Thunderbolts and Lightning in San Diego!!

When the storm hit San Diego this weekend, lightning struck hard at Qualcomm! That's right! The Chargers won their first playoff game!! Whoo Hoo!! Ryan and I had UNBELIEVABLE seats!! We were so close to the field and right in the end zone! Our view was almost as good as the refs'!! Way to go, boys!

Happy 2008!

Happy New Year to everyone!

Childhood Favorite

As a child, this was one of my favorite movies. It also happens to by one of Ryan's favorite Christmas movies as well. I decided to show Babes in Toyland to my students for our Holiday Party on our last day of school. Of course, some of them did not enjoy it the way I do. One thing made it all worth it, though. One of my most energetic kiddos kept running back to where I was sitting to tell me in his broken English how much he LOVED the movie! To see the joy on his little face every time the cast broke into song and dance revived the childhood excitement this movie brought to me. What a privilege it is to watch children grow! My job is such a blessing!

Fresh and Easy!

I have a co-worker who is just the neatest lady. I absolutely love who she is in her heart and aspire to care for my students the way she does her own. Needless to say, when she raves about a new product/show/store/book in the staff lounge, I am eager to listen. She has recently been going on about a new grocery store, Fresh & Easy, in Chula Vista. It is her new favorite. Since I live in "wacky San Diego," we don't have one of these... yet. I was working one of those all-too-common 15 hour work days yesterday and decided to take a break and check out this store. I LOVE IT!! It is like Trader Joe's, but even better!! Literally, when I was describing the store to my hubby, I told him all the food is very fresh and they make the experience so easy!! Of course, as soon as I returned to my classroom, I looked it up online. Good news - this store is infiltrating Southern California!! If you live in any metropolitan area in SoCal, chances are there will soon be a Fresh & Easy near you. One is "Coming Soon" onto Trautwein in Riverside and also to Newberry Park for the Venturans. I've done your homework for you, now you can shop, shop, shop! I know you'll love it, as do Marijke and I!

Running for Sport

Back in September, I joined a running group to train for a half marathon. So far, I have upped my milage to 8.5 miles! I can't believe I can go that far! There are a few reasons I love running. First of all, the "runner's high" is an amazing feeling! I also love to run for a cause. Just this morning, I ran in the Silver Strand 5K. I finished in just over 30 minutes!! Thanksgiving morning, I'll be running a 4 miler in Santa Barbara. I know it will be worth it when I spend the rest of the day eating and watching football! I have 10 weeks of training left until my big race. I found a quote that I like to inspire me as the runs get more difficult: "Pain is weakness leaving the body." I must be pretty weak, because I have a lot of weakness leaving my body every long run!
I found a World Run Day. This organization wants to have the UN designate the second Sunday of every November as World Run Day. I think I'll take my part in this and maybe try to organize a run next year! Does that sound crazy? We'll see how it goes...

My Current Favorite

This picture is currently my favorite of our wedding pictures. Of course, every time I look at our pictures, a new one is my favorite. I love this one because I remember how magical it was to run down a corridor of light provided by our most loved ones! What a perfect day!

A Moment to Breathe...but not too deeply

So, you probably thought you wouldn't hear from the Lopez family until the next major school vacation. I thought so too. Life has been incredibly busy for us down here in San Diego. Between work and school, I have hardly had time to sit in front of my computer without doing some sort of research! (If you want to know about Aroma-chology or the Development of the Adolescent Brain, I can forward you the research!) As much as I love studying, I am glad to have a little break.

Well, the reason for my school break is not a good one. San Diego County is on fire. 300,000 people have been evacuated within the past day and a half. The Governator is here. The Prez is reportedly coming out soon. We are having a San Diego snow day. Ash is everywhere. Both Ryan and I have had work cancelled. Neither of us know when we will go back. The sooner, the better. In the midst of all this tragedy, our community proves to be amazing. So many people are coming together to volunteer. Gourmet buffets and massage therapists are abundant at Qualcomm, where over 7,500 evacuees are staying. Even evacuees are helping out at the shelters! San Diego truly is America's Finest City, even when it's burning.