January

This month started with a trip to Black Butte Ranch to celebrate the new year with Marie's Family. We spent New Years Eve eating, drinking, playing boardgames, and playing the new Wii that Marie's parents got for Christmas. On New Years day we watched football and enjoyed each others company. On the 2nd, which is Marie's sister's birthday we went to hoodoo ski area and did a cross country ski loop. We then drove into Bend and enjoyed Deschutes Brewery and visiting with a friend from grad school. Marie and I drove home on the 3rd to get ready for our first week back at school. We had a successful first week and the Friday there was a Led Zeppelin tribute band concert in Corvallis. I even got on stage to play Bron Yr Stomp during the encore to play the tambourine.

The next week I slowly got sick as Marie and I played soccer late on Monday in an indoor league, Tuesday I went to a comedy show in Portland, Wednesday I wrote my final, Friday I went to Eugene to spend the night with friends. I drove home Saturday and then Sunday celebrated Marie's birthday with friends up in Forest Grove. We played disc golf, pool and took a dip in a soaking tub. The whole week I had no voice which made it fun for my students and friends.

On Tuesday was the innaguration of Obama. Our school the coverage playing in pretty much every classroom and gathering space. It was nice to see students get excited, many of them too young to vote. Tuesday Night we had a few friends over to watch the Daily show. I found out that my brother, his wife and my sister all were at the Washington Monument to watch the ceremony. Amazing. I am now finding myself with a calm weekend leading up to finals week and the end of the first semester for our high school this year. I feel that it has gone well and my failure rate should be less than last year. I hope this 2009 finds all in good health and spirits. Let us be optimistic about where our lives are traveling and hope that in our times of struggles we find renewed hope and strength.