All roads lead home

In keeping with the reminisce theme...remember the Christmas with the watches in Northridge!!

Hi Granddad-I'm not entirely sure what the protocol is on tapping into the blog-o-sphere up in heaven.I'm guessing you get pretty great Spirit World Wi-Fi. And that makes me think it might be okay.BUT, if it's not allowed, I'm hoping they'll make an exception. Just for today. Because I've been thinking about you. Lots. And even though you weren't one for tears, I have to admit...my apple fell way far from the tree there. Like, say the family tree was a Granny Smith growing out on Apple Hill. My apple'd be the golden delicious lying in some obscure East Coast orchard. But that's okay. I actually kind of like it there. Because when the tears come, it reminds me that I haven't forgotten about you. Reminds me that having you gone really hasn't changed much at all.You're still the wisest person I know.The most humble.And the bravest.You're still the leader I look to when I need to learn how to sacrifice.Or be valiant.Or have courage.You're still the example I try to follow when it comes to learning the Gospel.Loving it.And living it.And you're still who I think of when I think of our family.Because none of us would be here without you.We're not the most conventional bunch.We don't have many traditions.And we're pretty touch-and-go when it comes to communication.But we love each other. so. much.And even though we've all decided to live our lives in our own way and in our own cities,we're all still incredibly close.And I'm certain that has everything to do with you.You've been the rock of our family for as long as I can remember.And I have to say...even on those days when I miss you,or those nights when I wonder if we'll ever be the same with you gone,I picture you in your chair in Paradise telling me your stories.And I realize,you left us a legacy.And I feel the peace that comes from knowing nothing really changed when you left.Some small part of you is in each of us,reminding us to work hard,to be good people and strong leaders,to always put our family first,to show love in our own special way,and to try and live our lives so we can visit you againand listen to your stories forever.I love you Granddad. so. much. And I am so grateful for your courage in Korea.It gave me a reason to celebrate today.And I can't think of anyone more deserving of a celebration.Elmer Davis said, "This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."Thank you for being brave Granddad.And thanks for being my Granddad.(I wouldn't have wished that one on anyone...)Tomorrow I'll have been married for exactly six months.We're going back to the place where we said yes to forever.I wish you could've been there that day.But I kind of feel like you were.And every time I go back I feel that way too.Because you and Grandma said yes to forever there too.January 6, 1953I'm so grateful for that day.It brought me my family.My forever family.And I wouldn't trade that for the world.I love you Granddad. I'll be thinking about you.And I'll start trying to do it with a few less tears.No promises though :)

Check out Erin's radio show Thursdays 7-8 Pacific time...An hour of commercial-free Soul music....
http://kups.ups.edu/

Im trying to post the kids' music in one place, until I can get it onto the family site. Try this...
rherzog.posterous.com

When I hear things like this, it makes me so grateful that we have been loved unconditionally - warts and all!   I'm sad for those who aren't.  Thank you, mom and dad, for making that an important part of who we all are.  Love ya!

We went to Inks Lake today for a family outing. We paddled about a mile to a 20
foot or so cliff we jump off. We borrowed a canoe since we don't have enough
kayaks, but as soon as we got in it we found a leak from the winter. So Jana
doubled up with Krystall in our tandem, and I put Austin on my kayak, which is
not built for two. Lots of water on the kayak, but we made it. Coming back we
used my frenzy with me and Austin. It actually held up much better than a 12
foot.

I have two short clips attached. One is Karlee jumping to show how high the
jump is (some people jump from the top of the rock behind everyone). The other
is Austin trying to copy some people diving, kind of a pike dive where they
touch their toes, and then go into a dive. Not knowing what he is doing, and
chickening out = major belly flop. The sun was on the
screen, so it is not the best video, but it gets the idea across. Krystall and
I were in the water and could only see him jump, but not land. Luckily he
turned a little so he hit his side and hip more than flat. His thigh and hip
bone had welts for the rest of the day. I expect them to be bruises tomorrow.
Yes, he did go up and jump about 10 more times.

Thought I would share.

Scott

Hi Family!

Sorry I havent been able to get this to you sooner, but so far, so good in Fortaleza. Today we met up with everyone and just finished dinner of some awesome rice and beans, chicken soup, steamed veggies, beef, bread, and ham, and had our first group meeting. I think Im going to LOVE our director. He's from Chicago, but has been here for 33 years, and seems EXTREMELY passionate about this place and his work.

backpackers went pretty well, and I definitely speak more Portuguese than when I got here but that's not saying much. LUCKILY nobody else in the program really speaks it, so I'm not alone. yesterday, I explored the beach promenade and WENT SWIMMING in the warm bath water that is the ocean down here. After I proudly made it through 2 meals with the help of my pocket verb book, I finally ran into Christine at the hostel and we went out to dinner and caught some really great music. The town is pretty dead, I'm pretty sure they're all still hung over from Carnival, so it's pretty quiet. Sadly, I missed a big parade and beach party, cause I hadn't met anyone who really spoke English, had NO idea what kind of neighborhood I was in, so I kind of slept through the whole thing.

Found out about my family!!! We move in on Sunday night! I have a mom, a sister who's my age and a poodle, so it's going to be COMPLETELY different than last semester, but Im so excited to meet them and get to know my new neighborhood. I'll be about a half an hour bus ride to school, but lots of other students are living pretty close to me.

That's pretty much everything, it's HOT AS B*LLS HERE and i feel like I need a cold shower every 45 minutes, but I'm already looking tanner :-D full-on latina makeover her I come! OOh! Also, sounds like a bunch of other kids are considering ISPs in Salvador.
I miss you guys, and I hope to see you all on this side of the equator before I leave.

BESOS! XOXOXOXOXOX
-erin


2nd email....

Boa Tarde Familia!

Tudo bem? Sorry I havent been in more contact, I should be getting a phone this week, but our days have been pretty packed. quick update, and hopefully I'll get organized enough to start up my blog again:

Been with my family for 2 nights s far! They moved me to a new one b/c I guess there was a medical problem with the other family, so I actually have a mom Ceiça, a 26 year old sister Karine, a brother in his twenties who's married and plays the violin (i think?), and another brother who's married w/ a 2 yr old son Gabriel (so cute!) Last night I went over to their house and played games with him and his 4 yr old cousin. Everyone is SO SWEET, but doesn't speak A WORD of English. Portuguese is SO DIFFERENT from spanish and the pronunciation is crazy, and our classes FINALLY start tomorrow. So far, I've somehow managed to communicate, though I can never be too sure if I actually understand what they're telling me.

The house is pretty small, but I have my own room with a bed, a little dresser, a mirror, and a fan and that's it. I love our neighborhood though, cuz there are always people hanging out on the streets at night and several other SIT kids live really close. One is like my next door neighbor Jacob and we hung out with the neighborhood kids and his family dancing around and singing lady gaga songs. There's an 11 yr old boy and a 15yr old girl that live across the street that are AWESOME and so much fun to be around. Also Jacob speaks some portuguese so he helps translate.

I'm signing up for Capoeira classes!! A bunch of us are doing it, and there's a free place right down the street from my house. There's also a dance school by our office, so I might sign up for some samba or forró dances (Fortaleza partner dance) for after school. Everyone is so outgoing and eager to explore, which is AWESOME and all our families know each other so we're pretty much one big extended family. Tonight, the Fortaleza futbol team is playing like the best team in brazil, so we're gonna try to get tickets :-)

So far, so great :-)
Ok, love you guys and hopefully I'll have a number to send you soon.
Tchau!
Eín (my family can't really pronounce my name so this is what they call me)

Thank you, one and all, for your hard work, great ideas and laughter!  Hope to see you again...sans the projects!

Hope your day is a good one!