H-1B application approved!

So today I found out that the H-1B visa application that Caterpillar submitted on my behalf has been approved. Hooray!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks full of great news. Let's hope the streak continues!

Triathlon, Cycling, and More in Peoria, IL

A little research uncovered that the Peoria area isn't the best for cycling, but that doesn't mean there aren't folks out there doing it!

Businesses

• The Blog Peoria Project: http://blogpeoria.com/
  
• Running Central: http://runningcentral.net/
• Bushwhacker: http://bushwhacker.com/
  
• Bellevue Cycle: 2212 S.W. Adams St.; 309-673-2734
  
• Illinois Cycle and Fitness: 9016 N Allen Rd; 309-693-2691
• Russell Cycle & Fitness: http://russellsfitness.com/
  

Triathlon:

• Peoria Triathlon Club: http://tri-peoria.org/

Cycling:

• Welcome to Illinois Valley Wheelm'n: http://www.ivwheelmn.org/
• Peoria Bicycle Club: http://www.peoriabicycleclub.com/
• Peoria Area Mountain Bike Association (PAMBA): http://www.pambamtb.org/

Trails/Commuting:

• Illinois Trail Map: http://www.trailresources.com/il13.html
• Wikipedia - Rock Island State Park: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_Island_Trail_State_Park
• Rock Island Trail (Toulon to Alta): http://www.ritrail.org/
• Keller Branch Trail (Alta to Peoria): TBD?
• Pioneer Parkway (Alta to Peoria): http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6015789
• Pimiteoui Trail (Peoria to Peoria Heights): http://www.trailresources.com/trail-illinois-pimiteoui-trail.html
• DNR River Trail of Illinois (Peoria Heights to East Peoria): http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6015793 or http://www.fermatainc.com/il/site_36.html
  
• Morton Community Bikeway (East Peoria to Morton): http://www.mortonparkdistrict.com/bikeway.html
• Pekin Park Trail (East Peoria to Pekin): http://www.pekin.net/pekinparkdistrict/Bike%20Trail%20Map.html
  

This appears to be one route to get to the Rock Island Trailhead from our house:

View Larger Map

Bid accepted!!!

The bid was accepted! After a few counter bids back and forth, we finally were able to settle on a price that suited everyone. Closing date is June 30 so I am going to have to find some temporary housing from my start date of May 18, but that shouldn't be a big deal. 

I'd like to finish this post with an excited "HOLY CRAP, WE'LL BE HOME OWNERS SOON!"

Passed the defense today. Just don't call me Dr.

Big news today! I passed my final defense for my Ph. D. The picture shows me shaking hands with Stefan from Volvo after my defense.

Now we're off to Peoria to look at homes. We'll be back Tuesday so if you don't get a response from us this weekend it's because we're out of town and without internet.