I came across The Best CDs of 2008 (So Far) on NPR.org and found this little gem from My Morning Jacket. I first heard of MMJ on WORLD CAFE. David Dye, the host of World Cafe, is a big fan.

Touch Me I’m Going to Scream, Pt. 2

Check out the other songs from Death Cab for Cutie, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, and Vampire Weekend. Good listens.

“Can you teach a class of 10 to 13 year-old boys?”

“Yeah, I think.”

That may or may not be what was exactly said to me about two months back, but what fun has it been. We have covered topics from commitment to friends to decisions and the resources have varied too. You can learn alot about friendships via Shrek.

This past Sunday I had prepared an around-the-world fantasy vacation game, but only FOUR of our six boys showed up. Disappointing, yeah, but like I said, it’s fun. I created the game in hopes that some of the teams of two would overspend and we would be able to lift their mistake in the air and say, “This is why making good decisions is important. You FAILED!” Ha! No, I think the boys have really enjoyed the class. Well I know they have because instead of wanting class to end I’ve been asked by multiple guys if it will continue on.

It’s also been an opportune opportunity to get to know my friends (and co-teachers) Natalia and Aníbal more. We get together to discuss the class twice a week. What encourages me is the two of them also want to continue working and doing the class. I could take up the class and go at it alone, not that I would want to, but working alongside Chileans and helping develop them as well is part of the excitement. Aníbal and Natalia might never have taken the initiative to put themselves in this position unless someone asked/encouraged/pushed, but it’s worth it.

Watching the boys grow closer as a group of friends is cool too. To have to wrangle them together Sunday mornings on the balcony and to stay in one place is a minor hassle, but to watch them develop relationships between themselves and want to hang with each other is just fun.

Well they’re infrequent, but always give you a strange feeling. A small tremor (not an earthquake) just shook central Chile. I was in the middle of chatting with my friend Abel in Rio on Skype:

[5:03:27 PM] Garrett says: there’s a tremor happening now
[5:03:35 PM] Garrett says: like a small earthquake
[5:03:37 PM] abel says: in Chile?
[5:03:43 PM] Garrett says: yeah it just stopped
[5:03:55 PM] abel says: oh……..
[5:04:03 PM] abel says: are you well?

The floor and windows shook. Just a bit odd and a little of a reality check.

No worries. All is well…I think.

Goodness me! I’m sorry I have not posted anything recently. I was just reading my friends’ blog (Blumes in Brasil), which is a very well maintained, updated often blog and it occurred to me “I too have a blog!” No, not really. Just lack of motivation.

Recently (three weeks ago) I began co-teaching for the 10-13 year-old boys of the church. It has been good. I’ll take some photos tomorrow and get’em up as soon as possible.

Sorry for my dilatoriness. What can I say? I’m a putz (sometimes).