After the last December solstice, trust was shaken, but not irreparable. Thankful the pieces had finally come together. What a day for a new year...
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| Cheers, 2011! |
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| Her first night being my dog :) |
On January 23, 2011, my life was forever changed. Maise and I found each other (with many thanks to Marie), and our adventures together started. Having her gave me a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and in her accepting, trusting, playful dog face I found unconditional love that has made my heart melt thousands of times over. Some days I really don't know where I'd be without her.
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| Kath at Hurricane Ridge |
February brought a visit from Kath, snow days and more winter fun at 124 W 5th Street. I loved showing my Washington life to my sis, and just getting time to hang out with her. A snowy jaunt up to Hurricane Ridge, a sunny and warm lunch at Sirens with delicious beer, and a little time in Seattle, too. Later in the month, kitchen experiments with gallons of water that ended in Megan's phone dying. Oops!
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| Me and Mom and my favorite WA beach |
March was a blur! So much going on! Mom came just in time to hang out for the Potlatch! Way cool :) Got to show her my PA routine as well; later, some Seattle time and then home ... just to go back for my final Teach for America interview a couple days later. Celebrated Megan's birthday. Spring Break, and my trip to California, were mere moments away! I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
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| Cookin' at Kalaloch |
April brought a return to California! Britt and I traveled down, then up, I-5. I was so happy to be back in the land of burritos and diversity! April also brought news that I was not selected to be a Teach for America, and with that a sense of relief. I enjoyed my time Spring Break, and set my sights on finding a job in California after my term with AmeriCorps was done. Also in April: Paige's birthday, Kalaloch clean up, and Earth Day. Fun times!
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| 124 celebrating Seis de Mayo |
In May I got the news that I got a job in California, the Redwoods to be exact. I was super stoked!!! Spent lots of time on the Olympic Discovery Trail with Maise, Marie, and Chase. Celebrated Marie's birthday (only 25 more years til we get to celebrate our 50th birthdays together!!! Haha!). During Memorial Day weekend the Juan de Fuca Arts Festival brought much needed live music to my life. Four days of fantastic bands, and great companionship. I was a happy dancer :)
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| sunshine smiles |
June: Trip to Victoria and put in charge of three 5th grade boys. Wow. Tubal Cane mine hike. End of school. Good bye to my kids. Wishing for warm weather. Enjoying the sun we did have. More time on the ODT with Marie and the dogs. Start of volunteering. Lots of Redbox rentals. Lots of wine. Long days. Summer solstice. 25th birthday in Seattle with Marie. Less than one month left in Washington. Eeek!
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| Shi Shi Beach |
July was like three years combined into one month. Volunteering. Shi Shi Beach. Midnight Harry Potter. Relaxation. More Redbox. More wine. Packing. Cleaning. Packing. Last minute carpet cleaning. Tattoos to remember that when it comes down to it, anything really is possible. Picked up my parents at SeaTac and took the ferry for the last time...well, last time as a Washington resident...for now... Tears of frustration, sadness, laughter, happiness, and love poured from me. Good bye Port Angeles life; thanks for welcoming me back, California!
And then came my favorite month, August! It always treats me well :) Hanging in Mountain View with Maise and Argos, didn't have to see another person if I didn't want to. Little respite was just what the doctor ordered. Tried not to miss PA too much! Started running. Santa Cruz. Moon hanging over the hills. Meeting new people. Yuba day in the sun. Camping with the dogs. Rubicon Tuesday. Sorority sisters! Moving to the Redwoods...!
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| SJOE training - harsh working conditions |
September was training and then work over my head. Moved into The Cave and started a new life in a new community. Finding banana slugs, learning which trees and plants were which, and getting paid to tidepool! Night hiking with the crew to party in a different set of Redwoods. Sick for Kath's birthday :( Finally spending a weekend at my new home. September had a lot of driving. Glad for a break from being in the car.
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| Me and my snow loving dog! |
At the beginning of October, after a run and several mugs of coffee, I felt like I had an epiphany. I finally knew what I wanted to do in life - open, or work at, a charter school that is based in a traditionally underserved area and that focuses education of all subjects through outdoor and environmental education. I had a path to follow and work towards. Time to start researching where to go to school next year so that I can see my dream through! More weekends at the cave. An early snow meant hiking in the snow with the dogs. FAKESGIVING!!! Mom's birthday! And then the car trouble started...
November brought lots of changes for me. My car was broken, then "fixed," had more issues, and eventually died on a very scary, smokey ride home. Kath and Laura came to visit, we celebrated 11/11/11 at 11:11 pm; fun! Also fun: telephone pictionary with them and most of SJOE. Thanksgiving break could not come soon enough. I needed to be home, and to see my SF, Marie! Zelda, my new car, was found one day into the break. Yay! Then Marie got here and we had girl talk sleepovers, went wine tasting, had Oscar's and Rubicon. I was a happy camper with my SF here. Small Thanksgiving and then back to work.
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| Last day of work for 2011 - I love Winter sunlight |
December. How has it been a whole calendar year already? How has it only been a year? So much has happened! I started the year thinking I'd permanently be in Washington. California called me back, but who knows for how long. Through it all I have been so lucky to have the support and love from those close to me. I've been able to put myself out there, try new things (I think I will forever say it in the SJOE accent...some of you know what that means!), take risks and be joyful in the life I am living ONLY BECAUSE I have a great support network. I could not be more grateful. I do not know where I will be come next December Solstice and my yearly reflection. I can only hope to continue to live with purpose, joy, and love, and that I will still be so lucky to have amazing people in my life. Happy First Day of Winter. May you stay warm inside and out, and have sunlight in all parts of your life always.
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