Tornadoes

  Since I have returned home, the winds here have been rather powerful.  The day begins with just a slight breeze, but by evening, my windows are banging and the wind howling.  Although I'm sure my building was built to code, I find myself questioning living on the twentieth floor where there is no possible way Bella and I can survive if the wind suddenly topples the whole edifice over.  The wardrobe malfunctions these gales incur would cause a hardened criminal to blush. (I knew I should have invested in more pants outfits!)

  Last weekend, I went running in the afternoon.  It was a beautiful day, but the winds had already picked up, making my jog double the workout.  By the time I returned home, I was at least twenty shades darker from the sand sticking to my sweat, and it took several showers before I was truly clean.

  I have pictures of other body regions but decided this was probably the most appropriate.  My hands were washed at this point with some of the water reaching my wrist.  Can you see the skin tone difference?!

Learning Everyday

  Do you know what defenestration means?  Well, I didn't either until Mauricio burst into my room today with ten minutes left of class just to tell me about this word.  It means the act of pushing someone or something out the window.  Supposedly, Mauricio learned it when his college-aged brother returned home and threatened to "defenestrate them (the siblings) if they left stuff on his bed again".  Now if I could only find a way to use the word in everyday conversation....

Christmas Break

   I''''mmmmmmmm baaaaacccckkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  That's right: After two and a half weeks of partying with the fam in the wrinkle-inducing climate of Arizona, I am back in beautiful Cartagena.  I had a wonderful time, and the weeks flew by.  I could write a novel about my time there, but instead, here are some highlights of my trip:

• Waking up Christmas morning to find that Santa had come again and eating Dad's homemade waffles.  

"Niiiiigggghttttttttttttt......Gjhyyyyyiiiiilllllllllllll!"

• Sharing a room with Jill.  Jill was extremely easy going and even cleared out two of her drawers for me.  After her semester abroad in Ireland, it was fun to have late-night talks again.  Of course, all our plans for getting into amazing shape were crushed when she hurt her knee (likely excuse) and decided sprints and bleachers weren't the best thing for it.

  

• Seeing Paul and Abbey's new girl, Emma, and hearing all the stories that having a new baby entails....ahem...Paul.  

• Bringing in the New Year by playing Bunco and placing bets on what Monica and Thomas are going to have in May....It's a boy!  

• Having a baby shower for Monica with all the girls.  Who knew that apple and blueberry baby food tasted so good!  

•  Even though there was too much snow to make our trip to Colorado, Bianca flew down to join us for the shower.  The downside was that I was unable to see Tim, Katie, and their kids, including a newborn.  I guess I'll just have to add a Colorado trip to my summer plans!

Echo Canyon at Camelback....after the hike (hence the windblown hair).

• With the weather being so nice, though a bit cold at night, hiking was a must.  It was a welcome change to be able to walk, bike, hike and run outside without keeling over from the heat.   

Windy Cave in the Superstitions

• Wine nights, games and food, glorious food!  Have I said my folks have delectable taste in wine? Not only that, but the good food was endless: steaks, veggies, potatoes, ribs, etc.  I finally learned how to play Cribbage this trip, and of course, we played the old favorites of Catch Phrase and Oh Heck! plus many other games.

• Seeing Brinkley.  At 15 years old, the Brinkman still has a sense of humor and has everyone catering to his every whim.  I've never seen a dog with such a joie de vivre.