new house & furniture Hi Barry: How's the furniture making coming along? in my first apt. we used a couple of cinder blocks and a top of some sort for a table....we also used that kind of material for bookshelves. Plastic milk crates work too stacked upon each other for shelving. what are you sleeping on? maybe there's an IKEA somewhere???? missed you at our thanksgiving table but looking forward to your visit in december. stay well xo, always, mom
Wow! Hi Barry!! Your new digs sound wonderful! I'm so happy you're in a fun living situation. I think those home living situations only work if there is a kid of similar age -- otherwise, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Anyway, can't wait to hear more about cooking and furniture. And more pictures! All is well here. We miss you tons, but love what you're doing. See you in a few weeks!!! love xxxx Andrea ps heard you're doing really well at school - details please! xxxx
Your Pictures These are wonderful pictures of the basketball team. Two questions: Are any of the players as tall as you? Did you get a chance to play? (Were you drafted?) We cannot wait to hear about your alternative to our Halloween Day of the Dead!!!! Keep in touch, Love, PopPop P. S. Also wonderful pictures of the village you visited a couple of days ago.
Xico Hello Barry! I loved these photos! You have captured such great images. The double horned saddle on the horses standing in town next to the VWs, the water falls and countryside are really nice. I am glad that you are getting some travel in to these towns and areas that you might not see otherwise. Is the farmer looking at a crop or is he looking at a baseball diamond or other playing field? I look forward to speaking with you soon. I hope you are well. Thinking of you all the time, miss you lots. xo
Happy belated, belated, belated birthday! I hope it was a great day.
It sounds like things are still going well in Mexico? I'm loving your blog and the photos. I'm also glad to hear you haven't been too affected by the recent tropical storms. I check an online weather map and lately it's seemed like one storm after another has been headed in your direction!
I hope all is still going well :)
Hola y feliz navidad! (or is that merry christmas!?) I got a bit behind. Things sound pretty good. Are you speaking in sentences these days? How's the understanding? The trips you've been on sound so interesting and delicious. I hope one day to travel through Mexico. Glad your bday was enjoyable, I was afraid you'd be terribly lonely. Did you get our card? I think Zack sent you something as well. Hope exams went well. Did Zack tell you he's playing baseball and basketball? Sounds like he's having fun. Will write you an email soon. Take care and keep writing these fabulous entries. I miss you!!! xxxx love Andrea and Marcial
Your Birthday We all wish we had been with you on your birthday, or visa versa. Next year watch out! We certainly enjoyed talking to you on my birthday. You know we were celebrating Andrea's too. Your Mom was and is so gracious to be the hostess for all these celebrations! Have we told you that we had a regatta a couple of weeks ago on Stonebridge pond? 3 remote controlled sailboats sailing around the fountain! Fun!! Lots of love from us.
to mom sammy and the pup didnt get along at all. more of a reason it got the boot last night. off to the ranch she went where she can go to the bathroom anywhere she wants, ha.
Cooking Hi Bar: Things sound good there in Xalapa. I like your description of helping Trini in the kitchen! Very funny. Good thing everyone has a sense of humor, and hanging out with her often is how you learn! How was the trip to Naolinco? Sounds really neat. I want boots too!!!!! How did Sammy the household dog like the visiting pup?
Take care,
xo mom
Recent Blog It was wonderful to read your description and see your pictures going up the mountain. Wish we could have been travelling with you - on a motor bike! We are beginning our Fall series of music. Pop snored thru one of the violin pieces last night! Princeton beat Columbia today by 3 points. Very exciting. The Phillies are in the playoffs against the Brewers - they have won 2. We are all depressed about the Yankees bad year. Mom makes a few feel better by wearing her Phillies red hat. We look forward to reading your next report. Muco armore, Joanie and PopPop (Well try to write again in Spanish)
One more comment! Hi Bar, I just can't get over how beautiful it is where you are and what amazing pictures you're taking! And finally -- a picture of you! Give us more pictures of you and friends! Much love, xxx Andrea
I agree with Lib...... travel with a friend! whew! what a long day and no wonder you have a cold. So glad you've found some friends to hang with - when you say international, what countries? I love the pictures - you and Zack have turned into wonderful photographers. Hope things continue to go well. We'll talk soon. I love you and love from Marcial too. xx Andrea
Awesome pictures! Hi Barry, these pictures are amazing! what kind of trees are those that are growing all over the building, sending down their long long roots? How is school going? How is your Spanish! ;0 going on to read the newer blogs. love you and miss you! xxxx Andrea
News from Stonebridge We really enjoy your pictures. What a beautiful town, or should we say city! Things are quiet here. Really good weather. We had 3 days in Adirondacks with your Mom and Steve. A nice A-frame cottage on a beautiful lake. We brought home a stuffed loon that "calls" - a wonderful sound. Gun Club starts next week. Hicks shoot is on Oct. 26. Can you make it?! It will be fun to have Branton officially on the team. You'll be next! Miss you and Love,
Hi sweetie Hi Bar, Sorry we haven't been in touch! The pictures of the house are so interesting. Amazing how different the living style is from the US. I loved the park pictures. How wonderful that your family takes you to different places! How's school?? let's get on Skype soon. xxxx Andrea
Beautiful Park Hi Barry: I enjoyed looking at the photos of the Park! You did a great job with the photos. Sammy looks like a little like Franklin!! He must be Franklin's Mexican cousin. I think it is awesome that you are getting a chance to travel around to local areas with your host family. Enjoy!! Thanks for posting these pics. It is great to see where you are and what you are doing. xoxo thinking of you always, mom
Hey Mom Yea, the living situation is very nice and comfortable. Actually, the best part of being down here is not have so many "things." We have definitely all grown accustom to having them and it's a very nice change.
HI Barry: What great photos! Your new home looks wonderful! I hope you are comfortable in your room...looks like you might need a few more items to make it feel more "homey". The spaces are really nice. Thanks for posting these pictures. It is really nice to see where you are living. miss you, xo
First week - a success! Wonderful descriptions of everything Bar! I'm getting such a feeling for where you are and how you're doing - and oh my, I wish I was there in that bread store! Thank you so much for your wonderful blog! xxxxx00000
staring at each other? Hey Barry-
I'd love to be invisible and sit in a room with you and the grandmother and watch the two of you communicate with each other. Do you play charades? That must be frustrating and hysterical at the same time!
love you
linny
Andrea, The first days were frusterating but believe it or not, I´m already getting pretty comfortable with speaking to my host family (who know to speak slow and simply). I´m confident with my progress thus far and am excited for some educational reinforcement. I have a skype headset but dont have a good place to talk out loud (currently using free internet at school library). Let´s use skype to IM though! Love to you and Marcial, Marcial: such good music all the time that makes me think of you constantly!! Listened to some of mi abuella´s mamba today, very cool!
Hey Mom Yes, a very scenic and beautiful bus ride. The school is more like an open-air compound, all in one big block but with many different buildings, courtyards, offices, etc. Orientation was pushed back til tomorrow so this is my farewell to summer! Hope you enjoyed the Open!
Hello Friends and Family,
A five hour plane ride into a Mexico City and another five hours aboard a bus through the countryside has landed me in Xalapa, Mexico where I'll be studying at an international college for the entirety of this academic school year. I will keep you all informed as to my life here in Xalapa and wherever my travels may take me. ... full info
Libby
non-member comment
new house & furniture
Hi Barry: How's the furniture making coming along? in my first apt. we used a couple of cinder blocks and a top of some sort for a table....we also used that kind of material for bookshelves. Plastic milk crates work too stacked upon each other for shelving. what are you sleeping on? maybe there's an IKEA somewhere???? missed you at our thanksgiving table but looking forward to your visit in december. stay well xo, always, mom