Checking in after 6 Months

I have been a bad blogger recently...sorry.  Life and work have been busy and exciting.  I'll try to do a little better of a job writing more regularly.

It is a little weird to think that we have already lived here for half of a year.  Where has the time gone? I would say we are pretty adjusted to life here now, which is why I was taken by surprise when I missed MPLS terribly on Monday.  I didn't have school so I was alone and had more time on my hands.  I admit that I cried a little.  Sadly, I didn't cry over family or friends...no that would make too much sense.  I cried over the scenery on my drive to work in MN.  A little weird? I could close my eyes and picture it.  I could see myself rounding the corner of our house when I left from the backdoor.  I could see those horrible icy stairs that I only fell down once on my way to the car.  I could picture Lake Calhoun after a fresh snow fall and on a sunny spring morning.  What really got to me were the stupid beautiful trees on Vine Hill Road that lead up to my old school.

Lake Calhoun - Mad at myself that I had to google this photo

The Stupid Beautiful Trees - Photo by S.Johnson an awesome parent of a former student

Can you tell I'm missing the snow?  I know it is crazy, but it feels like it is already spring here. Well, I guess not today.  We had about an inch of snow last night, which has allowed me to blog this morning during my 2 hour delay.  : ) (For the record - Number of years taught in MN - 5- number of snow days - 0- number of snow delays - 1. Number of years taught in NM -0.5- number of snow days -0- number of snow delays - 2. This made me laugh a little.)

Anyway, I have missed home enough to realize a pity party for one is no fun and not very productive.  So I decided to make a list of the things I enjoy about ABQ.

Awesome Things about Albuquerque:

1. The weather is pretty nice.  

2. The food!  I love green chili.

3. The mountains and hiking

4. Cost of living - things are so affordable here!

5. The sky and the clouds. It seems even more blue. A blue I have never seen up North.

6. The moon - a full moon over the Sandias is beautiful - Can the moon seem bigger since I'm higher up?

7. Life is a little more relaxed/less stressful here.  It is the land of manana.

8. The school day is about an hour shorter.

9. My school, coworkers, Amy - I'm pretty happy with my job.

10. The diversity, culture, and history that is present here.

11. The smell of rain is so strong here.  I love it!

I also decided to make a list of things that are currently driving me crazy about this lovely place.

Oh ABQ!:

1. Driving here/drivers - I have never prayed so regularly.Sadly I think I am starting to develop some of these bad driving habits.

2. I miss snow and rain - I know I live in a desert...we don't get these often.

3. Being far away from friends and family.

4. The school day is about an hour shorter. 

5. It can take what seems like forever to get something done. It is the land of manana.

6. Parking lots are more of a challenge with so many big trucks parking in the compact spots. 

This is what I can remember from my mental lists on Monday.  Luckily, there are more positive things than negative things. :)  I'm sure both lists will continue to grow.  

Lastly, I'm super excited for March because we are having visitors from MN come to visit! I can't wait to see their pretty faces and show them the Land of Enchantment!

Clearly MN men know to go to WI to find their beautiful bucky loving brides!

CV and Nicko have been friends since they were kiddos.

I have been friends with Sara since I moved to MN 6 years ago. We instantly bonded over bucky , cheese, and all things WI. She also got me hooked on couch 2 5k.

Best College roomie ever, Jessi!  We have been best buds since freshman year in College.

And her handsome man

If you are ever in the area, let us know.  We love visitors!