It Has Been Way Too Long!

I just realized how poorly I have been keeping up with this blog...

This past year as been an incredibly intense one and for some reason, I allowed my page to take a backseat. I definitely have a lot of stories to tell from some awesome and some not so awesome experiences over the last 12 months and from this post on, I am committing to keeping up with this better!

Thank you to all who have been reading what I have written and especially to those who keep coming back to read more. From now on, there will be posts much more regularly!

High Morale in Rwanda

We rolled out of our hotel to the start of Stage 1 of the 2011 Tour of Rwanda in high spirits. Yesterday, we swept the podium in the prologue and made our presence well known at the race. After signing in, we headed to the team car to get bottles and other supplies that were needed for the upcoming stages and a crowd of children had amassed. At most other races, that would be a very cool scenario but in Rwanda it is a bit different. The kids weren’t crowding our car because they were big Team Type 1 fans. They were there because they thought that we had extra supplies, like food and water to give them.

The Impact of Life in Rwanda

For all that it has been through in the past, Rwanda is a really great place. I first came here for the Tour of Rwanda in November last year and really had a great experience. Fortunately, I was able to return again this year and it is already starting to be another great trip.

When people think of Rwanda, they likely think about the time of genocide, roughly 15 years ago. That was definitely a dark time in this countries history and they are still on the mend from it, but I think if feel safer in most places of Rwanda than I do in parts of Atlanta or Chicago. Before coming here, I was not too familiar with what went on during the genocide, but today we walked through the memorial/museum that was constructed to remember the victims. It was one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had.

Travelling and Some Crazy Costs

I find the various airlines baggage policy to be quite interesting. It seems as if there is no rhyme or reason for some of the ways that situations are handled.

Freedom: How I Beat Diabetes

It is a dream of every 16 year old in America to finally get their drivers license. That little plastic ID signifies freedom: something every kid at that age longs for. Finally, we are able to break free of the ridiculous rules of our parents and we can make our own decisions. It is a huge step toward being an adult and getting to that next portion of life that has been a part of our fantasies and aspirations for at least a year or two.

On my 16^th birthday I woke up at least two hours before the DMV even opened and was ready to roll out the door 15 minutes later, despite the fact that it was only a ten-minute drive to the final destination. Eventually we got there and my name went on the waiting list. Soon enough my name was called and then all of the nerves set in. At that point, I was probably a nervous wreck and shaking because I simply could not fail the test. Failing would be the end of me after waiting so long to earn the freedom of driving. It’s all-good though because I passed on my first attempt! When they handed me my brand new license, with the really awkward portrait of myself, I felt like a new man. Life was great! Now I could do what I wanted and no one could stop me. I was ready to take over the world.