Family Babyshower in VA

WOW, it is a big family! Thank you to everyone who was able to come and to my mom and sisters who put it together.

Conor Oberst at the Rialto

We went to see Conor Oberst at the Rialto this past weekend. That had to be the best/most enjoyed concert I've been to. The guy is really talented and sings with a level of expression that makes you want to keep listening. He is not over the top, so he is not screaming and yelling at the microphone, it is very suttle. He also played a few acoustic songs that were very enjoyable and easy to hear. It probably helped that the Rialto has a new sound system now and the teather wasn't all that full. We were able to have seats in the back through the show, but we were also able to stand closer whenever we wanted to. The only thing I didn't like was that some of the members of hte band were drinking beer on stage. Not just like taking a little sip here and there, but more like 'let me get drunk fast' or my 'drunken high is going away, need to replenish' The singer was switching between beer and water. I felt sad cause I have a feeling they are all alcoholics and feel that they can't perform or loosen up, or be more themselves unless they are drinking.

Citizen of the United States of America at last

Monday I became a Naturalized USA citizen. With almost 2000 people becoming citizens, it was the biggest group that Tucson has ever seen before. This commemorated moment was held at the TCC, like a huge graduation. All the people I am sure waiting for this moment, not really knowing how it could change their lives. For me, it started with feeling that it wasn't a big deal. I passed my test, the day of the oath came, and I didn't think much of it, but that it was a mere formality. I didn't realize until I was sitting down there preparing to do my oath of allegiance how much did this event really meant in my life. I realized, that up to this point I really hadn't belong anywhere. I left Bolivia when I was 15, I felt Bolivian of course, I had the legacy of the customs and culture, but I was just a child with not much involvement of care about the community or the country. When I moved here, I yearned for the familiar places but learned to adapt to this new but different world than what I was used to. I didn't feel like I belonged here, and there was probably a deep hidden hope that one day I might go back to Bolivia to stay there. I remember the first time I went back to Bolivia, probably after 5 years of being here. I was so excited, but when I got there it felt so different, not the Bolivia I remember,it had changed,or more importantly I had changed and grown. The point was that I didn't feel like I belonged there either. Becoming a citizen is giving me a place to belong, a place to call home, finally, a place to be proud of and a place to fight for. It is a big deal to me. I feel very thankful and empowered.

camping

We got rained on 3 times on Sat, but we still had a lot of fun!. It was so moving to watch Nela and Joel bonding. Joel would have really loved having a little sister. I can see already what a great dad he is going to be. He is one of the most gentle and serving person I have ever met, besides my dad. When I fell sleep in the hammock in front of the campfire, and it was starting to rain, he lovingly picked me (the hammock sits close to the floor) and took me into the tent and laid me down on the floor mattress. ALthougth I am only 15 weeks prego, i am not as light as before....apparently i blurted out while half sleep: please don't, the fire, Im pregnant IAM WITH CHILD!. and fell back sleep. I think i was trying to disuade him from picking me up afraid of being dropped. They all thought it was funny. I don't remember much. We also had a wonderful time of worship on the mountain Sunday morning, wich was also Joel's Birthday. Having Nela and Joel around, really helped me relax and not be so controlling. It was very relaxing and fun. We saw a baby hornytoad, butterflies, small frogs, sunflower stealing squirrels, the smalles fish ever, a big dead fish and more, I love camping!

Tom Waits

This past Tuesday we went to see Tom Waits at the Orpheum Teather in Phoenix (what a beautiful teather that was) It was pretty amazing, there had to be at least 100 instruments on stage, but not even half of them were used. Tom is definately an entertainer and there is something about the way he sings that makes you not want to take your eyes off him. At least, I can't stop looking at him. He was very personable and talked and joked with the audience. It was a very nice experience.

Bowling with my Dept

Not too long ago, my department went bowling. Mind you I am a horrible bowler who is thrilled if I break 100. On this occasion, we played teams of 4, my team being my team lead and the other two guys I work with. I BEAT THEM. Here is the victory picture, and my bowling technique that won me the game.

more pics at picassa: http://picasaweb.google.com/soyyolaconeja/BowlingWithDepartment

Potter's Wheel

I just finished shadowing a Potter's Wheel 1 this past week. Even though, as a shadower, I don't go in the "Hot Seat" (intense and straight to the core, time with God with the help of a counselor) I always leave bleeding, but more alive. Aware of my own unmet longings and of my own persistent wrong strategies to protect myself from pain and complete dependance on God. I don't have all the answers and that unnerves me, but I know thats the place where God wants me. I feel that the poeple that go throught this come out always with open eyes, with hope and closer to Jesus than before. I wish that all the poeple I care about and love would go throught something like this.

Basketball League finals

Last night Joel played in the finals in the IBM Basketball league. Joel's team had to beat the other team twice in order to be champions. We beat them by a lot the first game. Joel played his best game ever, scored 18 points. You should have seen him, he was making almost every shot he took, it was exhilarating. We lost the second game which made the other team the champions. I am kicking myself cause I didn't take any pictures or videos, but may be nex time. The other team didn't play very clean the second game, which made mad and I started screaming from the bench that they should play clean. But I had to stop otherwise, a friend said, we could have gotten a technical.
During the second game I got to play with the baby of our team captain. This was the biggest two month old I have ever seen. While talking to the wife (had talked to her a lot during past games) I found out that they were christians. It was very encouraging, we will be keeping in touch.

Guadalajara Hayayay!

Guadalajara, there I was with three of my coworkers. Had a great time. Didn't do much work, but we worked hard in getting to know the city and hitting every place with great food. I gained 4 punds in one week and I am very proud of it. Haven't had such great hispanic food since I moved from my mom's house (YUMM)
More pics here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soyyolaconeja/Guadalajara

Bolivia trip

Finally some of the pics from our first trip together to Bolivia last Sept.
We had a lot of fun, learned a lot, going back soon.
Looking at the pics makes me sad, there is so much need over there.

Here are some more pics:

http://picasaweb.google.com/soyyolaconeja/BoliviaSept07

these are some of the kids we helped by getting them a concrete floor, tables, chairs, educational games. Here are some before and after pictures.