Touching the pole`

Running was a great time of mental gymnastics for me. If I could run 400 meters in 2 minutes, how long would it take to run 3.5 miles... But what if the 400 meters was uphill, and the half way time was 25 minutes. What was the time to beat...


Some truths prove themselves. Going "out" always is much longer than "coming back." A Distance will also seem shorter the more often you repeat it. Familiarity is a runners friend.

Now Sabrina has been gone for 150 days, and has 150 to go. To non-runners you would think this is half way. I propose that Sabrina has endured all of the hardest parts (except leaving) and not has 150 days of dessert in front of her.

Never again will Sabrina be a non-Spanish speaker. Never again will Sabrina be without a friend in Ecuador. Now Sabrina knows her school, and knows how fast 150 days goes by.


I booked our flight to go visit her. We will be landing in Guayaquil at 5PM on her 18th Birthday.


BTW: I am have passed the half way mark too. I am really looking forward to having my Beenie within hugging distance.

Estefania's Video

Sabrinas first contact in Ecuador came from Estefania (Nia). Nia is Sabrina's host sister and she was also a previous exchange student who spent a school year in Minnesota.

For me this has been a real comfort. First of all Nia speaks perfect English, so when I call the Lieva family and she answers she is always great at reassuring me that Sabrina is well. Nia has also shown how compassionate she is to Sabrina's distance from home.

The latest really thoughful gesture came when she made this video on New Years Eve. It was great to open my email and have it waiting.

Life is Good today!