The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat...

I love even-numbered years. Why? Because I am an Olympic Games junkie. That's right, I love pretty much everything about it. From the overly-schmaltzy opening ceremonies to the medal counts in the paper every morning to the Lifetime television-esque segments describing how this athlete made it to the games despite being born to a crack-dealing prostitute with one leg and a lazy eye in the back seat of a Geo Prism in the middle of war-torn South Central Domini-Serbi-Babwe. I eat that junk up for breakfast. That's why it is so fantastic that I have a cousin who works at the Olympic Training Center and can get us tickets to the exhibition games. So on Friday night Nathan and I headed over to the Center to watch #4 USA take on #1 Brazil in Women's Volleyball. We had been to college games before, but this took it to a whole new level. These athletes were literally the best of the best -finely tuned machines who are at the peak of their physical condition or, as I like to call them, my peers. These girls were flipping amazing. Power, speed, agility. It was absolutely incredible and the US came out on top at the end of the evening. I was watching these girls and wondered what it must be like to know with absolute certainty that you are among the best in the world at something. That must be incredible. I was also so grateful to be living in a time when women are allowed these opportunities. I know we still have some bounds to leap, but I have to admit to feeling pretty lucky to be around when I am. The other thing I took away from the evening was a great quote on the wall. There are a bunch of plaques on the wall with inspirational thoughts, one of which came from the great female athlete Louisa May Alcott. "Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them and try to follow them." That's why she kicked butt on the shot put in the 1864 games.

Back on track...

It has been awhile since I have posted but I am certain you will all appreciate the craziness of moving. It has been an insane couple of weeks. We realized that since we found out that we were coming to "The Springs" life has been moving at a frantic pace. I had about a week and a half to pack up, a couple of days driving, three days of looking at apartments, moving day and then setting everything up. Needless to say, we are very happy that life is getting somewhat back to normal. And in the rare few moments that I have scratched my head in despair, wondering why the heck we live our life this way, I turn my head a little to look out my window and see this.

Pike's Peak is literally the purple mountain majesty that "America the Beautiful" was inspired by and, as if that isn't enough to make my red, white, and blue blood pulse through my veins a little faster, I also have the other great symbol of freedom and democracy to gaze upon - the Walgreens.

Nathan is very excited about his new job and the people he is working with. They welcomed him on his first day with the respect and deference that comes with his new position - by tin-foiling his desk.

As you will notice, it came complete with a picture of his beloved sovereign and Amy Winehouse, both great examples of British-ness. A little different that his reception in India. Yes, I think he will get along just fine. . Last night we went to watch the UOP softball team play. It was great to meet his co-workers and to see how quickly he has fit in (not that I was really concerned).

We've been having a great time with Mike, Steph, and Paul. The other night we made stuffed hamburgers (as good as they sound), played Sequence, and polished the evening off with Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake. Could life be any better? We are so excited about our life here and how it is shaping out. Though we already miss Arizona, I think this is going to work out beautifully.

P.S. Hope you like the music, Lynn!