As I prepare for my summer trip, I am thinking about all the wonderful pieces of Denver that I will miss this summer. Weird, I usually love to leave the city for vacations. But I never want to leave Denver. There are always 10 things to do in a day.
Nevertheless, I am STOKED for this trip. I studied abroad in Santiago in 2005. Ever since I left, I have wanted to return. Luckily, my friend Liza mentioned a South American adventure and that was all I needed. She barely finished her thought and I was on board for 35 days of traveling through 3 (maybe 4) countries this July.
Why do I love the memory of South America so much?
I learned patience and I learned humility from the people of Santiago. I also saw the value of family life and taking care of each other with no questions asked. My host family took me in and I was instantly a daughter, sister, cousin and niece.
There was no clock in our house and I distinctly remember Day 1 and freaking out because I didn't know the time. By the time I left Chile (no pun intended :) I was living on South American time. No time. Take the moment and live in it and allow life to move you like waves move in the ocean. I still don't wear a watch. My sister is the planner and she is punctual and likes to plan based on time. I think she gets frustrated with me because I don't see time like she does. love you Ash
One more thing. The Andes mountains remind me of how small I am in this world. Sure, the Rockies are big. But the Andes engulf you and protect you. They stand majestically like the guards at Buckingham Palace - fierce and picture-perfect.
Look for photo uploads and stories of bus trips, great eats and new friends.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
weekend adventures
it is only fair to say that Denver is the best city I've lived in. Thus far. There might be a city sometime in the future that aligns just as well with my lifestyle, but for this moment, Denver hits any criteria I would consider important.
Ashley is in town this weekend - still here, as I sit at school administering final exams - and we hit this city up for everything it's worth.
Friday was First Friday, where art galleries open their doors and their hearts to the public for free, usually with some bubbly at a small table in the back. Ashley and I checked out some great artists. One of them really caught my eye. John Fielder is a photographer here in Colorado. His prints make me feel like I am standing in the midst of the snow, on top of the mountain or right next to the aspens. I can feel the fresh mountain air. Now if I only had an extra $4,000 to buy and mount a gorgeous photo in my rental house.
We also discovered Tribe Tattoo. More on that topic later...
We went to the People's Fair in downtown Denver where artists from all over Colorado and a few out-of-towners set up shop and sell their goodies. Ashley was amazed at the number of people in tattoos and the quantity of pet dogs accompanying their owners. If you want to live in Denver, you've got to ride a bike or own a dog. Or both. I've got the single speed/fixie for now. If you need a dog-sitter, I'll gladly offer my services.
We went to Lola where my lovely friend Charles is the sous chef and man, he can COOK. I love Lola for so many reasons: the downtown view of Denver, the bar is gorgeous, the open kitchen and the tequila. Oh, the tequila is marvelous. Such a good pairing with my flavorful ceviche and seared tuna. Head to the Highlands if you are in Denver and want to experience the BEST restaurant in this town!
We hiked the Flat Irons on Sunday. Check out the webcam! In true Colorado summer fashion, there were drops of sparkling rain along there was only 1 lonely grey cloud amongst the crystal blue sky. The Flatirons were stunning and the hike was a breath of fresh air.
To finalize the weekend, we started summer with Jazz in the Park. In City Park there is free jazz each Sunday from 6-8pm. If you are a Denver resident and haven't gone, get over there on Sundays! We made red and white sangria and had people over from Fellowship and other friends. I made some great new friends this weekend. Gotta love Denver and its amazing people. I am so blessed to be around great people. We had quite a good time; the sangria bowls were pretty much licked clean.
Summer - how I love thee :)
Ashley is in town this weekend - still here, as I sit at school administering final exams - and we hit this city up for everything it's worth.
Friday was First Friday, where art galleries open their doors and their hearts to the public for free, usually with some bubbly at a small table in the back. Ashley and I checked out some great artists. One of them really caught my eye. John Fielder is a photographer here in Colorado. His prints make me feel like I am standing in the midst of the snow, on top of the mountain or right next to the aspens. I can feel the fresh mountain air. Now if I only had an extra $4,000 to buy and mount a gorgeous photo in my rental house.
We also discovered Tribe Tattoo. More on that topic later...
We went to the People's Fair in downtown Denver where artists from all over Colorado and a few out-of-towners set up shop and sell their goodies. Ashley was amazed at the number of people in tattoos and the quantity of pet dogs accompanying their owners. If you want to live in Denver, you've got to ride a bike or own a dog. Or both. I've got the single speed/fixie for now. If you need a dog-sitter, I'll gladly offer my services.
We went to Lola where my lovely friend Charles is the sous chef and man, he can COOK. I love Lola for so many reasons: the downtown view of Denver, the bar is gorgeous, the open kitchen and the tequila. Oh, the tequila is marvelous. Such a good pairing with my flavorful ceviche and seared tuna. Head to the Highlands if you are in Denver and want to experience the BEST restaurant in this town!
We hiked the Flat Irons on Sunday. Check out the webcam! In true Colorado summer fashion, there were drops of sparkling rain along there was only 1 lonely grey cloud amongst the crystal blue sky. The Flatirons were stunning and the hike was a breath of fresh air.
To finalize the weekend, we started summer with Jazz in the Park. In City Park there is free jazz each Sunday from 6-8pm. If you are a Denver resident and haven't gone, get over there on Sundays! We made red and white sangria and had people over from Fellowship and other friends. I made some great new friends this weekend. Gotta love Denver and its amazing people. I am so blessed to be around great people. We had quite a good time; the sangria bowls were pretty much licked clean.
Summer - how I love thee :)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
MIchigan Adventures
Memorial Day weekend has its significance but this year was more powerful than any other year. My Grandpa Karnowski passed away this year and he was a humble, quiet man who was devoted to his family and his very close friends. He was still serving a major role in an organization until the day he died. He was a war vet - WWII Navy - and this year the Memorial Day festivities celebrated his service. There were 5 families that were honored at this year's Memorial Day service and 2 of them were family friends of my dad growing up. The fighter jets flew over our memorial just as my own Grandma was receiving a plaque honoring her soldier.
We also celebrated the wedding of our close family friend - a cousin without sharing DNA - you know who those people are - and it was 90 degrees at an outdoor wedding. It was GORGEOUS! Morgan and Pat were both radiant and looked so happy together. What a great wedding!
In one weekend, we celebrated with newlyweds and also celebrated the honor and service of my late grandpa.
Family is everything :)
We also celebrated the wedding of our close family friend - a cousin without sharing DNA - you know who those people are - and it was 90 degrees at an outdoor wedding. It was GORGEOUS! Morgan and Pat were both radiant and looked so happy together. What a great wedding!
In one weekend, we celebrated with newlyweds and also celebrated the honor and service of my late grandpa.
Family is everything :)
Monday, May 17, 2010
May & snowboarding
Arapahoe Basin is open until early June.
Here's the math on that: first day up riding was in November, a few weekends in December, all of January and February (minus a weekend for a fabulous friends' wedding) and multiple days in a row in March. April brought 2 weekends, including my birthday weekend at Vail. Epic. It had been 4 weeks and I was in withdrawal.
The past few weekends flew by and I have no idea what I did in Denver. I remember friends asking me about places to go, things to do. All I knew was the trip from Denver to Breck/Vail/BV Creek took about an hour and half to two hours.
So when Chris asked if I wanted to go A-Basin this weekend I jumped for joy! The first ride down brought me right back to center. The missing element in my life was fulfilled. Even though it is May and I've been running in a tank-top and shorts in Denver, there were 7 newer inches in the past 3 days. In May.
Final bit of math: I'll be on a snowboard 8 months out of 12 this year.
July. Argentina. Let's ride!
Here's the math on that: first day up riding was in November, a few weekends in December, all of January and February (minus a weekend for a fabulous friends' wedding) and multiple days in a row in March. April brought 2 weekends, including my birthday weekend at Vail. Epic. It had been 4 weeks and I was in withdrawal.
The past few weekends flew by and I have no idea what I did in Denver. I remember friends asking me about places to go, things to do. All I knew was the trip from Denver to Breck/Vail/BV Creek took about an hour and half to two hours.
So when Chris asked if I wanted to go A-Basin this weekend I jumped for joy! The first ride down brought me right back to center. The missing element in my life was fulfilled. Even though it is May and I've been running in a tank-top and shorts in Denver, there were 7 newer inches in the past 3 days. In May.
Final bit of math: I'll be on a snowboard 8 months out of 12 this year.
July. Argentina. Let's ride!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Salsa & Summer
Our staff had a BBQ this afternoon. All the teachers, their families and a few more friends spent all Saturday afternoon outside. The crazy Denver rain left in time for the sun to come out for our BBQ party. The theme: Guac-Off. Two of our creative minds came together and planned a salsa & guacamole competition. Who could make the best salsa &/or guac?
No bribing and all present were able to cast their votes. After eating about 1/2 cup of salsa and probably consuming no less than 3 avocados, we cast our votes. A landslide victory for best salsa - ME! I have never made salsa before but I took a recipe from the lovely food network and changed it up a bit.
It was a grilled pineapple mango salsa but I made sure to use a whole serrano pepper as well as 1 whole green pepper, part of a yellow and green pepper. The recipe also would have resulted in chunky salsa but I threw the ingredients in my blender. Long story - my food processor decided not to work today. I have no idea what happened.
All in all, a great BBQ! We've got 4 weeks until summer vacation. Which means....
5 weeks and a few days until I am out of here and on the airplane heading to South America!
No bribing and all present were able to cast their votes. After eating about 1/2 cup of salsa and probably consuming no less than 3 avocados, we cast our votes. A landslide victory for best salsa - ME! I have never made salsa before but I took a recipe from the lovely food network and changed it up a bit.
It was a grilled pineapple mango salsa but I made sure to use a whole serrano pepper as well as 1 whole green pepper, part of a yellow and green pepper. The recipe also would have resulted in chunky salsa but I threw the ingredients in my blender. Long story - my food processor decided not to work today. I have no idea what happened.
All in all, a great BBQ! We've got 4 weeks until summer vacation. Which means....
5 weeks and a few days until I am out of here and on the airplane heading to South America!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Denver Marathon 2010: Update
New Running Goal: Marathon Dos
Alright, I think I am committing to it because I am publicly sharing my goal. Marathon 2010: Denver's Rock N Roll in October. My friend and colleague Katie and I have been talking about it and she vocalized her idea of running the full; we were going to run the 1/2.
My friend Sarah has run quite a few since she jumped in with me for a few miles in the Chicago. I am definitely inspired by her dedication to training and her focus :)
My previous marathon training experience was exceptional. I joined the AIDS Foundation running group and met the most wonderful, vibrant new friends. We ran together each week over the course of the training program - 6 months. I had SO much fun running that we would run 20 miles and think, wow - did we just run for 2.5 hours? Really? I was the youngest, and one of the only straight people in my group. So these gentlemen were anything but vanilla. Our conversations were one for a comedy skit!
As I start to commit to training, I am thinking of a few things..
waking up really early in the summer and early fall to run for 3 hours
eating a lot of bagels and whole wheat pasta
the running belt
gatorade
new playlists to keep me going!
all the running trails and paths in Denver and Boulder to explore!
The runner's high. Oh, how I love thee
Let's do this! Now - my trip to South America will include lots of early morning runs and I am pretty sure my cross-training will include the tango and playing real football
Denver Marathon 2010.
My friend Sarah has run quite a few since she jumped in with me for a few miles in the Chicago. I am definitely inspired by her dedication to training and her focus :)
My previous marathon training experience was exceptional. I joined the AIDS Foundation running group and met the most wonderful, vibrant new friends. We ran together each week over the course of the training program - 6 months. I had SO much fun running that we would run 20 miles and think, wow - did we just run for 2.5 hours? Really? I was the youngest, and one of the only straight people in my group. So these gentlemen were anything but vanilla. Our conversations were one for a comedy skit!
As I start to commit to training, I am thinking of a few things..
waking up really early in the summer and early fall to run for 3 hours
eating a lot of bagels and whole wheat pasta
the running belt
gatorade
new playlists to keep me going!
all the running trails and paths in Denver and Boulder to explore!
The runner's high. Oh, how I love thee
Let's do this! Now - my trip to South America will include lots of early morning runs and I am pretty sure my cross-training will include the tango and playing real football
Denver Marathon 2010.
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