of sofritas

summer started a couple of weeks ago. it has not quite felt like summer, except for the part that i have not been teaching. it has been a busy past few weeks, filled with new experiences, friends, travels and wine.
last weekend i was able to celebrate Shi as she walked down the altar to start the rest of her life with the love of her life. we celebrated for an entire weekend up in allenspark, co. i was shocked to see the devastation of the floods. me, in my bubble, not being anywhere near the area affected by the floods and somehow managing to even forget about them, i was all of a sudden smack dab in the middle of houses still under construction -some even still destroyed-, debris, flood damage, warped riverbeds and water lines being rebuilt. insane how strong and destructive mother nature can be. it reminded me of hurricane ike and how my aunt's house was just a foundation once it was all said and done. i said a prayer for the people affected by the floods on my way up... and have thought about them a lot the past few days.
Shi's wedding was beautiful! we ate, danced, got dressed up, took pictures, ate some more, drank, laughed and made s'mores by the campfire. it was a wonderful time to come together, share time with people i love and get to know some new ones that i hope to see some time soon.
this weekend we celebrated E in grand junction. it was another weekend - girls only! - of getting to know people, reconnecting with good friends, laughter, wine and shenanigans. at the end of our trip and on our way back home, i was forced into the hanging lake hike. i do not want to recall how hard it was to get up to the top - because it was really hard (no cardio can prepare a person for that shit) - but i have to admit it pays off once you make it there. it was absolutely breathtaking. i am not happy i was forced into the experience, as a matter of fact i was quite bitter about it. HOWEVER, now at least i can say i have tried "hiking" (it felt more like rock climbing, folks) and that said "hiking" is definitely NOT my thing. what ever happened to nice paths one can walk on? what is this "survivor" bs? please put me in the middle of a city and i shall walk for 10 hours. thanks.