:(

Sorry for the lack of blogging... I've gotten my first major cold of the year. I guess making it to February before getting sick is pretty darn good. However, that doesn't make being sick now any better. I took Wednesday off work and slept all day, went back to suffer through Thursday, and then ended up going home in the middle of the day on Friday. I'm starting to feel better, but am still not at 100% and am hoping that this week doesn't wear me down too much.

This upcoming week is the last week before the state testing starts. I'm going back and forth between being confident that I've taught them what they need to know and stressing about cramming everything into their brain at the last minute. The good thing is that after two weeks of testing, we all get a break with spring break, and I'll be off to Kentucky-land to visit some friends.

For now I'm going to go back and forth between trying to catch up on grading papers and getting a few more naps in before the week starts.

Up, Up, and Awaaaaaaaaaay!!

So I decided that I just had to jump on the opportunity to go up in the hot air balloon in Africa. A balloon ride is another thing on my "bucket list," so it will be a double-check mark for this trip!
Part of what helped me decide was watching some of the online videos from other people's balloon rides. Check out this one (shorter) and this one (a little longer).

In non-Africa news, I had a really good Monday this week, which was promptly followed by a not-so-great Tuesday, a sucky Wednesday, and a crappy Thursday. Part of the problem is that I have had this icky headache and upset tummy for two days. The other part is that the kids are all excited about their Valentines party tomorrow and three day weekend... so they are more than a little wiggly this week. I'm on board with the three day weekend, but would prefer not to acknowledge the suckiest holiday of the year for single people. So... if I make it through tomorrow, then I can enjoy my weekend, sleep late, and dream of floating over Africa :)

Yay Coke!

The best Super Bowl commercial was Sleepwalker
Yay Africa! :)

Live Out Loud

So today I had to drive down to Denver for yet another training. The training was ok, but the best part of my day was listening to the radio on the way down and back. We don't have any good radio stations here in EP other than NPR, so I really loved singing at the top of my lungs and hearing new good songs.

My new favorite song is called Fireflies by Owl City (click on it to hear some)

I also heard another song that included lyrics along the lines of
"Live out loud..."
So along with my work-in-progress-perspective... that's my new motto :)

Kenya!

Ok! So here is the (tentative) itinerary for Kenya:

June 13th-14th: Spend a gagillion hours on an airplane and reach Nairobi (capital of Kenya) check into the Stanley Hotel. (Side note - I think it is hilarious that I am flying halfway around the world to stay in a hotel with the same name as the one in Estes Park.)

June 15th - Safari Day 1 :) Drive past Mt. Kenya to Shaba National Game Reserve (this is one of the places where Joy Adamson raised the lioness Elsa in "Born Free")

June 16th - still at Shaba -- safari all day (walking and riding)

June 17th - travel across Kenya, stopping at 237ft tall Thompson Falls, then on to Lake Nakuru. This is a day full of birds (especially flamingos) and the park is also a sanctuary for the black rhino.

June 18th - leave Lake Nakuru and head to Maasai Mara national reserve. Spend all day animal watching.

June 19th - another day of safari on the Maasai -- one activity we are looking at is a hot-air balloon sunrise safari trip!!

June 20th - morning safari and then back to Nairobi. This is the end of the "package" trip, but Jessica, Jordan, and I decided we needed a couple more days in Africa, so we have the rest of the day to explore.

June 21st - more exploring

June 22nd - more exploring - back on a plane late at night.

June 23rd - catch up on sleep (and plan the next trip back to Africa!!) while spending another gagillion hours on a plane.

I literally cannot remember a time in my life when I did not want to go to Africa. I cannot believe that I finally get to go! Not to mention the fact that I get to have this amazing adventure with great friends. Hurry up June!!! :)

AFRICA!!!

So after weeks of planning and looking and pricing (mostly done by Jessica's awesome travel agent) we've FINALLY booked our trip to Africa!!!!! I am so excited :) We're going to Kenya! More info to come!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Hi to all my adoring fans out there, it's your favorite dog, Sherlock! Mom doesn't let me on the computer much (she says I get fur in the keyboard) but since it's my birthday she made an exception :) I'm 6!!! And for my anual silly birthday picture, mom said I could pick my favorite six toys to have in my picture with me.
(It's a good thing I love my mom so much... I better get treats today!)