Merry Christmas

HIM: So, we returned from Cusco and have been getting ready for Christmas. At 10pm we´ll start the feasting!

While Vanessa finishes up some of the cuisine, I thought I´d post some pictures from our weekend trip! Posted are various images of Vanessa and I in Cusco and Machu Picchu.

We´ll have more photos up soon! Right now, I am waiting for Cesar to bring a USB cord so I can upload the pictures from my camera. =)

FELIZ NAVIDAD!

Tales From Peru pt. 1

HIM: Okay, so if I type in a strange letter, it´s not my fault. I´m typing from a foreign keyboard that has such American syntax as ç, ñ, and ¿ strategically placed where key letters ¨normally¨are on my board at home...

Undaunted, I thought we should check in and let you know that we made it to Lima¡ (that´s an upside-down !, not an I, in case you were wondering... lousy foreign, confusing keyboards!¡!¡) We arrived LATE last night and stayed up until the wee hours of the morning getting caught up and trying to keep Sebastian´s belly from exploding with Inca Cola.

Today, Vanessa and I slept in and then got up to run some errands. After that, we walked down to the ocean and past her old hangouts. I got to see Le Cordon Bleu, where she went to school, and a bunch of restaurants leading to the ocean. We stopped for coffee and some tasty Peruvian appetizers at a nice little place on the bluff overlooking the sea. As the sun went down, we talked and ate and drank in the company and atmosphere, as well as the consumables before us... We then walked around and Vanessa showed me places she´d been before and told me some stories about when she had come with friends years ago. We bought some dessert which we took home and shared after a great dinner with the family.

Everyone has been so nice since we got here! Sebastian is loving it too. The two maids keep him busy and his grandmother (Abuelita) keeps him stuffed full of good food. Vanessa´s father (Apa) and sister Lia are also here. Lia has a little dog named Camilla and I met her boyfriend Cesar tonight for the first time.

In 4 hours we depart for Cuzco and the mountain ruins of Machu Picchu. In the meanwhile, Vanessa´s family are at a nearby casino. They are the finalists in a drawing for a new car. They have a 1-in-4 chance of driving it away! Good luck to them! We´re going to stop by in a few minutes and see how they do.

Hope you´re enjoying your December! Feel free to shoot us an email. We look forward to hearing from you! We will keep you posted as the vacation rolls on...

Tis the Season...

HIM: ...to travel!

Vanessa, Sebastian, and I leave for Peru on Monday! We'll be gone for a few weeks, but we should be connected to the net and can receive emails while we're gone. Luckily, too, as I will be checking ever day to see if my grades are posted...

We will probably be posting messages from the road at some point as well.

Most of you are already connected to Vanessa, but I finally got my Myspace and Facebook set up. Drop me an invite if you find the time!

Take care and HAPPY HOLIDAYS from the Terrific Trio! We'll see you in a few weeks!

Holidays Are Here

HIM: Yesterday was our last law final! Afterward, most of the Section Effers met up at Reefers. As always, it was a good time. Here are some final pictures to sum up the last 6 months' excitement:

The Art of Cooking Part II

HER: Here a picture of our host Wes Ridout. **Smoking hot sausage anyone??**

HIM: This particular night was with Wes and his girlfriend Meaghan, Jason, Vanessa, Sebastian, and I. Obviously, we have a good time at our various dinner events.

The Art of Cooking

HER: Being a Chef, I love the taste of different foods. Cooking is definitely a passion and a hobby I like to share with friends. Here in Jacksonville we have met so many people that share the same interest. In my case, creating great tasting memories every time I sit at the table is the most fun activity I could share with anyone. The aromas of the dishes, great company and of course tasty wine to top a great meal with. I admire the interests of all my friends for this art of good eating.

Here a few pictures of the company but didn't get any of the food.... for some reason. We all had the privilege of joining Jason at his house for a first time dinning experience.

Matt & Misty

HIM: Congratulations to Matt and Misty! They are now Mr. and Mrs. Crouch! Wish we were in town for the festivities... : \ Regardless, we're so happy for them!

News

HIM: So, it's time for FINALS at school now. :P Things are going really well, but there's so much to do.

To liven things up, I got news that two of the grants that I worked on before I left Indiana came through. When I worked for the adult literacy program (SOAR!) there were two outstanding grants that we were waiting to hear back on. The director emailed me this week telling me that I got them $6,000 from my efforts. So far, I've won $3 Million for nonprofit programs in Indiana. That's always really exciting. As many of you know may know, grants are a lot of work. They are basically competitive papers for money. There is a strict set of guidelines and you have to persuade a funder of why you deserve the money more than the other applicants. There are many great programs that need funding, so it feels good to hear how projects I've worked on are doing really well.

In other news, our class section had a great Thanksgiving pitch-in last night. Jon offered up his home and good food and conversation ensued. A lot of us were unable to go home for the holiday, so we organized a pot luck dinner. I can't wait until we get the photos up. Sebastian made a dozen new friends and Vanessa showcased her cooking skills. She brought her famous chocolate truffles and made some tasty rice dishes. Roshaika brought us a turkey to cook that turned out pretty good, as well! A baked bree appetizer was my contribution. We all had full bellies and droopy eyelids by the time the night wrapped up. We owe a huge thanks to everyone who showed up and brought food!

Disney Pictures...

HIM: So, here are the pictures from our Disney trip! What a great time! Seth used his intimate knowlege of the park to ensure that we didn't have to wait long in any line. As you can see, the entire weekend was awesome!

Barrister's Ball 2007!

FCSL hosted a Ball at the stadium Downtown. What a fun time to dress up and socialize!