the proud owner of a beautiful woven cotton yoga mat, I've decided to make yoga a regular part of my week. I found a podcast program and downloaded it which works up over six weeks from a 20-minute workout to a 90-minute workout and so far it's been going over real well. And then there's the cycling.

It has been quite some time since I have had the kind of out-the-door, open-road opportunity that I have living in Big Bend. The pavement is right there. The open space I crave when I'm riding is there. The hills to challenge me are right there. And there's a riding community to boot. Since I got here I've put in several rides - including a real kick-butt short route down the Boquillas Canyon road which is practically on my doorstep. This week, on my first day off, I participated in the weekly Monday night Burger Bike from Panther Junction to the Starlight Theater in Terlingua. The ride is just shy of 30 miles, the first 20 of which are "mostly" downhill. This week there just so happened to be a 19mph+ headwind the entire way, so I really earned my stripes right there. And of course that 1/2-price burger seemed well worth it by the time I got to stuff that bad boy in my belly.

As I continue to meet more people and get to know them, I am looking forward to the opportunity to maybe do more things with other people. There's been a lot of talk about biking, hiking, and generally hanging out with other people in the park and I'm really hoping that we can make some of those thoughts into realities. In the meantime, I'm working on strengthening my body, staying fit, and getting plenty of rest. The latter of which is why I have to go to bed right now.

;)

Settling and Setbacks

It's been a slow couple weeks of adjustment and settling in here at Big Bend. I'm slowly getting to know my neighbors, both near and far, and have developed an open door policy with my friend Daisy, which has twice now included accidental dinner invites.

This past week I have been attending the volunteer (and new employee) orientation. I've gotten to know several knew people this way, and have been learning a lot about and seen more of the park. Best of all, I've been able to carpool in a government-provided van up to Panther Junction each day for this, which means that my Suki has finally gotten a break! As part of this orientation, I got to go on a 2-day/1-night canoe trip on the Rio Grande. It was awesome! So much fun to canoe, plus fun people, campfire conversation... you really bond with a group when you do a wilderness experience like that and we were no exception to the rule. Not to mention the scenery was stunningly beautiful!

But upon my return from the trip I was summoned to my boss's office for a bit of a disappointing discussion. Once again, the opening of the Boquillas Crossing is being delayed. This time it's because the Mexican government has more preparations to do before they feel confident to open their complementary building on the other side of the river. There's no sure date on when they will be ready yet, and for now I'm going to sit tight and see what happens. But if it takes too long and I don't feel useful, I might have to start looking at my options and alternatives. Hopefully this is just temporary, but there's a chance I could be terminating my first NPS position a bit sooner than anticipated. We'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, I'm now officially stationed as a Park Guide in the Rio Grande Village district. I'm making my own schedule, have the freedom to go on roves (front or backcountry) or work in the visitor center as I desire, and develop and give programs, so long as I put my 8 hours in each day and give my boss a little heads up as to what my plans are for the day in case he needs to find me or something. So... I guess that's not that bad!? Also, it should be noted that I've got my mailing address all setup. It works too - as evidenced by the fresh henna on my arms! :) If you'd like to grace me with a letter or USPS-sent package sometime between now and the end of June, you can do so at:

Jaclynn Workman
P.O. Box 68
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

That's right - we are our own city here. :)

Until next time!

P.S. - It should be mentioned that until further notice, the best phone number to reach me at is the same area code that it's always been, but ends in seven94 and then 17three3. My cell number still works, but if you leave me a message on there I really don't know when I'll get it. I haven't been able to check my voicemail since I got here.

Welcome to my new home

Whew! What a whirlwind week it's been. Last Friday I moved into my house at Big Bend National Park, and last night I was resting from a week of getting up early and taking a long commute to training at Panther Junction. Next week I'll still be getting up early, but because I'll be doing the orientation with other noobs I'll get to carpool. Finally, Suki can have a break!

My first week has been interesting. I did some training and hanging about the visitor center and driving around the park... but overall, people don't seem to know what to do with me. I'm not cleared for handling government funds, so I can't work the register or do permits. I also don't know the answers to most park-related questions yet, so I can't do much of that either. This coming week, as part of the major orientation, I will get a much better scope on the park and its resources so that I'll know what's up. And if all goes well, I will be working the following week in the Boquillas Crossing station. Of course, depending on who you talk to, that is either likely or unlikely to happen, so we'll see how that all turns out.

Apparently there's a weekly ride from Panther Junction to Terlingua for burger night. In preparation, I have gone on two bike rides now, neither exceeding 10 miles, both whipping me royally. A combination of higher altitude, hilly terrain, and my not having ridden regularly since September are making it very difficult. I was initially thinking that I would go this coming Monday, but now I'm thinking it might be a better idea to delay one more week. After all, they do it every Monday, it's not like there's any rush. At least if I can get in another week of solo riding and keep working up my mileage, I'll be less likely to embarrass myself when I try to ride 35 hilly miles with a group.

I'm sure that you're all wondering what this place is like. I haven't taken too many pictures yet, but I can describe it to you as hilly, with some mountain-type terrain here and there. On the Rio Grande Village side, where I live, it seems a bit more desolate. When you drive over to the Castolon side things seem much greener to me. In the middle is the Chisos Mountain range, which is a small cluster of mountains that you can hike and camp in which are filled with these beautiful creations called "trees". Everywhere there are beautiful panoramas and views of great distance and depth.

My home... well, that's another matter entirely. I've made a little video tour for you that I think will speak for itself!

Into the Unknown

This is my last post for an unforeseeable amount of time. I could have access to the internet as early as tomorrow, or it might be a week or two... I really don't know. Tonight I am staying at the thoroughly pleasant La Loma del Chivo hostel in Marathon. I am in the "beehive" (which maintains its temperature very well, which is why I'm heating it up with a space heater right now, so I can sleep cozy all night!) and I feel as if the little space were made for me: from the simple, narrow bed, to the plain desk, to the beautiful writing that's painted on the window-filled walls. Not to mention its oblong shape. I love it: all simplicity, coziness, and inviting.

I spent the evening with Hans and Frances, a Dutch couple that is on a 6-month cycling tour across the U.S. We had great conversations from supper onward, and they truly are beautiful (and well-traveled!) people. They have cycled around South Africa, Morocco, Vietnam, and other places I'm sure! They complimented my few Dutch sentences, saying they liked my accent - and thought it almost Belgian-sounding. At least it's understandable.

In the morning there's fresh kefir and goat's milk in the fridge that they said I could share with them. Sounds delightful! I hadn't actually thought about breakfast, so it's good to know that there's something there. So to anyone traveling along, I highly recommend stopping here. It's free for cyclists and couchsurfers, and broke people. But they do have a donation jar in the main Hostel space. Lots of little living places to choose from, although there's only the one communal bathroom/laundry. Still, the staff is friendly and the rates are very reasonable.

All-in-all, I've enjoyed my journey thus far. My stay with Uncle Pete and Aunt Melinda was quite a blessing and I wish I could've had more time with them. Tomorrow, I will pack up my car one last time, and head into the park to start my latest adventure. Wish me luck!

~Jaclynn

Halfway? More or less.

I'm overnighting in Kansas City, Kansas with my friends Drew and Holly. It's always so much fun to stay with them, catch up, and generally laugh it up and have a good time. So far my trip has been fairly uneventful. The worst things that have happened to me while driving have been a triple-bird flip from an obnoxious car full of teenage boys, some minor windshield chinks from passing a semi, and a Check Engine light that wouldn't go away after I stalled my car in a Rest Area parking lot.

Chlöe, my Christmas cactus, is doing quite well so far on this travel. She hardly seems stressed at all! I think this bodes well. My car has been getting pretty good gas mileage on the highway, and this is encouraging for my life in general, since living in the middle of nowhere pretty much involves only highway driving.

The weather has been perfect - today it was actually too warm to wear my coat outside. With my layover day, I was able to get to a Trader Joe's and pick up some grocery essentials, as well as find an auto store that could check and turn off my Check Engine light. As I thought, it was related to my stall, and now that it's been turned off, it will hopefully not come on again.

I don't think we've got anything special planned for tonight, but whatever we do, I'm sure it will be fun. Tomorrow I'm driving to Arlington, TX, to stay with my great Uncle Pete and Aunt Melinda. I've been informed that she already has a menu picked out, so I'd better arrive in time for supper!

There's a good chance I won't be having internet for the next few days, or even the next week or so, because I probably won't be able to get it set up at my house right away. However, I will most likely have access to email at my workplace, so hopefully they'll give me a moment to check if anyone tries to get a hold of me. Once things get set up, I should be able to post pictures of my new home on here, as well as a mailing address, and the phone number ya'll will be able to reach me at.

Until then, please continue to pray for me: for safe travels, for restful sleep, and that God is preparing a place for me at my new job and a Christian community of some shape or form that will help encourage me in the weeks and months to come.

The Final Countdown

Busy, busy, brr.

Things are finally cooling off in Michigan and we've finally got some snow on the ground - just in time for me to leave.

I enjoyed my first (and hopefully not only) cross country skiing excursion when I was up at my sister's this weekend. With any luck, the snow down here will get deep enough to get at least one more skiing adventure in before I migrate again.

This past month I paid down my student loans below the $11,000 mark! Next will be the $10,000 mark, and I think I'll have to celebrate that one somehow since it seems like some sort of milestone. It will be nice to start making quadruple payments again once I start working. Of course, I'll be putting lots of my money towards other things this year, like rent, car insurance, and car payments. C'est la vie. But once more I will have the luxury of living in the middle of nowhere, which means almost no temptation for unnecessary purchases!

I've been pretty busy in my time at home. Aside from purging, I did a fair amount of crafting as well, from making a wedding present for my friend Kourtney, to knitting mason jar cozies for my sister and sister-in-law's presents, to lengthening the sleeves on a knitted sweater, to sewing a pajama shirt, to finishing my Botswana quilt, to knitting myself a new pair of mittens, to sewing a bag for my new (and beautifully woven) yoga mat, to knitting a shawl from yarn I wondered if I would ever get around to using. Things have been busy in the crafty side of my life, and it's been nice to get so many projects finished.

Now, of course, the main project facing me is packing for the next 6 to 10 months of my life, without taking too much or forgetting anything important. Oh, and I'd like to make some new hankies for myself. ;)

I leave on Sunday!