I almost died today

Actually, it wasn't even close. Nowhere near death. Nowhere near the excitement and near-death experiences that the Ford has provided me. But then again, the Blazer isnt the Truck that the Ford is. The Ford could have taken that parking job I did into the ditch like a champ, been pulled out, and said, 'Let's do it again'. The Blazer jsut said 'Oh, my front end is plastic, I cant take it, and by the way, I got this stupid front oil filter mount that is gonna get ripped off '. So the Blazer is currently minus a front end, has an almost dangling oil filter and remote access oil lines, and is missing a lot of front end plastic.

Then again, the Ford is out of commission with a busted up tensioner arm on the belt. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten rid of the Scorpion....

Spring Break in Spain!

Ok, for all of those curious, spring break for next year is set! This year, Jeff will be journeying to Spain to teach conversational English! While in the country, my only expenses will be the night before and the two nights after the program, everythign while I'm at the actualy program is covered. I'll be enjoying three course lunch and dinners at a beautiful mountainside resort, all for talking to business people and students in nothing but English. The program is designed to be intensive English for those that already speak English, its focus is to get the people comfortable with English.

Anyways, if anyone is interested, here is the general program: http://www.vaughanvillage.com/index.asp, and here is the actual site I will be at: http://www.vaughanvillage.com/venue-cazorla.asp

Well, four major things happened today. Two good, two bad, but I am really in a bittersweet mood.

First for the good:
1) Spring break is booked. I will be going to Spain to teach English, program is booked as is the flight.
2) Dad got engaged to Denise. She is a wonderful lady who will bring us all happiness, and I wish them the best of luck and welcome her into the family.

Then the bad:
3) I've realized me and Sarah will never be. I treated her miserable this summer, and I cannot forgive myself for that. She moved on, and I just have to deal with that. I regret the things that I did that made me lose the love of my life. Dad getting engaged just dramatically compounds my sadness, of course I am very glad for him, but it reminds me of how sad I am.
4) Grandpa is in the hospital with a stroke. I wish him the best of luck, and a speedy recovery.

I'm kind of just in a dull sense right now. I should be estactic over the engagement and spring break, but I am not. I am worrying about grandpa, and regretting my decisions with Sarah. I feel extremely badly about everything, but the past is the past and I need to move on. She was truly the greatest thing that happened to my life, and it is hard to see 3 years vanish just like that. Thankfully, last weekend she made me see that I needed to change the direction my life was heading, so I am very thankful for that. I am working on fixing a lot of stuff about myself, it will take time, but it will make me a better person in the end. I hurt badly right now, but I know with time I am going to come out a better person.

Thats all for now, I guess

For anyone still looking at this.....

OK, you guys want updates. Here they are.

First off, the phone number at my cabin is 906-370-9478. Its a prepay, so if you have lots to say I'll probably hang up and drive up the road to talk on my Alltel phone.

Secondly, I'm moved into my new cabin. 4 miles south of campus, on the lake, $180 a month for a one person place, here are some pics:

Finally, went down to Escanaba for the offroad races last weekend. First real bike trip I've been on, and it was quite fun.

Going Home

Well, I have about an hour before I leave for the airport. All I can say, is that Mark Knopfler was a great end to a great time in Prague. The concert was awesome, never have I seen so any instruments played in a single show (everyone in the show besides Mark and the drummer played at least three instruments at one point). Ukeleles, accordians, things that looked like Mandolins but were really a lot longer, probably a dozen different guitars, a few flutes, two different pianos and Mark playing at least five different guitars made for a great show. Thankfully, he mixed up the show, split about 60/40 with his new individual work, and songs from Dire Straits. Not suprisingly, Sultans of Swing and Romeo and Juliet were played, a bit more suprisingly (and to my great thanks) Telegraph Road was played, which is probably my favorite song ever. Anyways, after 30 years of playing, growing old and chubby and bald, the guy can pick a guitar, and still has a great voice. He's also got me wanting a candy apple red Fender Stratocaster.

Anyways, the last song he played was Going Home, and it fit perfectly to put a cap on my stay. It is a great way to end the concert, and for me, a great way to wrap up my stay in Prague. Although I just heard it live a few hours ago, I'll probably listen to it again as I'm coming home.

Boat trip

Well, we had a fun boat trip. Had some really good (and all I could eat) smoked salmon, and some decent smelt. I had a nice walk around before, and we had a nice fire at the Program Director Jan Stodola's house afterwards. It was a good wrap up to the program, I think.

Anyways, pics are here (warning: teenage girls drinking and acting like fools on the trams, and also pics that may make you want to up and travel to Prague tomorrow): http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047235&l=300b8&id=6603926

Schools out for the summer.......

Had my last class today, I'm free until I go home now! All I have planned for the last few days is the group boat cruise tomorrow night, and what I've been waiting for all semester, the Mark Knopfler concert Sunday night.

I was gonna put up all my work, but I can't figure out how to post PDF's. If I figure it out, you all can see whate I've been up to.