And I'm off

Well, I'm sitting in a poorly lit alley near the pool of my hotel using pay internet so I'll keep this short (only 18 minutes of internet left).

It was an early morning after little sleep. Mailed an important letter and off to the airport. Mom and Dad left me on the doorstep and mom cried a little.... It's sad but this will be a Marvelous adventure. Uneventful flight to Miami and all my bags arrived (I'm 1 for 2!!!!!). Also Lisa (of the Bolivar teaching couple Lisa and Steve) was there with a neon "Colegio Bolivar" sign to greet me. I met up with Jordan (a friend who I did my B.Ed. with and whom I'll be living with this year) and Kate in the bar and had some yummy calimari and talked shop. We're all a little nervous and a little worked up which actually helps when you do it in a group. I've got worst cold sores popping up these past two days than I've had in years so I must be nervous (sorry, that's gross I know). There were actually other people from our group in the bar but we didn't know one another so we didn't actually all get together until they came up and asked if we were also from Bolivar. Then it was one big family trip off to this awesome cuban place. There was flamenco dancing and guitar and everything was in spanish.

So so far we have myself, Jordan who I have already mentioned, Kate who is teaching grade 5 and who's boyfriend was coming down anyway but then miraculously got hired to teach grade 7 math (worked out nice), Sonia and Scott who are coming down as a couple and Marty who looks EXACTLY like Colin Brown but is not quite as cool. I had to do a double take when I first met him.

Anyway, I'm safe and sound and loving the people so far. It's only going to get crazier and more fun I'm sure.

Oh yeah, I also found out today that we don't actually start teaching the kids on the 8th, school just starts on the 8th which means I'm there to plan and prep but the kids aren't there till the next week. Turns out a lot of us were under that impression..... sure takes some of the heat off... I just got an extra week:)!

Well, gotta sign off and get some sleep.

CheeryBye,

-Matt

Wedding and Countdown

Well it's official. Sky beat me to the altar. Since I'm younger though I figure that I have 2.5 years still to beat him. NOT THAT IT'S A RACE..... but I'll wager this stack of chips...

The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt as well as being nice and simple. The best way to have a wedding if you ask me. I'd love to do it in a similar fashion. Now I just need to find a girl who agree's that a $20,000 cake actually doesn't make the wedding better. Even after the ceremony Sky and Wendy were making googly eyes at each other all night, even if they thought the rest of us didn't notice. They are sooooo in love it's mighty cute. I send burned copies of wedding photos back home with mom and dad. I'm particularly fond of the rings closeup picture (you'll know it when you see it). The speeches were nice too. I managed to mumble something semi coherent about how it's great to have such an awesome big brother and how good wendy and sky are for each other. I made mom cry a little bit so mission accomplished! Tuggin' on the those heart strings.... It just gets you .... right there (pound chest). Actually, I think the best part about the whole deal is that I officially get a sister of who I am very fond. For anyone who doens't know Wendy she is great to talk to ... if you ever get a chance take advantage of it. Sky also gave a speech that was the most stirring thing I've heard in a while (I'm very serious, it was beautiful). I tell ya, between this wedding, Grandma and Grandpa Roy's celebration of life and my Last Day Fort Speech the Roy fella's have gotten really good at getting choked up in front of groups of people. We're still tough though (grunt, grunt, more power more power!!!!)

So now I'm sitting at a keyboard in a hotel, with only 10 hours to go until I get on a plane to Miami. HERE WE GOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Actually I just got an email from a fellow from the school who says that he and his wife will be at the airport with big signs, yelling our names and pretending like they know us. Service with a smile.

Alrightly, I gotta get some sleep and before that is more pack rearranging and writing a big letter.... wish me luck.... not that I'll need it:)

Very much Love,

-Matt

Just so ya know

Hi all,

Just so you know, I'm going to be using this blog as both a way to inform family and friends as to how things are going in Colombia and a place to record personal thoughts, reflections etc or post messages to people. If something that I write doesn't make sense or references something that you don't know about, don't worry. It just means to you weren't supposed to know about whatever that was. Not a great way to keep my secrets close to my chest but what's a guy supposed to do. I can't have my grandparents hearing about my trips to the bar (love you Grandma:)

I hope that at least one person reads this blog, but if not, no worries..... I'm sure I'LL read it at least.

CheeryBye and much love,

-Matt

The Loveliest Bachelor Party EVER!!!

Well, I'm currently skipping out on a rocking bachelor party to discover that the blog that I created via dial-up internet at the beginning of the summer is still fully functional..... YAY!!! Life is now beautiful.

Well, this is my dream idea of a bachelor party! Drinking and playing cards. Two of my favourite things (just kidding for those who would be offended by this). It (as always) was really nice to see Sky, even if he is a little tipsy. The new place that he and Wendy have looks just beautiful. Great view, orange and royal blue painted wall, plenty of room, it's great. I felt a little worried that it was easy to fall off the balcony but then I say the little plastic screen that makes this impossible.

Well tommorow will be a busy day. I have to repack and inventory all my bags, then get all my travel info in order. I also have to buy a book. First I can't find 'A game of thrones' anywhere in tunder bay but now it's the ONLY one that they have... why are so many people on the same reading pattern as me?

What a great last day at the Fort. It was beautiful. I'm already having pangs of fort loss as I keep realizing that I'll never get to do that again, but I'm sure the worst is still yet to come. It keeps feeling like I'll just be going home and pulling into the staff parking lot before I know it. It's been really hard to give up and only going into the real world has finally make it a necessity. I keep reminding myself and others that I'll be coming back at Christmas and I'll get to see everyone again, but I'll never be on the inside again. It's okay, it's time but it's still hard. Chrystal and Ryan didn't make it any easier to leave either with that morning meeting (I love you guys). Thanks for the toasts and inviting me to help move the canoe all.

I got some remarkably beautiful words from people on my way out... it's enough to give a guy a swelled head.

... and a very special word waiting for me just as I flew out... I didn't expect it, I hadn't dared to hope, but it was so beautiful.

I can't wait for the wedding:) I'm so happy for those two. Plus I'm a little greedy, I absolutely love Wendy and can't wait to have her as a sister. She's so good to Sky, and I've always gotten along really well with her. Plus they seem to be taking it all in stride and keeping it simple. What a fabulous way to do a wedding. I certainly plan on doing it the same way sometime (don't worry, all of you are invited).

Cheerybye, and much love

-Matt

P.S. Today I've really been trying to figure out how I can get Mr. Wickem's outfits from Pride and Predjudice today. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd look so smokin!