20 easy

Ran from washington arboretum to seward park - 20 miles! My plantar fascia started to hurt pretty bad at about mile 16, but I pushed through and rice'd asap. It's feeling good now.

3.5 barefoot

Ran 3.5 miles today - barefoot at Marymoor. It felt great and I only saw one broken glass bottle in the grass. :)

8.86

Ran another 5.76 miles today - same route down to Farrel McWhirter. T'was great and I felt light. Also ran in the alumni race in the morning. 3.1 miles at hartman park.

5.76

Ran 5.76 miles today down to Farrel McWhirter and back. Overall I felt fast - no notable pains. Stretched half-way in and then again when I got home.

Day 21 - Off to Cali

Hey Em,

So I decided to do today's post a bit early because I'm not sure if I'm going to have internet access tonight. We're hoping to camp out on a river right on the California/Oregon border. Hopefully when I get to Colin's place he will have internet and I can continue posting. Otherwise I might have to go into town (wherever the closest one is) and find an internet cafe just like you have been doing.

I hope that you have an absolutely wonderful time on the safari. You're so close to being home and I'm oh so proud of all you've accomplished on the trip so far. I would love to travel to Kenya with you someday and see all of the places that you have been! I'm so excited for everything to come!

Also, you're now registered for the seattle half marathon...we both have to start training.

Alright, I'm off now...I love you sooooooooooooooooo much!!!!

Christo

Day 20 - Getting Excited

Hey Em,

I hope that you are doing well...I'm sure that you are. Today I just taught ESL in the afternoon (one of my students brought me some banana bread as a present) and then celebrated Mike's b-day in the evening. It was pretty fun. I'm really looking forward to being in California though because it means that I'm even closer to being able to see you again. We are going to have sooo much fun when you return home!!!

I'm excited for so many things:

- Tully's (or Victor's)

- Tennis Balls

- Riding our bikes

- Church

- Soccer with Tay and Katie

- Phó

- Camping

...and many many more things. I just can't wait to see you!!

I love you so much and next time we talk you'll be in Atlanta! Love you!

Day 19 -Our last phone chat

The wild ginger - check him out. It was nice to talk to you on the phone tonight. Now I'm even more excited for you to get home...I didn't think that it was possible! Can't wait to see you, babe...Love you!

Day 18 -Marymoor dog park

Today was good - I reffed a couple of soccer games and then got home in the mid-afternoon. My mom and sister went up to Camano, so I had the house to myself. It was soooo bloody hot in our house though that I decided to take Kenai for a walk at the dog park in the early evening. It was sooo peaceful and he had a great time. The only thing that was missing from the whole outing was you of course! The Marymoor dog park just wasn't the same without my cute boba by my side. Can we go there on the first day that you're back? Also...I can hear a lot of lonely tennis balls crying out for you to find them and then deliver them directly to a dog's slobbery mouth. Can't wait!

How has everything been with you? Getting excited for the safari? You will absolutely love it...remember to take lots of pictures, but don't lose them like I did with my safari!

We still on for talking tomorrow night? 9 pm Sunday my time? I will just plan on showing up at your parents house no matter what and trying to call. Hopefully you'll be able to talk for a little bit because I really want to hear your voice...it always makes me feel good.

Alright, my love, I'm off to bed, but I hope that you're having a good day right now and I will definitely talk to you soon. Love you!!!!!!!!!

Chris

Day 17 - Getting there

Hey Em,

It's felt like an eternity since you were home last, but I have to just keep reminding myself that we are getting there...I mean it, It's honestly getting really hard now with you being gone. I am missing my other half and want you home. Today was good...I didn't do too much, but got a nice run in at the end of the night so that felt really nice.

Also, I got to bed fairly early and then got up early because I reffed a couple of soccer games in the morning starting at 8 am. I was the center referee in a game featuring Iran vs. Korea. It just so happened that I knew a couple of people on both teams so it was fun to immediately have a good rapport. I'm glad to be done with the day though and almost heading to bed. I can't wait until tomorrow because it means that we are one day closer to having you home!!!

I love you tons,

Christo

Day 16 - We talked today!

Hey Em, it was really nice to be able to talk to you today on the phone. I love the fact that we both are willing to get up early or stay up late to make time for each other.

Today was pretty low-key. After relaxing in the morning and afternoon I taught ESL until 8:30 ish. It went alright, but I'm really happy that I don't have to substitute in that class anymore because it's just different from mine and can be challenging to adjust to. The real highlight of my day though was being able to talk to you at night! Also, you'll be happy to know that I e-mailed your brother like I said I was going to. Come this fall we'll all be booting the soccer ball around together!

I can't wait to have you home and hear all your stories. You make me so happy...

Love like always,

Chris

Day 15 - Missing you

Hey babe,

Day 15...we're over half way there! I had a great day today...I taught ESL and just relaxed a bit. I did come across a really funny video that made me think of you. I think that you'll like a lot...check it out here. http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80889923/

Sorry for the sorta lame-o post, but there's nothing really new to report. Just missing you and getting more excited for the day when you get back home!!

Love you tons,

Christo

Day 14 - too long without you

Babe, you haven't called in 3 days and I'm beginning to wonder what's up. When can we talk again on the phone because I seriously loved hearing your voice. How have things been since we last talked? I can't wait to taste the chai that we are going to make!!!!!

Today I taught an esl class for this guy that I've been filling in for. It was easy and fun and gave me something to do on what would have otherwise been a lonely Tuesday night. All your fault... :) j/k

After, I went home and went to the Y at night. There was seriously nobody at all working out at 9 pm so I had ultimate FREEDOM! to use anything I wanted in the gym. See this is why you need to get your cute little self home - I clearly have no life when you are away. Also, I have not been drinking enough coffee. I think that Oxsana and Michelle are missing us. We can't let them down.

Oh, also, can we please go to the dog park like every day when you get home. It is obviously one of our favorite places on Earth and I just haven't been there either since you left for Kenya! So many things that I need to catch up on.

There really hasn't been anything too new in my life. Same old stuff going on - basically just missing you and trying to survive by counting down the days. Hope you're having fun and I will talk to you soon!

Love love love love love you babe!

P.S. I re-read your latest e-mail and couldn't stop smiling at the end...you are just too cute :)

Day 13 - Back to real-life (sorta)

Hello my love, I hope that your 13th day in Kenya has been wonderful. I can't stop thinking about you during the days...every place I go I wish that you were right by my side accompanying me along the way. Soon enough...

Today I was supposed to have the morning off from refereeing, but unfortunately some people didn't show up to their games so I got an emergency call in the morning asking if I could come down and fill in. I agreed and soon enough found myself as a flagger on a Girls U-11 (10 year olds!) game. It was ridiculous! Parents were going wild and knew nothing about soccer...they were yelling for me about bad calls when I know for sure that I got it right. I just had to laugh and stroke my still growing beard. (I haven't shaved since you last saw me).

After the game I went into Seattle and taught ESL. After, Mike called me up and wanted to take me out to a nice sushi dinner because he hadn't seen me in awhile so I agreed and went along with him. He spent over 140 bucks and I ate some crazy crazy stuff. I want to take you to the place where we went, but instead of ordering gross raw fish we can spend the money on mochi and booze ;) J/k of course.

Anyways, I hope that all is well and I will look forward to talking to you soon. Please call asap!

Day 12 -finally some rest

Hey Emily,

Sorry that I have been slacking a little bit on my blog entries. I got done with reffing on Sunday and since then have finally had some time to relax. It's been so nice not to have to do anything! All my games today went really well..the hispanic people absolutely loved me and told me that I was one of the best refs they had ever seen. Made me feel good!

Like I have been saying I miss you a ton. I can't wait to plan out some fun little trips to go on this summer. Are we still on for the warrior dash? I think that we should do it. Steve and Marikay told me to say hello to you...I showed them my blog entries and got a bit embarassed because they are oh-so lovey dovey...kinda weird having my Mom read a couple of the entries.

Anyways, that's all for now, but I will talk to you soon.

Love you boba,

Christo

Day 11 - From your house!!!!!!

That's right...I'm blogging from your house! Unfortunately you haven't turned on your phone yet, but I will keep trying to see if I can reach you tonight. I want to hear your voice.....I miss you.

Today I reffed 6 games! First it was Japan v. Ethiopia, second it was Cambodia vs. Iran (I was in the center), and third it was Romania v. Korea. I had a ton of fun doing the games...making 200 bucks in one day isn't bad either! ;) After I get home I'm going straight to bed because I have 5 games tomorrow, but after that I have a nice long break from reffing.

I have been reading your letters each day. Thank for putting so much effort into them because they are really getting me through these lonely times. I hope that my blog entries are helpful in that way as well.

I'll keep it short tonight. I just miss you and can't wait to see you and hear about all of the cool things that you are doing. Stay strong and keep up all of the great work! Everyone (Kenai and me especially) is really proud of you and the girls for what you are doing!

Can we seriously go away somewhere for a couple days when you get home? I can't wait...

Love,

Chris

Day 10 - talked to your fam today

Hey Em,

I hope that you are having a great day so far. I'm just climbing into bed and have to referee a couple of games tomorrow morning fairly early. It was a nice day for me - did one game and then took Kenai for a nice long walk. Also, I was able to go to the Y with my Mom so that was really great as well. I have been really impressed with how well she has been doing with everything.

I talked to your family today, it was nice to hear your Dad's voice, but it reminded me in a weird way of how much I miss you. We aren't even half way..

I would like to schedule something where I could talk to you tomorrow morning your time, evening my time. Maybe 9 pm for me and 7 am for you? Kinda the perfect way to spend a Saturday night :) I can't wait to hear all of your stories and have you close to home again. The time away has reminded me of all the years of distance between us. It's hard having you away after having such a glorious glimpse of what it's like when you're around. I want that back asap...

Can you let me know somehow if you'll be able to talk tomorrow on the phone? Thanks babe, I love you ::opening arms Steve Style:: thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much. ::giant air hug::

Seriously, I love you!!

Day 9 - on time (sorta)!

Hey Emily,

I really really enjoyed hearing your voice tonight on the phone...it has honestly been one of the highlights of my week this far in. Just in the past couple days I have really begun to miss you even more than I did when you first left. I guess it's all kinda sinking in...you're going to be gone for the next 3 weeks and thus we are left separate. I mean it's totally okay, I love the fact that you are able to have this life-changing experience, but I just honestly miss you so much. I wish that I was better at expressing exactly how I feel about you, but there's only a few things that capable of that. :)

I had a great night seeing Justin, Josh, Karim, and Jacob. I'm pretty excited for Justin and Rachel...can we please go visit them soon? Of course that means that we can stop in and see everyone else, like all of the girls you're currently in Africa with plus a few more! We should honestly do it this summer and possibly make it into some sort of camping trip. Let's talk about it when you get home.

Tomorrow I have one game to referee in the morning (I had 3 today) and then I'm going to try and walk with my mom, go to the Y, and then maybe start building the greenhouse in the back. I hope that you call me tomorrow my time (in 8 hours ish) if you're able to because I would love to hear your voice. I referee at 10:00, but am done by 11:30.

I Love you so much!!!

Day 8 - Tennis ball yelps

So I began day 8 by going to the YMCA with my Mom in the early morning. After getting back I had to head into Seattle to teach my normal ESL class. It went really well - I have 3 students now who are all pretty fluent so we're able to basically just talk - so I was pretty happy. After ESL I met up with Josh at Seward Park down by where I was teaching in the South end and we hiked around a bit in the old growth forest there. It was fun to be in a crazy forest in the middle of Seattle (we'll definitely have to go there sometime). The best part was that Josh glanced to his right and saw a tennis ball screaming out for him from the woods!!!!!! I was sooooo happy and of course immediately thought of you. Can't wait to go tennis ball hunting again once you're back in town.

At night I had a soccer game and played really well in it. I even got a goal to tie the score up at 3-3! Unfortunately once I left the field they scored another goal and so we lost 3-4. When I got home I took Kenai for another walk - he was going absolutely nuts when I got home - and then went to bed right away because I had to be awake early this morning.

I have still been thinking about you so much Em and love all of the updates to the blog. Keep up all the hard work, and I'm glad that you girls can run fast from those crazy farm animals chasing after you. Please call me soon! I miss your voice!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christo

Day 7 - (On day 9)

Sorry that I have been bad the past couple days about updating my blog...it has been a very busy couple days with ESL, soccer, and helping out around the home while Stevo is in Boston playing soccer.

So on Tuesday I reffed a couple of soccer games in the morning and then went and taught an ESL class for this guy that I was subbing for. (This means I get to ask him to sub for me when we go away camping in August!) It went well, but I was happy to get home after a long day. At night I took Kenai for a long walk and he was very happy to get out.

Sounds like a pretty eye-opening experience going to the Nairobi Children's home. We should figure out how to help the little dude that struggles to stand. I bet that was just ripping at your heart. Were there any old kids in the Orphanage? I think that would be really tough...

Alright babe, onto my next post, which I think that you will especially like :)

Love you tons!!!!

Chris

Day 6 - I take a nice break

It felt so great to be done refereeing this morning and know that I didn't have another game until Thursday...it's been a long couple of days getting up early and running around all day. It would have been easier if I had been able to get coffee with you every morning :)

How was you day? Once again it was really nice being able to talk to you this morning - I loved the fact that you were excited for what is going to be one of the hardest parts of the trip. I think that it will be great for all of you to experience something so different than what we are used to. Stay strong!

I don't have too much new to report to you - just the fact that I love you more than anything, but you already knew that. :")

Love grande,

Christo

P.S. There's flossers beginning to float all around my room and house!

Day 5 - legs are tired

Em, it was great being able to talk to you this morning - and after Spain won the World cup. yeahh!!! Couldn't have been happier and Spain couldn't have deserved it more. Were the people that you watched it with going crazy at all?

Later in the evening I reffed a couple of games. They both went pretty well and I have one more tomorrow morning. I'm excited for a nice break from it until Thursday when I have 3. I'm planning on stopping by your parents house tomorrow to say hi and to pay my respects. Kenai has been sad all day...we both know why. There were many good times though, and she was a truly uniquely special cat.

I think i'm heading to bed now, but I hope that you have a wonderful day tomorrow, babe. I'm excited for you to get home so that we can plan out a great camping trip together for some time in August. Please say hello to all of the other girls, critters and other folks around Tumaini for me. Maybe I'll be able to visit someday...:)

Tons of love, Christo

Day 4 - I'm seeing a pattern...

4 days, 4 flossers. Oh how I love flossers....as well as you!

Here was my day: (this post is going to be fairly short and to the point - you'll see why)

1 soccer game reffed, 2 lawns mowed, 4 soccer games reffed, biked home and went on a walk with the mama bear. Tomorrow I have an 8 am game and then I'm watching the world cup of course. Have you found a spot to watch the world cup? Do they have television at the orphanage? Go spain! By the way, did you see that Paul the World Cup predicting octopus predicted Spain was going to win? Go Paul! http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/09/psychic-octopus-paul-picks-spain

Alright, I'm off to bed now, but I have to say that I'm kinda bummed that I didn't get to hear your beautiful voice on the phone tonight. Please call tomorrow, maybe during the world cup?! :)

Love ya, babe. Sleep well and be well.

Day 3 - Friday night!

Three days away from you, three flossers in my pocket. No wonder I'm so in love with you, Em. You seriously know the quickest way to my heart. ;)

I had another great day today. I mowed my two neighbors lawns and then helped my Dad in the garden for a few. We have the best snap peas ever growing like wild flowers! I can't wait for you to try some. Kenai was one happy doggy because he was able to hang out with us and enjoy the garden's bounty.

After dinner my mom and I went to the Y from about 8:30 - 10. That's where I just got back from. It felt great and I was happy to help support my Mom. Tomorrow I'm reffing 5 games (first one is at 9 am) so I'm heading to bed early so that I can get up nice and early with a full 8 hours of sleep. I guess that means I have to head to bed pretty much now! I wish you were here to fall asleep next to - Darby is a great cuddler, but he pales in comparison to you next to me. :0

I can't wait to hear your voice again tomorrow. Thanks so much for calling today and I am happy to hear that you and the girls are all doing well. Keep up the good work and I love you sooooooo much Em. The letters that you wrote me mean the world - you have said the absolute nicest things in them so far and I can't wait to continue opening them up.

Love you!

Christo

Christo

Day 2 - Nakupenda sana

Well, it was another fabulous day, my love (minus the fact that you're thousands of miles away from me right now). I woke up late, :), did some work around the house, taught an ESL lesson filling in for another teacher, then reffed a soccer game with the padre! I was center, and Stevo was flagger - the father/son combo! It went really really well - many players came up to me after the game and told me that it was the best reffing they had seen in a long time. I told them that I owed all my skills to my hot-ass ginger girlfriend who is always supportive.

It was a crazy hot day in Seattle today - I heard that it got up to 97 in Seattle. Tomorrow is supposed to be just the same, so I'm thinking that I'll have to take Kenai down to the dog park and race him in the water on some fetches. Speaking of swimming dogs, my Mom really liked the fact that I was severely scratched on the chest while swimming in a pool with a rottweiler who thought that I was holding his toy. Hopefully something similar doesn't happen tomorrow!

By now I'm sure that you've made it to Kenya. Congratulations!!! I have been checking all day for an update on Emilyandthegirls, but alas none yet. It's okay, I'll keep checking.

By the way, there's one student enrolled in my ESL class. He's a 78 year old Ethiopian man named Mohamed who was a life-long farmer back home. How cool is that?! Did I already tell you this in my post from this morning??? I guess I'll soon find out. Next time I see Mohamed I'm going to tell him all about your farming adventure in Kenya. Alright babe, I'm off to take a nice cold shower and then head to bed. Love LOve LOVe LOVE you!!!

Always,

Christo

P.S. Kenai, Steve, Marikay, Katie, and Nobu are all sending their well wishes your way as well. If you listen carefully enough, you might hear the tennis balls at grasslawn yelling out for you as well. :)

Day 1 - Sorry for posting on Day 2 :)

Em, I got your texts last night saying that you had made it to Denver and then successfully gotten on your overnight to Amsterdam. I think you've already made it to Kenya, so congratulations! I'm sure that you've having a ton of fun and I'll be checking up on your blog looking for the latest news.

After I got home I rushed over to teach the ESL class (I have one student enrolled in my class so far - a 78 year old ethiopian man named Mohamed who is a life-long farmer...how cool!) and then played in my soccer game. I almost got a goal, but alas no luck - we lost 4-0. After the game my Dad picked me up and we headed home. I was soooo tired by the time we made it home and simply laid in my bed relaxing and then went to sleep. It felt great to be home, but I'm already missing you so much. Seriously...I know that you will have an absolutely wonderful time, but I want you home already.

I did get a chance to see Mikey yesterday and he said that he had an amazing time in Cape Town. Also, my Dad thinks that it's really cool that you're taking all of the girls to Kenya.

So far this morning I have signed up to referee a few soccer games (as of now I have 12 games in the next 7 days) and watched a few soccer clips. If you get a chance, check out this red card to Kaka - oh the injustice!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Am0KiVvQW-w

I'll post again tonight. Nakupenda!!

Chris

P.S. GO SPAIN!!!!!!