Challenge Accepted II

Man! I do love a good challenge!
*(someone should challenge me to get my blogging habits in check...)
And today's challenge is:
Wait. Let's play a bit of a game...
*saw voice* I wanna play a game.
Have I used that one before? Maybe? Yeah? Who cares!?

Ten Clues.

1) It involves English class.
2) The reward (once completed) is a blue Gatorade, my favourite drink, from a friend.
3) A movie very recently came out about this.
4) It was a very gory movie (but still really good!)
5) It involves memorizing and reciting.
6) It involves poetry.
7) I have one week to do it.
8) It is quite difficult.
9) It is rather impressive.
10) It involves birds.

There now take a good look before you read the answer!

 If you guessed, "Memorize and recite 'The Raven' by Edgar Allan Poe," then you were correct!

Notice the poe in the sixth clue?
Clever play on words, eh?

Anyway, I love random stuff like this, and I LOVE a challenge.
It's kind of a flaw, but it also works to my advantage I guess.

Anyway, gotta go to bed now, so 'Let's bounce'!
(Something that I like to say with swagger)

So, I'm thankful for challenges (again), thankful for Edgar Allan Poe (he's pretty cool), and I'm thankful for those pesky ravens (because even something ugly can be an inspiration).
"Quoth the raven, 'Nevermore'"

And I am (N)evermore thankful!
J

Capris

There are several signs that spring is here and summer is just around the corner:  raking lawns (which I blogged about already), the robins appearing, longer days, switching my Starbucks drink from a peppermint white mocha (grande, low fat, no whip) to a passion tea lemonade with a shot of raspberry syrup (half the ice), and ... get ready for it ... capris.  Since spring break, I have not been back in full length pants.  I have been cold.  Oh yes, I have been cold.  But once it's time to pack the pants, there is no looking back!  Whether the weather be cold or whether the weather be hot, it's the end of April and it's time to embrace the spring wardrobe.  Yay for capri pants and flip flops and tank tops and all things spring.  A.

God's Sense of Humour

I had a personal taste of God's sense of humour Friday night.  For those of you who were paying attention, I was at my school doing the 30 Hour Famine for World Vision on Friday to Saturday.  I had set a personal goal of spurring the kids on to raise $12,000 for World Vision.  After the first half of the fund raising time was over, we had raised $5300 and I must say, I was a little disappointed.  The first half our fund raising is usually our strongest as the kids are excited and inspired.  By the time the second half rolls around, they have asked everyone they know and are running out of steam.

While I was busy running the Famine events, I had a volunteer counting money for me.  She came out around 10:00 p.m. and asked if I wanted to know the total.  It was $11,987.00.  I was flabbergasted and had to laugh out loud that we would get so close to our goal and not meet it.  It only took me a minute to remember that my own son had been promised a $30 donation that he hadn't received yet which would put us over our goal. 

I think God enjoys putting little "gotcha's" into our lives.  I'm sure He enjoys laughing with us.  Friday night was a good reminder that God hears our hearts and minds and listens to our requests, even if He has to slip a little practical joke in just to show He is in perfect control.  Good one!!! A.

Freedom

I just finished reading a book today about the oppression of the Chinese people.  This book was written ten years ago but a new forward written for the 10th anniversary of the book stated that many of the issues written about ten years ago still apply to certain pockets of China today.  So today I am thankful that:
*  I can have more than one child - ten if I want!!! (no plans, J.  No plans)
*  having a girl baby first put no negative stigma on us as a family (do you know how many more males there are than females in China?  Someone should have done the Math a long time ago before they started aborting baby girls!).
*  I can publicly agree, disagree or remain impassive on government decisions
*  I have the freedom to believe in God
*  stating my beliefs on any issue won't result in my losing my job, spending time being "reeducated" or worse - jail and possible death
*  I get fair pay for a fair job
*  I can access any internet site I want without worrying about censorship because of unapproved political or religious beliefs

Feel free to stand and sing your national anthem now.  A.
(By the way, I'll be at school for a sleepover tomorrow night so I won't be blogging.  Very impressed that you used your precious school time to blog today, J.  You rock!).

Ho Hum

Hmm... What to be thankful for today?
There are so many things out there that we take for granted, that we don't even realize just how useful they are...
For example the internet.

Lately, the wifi in my house has decided to be a loser. No competitive drive whatsoever. At all.
Which is why, dear readers, that I didn't make a post last night. The internet at my house just comes and goes as it pleases, like some silly house cat. I don't really like cats.

So here I sit. At a public computer at my school. Thinking about wifi and thinking about cats. Now I'm thinking about trains of thought... and now I'm thinking about trains...

I think I watch too much TBBT... if you know what I mean, then congratulations.
If not... well... good for you, because you evidently don't watch as much TV as I do... (which is like... none).

Too! Many! Thoughts!
They're running amok in my brain!!

Want to hear a cool story?
Last night I cooked six live lobsters. All by myself (and with a little help from my dad, too).
Their names were Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, Rajesh, Penny and Amy.
And yet, another TBBT reference. *sigh* I need to get out more.

Anyway!
Happy day!
J

When Ignorance Brings Happiness

My two boys are in swimming lessons.  They are both in split classes where the level they are trying to pass is the lower level.  Apparently they both found out today that perhaps their teachers aren't aware they are teaching split classes.  They have both been getting tested in the higher levels and are both doing very well in the higher levels!  This could mean that they each skip a level - less time sitting at the pool for me, less money spent on swimming lessons, less lessons (say that ten times fast!) for the boys to have to get themselves through.  Win/ win situation!  I sure hope they are right about this.  We'll find out in a couple weeks when report cards come out, I guess.  (Competitive?  Oh yes, J.  Unfortunately I am quite a competitive person in many ways.  I guess it just has to be channeled in the right direction to be useful).  A.

Two Very Competitive Souls...

Apparently, both of us are feeling competitive today, well actually, I'm over-competitive every day, but I don't know about you, A.

Today we continued our testing in gym class, and even though I was super sweaty and red-faced after, I still felt great for the rest of the day. What I love about gym testing is how we all push each other forward, and try to beat each other.
What I don't like about gym testing, however, is when someone beats you, and doesn't shut up about it.
Honestly... It kills my running high.
Luckily? It just makes me work harder.
It gets me fired up when someone just has to rub in how much better they are (it makes me angry, but it is effective).
I can't wait for our next round of testing, because I will vow to myself, and to anyone who happens to be reading my thoughts that I. Will. Win.

Bring it.
J

Winning bets

I've had a bet with a colleague for a few years now which, once again, I won.  There are three of us who challenge each other in our teaching practice in areas where we tend to get lazy or need to expand our horizons.  For me, it's making sure all my marked work is handed out promptly.  For the teacher who just lost, it's keeping his working area tidy.  I got a Starbucks white mocha delivered to me in my classroom this morning before school because, as previously mentioned, I won.  Again!  In fact, I have won many times but winning never gets old!  It's really a fabulous way to start a day by having the loser deliver the prize right into my hands.  A little bit of gloating and Starbucks all in one!  Did I mention what a gracious winner I am?  (Good to have you back, J.  Missed you).  A.

Guess Who's Back, Back Again.

J is back.
Tell a friend.
Guess who's back, guess who's back, guess who's back.
Ahwawa!

I am certainly back! And what a hectic week it has been!

Before you judge me (too) harshly, let me explain where I've been!

Monday- Day 1 at Grandma's house. Internet password unknown.
Tuesday- Day 2 at Grandma's house. Internet password unknown.
Wednesday- Day 3 at Grandma's house. Internet password unknown.
Thursday- Day 4 at Grandma's house. Internet password discovered at precisely 11:49 pm. (actually that's a rough estimate)
Friday- KONY2012 Cover The Night. Re-Entered house at precisely 11:59 (for real this time) with four tired friends in tow.
Saturday- Sleepover at friend's house for school project. No internet available.
Sunday- Power outage. No internet available.

Not a word of a lie, people. This actually happened.

Because I feel bad for missing so many days, I'm going to make a list of things that I am thankful for, and you are going to like it! (Hopefully)

1. Sleep. I am so amazingly tired like I have never been before. Ever. Maybe. Because I'm like never tired.
2. Substitute teachers. Teacher's gone? Party on.
3. When your Grandma packs your lunch. :)
4. Hot showers at the end of the day.
5. Those weird head-massager wire things. The. Best.
6. The sound of rain while falling asleep!
7. That one song you listen to over and over. Send Me On My Way- Rusted Root. Classic.
8. When your real teachers return. "Holy crap I missed you! I love you! Please never leave me again!"
9. Beep tests. Because I like to get a little too competitive.
10. Cute boys. Have I mentioned that before? Good. I need to mention that more.
11. Exchange students. Because I have no clue what you are saying but you are rather attractive.
12. Laundry Day! And then you just HAVE to crawl into the still-warm dryer because it's just so nice.
13. Having a good excuse for not blogging.
14. Texting a lot of people at one time. "Oh my! Jolly! I'm so popular!" (Not really.)
15. FaceTime. Because who doesn't love serenading your across-the-country-third-cousin-in-law.
16. Breaking down (figurative) walls. And understanding people.
17. Boy stalking. Or friendly following... you know, stalkers are creepy.
18. Running. Euphoria.
19. Kicking MAJOR butt at the beep test. (When your competitiveness is rewarding)
20. Feeling like you done something to change the world.

If that's not enough, I can continue tomorrow, but I'm quite exhausted, and I have a lot of dreaming to do! So goodnight!
J

P.S. I LOVE the new picture, A!

Grandparents

I ran on the track again today because it was raining and zero degrees outside.  I'll run in rain and I'll run in snow but when it's in between, that can be just depressing!

So anyway, I ran during a time when there happened to be three sets of grandparents on the track, all with a grandchild with them.  I don't know if this was a planned meeting or if it was coincidence but it was very encouraging to see the interaction between them.  On some of my laps, I would see a grandma sitting at the entrance with a grandson who was obviously tired of walking.  They would be in a deep conversation about something earth shattering I'm sure.  I would pass one grandpa with his grandaughter also in deep conversation, holding hands and walking very slowly as the grandaughter emphasized the point of whatever she was talking about with hand swinging and the occasional skip. 

Obviously the grandparents went to the track to get some physical activity but spending time with grandchildren trumped any personal aspirations to accomplish a certain number of laps.  It did my heart good to see that.  I'm sure those grandchildren will all remember these times with great fondness.  A.

Talent

My daughter and I went to an Arts Festival tonight.  There has been a competition going on all week and tonight was the "best of the best".  Most of the entrants were kids and teenagers and I was constantly amazed at the talent that comes out of a small community like ours.  We saw many dance numbers, a few piano pieces, a solo, a speech, and a few other instruments (banjo, violin and flute).  I was drawn close to tears many times as beautiful talent after talent was showcased.  I personally have some basic talents but my measly ability in piano and guitar is nothing compared to the gifts these kids have.  (J. has crazy musical talents - she could have been at the Arts Festival).  I'm thankful for musical abilities which are nurtured and pushed along by caring teachers and parents who see the value in not only being exposed to different Arts but excelling in chosen Arts.  Did that make sense?  It inspires me to go force my kids to practice their piano :)  A.

Life Threatening Toys

I jumped on the trampoline today.  I'm embarrassed to say it's been set up for two weeks already and this is the first day I went on it.  I just haven't had the time!  (I know, I know - I blogged about my free evening just this week).  

When we bought this trampoline, we had all sorts of helpful advice from people who informed us we had to have the surrounding net, the special springs, a certain size and type of mat.  These advice-givers were very well meaning and just had our childrens' safety in mind.  However, we had their fun in mind!  I think North America has become way too safety conscious and has suck the fun right out of many activities and toys.  We don't have a net, fancy springs or any rules on our trampoline.  What we have are expectations that whoever uses it will use common sense and will have a blast.  Sure we've had a few bumps and bruises but we've had way more fun than injuries.  Our children have learned how to break a bounce to prevent flying off the tramp and they've learned how to land properly on the grass when they do get bounced right off.  

I know the potential for getting seriously hurt is there but they can also get hurt swinging or riding their bikes (yes, they do wear helmets biking).  I'm thankful for our trampoline and I'm anticipating a great summer of having bum wars and bouncing each other off.  A.

Energizer Bunnies

I had a meeting today with a friend who is a senior citizen.  She is so full of fire and enthusiasm, I have to shake my head in wonder whenever I'm around her.  She has so many things on the go right now but when we tried to schedule another get-together, she claimed she was not a morning person but if we wanted to meet at 2:00 a.m., that would fit her schedule.  (???!!!). 
What's really funny with B. is that she is also one who delegates.  She assumes that if she is willing and able at her age, everyone should be willing and able!  She naively appoints people to do things assuming they won't mind and no one wants to decline and hurt her feelings so they do it.  I think she's got a good system going here!  She should maybe run for prime minister. 
I admire people who keep up their energy and sense of humour regardless of age or circumstances.  Hopefully I can be half as much a go-getter as B. is when I'm her age.  A.

An Evening Off

Around here, an evening with no responsibilities are pretty rare.  But we had one tonight!!!  The kids didn't need to be anywhere.  My husband didn't have to be anywhere.  I didn't have to be anywhere.  I quickly said no when my daughter had several options of places to go and informed her I was done driving for the day.  We rented a movie, had a leisurely supper then all cuddled in the basement and watched the movie.  We haven't done that in a long time!  It feels like I've been somewhat detoxified by having this time with nothing on my plate.  Tomorrow we'll start the race again but today, I've been recharged and I'm ready for it.  Bring it on!  (But please give me another free evening sometime soon?).  A.

Breath

We had a special group in at school today playing only acoustic instruments - many of them quite unique.  They said on several occasions how music is in our body with our heartbeat and our breath. I've probably thought of how our heartbeats can be like music but I've never thought of breath as musical.  Needless to say, I'm thankful for every breath I am able to take here on this earth and I pray that I may be worthy of the fresh air I am using up.  Whether it's a quiet, barely there inhalation while I'm sleeping or a laboured breathing while I'm struggling up a hill on a long run, I'm thankful for my healthy lungs and the music I make while I have time here.   I also am thankful for my incredible daughter.  (Does that sound hacked to you?).  A.

Flannel

Thanks a lot, J.  Now I have that ad going through my head.  Just what I need to go to bed humming!

Going to bed is my thankful item today.  Recently it became winter here (again, for the first time this season, depends on who you talk to).  I had already removed the flannel sheets in hope of more summer-ish weather.  Alas, I've got the flannel back on.  I must say though, on a cool evening, there is nothing like sliding between those flannel pieces of luxury and sinking into the deepest sleep.  I'm heading there soon - early morning tomorrow.  Long live flannel!  A.

I am stuck on (blank-blank) brand!

Because (blank-blank)'s stuck on me!

Did'ja get it?
BAND-AIDS!

I'm so thankful for Band-Aids! It's one of those weird things that our family never has. Ever.
It's like batteries, orange juice, baking soda, and straws. Whenever you need them, they're just never there!
When I have my own household, I will always have these things. Always.

Anywho! Band-Aids! God's creation for the bleeding! (I would also like to say that God made our blood, and he made it very complex! He made it so that our blood hardens after exposed to oxygen [as everyone knows] but if he hadn't, we would bleed to death from the tiniest scratch! Weird!)The cool thing about Band-Aids... is that... they're like bandages, but sticky. You heard me!

At this very moment, I happen to have a grand total of four Band-Aids on my face. Not bad.
The giant kind.

Happy healing everyone!
J

A Bicycle Built for One

I'm the second youngest in my family so I know what it's like to get hand-me-downs.  I didn't just get clothing hand-me-downs (which I hated as a kid and now love!  I'll gladly accept anyone's hand-me-downs!).  I also got bicycle hand-me-downs.  I don't remember having my very own new bike until I got married!  It makes sense, of course.  Why spend money on a new bike when your older sister just out grew her perfectly capable bike? 
Well our youngest son just got his first brand new bike today.  He has graciously suffered through many hand-me-down two wheelers with minimal complaining but it worked out in his favour that the two older bikes are not ready to be handed down and the one he has been using for two years officially crapped out last week.  It's not worth the money to fix it.  So off to town we went today to buy him his very first, brand new bicycle.  I was almost as excited as he was!  He rode several models up and down the store aisle and picked out his favourite.  I'll have to check out the forecast for this week.  Hopefully it is good biking weather because it's time to get some dirt on this sparkly, never used bike!  I'm thankful for the opportunity to buy this for our son and for the joy it's bringing him and me!  A.

Backrubs

I LOVE back rubs.  And back scratches.  And shoulder massages.  If I were a rich, Hollywood celebrity, that would be the first rich-y thing I would do - hire a masseuse to give me a one hour massage every night.  By the ocean.  Even if I didn't live right by the ocean, we'd have to go there for the massage.  Yep, that's what I would do.  My husband thinks he gives me a back massage every night while we watch the news but he usually phases out after two minutes.  My daughter gives amazing shoulder massages (to the point that it hurts, she's so strong) but to convince her to give me one of those takes quite a bit.  But when I get attention from either my husband or daughter (or even once every two years or so, a real massage therapist!), I am extremely thankful.  A.

Goooooo TEAM!

So like A, I'm being all activist-y trying to prepare for a very special activist-y night we have coming up!
It's really awesome to share ideas with a team and collaborate on how to overcome a big task!
I also and thankful for Facebook, which gives us the essential ability to send mass messages- what an excellent form of communication!
So... Thanks!
J

P.S. I'm thankful for really nice, cute boys. Those are good too.

Living With the Moose

There's a moose in our garden.  She's been there for a few hours now and seems to be quite comfortable.  As long as she leaves our raspberries alone, I'm okay with her bedding down for the night.  Our dog is so accustomed to one of the "swamp donkeys" nesting in our yard that he doesn't even bother barking unless we make a big deal out of it.   I'm thankful to live in a place where it really isn't that out of the ordinary for one of us to yell out "the moose is back".   A.

People Who Can Make Decisions on Their Own

I've been canvassing town for donations towards the 30 Hour World Vision Famine.   I've been going to different businesses asking for small items which would be appropriate to give the students as prizes and I've also been asking grocery stores for food to use for our celebration meal at the end of the Famine.  Every single business I have been to gives me the standard "I'll have to check with ______ (insert random fictitious name) before I can commit".   Only one place I went to, a grocery store, immediately said they would be happy to support such a worthy cause and immediately gave me a $50 gift card to use as I saw fit.  Is it really so impossible for a manager of a store to give away even $10 worth of merchandise?  Oops - now I'm grumbling.  I am very, very thankful for the manager of the grocery store who took it on himself to support a local school and a worthy cause.  You can bet I will support his store in the future!  A.

Staff Meetings

Here is where the true guts of this post comes into fruition.  It's always easy to be thankful for sunshine and icecream but to be thankful for meetings?  I'm going to do it!

Because of teachers' job action, we have not had a staff meeting all year!  I've been very thankful for that :)  However, the "Powers That Be" have legislated a contract on us so we now have to attend staff meetings again.  Now that I've sat through the first one of this school year, I have to grudgingly admit that they have their place.  It is much more efficient to discuss important school issues with everyone in the room together rather than chase everyone around the school trying to get consensus on an issue.  It's the first time our whole staff has been in one room together this year.  That was kind of nice.  We were able to clarify some questions that had been lurking for awhile.  I guess that's a good thing.  Our administrator always gives out door prizes for the staff that is there on time.  That's pretty sweet of him (Staples gift cards today!  Jealous, J?). 

So I am reaching way, deep down to find this thankful post today.  Instead of being thankful for double digit warm weather (SO wonderful), the chocolate chunk cherry ice cream I had last night (mmmm) or the delightful walk I had with my dog today, I am thankful for staff meetings.   (A tiny bit of throw-up may have just come into my mouth).  A.

Oh It's A Beautiful Night, We're Looking For Something Dumb To Do...

HEY BABY! I think I wanna marry you!
Just kitten.
But is a beautiful night. And I prefer the term "creative" to dumb. I'm looking for something creative to do!
So who you gonna call???
GHOSTBUSTERS!
No, I'm not actually.
Instead, I think I'm going to go sleep on the deck in this beautiful night!
So I'm thankful for my sleeping bag, blankets, pillows, warm clothes, and of course, the beautiful night sky that God created.

One happy camper here!
No really!
Night!
J

Potlucks

I'm sure it's been at least a year since I wrote about food.  I'm entitled!

We had a potluck meal tonight with some friends.  I thoroughly enjoy potlucks and not just because of the food, it's because of the vast diversity in the food! 
We decided to just do an appy meal so we had the best of the best because of course everyone brings their favourite recipes.  When people share their favourite with you, you know it's extra good!
I also like the laid back evening where we graze all evening and just enjoy each others' company.  It's good to bring out the disposable dishes (ooooh - that would be a good blog topic.  Must remember that one!) and enjoy all the different dishes while spending the evening visiting and laughing.
It was a good evening.  I'm thankful for friends and potlucks.  A.

ZOMBIES! RUN!

Today, I am thankful for creative people who change the world in creative ways.
Okay, maybe not change the world but creative people nonetheless.
If you haven't heard, there is this cool new app on the app store (or the abb store, as my Grandma J calls it) called Zombies, Run! Where you actually have to go for runs outside in your own city (though it works on a treadmill too) while running from zombies in your virtual zombie apocalyptic iPhone. It tracks you on GPS and can tell you how fast your going and how far you've run, and the "commander" in your game talks to you while you evade the evil corpses.
I love people who think of these things!
They turn exercise into a (adrenaline rushing) game!
They took two of my favourite things- zombies and running, and turned it into something incredible.
I tried it for the first time today, and I must say, I am hooked. I love running... but not outside... until today... because our treadmill died... and because this game is AWESOME!

That's it!
School tomorrow!
Night!
J

Re-connecting

J. and I got to hear about each other's trips today.  It's always so much fun to hear about a loved ones' trip after a time apart.  Hearing about the adventures, funny times and frustrating times is almost as much fun as being there yourself.  I enjoyed being back in "our" coffee shop sipping our coffees after two weeks of tropical cold drinks/ blue Gatorade.  We both complained about our peeling skin and compared notes on our love of rice and beans.  J. saw more multi-legged critters than I did.  We both enjoyed snorkeling - same ocean, many miles apart :)  I enjoyed our time together and am thankful that we're both back safe and sound.  A.

Hello Raye!

And when I say Raye, I do NOT mean rays of sunshine... well... kind of actually!
My cruiser bicycle, named "Raye" is the love of my life, and I missed her dearly over the winter!
First ride of the year tonight, even in my mukluks!
Although I had not one, but TWO near death experiences in fifteen minutes, it was still a great ride!
So, I'm thankful for my lovely bicycle, and the joy that comes with!
Short Post!
Goodnight!
J

He Is Risen

Even though I refused to write about love on Valentine's Day, I have to write about Christ on Easter.  I'm thankful to have a relationship with a Christ who loved me enough to take care of my sins before I was even born.  I'm thankful that no matter what may happen on this earth, I know where my eternity is because of what happened approximately 2000 years ago on that cross.  I'm thankful that I have a friend who helps me day by day and will be at those gates to welcome me with open arms when my time comes.  I'm so very thankful that I have that assurance.  I'm thankful that even though most people don't acknowledge the real meaning of Easter, the government still sees fit to make it a statuary holiday so we can celebrate it with family and friends.  I believe in a Christ who died (for me - I'm His favourite!) and then rose from the dead to prove that He has conquered death and sin.  He is still very much alive - thank God!!! A.

Spring Days

Normally when we leave for spring break vacation, we come home to snow and cold weather.  Not this time!  We actually took out the bikes today and the kids spent a large chunk of the day outside.  My husband did some burning of fallen trees in the bush and I took the dog for a long walk.  The snow is melting rapidly, the flower garden is bare.  I love this time of year!  It's full of hope and anticipation :)  A.

No Copy-Cats Here!!

A, you inspire me!
And in the spirit of inspiration, I've decided to post 14 things that I was thankful for over the course of my vacation! *Notice* Some may be the same but I assure you they are not.

1. The moment of touchdown (in an airplane) in a new place. Because, really, until the plane has actually hit the ground, you aren't really in a new country... but then... you are!
2. Being so overtired that everything is hilarious! Because, that really makes exploring a new hotel really, really interesting.
3. Rice & Beans. Not my favourite dish, but so good for you! (We ate rice and beans for EVERY, SINGLE, MEAL.)
4. Friendly locals. In Costa Rica, they live Pura Vida! It means that they are full of pure life! Everyone there takes it day by day and is just... content.
5. Very friendly locals. And when I mean locals, I mean boys.
6. Hotel beds. Why are they always SO comfortable... or is it just me?
7. Trying something in a different country. Okay, I meant pineapple. Imported pineapple in Canada SUCKS. Mega. But, Costa Rica pineapple is like heaven that grows in the ground.
8. Musical bus rides. We did a LOT of busing in CR, and if you know me, then you would know that sitting still is not my forte. At all. But jamming out with 'R' on long bus rides (singing and dancing included) made them a lot more tolerable.
9. Card games. As it turns out, when texting is between .75$ and 1.25$ per message in foreign countries, people don't spend a lot of time on their cell phones! So what better way to bring people together than fun, friendly, and sometimes violent card games, hm?
10. Long, cold showers. I've posted about cold showers before (a LONG time ago) but in a new country, it's a completely different experience! It's like you don't even feel the cold! And of course, singing was included (unfortunately, one of the chaperones heard me, and actually sat there, listening.)
11. Tidal WAAAVE! There's nothing like spending hours on end in the ocean, jumping through waves that TOWER over your head like its nothing!
12. Aloe Vera. Useful AFTER those hours in the ocean when you realize that you forgot to put sunscreen on your face... ouch.
13. Burger King! A taste of home (er.. home country, at least).
14. Home. My family, my dog, my bed, my friends, my city. I was talking to a guy on the plane ride home named Ian, he too, was a ginger, and he laughed at me sympathetically when he saw my sunburned face. He was from Idaho. He asked if I was going to leave my hometown after high-school, I snorted and said "yeah!". He then laughed and said wisely, "Maybe you will, but there is always something magnetic about your home town, you'll see." I believe him, let's say that... but I'm still leaving.

Can't wait to see you, A!
J

Catch-up Thankfulness

I'm back too!  (we have to catch up on each other's vacations, J!)  In order to make up for my two weeks of negligence, I will post 14 things I have been thankful for.  (In my defense, the resort we were at had pathetic internet.  Very unpredictable and unreliable).

1.  New cultures - learning appropriate (and inappropriate!) things to do in a new culture
2.  New languages - I learned a few new words, put the few I already knew into practice
3.  Friendly natives - love the people who welcome tourists with open arms and make us feel welcome and at home
4.  Sandy beaches - can't say enough about that!  I could live on a beach.  I really think I could!
5.  Ocean - as much as some of our family preferred the pool, give me an ocean to swim in any day!
6.  Catamarans - we learned how to sail.  Now we really have to move to the ocean to go sailing every day
7.  Wildlife - strange, exotic, wonderful critters
8.  Food - yes, you know I have to be thankful for food.  I had some of the most delicious new dishes!
9.  Fish - I believe that fish are different from wildlife.  We had one day of beautiful, spectacular snorkeling
10.  Family - so enjoyable to spend two solid weeks together and still love each other :)
11.  Exotic drinks - a mango or pineapple smoothie tastes so much better when drank on a beach, y'know?
12.  Air conditioning - as much as I love the humid, hot, tropical air - sometimes it just felt so good to get into an air conditioned room
13.  Digital cameras - thank goodness we can delete many of the pictures that no one should ever have to look at!
14.  Home - no matter how great a vacation is, it's always good to be home.  Can't wait to get into my own bed tonight! 

Long time, no blog!

Nice to see you again, blog-land!

I'm sorry about being so neglectful in the past two weeks, and as A said, I have been in Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida!
(I can explain that tomorrow)
Anyway, I've been spending the last few days trying to get back into schedule, and that's why I have been so terrible with my blogging habits.

I'm thankful for my bed, because it is so comfortable and cozy (especially in the mornings, when I'm trying to get out of it) and it is just the best.

I promise a really big post tomorrow, to make up for my bad behaviour!

Pura Vida!
J