Monte

My youngest brother, Monte, just turned 14 years old. Though I would love to think that I have attained the "coolness" factor by just being me, I know that I have to work harder at it...especially because I have always lived so far away. So for his birthday, he stayed with me in the Boulder area for a few days and I took him to a Denver Nuggets game. We had a great time and I even learned a few things about basketball!

Les Runaways

“My mama says, ‘Sing the blues child, sing it from now on.’” (Koko Taylor—I’m a Woman) Well, my mama may not be black or know much about the blues, but she thinks I have some soul.

My band (Les Runaways) had its first gig…the place was packed and the energy high. Our drummer is from Australia and I’m convinced that he contacted half of Australia as the whole back room was filled with Australians who had received word about the live band. Most of the crowd consisted of foreigners with the exception of some of my friends and students who represented the Vietnamese population.

We had a great time and I’m looking forward to future opportunities. I have never seen that bar so packed as it was the night that we played. We have 5 people in the band: Mike (Canada/guitar), Matt (USA/guitar), Pierre (France/bass), and Nick (Australia/drums). As we don’t have much competition in Hanoi, we might just make a name for ourselves.

I’m Leaving on a Jet Plane…Again

It was a bit crazy as I wrapped things up in Hanoi this past week. A lot happened. Even though I’ll be returning in about 6 weeks after a Christmas break and meetings in the States, my students have been treating me as if they will never see me again and that they just might not have enough strength to get through it. They threw parties for me and sent endless text messages and emails. They fail to see that I’m the lucky one in that I’m blessed by having the chance to be part of their lives.

I need this break, though. I’m looking forward to being with my friends and family. I’m currently in Korea but will be leaving on a plane this afternoon for Colorado via California. It is snowing outside! It is beautiful!