Just like old times.....

Yesterday I woke up at 5:45, donned a pair of tight beige pants and tall shiny boots, stuffed every piece equestrian equipment that I own into my car, and headed off to the barn for my first horse show in over 4 years.

Back in the day, I was really serious about showing and would average about 1 show a month between April and October.  Unfortunately college and Army obligations have kept me from this pastime since 2007, so I am very happy to be enjoying my fav hobby again.  I jumped back into the saddle a little over a year ago and let me tell you it feels AMAZING!  I don't know how I lasted so long without riding. There is nothing like it and it is so hard to explain the feeling.  Contrary to popular belief, it is a very physically and mentally challenging sport.  Yes I said SPORT, all you naysayers out there should know that anyone can sit on top of a horse but it takes skill and commitment to maneuver a one thousand pound animal traveling at speeds around 25mph over obstacles while concentrating on the course/pattern you are riding and trying to look good while doing it.  Keep in mind that the "thing" you are riding has a brain and (most likely) an attitude.  Horses will not do anything unless the rider specifically cues them to do it, not to mention the cues that we use are very technical.  I know this has turned into a bit of a rant but one of my pet peeves is having someone who has never been on a horse tell me that it cannot be considered a sport because the horse does everything and the rider just sits there.  HELLO, Nascar?!!!! 

Anyway, over the past few months I have been riding a a cute little pony named Lulu. 

 Isn't she adorable?!  We competed in the 18" Hunter Division and did great considering it was my first show in years and Lulu's first jump competition in a long time.  Here are some pics from the day!

It was so much fun and brought back some good memories.  The best part was Zachary came home on leave this weekend and was able to watch me ride :)

Weekly Entertainment Report

Lately I have been visiting my public library quite often to stock up on reading material and DVDs.  2 weeks ago I was perusing the movie racks when I stumbled across Sherlock.  I love when classic literature is represented in modern day film (or in this case television) and snatched it up faster than you can say Sir Arthur Conan Doyle!

 Unlike the recently released movie (and its coming sequel), this 3 episode series produced by BBC takes place in modern day London.  The cast is perfect;  Martin Freeman's Dr. Watson is a former military doctor just returned from Afghanistan.  He is asked to share a flat with Sherlock Holmes, the brilliant detective played by Benedict Cumberbatch.  Both do an outstanding job of portraying the unique qualities of the characters.  Freeman is a practical thinker and loyal 'til the end,  whereas Cumberbatch is a socially aloof intellectual. Together they offer a fresh yet believable representation of these two literary cohorts.  Sherlock's arch-nemesis, played by Andrew Scott,  is equally well cast.  Moriarty is a chilling mix of psychopath and mastermind criminal,  whose involvement in malfeasance is purely for his own enjoyment.

Add these amazing actors to the superbly written plots and the exhilarating action with phenomenal special effects  and  you  have a sensational television series that you will be addicted to from the start. 

So do yourself a favor and search for Sherlock at your local library, and if they don't have it find it on Netflix.  And don't be too disappointed when you finish this season, the second season is due to be released in 2012 and promises to be even better than the first!

Let's Blog!

I'm back and ready to go again!  I have had a very busy summer with lots of changes and adventures, which I plan on sharing soon.

For now though, I want to keep things light and carefree :)  I spotted this survey on a few other blogs and thought it was a cute way to chronicle this time in my life.

I have an unhealthy infatuation with surveys and lists (with the exception of business surveys and end of semester class surveys.....yawn).  They are a great way to share a little bit about yourself, to unleash your thoughts and opinions out into the world.  Other people may not appreciate or relate to what you have to say but there is something therapeutic about putting your personality down in writing.

So, without further ado, let the therapy begin!

         A - Z about me

A.  Age: 23 going on 24.  I am almost at the 1/4 century mark, eeeep!

B.  Bed size:  At the moment I am sleeping on a pull-out couch.

C.  Chore that you hate:   Folding laundry....especially matching socks together.

D.  Dogs:  Kipper  a sheltie/terrier mix and Jonas an eskimo spitz who currently lives with my in-laws until    Zach and I get our own place.

E.  Essential start to your day:  putting on my glasses so i can see :)

F.  Favorite color:  Forest green.

G.  Gold or silver:  Usually silver.

H.  Height: 5'4" and 3/4.

I.  Instruments you play: A little bit of guitar. This is something I need to put more time into. "Do you know it is [my] dream to play the flamenco guitar?!"

J.  Job title:  Registered Nurse.

K.  Kids: None at the moment but I would love to have a big family someday.

L.  Live:  In Cincinnati Ohio.....for now.

M.  Mother's name:  Rebecca Lynn.

N.  Nicknames:  When my brother was little he would call me Beffy and and my dad called me Boo Bear.  Today my family members will refer to me as Bethie.

O.  Overnight hospital stays:  One due to Crohn's, unfortunately it probably wasn't the last.

P.  Pet peeves:  Hypocrisy.  And yes I know I am as much to blame as the other man.  It's the one thing I hate about myself.

Q.  Quote from a movie: "Adventure is out there!"  from Up.  Great movie!  It makes me cry every time :)

R.  Right or left handed:  Right.

S.  Siblings:  1 brother and 1 sister, both younger.

T.  Time you wake up:  Depends on if I am working night shift or not.  I love waking up early in the morning though, its such a magical time of day.

U.  Underwear:  Geez.....is modesty a thing of the past?!  This qualifies as TMI to share online.

V.  Vegetable you hate:  Not a big fan of beets or radishes.

W.  What makes you run late:  Traffic.

X.  X-rays you've had:   Complete gastrointestinal x-rays plus a barium swallow which was disgusting!

Y.  Yummy food that you make:  You haven't lived until you have eaten my blueberry dumplins', or my peanut butter banana pudding :p

Z.  Zoo Animal:  Otters, because of their personality and playfulness.