Week Ending Thursday, January 29th

Well Hello, Everyone!

I'm writing to report that we finally have an internet connection to our home! Woo-hoo! This will make the blog so much easier. No more having to deal with connection time limits and rates at internet cafes or the library.

Since my last blog was early in January and it's now the end, I'm going to have to start over as most of the month is now a blur. Much of the month was spent getting settled and used to our new surroundings.

I'm sending this shorter installment before I leave for a short visit to see my friend Sara, in Poland. Most of you all know we bought our house in Silver Spring from Sara's mother. I've been meaning to visit her in Poland for almost 20 years now, so this is quite a milestone for me!

I will be leaving Saturday night from Frankfurt and flying from the airport to Krakow, Poland. I will stay Sat. night in Krakow and catch an early bus to Zamosc (Sara) on Sunday morning. Then I will visit Sara in Zamosc Sun-Wed or Thurs, when she will return to visit Krakow with me so I am there in time to catch my flight back to Frankfurt, the following Friday.

Turns out the Frankfurt Hash has a full moon run scheduled that night, so Lew and I might be in attendance after he picks me up at the airport.

We are also signed up for the Interscandi Hash in Harstadt, Norway, the last weekend in June. A few of our DC friends are scheduled to be there so this should be a lot of fun! This will be the chance of a lifetime for Lew to visit the land of his forefathers.

Nothing else to report on the work front for me. I'm hoping to run a Music Together semester this spring in Wiesbaden but it may not happen till the summer or fall. Too much paperwork getting everything in place to be official in Germany now.

We are sponsoring a family that is due to arrive on Feb. 14th from Iowa! This will be another co-worker of Lew's. I will be busy helping them get settled and have already started a task list. This is a family of four with two small children. They have previously worked as teachers in Poland.

I will have email access in Poland but probably won't be updating this blog till I get home. I have heard the DC area is experiencing a lot of ice. Hope it is starting to melt!

My brother, by the way, has made some recovery advancements. Your continued prayers are greatly appreciated!

Love, Jaime, Lew, Howard and Rocky