Summer Solstice

Find out why these fine people are jumping (and why I'm not) http://www.jumpbecause.com/
And heck you should jump for something. because.
Paddling the lower James River: Brian, Gerry, Jenny, Damien, & Mandy

Damien navigates down Hollywood rapid

May & June

After turning 30 at the beginning of May and seeing the world through a perspective of new-found wisdom, I realized with more certainty to enjoy every possible moment of my life. So as the mid-atlantic states transition from Spring to Summer, and my belly keeps on growing (so very parallel to the earth) we've been enjoying ourselves immensly. We took a wonderful trip to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and enjoyed the pristine beach for a day.

Damien saved a very un-shy turtle from the road.

We had a lovely long weekend in the mountains of West Virginia with a crew of rad people. Here is a picture of Dana and Chris enjoying the view from Matt & Peter's cabin while the others sun themselves on the dock of their pond.

Here I am at 8 months along. As of today, there are exactly three weeks left until my proposed due date! It's been an amazing experience. Truly profound. We don't know the gender, yet everyone tells me it looks like I'm having a boy. Who knows?! I am really starting to get excited to meet the little bambino in there! My girlfriend Tracy had a beautiful baby girl named Abigail in May. Congratulations! I'll keep y'all posted as things progress!

The Freedom Writers

Here is a handful of my students who wrote their own Freedom Writer's diaries about their lives. It was inspired by the group in California who did the same thing, not only to express themselves, but also to overcome stereotypes and prejudice. They really had some amazing stories to tell and did an amazing job on their projects. You can see here what my classroom looks like. I will only inhabit that space for just over a week more... the school year has come to an end and I will sadly not be working there again next year because we are moving!