April Mayham

At last...time to breathe (just).

April has been crazy. I will try to recap Simo's and my whirlwind of events, illustrated by some photos that we somehow found the time to take. This is the first chance (literally) I have gotten to contribute to the blog in some time.

So as part of my duties at The Sustainability Institute, I offerred and took to be my responsibility, the production of an 8k race event. About four months ago the planning started to get serious. The race, called the TrySports Green Village Tour started to take over my daily work duties. I never knew how much work went into a simple race event. Simo and I were both prepared for things to get hetic. Our weekends started to get filled weeks in advance. April basically consisted of promoting the tour to boost registrations. Along with the planning, Simo, myself and Dogan celebrated a completion of yet another year (Simo 28, myself 26 and Dogan 3). Our birthdays were low-key compared to most as Simo was away for work a majority of the week and I was sinking in race details. Yet we did manage to stowe away some private time for celebrations and a festive party with friends.

After the birthday celebrations, it was immediately onto the next port - my parents were arriving for a week long visit. It is always great to have my parents visit. Simo and dad get along like the best of mates, leaving my mom and I to relax and take life at a slower pace. While I was finding time to take off while the parentals were about, Simo got unexpectedly called away for work...leaving my parents to explore Charleston and the greater surrounds on their own. Overall it was a great week and I definately felt an absence after my parents left. At least they got to meet their grandchild!

The same weekend my parents left, Simo returned. Now that he's surfing, we (him especially) tend to frequent the beach more. The prime surfing spot is a place called Folly Beach. Personally, I don't like the area...it's where all the college kids go to throw a football and be obnoxious. I like Sullivan's Island where the people are more low key and the beaches tend to be less congested. So we compromise depending on just how shit the waves are.

We made such a compromise on the Saturday after my parents left, Dogan and I watching Simo try his utmost to catch the meager waves that be. It wasn't until on our way home that evening that I realized I had promised Simo and I to volunteer our time with the Riverdogs race (Charleston's local baseball team). My mistake was caught just in time as we barely made it to the event. While I had the boring job of manning an intersection, Simo got the exiting position of ensuring all the timers got their time right (talk about responsibility!). That Sunday I went with my Institute people to a wonderful event called the Chefs Potluck - some of the finest restaurants in Charleston were throwing culinary extravaganza. Tickets went for a steep $40 a pop, but since I was guarenteed vegetarian options, I was all for it. It was a great night (not to mention the free flowing wine). Simo couldn't attend as I didn't get my act together to get him a ticket before they sold out. Ah well, there's always next year!

My small office (shared with 2 other people) was starting to look a bit like a shit storm. Race shirts, prizes, sponsor items for race packs - it was all there. Simo had (once again) disappeared for work (not making for a happy Bethany). As the race date was approaching the general mood in my office began to sink well below normal. Pressure was high, timing was short and deadlines were approaching. Somehow, just somehow, we managed to make it to race day - but not without a few hiccupps.

The day before the race (probably the most crucial for organizing and set-up), I come down with a 24-hour bug. I blame it on the mis-ordered Indian dish Simo got me, but he thinks my immune system was at an all time low...welcoming stomach bugs. I woke up on Friday feeling like shit. Remember those days when you could walk downstairs and say, "mom? I don't feel so good"?? Staying home (despite the throwing up and nastiness) was actually a treat. For me it was a nightmare. My amazing work colleagues had to pull off everything in regards to set up for the event while I laid at home thinking about endless details and calling them to nag between my comas and spewing. At long last, sometime around 10pm, I got it together and went out to help them with the final set up.

Come Saturday morning. For an event that take about 4 months to plan, it sure the hell is over with quickly. The race started at 8:30 (meaning we were up and organizing at 6am) and was as good as cleaned up by 12pm. Simo and Dogan were my favorites to win the dog prize...but sadly missed by one. The heat did start to take it's toll on Dogan (can't blame him, he is wearing a fur coat after all), but it slowed Simo down to a frustrating crawl. At long last I saw them come through the finish line (I was helping the timers). After a moment of frenzy and a bunch of sweaty people downing water, it was over.

A huge wait had been lifted - the damn race was over! Unfortunatly I had promised myself to a pub crawl later that night (a mistake I will never make again). Simo doesn't understand the premise behind a pub crawl, and after Saturday night - neither do I. Honestly, how hard it is to get people to come out for some cheap drinks?? Aussies - I know you will appreciate my frustration at this.

Anyhow - now it's all said and done - April is behind us and I am so excited for the upcoming (and somewhat less stressed) months ahead. Joan, Simo's mum, will be visiting us in July for the summer heat and hopefully his brother at some point too. Now that our guest room is fully decked out with a bed, we hope to entice more people to come our way to the South. Future plans? A romatic getaway to Ashville, NC...a surf trip to Mexico, an autumn weekend in NYC (my favorite season in NYC) and perhaps a little New Years Eve in Europe. We'll see.

Right now we're dealing with the little things in life - cleaning the car, fixing the washer...kicking Simo's butt in tennis :) I gotta say, after planning that race - I rather enjoy these small tribulations.

Take Care Everyone and we will be in touch soon,
XO
B

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