mmmm....brain! 

Lake Champlain February 2005. A preview of ice for the Penguin Plunge! 

The Penguin Plunge (no really, the water's cold!)

It's true...mid February with average temperatures hovering around the mid 20s and forecasts of snow, yet since 1996 around 800 individuals in Burlington, Vermont annually break the ice and jump in Lake Champlain to raise money for the Special Olympics. I heard about this fiasco last year and decided that I couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience true Vermont culture as the 5th member of the "Dewey Do-Gooders" UVM psychology graduate program team....

True to form, the air was brisk but the sun was shining and the pre/post preparation tents were heated (not to mention the coat of vaseline on my body in combination with my saucy little pirate costume enhanced the experience). I don't remember anything -- beyond seeing the water's edge and committing to going in -- but Matthew said I looked pissed! Selective memory aside, you can check out a fairly honest testimonial published in the Burlington Free Press the Sunday after the Plunge. Be it a superhero costume or swamp wench -- that water was damn cold!!

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/

pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060212/
NEWS02/602120306/1007

To participate in the plunge next year visit: http://www.penguinplunge.org/

And, for strategic costume planning check out the play by play pictures available at: http://www.skipix.com/recentevents_list.htm

Happy Valentine's Day 2006

Today and the past weekend have been full of love.
I am so gracious to how good my life feels right now. :)
I feel really happy (in the sense of being content and moving in a positive direction toward my life plan).

Thank you.
I'm just going to post a collection of pictures to capture the past few days.

Windows. 

mmmm....cookies!

Valentines day is fast approaching.
I went over to Kristie's house last night
to make a batch of preparatory love cookies
with Leslie and David.
Here are some of my favorites.

And...only 5 more days until Matthew arrives.