Week 8

This week was also packed with big games. Just a normal Tuesday, however, on Wednesday Dad, me and Mr. Pedrick went to a college basketball match, between the Colorado University Buffalo and Texas. The game was really intense, and soo fun. It was so close that Colorado was ahead by 3 points with 2 seconds to go and the other team got a three pointer!!! In the end we lost. :( On Thursday we had an even bigger basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and Dallas. We were ahead, then behind, then ahead and we won (apparently). Dad and I left early and barely caught the 11:08 bus that we would have been waiting another hour for if we'd missed it. Friday was casual, and so was Saturday. On Sunday we went up to the Ski slopes, which was warm but blowing a gale. I was the only skier, but mum went with her CITEL friends snowshoeing. Despite the harsh conditions we all had a great time. Today was another normal day at school but I was pressured by one of my friends to join the "Shop Club" which we're building a trebuchet. 8 weeks down; only 44 to go!

Week 7

This week was excellent. Monday was bland, but on Tuesday AND Wednesday Dad & I had our first TWO snow days. So to utilise our time we decided for our first day that we'd go bowling at the Lafayette bowling alley (now that Mum has her group sessions on Mondays). I won overall. If we'd known that we were going to have a second snowday, we might have gone travelling or up to the mountains. Nonetheless, on Wednesday we all went to Denver for a go at the shooting range only to find out, after a lot of time spent driving, that they'd left the thermos too low so the pipes were frozen and the shop closed. Due to the circumstances we were left with no alternative but to do some shopping, and I finally managed to get a phone. Thursday & Friday were normal school days. On Saturday us and the rest of the CITEL group went and watched a big ice hockey match, which the Denver Avalanche lost 3-0. Afterwards to cheer up the adults we drowned our sorrows away. I was very cautious, as we were in (what I thought was) a bar, and right next to our table was a group of cops! We later found out that there was a big La Crosse game on in the same stadium, so couldn't resist. Once again our team, the Denver Mammoths, lost 10-9. We caught the bus home after our double-defeat. The snow was very heavy and we (Dad, Mum and I) stood scraping off the ice and snow from the windows of the car. A very lazy Sunday. We had planned an excursion to Eldora ski slopes but withdrew due to the extreme conditions. Today was also a lazy night; dad is at racquetball, mum and I watching 'House'. The highlight was definitely the big games, which are sooooooo brutal; people hitting each other, slamming into the walls. This week is also big. Mainly due to the Denver Nuggets Basketball game on Thursday Night; We might actually win one. Here's some pics from the games:

Week 6

This week was slightly better than last having a flat out weekend. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were usual and on Thursday we tried some Indian food. Friday I went to karate and afterwards we spent all night packing for the weekend. On this weekend I was going camping with my CAP class out into the wilderness while Mum and Dad went snow shoeing with CITEL (Colorado International Teachers Exchange League). Apparently they went for a long hike snow shoeing up Rocky Mountain National Park. And afterwards had chili and elk food at somebody's house. On Sunday they just spent their time lazing around watching the tennis finals. Meanwhile back at man vs. wild camp trip we all took a mini-bus up to a lake where we went snownshoeing and built a quinzee (snow shelter). That was really fun, but what was more fun was making them collapse. I had peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. We then continued on to our camping grounds (where they'd booked a cabin). All the boys (except one who was sick) slept in tents along with two girls in other ones. That night we had turkey dogs. And then a second course of quinoa (cous-cous/rice). We also managed to go for a hike at 11:00p.m. We went to sleep and came back to the cabin in the morning for breakfast, which was turkey bacon. We then had matte (Argentinian tea) to sooth the soul and afterwards played some games. Upon completion of the games lunch was served and happened to be my first taste sensation of mac 'n' cheese. Perhaps not my favourite dish. That concluded the tour as we packed up and headed back to school. Everyone's parents but mine were there to pick them up, so I had to catch the bus which required an hour of patience. I think I'll sleep well tonight.

Week 5

Nothing exciting this week. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday were pretty plain, but on Friday Dad managed to acquire a Social Security card & I got invited to go ten-pin bowling with some people from school; instead I went to dinner with mum and dad to the assistant Principal's and her partner Barb's home. On Saturday we had a meeting with the other Australian exchangees and then had a party afterwards to celebrate Australia Day. Today Dad, me and Dave (our neighbour) went for a skiing excursion leaving at 6:00 in the morning. We had a few falls but were tired from going to bed at 12:00 last night. PS I've got some red tape and some black tape on my belt in Karate!

Week 4

This week wasn't as eventful as previous. Monday dad and I went to school as usual, only this time we caught the bus. However, mum spent her morning at the bowling alley in Lafayette, just watching the other women play. Tuesday was the same for us but mum went with Nancy to yoga at the Louisville Recreation Centre, and then to Boulder for some more shopping. Wednesday the same only I got to continue with the manufacturing of my drum and that night practiced my karate. Thursday was normal schooling, while mum had yoga and meditation in the morning and went and saw the kings speech that night. Friday was normal for us, but apparently mum made some connections with some neighbours; of whom one was Kiwi and said she came from Dunedin and had a good friend called Fenella! Other than that there wasn't much else other than more karate practice. On Saturday dad and I started our three-day weekend (thanks to a man having a dream) by going back up the mountains for round 2 of skiing. I think I've improved, not so much for dad who fell over twice getting off the chairlifts, and another time damaging his shoulder. Sunday we had an excursion to Denver which was mediocre (just like walking around any other city). Dad made me pose in front a big blue bear which humiliated me while all the locals watched and laughed. Today we had off from school thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. We spent our time navigating through the dirt roads form the 'shortest distance' course provided by the GPS to reach the Harley-Davidson shop in Frederick. (Pictures attached for Denver). We took a picture of a similar shop to Wok'n'Roll.

Week 3

On Monday the 3rd, mom and I started the day by going to downtown Louisville to get library cards while dad introduced himself at the new school without students to deal with. Later on I went to New Vista High as well for enrolment with the other new students coming in halfway through the year. I felt like I stood out from the crowd because of the absence of piercings, tattoos, colored hair, chains and wings??? On Tuesday, while dad went back to the school for some more reconnaissance, I enrolled for ??karate?? and after that mom and I caught the bus to Flatirons Crossing (Shopping Center) but didn't find anything to buy, so caught the bus home. That night we all went to Nancy and Bob's for dinner. I was stunned yet pleased to see a variety of at least six different flavors of ice cream available. Wednesday was my first day of school! The school system is not only different from Australia; but America as well. Instead of a set curriculum, you choose your own subjects. Your mixed in with all the other students, regardless of grade and work at your standard. I decided on Spanish, algebra, CAP (Community Adventure Program), and a workshop which is making a drum! On Wednesday I only had algebra (2 hours!!!), advisory; which is like role call, but also has topics such as transgender and drug use as discussion; and workshop where we made our plans for our drums. That night, from 7 till 8:30 I have karate! I had a private lesson, even though I couldn't even put my belt on properly! And it's harder than it looks! I slept well that night. On Thursday I had Spanish for the first time which seemed easy, algebra, and in the afternoon I had CAP. We went outside to play these games to learn the names of everybody. That afternoon we learnt that there would be two camps high up in the mountains, at the end of January and February. I also managed to get hold of a locker. On Friday I had Spanish, algebra, advisory and CAP, which turned out to be a two hour session of hiking!! I had to keep reminding everyone that the altitude left me bereft of oxygen, but I didn't come in last. After we came back down the near vertical pathway, we played a game where a tarp was a magic carpet?? That night we all went shopping for school supplies and afterwards I got dropped off for my second session of karate where we literally "wax on, wax off" only that we clean the floor. On Saturday Dad and I went skiing up at Eldora, where I started off on harder blue runs. I fell over twice the first time, but I remained stable the second. I moved over to a supposedly easier run, after catching the chairlift with an instructor, which was icy and very steep. I fell over once and as soon as I moved I slid all the way down. The rest was easy. Dad fell over and squished our lunches. It got a little bit windier and started to snow in the afternoon. That night we went to Toni and Bob's place for dinner, where having to live up to my New Year's Resolution of try everything, meant having to eat shrimp and a mix of vegetables. Then we went home to bed at midnight. Today we lazed around doing homework and watching movies on the hundred channels available due to the heavy snow (yet again). Tomorrow begins another week of school for Dad and I, but for mom shes got ten-pin bowling and yoga on Tuesday! So this week I'll have another dose of unique education; school adventures, and practicing my touch of death!:) I also added a picture page in case you didn't know!

Week 2

This week was quite eventful having many various excursions to the local area (especially shopping). We began the week by going to the closest grocery store, Alfredsons or Albertsons or something like that. We also went to Kohls, a clothing store, to pick up some suitable clothing for school and this alpine environment. On Monday we finally got the car; an old Subaru auto with futuristic seat belts (snap in when car turns on). We further extended our shopping adventure by purchasing a new warm hat for me, a new jumper, some nice Nikes and some jeans. I've also consumed gallons of soup over these two weeks. Tuesday dad and i had a game of tennis on the free courts. Driving is still somewhat perilous with dad at the helm. That day we also went for a walk through Boulder and into Chautaqua/Chautaquia Park. Both mum and I struggled to reach the first incline (must have been the altitude, no oxygen). On Wednesday we went shopping (again) only this time it was because we got lost! We went to Flatirons crossing, got a second mobile phone for mum, looked at some Mac computers and had a look through Walmart. It began to snow heavily on Thursday. Mum went shopping (again) with Nancy for some groceries. Meanwhile dad and I went for a drive in the snow; unfortunately I was elected to clean all the ice off the windows of the car. Later we caught the bus to Boulder and went shopping (again), while dad searched for some ski's. Unknown to us we caught the bus in heavy snow only to find a first-time bus driver being instructed, we got off early (wrong stop). On New Years Eve I had to shovel off all the snow from the 'sidewalk' and driveway. After that we went for a long walk, so to entertain myself I threw heaps of snowballs at mum and dad, who got pretty p:$$+d off. We found out that that day it was -29.4'C. It was very cold on New Years Day as well, but luckily we were still able to go shopping (again), where dad got 2 golf clubs. That afternoon dad and I went and got boots, ski's and sticks for the season. That night we all went to the cinemas; dad saw "The King's Speech", mum and I saw "Little Fockers". I got a huge small drink. Today dad and I went up to the ski slopes (only the beginners, we didn't have passes) while mum stayed home. When we came home we picked up mum and guess what; we went shopping (again). Tomorrow the big day for me and dad; first day of school, wish us luck.

If you want mum to do any shopping for you, I'm sure she knows the shops!