Gallup, New Mexico - Get your kicks on Route 66

Watch Cars - that's where I live.

Today I had parent teacher conferences. 11am - 7pm. It was an interesting day, and overall I am pleased with how it went. I only had two no-shows, which is pretty good. I love meeting my student's parents because they let me into their lives and I really get a sense for their family life and where they come from. My students come from the most messed up situations which I don't know if I every really can fathom. Today I learnt that one of my students has only had RUNNING WATER for two years. She has five brothers and sisters... crazy.

Yesterday I was playing indoor soccer, and I got pretty beat up. I got a full out shot on goal in my stomach, another shot on my thigh, and then I stole the ball away from this guy and ended getting his shin full force against my tibia. It KILLS! Such is life. I also play ball hockey on Thursdays. This week this guy from Phoenix was in town and he came out - he played for the Padres for two years. Kinda cool.

Worship at my church here is pretty awesome. Yesterday we had a recorder, harmonica, three little girls, two guitars and a wash bucket drum strummer thing lead us in worship. Its sound phenomenal, and we sang I'll Fly Away as well as Hank Williams I saw the Light. Sometimes we have a group that leads with a steel drum and I feel like I am in the Caribbean or something. It is delightful. There are some amazing musicians in Gallup. Always someone playing at the local coffee shop or pub... or church.

The JV girls basketball team I am coaching is doing so well. We have 5 wins in a row now, it feels good. I am enjoying the relationships I am building with these girls. They are so funny, I miss high school. We have three games left.

I want to go to Mexico City for spring break I think. Maybe not. If anyone wants to go with me that would be really fun. First week of April, including surrounding weekends. Airplane tickets from most places are 450ish. My aunt lives there, lots of room. Free place to stay, plaza and market down the street. We could go to the pyramids, caves, etc. The best zoo I have ever been to, as well as the amazing Museum of Anthropology.

My kittens, Stella and Banks, are doing very well. Banks is weighing in at a mere 10 lbs for his 6 months of life. Stella is about 6 lbs. Basically Banks is part panther and it is awesome.

I miss you all. Come visit me. The double wide has lots of room.

If you don't listen to Joe Purdy, Regina Spektor, or Matt Kearny - you should.

random pictures that make me smile

Leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again...

The craziness of the holidays is pretty much over and my two weeks of laziness are coming to an end.

Good times from Christmas vay-cay:

• hauling in a huge load of sweet Christmas presents
• getting a crazy charley horse from my brother the day I got home
• watching Little Miss Sunshine with my mom
• waking up to my mom blasting Engelbert Humperdinck on the record player (may not be such a good thing)
• my brother plays Manitoba Junior hockey and I was at his game the other night - my program number was called and I got to shoot for $100 and pizza during the third period (I failed miserably but it was still great)
• Boxing day shopping
• shopping the day after boxing day
• New Year's Eve with Kristen, Tyler, and Marcus, being hit on by creepy men, dancing to sick oldies, and maybe a meatball or two was thrown
• playing Settlers with good friends
• helping plan Gwen's wedding, coffee with Gwen, the Bakkers, and diner with Gwen and Tyson
• tobogganing

Tonight my mom, my brother, his girlfriend, and her parents are all going out to eat at my favorite Chinese restaurant - Kum Koon Garden. Then we are going to see Night at the Museum, which I have been dying to see. It is my last night in town. Tomorrow after church I catch my flight back to ol'Albuquerque.

I will miss my family, but I am so looking forward to getting back into a routine again. I think it might come as a shock . I get in to Albuquerque at 6:30, get my car from the Shumate's and then have a 2 hour drive. Teach Monday morning, basketball practice after school, and then we have a game on Tuesday. Why am I coaching basketball??? Actually it has been enjoyable and the girls are great.

So keep your fingers crossed that I don't get stuck in Denver again.

A quick update and backtrack...

It is about time I started blogging agian... so here I go. I always think oh I should really blog about that and then I never do. This is a little backtrack on things that have been going on in my life for that last little while.













The first picture here is Angel, holding Banks. The cats came to school for a little show and tell episode. That is my class holding the plants (Nasturtiums) that we grew. Very exciting project.











Here Cara and I are hiking outta the cracks on the Crevice hike, and a picture of the amazing red rock.



Christian Hunter, Tim Bruinius (our neighbors, as well as fellow teachers), Cara, and I, at Canyon De Chelly. One of my favorite little coves to hike to.







Christian, Tim, and I - out hiking in our backyard.







I love these sacks of flour. They come in these awesome cloth sacks, and they are huge. I never run out of flour.











Cara and I out on a little shopping trip in Old Town Albuquerque.




The soccer team.

We lost in the semi-finals, poop.

So yeah, I don't know what else. This is it for now. I am still alive, still loving it here. I now pledge to blog more often.

The Ballloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is home to the largest Balloon event in the world. Hot air balloons from all over the fricken place come down. In the mornings they do these mass ascensions where up to 800 balloons take off at relatively the same time. They go in waves starting at one side of the field and working across, and then restarting again. Balloons are everywhere and it is truly unbelievable. The sky is just littered with the little balls of colour. I headed down to Albuquerque to stay with the Shumate's the opening weekend of the Fiesta, and then again the following weekend when I actually was fortunate enough to be able to go in one of the balloons (Thanks Mark and Donna!!!). I was basically in awe of all the balloons and the crazy amount of colours everywhere you look. Cara can attest to my annoyingness at 5:30am (this is an early morning thing), I felt like a 5 year old, I couldn't shut up, didn't know where to look, and ran around like a crazy person. Balloons are everywhere, all around you. You can basically walk anywhere, touch the balloons, walk in between the rows, and feel the heat from the flame. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is also the most photographed event in the world... so here is a selection of my pics from the glorious event.



Cara, Donna Shumate, and I - bright and early in the morning of our big flights.

Cara and I very quickly volunteered to help set up the balloon. I don't think I have ever raised my hand so fast. That is our pilot Darrel giving us the low down.

Almost ready to burst with excitement!

View of the skyline from our Balloon.

Two of my favorite pictures from the first weekend.