The Natatorium #BoiseCity #IlovetheNat

Have I told you today yet how much I love the Natatorium?

I got a date (but not that kind, Dad)! #totaleciplse2017 #internatiinalteaching

I have been waiting since the beginning of February for this....a date that I will be leaving the States and moving to Abu Dhabi!

WOOHOO!!

Not only do I know the date, August 26th-ish, but that date is AFTER THE total solar eclipse on August 21st. This means I will get to see it from not only the US, which is the only place it will be able to be seen in its totality, but from Idaho, which is in the direct path of the eclipse!!!

Happy 4th of July! @CityofUPTX @HP_Texas #4thofJuly #Family

Happy 4th of July!!  

I am in Dallas visiting family, and my uncle and I today went to watch the 4th of July parade in the Park Cities in Dallas. This was no regular "community" parade. It was over an hour long and along with the regular fire trucks, police cars and motorcycles included 2 bands, floats, classic cars, horses and 2 stagecoaches.

The weather was incredible, too. There was a massive thunderstorm last night which seemed to cool things off this morning. It was so good, it felt like winter in Texas! The air was cool [for Texas in July] and there was a lovely breeze.

Finally, there was candy. Candy, candy everywhere, being thrown at us by enthusiastic teenagers. Who doesn't like free candy thrown at you from strangers?

I hope everyone had just as enjoyable a 4th of July! Here are some of the highlights of the parade.

Great seats in the shade

The Liberty bell + the 10 Commandments. Not sure what to make of this...

One of the riders is the sheriff (not the kid in the center)

A "real" float.

Classic fire truck

The extermination industry was well represented.

The Dallas Polo Club.

None of us were sure who these people were, but they looked good!

This was a flatbed full of "Elvis's", or "Elvi" according to the sign.

Basic patriotic float, completed with a backwards flag and a Statue of Liberty!

My first #LongLayover in #Toronto

I had an 8 hour layover in Toronto today between Prague and Dallas. I have never had such a layover before--just long enough to go into the city but not long enough to stay the night. After a little investigating I discovered that you can take a 25 minute express train into the city center for $12. Then I stumbled upon a "Long Layover" ticket that is round trip within 8 hours.So after clearing customs, into town I went for an afternoon adventure. 

First I discovered it's Canada Day, and a special one: Canada is 150 today!

I headed straight for the CN Tower, which was a well-labelled and super easy walk from the Union Pacific train station. 

This is on the side of the Toronto Blue Jays building.

After about an hour, I made it to the elevator.
Spectacular views from up there...

 A storm blew in while I was at the top...

...

So I decided to have lunch to pass the time!

Standing on the glass floor...yikes

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada is right next door. It was really amazing! Unlike the CN Tower, I thought this admission price was well worth the visit, even with the massive crowds in there. I didn't take many pictures but there was a lot to see. 

My favorite was the jelly fish room!

There was no way to forget it was Canada Day today!