Aurora We Stand

This is a tribute to the victims and community of my hometown Aurora, CO in response to the July 20th tragedy. The artist Jono is the vocalist in the song, and is an old friend. He will be starring in tonight's episode of E!'s new show Opening Act. Enjoy this meaningful song and also tune in to his episode. He is a talented person and I am so happy for him and the great things happening for him, and just wanted to do my part to spread the word of his gift.

Also, please download this song to your music library.  It's available at http://jonosings.bandcamp.com/ or on iTunes.  The proceeds will go to helping the victims and families of this tragedy.

Aurora, CO Shooting

This is the second time within a month that my Colorado has made national news.  First with all the destruction of the wildfires (which I want to take a minute to say I am so happy it has been contained and that the beauty of my lovely CO Springs was saved.  Though the losses sustained will not be forgotten, the city is ready to rebuild), and now this horrific act of evil.  Aurora, CO is my hometown.  It is where I was born and raised.  I woke up Saturday morning and when I looked at my phone I had numerous missed calls, voice mails, and texts asking me if I was ok....if I was alive.  My heart began to pound, and I could feel a lump in my throat as I realized that something awful must have happened back home (I was on vacation in different parts of the state all week).  I quickly googled Aurora, CO and instantly a photo of Century 16 popped up with a headline that read something along the lines of "mass shooting" or "massacre".  My heart broke instantly, and the more I read and the more news I watched my heart continued to break.  The simple fact that this happened, such an evil thing, against sooo many innocent people at a place as innocent as a movie theater, struck to the core of me.  Then to see it all in my own home, my community, the very place I grew up and live, a movie theater that I myself have gone to several times (though I can say it has been years since I last went to that particular theater).  It is beyond me how anyone could do such a thing, how such hateful and heinous things could ever possibly cross someones mind let alone act on it.  My next thought was of course if I knew anyone there.  I later came to find I did not know any of the victims.  I do know someone who was next door in theater 8 at the time of the shooting.  This in its self was enough to terrify me.  Life is so precious, so unpredictable, and you can never be sure that you won't be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  That some monster is looming about ready to unleash against their fellow human beings...innocent lives.  I pray for this community, for all those affected.  This tragedy is one that will forever be felt the hearts of those of us who call or have called Aurora, CO home.  I know we will rise from this and stand together.  We will not allow the evil of one man break the spirits of the masses.  And above all I still stand behind my city, my state, and can say that I am proud to call Colorado home and that we are a state of greatness.

So for now, let those mourn who need to mourn, may the monster who did this pay for his acts, and remember those who were lost.

4th of July 2012

So this year the 4th of July fell on a Wednesday, which made for a slightly odd holiday.  No three day weekend, just a random day off in the middle of the week.  It was nice to break the week up, but totally through me off at the same time.  All day Tuesday I was thinking it was Friday and kept having to stop myself from doing my typical end of week things at work.  I even caught myself saying "Have a good weekend" to some of the families as they picked their kids up from work.

We did however decide to plan our curriclum this week around the holiday, and teach the children all about their country and how the 4th of July is our country's birthday.  We did things such as sing patriotic songs (the kids loved galloping like Yankee Doodle), create American flags, and wear patriotic clothes/colors.  Even though, it is only a week long theme it has been one of my favorites.  I am glad the children have seemed to enjoy it just as much.

For the 4th I headed down to CO Springs to spend the day.  That night I went down to the Pueblo Riverwalk (which is nice in it's own right but of course is NOTHING compared to the San Antonio RiverwalkIe have gone to so many times) to watch fireworks.  With all of the high fire conditions and a state wide ban against all open burning, most cities across the state cancelled their firework shows.  Pueblo was one of the few who didn't.  We decided to head down a little early to get some dinner.  There was only like one restaurant on the riverwalk and the wait to be seated was an hour!  So we began a little walking adventure to try and seek out something to eat...and everything was closed.  So we headed back to the event area and paid the fee to enter the area where all the vendors were.  Of course all of the lines were insanely long, so we found one that seemed manageable.  After waiting in line for about half hour to 45 min ( we entertained ourselves people watching), once we were about 2-3 people to the front they announced they ran out of pretty much everything.  So defeated, we walked back to the truck to settle in for the fireworks show.  Dehydrated, hot, hungry.  So thank goodness they put on a pretty good fireworks display, and we had an awesome view and were away from the massive crowds of people smushed together on the lawn.  So though the entire night wasn't a fail, I think it was decided once was enough for the Pueblo riverwalk!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their 4th of July and random day off in the week, and good luck making it through to the real weekend :)

♥ And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.  And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.  'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA. ♥