Surprise

While I was gone, my busy co-workers decided to surprise me on my first day back. Very Funny!

I'm All Right

As the Stones sang:

Here I lie in my hospital bed

Tell me, Sister Morphine, when are you come round again?

Oh, I don't think I can wait that long

Oh, you see that I'm not that strong

Here lays mom pumping morphine. She was content and free of pain until her body decided to hullucinate. Morphine, a high potent narcotic caused my mom to act very strangely one night. It was an interesting, but rather scary transition of events that took place during my watch at the hospital that night. Suddenly, there were flying mosquitos, roosters, feathers all over the bed, and my dad and Alex walking in and out of the bathroom. All I could do was watch and let this powerful narcotic take its course through my moms system. It was pretty freaky!

It is done...............

Well my time in Benavides is now coming to an end. My work here is done and it is time to head home, wherever home is. Benavides, what can I say about Benavides. This town seems to stand still. Someone once said, this town like many others that surround it was like the armpit of Texas. Old houses, buildings, trash, and schools remind you of a ghost town. No city codes here....After an afternoon run, I was pulled towards the tennis courts I once played in many years ago. I played with the teenagers practicing who showed a real love for the game. It was evident that these courts needed some serious repairs. With cracks on the cement and weeds growing in every direction, it was apparent that this section of the school had been neglected for many years. A feeling of sadness hit me like a ton of bricks. My town seems to be falling apart not only physically, but academically as well. Nevertheless, there is still that Benavides pride and spirit in the air. It is a spirit that many here try to hold on to for the sake of the kids.
I am not particularly fond of small town living anymore, but I do like to come and relax. I enjoy the cool clean breeze, watching my dad go about his daily routine of going to walk, heading to the post office and reading the paper as he watches the dog play. Some things never change around here. The only way I can describe it is nostalgia. I still prefer to live a life of adventure. A life of not knowing where you will be two years from now. That to me is exciting. That to me is life...........

Winter in March

We continue to get snow here in Japan.  Today, I was forced to run with the snow flurries.  Not a bad run, I enjoyed the planes flying above my head.  I have just started to prepare for my trip to the states.  It is difficult for me to pack shorts and flip flops with the snow falling outside my window.  The cars are now covered with snow.  Snow in March, who would have thought.  Larissa has started with Vivace Performing Arts.  This year, they will be doing the musical for High School Muscial 2.  She is excited and loves participating.  Unfortunately, I will miss the show, but Rene has promised to take lots of pictures and video.  He will be busy while I am gone.  Renie continues with baseball and practices daily.  He enjoys hanging out with his friends on the weekend.  Larissa still gets lost around our housing area with her friends.  This is one of the many benefits to living on base.  It is one big gated community with guards that keep us safe every day. Well this will be my last blog update until I return from the states.  I look forward to seeing everyone and helping my parents out.