Estoy un poco ansioso y nervioso

En una semana voy a viajar a México para enseñar el curso. Ayer, practiqué un poco con Marianne y Edgar. Cada jueves tenemos una clase con Edgar durante almuerzo, para practicar nuestro español. El es muy amable y un buen profesor. Y el martes que viene, voy a practicar con Julian, un compañero en mi oficina. Después, espero que la presentación sea mejor.

Busqué por internet y encontré una foto del hotel dónde voy a quedar. Creo que voy a tener un buen tiempo!

En la primera nota en este Blog, dije que no me gusta los problemas en los EEUU, y el Presidente, etc. Para mi, la oportunidad trabajar en otro país me da esperanza. Si la gente en diferentes partes del mundo puede conocer una a otra, creo que es bueno para el futuro. No estoy seguro, pero, para mi, es una manera hacer una contribución - y a la misma vez - conocer México, los pájaros nuevos, la cultura, etc. Y tener diversión!

Mañana, Marianne y yo cenaremos a Coopersmith's y después, vamos a ir al teatro para mirar la obra "A Bright Room Called Day". Esta obra es sobre el fascismo en el pasado, pero creo que el mensaje es pertinente hoy, también.

Hasta luego, y espero que tengan un buen fin de semana.

Yeah for Family!

Well, I am a bit exhausted after our whirlwind weekend visit in Chicago, but I am still smiling! Family is the best, no doubt about it. It was great to see you all again, to be all together with my parents, sister, etc. It meant a lot to me that everyone spent so much time at Grandma and Grandpas - and I know it meant a lot to them too.

Now it is back to the grindstone. I will be in Mexico in two weeks! so, I need to get cracking on my presentation and practice a bunch. There is other work to do too, so it's going to be a bit crazy. But, some of us work better under tight deadlines!

I'll try to upload some photos soon and send out the info. Love you all oodles and bunches.

Guest entry from Regan

Dear Bruno -

I am just writing to say how sad I am that you forgot my Birthday. Although since all I know is that my Birthday is sometime in January, there still is hope that maybe you haven't forgotten me. But still, as you can tell from the photo, I am a bit down about it all. Sigh ... I am 10 years old now, and you're still so young. But the veterinarian says I am still very youthful. I try to keep frisky as you know from your visit.

I do miss you a lot, and I hope we are still friends (even though you may have forgotten my special day).

Love,

Regan

Voy a trabajar en Mexico

Hablé hoy con una bióloga en Mexico y ella me invitó a dar una presentación en español! Es una buena oportunidad, pero será la primera vez que presente en español y estoy un poco nervioso. El taller es en la ciudad Hermosillo, en el estado Sonora, más o menos 175 millas al sur de Nogales (a la frontera de los EEUU). Ahora, necesito preparar y practicar un powerpoint. Deséame suerte!

Something fun

Check out this web page - pretty cool, huh?

Updates and such

My friend Ken Hood died early this morning. It kind of surprised me, because I saw him at Church the Sunday before Christmas and he seemed pretty good. Maybe he wanted to wait to see his family at Christmas and then be done. He had talked to me about whether he should even try to hold on much longer, and I wonder if he had any control over the timing of his death. Hard to say. There will be a memorial service at Church on Saturday and I will speak a bit on behalf of the Men's Group. I hope I can hold it together ok.

So, even though this makes me sad, I am still glowing inside from the Christmas visit. I can't even imagine how it could have been a better time. It was so great that you were all here together and that we did such fun stuff, and had time to talk and play. It filled my tanks, that's for sure!

I'm still waiting to hear from the biologists in Mexico about my possible trip and helping teach at a workshop. I hope it all works out, and I hope I can teach in Spanish - it would be really good to have to do that. I'm lucky to have these opportunities.

I can't believe we will be together again in a few weeks in Chicago. I love it! And all of you too!

Best Christmas Ever!!!!

Nate, Karen, Sierra, and Steve left this morning and Mom and I gave each other a big hug and had a good cry. But it was really a happy cry, because we both feel so blessed to have such a great family. This was just such an incredible time together. All the activities, all the good food, games, talking, home brew - each day was filled to the brim with good times together. We love each of you so very much. Thanks for being the best family ever and for helping us to have the best Christmas ever.