Athletics
Beach-Mountain-Desert
After finally adjusting to the working world my brother was kind enough to plan a trip out to my new place in California. In a single week, we spent time at the beach, went skiing in the San Bernadino mountains (Big Bear), and hiked all over Joshua Tree national park. The west coast certainly has its perks!
Post Swimming Retirement
Since finishing my swimming career (for now), I've been trying to maintain fitness through running and lifting. I set myself some fun lifting goals, and recently went to my highschool track to run a marathon. Soon I'd like to get back to lifting and complete and Ironman by the end of the year.
Completed College Swimming
It was a long journey to get here, but finishing my swimming career will be an experience I cherish forever. I was lucky to be surrounded by great coaches and teamates on every team I was ever a part of, and I'll always be in debt to the sport of swimming for everything it has given me.
Made Canadian Olympic Trials
Back in my sophomore year I was a man on a mission. It had long since been a goal to go to Olympic Trials, and after finishing my competitive season with Cornell, I drove from campus to the Ontario Swimming Championships where I qualified. Covid would ruin the opportunity to swim in the meet itself, but qualifying was still an extrodinary experience.
Acheived a longterm goal
MSCL is the local summer swim league where I grew up and happens to be deceptively competitive. Representing my neighborhood pool was always my reason for competition while I was still eligible, so breaking a county record in the Open-Age Medley Relay with some great teammates and friends was the perfect sendoff to a core childhood experience.
Cooking
Cooking Faceoff
My buddy Pierson and I cooked together nearly every day during Covid, so when we were given the opportunity to compete against some of our teammates in a battle of cuisine, we were more than happy to throw our hat in the ring. Who really won that day is still up for debate but a great time regardless.
Thanksgiving
This actually wasn't the first time Pierson and I cooked a Thanksgiving feast together, but it certainly looked the most put together. Cooking with your friends is always fun, but waking up early to prep a turkey before walking to school makes for an odd experience.
Wines
I'm certainly no expert on wines, I didn't even get to take the class at Cornell, but between spending time at wineries around Ithaca and cooking occasionally requiring it, I found myself really enjoying wine! After moving to California, I decided to join a wine club and had a ton of fun trying to guess the tasting notes on wines I've never tried. I'll almost always enjoy a glass, but here's a selection of wines I liked enough to take a photo of, and some of my thoughts on each!
Andis Sauvignon Blanc
Super citrus-y wine in a refreshing way! I had this with some lemon garlic scallop pasta and it was incredible. (B)
Betwixt Chardonnay
This one is a favorite of mine for sure. I can only really describe it as a buttery but not overwhlemingly so. It's great on its own, but I put it in French Onion Soup recently and it stole the show. (A+)
Cellars 33 Chardonnay
Honestly don't recall this one super well outside of it just being a solid pick all around. (B)
Cellars 33 Zinfandel
So Zinfandels are some of my favorites in general due to their peppery notes, and this one hit all the highlights backed with a full fruity body! (A)
Chateau Hostens-Picant Cuvee Des Demoiselles
I'm gonna be real, I took French growing up but I could barely read this label. Banger wine though. (A+)
Josh Cabernet Sauvignon
The boy Josh. It may not be the fanciest wine, but you can get him nearly anywhere, and he'll never disappoint. Classic all around pick. (B+)
Kalinero Nero Di Troia
I'm not typically a fan of vanilla-y wines, I think most of the time they do a bit too much with it. That being said, this one paired a dulled vanilla with a fully bodied fruity flavor and it was elite. Tasted a lot like how I imagine Dr.Pepper tasted to me when I was 11, perfection. (A+)
Lucas and Lewellen Pinot Noir
Pinots are always heavy wines to me, and this kept that aspect of the grape while not beating me down over a long finishing flavor. (A)
Menage a Trois Red Blend
Always gonna be a fan of a budget pick. Grab this one at TJs for a nice red wine to deglaze a pan with, then enjoy a couple glasses (as is tradition) before dinner is plated. (B)
Langhe Arneis Doc Moroso
After initially trying this at my wine club's wine tasting, I knew what I was going to pick up for dinner immediately. Peachy/Apricot white wines just have this distinct flavor I'm trying to put my finger on, but for the time being rest assured I'll simply just be getting more. (A)
Stars and Dust Rose
I think rose gets a bad rep from people who drink too much wine. A lot of them are very samey and a bit too sweet. They almost don't want to be wines sometimes. Not this one though. Top to bottom this impressed, tasted like how I imagined rose would taste when it was first explained, a good mix of dry citrusy notes followed by a light but full bodied finish. (A+)
Westerly Malbec
Ok so apparently this wine doesn't exist. Looked up and down and Westerly doesn't even make a Malbec. Which is a shame because the one I had from them was great! Can't recall well what this tasted like (a great sign), but I paired it with steak and asparagus. Definitely recall being impressed. (A)
