Mi computadora...

...es un limon!

When an unknown intruder stole ALL of our laptops in February of 2008, my 3 roommateas and I were on the search for new computers! After, what we thought was, valuable research and wise council, 3 of us decided to purchase the same HP Pavillion. It looked good on paper and seemed to be a perfect replacement for what was ungraciously taken from us. Little did we know that we had been suckered into buying lemons (as coined by one of the frustrated owners!).

Each of us has struggled with various aspects of the computer and last week was my "last" battle! I guess it wasn't satisfied with cutting out my internet at random times or not responding to our school printer because, on Friday, it decided to turn into a black screen that responded to nothing! So, after spending WAY too much time in DOS typing in commands that I don't even know what they mean, I was able to save some of my important documents and then whisked it away to the local repair man (who speaks very little English, mind you)!

Today I will be able to survey the damage done. My PRAYER is that it can be somewhat bandaged-up to last me until I come back to the states. It will be at this point in time that I plan on divorcing this thorn in my side and replacing it with something a bit more reliable! So, if you have a computer that you love and it has stood the test of time (and overseas traveling if applicable), please let me know! I don't want to experience anymore buyer's remorse and I'm ready to be connected to the outside world again!

Thanks for your patience with my lack of communication, and keep my lemon in your prayers!

Highland Livin'

I would like to begin this entry with an apology! Yes, it’s been a while since I have posted…partly because life is busy, but partly because I can’t really access the internet on my computer at my house yet! So, thanks for being patient, and hopefully this post was worth the wait!

First of all, I am officially a MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER...IN BOLIVIA!


Kind of crazy to me that LESS than 2 months ago I was still teaching 2nd graders at Lincoln Heights. And, now I find myself teaching students that are basically my same height (except the boys…they're still waiting for their growth spurts!), discussing Confucius with a class that actually knows who he is and relating math to the Bible as a part of my lesson! It's a little overwhelming to think that I now have 3 titles to my name instead of one (math, social studies AND grammar...ha ha, the last one is by far the funniest!) and I really do believe that last week (the first week of school) was the LONGEST WEEK OF MY LIFE! But, all in all, I love my job and am so glad to be here! I have a beautiful view of the mountains every day and a great group of students.

my school

my 6th graders and the my middle school partner-in-crime, Stephanie Feagin

When I'm not at Highlands International School (which so far hasn't been that often), I find myself doing a variety of things....

a.) Trying to cook something other than quesadillas and guacamole, since that's about all we ate for the first week! Even though we've succumb to some easy and familiar meals (like top ramen), we've also been adventurous and created waffles in our "sandwich genie." This was definitely the highlight of my first Bolivian holiday....Bolivia's independence day is August 6th.

Here are our Pacena (someone/something from La Paz) waffles!

b.) Practicing my HORRIBLE Spanish on anyone that wants to listen, which is harder than one would think. Case and point, when I was looking for waffle ingredients I tried to explain baking soda to a man who offered his help. But, instead of appreciating my Spanish attempts, he kindly said, "In Enlgish, PLEASE!"

c.) And the latest addition to my weekly schedule is a gospel choir! It is comprised of mostly Bolivian 20-somethings and a few of us Highlanders (teachers from my school). We meet bi-weekly and perform for random occassions. The first perfomance is in September, so I will keep you updated on how the crowd enjoys our assortment of songs, including "O Happy Day" and "This Little Light of Mine"!

I say it's altitude...

Sorry about the ridiculous font issues of my last post!
No, I didn't mean to have 3 different fonts and 4 different sizes!
We've come to blame many things on the altitude here....this situation is no different!
Oh well....at least you can see the pictures....I didn't know if they would ever load!

Vivo en Bolivia!

I live in Bolivia!

To God be the glory….I managed to lug 2 (OK…if you count my pillow and blanket combo, 3) carry-ons around 4 different airports in 2 different countries over the span of about 24 hours. And, I am happy to say, there was NO DRAMA to report! Obviously there were MANY prayers going out around the world (or at least the US) and each one was needed…thanks!

Upon our arrival, my new roommate, Stephanie, and I were driven straight from the airport (at 14,000 feet…in case you were wondering) to our new house!!! Some missionaries had come in before to make our place welcoming…so sweet!

Here is my VERY OWN BEDROOM…yes, this is pretty exciting!

And here is 1 of the 2 “catch all” closets for the house…also known as my personal closet “filled” with my Bolivian wardrobe (see Stages of Grief if you want to know how I feel about this!).

Ironically enough, I’ve yet to sleep in my own room once! The nights are just so cold and Stephanie’s queen bed with a movie playing on her laptop is much more invitingJ! Oh well…I’m thankful for my own space just the same!

There is so much more to share, but because this post is already pretty long, I’ll leave you with a few pictures that “typify” La Paz…as I see it that is!

Many people carry HUGE loads and walk up steep hills...they're obviously used to the altitude!

As Logan, our director's son, said "I love La Paz because, no matter where you are, you can always see the mountains." Couldn't have said it better myself!

Explore Idaho

That's right!
I finally had my first (and hopefully not last) friend come visit the great, yet widely unknown, state of Idaho! Therefore, she was dragged from potato field to mountainside getting the "best of" regarding all things Idaho.

Some highlights include, but are not limited to:

Kayacking the great Snake River in order to view the architecutrally impressive Perrine Bridge.


The bridge and canyon from above....quite breathtaking if you ask me!


Hiking with my sister, Laura, through the "potato fields" (or whatever they were).....

...to go cliff-jumping into a crystal clear lake!


Driving through Stanley, ID....


...to get the LAST campsite...

...at Redfish Lake!


Yes, this was our own, private beach:)!


And, last but not least, viewing the Niagara of the West (A.K.A. Shoshone Falls)...


...and eating at my favorite restaurants with some of Twin Falls' finest:)!

My high school bud and my college bud.....I don't know what to do with so many of my favorites present:)!

I am happy to say that Lauren enjoyed her time exploring this state of mine and found out for herself that Idaho has more than just great potatoes!
Who will discover this blessed truth next?!

Stages of Grief

Yes....the time is drawing near!
And, even though I'm very excited to start my new life in La Paz, there is a huge hurdle I must leap over....and there are times when that hurdle just seems impossible to pass over!
"What is this hurdle you speak of?" some of you may be asking.

The "p" word.......yup, you guessed it....PACKING!

Please see the amount of clothes that made it through the NUMEROUS stages of purging..and yet, will NEVER fit into only 2 suitcases!


Hence the final rite of passage which included making it by the Pant Nazi (AKA Mom) and her sidekicks (the sisters Jenny and Laura)! Seriously, even though I was so thankful for their help, this was the part that brought out my many different stages of grief!

First I was just angry....how can you NOT let me take my favorite pair of jeans?
Second I was emotional....I've just had so many fond memories in this shirt!
Third I shut-down and became a robot....tell me what to do.
But, the fourth and final stage of MY grieving process was actually accepting this necessary course of action and delighting in the results.


TA DA! This is my (almost) completely packed bags!

Thank you family for helping me through my craziness and making my catastrophe a piece of art!

Déjà vu

So...I must love the open plains of Kansas because, for the 4th time, I drove across the country. Thankfully, every time I've taken on this great feat I have had a friend accompany me, and this time was no different!

Lauren and I on day 1 of our 4-day road trip to IDAHO!

Possibly due to the fact that we were literally surrounded by ALL of my Charlotte belongings (I was VERY proud of the fact that I fit all/most of the past 3 years in my TiNy Cabrio) or because of the amount of coffee and water consumed in order to stay alert, we had to made a few stops along the way! However, even with our periodic stops, we made good enough time to "take a day off" in Colorado!

We loved the GREAT views of the beautiful Colorado valley....and the company:)!

Amy Jo (a dear TU friend), Jerusalem, me, Lauren, and Esther....loved hanging out with these girls and sharing a wonderful Ethiopian feast!

After 3 years in North Carolina and 3 days of driving, I was happy to finally arrive at our destination....Twin Falls, ID!