Top ten from Tahoe

I'm back to the blog world. I've been gone since I last wrote, so I have some catching up to do.

I left on the 12 for California for this so called family reunion. I arrived at 11 and my family didn't get in until the next day or late that night. Thus giving me time to take the bus downtown and explore. That was pretty fun. I met a pretty cool homeless guy Hue. You know what I find to be true about homeless people..in a non creepy way. They like to be touched and crave affection. People look at them as if they are untouchables and hardly offer a hand to shake, so when someone does, they take full advantage. I like that about them. I like that they kind of invade my space and get in my face and make me feel uncomfortable. (I bet a lot of people are thinking thats crazy--but seriously...they are humans too) The separating factor between them and I is condition. Sure, it might be decisions made that led to that, but materials are fleeting anyway, so if they have nothing and I have everything, we are still both human. Touch isn't that bad.

So then I headed to Lake Tahoe and was there for a week. We stayed in this oversized cabin that was pretty rad. Plenty of space and lots to do around the lake. It was a blast. I'll have to post some pictures soon, but here is my top ten highlights:

10. Waking up with no alarm clock everyday to fresh air in the mountains and having breakfast on the patio. Breath taking.
9. Laying in the 'girls room' watching TV and talking and being girls. We're family.
8. Talking in our own language.
7. White water rafting, even though our guide was a little weird. We got to save a boat that flipped which was great fun.
6. Hot tub anytime we wanted. Sometimes while fully dressed, sometimes the old fashion way, sometimes with just a few and sometimes with so many people that when we got out there was only half the water left. Fun times.
5. Seeing Austin--he is cycling across America and stopped in for the night. Thats just cool.
4. Cooking every night. We saved money and did things the old fashion way. Everyone sat at a big table and had dinner. How pleasant.
3. Our list. We had lots of things to do all week and were somewhat organized in getting in done. We went kayaking, zip lined down a mountain, hiking, rafting, to the beach, to the casino, polar bear plunge (run into the freezing water together) and much more.
2. Games with the family. Who knew they all loved games so much, but they do and so do I. I go to teach a lot of my games this week.
1. The big surprise that turned out to be a hit. The million dollar view that we didn't get to until after sunset, with s'mores and family memories and sharing time. Sentimental and great. Love love my fam.

So Tahoe was great. Then I boarded the train in Truckee Cali and and heading East. Destination, Denver. It took me 30 hours to get there and was super fab. I met a lot of wonderful people, save Cali, Nevada, Utah and Colorado. I shared my Bday dinner with another dude who was turning 25, go figure. I was then met at the station by Dawn who brought be back to Ft. Collins.

Thats where I've been for 24 hours. It feels like days though. I've already had a lot of laughs, several tears, a few big purchases, a nap, 2 extended periods with the Lord, and time to read. I'm sitting in the Tin Rim, a CCC run coffee shop on campus where I spent a lot of time at NST. Its good to be back. Its good to be in Colorado.

The next 6 weeks are busy yet slow. I know a lot of people out here, but a lot of people going through MTL (what I'm doing) are married, and people doing other things are busy during different times. Thus, I'll be free a lot. I'm looking forward to that. More to come...pictures soon !!