Monday, December 31

Let It Snow

It just keeps snowing here and the temps are chilly. Rather than fighting the weather, I embrace it. Yesterday my dad, Endo, Shoshoni, and I braved the elements to get in a little backcountry skiing.
My dad and Shishoni breaking trail.
The dogs definitely enjoyed themselves despite having snow frozen faces, snow clumps in their paws, and Endo getting a small cut on his leg by the edge of a ski (a regular occurrence when backcountry skiing with the dogs).

Wednesday, December 26

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas . . . Oh wait, pinch me, I don't think I was dreaming. It is not often that you wake up to cold temps and beautiful snow falling on Christmas morning, but that is exactly what happened yesterday at 15344 Gold Hill Rd.
After eating a yummy breakfast and opening presents my mom, dad, and I headed out for a cross country ski. It was beautiful.
I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas too!

Thursday, December 20

Home for the Holidays

My mom and I decorated the Christmas tree tonight.
Endo was spotted trying out for the role of Max, the dog in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, on Broadway. The only problem is that after 10 seconds, Endo prefers to tear the antlers to pieces rather than wear them. Needless to say, he won't be appearing in any Broadway shows in his life time.

Sunday, December 16

Not just for Spring Break

Most of us are familiar with a "yard" of beer from our spring break days as teenagers in Cancun. These guys decided to use the "yard" to celebrate the end of the year. In the picture are Edgar (a graduate student of Michel's who will defend his PhD on January 9th), Wolfgang (Michel's postdoc), and Michel.

On another note, I will be heading back to Colorado for a couple weeks tomorrow morning. I am hoping to get in a lot of good skiing and some fresh air.

Sunday, December 9

Coming Together

Things here in El DF are really coming together. My apartment is beautiful with all the new furniture I have purchased, my social network is expanding, and work is coming together slowly but surely.
This is my new dining room table. I purchased it at the Tlalpan furniture market where I also bought my bed frames. These handmade pieces are going to have find their way back to Colorado after my two years here because they are very beautiful and well made.
Here is a view of the living/dining room. The large door to the right is the main entrance. There are a few final touches that need to be done, like artwork on the walls, but all the major furniture pieces have been bought. I love having my own home and of course visitors are always welcome!

Friday, December 7

Christmas at the Rocka . . . I mean Zocalo

The mayor of Mexico City put an ice skating rink in the Zocalo for the first time ever for the holiday season. It is free to go skating but you have to arrive very early in the day to receive a time slot in which you are allowed to be on the ice. We found this out the hard way and were not able to skate. I guess this is expected in a city of 22 million.
But just walking around the Zocalo was enjoyable. The roads downtown were closed and the streets were packed with people just enjoying the season. The Zocalo is definitely in the Christmas spirit!

Thursday, December 6

As Promised

Below are 3 photos that Wolfgang took while he was at Paso de Cortes during Popo's very minor explosion. As you can tell from the photos, the explosion occurred shortly after sunrise.