And if you needed another reason...

I have a long list of blogs of friends, friends of friends, and strangers that I read for inspiration and to know what's going on with my friends and with the world.  My friend Haley was one of my inspirations for creating this blog (it's pretty obvious when you look at the title of her blog and that of mine...apparently she inspired me to create a blog but I was lacking imagination with my title and came up with something not much different than she did.  Hey, at least the blog was created!)  Anyhow, in addition to wonderful pictures and stories of her travels, she also shares stories about those small moments of beauty and happiness that we often overlook as well as articles, pictures, videos, etc. of the things that inspire her.  Today she shared a TED Talk on the importance of sanitation.  It provided one more reason to proud of myself and my students for the work we did to raise money for Spark Microgrants, as the money is helping a school to build a bath house and to develop a health and hygiene curriculum.  Here's the video to better understand why this could make such a huge impact on the school (we are finding about half of the project, p.s.!):

Rumba!

Just in case you were worried I wasn't having enough fun, here are some pics from one of my more recent outtings with friends. A co-worker was DJing a birthday party at a bar in Chapinero.  We went to show our support and to dance, dance, dance!!  It was SO. MUCH. FUN.

Arco Iris

With only remediation going on at the school this month, works demands have slowed d significantly.  I'm not complaining.  I've had time to do some education reading and research that I've been wanting to do.  Additionally, I've been able to read the news, update my resume, clean out my desk, plan my summer vacation down to the minute details and to reflect on the school year - my classroom culture, my teaching of the content, my systems and procedures and the areas where I think I can grow and contribute more to the school next year.  Additionally, as things have slowed down, I've had time to appreciate the little things:  Conversations with my students and co-workers/friends, delicious snacks and lunches (usually I'm in and out but there have been days when I've enjoyed the full hour in the cafeteria with my food and friends), beautiful weather and RAINBOWS!  Check out the view I had from my office after a brief rainshower the other day!  Gorgeous

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Cascadas de Sueva

During one of the many long weekends we seem to have in Colombia, I went hiking with my friend Pacho and his sister.  We had to take a 2 - 3 hour bus ride to our desination (each way) but it was wonderful chance to get out of the city and enjoy this beautiful country.  Also, on our way we stopped for arepa con queso and agua de panela.  Best case.