Learning out west

This past week I was lucky to go out to Scottsdale Arizona to train on one of the products my company sells. Gaggenau appliances. They blend very well with our Pedini Kitchens. I have been really looking forward to learning how to use them properly and of course cook.

So last Monday I hopped a flight out to Arizona to learn all I could and be treated fabulously while I was out there. Gaggenau products are incredibly engineered. They are hand crafted and made for people who want to get the best results out of the food they prepare. It was awesome to cook on them and have the advice of a real chef around to ask questions. The chef made braised lamb shanks and I can't wait to try my hand at it at home.  I may just have to come in to work and play around some more with them.

Going the distance

Last week was a very busy week for me, but it started with something that has become a fun past time for me running. I took up running in May and decided that to be official I needed to run a race. So I chose a 5k that seemed do-able and registered. Well I had a 3 week siesta from running with a bum ankle but was still determined to run my race. I had been out running again and finally made the 3 mile mark again. So Sunday I got into my gear, made a playlist and got ready. Eric was on the sidelines cheering me on.  I ran it in 40 minutes. I am proud of that before I hurt myself I was running 10 minute miles so I was pretty happy the results on my first run. Now it's time to find my next race. :)

If I had a scooter...

I would want this helmet.

I think it's a really great design. I'm not sure how safe it would be but very stylish.
It's designed by Daniel Don Chang. His website is full of cleverly designed ideas, but this helmet stole the show for me.

This month is going to be crazy busy

I am really excited about this month. September ended with a bang. I took part of my NCIDQ test. I'm hoping I did well. I studied hard, and I am the only person I really know that has ever taken it so I wasn't sure what to really expect. So fingers crossed.

October began wonderfully. Eric and I along with his brother and girlfriend went to the Petit Le Mans race. It was so much fun. I had forgotten how loud the cars are, how amazing it is to see them driving 150-200 miles an hour. We also got to drive around a real test track. I got to drive a Mazda MX-5 and everyone else drove Mazda 3 S sports. It was really cool to be on a race track. I would love to learn how to drive like a race car driver. This was also my second manual car ever. I drive mine, but have never driven anyone else's. I was a bit nervous that I would stall it out in front of everyone. I  didn't. :) The race was great and I can't wait to go back next year. Maybe with a bike. The race track is huge and it would be great to get around on one.

That's photo from Autosport

Upcoming this week is an Airshow. Yeah for planes! Then my 5k, out to Arizona, and back for a wedding and a concert. This month is packed full.

Life is a bit repetitive lately

I feel like I have been doing the same things everyday. I revise for my test, go to work which in some ways is like more studying, come home study, cook dinner, repeat. Since I have a bum ankle I can't for the moment so I'm feeling a bit stir crazy. I didn't realize how much energy and happiness just getting outside and running in the city gives me until I couldn't do it. Good thing next week things start picking up. My test is Friday, then for the next month I have something going on until early November.

For now I'll leave you with something that inspires me. It has design, cars and a museum all in one. Love.

 

Zaha Hadid's Riverside Museum, Glasgow.

from

PS I think that little green car is a P50 you can see Jeremy Clarkson of TopGear fame driving one here.

Fantastic Fall

The sky is dreary today. It has been drizzling or mizzling all day. (*mizzle-my word for when it isn't drizzling just misting out). It feels however like fall finally. After a very hot summer it's nice to wear jeans again and think about sweaters. It also let's me bring out the two fall holiday decor items that I have. Other than some Christmas stuff this is it. The are from my Mom. She gave me a fall leaf with a little bird, and a large glass acorn. It makes me happy to see them and know that the season is finally changing.

Other than that happiness I have had my nose in my studies. My test is next week! I am anxious but excited about it. Tonight I have some more revision to do. 

Study, Study Study get your brain in gear

I've been graduated from college since 2007. I've been working in my field about a year before I graduated. Balancing school and work was difficult but rewarding. I got to take the real life skills I was using at my job and put them into my school designs.  So what I'm getting at is that it has been a long time since I've studied for something.

I realized earlier this year that I finally had enough work experience to apply for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. After signing over my kidney I was accepted to take it. Just kidding not a kidney they just wanted a lot of information.

In short it means I know my stuff and can design a space that people can exit safely in case of a fire, I know how things are built and constructed, and I know the process of how an interior design project needs to be run.  A lot these things I deal with on a daily basis, project management, drafting, programming.  Code names for flammability not as often i.e. NFPA 701. In case you are wondering that's a code dealing with the flammability of fabrics, specifically drapery. Yes I care about the fire rating of fabrics and I read about it when I select them but I don't conscientiously think about the NFPA 701.

The test is coming up at the end of this month and I've been revising like a fiend, taking practice tests and carrying flash cards to make sure I don't forget anything. It's been a throw back to college life and it's been strange.  I'll take 2 parts now in the fall and take a drafting practicum in the Spring. I wanted to be prepared but not overloaded. After all it's been a while since this girl's bubbled in a scantron test.