Life is always changing around. A lot of great and wonderful things have been happening lately. The biggest being the fact that it has been roughly 2 weeks and I've felt consistently good and generally happy. Sure, there's been the ups and the downs, a bit of hard news, some crappy parent drama, but it has only affected as much as it should. I'm quite happy about this. Dealing with things as they come up, but not letting them dig away at me and seeing them as new opportunities.
I've enrolled for school for the spring semester. I had a seriously think through with myself and decided that I was going to classes at a college and not online. I'm quite satisfied with this decision and I'm seeing the doors it's opening for me. I have the opportunity to finish my horticulture degree as well as pursue the Natural Resources degree I'm wanting to. I can also do it without tossing myself into horrible horrible debt too.
I've made all kinds of decisions and changes these last few months. Money has been tight, very tight, but it's by choice. I'm tossing it into paying off the debts incurred during my time being unemployed. As soon as that is done, which should be mid January, I'll be tossing it into savings. I need to get a car of my own (i.e. a jeep like the one I have, sans about 50,000 miles) and I need to start tossing every penny into paying off my college debt. I've trimmed expenses....the latest being cutting down my cell phone to just voice...as I'm finding that I don't need to be so attached to technology and my phone never works anyway.
I'm also looking into future career opportunities. Park Service has programs for students working their way towards their BS and Masters that places them in the field with salary, benefits, and retirement. I'm seeking out some of these opportunities most certainly!
I've been making a lot of personal changes too. I'm finding myself more satisfied with myself and I feel good. I think I'm finding my wings. There's a long way to go, certainly a lot of trials and tribulations, but I say: Bring it on.
Work is filling me with stuff to do. I have a birdwatching special project that will involve updating the list of native and migratory bird species in the woods. I get to partner with the audubon society and find out how they work. We're ever expanding and evolving our school program. It's time for it to get the TLC it needs, which involves jumping and really working hard to bring it up to the standards of my supervisor's supervisor. Also, I love it and want to see the program be even more successful for the students. I also get a chance to be crafty for our Solstice Celebration, and December brings me a retreat with all of my fellow interns and ed. rangers at the Monteray Bay Aquarium. I've heard it's mind blowing, so I'm totally stoked!
I've definitely been doing about 100 MPH with all the stuff that's been put in front of me. Today, I'm taking some time to go through and sort out what and when things are going to happen. I'm looking forward to the turn of the year and the chance to be back in MN for a bit. I appreciate this sunny and 60s deal, but I am also ever grateful for a chance to maybe see some snow or frost to make it feel like winter. My internal calendar is still thinking it's September or October.
Be Well
- Mood:
happy
( read this cut to truly understand where the bold you see has come from )
But for now, I want you to know that what you did for me, I noticed it, I appreciated it, and I'm so sorry it has taken until now to be able to feel the full value of it. You matter to me so much and your thoughts, actions, kindness, and love was never unnoticed. I'm sorry for any hurt or uncertainty I caused. I will love you all always. Life may take us different places, relationships may be severed beyond repair, but when I think of you, yes you I now have the ability to look back and see that what you did for me was love me the way I was wanting so badly. Thank you, from my entire heart.
And Gilbert...who, instead of just showing pictures of African tribal masks or told us about foods...had us make a replica and figure out how to cook the various things.
They were both pretty innovative when I had them...almost 8 years ago...and now
It's no surprise that they were featured on the news when they went to climb a mountain
and something else pretty cool: Trip Details
So...if you know the Hamster on a Piano...you will greatly appreciate this...maybe...or you may be disturbed to discover that...there are songs like...Weiner dog on a skateboard...
go here: parrygripp.com/
my genius roommate spilled crap in the oven and didn't clean it...fast forward to me preheating to bake cookies...oven starts on fire. Really? ...ugh.
*think of something positive* *think of something positive*
I'm not making violins...I'm not driving to Red Wing...I'm not having to wait to see my home 'til 9 Pm tonight.
All good and happy positives....it's Christmas...that's good too.
Aforementioned things...still make today kind of sucky.
Me: 1644
Isaiah: what year did he die
Me: 1737
Isaiah: oh...fuck, I can't even remember my sister's birthday.
Scott: What did you put for the brothers that studied under Vuillame?
Me: umm...the Dodd's
Scott: they were English
Me: well, some of the english went to france
Scott: I left it blank, I almost put Larry, Mo, and Curly or Huey, Dewey, and Louis...those are french names, right?
Matthew: My biggest question about the test was...did she really expect us to know this? I took diligent notes even
Why? Cuz people I consider two of my bestest friends are getting married.
Congrats to
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
wylderwolf and denimgoddess Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!
- Mood: ecstatic
So...I'm working on a cello in class...we're making nuts for them. It has a silly name...so i decided to make a photo thingy on the stages of making a new nut for Pookie the cello. Then Pookie will be able to have strings...
Also: Mission Violin has some cool updates :-)
( All about making a nut for Pookie. )
Pardon my randomness...
So...a shameless plug to show off more progress on my violin. Although, I'm entirely and totally and incredibly excited to show off how it is that you clamp linings...because i think it's kind of cool.
Mission Violin
That's where you can find picturey stuffs. :-)
In other news...the weekend is sadly at it's end...it snowed today, and as a result (after having to run around to find class supplies), I decided it was a good day to finish off heroes. One episode and 15 mins. of another left. :-) Yay!!!
Taken like 15 mins. ago...she was being uber adorable. :-)
And I didn't even have a formal eval!! *SQUEEE!!!!*
- Mood:
cheerful
ACK! either that or I really am sick, but I refuse to believe the former...so...allergies I blame...cuz well, until tonight...I've had the same symptoms for 9 days. Tonight...I just happened to be extra warm...but...Merlin's is always warm. There was the space factor too...
but...well, I'm always spacey after having a full day. night...i guess the one coke kicked in...or maybe the pizza woke me up. man...free pizza...that was awesome and I *HATE* pepperoni....but that was good
- Mood:
sleepy
Going to go see Cats tomorrow at the Maplewood Community Center as a part of the Heritage theater.
Way excited...I found out that one of the cast is an ex boyfriend of a friend of mine. I swore I recognized his name...and I found out it was him. Crazy!
I believe it starts at 7:30 pm...
anyone going, besides
wylderwolf[Unknown LJ tag]Tonight was the night of Ms. Manuel's memorial. It was just odd...going back to my high school...a new indoor ice rink where people used to park in order to avoid paying for the pass, stop lights where the dreaded four way was...
And then seeing all the people I knew...people who graduated when I was still young...people who graduated the year after me...people I knew who were in high school...all there for Ms. Manuel. We watched the channel five news video of when we had a pep rally in honor of her return after going into remission. The following school year...I had her as a teacher. I've recounted the story of how she made me throw up and faint...by describing a wound she had in great detail.
I got a picture of her...on the back it says: "so much of me is made of what I learned from you, you'll stay with me like a handprint on my heart.
How she encouraged me...etc. That's who she was...amazing woman...amazing. And those of you who know me...know I often say "live in the moment" ...my phone tells me this whenever i turn it on. Live in the moment...I wish I could tell you how many times I heard this phrase today...but I couldn't because they quoted her on it so many times.
This week also happens to be Calling All Angels Week... Information here I am going to try to gather a few people together and have a little gathering of my own. A few people at a restaurant for dinner Sunday evening...maybe only women can get ovarian cancer, but men can support too. Also, Relay for Life is coming up too.
And...one teacher read a poem that she read...I can hear her voice still...as she read it outloud to us once too.
SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Do you run through each day
On the fly?
When you ask "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
Running through your head?
You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
Ever told your child,
We'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste,
Not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
To call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down.
Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away.
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
Live in the moment...Don't take for granted what you have. Embrace what there is of life and go...no matter where you are at. My teacher...wrote a poem during the ceremony.
Something about love is a caring heart, a hug, a laugh and the last line...will stick out: "Love is only for those who dare" ...She dared...and loved everyone. We should not only love...during the times that remind us to the most, but always...even when those times that bring us to bond have healed, are fading away...
R.I.P. Connie Manuel
March 12, 1957-April 16, 2008
She was one of the most inspiring teachers I've ever had...she pulled me aside once and told me..."you have a talent for this...and other things...go for it" ...that was definitely a turning point at that time in my life.
Connie Manuel
More stories here and here or here
There may even be a video archived on channel five from the pep rally we had for her when she returned in 2004 from 9 months of fighting cancer. Only a month or so ago...she stepped away from teaching...never expected it. She fought well for 4 1/2 years.
short article...here
It's my weekly...well, bi-weekly visit to the pub to see Misplaced, socialize, eat, socialize...oh and did I mention listen to music???
So...go visit the pub... :-)
Tomorrow...friday...band starts at 8.
- Mood: excited
I will have made the most amazing cookies EVER!! ...
did anyone ever mention to you that I love shamrocks??? or would obsessed with shamrocks fit better? that and a certain celtic knot.
Anyways...
I am making green chocolate chip cookies...it gets better...
they are shamrock shaped green chocolate chip cookies...if they bake right of course.
*crosses fingers*
The Claddagh Irish pub in Maple Grove! I'll be getting there around 5:30 PM to get a table...and Misplaced plays at 9 PM!
Syndicate
