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My laptop, which held all my pictures, exploded a few weeks ago, but now, as promised:
So, a group of kids from my school goes to Taos, New Mexico for a week in February to chill, go on nature walks, and contemplate the meaning of life. While not exactly my scene (my family went to Las Vegas without me), it was an AMAZING experience.
I woke up at 3 a.m. to drive to the Oak-town airport. I love being a morning person.
New Mexico is a study in contrasts. Half is complete desert with gorgeous rock formations and cliffs and things, while the other half, in winter, is a ski resort. We went hiking in the snow, which at first was cold and painful, but after the first hour and a half, endurance kicked in.
We ended up in a meadow of snow. Stephan made snow angels.
We also hiked along the gorge created by the Rio Grande. Steve got attacked by a dog (hilarious).
There are some hot springs adjacent to the Rio Grande that those who braved the cold decided to explore.
The rest of us listened to the radicalist stories of this old guy who lived near the springs. They were crazy (think: tear gas grenades and acrobatic stunt maneuvers on Pennsylvania Avenue) and most likely false.
Eddie was enthralled.
Steve and Lindsey were weirded out. Okay, well really they just enjoy posing.
The guy (Ed) also had 8 dogs, all of which were insanely cute.
Part of our trip was also to meet and tutor kids on the Pueblo reservation. It was fun and rewarding and all that. I also learned that high schools and colleges need more swingsets.
Eventually, we said goodbye to the hippie-ness that is Taos and treked back to the airport. I really enjoy this picture. I love how Stephan is still trying to work out American Math Contest problems TWO WEEKS LATER.
Returning left us tired and annoyed that we had to return to our mundane and monotonous lifestyle (I look like this a lot). But really, it was a great time. I'm put myself out in nature more often, because it can completely alter one's mindset.
Anyway, since then I went to a family reunion in Monterey, home of the famed aquarium and the original Cannery Row. My uncle thinks I should go by "Niki" or "Niqui" in college to seem more alternative. I'm not sure I'm feeling that. But yeah, family is good.
ALSO (caps meaning, if you read one part of this, make it THIS PART): How awesome is this? Tyler and I found it in Z Gallerie and were cracking up until the salesperson made some comment. It screams Yale essential.
Love, Nicole
So, a group of kids from my school goes to Taos, New Mexico for a week in February to chill, go on nature walks, and contemplate the meaning of life. While not exactly my scene (my family went to Las Vegas without me), it was an AMAZING experience.
I woke up at 3 a.m. to drive to the Oak-town airport. I love being a morning person.
New Mexico is a study in contrasts. Half is complete desert with gorgeous rock formations and cliffs and things, while the other half, in winter, is a ski resort. We went hiking in the snow, which at first was cold and painful, but after the first hour and a half, endurance kicked in.
We ended up in a meadow of snow. Stephan made snow angels.
We also hiked along the gorge created by the Rio Grande. Steve got attacked by a dog (hilarious).
There are some hot springs adjacent to the Rio Grande that those who braved the cold decided to explore.
The rest of us listened to the radicalist stories of this old guy who lived near the springs. They were crazy (think: tear gas grenades and acrobatic stunt maneuvers on Pennsylvania Avenue) and most likely false.
Eddie was enthralled.
Steve and Lindsey were weirded out. Okay, well really they just enjoy posing.
The guy (Ed) also had 8 dogs, all of which were insanely cute.
Part of our trip was also to meet and tutor kids on the Pueblo reservation. It was fun and rewarding and all that. I also learned that high schools and colleges need more swingsets.
Eventually, we said goodbye to the hippie-ness that is Taos and treked back to the airport. I really enjoy this picture. I love how Stephan is still trying to work out American Math Contest problems TWO WEEKS LATER.
Returning left us tired and annoyed that we had to return to our mundane and monotonous lifestyle (I look like this a lot). But really, it was a great time. I'm put myself out in nature more often, because it can completely alter one's mindset.
Anyway, since then I went to a family reunion in Monterey, home of the famed aquarium and the original Cannery Row. My uncle thinks I should go by "Niki" or "Niqui" in college to seem more alternative. I'm not sure I'm feeling that. But yeah, family is good.
ALSO (caps meaning, if you read one part of this, make it THIS PART): How awesome is this? Tyler and I found it in Z Gallerie and were cracking up until the salesperson made some comment. It screams Yale essential.
Love, Nicole