Excited to have "Teatro a Mil" in Concepcion this coming month. Boys will attend their third Children's Theater production. "Bodies: The Exposition" is also coming to town. And, to top it all off, they just announced at the YMCA that they will be having Winter Break Camp for our vacation in July. I am one happy momma and excited to share my love for theater with the boys; lapping up all the culture a city of 500,000 has to offer before heading back to a population of 50,000 in Georgetown, Texas

Gira teatro a mil: Movistar y Fitam llevan lo mejor de las tablas a Concepción | FITAM - Fundación Teatro a Mil

Gira teatro a mil: Movistar y Fitam llevan lo mejor de las tablas a Concepción | FITAM - Fundación Teatro a Mil

In light of today's historic Supreme Court Decision, thought this information was interesting:

Chile (which also by the way has 6 months post-natal leave)

The Chilean constitution guarantees rights to health protection.

Chileans can opt for public care or get coverage from private health insurance companies. Wealthier citizens can buy insurance from the Instituciones de Salud Previsional or obtain coverage through their employer. A 7% income tax funds the public health care system, the Fondo Nacional de Salud, according to an analysis of health care reform in Chile.

Public care includes free medical, dental and midwifery services, which are run locally. Private insurance tends to focus on specialist treatment.

The existence of both public-private insurance has created inequities of care, prompting reform efforts in 2000 to increase equality across the country.

Chile has guaranteed universal access to quality treatment for some conditions including certain cancers, HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, depression and dental care, which has improved care for the poor, according to the WHO.

3:30 wake up call, rough drive-up (and a little car sickness), followed by breakfast at 13008 feet (and 1 degree F temperature) all in order to witness the sunrise over a geyser field.  It was pretty amazing, despite the sacrifices. Boys did great! Tj even swam with Dad in the hot springs. We walked in the desert on the back way down to San Pedro. What a day of sharp and stark contrasts. The afternoon was followed by a bike ride/ run (air felt so much thicker here) and early bed time. Return to reality tomorrow. We head back to Concepcion, Dave heads back to Texas. I am amazed by what the boys are learning about geology (a mix of Spanish and English) and how friendly they are to Chileans and tourists alike. Neither one of them is scared to say: Hola. Buenos dias! I think the lesson of "es necesario siempre saludar" has finally sunk in.

We had a easy morning (bike ride around town while I hit the museum), followed by tour of Valle de la Muerte (dunes) and Valle de la Lune (sunset). Cole said: "That has been the funnest so far (as he ran down the sand dune). We head out early (4am..gasp) to the gysers tomorrow morning.

Okay..I am finally on vacation (before finals next week!) Letting loose. It has been a haul at times but Chile is just amazing.

Flamingos at San Pedro de Atacama Salares

Primer dia en San Pedro de Atacama.  Trip to Atacama Salares (third largest after Bolivia and Salt Lake City). 4300 meters took some getting used to. Utah can't really compare to these volcanoes, blue/ green lagoons, and pink flamingos.

Inside La Moneda: Palacio Cultural. Conference was good, contacts were great, heading on vacation even better!

Arrived to Santiago fine. First three days away from boys in 6 months! Presenting tomorrow at the Moneda. Slightly nervous. . .a estas alturas de mi profesion, es patetica.

Tj's assimilation into school, as witnessed by his happy boogie performance below, is not to be outdone by his brother's recess joy. These boys have done great down here. Quite a testament how friendly kids are. (and those are "delantales" they must wear over their uniform. Quite handy when you don't have a drier!!!

I have noticed a trend that I am only posting photos on weekends! Could be a sign of the times...crazy busy. I have one more presentation on Tuesday this week at La Moneda!! Boys are playing basketball at school and the Y, tennis, and taking piano. Dave is here to cover while I am in Santiago, then we get to go on a long awaited trip of mine to San Pedro de Atacama. It will be a welcome vacation. Here are some pics of Tj's Father's Day Celebration at school! Growing up:)

3ra fiesta de cumpleanos para TJ. I will have a cake complex when I made the next birthday cake.

Here we go again. This will be two out of three this month, the last taking place next week in Santiago. Add on another trip to Santiago to help Fulbright Chile select their scholars, and yet another trip to attend a 4th of July party at the US embassy, I think I just might collapse when we board the plane in August to return home. . .