Spring 2014 Update!

Hello everyone!

I am currently writing this while sitting in a hip new coffee shop I found not too far from school. I decided to come study here today instead of the usual surroundings of my house or even worse, the library. School in the next two weeks is going to be very hectic! Since spring break is right around the corner every class has either papers or tests that are due.

I am doing well in my classes so far though! One of the courses I am enrolled in is a research methods communication course which is mandatory in order to move on to the upper division courses. From what I have heard and have now experienced, this is probably the hardest course out of the whole program. Many people have to either retake the course or usually get a "C". Due to this I studied extra early and managed to get a 84.34% on the first test. While I would have obviously preferred an A, the class average was a 76% and out of all the people I knew in the class I got the highest score. (This was ESPECIALLY gratefying after the guy who sits next to me and acts like he knows everything in conjunction with trying to structure my studying methods got a 75%, that sure shut him up.)

On another note, I sent in my application last week for an internship with a commercial real estate firm, CBRE. Uncle Tim knows one of the major brokers in their firm and put me in contact with her for the opportunity. The internship is based out of their LA office and through the summary they provided on their website looks like a paid, 40 hour a week job.  Though I do not have much experience in the field I am hopeful that I can get the position and be able to learn more about the business. Keep your fingers crossed for me! Uncle Tim may have a new roommate this summer :)

Hope everyone is doing well!

Nicole

Coffee Shop I am currently sitting at called "Cartel"

The Seahawks Parade

Since I didn't get around to watching a football game this year, I guess I never will. After all, if you are not aware yet, the Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl.... I guess that's a really big deal..... Or so the 700,000 people poring into downtown yesterday, and messing with my commute, were telling me. The boys got to skip school,  Bob took the day off, and the three of them joined the roaring crowds downtown. Only 8 kids showed up to Liam's class yesterday.

 Ben found a tree to watch from

 The day was freezing by Seattle standards-- 20 degrees or so.

 A mass of humanity roaring together. Everyone screamed as loud as they could at 12:12. In Seattle the fans are considered the 12th man on the team.

3rd Birthday Celebrations

The school's birthday tradition is for the birthday child to choose a book to donate to the school and the parent (or grandparent) reads the book to the class while the birthday child sits in the seat of honor wearing a crown.

The birthday party at the apartment was a big success - the children had fun and we all enjoyed meeting their parents.

Home, not so sweet, home

Arrived home about 9pm last night to find the basement flooded, no heat, house at 29 degrees, and no water in any of the bathrooms.  The furnace repair people could not get the needed part so we are without heat until tomorrow.  We bought a pump and are pumping out the water from the basement and using the fireplace and space heaters to get a bit of warmth - we are now up to 45 degrees in the family room.  The plumber is coming after he deals with a couple of other people with broken-pipe problems.  Not fun.

Frosted door

Frozen toilet

Frozen Grandpa

Snorkeling

 Snorkeling

 So good to see Jenny and Patrick

 Family photo

 Chris caught in a graceful moment; before the effort of getting IN the boat, and after the effort of getting OUT of the boat.

Mexico Photos. Where is Tim???

Lots of rain

 Such big kids.

 Nice to see you Josh and family!

 Ben seasick!

 Go Delta Gamma!

 

 

Snorkeling photos to follow!

Southern Yucatan and Las Ruinas

The terrain here is very green with rolling hills, quite different than the north.  Chetumal was not very picturesque but we enjoyed it.  There was a great Mayan culture museum and good food.  The last 2 days we have visited 4 different ruins, all in gorgeous jungle settings.  The most magnificent was Becan where we were alone except for a family that was leaving as we were coming in and later, a mother and daughter.  Tomorrow is a 2.5 hour drive each way, on a bad road to Calakmul.

The most massive building at Becan

Tallest building at Becan - we climbed it (there was a rope)

View from the top - not for grandchildren or Chris