Hoo boy... it's been forever.

Wow, it has been nearly a year since the last time I posted. I should try to catch up on what's been going on in my life.

I'm nearly finished teaching another year at St. Joseph Catholic High School here in Grande Prairie. The year has had its share of challenges, excitement, and trials. As I watch the grad class of 2009 begin the process of moving on to bigger and better things, I am reminded of the excitement and promise that accompanied my own graduation in June of 2000. I had already been accepted to the local college to begin studying to get my teaching degree, but there was still the promise of the unknown, and the tantalizing alure of what will forever be known to high school students as "the real world." As I help grade twelve students earn that last credit or two needed to graduate, I wonder what the future holds for them. Some will go off to college and university; some will travel, exploring the world and themselves before deciding what the rest of their life will be. Others will begin their lives in the working world right out of high school.

Well, I suppose I should update everyone on what's happening with me in the next few weeks. For starters, next Friday I fly out to Seattle. Seattle is one of those places that I've always wanted to see. My parents visited Seattle before I was born, and they always talk very fondly about it. I'm also planning on meeting, in person, someone I've gotten to know very well over the last few weeks. She has become someone very important to me, and I can't wait until we are able to see and talk to each other in person for the first time. In addition, I can't wait for her to show me around Seattle, and let me see everything that that beautiful city has to offer.

Following the end of the school year, I will be embarking on an amazing two-week road trip down the Pacific coast of the US, going through Washington, Oregon, and California. After a day in Disneyland, we'll be travelling north to Las Vegas to partake in everything that the adult amusement park has to offer. Then, after about three days in Vegas, we'll drive north through Utah, Idaho, and Montana. After fifteen days on the road, we will once again be home.

I do plan on posting the itinerary for the trip here, as well as posting pictures and stories from both trips as they happen. I know my track record for updates has been, frankly, miserable. However, all I can say is stay tuned.