Ice Fishing at Antero Lake

In honor of the upcoming New Year, I decided to go ice fishing with Bennett and Missy yesterday. Both of them go a lot and love it and I always say I am down for new things and have been meaning to go for awhile. Let me tell you.....it was really fun! I could see where it could be INCREDIBLY cold, but I bundled up and took the gang of dogs on a slip-sliding walk around the lake when we got there so I could work up some body heat. Of course, they slid everywhere and it took Tals awhile to develop her "ice legs." She kept running really fast on the snow-covered parts like she does on the ground, but then she would hit the slick ice and go sliding everywhere! It took a few of these spills before she figured it out but she is definitely Husky-like in her ice navigation skills now!

Anyway, I didn't catch anything. Not a one. I had a few nibbles but I sucked so bad that I didn't really know what to do when that happened and by the time someone got over to help me, the fish had swum away. Thats ok though--we release them anyway so it didn't make much difference! My sis, on the other hand, was the champion of the day! She was reeling in fish seemingly constantly, and Bennett said none of them were smaller than 3-pounders. This pic is of her prize Cutthroat. It was a beautiful fish!

Photo Highlights from December

I finally sat down and looked at some of my pics from this month and they made me smile. I thought I would share!





My roses that Brad had delivered when I was couch-ridden after my procedure. They definitely brightened my day :)















Gingerbread house!












Tally after a tough day of snowshoeing! My dog was actually tired for the rest of the day--a miracle!











The crew at the Turkey Trot at Wash Park













Tals and I on yet another snowshoeing excursion. Tally was loving it and it took every muscle in my scrawny little arms to choke-hold her into this picture before she scampered off again!

My Decade in Review

At the close of every year, different feelings roll through me as I watch the days tick by and the calendar year wind to a close. Of course, with the next few weeks wrapping up the end of a decade, search engines and news sources are chronicling the "top events" of the past 10 years. When I read that, I realized that ten years can go so fast! Where has the decade gone?

So, in light of the close of the first decade of the 21st century, I decided (in complete random order!) to highlight MY OWN top ten of the decade. Some of the events are happily remembered, others are just important to the direction my life has taken. Regardless, the following all stand out in my memories of the years 2000-2009. Enjoy!

1. My first puppy! For those that know me well, you probably aren't surprised that Tals cracked the top ten :) I purchased Tally as an immediate result to a bad breakup and there could never have been a better cure! I've had her for almost 4 years now and she goes everywhere with me from my friends' homes to backpacking in the San Juans to snowshoeing in Nederland. There is no better company on a rough day than her crazy little eyes and wiggling little butt!

2. Biking Across the U.S. This is still probably my favorite thing that I have ever done. We stayed domestic but the culture shock I received while exploring parts of my own backyard was definitely memorable. What did I learn? Southern hospitality is a complete myth while mid-western hospitality is fact. People in Kansas are the friendliest in the country but damn does that state get some brutal weather! There are some sick people out there but the kindness of strangers always prevails in the end. Never roll your bike through a field of sunflowers, regardless of the beauty because the flats will piss you off for days. Always remember to tighten your brake pads on the rim instead of the tire--you'll definitely only make that mistake once. A tent can be a happy home if you let it, and you really only need one pair of clothes. Semi-drivers can be your friends. The best BBQ is in Arkansas--just ask Bill Clinton. Your body is capable of so much more than you realize. Little Debbie's are the best sustenance for extensive calorie burning. There is so much to see out there!

3. South America Again, it is no surprise that my year in South and Central America appears but it truly was an experience. I perfected my fluent Spanish (which is quickly disappearing!) and realized that Americans really are lucky, regardless of their financial state. I learned to live out of a backpack and love it while exploring some sights that I never thought I would see. Machu Picchu was as incredible as I had hoped, but other less notable wonders like the Colca Canyon and the Torres del Paine trek still stand out in my memories. Scuba diving became a favorite hobby and I realized that people from Colombia are actually really friendly! Note to any future travellers: you will always, ALWAYS get sick in Bolivia, no matter how strong your stomach is!

4. Graduating from CU There was never any doubt I would go to college, but graduating was important since it opened the door to everything I have done in the past five years. I developed my love of the outdoors while at CU--cause after all, it IS Boulder!--and got involved in all of my climbing, biking, backpacking, and mountaineering. I met so many of my closest friends while receiving a degree that I will probably never use again!

5. Studying Abroad in Spain I spent the Fall of 2002 in Alicante, Spain on a random whim after I had abruptly decided that I wanted to live in another country for a bit. I chose Spain based on my minimal high school Spanish and was placed with the kindest host family I could have ever asked for. Of course, I met some great lifelong friends and learned a lot of Spanish, but the lasting effect of Alicante was the travel bug I received as a direct result. I had only been to Mexico and Canada before this time, so Alicante was my first REAL abroad experience. Fortunately (or unfortunately!), I became addicted and my travelling addiction was born. Gracias, Alicante!

6. Moving to Steamboat Springs, Colorado A random decision that turned out great! I realized that I don't love cities and that I really want to live in mountain towns forever. I spent some time as a ski instructor and a middle school teacher which were both career moves that helped me determine my future path. And c'mon, is there any town that is more beautiful in the summer that Steamboat?!

7. Starting graduate school at Regis University It's been a year since I went back to grad school, and although I swear and complain about it on a weekly basis, I am pretty excited to be back in the academic arena. I've always been a school nerd and I love learning. I chose to get my Masters in Education with a Special Ed licensure, but ideally, I'd like to end up in the outdoor ed. field for disabled kids. Its a far cry from my undergrad degree in Journalism but I'm happy where I'm at!

8. Realizing I am not invincible I've always been the type of person that packs a lot into a short time. I usually have a surplus of activites and a strict schedule in order to get everything accomplished. I like things this way and I typically thrive in that style of environment. However, until recently, I've never truly grasped my own humanity. I'm not saying that I thought I was Superwoman but I've always just believed I could do it all without any consequences to my mental sanity or my physical health. I had a few reminders this month that I am human, things can happen, and we all are mortal. It was a good reality check for me :)

9. Learning to live alone Weird item to add to my top ten, I know, but it was an awesome revelation for me. I had roommates all through undergrad, all through my time in Steamboat, and then immediately after I returned to the Denver metro area. After awhile I decided that I needed to live alone to see what it was like, and I have to admit that I don't think I will ever go back! Its such a good way to learn about yourself (and your dog!) and to have the personal space that everyone requires.

10. I am happy There have been a lot of ups and downs over the past 10 years. I've experienced some pretty unhappy endings to close relationships and some very unfortunate endings to seemingly happy lives. I've struggled with what I want and expect from myself and I've spent numerous hours questioning who I should be and where...and why. However, having said that, I still am a happy person and feel so lucky to have the life that I have. My dad says I have an uncanny ability to be the ultimate optimist and he frequently tells me that I have the best outlook on life. I love that I can be positive and appreciate daily all of the good things in my life. I love that I am happy.

Happy 2010 Everyone!

The World According to a 9-Year-Old

Can you imagine only knowing the 21st century? When global warming is common knowledge but Britney Spears is some random lady who shaved her head.....out of the mouth of babe :)

The decade according to 9-year-olds from allison louie-garcia on Vimeo.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....busy as a bee!

Currently I am doing whatever I possibly can to derail myself from actually continuing to work on my 30-page "comprehensive literacy curriculum" paper. I'm on page 16 and kinda want to shoot myself. AHHH! Can it please be Sunday so this paper is in, done, and I don't have any more school until January? Pretty please?!

Yes, my last few posts of been full of frustration and I definitely don't mean to be a whiner....but i seriously don't know when my life blew up! On the bright side, I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel of chaos, so that is starting to cheer me up. I count approximately 10 more days until the chaos subsides. I can do it!

Part of what has been keeping me so busy (and exhausted!) lately are all of my clinics up at Winter Park. Like I've mentioned before, I'm volunteering through the NSCD as a ski instructor for developmentally and physically disabled individuals. Of course, this comes with lots of training and the past week has found me largely in a car, driving back and forth over Berthoud Pass. Of course, it would be absolutely freezing AND snowing as of late, so the usually easy 1.5 hour drive has turned into a bit more than that. I think we left yesterday morning at 6:15....as in, drove away at 6:15. I shouldn't even be awake at that hour! :) I got home around 6pm and of course, was far too exhausted to work on this god forsaken paper. I think the low yesterday with the wind chill at the base was -27 so needless to say....I've been cold every since :)

Headed up for ANOTHER clinic tomorrow morning but this one should be fun. I think we're getting to learn about all of the adaptive ski equipment and how to use it, so that is something that is definitely new for me. The other bonus is that we are actually celebrating my friend Heather's bday up in WP this weekend, so we've rented a house.....which means I don't have to drive back tomorrow night! And I get to ski for FUN on Saturday instead of another clinic! HOORAY!

Just keep swimming...

I've decided this is my new mantra in life. Nemo fans everywhere have it right when they tell you to "just keep swimming." Unfortunately, I feel like I am currently drowning, but I'll keep trying.

Ugh

Seriously, I am pretty ready for 2009 to be done....just get out of here cause as of late, it has not been that great. I'm not much for whining but I have to admit that I have been finding the past week or two pretty tough to get through. For those who know me, you all know that I have a surgery coming up that I am absolutely dreading. A recent death made the Thanksgiving week fairly tough and I am just glad that the year is coming to a close. If bad things happen in threes, than I think I am about good on my quota!

On a completely different subject, does anyone remember the movie Grandpa's Magical Toys? Probably not cause my sister barely remembers it, but she and I used to rent it from the public library ALL THE TIME when we were little girls. I thought of it the other day and googled it and actually found links to it on YouTube. Seriously, watch this clip.....it kinda makes me wonder what the hell we were thinking as kids! This is seriously CREEPY!!!!!!!!!!

A Time For Thanks

Its Thanksgiving in two days. To me, that is crazy in itself. I cannot believe how fast time goes these days! I'm pretty sure it was summer like five seconds ago but apparently that's not the case. Anyway, Thanksgiving is always the time of year when we all become introspective and start looking at what we are thankful for. I am no different. Sure, I have a lot going on that I wish wasn't happening but I can always look on the bright side of things. For example...

1. My family and friends of course! Don't ever know what I would do without them!

2. My health. This one has been a bit shaky as of lately and there are some things going on that I would much rather avoid. But, in the end, I know it will all be okay and I could be so much worse off. I'm thankful that I have a strong enough body to do what I want to do, when I want to do it (which is a lot!), and it will conquer anything that it needs to.

3. My dog. Weird, I know, but she is my baby. When you are single and live alone, your dog becomes your companion and i wouldn't trade her for the world!

4. My ability to stay positive. Sometimes it sucks and I really don't want to, but at the end of the day, there is no benefit to being negative. Ever. I'm thankful that I am able to realize this and always look for the light at the end of the tunnel!