What a year friends! I have been thinking often about gratitude for my life in the new things, old things, rich things, wild things, and hopeful things. I will spend the next couple of weeks reflecting on areas where I can hone my appreciation and sharing as they come to me. The photos below are from Teotihuacan, pyramids a short distance from Mexico City. Megan Smock took the top two photos from the top of the Pyramid of the Sun. You can see me sitting far below her on the short structure on the distant right-hand side. I was tired and she climbed to the top.

I am grateful for the richness of my life. There's something wonderfully uncomplicated about it. I appreciate "getting to" something that has mattered to me so deeply. Now I get to think about how I can elaborate on a strong theme.

The Pyramid of the Sun taken by me. Two opposite angles.

I appreciate how eccentric other English teachers abroad are. They are the exceptions to every rule, fascinating and nomatic. I am at home with them, new members of a tribe that I revere. I lived with them, traveled with them, took Spanish class day after day, and shared most waking moments of my life. How wonderful that this crew exists and gathers in interesting corners of the world including Cusco.

I adore the layers of mountain and stone.