jgalswims

I decided it wasn't fair to only include my embarrassing moments, so I thought I may as well do the 'Top 10 Best Moments of My Life', mostly to be more positive! These are in no particular order, as a lot of great things have happened and it's really hard to rank them! And yes, most of these experiences are quite recent...I thought long and hard about great experiences in my childhood, but honestly, they were of no comparison to these. So while I was very excited on the Christmas where I got my purple bike, and my first roller coaster at Astroworld, they really do not compare to these newer experiences!

1. The most obvious one, of course one of the best moments of my life was finishing the English Channel. Although, right in the moment, it was far from the 'best' moment, as I was utterly wrecked and in a lot of pain. It was more a sense of relief, and it took a good 2-3 days (or weeks, or months!) for me to fully comprehend what I accomplished. In any case, it was amazing! It has changed my life forever, and I am so grateful! Definitely one of the best moments anybody could ever experience.

2. Not to be all about swimming, but TAGS (Texas Age Groups) when I was aged 10 and 12 was a great experience. Not because I got all best times, won high point, etc. But because I felt utterly invincible. I was so confident in myself, and so dedicated to my success. Now that I am older, I find it so cool that I was such a competitive little tyke. I don't know how I did it. I am certainly nowhere near that standard anymore.

3. The J-School, early December, 2006. I was furiously typing away my essay for Shakespeare. I got to the end, read it once, and emailed it to my Professor. At that moment, I had one of the weirdest/coolest feelings ever, for I had just finished my undergraduate degree. I know, I know, most people get degrees, but to know that all of those classes had finally redeemed a prize...ah it was a great feeling! Ditto finishing my Journalism degree in 2007, and submitting my MA Thesis in 2008. And hopefully as well when I submit my PhD next year!

4. May 2007. There was no greater feeling than knowing I was moving abroad to start a brand new life in Ireland. I was barely 21, had just finished up at UT, and sat in the Houston airport sipping a margarita (legally!), wondering what was going to happen when I got to Dublin. I was terrified, and I was afraid it wasn't going to work, and that I would have to return to Houston, defeated. But that didn't happen, and I am still here! :)

5. 4 November 2008. Whatever about political beliefs. I am neither Democratic nor Republican, but I did happen to vote for Obama in 2008, as I decided he was the best choice (I mean, I am sorry, but as a moderately intelligent person, I had to draw the line at Sarah Palin.) (Snap!) Voting was pretty cool, but nothing was cooler and more amazing than watching the entire thing unfold on Sky News (sadly, I had to watch it on Sky, depression! I miss CNN!) I sat, curled up in my bed in Dublin, watching history being made in my country, staying up the entire night. It was a very patriotic experience. I felt so proud to be an American. So proud that my generation was not concerned with a man's skin colour. Maybe you had the exact opposite experience but, for me, it was one of the top experiences of my life thus far. So no debating me on this!

6. My 21st Birthday. Most people end up sloshed in a bar on their birthday, but mine happened to fall on something like a Wednesday, and as I was finishing up my last term at UT, I had no time for drinking. (Yes, I was the ultimate nerd throughout most of college!) I was at work, around lunch, when these women walked into the building with balloons. I had met the ladies a month or so earlier at a retreat-type conference, where I was doing the tech and sound. We had a small group discussion together, and while I thought it was a bit awkward for a little 20 year old to be amongst 'real' women, they were incredibly nice and totally welcoming of me. I think they had asked my age, and I told them I was turning 21 soon, and they asked when. I thought nothing of it, and nothing else was mentioned, but they had decided later that they were going to take me out for my birthday. So they nabbed me and took me to a Mexican place up the road. It was quite frankly one of the most thoughtful acts of kindness I have ever experienced. I was truly touched by the whole experience, and I hope to do something like that for someone else when I am the 'real' woman! :)

7. Probably one of the best experiences of my life was sitting in a Starbucks in the Phoenix airport, in April of 2005, after a good long time away from home (and coffee!) I felt very free, and very young, but ready to live life to the fullest.

8. While there was not a single experience, I always loved living in the same city as my cousin during college. She would call, tell me she was cooking something (she is an amazing cook!), and wanted me to come over. I'd arrive, usually with all my college work and Guinness, and we would sit on the couch and watch TV, just relaxing. I was so lucky to have her nearby during college. I miss that!

9. Making the Century Club on Druids Cider. And then puking my absolute guts up. Worth it? I think so.

10. 24 August 09 :)

--jgal--

Nothing to add as a swim blog at the moment, but since I'm paying for this domain, I may as well use it! I found this on Gordon Gridley's blog, and it seemed funny. So here we go, my Top 10 Most Embarrassing Moments (as if there are only 10!)

10. 6th grade, day one. I transferred mid-year from being a dorky home-schooler (NOT my choice!), so it was my first time in a school since 1st grade. We were going into the locker room to change for gym. I started taking off my clothes when I realised that I was, very obviously, the ONLY girl in the room not wearing a bra of some sort. I was mortified. They all noticed this. The second I got picked up from school, I asked to go buy bras, even though I did not need them!

9. College, 2004. I was walking toward the j-school, listening to my new iPod. I was not paying attention, and rammed right into a parking meter. I hit so hard that it made me fall backward, flat onto the pavement, in front of approximately HUNDREDS of people. I tried to laugh it off, but my bum hurt really bad, and I was shaky as well. Not to mention my bright red, mortified cheeks!

8. UT Summer School, 2006. I was walking, again toward the j-school, lost within my iPod, when this journalist AND camera blocked my way. I took off my earphones, and the lady goes 'Hi, can you tell us who the group "Hezbollah" is?' I stammered. Foreign affairs have never been an interest of mine. I looked at her like she was nuts, created a nice double-chin scrunch, and went something like 'der, uhh, a terrorist group, or whatever?' I should know what I looked like and what I said. The stupid journalist put it on the 5 and 10 o'clock news that night.

7. Valentine's Day, circa 1994. Yep, I was probably around 8. And I had a massive crush on an 'older' swimmer, who was likely 10. I decided I was going to 'go for it', and bought him a 'teddy bear holding a heart' balloon and some chocolate. I went up to him, told him it was for him, and asked if he would be my Valentine. He looked embarrassed, and responded that he fancied my sister, not me, but took the balloon and chocolate anyway. Side note: that was the first and last time I ever pursued a relationship with the opposite sex.

6. Basically anything from August 2004 to April 2005. It was a very embarrassing time.

5. Doctor's appointment, age 6. Yes, I remember I was 6, because I was about to move from just doing summer league to swimming for TWST. I was so excited, and I needed a physical, so we went to the doctor. Dr. Wilkerson, my pediatrician. He was old, on the verge of retirement, and I was kind of scared of him, but liked going because there was a big fish tank in his waiting room, and a purple or orange Safe-T-Pop when you finished. I went in, and was sitting up on the examination table, when he came in and told me to raise my shirt so he could listen to my heart. I started to raise it, and he grabbed a part of my tummy and chuckled something like, 'My, we've got a bit of baby fat to lose!' The only thing I computed was my doctor laughing at me for being fat. And, for the record, I wasn't. I kind of hated myself from that point on.

4. 8th grade, 2000. I was not a great kid at this point in my life, mostly because I went to a school that was about as intellectually stimulating as watching grass grow in a field. I got in a lot of trouble, but on one afternoon, I was on the swings with my other juvenile delinquent friend, Jenny, when this kid Blake came toward us, and threw a huge fist-full of those playground rocks into our face, for no reason at all. I screamed out to him, 'YOU BITCH!' and, of course, got in major trouble for doing so. I was written up with a yellow slip, probably my 15th one, and I was not embarrassed for this. Instead, I was embarrassed because I called a boy a bitch, and had meant to call him a bastard.

3. Channel swim, 2009. I swam the first half of my channel with my right boob hanging out. I knew my suit was not positioned ideally, but I didn't want to touch it because I didn't want to get Vaseline on my goggles. I wouldn't have been embarrassed, but Nick posted the video footage to Youtube and now the entire world can see my right boob if they so choose.

2. Spring Nationals, 2001. I was swimming along, I think in my 400 IM, in prelims. I did great, yada yada, all was well, until a few weeks later, when every single person I have ever met in my entire life was telling me that I was in Sports Illustrated. I was ecstatic. I finally went into Barnes and Noble to see it. When I found it, I opened right to the page. It was 2 pages of me snarling into the camera on a breath. I wanted me to look all dainty, happily and gracefully swimming along at nationals. But no, I looked like I was a freaking monster ready to attack whomever was in my way. My shoulders looked about as big as chimneys. I wanted to be excited for making it into such a prestigious magazine, but really, I am to this day mortified that such a god-awful picture of myself exists!

1. 9th grade retreat. Some crazy Lutheran school I went to decided it was a great idea for the Freshman class to bond by going away to some retreat place for a night. I remember absolutely nothing about the trip, and I believe this is likely because I have psychologically blocked it out. We were sitting in a chapel, when, heads bowed, a teacher asked a few girls to leave the chapel with her. I thought nothing of it, and they left. It was time to go back home, so we were exiting to gather our things. I caught some sideways glances, but still had no idea what was about to ensue. When I got back to my bed, my stuff was missing. I heard shrieks of laughter, and went into the bathroom, where I saw the previously mentioned girls washing shaving cream off of all my stuff. We're talking everything. The backpack, my brand new one for high school, was on the ground, filled to the brim with shaving cream. My clothes were ruined, and I had to take everything home in a black plastic bag filled with soaking wet clothes and gear. I decided, then and there, that I was leaving high school as soon as humanly possible, and day one had not yet begun. (Note: I did drop out after that year, and started college. I graduated with 2 bachelor degrees before turning 21, so I think I got my 'revenge'.) ;)

Just a short note to say I got into Lake Zurich for 2010. I am very excited! Apparently there were a record number of applicants, and they had to turn people away. So I am glad that I got my entry in on December 1st.

Last night my dad asked me if I thought I could do a double Channel swim. I told him I thought I could, but would need 3000 GBP to do so. He looked at me like I was nuts. Maybe one day, but for now I am more than thankful to be able to do Zurich next year. :)

Merry Christmas,

jgal

freshly baked para moi

Well it has been a good long time since I updated. Mostly because nothing big is happening! I decided to do a pool gala to break up the monotony of life without sea swims. While it frankly sucks compared to the sea, I'm starting to enjoy galas again, mostly because I am finally able to not beat myself up over a slow time. I mean, it's masters swimming. I'm not going to be swimming for an Olympic gold here, and I really do not care if I go a fantastic time or a slow time, it's not going to ruin my day and keep me up at night. It's just fun to do a bit of racing. And remember what it feels like when you've touched the wall but are too tired to turn around and check your time. To re-experience that continuous-coach voice in your head that switches on the second you step behind the blocks. To re-perform all the stupid 'before the swim' rituals that you've been questioning since you were 9 but can't stop doing. So I gathered my 'omg how did I ever fit in this' fastskin, my pink racing goggles and even some reserve Propel and drove north to Lisburn.

The 25 metre pool was nice enough, and I was, as usual, in the water too late because I was arsing around when I should have been ready to warm-up. I got about a 12 minute warmup haha. I was the first event, the 100im, and I didn't really feel up to it. So I dove in, slowly swinging the arms during the fly, lowering my heart rate on the back, and finally ready to try on the breast and free. I went a 1:09 and was laughing because I am way faster than that. I can go close to that in practice in a 50m pool, so whatever.

Next up was the 100 breast. Now, I've never done the 100 breast in a short course metres pool, but I know I somehow went a 1:13 on a relay long course, pre-ankle surgeries, so I estimated that I'd be around a 1:25 with my gimp foot and lack of ability to train breaststroke. (Not even mentioning my lack of desire to train full stop.) So I dove in, kicked probably one too many times during the pullout, and off I went. I felt too low in the water, and vowed to lose more weight. ;) I thought of my old teammates, Leah and Tinnon, and wondered how in the world they were able to do this event. I touched and saw I went a 1:21. I was really pleased with this. It hurt a lot, I'm not going to lie, but I think I could get it sub-1:20 with a bit of work, which I may or may not do.

Shortly after that I was up for the 100 fly. At this stage I was questioning reality and wondering why in the world I had decided to torture myself in this fashion. But I have done 100 fly about 6000 times in my life; one more wasn't going to kill me. I dove in and got a mega foot cramp in the right foot. Gargh, I had forgotten to stretch the gimp ankle, my fault. I pulled the foot up in an L-lock the first 30 metres or so and it subsided. I think I went a 1:07, I can't really remember. I've been a 1:05 SCM before, but 1:07 is fine by me, and I will remember to stretch next time.

We took a session break, which meant water slides!!!! They were really fun, but tiring.

me and ole shivo between events

By the afternoon session I had no desire to warm up, so only did a few hundred metres. First up was 50 breast, which was another new event for me. I liked the 50 a lot more than the 100, and went a 36! I was really happy with that; I think it was my best event of the day.

Last up was 50 fly. I don't think I've done 50 fly yet either, and actually focused for this event. I made out a game plan in my head. Stretch the foot so it doesn't cramp, and use the legs. I dove in, didn't get as far as I had hoped, but shouldered on and did a pretty decent turn. I held my stroke together and went a 30. I could totally break 30 with some practice that I will likely not do. ;)

All in all I am very happy that I went to this gala, and I think I will consider doing more this year. I also think it's pretty cool that I can still go semi-decent times, even though I have not properly pool trained in five years. (Nor will I!)

Now I am off to the sea, where I belong! :)



much love,

jgal

I was in Dover this weekend for Freda's birthday bash. It was so great to see all the friends again. I had an absolutely brilliant time, especially when we swam in Dover harbour on Sunday morning. I did a full lap, savouring each stroke and spending a while in my head, remembering all the hysterical training swims I did in those waters. I was having such a great time with the whole thing that I was actually kind of sad when the swim was over. But that sadness was quickly annulled with Leanne's homemade cakes! :) They were goooood. :)

As I sat on the plane going back to Ireland, I thought back once again to the whole experience over the past two years, and I know people always say this, but I feel so blessed to be involved in this community. Long-distance swimming is truly great. Yes, we've some nutters (as Cliff said on the party boat!), but on the whole, (minus the nutters), the sport is great. :) I love my friends.

jgal

The University of Texas, my alma mater, wrote a very nice piece on me today on their Communications alumni blog. Here you go: Hook 'Em!

Today I had, like, the best sea swim ever. I was on the bus home from college, staring at the sun gushing its warmth upon us, and thought, 'Please, please let the tide be in.' Well, sure enough, when the bus hit Clontarf, there was water to be had. I was so excited; it was a day that Dubliners can only dream about. So I got home, packed my bag, and headed off to the Bull Wall.

When I arrived all the ladies were in the bathing shelter. It was nice to see all of them out there sunbathing. It's very cultural. ;) I headed in, wanting nothing more than to swim up and down the wall. The water was indescribable. We're talking perfect conditions. There weren't even ripples on the water; it was so smooth. I made my way down toward the men's shelter, literally drooling at the whole thing. I felt so alive, so happy.

I had some great chat with the ladies after my swim. They are all so kind, so dainty. I imagine myself decades from now, sitting there with all my lady pals, chatting away the afternoon, lounging by the sea.

Life is good.

jgal