"rolling" hills

Did anyone ever mention to me that New York was a ridiculous state in which mother nature got mad and placed significant, steep hills in every possible location? No they did not. this ambiguous "they" also failed to mention that the brilliant city planners (where there any?) of New York state did not think about the problems of building roads over the hills (or the possibility that people might try to bike on those roads . . .) and thus just when right over the top.... basically, what I'm trying to say is that yesterday, i spent 88.6 miles going over hills labeled "9% grade, next 2 miles." These are hills, not mountains! they aren't even two miles up!!!! How did they possibly design roads that steep and long???? All i have to say is that by the end of the day, though I was standing on the side of the road in 98 degree heat, i was totally convinced i was in the shower, because of the amount of sweat pouring off my body.

all in all, though, it has been a beautiful day, wonderful people and lots of fun. Every night, when we get to the place that we are staying, i (with three others) give a slideshow to tell our hosts about the program. Its been quite fun . . . the rest of the group comes up with a challenge word that we are to incorperate without the host knowing. thus far, our words have been "nimbly bimbly," "limeric" and "kankels." very silly.

today is our first build day... i'm looking forward to it.