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On Missing My "Fox Room"

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There are days when my job is hard. Like really, really hard . Teaching is by far the most difficult, challenging, stressful, rage-inducing, and frustrating thing I've ever done in my life. At the same time, it is by far the most satisfying, fulfilling, fun, joyful, hilarious, and sometimes outright-ridiculous-in-the-best-way-possible thing I've ever done in my life. Today we officially received word that there will be no in-person school for the rest of the year. I expected that notice. By the time I heard that the second state had decided to close schools for the rest of the year, I expected that Denver and Colorado would make their way to that same decision. I expected that I would have emails and texts from worried students about what that means for them. I expected to be sad and disappointed, even angry. What I did not expect was how much that notice would break my heart. I did not expect to cry (again). I did not expect that March 12th would be the last time I ...
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Home from Home

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"If you give love and live long, you'll never be alone. If you give love and live long, you'll always have a home." -Roo Panes- Ralph and I aren't the type to share a lot on social media--not necessarily on purpose, it's just not something we think of doing. I often write about him--I just don't share it.  For those of you who don't know here's a little bit of our story: We have known each other our whole lives; my uncle and his dad have been friends for close to 40 years. That same uncle is Ralph's godfather. I don't remember nor can I imagine my life without Ralph's family being a part of it (and I wouldn't have it any other way). We went to the same high school but we didn't talk much. Mostly because my huge  and life-long crush on him caused me to turn the other way every time I saw him lest I embarrass myself. We really lost touch in college; I went to Franciscan University in Ohio and he went to the Univ...
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My Friend Roy

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"But you, my dear friends, must build yourselves up on the foundation of your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit; keep yourself within the love of God and wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you eternal life." - Jude 1:20-21   Between the ages of 11 and 13 I had a very good friend. His name was Roy Ankeny. Before I continue there are a few things you need to know about Roy:  1. He was 57 when we met. 2. He came into the Catholic Church at Easter of 2007. 3. He took St. Jude (patron saint of hopeless causes) as his confirmation name. 4. He was a poet and an author. 5. He struggled with bipolar disorder.  Now I'm sure some of the details aren't going to be exactly correct but this post isn't about the details, it's about Roy . I first met Roy at Mimi's Cafe in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was on his way home from a retreat that my dad was also participating in and my mom and I decided to meet them for breakfast ...
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Mountains to Climb

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“Don’t take for granted the love this life gives you. When you get where you’re going don’t forget turn back around and help the next one in line. Always stay humble and kind.” - Tim McGraw- Last weekend, Ralphy and I drove down to Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta. It was the first time I’d gone since I was 14 and the first time I was ever able to attend the Balloon Glow. We woke up at 5:30, dressed for the cold (and wore far too many layers), and watched pretty floating objects for close to 5 hours.  It wasn’t until I moved away from Albuquerque that I realized how much I missed Balloon Fiesta. Obviously, it wasn’t anything that I ever attended regularly but I always recognized that it was something special to be able to see the balloons on my way to school. However, I remember never being all that impressed by the balloons flying toward my high school. I remember being somewhat annoyed when a balloon would land on the soccer field and interrupt the school day for awhile....
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Resfeber

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Resfeber (n.): The restless race of the traveler's heart before the journey begins, when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together.  It's been awhile since I last posted (I tried to be better, I really did) so I'll try to write a little about everything that's happened the last few months.  First of all, I was accepted to the University of Colorado - Denver for graduate school! I will be pursuing a Master’s in Spanish and I honestly couldn’t be more excited. I think one of the most difficult parts about teaching in Spain has been not being a student. When I graduated from high school and started at Franciscan, I’m pretty sure my parents were terrified that I wouldn’t finish my Bachelor’s in 4 years…or ever! Not because I would do poorly or choose to not finish but because I liked school so much that I would choose to just keep going back. I’m sure they breathed a huge sigh of relief last May when I walked across the stage. What I’m really trying to say here...
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Choosing Joy

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"I have found the paradox: if you love until it hurts  there  can be no more hurt, only more love" -St. Mother Teresa- I apologize for not posting as much as I said I would.  I’ll get better at it…I think…some day. No promises. Lately I’ve been writing more than ever…I feel like I’ve even been writing in my sleep….but I’ve also had a difficult time finding anything I write that is worth sharing. So this is just a little update on Spain and life in general.  I was able to go home (New Mexico) for a wonderful 18 days at Christmas time. It was the most time I’ve spent in New Mexico since Christmas Break of 2013/2014 and I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to be home. For so long I took New Mexico for granted—I never wanted to return because in my mind I’d outgrown it. But going home for Christmas really showed me how lucky I am to have grown up there. Not everyone gets to grow up in a place that values family, tradition, and faith in the same ...
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