Living The Good Life

I know...it has been months (months!! How did that happen?!). I can tell you how it happened... * swine flu paranoia in Ecuador * whirlwind tours of the USA from D.C. to California * a swimming sensation that is six years old, and the Transformer's expert * a beautiful 11 month old that fell in love with her uncle * bbq's galore * weekends away with the greatest of friends * new bikes (Oh, Isis...I miss you already) * let's be honest....Target, Costco, and the Patagonia outlet contributed to the silence * 14 hour road trips * napkin making * concerts that had to be attended (I really do love you Josh Ritter. Really) * books to purchase and read * and, of course, all that repacking * which only leads to all that unpacking It's been a busy two and half months kids.

There are four weeks left of school (28 days counting weekends), and usually this benchmark is characterized by complete and utter exhaustion.  A little of the "I just need to make it through this day" attitude.  Past April/Mays of my teaching life have been filled with days where I am just trying to keep my head above water.  I'm tired, the kids are tired, we are all a little bit irritable, and patience doesn't seem to be a virtue that makes it on my list.  By the end of the year, I am so thankful for the break to just physically and emotionally recoup.  But, this year....this year is proving to be different. Thanks to some of my rockstar co-workers, I have been energized in an unaccountable way.  I'm talking a full-fledge teacher geek out, usually only experienced in the first few months of the school year.  Technology people, best motivator ever. Here's the top five technology wonders currently making appearances in the Richert classroom: 1.  Voicethreads: ...

After an almost two year experiement in living, Dave and I have come to the conclusion that we are not beach people.   Sand?  Not a fan.   Being in a sea of people who, let's be honest, are a lot more confident in what they are wearing then they should be?  I can live without it, my eyes will forever thank me. (Seriously?  Speedos?  Why are people letting their friends leave the house in those?)   Yes, the ocean is beautiful.  And big.  And just a little frightening with all those crashing waves that pull you under water and provide that "I've just been tossed into a washing machine during the speed cycle" feeling. Besides that, I tend to burn.  And then freckle.  Not good. I can't help it...I wasn't born to be enchanted by the swaying palm trees and shimmering sunsets.  I mean, I'm from Idaho .  Give me the mountains anyday. And this is why Dave and I headed to Vilcabamba, Ecuador for Semana Santa, instead of following the rest of Ecuador to the coast.  T...

Meet our new little friend... He likes bikes too.

Dave and I have been housebound the last week.  Let me tell you, an unexpected week off of work is not always as enjoyable as you would think.   Living in a developing nation, you have to be willing to accept some unpleasant things that are going to come your way.  You will be robbed at some point, just go with the flow.  Your plans will never go as expected (What?  You don't have my hotel reservation?  Or the $50 deposit I have already made?).  And, you will contract some awful virus or bacteria.  Guaranteed.  The latter is what struck the Richert's this past week. Yep, right there is just your basic case of conjunctivitis (a.k.a. pink eye).  I know, gross.  We are pretty sure that it found its way to us via Ecuador's stellar bus system.  I began noticing the problem on the way home from our relaxing eco -resort getaway.  Thinking that something had flown into my eye due to the open windows of the bus, I worried it like nothing else trying to get it out.  This is what cau...

I know that my adventures are not in the same vein as this .  But, come on, can the Amazon really compete with: Hanging out with a superhero who just happens to be an Ecuador futbol fan as well. Making the ever delicious treat of the "Gaby Sandwich" Being in awe of "Super-Mom" (A.K.A. Cousin Kira...and yes, those are all her adorable children) Finally getting rid of my own personal heating system.  Spotting something uniquely Idaho.  (A live bait vending machine?  Are you serious?) There was the re-stocking of reading material. (Man, I love Barnes and Noble) And let's not forget about the shopping. There was also having coffee and dinner with friends, the frazzled transition from speaking Spanish to English whenever ordering food, and the beauty of finally getting to flush my toilet paper (though I did have to tell myself to flush it and not throw it away Every. Single. Time.  Too much information?)   It was a wonderful, restful, break full of family, fun, laugh...