Yes, we are going to be hosting an exchange student for part of the upcoming school year. After a hiatus of about 16 months, we are once again opening the slanghome to Young Persons of Foreign Origin. This time, our guest will be a student rather than an au pair (of which we had numerous from over the previous 6 or 7 years). We haven't actually had an exchange student since Fernanda from Brazil stayed with us for the entire year way back in 2004. Since Fer, we've had aus pair from Brazil, Russia, Italy, Germany, and Colombia staying in our home.
This time, for the first time, we'll be hosting a boy. Spencer is pretty jazzed about that, and Mikaela is fine too. He goes by Brando, and in the grand American tradition, whenever I hear his name, I hear the Godfather saying, "I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse." I certainly hope our Brando doesn't have any connection with the Mafioso. It is difficult to run wearing concrete overshoes.
Regarding the cycling on the weekends, I pinched/tweaked/irritated something when I pulled a double header last week, running 10K in high heat, then hitting the yoga studio for a 2-hour session without proper hydration. The next day, my hammy wasn't complaining, it was screaming obscenities at me. One would think I would learn someday. Guess not. I must be too hard-headed. As a result, running has been a big zero since. Thankfully, I've been able to cycle and was able to put in 130 miles in the saddle Sun-Sat including a nice 39-mile out and back from home to Virginia City with over 3400' of climbing early Saturday, before the heat made it, um, uncomfortable?
I followed Saturday with Sunday (as do most people) and rode with Spencer through Diamond Valley. Who knew that it was the home of Snowshoe Thompson? I certainly didn't. If I was in a car, I'm sure I would have blazed right past the marker. Then again, if I was in a car, I don't think I'd be driving through Diamond Valley in the first place.