Belize...

So, I have arrived back from Belize, but have been too busy to get some posts up. There will be more on here and my website...Stay tuned...

Do you know who I am???

My flight today was hilarious. I was up at 4:30am, which really sucked, and off to the airport. I arrived in Mobile and the baggage door wasn't opening on aircraft. After 1 hour of waiting a Northwest ticket agent finally arrived (they only have 3 flights a day so there aren't many people around) to tell us they would courier the luggage after they got the baggage door open. When I was giving them my information this asshole wouldn't shut up. He had a serious case of "my penis is really small, my wife doesn't fuck me anymore, I wear a blue tooth for no reason, I carry a blackberry so I can sexually harass my assistant all day, and I am super important" syndrome. I told him to calm down and fill out a comment form, like the ticket agent kept telling him. He told me to "fuck off" and "do you have any fucking idea who I am" I smiled and said, "have a nice day." I think the ticket agent got a kick out of the whole thing.

Belize Thoughts...

I am on vacation and had a few minutes of computer access to jot down some of the thoughts I have had, and what we have done...

January 19th, 2007
Andy and I left Des Moines about the same time and arrived in Cancun, Mexico about the same time, although different airlines. We took a taxi with two annoying women from Michigan that said "Mexico looks a lot like Ireland." I will have further thoughts in a later posting. We took the taxi with them down to Playa del Carmen to catch a bus to Chetumal, Mexico (which is on the Belize/Mexico border). We did have some guacamole and beers at a bar next to the beach. We were picked up in Chetumal by the prison warden and taken to the prison for the night. After leaving Des Moines about 7:00 a.m. we arrived at the prison around 1:00 a.m.

January 20th, 2007
On Saturday, we headed off to the capital Belmopan to meet with Mr. Murrillo, the prison accountant. We hung out with his wife and 2 boys and drank amazing Cuban Rum. We then finished the drive down to Cayo and San Ignacio to visit with Anna, a Peace Corps Volunteer. She had a great place on the outskirts of San Ignacio. We then went to dinner at a Mexican joint with beautiful views of the city. After a few drinks with a couple of Andy's friends, it was time for some sleep.

January 21st, 2007
Momma and Papa Price from Belmopan invited us back for some stewed chicken, and beans and rice on the return trip from Cayo. They had an amazing spread and we chatted with Papa Price about the old days in Belize. We then took a tour of the areas of Belmopan that were being redeveloped. This final part of the trip in Belmopan was extremely significant to me, and there will be more about it soon.

Each time I have visited this country it had changed me just a little bit, and this time isn't any different. I have always been trying to put together the Belize puzzle, and feel like I have 400 of the 500 pieces together. There will be many more posts about these feelings and thoughts.

I am currently hanging out at the prison for the day. Tomorrow I am going to be helping the Hand in Hand organization with some type of work. Wednesday and Thursday we are heading to Hopkins for a possible fishing trip. Friday we will head back to Mexico and meet up with some people there.

It has been a great trip so far, and I am looking forward to the next few days. I won't gloat too much about the weather, but remember what a beautiful June day, with a slight breeze feels like.

Much more soon...

Moments That Define A Man...

There are significant events in life that shape who we are. For some of us, it may be a death, a new life, a career change. But there are similar events that change everyone.

1. Choosing a partner. Hillary Clinton said it takes a village to raise a child, but really it takes a team. Not only do we need a team to raise a family, but it is important to have someone on your side when there is happiness, sadness, and confusion. It is imperative that we find someone that is similar to us, but also has some differences. The person your partner with should be someone you dream about, treats you with respect, and where physical contact eases the day.

2. First major failure. This may be a loss of job, loved one, or self. These events create a rallying point for close friends and family. Failures answer questions about ourselves.

3. Losing your parents. Once our parents are gone there is nobody to obtain advice. There is nobody, but yourself, to be the leader of a family or group. There is a certain amount of your heart missing.

4. Realizing you have some degree of ignorance. Everyone should have the desire to keep learning and exploring. It is essential that we accept and know our flaws. It is imperative to test ones limits.

5. Discovery of Passion. A passion keeps us involved in life. It might not be discovered at 60, but could be found at 6. Passions create immeasurable happiness and little disappointment.

Certainly, it is possible not to have one of these moments that define who we are. There are variations of these 'moments' throughout life. We handle these situations differently, and might have these moments enter our lives with stress and confusion. But, they only make us stronger.

On the Road Again...

Well I am heading out on my first trip of the new year tomorrow. I will be in Indianapolis, IN for 3 nights. I am excited to be getting back in an airplane after over 3 weeks of not flying, but I am still not ready to get back to work.

I have made some updates to my website, so take a look. www.nicholasirving.com

Grandparents

I am very lucky to be close to all four of my grandparents. They have each played a special role in my life, for which I am grateful. Recently, my Grandpa Sam and Grandma Donna decided it was time to retire from owning their car repair shop. On December 29th, they hung up their hats with the working world and officially became retired. I was able to attend a reception to thank them and the customers for 49 years of loyalty and service. Here are some pictures from the event...