Back in the U.S.A. (Part 2)

About a week after coming home from Challis, my friend Kristin went with my dad and I down to Tempe for the "Livers of Steel" Tour aka the most fun I've had in the Valley in a long time. Three of my favorite groups (Wade Bowen, Micky & The Motorcars, & Reckless Kelly) all in one night was like a mini Braun Brothers Reunion all over again. To escape the miserable desert heat, Kristin and I went skating at Oceanside.  After that, we headed back to the hotel to change clothes and get ready for the concert.  They were playing at an unusual (but gorgeous) venue for them, the Tempe Center for the Arts.  

After eating dinner, we walked along the walkway for as long as we could stand the late afternoon desert sun beating down on us...I think we lasted about 15 minutes! The view was beautiful though. Tempe Center for the Arts is located right along Tempe Town Lake.

The concert was amazing...these guys are great musicians. They somehow manage to get better every time I see them! We ended up hanging out with some of them after the show...it was great getting to know them a little bit better.  They're so nice and it was awesome to go out on Mill Avenue with them!

The last couple of weeks in town were great.  It was bittersweet to leave, but I knew I'd be back over Christmas, so only a few more months!! It was so wet and green in Flag when I left...hopefully there will be a lot of snow and I'll come home to a white winter wonderland!!! 

Costa Rican despedida/Back in the U.S.A. (Part 1)

My contract with Maximo was up at the end of July.  I was sad leaving the great staff and friends I had made along the way, as well as my students.  Thank goodness for social media so I could keep in touch with all of them! As sad as I was to leave, I had made up my mind to come back in September for at least a few months.  I had a potential job lined up, but it wasn't a for sure thing when I left Costa Rica.  Two other girls from Maximo were leaving too, so we had a little goodbye party or "despedida".

Home was great.  It was so great to see all my friends and of course, my parents.  It had been 8 months, and being in the comforts of home again was refreshing. 

I had been a little down my last month of teaching, I think mostly due to burnout.  It's great to know that when I need to and when I can, I can go home again and clear my head...one of the best (and worst) things about Flagstaff is that nothing changes.  This is especially great if you've moved away.

The first week I did experience some culture shock.  This was to be expected, and I think the altitude that I knew for 24 years and loved was the most shocking part.  I was so tired the first couple of days, I didn't really want to do anything, but I got back to my old self just in time to go to one of my absolute favorite places Challis, Idaho for the annual Braun Brothers Reunion Festival.  It arguably beats Disneyland for the happiest place on Earth.

Dad and I got to hang out with our friends, The Departed, and see our old friends Gunda, Jerald, Jenny, Jared, Josh, and some of their friends and enjoy the best music not heard on the radio.  My favorites included:

Todd Snider backed by The Departed,

 

Wade Bowen,

and Randy Rogers Band!

I love this festival...knowing I might have to miss it next year is going to suck, because it's the best out there right now!

Loss.

My last post was about inspiring someone with the same disease I have to live with my entire life.  This one is in memory of someone who inspired me, a true friend whose beautiful smile and kind soul will be truely missed.

This song seems appropriate right about now...and goes out to Chelsey Horne.  Chelsey was the first staff member I met (through email and Facebook) from my amazing, inspiring summer at Bearskin Meadow Camp in the summer of 2007.  I didn't know until after I left camp that she was struggling with melanoma, and would continue to battle it until early this morning.  She was also, like me, a Type 1 diabetic, but through these two hurdles in her life, I never heard her complain.  A smile remained on her face and her attitude was always positive.  She was one of the funniest people I knew, and her love of life shown through.  She in fact, had so much love for so many people in her short life.  Here's to you Chelsey, I will always cherish the time we spent together under the Sierra skies and even though I didn't know you as well as most people, the BMC summer of '07 holds so many memories true for me, and I don't think I would've had the time of my life if it weren't for your stories and passion for BMC. I'm blessed to have known you. <3


Johnny's Song-Cross Canadian Ragweed


What is life it could be a million
It could be a single dime
Or it could be a ship out on the water
But to me it's just more time
Time for the one who moved a hundred mountains
Time for the one who broke a thousand chains
For the love of a son and a mother
A little girl sweet as sugar cane

What is love it could be a river
Love's a single drop of rain
But to her love is forever
It's the mention of your name
What is love there's more than just one answer
Love's a golden wedding ring
If only love could be the cure for cancer
Then the world would hear you sing

What is faith
Faith is believing
Faith can tell you where to go
You say faith can move a thousand mountains
Faith can liberate your soul
A heart of gold will take you to the rafters
Where you get your angel wings
Don't cry for me are the words that are coming
From your golden guitar strings

What is life
It could be a million
What is love
There's more than just one answer
What is faith
Faith is believing...