confession

for the last two years of college, i drove three, sometimes four, hours from st. joe to watertown.  it is putting it lightly to note that the radio stations in those little pockets of Highway 23 and 212 are sparse.  my options generally fluctuated between james dobson-esque christian programming, classic music npr, or various country music stations.  

i grew up in south dakota.  like any self-respecting kid, i HATED country music growing up.  

but, friends, given the options, i regularly chose the country stations.

and, somehow, it became a part of me. i learned the music.  i know the words.  i remember the names of the big artists.  

so now, when greg is gone (he hates country as much as i hate his led zeppelin...thank god for the middle ground of uncle tupelo), i turn on my dixie chicks pandora station.  

yeah.  its true.  and i love it.  

back in the blogosphere. also...back in the country.

okay.  so here's a funny/dumb thing about blogging.  blogging is often used amid transitions, to keep loved ones abreast of current where-abouts, plans, etc.  but when i'm in the midst of a big transition, the LAST thing i find space for is blogging. 

i wonder when some phd student will write that dissertation about the psychology of blogging.  

which is all a way of saying...we're settling back into life in the u.s. its sort of sad not to be using my spanish and i miss my ESL students, but i'm trying to take deep breaths and let myself have time to transition (gawd, i'm so bad at transitions).

so i've started to notice there is a nice, wet smell to olympia.  it's sort of warm and wintery all at once.  i like it, especially on my morning runs. 

i really don't know how people run at any other time of day.  the calm hush of mornings, the lingering dew on the grass, the sleepy-eyed garbage trucks, and old ladies in bathrobes letting the dog out.  i mean, its a shame to live in an urban area and have to run on the streets, but it's also a great way to get to know the ins & outs of the neighborhood.

and wow!  is internet fast here in the lower 48!!  and cheap!  holy cow.