Hello Year 2

Wow, this will only be the second time I have written in 2016.  I think I've said this before but when I have a lot to say or share I always wait for that perfect day when I can upload the photos, write 'til my heart's content, and make a real worthwhile post.  Well, today is not that day seeing as how it's already 9PM and I have a Pre-Test to grade; my bedtime is probably before most of my students these days.  I can't find the test anyway, it's time to share for a bit.

I entered my second year of teaching with a whole lot more confidence than I did my first but my nerves were still bundled and I worried too much.  I have my same students from last year, which has helped but they are a year older now and from day one they have seemed so much older than two months ago when I handed in their final grades for P5.  Origami is going to be stupid now, right?  Hangman as a daily warm up game will be lame and I swear I just got another dirty look from Dao.  I know girl, this lesson is shit!  I worked my tail off those first four weeks before I went home and left on good terms with myself on the work I'd put in but still knew I needed to do better.

My time home was an absolute ruckus of a good time and I was constantly surrounded by some amazing people.  I watched my Rockies win a game the day after I landed.  I officiated the wedding of two of my best friends in an unbelievable venue that capped off a hell of a wedding week.

The wedding week was damn near a reunion.  I saw so many of you amazing people there that I had not seen in a very long time.  After that I made a road trip with my Dad and brother up to my Grandparents' farm.  Oh good 'ol Wyoming.  Many a whiskey shot and beer were saluted as we spent two quick days on a farm where I spent many summers.  It was the first time Derek had been up there in 13 years!   (No, the first picture was not from 13 years ago.  However, these are in the same spot.)

We made Lake Trip year 19 happen!  I got to see all my CSU buddies for a quick beer or three.  Safety third!  I went on hikes and spent some great time with my family as I basically watched my little sister leave home.  Quite an odd feeling, it was just the other day when I baby sat you every day after school and played games all night long.  It was an incredible three weeks to say the least.  I flew on a Friday morning, lost 13 hours along the way and ended up in a small hotel outside of Bangkok near the airport at 2AM on Sunday.  I found the wrong bus home on Sunday morning and walked into school Monday morning.  I expected to be jet-

lagged, I expected to be unprepared, and I was wishing and praying for a quiet class.  Well the third hope was just stupid, let's be real now.  However, when I came back my class was mine again and I had my confidence.  In fact it was better than before.  I could spit at you what I have before about how my friends are family and how much all of you from back home support me, which you most definitely do and I thank God for it every day, but I can't really pinpoint what happened when I came back.  Only that I was a teacher again and me and my 23 little friends have been having a riot in class.  Despite all the clubs, parties, traveling, sight-seeing, and beach dwelling - that first week back is my favorite week I've spent living abroad.  Oh and Dao, you get funny faces pointed at you when you're not looking.  That's why Stamp is always laughing.  : )  Touché!  Thanks friends and family, both back home and all of you that ushered me back in with beer Olympics last weekend.

**Notables**

1) One of my best friends sent me a text before I left that if paraphrased said, if you ever need anything at all I don't know how I will make it happen but I will do my damnedest and it will happen.  Thanks man, that was awesome.

2) Here's one for all me European mates.  I made it so far in to the heart of fuggin' cowboy 'Merica they didn't even bloody call 'em chips anymore!  I mean we usually don't call them chips, but for this dish we generally make an exception for ye lads.

3) I had a drink with a spark of an old flame while I was home and we talked for a while that night.  Something that came up was how she respected me because I intimidated her.  She said I always spoke without bull shit.  I didn't want to take the idea that I intimidated her as a push of confidence my way, but in an odd way I did.  It wasn't because I did, I actually felt quite bad when she said so, but it was because generally I always thought it was quite the opposite.  She has such a strong personality that not in a million years would I have thought that to be the case.  I may still be intimidated by a lot of you out there, but I suppose on occasion I may do some intimidating myself.  However, I can't worry about what I don't know might be the case, so I have to just be.

4) Thanks to all of you that made the effort to see me while I was home.  Some of you went way out of your way and some of you bought me a beer.  : )   I love you all.

5) When your friends tell you, "Uh hey dude, you should check out your pictures," when they hand you your phone there is that moment you think you'll probably see something hairy.  Well, I wasn't wrong...

That face.