CU Later!
I was honored to be in the presence of about 90 of my favorite peeps from the CU-Boulder community at my going away party Monday, July 24. It was quite overwhelming and memorable all at the same time. I cannot describe how much I will miss CU and all of the individuals I have worked with over the last 10 years. As I reflect back on some of the events I have been involved with over the years, there are a bunch that stand out...Dave Matthews Band at Folsom, Spike Lee, BB King, Rudy Guiliani, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Michael Moore, Hanan Ashwari and the largest Poetry Slam in Colorado. One of the most challenging, yet rewarding programs that I have been intimately involved with is the CU GOLD leadership program. It was a bumpy 4 years in the works and now it just continues to grow and spit out amazing student leaders.

HOLLA...goes out to all of my students! It was "tight" to see your "mad" heeping plates of coconut shrimp & chicken satay at my party and of course your big smiles and well wishes. I love working with my "superfly" students and will miss you all dearly!! Stay in touch & go make a difference in this world, "aiight".

YO, I'M OUTTA HERE!

As I prepare to head out of the the beloved U.S of A., it just wouldn't be right to forgo a party!

Here are pics from my "party in the park"-Chataqua park, Sunday, June 17. It was a hot day, topping out at 98 degrees but the beer, babies and bocce balls kept everyone entertained. Thanks for coming out everyone, your support means the world to me!

I leave for Indiana August 2 and fly back to DIA on August 10 with just enough time (3 hour lay-over) to swap out luggage and get on my flight to Norway. Nothing like cutting it close!

Oslo, Norway--my first stop! I will study here from August to December. I've always wanted to be a big city girl and here's my chance to live in the capital of Norway. The population is 550,000 (close to the size of Denver). These photos are of the downtown area, which looks very quaint, COLD and resembles the rooftops of CU-Boulder. I will be right at home with the ice-skating rink and the pillars on the University of Oslo building to remind me of the CU Norlin library, "Who knows only his own generation remains always a child." However, the sun factor may make me realize, "I'm not in Colorado anymore, Toto." When I arrive in August, the sun will set at 10 p.m. and rise at 5 a.m. and when I fly home in December (to hit the Rocky Mountain slopes) the sun will rise at 9 a.m. and set at 3 p.m.

This is Tampere, Finland...right in the heart of a lake district. I will be studying here from January 2007-June 2007. I will enjoy 3 seasons of Finland; the dark & cold winter, the lively spring and I will get a peek at the summer beauty. The city has a population of 430,000 and about 14,000 students at the University. The average temperature from December to February is -4 to 14 degrees. Yowser! Good thing there are over one million Finnish Sauna's (seriously) to take out the chill. I understand the Finns like to hit their vodka too! Finland is a member of the EU (European Union). So, those Euros will come in handy here.

Aveiro, Portugal--Ah...sunlight and a different language. Perfect! Make your reservations to visit me in Portugal from August 2007 to December 2007.

Whenever I say "Portugal" everyone's eyes light up.

Aveiro looks very quaint and is said to be the "Portuguese Venice". There are canals and riverways throughout this small village of 50,000. The University student population makes up a fifth of the population. Aveiro is big news to all of you futbol fans...it is home to a first division futbol (soccer) league and they just built a 39million (US) dollar stadium. Watch out mom, I might be bringing home a World Cup hottie that can event row a boat.