March Warming

Did I say I would be back soon? It is relatively soon, compared to my previous blog returns.

I am doing well, starting to enjoy the outdoors more. Today temperatures got into the lower 50s, but don't be fooled. Telluride has had plenty of cold weather and snow lately. It looks like those conditions won't happen for at least a few days, though.

In other news, middle school basketball season ended with Telluride losing to the team that won the district tournament. Everyone on the team showed improvement, and we won our share of games. Now it's time to get ready for college basketball tournament action. Pretty soon I'll be making my picks for the Final Four. March Madness begins shortly...if it hasn't already!

I am also doing some writing for the local magazine TellurideStyle, including profiles of educators and a couple of longer feature stories, with education as the theme. The magazine comes out twice a year, and I enjoy reading it, so I'm glad to be writing for it. I continue to write and take photos for The Telluride Watch, mostly for the sports section.

I shouldn't take too long a break from working, at least not during the workweek, but there's an update for all of you curious readers.

Two-year Anniversary

I've been doing a lot of writing lately, though not much of it has been on here. I also started coaching middle school boys' basketball, and that's also been interesting and fun. Since I missed it again, I'll say now, Happy Belated 2nd Birthday, blog!

I see there are some new features on blogger. Maybe that will entice me to write more often.

Since I last wrote, I have gotten on my skis a few times and am starting to feel pretty comfortable on them. I'm getting some good pointers from my friend Brian, who also works at The Telluride Watch. Tomorrow there will be no skiing for me, as I'll be coaching basketball and reporting on it (high school).

I plan to update more soon on what else I've been doing and on what's going on in the world. Until soon, hopefully.

Telluride Greetings

The newspaper has kept me pretty busy, but I did get a break for a few days, right after Thanksgiving, to go to New York City to attend a wedding of a couple of dear college friends and to reunite with other friends and my cousin, Chiara. I enjoyed my trip very much. I also got to see what a change it is to go from walking around in a city packed with people and lights one day to enjoying the peace and quiet of the small town of Telluride.

I have gotten lots of different, interesting writing assignments in Telluride and have been getting a great education here, including through mistakes I've made. Today has been full of snow, and probably in the next few days I'll get my skis out for a run on the slopes. I may take a lesson, too. I've made some friends here and hope things continue to go well. I am sure I have plenty more challenges and rewarding experiences to look forward to.

New Life in Colorado

My, it has been a while since I've blogged. I have moved to the small town of Telluride, Colorado, in the southwest part of the state, and I'm a reporter for the newspaper The Telluride Watch (www.telluridewatch.com). I have been meaning to keep more of a journal on my own, to do some writing outside of the newspaper, so expect more updates soon. Snow is on the ground, the mountains are gorgeous, the people are friendly, and the food is pretty good here, too. I'd love to hear more about how others are doing.

About to go to China

Hi, there. Long time no post (that's what the Chinese would say, anyway). I want to update some more on my post-graduation travels, which will last another two and a half weeks, as I travel to the land of Mao. Right now I'm in Oregon, in Corvallis, home of Oregon State and my sister and her husband and two kids. I'll keep a written journal of continued travels -- I head for Asia next Wednesday -- and will post here when I get the opportunity and motivation. How is everybody doing? Post a comment or send me an e-mail (jschwabby@gmail.com), please, especially if you want to hear of my travels and help me out with my job search. Cheers!

My Favorite Month? I Don't Know, But The Madness Begins

There are many who say March is their favorite month of the year. Don't be surprised if a majority of those many are college basketball fans, putting their money (as I have) on who they think will win and who will be the Final Four teams left standing.

Don't get me wrong, I love March. But my favorite month? I can't deny January is a favorite of mine, as both mine and my dad's birthday fall then, and I've often had a great time on New Year's also. What about February? Valentine's Day is decent and even lovely sometimes, but Black History Month is what it's all about. My brother Jeffrey and I declared it as our month a few years back, and I miss those trips to the truck stop in Rockbridge County, Virginia on Black History Month eve (Jan. 31). March is windy but usually warmer, with excitement in the sports world heating up. For me, it's been when I've had my spring break for six of the past seven years. April is when the NBA playoffs start, so I'm excited for that, a good balance if I'm nervous about finals in school. May has been a glorious month lately; for the past two years I've started internships, taken scenic trips, and celebrated the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo. Mother's Day is sweet also. June Mother's Day's husband's day, or mother's day's son's father's day, or Father's Day (sorry to get carried away, but I'm ending here). It was also the month when school used to end for me and summer began, and it was about 13 or 14 years ago when Jeffrey, my dad, and I decided to create a holiday called Son's Day. I'm not sure when Daughter's Day is, but I'll think about that one, too, especially if I have a daughter.

July through December can wait until the next post. In the meantime, I picked these four teams to make the Final Four in Division I men's basketball: Duke, UCLA, UConn, and Boston College, with Duke beating Boston College in the final. Prove me wrong, or give me money. Peace.

New Magazine, Made in Part By Yours Truly

You should check out my capstone class's new magazine, www.theoysteronline.com. It's called "The Oyster," and it's subhead is going to be something like "...because the world was yours."