This post was inspired by this guy.
Even if he doesn’t update his blog or leave his real name in the comments.
Y’all should go leave him sweet, encouraging messages.
He’d like that.

Posted in Uncategorized No Comments »

breaks in the clouds and thinking out loud
front porch swings and sunburn stings
second chances and nighttime dances
Sisser’s talks and camp trail walks
hope with feathers and changing weather
empanadas and breakfast at Momma’s
church bells and ocean swells
singing a-cappella and stories about Bella
morning runs and Wonder Bread buns
my spot on the floor and eating s’mores
straight outta shady and [...]

Posted in lists 6 Comments »

It’s late afternoon and I’m sitting in my apartment alone.  The morning sun has given way to an afternoon rain and like the Manizales soil, my heart is heavy.
Two weeks ago we received more rain in one night than we usually get in the entire month of November.  By the time dawn broke the land [...]

Posted in colombia 4 Comments »

I like to imagine that if you saw me in a crowd you’d think rockstar or artist or writer or America’s Next Top Model.
Okay, that last one’s a stretch, but a girl needs dreams.
Sadly, I am none of those things, and today when I saw my reflection in a window all I could think was, [...]

Posted in teaching 9 Comments »

School has been out all week due to the landslide situation here in Manizales.  We’re still under red alert and praying against the rain, but teachers came to school today.
We called it a curriculum day in the hopes that we won’t have to extend the year once June rolls around.  (Heaven help me if they [...]

Posted in my emotional state 12 Comments »

I’m glad I didn’t tell Daddy that there are earthquakes here.
There are no snow days in Manizales.  But there are landslide days.
There’s a volcano, too, but I think we’re safe.
Then, there’s the rain.
And the rain.
Rain causes the landslides.
I thought I was going to spend my last living moment with a taxi driver that called me, [...]

Posted in Uncategorized 7 Comments »

I stand out on a typical day in Manizales.
My hair is blonde and my eyes are blue although to some it would seem that I’m green with wings.  At least that’s how they stare.
Add rain to that and I’m a one woman freak show.
Because I carry a polka dot umbrella.
At least I did.  Until someone [...]

Posted in Uncategorized 5 Comments »

When I arrived in Colombia, I was sure that I would be surviving on sign language and charades forever.  Going to the grocery store was a chore and catching the bus was impossible.  And talking to my students’ parents?  Yeah, right.  
I’ve come a long way.
Our principal ran our staff meeting in Spanish last week and I [...]

Posted in colombia 6 Comments »

A castle stood among the rocks
where waves came crashing round
and on her walls sat knights with swords
and at her gates were guards.

I stood a bit beneath the sun
and watched their chainmail shine
then carefully approached the bridge
and asked to go inside.

The guard bowed low and winked at me
then I heard a creaking sound.
And in that moment my [...]

Posted in writing 6 Comments »

Traffic jams don’t really bother me.  Neither do long lines in Wal-Mart or the grocery store.  I don’t get stressed when it takes me ages to get my food in a restaurant. 
I’m generally pretty patient.  Hello.  I work with nine year olds.  I have to be.
Truth be told, I can only think of two things [...]

Posted in rambling 10 Comments »