This pretty much sums up my winter term.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
School Update
I have gone crazy this winter term and have decided to enroll as a full time student, while also keeping my full time schedule at work. It’s overwhelming and exhausting, but I am anxious to get to the classes that actually apply to what my whole purpose of going to school is for. In the meantime, I’m still whittling away at the required general courses. I am taking Theatre Appreciation, which is an easy class, because we just get out and watch plays throughout the town, and that’s fun. I’m also taking Medieval History and another Calculus class. Just ONE more calculus course after this one and I’m DONE with math. Seriously. I should throw the world’s biggest party when that day comes.
Also, the time has come for me to decide on a major, because I am all ready to transfer to Oregon State University. I have looked into their Zoology program, and really think it will be perfect for me. I’m so excited for when we actually move to Corvallis and start taking classes at OSU, but in the meantime, I will be dual-enrolled at both PCC and OSU, and will be taking classes at PCC until the time when we actually move to Corvallis. That won’t happen until maybe 2009 – at this rate. BUT, it’s better late than never.
I have gone crazy this winter term and have decided to enroll as a full time student, while also keeping my full time schedule at work. It’s overwhelming and exhausting, but I am anxious to get to the classes that actually apply to what my whole purpose of going to school is for. In the meantime, I’m still whittling away at the required general courses. I am taking Theatre Appreciation, which is an easy class, because we just get out and watch plays throughout the town, and that’s fun. I’m also taking Medieval History and another Calculus class. Just ONE more calculus course after this one and I’m DONE with math. Seriously. I should throw the world’s biggest party when that day comes.
Also, the time has come for me to decide on a major, because I am all ready to transfer to Oregon State University. I have looked into their Zoology program, and really think it will be perfect for me. I’m so excited for when we actually move to Corvallis and start taking classes at OSU, but in the meantime, I will be dual-enrolled at both PCC and OSU, and will be taking classes at PCC until the time when we actually move to Corvallis. That won’t happen until maybe 2009 – at this rate. BUT, it’s better late than never.
As a side note:
On our return drive back to Oregon, we noticed an incredible number of barn owl carcasses on the side of the highway. In a stretch of about 8 miles, we counted over 30 carcasses! We were scratching our heads over it, and have been wondering why there are so many dead barn owls along that highway.
Barn owls hunt only at night, flying low to the ground, and often take advantage of the clear highways, like runways, to hunt for mice and other rodents without obstructions. However, many speeding cars travel those roads, and the barn owls eventually get hit. Apparently, this is a problem that has been increasing over the past few years.
Professor James Belthoff of the Boise State University in Idaho has been conducting a study over past four years about the increasing mortality of barn owls that are hit on the highway, particularly along I-84, just east of the Idaho border. He should be releasing his study later this year, and I am anxious to see what the solutions are. I googled for a story on this and found, among several newspaper articles, an actual news clip on the topic. You can watch it here.
On our return drive back to Oregon, we noticed an incredible number of barn owl carcasses on the side of the highway. In a stretch of about 8 miles, we counted over 30 carcasses! We were scratching our heads over it, and have been wondering why there are so many dead barn owls along that highway.
Barn owls hunt only at night, flying low to the ground, and often take advantage of the clear highways, like runways, to hunt for mice and other rodents without obstructions. However, many speeding cars travel those roads, and the barn owls eventually get hit. Apparently, this is a problem that has been increasing over the past few years.
Professor James Belthoff of the Boise State University in Idaho has been conducting a study over past four years about the increasing mortality of barn owls that are hit on the highway, particularly along I-84, just east of the Idaho border. He should be releasing his study later this year, and I am anxious to see what the solutions are. I googled for a story on this and found, among several newspaper articles, an actual news clip on the topic. You can watch it here.
I know it has been a LONG time since I posted anything substantial here. It has been a very busy few months for Keith and me.
In December, Keith and I drove to Utah for Christmas. We usually fly for the holiday, but our fabulous little Prius encouraged us to brave the weather and just drive the 12-hour trip for the first time in winter. The roads were fine for us, and we had a good visit. I have to admit, though, that the trip was a bit sad. Bittersweet, I guess I could say, what with all the changes that have been happening in my family, and also because my sisters Natalie and Emily were not there this year. I managed to cry so much during my visit in SLC, that I actually gave myself a sty by the end of the week!
We said good bye our little friend Ghost the Thursday after Christmas. I took her into the vet and stayed with her as she passed. It was very difficult to let her go, but she was very ill. I got the impression that she knew what was happening, but was alright with it. She purred and purred until her last breath, that sweet little thing. She lived a long and happy life. She was super spoiled in her final days, because we fed her albacore tuna and caviar in a crystal dish. I’m sure she’s enjoying albacore tuna and caviar in kitty paradise right now.
Not as many people showed up for our annual family reunion, which was too bad. But we still sang the “Hallelujah Chorus,” swapped silly and white elephant gifts and grazed on the always nutrient-deficient pot luck food. Yay! There are always potato chips and white rolls for the vegetarians! Ha ha! I shouldn’t complain, though, I admit. I never bring anything to contribute to the pot luck.
So that was our Christmas run down. Keith and I both caught the flu bug in Utah and brought it back home with us, so we were laid up for New Years Eve. But we still partied as much as we could, despite our sorry condition. I had a shot of DayQuil and followed it with a shot of NyQuil. Wooohooo! I know, I know… one must never mix his or her ‘Quils… but, hey, it was New Years! I had to let loose!
In December, Keith and I drove to Utah for Christmas. We usually fly for the holiday, but our fabulous little Prius encouraged us to brave the weather and just drive the 12-hour trip for the first time in winter. The roads were fine for us, and we had a good visit. I have to admit, though, that the trip was a bit sad. Bittersweet, I guess I could say, what with all the changes that have been happening in my family, and also because my sisters Natalie and Emily were not there this year. I managed to cry so much during my visit in SLC, that I actually gave myself a sty by the end of the week!
We said good bye our little friend Ghost the Thursday after Christmas. I took her into the vet and stayed with her as she passed. It was very difficult to let her go, but she was very ill. I got the impression that she knew what was happening, but was alright with it. She purred and purred until her last breath, that sweet little thing. She lived a long and happy life. She was super spoiled in her final days, because we fed her albacore tuna and caviar in a crystal dish. I’m sure she’s enjoying albacore tuna and caviar in kitty paradise right now.
Not as many people showed up for our annual family reunion, which was too bad. But we still sang the “Hallelujah Chorus,” swapped silly and white elephant gifts and grazed on the always nutrient-deficient pot luck food. Yay! There are always potato chips and white rolls for the vegetarians! Ha ha! I shouldn’t complain, though, I admit. I never bring anything to contribute to the pot luck.
So that was our Christmas run down. Keith and I both caught the flu bug in Utah and brought it back home with us, so we were laid up for New Years Eve. But we still partied as much as we could, despite our sorry condition. I had a shot of DayQuil and followed it with a shot of NyQuil. Wooohooo! I know, I know… one must never mix his or her ‘Quils… but, hey, it was New Years! I had to let loose!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
This is a poem about migrating birds, but also about how it feels to witness the passing of another year.
The Birds
are heading south, pulled
by a compass in the genes.
They are not fooled
by this odd November summer,
though we stand in our doorways
wearing cotton dresses.
We are watching them
as they swoop and gather—
the shadow of wings
falls over the heart.
When they rustle among
the empty branches, the trees
must think their lost leaves
have come back.
The birds are heading south,
instinct is the oldest story.
They fly over their doubles,
the mute weathervanes,
teaching all of us
with their tailfeathers
the true north.
Copyright © 1988 by Linda Pastan.
The Birds
are heading south, pulled
by a compass in the genes.
They are not fooled
by this odd November summer,
though we stand in our doorways
wearing cotton dresses.
We are watching them
as they swoop and gather—
the shadow of wings
falls over the heart.
When they rustle among
the empty branches, the trees
must think their lost leaves
have come back.
The birds are heading south,
instinct is the oldest story.
They fly over their doubles,
the mute weathervanes,
teaching all of us
with their tailfeathers
the true north.
Copyright © 1988 by Linda Pastan.
Monday, November 27, 2006
This is a portrait of my friend Sika. It was her birthday on Saturday (she turned 25) and I didn't know what to get her. So I sketched this photograph of her a few hours before her party. And Wah-lah! A present! I matted and framed it, and unfortunately, I couldn't find a copy center to make a copy of the sketch for myself before I framed it (What is Kinko's doing closing at 6:00 on a Saturday?). So I took a photo of it, but had to take the shot at an angle so as not to capture the glare of the frame. Anyway, here is the finished product!
Friday, November 10, 2006
Have you ever had someone tell you that you look like someone famous?
I'm sure it's nice to have someone tell you that you resemble a beautiful movie starlet. Well... I don't ever get that.
I think the reason that I never get that comment is because it wouldn't come out as a compliment. I've discovered that I *do* in fact resemble a couple famous people. And to be honest? If someone told me that I resemble Woody Allen... I don't think I'd be flattered. But the truth is the truth nonetheless, whether it hurts or not.
And from the Archives...
My Judd Nelson face:
I'm sure it's nice to have someone tell you that you resemble a beautiful movie starlet. Well... I don't ever get that.
I think the reason that I never get that comment is because it wouldn't come out as a compliment. I've discovered that I *do* in fact resemble a couple famous people. And to be honest? If someone told me that I resemble Woody Allen... I don't think I'd be flattered. But the truth is the truth nonetheless, whether it hurts or not.
And from the Archives...
My Judd Nelson face:
Art Class
I drew some good stuff. Mom says she'll put these on her fridge. *big grin*
This is Keith. The best way to get him to sit still long enough for me to draw him was when he was playing video games. These took about 30 minutes each.
His right arm looks a little funky in the top drawing. That bugs me.
These sort of remind me of those 1970's cartoons. Like Super Friends, or something.
I did this one last Wednesday. We flaked charcoal all over a peice of paper and smudged it in with a cloth, and then we drew the model with an eraser. Cool technique, I thought. We were only given 25 minutes, and I spent most of the time on her hand and legs, so had to I rush through her neck and face. Her neck didn't have *that* much light on it, so that bugs me. But I was pleased with how the hand turned out.
I drew some good stuff. Mom says she'll put these on her fridge. *big grin*
This is Keith. The best way to get him to sit still long enough for me to draw him was when he was playing video games. These took about 30 minutes each.
His right arm looks a little funky in the top drawing. That bugs me.
These sort of remind me of those 1970's cartoons. Like Super Friends, or something.
I did this one last Wednesday. We flaked charcoal all over a peice of paper and smudged it in with a cloth, and then we drew the model with an eraser. Cool technique, I thought. We were only given 25 minutes, and I spent most of the time on her hand and legs, so had to I rush through her neck and face. Her neck didn't have *that* much light on it, so that bugs me. But I was pleased with how the hand turned out.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
At the Old Holland Place
It seems like there are NEVER enough parties during the Halloween season (if any at all!), so we took it upon ourselves to throw a bash at our house. We invited all of our neighbors and friends. Tip for house-party-throwers: It's ALWAYS a good idea to invite the neighborhood to your parties, so that they know to expect the noise and loud music, and don't complain about it.
We had about 15 of our friends show up, and the couple across the street showed up with their kid. The poor kid was the only little person at the party! That could've been a sad situation for the kid, but I planned ahead. We hid mini pumpkins all around the yard and gave a prize for finding the most. So he spent the whole night wandering through the yard with his flashlight, searching for pumpkins. It was pretty cute until he threw a tantrum because he couldn't find all of them. Oh well, the pumpkin hunt was a success, where otherwise I probably would've subjected the poor kid to serious psychological trauma by placing him in front of the TV with a scary movie to watch. I can just imagine it: "Alright! Which movie do you want to watch? The Shining or Nightmare on Elm Street?"
Almost everyone had a costume and we all looked great! I stood on a hay bale to make the announcement of the costume contest winners, just as a couple appeared from around the side of the house to check out the party. They didn't have costumes on, and I had no idea who they were. They were probably planning on just crashing the party, but they took one look around at all of us in our costumes (and it just happened to be a silent moment because I was about to make the announcement), and they turned on their heals and left. It was funny. I guess it's not easy to crash a costume party without a costume.
I was dressed as a gypsy for the party, so I entertained people with divination games. I bought an old deck of tarot cards from an antique store and tried to give a readings with them, but it was silly because I didn't know how to do it without reading the manual that came with the cards and it took too long, so I only did a couple tarot readings.
I also hosted a divination game called Puicini. It sounds Italian to me, but Wikipedia says it's a traditional Irish game so, whatever. Puicini is a game played at Halloween where there are four saucers (we used cups) filled with items that each symbolize something different. A person is blindfolded and they chose one of the saucers by placing their hand in it and whatever they chose determines what is in store for them in the coming year. One saucer contains water, which means they will travel. One saucer contains beans, which mean they will have money troubles (poverty). One saucers contains coins, which means they will come into new money (cha-ching!). And the final saucer contains earth, which means that someone close to them will die (oh no!). Most of us chose the beans (boooo!) or the water (myself included), one lucky person chose the coins, and two people chose the earth. I felt bad when they picked the earth, but we all took it with a grain of salt, and they didn't let it put a damper on their party spirits. :o)
Long time no blog!
This school term has been suspiciously easy. I have an art class which is really relaxing and I'm taking an online trigonometry course, which I *thought* was going well, until I just found out that the last Assignment that I tried to submit didn't go through (technical difficulties, apparently). I worked HARD on that assignment and wondered why I hadn't received my grade for it. I was curious how I did, so I sent my instructor an email and he said I never submitted it. I was afraid he would say that. It just makes me sick to my stomach, because last week's material was REALLY difficult and I got a D - that's right, a *D* - on my last quiz. Ouch. Then I find out that my assignment was never turned in, so I don't know if he'll let me submit it late, or if I just have to take an F on it. I'm still waiting for his reply, but it's hard to communicate my frustration to my instructor when I'm limited to email correspondence. For all he knows, I could be working with another person in the class to copy the assignment after it's been graded. (sigh) That D-Quiz I got last week was certainly my fault, because I know I didn't understand the material, but I hate taking a bad grade because of a computer glitch. That's just not fair. Now I see the downside and risk of taking an online course.
Anyway, I'm trying my best, but I have a feeling this will be the first class that I don't get an A in. Hey, I had a good winning streak going there. Two years with a 4.0. It's got to end *sometime*. This trigonometry course is my Achilles heal.
This school term has been suspiciously easy. I have an art class which is really relaxing and I'm taking an online trigonometry course, which I *thought* was going well, until I just found out that the last Assignment that I tried to submit didn't go through (technical difficulties, apparently). I worked HARD on that assignment and wondered why I hadn't received my grade for it. I was curious how I did, so I sent my instructor an email and he said I never submitted it. I was afraid he would say that. It just makes me sick to my stomach, because last week's material was REALLY difficult and I got a D - that's right, a *D* - on my last quiz. Ouch. Then I find out that my assignment was never turned in, so I don't know if he'll let me submit it late, or if I just have to take an F on it. I'm still waiting for his reply, but it's hard to communicate my frustration to my instructor when I'm limited to email correspondence. For all he knows, I could be working with another person in the class to copy the assignment after it's been graded. (sigh) That D-Quiz I got last week was certainly my fault, because I know I didn't understand the material, but I hate taking a bad grade because of a computer glitch. That's just not fair. Now I see the downside and risk of taking an online course.
Anyway, I'm trying my best, but I have a feeling this will be the first class that I don't get an A in. Hey, I had a good winning streak going there. Two years with a 4.0. It's got to end *sometime*. This trigonometry course is my Achilles heal.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
I've got a new job!
And I LOVE it! I started as Administrative Assistant at an environmental engineering consulting firm last Tuesday. It's a small office only 8 minutes from my house. There are only four engineers working there other than myself, so it's very personal and cozy. Not too many names to try to remember, which is good.
The last place I worked was a 35-minute commute (if traffic was GOOD) and after 3 years working there, I STILL didn't know everyone's names and faces. Not to mention the fact that I've been working in intellectual property for 9 years straight. YUCK!
It feels SO good to be doing something different. And the area of work is WAY more intersting to me. The engineering firm is based out of Davis, CA, and they have several offices around California, and a couple here in Oregon. They specialize in water management, wastewater treatment systems, etc. It's all very fascinating to me, so I think I'm going to love it here. And, who knows? I may decide to become an environmental engineer. Whichever specific field I decide on, I know that working here will satisfy my interests and give me access to future job connections. I feel like I'm finally doing something that actually makes sense.
I had a nightmare last night that I was working back at the law firm. I was SO angry and frustrated. Felt good to wake from that dream. I should mention, also, that the woman that they hired to replace me left after her first day alone on the job. Oh well... sucks for them. Not my problem anymore, though.
So, that's my big news for now. Lot's going on. It's been an incredible summer of a thousand-mile road trip through Death Valley, weekend in Capitol Reef, visiting friends and family in SLC, camping trips on Mt. Hood, kayaking our neighborhood river, art and antique festivals, Beer n' Board Game nights with our friends, farewell parties for Hawaii-bound buddies, a concert in someone's basement, seeing my neice after her first hour of her birth, and a spontaneous trip to Montana over a single weekend. I'm exhausted! And I KNOW I left many significant and special things out. I can't keep up with myself at this rate, so I apologize for the sparce postings on here.
I don't think anything will slow down for me. School starts in a couple weeks, but I cannot wait for fall! I've already got my Halloween decorations out. I keep the blinds closed so the neighbors don't start thinking we're wackos. Or rather, before they REALIZE we're wackos.
I have to get some work done around the house. Why did I buy a house this year? Was I thinking I didn't have enough to do already??? (See why I don't have kids yet?)
And I LOVE it! I started as Administrative Assistant at an environmental engineering consulting firm last Tuesday. It's a small office only 8 minutes from my house. There are only four engineers working there other than myself, so it's very personal and cozy. Not too many names to try to remember, which is good.
The last place I worked was a 35-minute commute (if traffic was GOOD) and after 3 years working there, I STILL didn't know everyone's names and faces. Not to mention the fact that I've been working in intellectual property for 9 years straight. YUCK!
It feels SO good to be doing something different. And the area of work is WAY more intersting to me. The engineering firm is based out of Davis, CA, and they have several offices around California, and a couple here in Oregon. They specialize in water management, wastewater treatment systems, etc. It's all very fascinating to me, so I think I'm going to love it here. And, who knows? I may decide to become an environmental engineer. Whichever specific field I decide on, I know that working here will satisfy my interests and give me access to future job connections. I feel like I'm finally doing something that actually makes sense.
I had a nightmare last night that I was working back at the law firm. I was SO angry and frustrated. Felt good to wake from that dream. I should mention, also, that the woman that they hired to replace me left after her first day alone on the job. Oh well... sucks for them. Not my problem anymore, though.
So, that's my big news for now. Lot's going on. It's been an incredible summer of a thousand-mile road trip through Death Valley, weekend in Capitol Reef, visiting friends and family in SLC, camping trips on Mt. Hood, kayaking our neighborhood river, art and antique festivals, Beer n' Board Game nights with our friends, farewell parties for Hawaii-bound buddies, a concert in someone's basement, seeing my neice after her first hour of her birth, and a spontaneous trip to Montana over a single weekend. I'm exhausted! And I KNOW I left many significant and special things out. I can't keep up with myself at this rate, so I apologize for the sparce postings on here.
I don't think anything will slow down for me. School starts in a couple weeks, but I cannot wait for fall! I've already got my Halloween decorations out. I keep the blinds closed so the neighbors don't start thinking we're wackos. Or rather, before they REALIZE we're wackos.
I have to get some work done around the house. Why did I buy a house this year? Was I thinking I didn't have enough to do already??? (See why I don't have kids yet?)
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Because Jimmy & Emily were so occupied with the new addition, we spent a lot of fun time with Aaron & Sandra.
My brother, Aaron. Yes. He is as weird as he looks.
Sandra. The Yin to Aaron's Yang. Or... something like that.
Aaron & Sandra. Lounging on the canoe, instead of rowing. Slackers!
Aaron n' Sandra! Why does Aaron look like such a party pooper?
Keith n' me!
My niece Helene Hazel was born on June 28th, 2006. I was lucky to be there at the hospital to greet her just one hour after she was born.
Proud father: Jimmy
And of course, Emily looks absolutely stunning, even after delivery!
We loved seeing Severin. He's growing up so fast!
Severin peeks at his new little sister.
Keith & Helene Hazel
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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