Happy Birthday Clare and Sean the Johnston!!!!

Hope you guys are enjoying (or did enjoy, Sean!) your birthday.....we've been thinking about you today.
Love, The Thornhills

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY CHAMBERS & COLLEEN COOKE!!!

Girls,
The Thornhills hope you have great birthday celebrations today (this week!) Update us on what you are doing!
Love,
Katie

Luke's Thinkin' Spot...

Salutations, my illustrious clan.

I believe there are a few places on Earth where Heaven is the ideal, and their residents actively try to create it. Zug is one of those places, where culture and civility is ostensible in everything they build...

I am staying with the Landtwings right now, and just returned from a tiny park just down the street from their house, where Luke would, as Karl says, "write letters to his family, drink a beer, and make his dreams."

Unfortunately I have not seen a single mountain in europe, as they are socked in by fog -- just another reason to visit again. But when I visited Luke's thinking spot, the sun broke through the clouds for the first time, and I got that feeling that we all have felt before -- his supernatural presence. I know Luke's spirit resides at that point, on a regular basis.

I miss you all, and look forward to telling you all about my adventures here.

Cheers Luke! Cheers Uncle Bill! May we keep them in our minds and hearts forever...

HAPPY GRADUATION COLIN!!!

Hope the weekend is all fun and games for you! Too cool that your hometown boys are coming to help you celebrate along with your parents.

Wow....that'll be 18 of 44 of the Roach Grandkids that will have graduated from college to date ....very impressive I'd say.

Hey when are we going to see baby Clara???

Jimmy, Shashee, BooBoo, Uncle Meezy--
Come on guys I want to see pics of baby Clara! Especially with Lucia and Clara together....I mean who's with me on this! It has been well over a week now. Get yo blog on....

HAPPY GRADUATION KEVIN!!!!

Hope it all goes well and you have lots of fun!!! Just found out from an email that your Mom sent (not particularly about your graduation) that this is the weekend. Glad you made it!
Love,
Your Godmother

WUT WUT Portland Timbers!!

I am very excited at the moment because I just discovered that my BF Miguelito is on youtube.com. WOAH! like a celebrity! He is currently pursuing his futbol carreer and had his third game last Saturday. He's seriously tearing it up, not to brag. The first game, he didn't play, boo. The second game, they put him in for the last 30 min of the game and he had an assist to a goal...the THIRD game, happened to be against the Seattle Sounders (who won the championship last season), he started, played the entire game...AND...SCORED! I've attached the youtube link for you all to witness the glorious goal yourselves and experience some of the madness that goes on in the cheering section at Portland's PGE Park.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYYfAd8EfvI

FYI, he has another game against the Seattle Flounders on May 10 here in Seattle. Get ready to see another @bleep$$ whooping. And if any of you are ever in Portland, let me or him know, and he can hook you up with some tickets. SO FUN!
~Kitty Cat

Hey guys... this is my first blog ever!! This is my THANKS to everyone who bought coffee from me for my trip to Washington DC. I went with my class on April 6th, after a little bit of trouble at the airport, and then spent six days in WA DC seeing the sights, meeting our senators, seeing Obama about 20 feet away.... (haha uncle ed!) and all that jazz. The group picture above is the 9 of us who went from my school.

THEN after a fun week in DC, Lib picked me up and we had a fun week together. We went to Philly for a few days, Annapolis for a day trip, then hung around Baltimore for the rest of the week until I came home on Thursday the 17th. We went to an Orioles game on Tuesday night, bought $8 seats and then somehow ended up sitting in the VERY FRONT ROW behind home plate from about the fourth inning on. Sneaky, sneaky :)

In other news, and I'm sure its no suprise to anyone, I have decided that come September, I will be a Zag. I'm glad to have that all decided, and I think I'll know just a few people on campus when I get there... :)

Okay thanks again to all! I can't wait to see you all again, until then I hope everything is great. If anyone wants to see the Chambers real soon, my graduation in on June 6th. :)

-Clare

Happy Birthday Tere & Jack Chambers!!!!!

Today is the big day for Tere Thornhill and for Jack Chambers! Tere is 48 today and Jack, I'm guessing is 20???

Hope you boys have good days today!


Love,
Katie

(Tere was a bit dismayed this morning to read that he shares a birthday with Michael Moore also!!)

Bush Flatscreen Rebate

All: I have not talked to my accountant yet about this, but here is the quandry: If you file your income tax late (as I always seem to do for 401k issues I have), then is it true that you will not be able to partake in the george bush 2100 dollar flat screen tax rebate? Somebody please advise as to whether we can still get the flatscreen rebate. Or if certain of us even qualify. I want another free flatscreen.

bpr

Great HBO Miniseries that all of you should watch

Hi All,
There is this great Miniseries on HBO right now that any of you who have access to should be watching! It is called JOHN ADAMS, and it is very well acted and extremely interesting. It is about the founding of our nation. I think it is 7 parts (about an hour or hour and a half each). It's On Demand on HBO and doesn't cost extra once you have access to HBO on your cable package. You can order it any time of day. We have seen the first 4 episodes and it is EXCELLENT! Let me know what you think about it. It's great / historical for kids too!
Here is the link online to preview it. Watch them in order if you can!

http://www.hbo.com/

Happy Birthday John! AND Happy Anniversary Mike & Nancy!

Long Rifle Lives

Happy 29th Birthday to Luke Michael Roach. Though no longer with us in body, his presence and Spirit remain ever more strongly in and through the Body of Christ.

I always like this day better than that other day we tend to remember him on. It is spring, it is joyful, and the spirit of Resurrection is in the air.

So today, in his memory, go climb a tree, pet your dog, ride your horse, comfort a friend, or toss a small child high into the air!

Viva Espiritu!

Baseball

hey all,

today we won our third baseball game of the season. so far we are 3-1, and 1-0 in league play. we beat columbia-burbank 7-6 in the first game. we then beat liberty christain 6-0. We lost to the defending oregon 4a state champion La Grande baseball team 13-9. Today we beat Mac-Hi, the milton-freewater school, 4-3 in the bottom of the 7th. I haven't played in any of the games because of my surgery, but in two weeks when I get back, Richie Westphal, one of my teammates, is going into surgery to get his shoulder repaired, so i will be playing left field for him on varsity. I'll be back and playing in the Tri-Cities Prep game. I can't wait.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAITLIN!!!!!

Hope it's Happy!!!!!

appendix

hi all,

just wanted to let you all know that i had my appendix removed late tuesday night. i had the pains since sunday, and the surgeon said that i should have come in earlier because i had one nasty appendix. it was huge and just about to burst. it was surrounded in puss. the time for the surgery was about 45 minutes, but since there was all of that puss they had to vacuum out, it took about an hour. i have been sore for a couple days and will be for the next week or so. i cant play baseball for 2 weeks, and dont go back to school until tuesday. i hope to see you all this easter weekend!


shane

PANAMA~~~~2008!

Hello ALL!







I know, I know, I am seriously the lamest blogger these days! But don't worry, I am finally here to post a few pics and explain the happenins.




About a week after we returned to normalcy from Korea (comsimidad!), Miguel's Mama called him and said that she will be attending some military thing in WA DC with Papa, and was going to go to Panama while over on this part of the world. Geesh, we freaked out a little of excitement, and then realized the reality of us being able to go after just getting back from a big vaca was probably slim. Plus, tickets were a little spendy. Will Ch. and I had been discussing because he's going there in just a few weeks, and about a week before Miguel and my unplanned trip to Panama, Will called telling us that tickets had in fact DROPPED $100! We looked and bought immediately, deciding that it was meant to be. And we are so happy we made it happen! We arrived on the evening of Feb 3, and might I add that the flight from Houston to Panama was absolutely BREATHTAKING! We could see practically all of central america on the way and blue/green/purple waters! Anyways, I have posted some pics of the trip below with captians to let you know what we did while there:

1. This is the first night right after we arrived. Ate the biggest plate of seafood I've ever seen! And pina coladas of course!
















2. This is Taboga. Its an island right off Panama City, about 40 minutes by boat. When we were there, it was summer break, and many of his uncles and aunts rented out places for the week! WOO!














3. This dressed up Queen is Miguel's cousin. She was nominated to be the queen of the year of the island of Taboga. She was gorgeous, but looked so uncomfy in that outfit! Look at all the peeps celebrating Carnival!















4. This is a photo of Migs and four of his primos (cousins). All of these boys were born in 1984! They are called "the cuatro" by the Vasquez family! haha! (Guije, Ricky, Miguel, Popo)















5. Night at the discotec. All but the girl in blue are his primos and prima. Reggeton music is da BOMB! (Popo, not related, Gabriella, Ricky, Migs)

6. Miguel went deep sea fishing with his tio (uncle), and primo Popo. Look at what he caught!















7. This is in a different part of the country at another Carnival celebration. All these people are wearing traditional Panamanian dresses. They cost at least $800 and can be well into the thousands. Hand embroidered. WOW.














8. this is my gorgeous rocking chair that I was unable to bring back to the US. It's a long story, but hopefully Will Ch. will bring it with him when he goes in a couple weeks!





9. CUTE little kids that we found around a little neighborhood we stayed at in the countryside (slept under mosquito nets and saw a huge mother of a cockroach! Was a lot like camping!). The girl on the left kept calling her sister (not pictured) a "dodo head" in spanish. Miguel couldn't stop laughing! haha! (PS: notice the ashes...it was Ash Wed!)







10. Panama Canal. Have tons more pictures of this if you want to see more. So awesome, and such a great engineering feat!





















11. Una nena (girl) in the traditional dresswear. I could have gobbled her up.

12. Me and Gabi gettin our groove thang on!









That pretty much sums it up!












We are planning on going again next year around the same time. You all should consider it! Paz.

Latest Big News in Spokanistan

I thought that everyone would be interested in what The Spitz is thinking so here his recent letter.
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

March 17, 2008



Dear Members of the Gonzaga Community:



After 10 years as president of Gonzaga University , I believe the time has come to initiate a process of transition in the office of president. Therefore, with profound respect for and gratitude to the Board of Trustees, I have informed them of my intention to work with them over the next 16 months to implement a transition by July 2009. The University has made considerable progress during these years and now enjoys a foundation which will catalyze even further progress.



I believe that transitions are best made during times of real advance rather than in times of crisis or neutrality. As I reflected on the past 10 years and took note of the progress that has been made in our academic programs, Jesuit and Catholic mission programs, enrollments, facilities, fundraising, athletic programs, academic reputation, and financial strength, it became apparent to me that this is an ideal time for a new leader with innovative ideas and fresh energy to invigorate the vision in our new Strategic Plan and move Gonzaga to “the next level.” A transition would also allow me some additional time to develop two national institutes and to promote three books which have been accepted for publication. I will be discerning with my Provincial in the upcoming 16 months how to pursue these projects while continuing the relationships that have been so central to my Gonzaga experience.



When I came to Gonzaga in 1998, we were experiencing financial difficulties and were in the midst of a rather arduous budget reallocation process. I, the Board, and the Cabinet responded with a vision entitled “Momentum 2007,” which we believed would respond to those difficulties. It included (1) a significant increase in enrollment, (2) a $150 million Capital Campaign, (3) a significant increase in our merit-based and need-based financial aid, (4) a process to restore our financial stability (including paying down of our internal debt, and increasing our reserves), (5) measures to assure fairness and quality for our personnel (including a plan to fully fund our salary survey adjustments and a plan to increase faculty development funds and sabbaticals), (6) measures to increase the quality and quantity of our academic programs, (7) increased support of our five mission areas of faith, service, justice, ethics, and leadership, (8) an ambitious facilities plan (including new facilities for law, business, science, engineering, theatre arts, basketball, student fitness, student activities, and residence life), (9) increased resources for our athletic and extracurricular programs, and (10) increased resources for our marketing programs. We believed that these 10 steps would produce a cycle which would repeat itself every two years resulting in continuous improvement of our academic and mission quality. Thanks to our tremendous Gonzaga team, all 10 of these steps were successfully initiated and have run their course of significant amplification. In view of this, we needed a new Strategic Plan to bring our unique Gonzaga education to the next level.



The community then created a Vision Statement for the University (with dynamic definitions of “Jesuit,” “Catholic,” and “humanistic”), formulated seven major goals for our new Strategic Plan, “Vision 2012,” and is now in the process of creating an operational plan to carry this vision forward through the next seven years and beyond. The community then engaged in a productive process to create a funding mechanism to animate this new Strategic Plan. This funding mechanism will ensure that our new Strategic Plan will be optimally fulfilled.



This forward-looking vision assures that the next president will be able to work with the Board and our community to make Gonzaga one of the very best universities of its kind in the nation. In light of this, I can honestly say that my personal goals have been met and that the University’s future will not only be secure, but also significantly improved. As I noted above, I cannot think of a better time to make a transition.



The Board of Trustees will appoint a search committee to include trustees, faculty, administrators, and Jesuits. A targeted search, to identify qualified candidates, will begin within the next month. I believe there are many excellent Jesuit candidates for our next president who can bring new creativity and vigor to our educational enterprise. We will be searching for a dynamic individual who is committed to our mission and improving our academic quality. Given our current momentum, Gonzaga should attract the very best candidates.



I would like to personally thank the Board of Trustees who have not only made extraordinary contributions to the University with wisdom, leadership, financial resources, time and sacrifice, but who have also become my dear colleagues and friends. I would like to express in the same breath my sincere gratitude to the members of the Cabinet whose remarkable professionalism and leadership have transformed my entrepreneurial schemes into a dynamic reality. I would like to thank members of the Jesuit Community, our Board of Regents, and our many benefactors and friends, who are so central to our Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic, and academic mission and who have given me such great support. I am deeply grateful to our academic leadership, faculty, administration, and staff who have made huge sacrifices which allowed Gonzaga to move from a place of financial hardship to one of the most unique and dynamic educational communities in the nation. Finally, and by no means least, I want to thank our beloved students who have not only been a tremendous personal support, but also a beacon of service and faith to reflect a heart of love to our community and the world. They have been a tremendous source of delight and fulfillment to me.



It has been a real privilege to work with all of you, and more importantly, to share in the faith, hope, friendship, and love that you aspire to bring to one another and to the world. I think we can together enjoy the accomplishments of the past and look forward to remarkable opportunities in the future. Please be assured of my prayers for all of you as we move into the transition process which anticipates even greater blessings than the ones we have already experienced.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Spitzer, S.J.

Chasing down the Pura Vida

Hey ya'll --

Just got back from a phenomenal vacation with five dent school buddies to Costa Rica. I was there in August, but this trip was unparalleled. We saw spewing volcanoes and mountains, Tortoises and Manta Rays, pellicans, toucans and birds of prey, a family of monkeys and a waddle of wombats(?).

I drove a little Suzuki Sidekick from San Jose to Arenal, and from there around Lake Arenal to the Nicoya Peninsula, where we explored the Pacific beaches from Tamarindo. Here are a few pictures that will speak volumes about Costa Rica's natural beauty.

Desales Baseball 2008

Exactly one month after the last post. awesome. ok, i just wanted to let you all know about how my baseball team (Desales) is doing. We had our first game today at home against Columbia-Burbank as a non-league game since they are 1A. We won 7-6 and our coach (the notorious Kim Cox) was pleased. We didn't go to state last year for the first time in 15 years which is disappointing. I think that this year we will be okay, and probably win the league title, and maybe even go to state if our pitchers stay healthy and arms don't get sore. Tri-Cities Prep may be able to give us a run for our money if they have a good team, but don't get your hopes up...i doubt you will. good luck to all with spring sports!

shane