What I've been up to lately

As I mentioned in a previous post, I left Colombia to come back to the US. When I left, I had no concrete options in place, so the plan was to live with mom and dad until I could find something.

It's now October 20th and I'm still looking. Man, the economy sucks these days! Or at least that's what I keep telling myself so that I don't feel quite so un-hireable. I've got my application in at the schools here in order to substitute teach, but I've only been called for one job, which, unfortunately, I had to call in sick for. Dang swine flu!

So what's next? Not sure. I've been applying for different jobs (not here in Kemmerer--I love mom and dad, but I've got to get out of here!), most of them connected to education in some manner: administration type positions at the college level, community college math teaching, that kind of stuff. Haven't heard anything yet, which is kind of a bummer and definitely makes me doubt my skills (whatever they are). I know I need to be patient and trust that God will provide, but I'm certainly getting impatient. And frustrated. And broke.

In the meantime, I've been 'the best helper ever' to my parents at home. I've been having fun cooking dinner, even making dad try some new things. I thoroughly enjoy laundry day. I washed the walls in the living room and halls for mom when she and dad were on vacation. I've organized her pantry and a cupboard (only about 20 left to do). I helped her can fresh peaches and pears. I helped dad cut down and haul away 2 huge willow trees from the yard. I'm awesome like that. And it helps me feel slightly less guilty about living here rent-free. I am completely grateful that they are willing and able to help me out right now.

Aside from 'working,' I've watched a lot of TV, saw a good friend get married, gone to 2 WYO football games, and been able to watch my cousins Kaylee and Jaden play volleyball and 6-man jr. high football, respectively. It's actually been a rewarding autumn, despite the lack of job opportunities.

A FEW DAYS IN THE LIFE OF ME

The fruit always looks so pretty in the jars like this!

Before.


Dad trying to start the chainsaw.


Limb 1 down.


Halfway there.

Done.


After.

Jaden is the cutest little center there ever was. It's a good thing he's mean!

Kaylee is voted the 2nd attendant at Homecoming after her volleyball match.


Check out the steam coming off the field.

Josee and me at the UW game.

Pictures!!

I'm finally getting around to uploading some newer pictures. The link to the pictures is here. Below is a description of what you'll find in each album. I've tried to organize them chronologically and by location (within the album), but my patience is about gone. I think they are grouped pretty well.

Christmas 08

• Jungle paradise and the most amazing waterfalls I've ever seen at Iguazu Falls, on the border between Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. So phenomenal and fully worth the 16-hour one-way overnight bus trip!! Check out the crazy butterflies, too!
  
• Buenos Aires, Argentina. Great city!! Lots of pictures of old buildings, Recoleta Cemetery (where you'll see the tomb of Evita), the Obelisk, the functioning metal 'flower,' and the Caminito district where the houses are painted bright colors and people dance the tango on the street. Other notables are the pics of Jenna and me at our Christmas Eve Indian dinner and any funny street signs along the way.
• Bariloche, Argentina in the lakes district of the country on the northern end of Patagonia. We didn't spend nearly enough time in this beautiful area. It's this great little ski town, kind of sleepy in the summer but totally catering to tourists. The geography really reminded me of home. We rented a car and took a day tour around some of the many lakes, which was the highlight. This is also where we learned that the phrase 'artisan fair' is code for 'trolls and drug paraphernalia.' Look out for any pipes with trolls.
• Bus trip over the mountains from Bariloche to Puerto Montt, Chile, and then up the coast to Santiago. Beautiful! And crazy customs at the border...
• Santiago, Chile. What a great place to spend New Year's Eve! I was most excited that it was warm enough for me to wear my tube top. We had a blast at the downtown celebration, complete with fireworks and pineapple wine. We toured around the city, checking out the old buildings and riding both the cable car and funicular (fancy train-type apparatus that goes up the side of a hill) up to Cerro San Cristobal. We enjoyed a beautiful view and great beer at the top. We took a tour to the Concha y Toro winery and saw the actual Casillero del Diablo. We also took a private day tour to the coastal cities Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. We ended our stay in Santiago with way too much beer with our new friend Josue from the hotel. Ah, flying hungover.
  

Mom and Dad's Colombian Adventure

• Title pretty much says it all. Mom and dad visited the week before Easter. We had a lot of fun and they got to see the city as I did.

My Tatoo

• Again, pretty self-explanatory. This is the documentation of the process and the end result.

Last Days in Colombia

• All the stuff that happened in the last couple months I was in Colombia, including a live salsa show Jenna, Tina and I went to, the live reggae music our friends played at a cool little cafe, and random shots of friends. So many things that I miss...