Half-Ironman.. We did it!!

I say we did it, but I guess I should say that Brennan did it.  He finished his first Half-Ironman!!  I feel like we both finished it because were a team.  As a team we both have made sacrifices and survived the training schedule of early mornings and long days.  I mean I got up at 3:45 just like him on race morning.

In terms of training and the long hours that was all Brennan.  An Ironman takes a great amount of mileage training and hours to be successful.  Plus a very strict schedule.  Brennan did all the training and stuck to his schedule.  I did however get in some training with him.  I survived some killer rides through North County on Saturday mornings.  We also have a deal for Brennan's long training runs.  We figure out the distance he needs to go and then come up with a designated pick up place.  This way he does not have to worry about turning around, instead can just keep running forward. Toward me.. Or so I like to think.  As for the swimming portion I give Brennan all the credit I have helped very little in the last few months. Besides a few tips we have not been able to get to the pool together. 

 It was awesome to watch Brennan dominate the Orangeman Triathlon.  

If your not familiar a Half-Ironman is a ....

1.2 Mile Swim

56 Mile Bike

13.1 Mile Run

I did no racing.. Well unless you count running to different points on the course so that I could cheer for Brennan.  It was a great day watching Brennan dominate the race as well as have some of our friends come out and support him.  Plus the race lasted close to 7 hours, so I may have appreciated our friends even more then Brennan.  I had them to hangout with all day!!

Getting situated in the wetsuit- see were a team

Having a laugh before things get serious.  I remembered the gum for him.

Exiting the swim

This is me enjoying the day.. 

Brennan enjoying the bike. Only 2 miles till transition. 

 Starting the run course

Almost to the finish

Brennan Cassidy is a Half-Ironman!!!

The group that came out to support!!! 

We did it!!! My fiance is amazing!


So we have done it, well Brennan has done it completed his first Half-Ironman and then some since the race course was a bit long.  He has another half coming up in two weeks in Arizona.  This course is supposed to be the right length as well as much flatter.

Thanks to our amazing friend Blair for all the pictures!!

I am a week away from my first Olympic Distance triathlon.  So we shall see how that goes!! Brennan gets to be the spectator at that one.. Will be an interesting twist for us. But it is always a team effort!



"You and Me Against the World"- Brennan Cassidy

What a Summer....

What a summer it has been.... So many great things happened.
 The most amazing is that I got engaged!!

So here is a look at my summer....

Graduated with my Master's Degree.. So did Brennan :)

Enjoyed a few days in San Francisco 

Brennan started his new job with Insulindependence!!

My little brother graduated from high school.. Great job Sean

Went on my first Winery Tour for Melissa Deckers Swaffer's Bachelorette Party.. What a great day!!

Enjoyed Melissa's amazing wedding.. Congratulations!!

Coached another two weeks of Nike Swim Camps at San Diego State and Oklahoma University.. 

And only lost one swimmer and had one glass door break!! Successfully two weeks of swim camp.

Guess I should say do not worry we found the missing swimmer!!

Brennan surprised me with a new road bike.. We spend every Saturday together exploring North San Diego County on our bikes. Longest ride so far 50 miles!

Volunteered at Insulindependence University as a swim coach. Here is some of the members after swimming in La Jolla Cove.

How I spent most of my summer... Teaching swim lessons in my parents backyard.  I worked with over 50 kids and a few adults.  I would say about 90% are water safe and totally in love with swimming.  The other 10% are children all under 3.  I worked over 350 hours.. Single handily just teaching swimming!!

Who it all started with my amazing little friend Alex!!

Brennan's Mom came to visit!! We had a great time visiting different places in San Diego and even getting in a BBQ with my family in Redlands for the 4th of July.

Also got to see Brennan race a few times this summer that included an olympic distance triathlon in which he did awesome!! 

This is Brennan running a sub 20 minute 5k!!! It was awesome!!

You can read more about his races and even see different race video's he created from what I was able to  film on his blog at http://www.diabeticjock.com/

The best part of my entire summer...

 I got engaged to the man of my dreams!!

It was a wonderful surprise and the start to the rest of our lives!!!

I got to see my good friend Katie, who I played water polo with at SDSU at her baby shower!!

Here are a few other memorable events... 

- Went to a Padre game with my dad and Brennan. Dad was having a reunion with his teammates from Cal Western. 

- Attended a Bridal expo with my amazing friend Anna Gonzales!! Started to get wonderful ideas.

- Started looking into churches and reception venues..  So far my amazing brother has viewed 3 different reception venues and all the churches.. I have a great little brother!

- Attended another Bridal expo this time in a reception venue that we are seriously considering with my amazing sisters and mom.

So it was a busy busy summer mostly spent in the pool working.  However as you can see I also had some great surprises, had some great times with friends and family. Plus I am sure I have left some things out. But what an amazing summer it was!!

I am ENGAGED!!!

In my last blog I wrote about how Brennan always amazes me... Well he has done it once again!!  Surprises seem to be his thing lately.  This surprise was over the top and something I was not expecting.

On July 30th- Brennan asked if I would marry him... I said YES!!

Last week was a long week for me and Brennan.  Especially because Brennan was gone for work/fun the weekend before in Seattle. So between two straight weeks of work and no weekend break together it made last week seem like it took forever!!!  Last week I worked about 35 hours of swim lessons and was really sick.  I just wanted it to be Friday night and get down to San Diego to be with Brennan.  Plus earlier in the week when things were going so poorly, Brennan had told me we could go out on a nice date Saturday night. Since we had not seen each other in a while we could get dressed up and go to a nice sushi restaurant.  Once again he made me smile and gave me something to look forward to.

Thankfully my great friend Melissa picked up her phone Friday night and made my drive to San Diego super quick! Seems ironic looking back because we had this long discussion about everyone around me getting engaged.  I kept saying that I was not worried and I knew he would do it when he was ready.  Then get back to something like he has been so busy with work.  He is so great also knowing that I want to feel more secure since I am still job hunting.  Then I would laugh and be like I cant believe I am even thinking about getting engaged.  Turns out only our parents, Blair (Brennan's co-worker) and Melissa  knew Brennan was going to propose Saturday night.  Brennan had been in contact with Melissa for a few weeks about rings as he was shopping around.

So Friday night was nothing big.  We had a nice dinner at the house and just hung out.  Saturday started like most of our Saturdays have since Brennan got me a rode bike.  Well still feeling a bit under the weather he left to ride with  group and not enjoying it since he had planned this day I received a text about 40 minutes after he left that said "Baby get dressed back in 30 minutes and we are going riding."  So I got up got ready and then we headed out to ride along the coast.  It was a very overcast morning and a bit chilly but we were out riding..  We went about 28 miles and it was rough for me. I even got passed by a few people and got the look from Brennan like are you serious Jamie.  When he gives me those looks when we ride I simply smile and show him my pearly whites and I hope that helps me cause.  After riding we got back to the apartment got all showered and changed had brunch I guess you would call it.  Then headed out to run some small errands.

After running our errands we headed back home to relax a bit.  While relaxing and getting a few things done Brennan started the hunt for a sushi place.  As we went back and forth with him wanting me to make a decision.  He knows I hate making decisions and yet he still pushed. So probably ruining his whole plan for the evening.  I said something like why don't we just go to our local sushi place that we have liked so much.  I have a coupon (because yes I am always cheap).  Then we wont have to get dressed up, hassle with driving and parking.   Plus when we try for big plans things always go bad.  So we decided (or maybe I did) to just eat at our local sushi place.  Plus we could walk from the apartment.  So we freshen up and started our walk.  One of the things I enjoy most of being with Brennan is that we are always active, I love when we walk because it feels like it is just us.  We can just chat about anything and usually everything.  We spent the whole two miles laughing and smiling about all kinds of things.

Once arriving at the sushi place we were again happy to see we were the only two people in the restaurant.  We decided being our special date we would do the all you could eat and we would be so gutsy and order new types of sushi.  Brennan was shocked when I did all the ordering, that never happens. We also decided to try Saki.  It was good but not my favorite thing.  Brennan seemed to like it, maybe a bit more because the poor guy had a ring box in his left jacket pocket.  After eating a ton of sushi and having a great time chatting.  We decided to head to our spot in Fletcher Cove.

Here is an aerial picture of part of the cove

We always walk right down that pavement and sit in front of that colored sign on a wall

We call it our spot because most weekends we end up sitting on this one specific wall.  We always sit together just holding hands watching the waves breaking, people playing in the water and chat about whatever comes to mind.  So tonight was not to much different and did not lead me to think anything out of the ordinary.  Except that Brennan did not sit next to me.  After a while I for whatever reason stood up and Brennan was just holding me as we watched these 2 little boys and there dad go out into the surf.  While he was holding me I could hear and feel his heart racing and thought that was so strange.  Little did I know.... 

As we stood there looking at the beautiful pacific ocean.  I was thinking my life could not be any better. I was with the absolute love of my life, again little did I know...  All of a sudden Brennan was down on one knee holding a little white box.  I am sure Brennan could see my disbelief.   Being the couple that we are extravagant plans and long speeches are not our thing.  So Brennan kept it short and sweet. As he was down on one knee he asked "Jamie will you marry me?".  I was still so shocked I could not get anything out, it felt like forever before I gave my answer.  In reality, it was probably only a few seconds.  I said "Yes" while fighting back tears.  I just could not believe it.  I hadn't even looked at the little white box that Brennan was holding, I was just staring into his eyes in disbelief of what was happening.  As he stood I took the ring out of the box and slipped it on my finger.  It was the first time I had really looked at it and was speechless.  It was absolutely beautiful!!  We spent the next few minutes just holding each other.  I was looking between my hand and up at Brennan. All I could get out was I love you so much and I am so shocked I do not know what to say.  After saying that probably a million times, Brennan got this amazing grin on his face and said "that is the way I wanted it baby."

After a few minutes Brennan let lose about all these details that he had been holding in for the last few days.  He said it was one of the hardest things he has ever done having to keep such a big secret from me.  He thought about just trying to avoid talking to me all week, thinking that might be the easiest way not to let any details slip.  But he thought better of it.  Good thing... :) Brennan went and made his final decision on the ring last Sunday and put a deposit to hold it.  Funny listening to what he went through in the decision making process.  Guess the lady tried to talk him into a different type of stone cut and he was like she does not want that.  So he said he left happy oh and they treat you great he even got Cappuccino's while he was shopping.  He took his normal Monday morning ride along the 101 and decided he was sure he wanted to do this.  Went back later Monday afternoon and picked up the ring.  Big thanks to Blair (co-worker of Brennan's) for going with him and not letting him change his mind.  Though with Brennan once he has made a decision there is no changing his mind.  Later Monday he sent an email to my mom asking to meet my parents Thursday afternoon for lunch in Temecula.  Again impressed by my parents for not letting anything slip.  He said it went really well that my mom was crying and asking all kinds of questions that he did not have answers for.  Deferring with his go to answer of "I will have to talk to Jamie about that." Good call babe!

After Brennan got out all these details.  I called my parents who pretended like they had no idea why I was calling.  I was still in shock I could not get much out about it.  I was starting to cry and Brennan was just standing there holding me.  We then called his parents and told them.  They asked me "If I was ready to join this crazy family?" I replied " The question is he ready to join mine?" They congratulated us again and then we headed up away from the beach.  The sun was just starting to set as we began our walk.  I was on cloud nine stopped a few times and was just shocked.

Leaving our spot!!

I then placed a few more calls out and of course no one answered!!! Even Brooke who is always glued to her phone.  When I finally got a hold of her she was screaming into the phone. Then could not figure out why Brennan had not told her in advance.  Brooke I know you will read this you are not the best secret keeper. But I still love you.  She also asked if she could be my "Best Women" so I did a bit of explaining and said yes my Maid of Honor.  

After our few calls were made Brennan was suggested going to a bar around the corner and have something to drink.  I was still in such shock and I think he was coming off an adrenaline high and nerves.  We order two glasses of champagne, which the waitress was not sure they even had.  Luckily they did and then she gave us very weird look for having it. We toasted to us!!! When we ordered our second round Brennan told the lady we just got engaged.  It was so weird to hear him say it. I just smiled.  After hanging out for a bit Brennan deciding we wanted to walk back before it got to dark we headed home.  Plus Brennan had hidden some champagne and another drink I liked back at the apartment.  So we started our walk.  During the walk we each called a few friends.  All the people I called did not answer, that includes Melissa who knew!  I was so excited and no one was answering.  Thankfully they all called me back. I also sent out a few mass text messages on the way home. 

Once back we opened a huge bottle of champagne and Brennan did not break anything in the process!! We again toasted to us and looked back on the evening.  We made a trip to CVS across the street for a few snacks which is always fun.  Then just spent the evening talking and replying to the mass amount of calls and text we received with congratulation messages.  So thank-you to our family and friends for all the support!! 

So I am engaged to the most amazing man in the world.  It comes with a few stipulations: A.) I have to teach Brennan how to flip turn before November.  B.) He would like to see me race in a triathlon.  So Sunday morning I signed up for an Olympic distance in Chula Vista for late October.  I did not realize how long the running portion is. I know when Brennan reads this part he will be like "oh babe."  Consider the teaching him how to flip turn done.  If I can teach a bunch of ten year old, how hard can it be to teach my fiance.. Right??    

To answer the question everyone seems to ask. We have not set a date or really talked much about it. We are thinking 2013.  We want to enjoy our time engaged.

It's not a cliche to me...

I would guess every girl says this about there boyfriend... So it may seem like a bit of a cliche. 

My boyfriend is absolutely amazing!! 

After a rough day he brings me flowers...

Always manages to send sweet text messages just when I need them..

Plans the best adventures...

He always makes me smile and laugh..

 Brennan never ceases to amaze me!!  

While I was away working camp in Oklahoma, Brennan did it again.  I swear he amazes me everyday. He surprised me with a rode bike!!

We have talked about getting me a rode bike for about a year.  Brennan rides about four times a week with Saturday being his long ride.  He always says it would be so much better if we were both out riding.  So naturally Brennan has had me test out some different bikes to find my frame size.  I planned to really start looking once my life settled down a bit.  Well Brennan just could not wait any longer!  Turns out he had already researched which bike would be good for me and had been intensely searching craigslist.  His search paid off!!! 

Again never ceasing to amaze me a rode bike requires cycling shoes.  He took multiple pairs of my shoes down to the bike shop and got me a pair of cycling shoes. Which fit PERFECTLY!!! Sounds like some type of modern day athletic fairy tale.. Well I can say I have found my prince charming! So when I arrived home from camp he had gotten me a great bike in which he personally tuned up.  A very cute pair of cycling shoes and a helmet.

In my first week I rode a few times alone to get used to everything.  For a total of about 12 miles.  Then we went on our first long Saturday ride.  It was a really great time and very tiring.  But I survived a 32 mile ride on the coast of beautiful San Diego.  So I felt awesome about that!!!  Even ran into my grandpa going on his walk. He was so confused and I was still so worried about stopping at the light, guess he asked where my pants were.  At least that is what Brennan says.

Out on our first long Saturday ride

Well so far I have enjoyed biking.  I have managed to fall only 3 times!!  In about 3 weeks worth of riding. I am told that is really good, however my knee's are skinned and I have a ton of bruises.  So I cannot say I agree with that statement.  I have gotten way more comfortable on the bike though.  Brennan is an amazing coach in all areas!!  Especially with the gears, cause I have really struggled in that department.   

So far we have had three long Saturday rides.  Our longest being 47 miles.  I look forward to all the long Saturday rides we have in our future together and the hundred of thousands of miles we will ride. Plus the memories we will make!!!

Brennan thank you for the surprise!! I love the bike so much!! The shoes are great.  Plus, I have loved every second of riding especially when it has been with you!! Ok except for the falling part..

So it may be a cliche to some....

 However my boyfriend is absolutely amazing!!!! 

July 3rd- Not just another summer day!!!

So for many people they have just one birthday.  Depending on the individual they may extend that special day to include a whole week of festivities.

However my dad could be considered a lucky man in more ways then one. He literally has TWO birthdays that both happen to be in the same week.  Last week on July 3rd he turned three years old!!  Then on July 9th he turned 61.  Bit of a gap huh? Well we see no reason not to celebrate both birthdays and give him a birthday week.  We even throw in some fireworks on the 4th for him :)

July 3rd marked my dad's 3rd birthday with his new heart. A birthday that comes with mixed emotions.  It is a day that my family celebrates!! It is a day that comes because of a donor and his gift.  A day in which we are extremely grateful.  July 3rd, 2008 was the day we received "the call" that a heart was on its way. I will leave out most of the details except the fact that at this point my dad had been living at UCLA Hospital for over a month. And we were starting to run out of options.  However the call still came as a shock.  Dad managed to get a hold of everyone..  Easier said then done.  But we all rushed to UCLA.  Once we had all arrived thankfully before they took him to surgery.  We all joked and laughed like it was no big deal just another day in the life.  A day that we all remember giving a "Go Team" and saying a prayer for dad and the other family in a cold white hospital hallway.  Only to be left standing there as they wheeled dad off to the operating room.  Standing there with all my siblings trying not to cry.  It was the scariest moment of our lives.

The surgery would last all night and we would be told it was a success in the morning.  However there would still be a few obstacles to overcome.  However none of that worried us. The hardest part was over.  The part of actually getting a heart and getting through surgery.  In those few days I can honestly say I thought very little of the family that was suffering, because it had been a very long time since we had so much hope at the Vessey house.  Later that week I would start to think about the other family and pray for them.  What is considered one of the best days of my life is someone elses worst nightmare.

So July 3rd is my dad's 3rd birthday but it is a day that is much more then that. It is a day that I send my thoughts and prayers to a family who lost a loved one.  A day in which I pray and am so thankful that someone and many other people have the compassion to think of others in being an organ donor.  Because they are giving such an amazing gift, a true blessing!!!

We do not just pray for our donor and his family on July 3rd.  We thank them daily all in our own ways.  For example Christmas morning we all pray together before starting the unwrapping of gifts.  The first gift is usually something that reminds us how thankful we are.  We have donated to causes or other organizations.  Then we receive a gift that we will have as a daily reminder. I have two beautiful pieces of jewelery.  A heart necklace that I wear often inscribed with "New Heart 7-03-08."  Every time I put it on I say a prayer.

July 3rd is a day in which I am so grateful!! Grateful to the amazing doctors at UCLA and now Cedar Sinai.  To the donor and his family for giving such a selfless gift during such a terrible time.  Because of that gift my dad is living an amazing life. I want to share a few memories he has witness because of our donor's compassion and blessing!!

Mikayla:

 First high school water polo game

First Citrus Belt League Title for REV 

 First CIF playoff games

 Swimming in CIF Championships

First few high school dances

Sean:

 First High School Football game

  Smudge Pot Victories 3 on Varsity 

Rivalry Smudge Pot 2011- Sean as the holder getting the ball down to win the game with no time on the clock. 

 Graduating High School

 College orientation at Northern Arizona

Brooke:

 Playing water polo in college

 Her 2nd shoulder surgery

Mountain West Conference President

SDSU Winning the community service award- presented at the MWC Basketball Championships

 All Mountain West Conference Swimming Honors (2009-2010, 2010-2011)

 Mountain West Conference Champions

Jamie:

 Last collegiate swim meet

Richard Deitts Scholarship Winner

 Undergrad Graduation from San Diego State

 Coaching two seasons at the DI level- helping to lead my team to a MWC Championship 

 Master's Graduation from University of San Francisco

These are only a few events over the last three years. Words are not enough to express my true feelings toward our donor. To the donor's family you will always and forever be in my thoughts and prayers.

DAD I LOVE YOU!!! Happy 3rd Birthday..

On a side note his 3 year check up went pretty well and dad plans to play in the transplant vs doctors game again this year.  Last year I believe he went 3-4 or something awesome like that. He even hit a jack!!! Guess he still has it :)

Little video of dad playing in the transplant game

He has even take up cooking... However I think he still needs to work on it!!

Insulindependence University (iD)

Brennan's new job has brought about a ton of changes for me as well.  Most importantly it has made it so that I am more involved with the non-profit Insulindependence (iN).  About two weeks ago they had a huge event here in San Diego called Insulindependence University.  The "captains" all come together for this program to learn more about themselves, their diabetes and how to better their diabetes management through athletics. Many use triathlons, others distance running and some the great outdoors. 


So since Brennan works for the organization he did a ton of logistics and other planning for the different events over the course of the week.  Thankfully the start of the week I was also working camp so we were both extremely busy. However while Brennan was setting things up they realized they needed someone to come speak to the Triabetes (triathlon group) about open water swimming and run a swim in La Jolla Cove.  Well guess who he convinced to volunteer.  No I was more then honored to be asked.  Plus it got me out of breakfast duty one morning of swim camp. 


I would leave the dorm at 5:30 to meet the group at La Jolla Cove.  Where I gave a quick speech about open water swimming. Ocean vs Lake, Spotting, swimming a group, entering and exiting, drafting.  Then took questions. I was pretty impressed with my knowledge since I had not raced in a few years open water.  I then took them toward the cove and helped them do some spotting and sent them out.  They seemed to all like the cove and there was a bunch of seals that morning. 

Vic and Brennan getting out of the ocean

A few of the triabetes members finishing up the cove swim

 Since Brennan is also an active member in the triathlon group (Triabetes) and the running group (Glucomotive) who I also raced under in the Carlsbad half marathon last year.  It was interesting to get to see more of what the organization does. I spent Thursday afternoon listening to a few different lectures they had set up for the captains.  I learned some great information about my self in training and then about what Brennan goes through to be able to train and do it successfully.  I then headed down to La Jolla Shores with the organization for a dinner and a bonfire on the beach.  It was a fun event where I got to meet great people.  Who all just think Brennan is doing a great job in his new role with the organization. I could not agree more!!


Friday I had planned to again help the organization.  I was able to help the triabetes group with there swimming this time in a pool.  I led the captains through some drills to improve there swimming and become efficient with every stroke. Then had them doing some swim sets.  They were all great and they seemed to make some great strides and were able to learn specific drills that would be able to help them at home.  It was another great experience.


So overall I loved being able to help out the organization in terms of donating my time and my expertise in the world of swimming. I am a full supporter of Insulindependence. I am IN!!

Nike Camps

I have been fortunate that my swimming and water polo has opened many different doors for me.  Over the course of the summer I have been teaching lesson in my parents backyard pool.  I always enjoy spreading the excitement of swimming with others.  I also have gotten to participate as the lead counselor for the last few summers at the Nike Swim Camp at San Diego State University and University of Oklahoma.

Working camp is always exhausting and exciting at the same time.  Being in charge of 50 campers for 4 days can really take it's toll, especially when your sleeping in the dorm.  The San Diego State camp went really well and had a great group of swimmers.  A few with such enjoyment of the sport it almost (I said almost) made me want to get in and start training again. One camper who was only about 12 would ask these questions that were so intense.  Multiple times I had to say I would get back to him because I just did not have the answer and needed to do some research.  Also exciting to get to talk about college and just swimming at the different levels.

The campers at SDSU

Working camp at University of Oklahoma is always a bit more relaxed and then stressful at the same time. For starters I have to fly out a day before camp and of course had plane trouble.  I plan to not fly for a while.  I was supposed to arrive about midnight.  Well in Dallas we got on the plane and started heading for the runway and I noticed a ton of smoke coming from the left engine.  We just kept going and I was wondering if I was the only one noticing it.  Till the 3 year old in front of me pointed it out to her mom and asked her to close the little shade cause she was scared.  We started to pick up to speed only to have the pilot slam on the breaks. Then announce that the left engine would not start. A few things were running thought my mind. 

A) It was smoking the second we pulled away from the gate- what the heck took you so long. 

B) Again, it took you attempting to take off to see if it would just start up after not working for the last 15 minutes

C) Great how long is this gonna take.

Well needless to say we had to wait for a mechanic to come check it out.  Guess the starter had just disintegrated.  It costs us another hour and a half sitting at the gate on the plane. For a whole 30 minute ride into Oklahoma. So I arrived at a lovely 2:00 am. 

Camp would start the next day and go pretty smooth.  This camp is easier in the sense that we only serve them dinner, all the rest of the meals are eaten in the commons.  While at the SDSU camp we feed them all 3 meals a day.  So a lot of energy goes into that process of setting up, serving, and then cleaning up.  Plus its just a bit odd to work a camp at OU since we do not live in Oklahoma. This being our second year it went was much smoother in terms of logistics and finding everything. What is not great about this camp is the weather. It is so hot and humid, you walk outside and just feel like passing out.  The pool is inside which is different for us California people, especially since it has NO ventilation at all. Causing it to be an extremely stuffy and extremely hot, it was always at 90+ inside the facility.  With that lovely chlorine smell. 

So far in my last two years of camp at OU we always have some type of incident.  Last year a girl cut her foot on the bottom of a door and had to go get it stitched back up.  While I got stuck watching all the other campers.  This year we had two things happen both times with the same kid who was 8.  First we lost him.  When I say that do not panic we found him.  Turns out he thought we were leaving sooner then we did and headed downstairs.  Where he then got distracted by a college friend of his. Not sure how an 8 year old has college friends, but that is what he said.  So we decided the rest of the campers and counselors would proceed to the pool as schedule and I went into panic mode.  Searching the dorm. Got his master key to his dorm room to see if he was in there.  Then called the camp director who was at the pool who said he just walked into the pool area.  So after looking like a complete idiot, no harm no foul.  Right?  However the next day would be a bit different.  Some girls were holding a door closed and not allowing him to come in, so this 8 year old got flustered and well kicked the door.  So hard that the shatter proof glass- well it shattered.  Luckily it was the tempered kind so it did not fall out and hurt any of them.  But he shattered a glass door!! Without any shoes on!! Thankfully he did not hurt his foot either. The women working the dorm said she has only seen it happen one other time in all her years of working at OU and that was when two football players were fighting and threw one into the door. And were talking Sooner football players.  Luckily his parents were cool and are paying for the damage.

The campers at OU

Sitting in the stadium at OU

So I have survived another two weeks of swim camp.  I learned some new things and most importantly shared a lot of information with excited campers.  Plus it is always fun to see another university.  Even though I had been to OU last summer, it was great to get back and see more of the university.  As well as  feel the sense of pride these people have in there association and the support of the athletic department.