Wow....this semester has flown by so quickly! This whole year has up and passed me by.

I'm sitting here at the Avalon Co-op and taking a quick break from doing my travel committee stuff. Carolina's here. Emily Parham's here. Edlin's here. Lisa's here. Talk about how far each of them has gotten. Talk about how far ALL of us have gotten.

I remember the first awkward meeting we had at the park right off of campus... We had rider introductions and everything. We were to introduce ourselves, tell our home towns, and majors in front of a group of 50+ people. I only knew one person there... Awkward? Yeah. I was pretty awkward.

And to think that I was originally supposed to be riding summer of 2010!!! I tell some of my teammates that now and they pause and give me a blank stare... Most of them react by saying, "Wait...what??? REALLY???"

Yes. Really. I remember I got my "Welcome to Texas 4000" phone call from Beka Mullen. I was sitting in the FAC and getting my study on/doing some HW. And then my phone rang, from some mysterious Kansas phone number... Since I was anticipating a phone call...my heart started to race. Right when I heard, "...Beka Mullen from Texas 4000..." my heart started to race!! I got super super excited and then I heard, "Welcome to the 2010 team!" Talk about excitement!! Although I was hoping to get onto the 2009 team, I was so happy that I got into the organization!

Then after the first official meeting, I made sure to talk to Chris to see if there was any possible chance for me to switch onto the 2009 team and ride earlier than they intended. I kept frequenting the meetings and tried to be as involved as I could.

Then one day...I was sitting in the south mall. Lounging in the grass and sitting around with one of my friends...when I get another phone call. It was Greg! And I got my official "Welcome to the 2009 Texas 4000 team!" I nearly peed myself!! For the SECOND TIME!!

I've grown so close to my 2009 teammates, that I can't imagine what it would be like if I stayed on the 2010 team. I guess Shilen and I would be super best friends if I was still 2010. Like I said in one of my previous journal entries..."I <3 my team!"

Every once and a while I'll remind people that I used to be 2010. And I still get that same reaction. "WHAT??? REALLY???" Yes. Really. Weird. I know. Hahaha.

I think it's amazing how many friendships have blossomed since last fall. And how many things we've done and the memories we've had. And to think that we haven't even left for Alaska yet! I can only imagine how much these friendships will grow and how many amazing experiences are still in store.

I just wish...I could ride with some of those Sierra-folk! I'm gonna miss them after day 2 :'( But I can only imagine how AMAZING it will be to see them when we all meet up in Whitehorse again.

IMAGINE:

A huge meadow. Tall-ish grass. White clothing. Sierras on one side. Rockies on the other side. Slow motion. Running towards one another. Hugs. Happiness. Excitement. And Chariots of Fire playing in the background.

That's basically what it's going to be like. Except maybe with some water balloons? And topped off with Chinese food! (During the Spring Break Ride, I met a fellow cyclist who's been to Whitehorse. He told me...that Whitehorse has the most AMAZING chinese food that he's ever had in his whole life.) Yes. Get excited! I am!

Even though we leave for Alaska in "3" weeks. I'm done with finals this Saturday. So in my mind....we're leaving in TWO DAYS!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!! TOO MUCH EXCITEMENT TO GET ACROSS THROUGH TEXT!!!

AndLASKDNOADbhSAOIDADs)(AUSDPO0u09jedwpoj asoidhoIHAd9u oajw d980y y f 9ug9uefgo9u f9gu awe9tuawot84ruw49tur wOR UO ROWE RILER WEIH ROWTHOWRIHTGOWR HTANGDF8BH98ORHGO 395G8Y G90UE ROGI FLGK !!!@!@4)((u(07)(!@&!!!!!!!!!

I think that gets my point across pretty well :)

If not:

We're biking across things like this and seeing beautiful scenes like this all summer long.

-Thaison

P.S. If you want to contact me if you have any questions, please email me! Or facebook me! Leave me a comment or join my Texas 4000 facebook group :)