Happy New Year!

Hey guys,

I can't believe it's already 2011, I seem to say every year that I can't believe another one has gone by but it really does surprise me all the crazy things that have happened over the year. 2010 was a good year but I am excited to see what 2011 brings. College is done, friends are starting careers and moving all over, some across the world and others across the state. It makes me somewhat sad to think that we will never bee all in the same place again like we were in college. I love the friends I made and miss them so much out here in Colorado. I don't know what it is lately but I have really been missing home and missing my friends. I am enjoying Colorado but I know that by month 5 I will be more than ready to head home. I thought I wanted to stay here for summer but I'm realizing that I love home too much. I may not necessarily go back to Monterey but I want to be back in California.

Kevin and I have been planning an epic trip through Europe that spans 15 countries over 8 weeks. This was going to happen this summer between his school stuff however my mom reminded me of all the things I have to pay for when I get back from here and that was quite the reality check. I forgot I actually have to be a big kid and pay bills all by myself...weird concept right?? HELLO REAL LIFE! Anyways Kevin and I have postponed the trip until next summer after I have worked and have some money in my bank account. This summer he is thinking he will head out here again and see our friend Adam in Washington and they will make a trip down to California to see Adams family and then I will meet with them and Kevin and I will head out from there down the coast of California. Sounds like fun!!

Work has been pretty good, lessons have been really good. I feel like I am really gaining a lot of knowledge and being able to apply it in my lessons. It is also encouraging because my volunteers have said that I am doing well and really connect with my students which is great. I have only had on student who was a bit more exhausting than the others but by the afternoon I managed to figure out what made him tick and got the lesson being more productive. I was worried since it was my first lesson where the student just did not do anything I asked or make progress in the beginning.

Looks like we are getting a bit of snow here in the next few days. I think we got around 10-12 inches in the last 24 hours. Great for the slopes sucky for me when I have to shovel tons of snow on my sick day...boo

Tons of people are coming to visit in the ext few weeks. One of our roommates family is here for a few days, Amy's family just left a couple days ago. Jacob's girlfriend Sinzi is coming out on Wednesday and Charley's boyfriend Graham is coming out from the UK for 2 weeks! I can't wait to meet Graham. Charley and Graham have been together 9 years (WOW!) and he sounds like an awesome guy. I have chatted briefly with him on skype and he is awesome. After they all head out Kevin's parents come out February 17th which is exciting and scary at the same time. I am excited to meet them however my dutch is non-existent haha and so it might be difficult. Both his parents speak English fairly well so hopefully that will get us by. Kevin is so excited for his family to be coming out since he has been missing them so much.

I think I am headed to shovel and then nurse this cold in bed with some movies but I hope you are all well, I miss you all so much and can't wait to be back in Cali!

xoxo,

Leah

Clearly we take ourselves very seriously...