Fantasy Football Champ!

Well, I did it.

I managed to not watch a single minute of NFL football, and still beat 7 others in fantasy football. While I chalk this up to beginner's luck (I didn't draft, the computer did), it's still thrilling to win. And as much as I hate to admit it, I did check progress of the final game of the night (Minnesota @ Carolina) to watch if the last player in the match-up (Adrian Peterson, RB, Minn.) could garner the 11+ points I needed him to win championship. And I was pretty nervous, as moments before FOX Sports updated me that Mr. Peterson had just caught a 63-yard pass, I typed, "so what did MIN do, pull their starters? all I need is for AP to get 8 yards," for all the league to see. The best part is I can laugh about it.

I owe thanks to James, Robel, and Colin, fellow alumni of Vanderbilt, for being in the league that kept me attached to America's favorite sport (baseball is still my past-time). Special thanks goes out to Robel for inspiring my team identity ("Robel = Detroit Lions of 2k9").

Fantasy Football

I got an email from a friend and former roommate in August asking if I'd be interested in fantasy football. While I love college football, the NFL has never been something that has interested me- there is way too much emphasis put onto it when there are so many other sporting events going on in the fall (like cross country!) Never the less, I joined, thinking it would be a good way to stay connected to James, Colin, and Robel while I spent a year abroad. I am happy to say, that today I am entering the playoffs as a number 1 seed, 4 games ahead of 2nd place, with an 11-2 record. This is completely unexpected, not just because I could care less about the NFL, but because I have seen a total of 35 minutes of football this year (split between 2 college football games) and 0 minutes of NFL. I've been away from all the ESPN Sports Center analysis; Fox, CBS, and NBC broadcasts; and newspapers which cover "American football".

With the playoffs starting, there is renewed pressure to figure out who to play. Luckily I found the the website helps with this (that could have been helpful in the previous 13 weeks), and I hope to make it to the championship game next week. I'll keep you posted.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

To quote Andy Williams, December is "the most wonderful time of the the year." Starting backwards, you have New Years Eve, proceeded by Christmas, Christmas Eve, my birthday*, the last day of Hanukkah*, and the first day of Hanukkah, all days that lead to general good cheer (*generally in that order). Well this year, we must tack on to the end of that list Feria de Quito, the 9-day festival celebrating the (re)founding of Quito on December 6, 1534.

The Feria de Quito, among other things, celebrates Quito's Spanish heritage, complete with a compliment of parades; chivas parties, occurring on large trucks with live music; and bull fights (more about that later). It's also a time to celebrate Ecuadorian culture, with local artisans touting panama hats and leather goods, available for sale in the markets and near the Plaza de Toros.

Another highlight of December is our Secret Snowflake. Similar to Secret Santa but with more irony (snowflakes in this equatorial sun?), we have all drawn names and sworn secrecy until the exchange Sunday. While a limit of $5 would stifle any gift attempts in the States, it has only spurred creativity, due to a penchant we all share for baked goods and the still-coolness of Ecuadorian markets. Shawn, Chet, and I all picked up our gifts Friday, leading to the most difficult part of me as I have to wait 6 more days to give my gift to a certain MPI hermano.

While I am not joining the seven other PDs going home for the holidays (the joys of a one-way ticket), I will have to opportunity to celebrate Christmas with my family here in Ecuador. This will be only the second time I'm not in Michigan to celebrate with extended family, and while I'll miss the snow and cold, I'm looking forward to showing off my new city to my mom, dad, and sister.

I hope to wish you and your family a wonderful December filled with family, friends, and, perhaps, a little reflection; after all, New Years resolutions are only a few weeks away (followed shortly there after by my second favorite month- February, when we break our New Years resolutions).

Besitos,
Mike

Song of the Post: "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams

A version of this post appears on Open Hands and Dirty Feet, the MPI Ecuador blog.