Life

Hey, sorry it's been so long for an update.  Things in Ellendale are going pretty good.  Nicole and I work in the Coffee Shop on campus...so if you're ever happen to "swing by" Ellendale...  haha.

Anyways, there isn't too much happening lately.  In a couple of days I go to the doctor in Fargo to discuss some treatment options for my back.  For those of you who don't know I have a bulged/borderline herniated disc in my lower back (L4-L5).  It's been getting progressively worse lately.  So that will be good.  I'll make sure to post the results on here as soon as I find out.

It's a weird feeling knowing that we'll be leaving Ellendale in about 6 months (God willing...).  We started cleaning out everything that we want to give away to TBC's Salvation Army-type store (only it's free).

Well, that's it for now.  The posts (for the meantime) are going to be a little off because we don't have internet at our house, so we have to go to the school to do it.  We don't feel like signing a year long contract at 95 bucks a month just for internet!!!  It's ridiculous.

Big Surprise!!!!!

Well I just had a HUGE surprise today.  At the welcome back party that Nicole's mom threw for us, my dad showed up!  He drove 7 hours just to say welcome back.  Dad, that meant a lot to me.  Thank you so much for coming up here and visiting us.  It really, really means a lot.  You haven't left yet (but by the time you read this you have) but thank you for coming and hanging out with me!!

We're Back

Well, after an extremely long day of traveling, we finally made it back to ND.  There weren't too many problems while traveling...but a couple of really close calls.  On the flight from Amsterdam to Minneapolis, Nicole didn't have a seat until someone didn't show up...so that was really close.  Then on the flight from Minneapolis to Fargo, we had about 45 minutes to get from one side of the airport, through customs, and to the other side of the airport (after going to the wrong gate).  We finally get there and there were 2 seats left. Wow...just barely made it back, but we're here, safe, and trying to catch up to the time change.  Anyways, that's all for now, just letting you know that we made it back safely!

It's Official

Well, we're all packed up and ready to go.  We are leaving today for Casablanca at noon.  We're staying at a hotel tonight then leaving tomorrow morning at 4:40 for the airport.

It's crazy how fast time flew by.  It seems like yesterday we just arrived in Fes and now we have to leave.  It is definitely a sad goodbye.  It's like we're leaving our family.  This goodbye isn't permenant though. 

This could be the last post before we get to the States.  Thank you to all of you who have been faithful to me and Nicole.  And even those who haven't been, thank you as well.  You are all a part of our family.

One Week

Our time here has come and gone.  In just one week we'll be on the plane back to the states.  We are due to arrive on July 16th at about 7:40, but who knows how traveling internationally will go. 

Yesterday we went to the Medina.  It was a ton of fun.  We went with our mentors and both Nicole and I had a blast.  We looked at (and bought) tons of stuff.  This was our fourth trip into the medina, so that means the fourth time into the same shops.  We did not buy a thing the first three times because we wanted to be able to eat.  It's like going to your favorite mall and not buying anything until 2 months and 3 trips later.  Needless to say, we bought unique things to remember Morocco by.  When we get back, I'll post pictures of what we got so you can see them!  (They're packed,  or I'd do it now.)

Ifran/Azrou

I'm sorry that it has been a while since I have put up some pictures, but I think this post will make up for it.  I'll add some captions to the pictures to help explain.

Moroccan Fruit Loops.  Less colorful and less sugary.  It reminds me of the colored pasta noodles...but only as Fruit Loops.

Ifran is a city located about an hour outside of Fes.  It looks like a slice of Sweden landed in Morocco.  There's the Swedish architecture, flowers, ponds, ...and this lion.

Just outside of Ifran and Azrou there's a mountain that has monkeys that run wild.  As you can see from these next couple of pictures, there are no cages, no leashes, and no rabies shots.  Thank God Michael Scott had the Rabies Fun Run.  If you didn't get that joke...watch The Office Season 4 on www.hulu.com.

For some reason, baby monkeys are awesome.

The stare-down.

Pretty cool picture.

My favorite shot.  Just so you know, Nicole took all of these pictures.  She does an incredible job with a camera!

This is a cool shop in Azrou with fun curvy lamps.  We ended up buying the cool candle holders in front of the lamps.



As you can see, Morocco is pretty awesome.  It's weird to think that in 11 days we'll be back home.  It's like we just came here...and now we're leaving.  There's one thing for sure though, we will come back with a plethora of stories!

Personal Record

Every once in a while I find joy in beating my own personal records.  One of my favorites was in High School where I played guitar for 7 hours straight.  For some reason, I don't have the time to beat that one...

Anyways, last night I beat one of my personal records.  7 cockroaches in one night.  Take that Orkin-Man!  No pesticides here.  Just Ryan and his size 11 shoe!