Big Weekend!
So this was a big weekend! Not only was it a nice three day weekend, but I had Novali, it was my birthday, and I had my first race on a real track. So needless to say I was driving all over and keeping busy.... but whats new right?

I started the weekend taking Friday morning off of work. I met Tamara and picked up Novali and took her to work with me that afternoon. She is not as shy anymore and was a lot of fun at work, she talked to everyone, and even told Kristi that she needs to dust her office cause it was dirty... man! Novali has become very observant of things, like when I first picked her up she told me my car was fast and bouncy (I got new stiffer suspension). She picks up on everything and is very literal when you tell her things. Like on Sunday she got scared of a praying mantus... large bug... so I told her... "You aren't afraid of bugs are you?", she responded, "Nope... I am not scared of lady bugs and butterflys, those are bugs."

After work on Friday we hungout and went for ice cream with Heather. The weather was not as nice as I had hoped but we had fun at my apartment. Saturday was a fun day... we woke up and watched the Wiggles, had breakfast and then got ready for the day. First on the agenda was a trip to Cereal City. It was not what I expected... most of the display were for older kids. However Novali had a blast meeting Tony the Tiger and getting her picture on a box of Frosted Flakes. We did get to see how they make Froster Flakes and play some games.

After that was a trip to the mall... just hungout, she played in the kids place and we had a late lunch. Then it was off to Heather's place. Her parents came to visit so we got a soccer ball and some hot dogs and brats and grilled at her apartment. Novali kicked the soccer ball around, played with some of the local kids, and then we ate. It was fun just grilling and relaxing and enjoying the nice weather. Too bad it was too cold at night for the fireflies cause I had hoped to catch some with Novali.

Sunday was fun... it was my birthday. It was great, Novali came and woke me up... I was trying to open my eyes and asked Novali if she wanted me to put on the Wiggles. She said no... I need to tell you something... HAPPY BIRTHDAY she yelled. It was great that she remembered all on her own. We had some breakfast and went to Jackson to meet up with Heather and her parents. We found a little fair at Cascades park in Jackson. Not a big fair by any means, but they had a carousel and Novi always loves those. They also had a big 35 foot slide that she got the courage to go down... not once but twice! We got some fair lemonade (man they don't make it like they used to!), played at a little playground there, and took some time out to chat with my parents who called from Bolivia. Later we had a nice Birthday dinner and got ready to take Novali back to her mom.

I had a lot of fun with Novali and glad we were able to do some cool things. She enjoyed Cereal City and playing soccer and just hanging out. I liked learning some of the Wiggles songs and just lounging around with her. It was great. We dropped Novali off with her mom and then Heather and I went to Grand Rapids.

We arrived at Grand Rapids really late Sunday night because of traffic. We got some drinks and food to go from Bennigans and relaxed. Monday morning was a big race at the Grattan Raceway near Grand Rapids. It was too much fun! It was my first time on a real race track... so my first run I took it a little slow to feel the course out. We had 4 runs and on my first three runs I did better each time. I did 72 seconds my first run, 69 on my second run and 67 on my 3rd run and I was feeling good. I was in 8th out of 13 cars... some of the best STS cars in West Michigan were there so I was feeling good about the day so far.

On my fourth run I was determined to hit 66 seconds... which would move me up at least 2 spots. I pushed the GXE hard from the gate, the coming out of the second turn I lost traction and got my car almost completely sideways on the track! Not sure how but I was able to save it and not hit anything... needless to say the run was slower... but a respectable 68 seconds anyhow. I ended with 8th in my class, not bad being that my Sentra was the smallest motor out of the 13 cars. When I returned to the starting grid several guys congratualted me on holding the car on course... they all thought I was for sure gonna loose it and go off the course. So all in all it was a good outing.

On the ride home something was wrong with the Sentra... I might of torn my CV Boot and the race caused my CV joint to go bad... or worse yet it also sounds like my wheel bearing might be bad. The race I am sure did not cause it, but the high speeds and hard turning on Monday I am sure helped speed my aging car into more repairs. But Who Cares! I got to drive on a nationally known track.

The three day weekend is over... and this week is going to be busy. Tonight kicks off Sorority fall recruitment and this weekend is PARTY on PERRY! The big event I helped start last year and we got to keep it going... please hope for a good weather forecast for this weekend for us!