Retreat and White Sands

So last weekend we went on a retreat with BSC in Cloudcroft.  It was a wonderful break and very needed.  Cloudcroft is about 90 miles East of Las Cruces in the Mountains.  It is at about 8500 feet and therefore is quite different then here.  It was so nice to see trees, walk in the woods and escape into nature.  There are 18 of us volunteers and we all were staying in a VERY small (but nice) house that one of the board members...

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A Taste of Tuesday Night in Las Cruces

Every Tuesday night Tucker and I have a date night.  As you know we live in community and often are busy doing things with housemates, other BSC volunteers or work.  Because of this we have decided to have one night each week that is just the two of us.  We have had a really fun time hunting out fun yet cheap places to go, eat, and enjoy.  Here are some of our favorites. Getting Pho at Pho Saigon Surprisingly there is this great...

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Hiking Pictures - Part 2

So has most of you have probably realized one of our favorite weekend pastimes has been hiking the mountains surrounding Las Cruces.  It has become a Saturday ritual to sleep in and then take off for the Organs in the afternoon.  I think one of our favorite hikes so far is the Achenbach trial.  Tucker wrote an entry about it earlier without pictures.  It is an unmarked trail that his hidden at...

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Settling In and Slowing Down

The last few weeks at work have been an adjustment for me.  I am coming from a job and culture that values getting things done quickly and efficiently - and this is something I can do well.  But I have found that with moving quickly to achieve, I also have felt more pressure and stress at work and in my life.  Being me - I have fought these tendencies while living in Baltimore but was never able to truly escape the stress that seeped in from the fast pace of my life and work. With this background I entered my job here.  When I started I was given an idea of what they would...

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Impressions of the Border

The border region is very unique in that it incorporates both Mexico and The United States and also reflects something transcending both nations.  I'm not sure if that makes sense, but because of the fusion of cultures and the transit between the two countries, both sides of the border have become a culture of "mixture" - of division and inclusion.  Getting to know this region has been eye opening, interesting...

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El Paso

On Friday (9/21) we visited El Paso to participate in events, sponsored by UTEP, honoring the International Day of Peace. We started the day by watching the documentary, Which Way Home. We then attended a film preview and discussion exploring the violence in Ciudad Juarez. After that we helped with a public art project. Finally, we visited UTEP's Centennial museum. All in all, a great day. Below are some pictures. Taken near the UTEP campus,...

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