Something new: I have been working at Seton Medical Center for the past 2 months. It has definitely had it's ups and downs. The OR is huge and there are lots of different people, personalities and attitudes to deal with. For the most part I have enjoyed the hospital and I have some fun co-workers and doctors to work with. I am through with my orientation process and am currently working in the cardiovascular service, which as you all know is my preference. However, I have taken a new opportunity that came up out of the blue and I am really excited about it. I have joined a group of cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons as a private scrub tech. I am one of 6 scrubs, 6 PA's and 17 doctors who work at 6 area hospitals around Austin. Here is a link to their website if you want more information about the group: http://www.ctvstexas.com/
This is an unbelievably big step in my career which brings a lot of new experience and responsibility. I will work exclusively with this group doing only their cases. I will be learning how to do heart transplants and pediatric heart surgery. I will get the chance to assist in these surgeries as well as pass instruments and down the road I will learn to take the saphenous vein out of the leg to be used for bypass grafts in CABGS (coronary artery bypass graft surgery). I know that this will be an awesome job but I also know that I have a big learning curve to face and the next few months will be stressful but in the end I am going to do well in this position. I will keep everyone posted (or try to anyway).
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Whirlwind
Ok, so I have been in Austin for 2 months now and I can't remember a time in my life when I have been happier. It is so wonderful to be close to my friends. I didn't realize how lonely and sequestered I have felt for the past 3 years until now. And along with the friends that were already here I have met a big group of new friends to hang out with. This city is so beautiful and there is always something to do. The people here are real friendly. I live in a great neighborhood with lots of coffee shops and restaurants close by as well as Town Lake which is a great walking spot and also a good place to kayak which hopefully I will be partaking in someday. I've done a lot of work on my apartment which is super cute and unique. Here are some of my before and after pictures of the furniture I
hav
e redone a
nd also of my tiny 450 sq. ft apt.
hav
e redone a
nd also of my tiny 450 sq. ft apt.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Austin
Just to let everyone know, I am in Austin and loving every single second I've spent here. It's so great to spend time with my best friends and explore the city and shop for new stuff for the apartment. I'm having a blast and will be sure and post new pictures as they come in. This city is so fun and so beautiful. Right now I'm sitting on the balcony of my friend's apartment listening to the Rollling Stones playing live in Zilker Park....sure it might be better to actually be there - but I'm $90 richer for just doing it this way....can't beat that. Start the new job tomorrow - I hope I like it!?!
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Sunday, September 17, 2006
What I've been doing
Wow, September has been a great month. I always love this time of year because to start things off I have a birthday which always falls on Labor Day Weekend and therefore I usually get a long weekend. Then the weather starts turning cooler, fall comes, the leaves change and it's a very beautiful time.
I've had company for the past three weekends which for someone who has been by themself for so long is a nice change of pace. On the last weekend in August my friend Penny that I've known since the 4th grade came to stay because we had been wanting to go river rafting. Neither of us had ever been and with me being in New Mexico it was the perfect oppurtunity. We drove up to Taos and rode the Rio Grande and had a blast.
For my birthday weekend my dad drove up from Amarillo to keep me company while turning 29. We rode to the top of the peaks on the Sandia Tram and hiked up on the top. It was beautiful. For dinner he took me to "the best Mexican food in Albuquerque" which incidentally seemed like the hottest as well. Sunday we walked/jogged on a trail by my house then went to a museum and a book store before he went home.
Then this last weekend my brother, Mason, flew to see me. We arranged with my work to have him come watch a surgery. I thought this could be beneficial for him while deciding what career move he may want to take. Unfortunately the case he was slated to see got cancelled but we were able to go on Saturday morning and he got to watch some of a Coronary Artery Bypass. I think he enjoyed it. We also went hiking on Saturday and Sunday. I loved that because I'm usually by myself and tend to get spooked or lonely but he was a great hiking buddy.
So this weekend I'm by myself again which feels nice after so much company. I'm on call and we have been working which is a good thing I suppose so that I can raise some money for my next adventure.
I've decided that two years of traveling is enough for me (at least right now) and that I need to go where most of my friends are, Austin, TX. My contract in Albuquerque will be up October 13 and I am working right now to find an apartment and a job down there. I'm so excited and a little scared. This thought came to me out of the blue and I don't know why I haven't thought to do it sooner. I've had a great time seeing the country and the things I've seen and places I've been are priceless memories to me but it's been lonely going it mostly alone. I've made some great friends along the way but it's time to get back to my best friends. Austin is such a cool city and I think with the help of a good friend I've found an apartment in a wonderful area that I'll like a lot. Now....if I can just find a job.
I'll keep everyone posted.
I've had company for the past three weekends which for someone who has been by themself for so long is a nice change of pace. On the last weekend in August my friend Penny that I've known since the 4th grade came to stay because we had been wanting to go river rafting. Neither of us had ever been and with me being in New Mexico it was the perfect oppurtunity. We drove up to Taos and rode the Rio Grande and had a blast.
For my birthday weekend my dad drove up from Amarillo to keep me company while turning 29. We rode to the top of the peaks on the Sandia Tram and hiked up on the top. It was beautiful. For dinner he took me to "the best Mexican food in Albuquerque" which incidentally seemed like the hottest as well. Sunday we walked/jogged on a trail by my house then went to a museum and a book store before he went home.
Then this last weekend my brother, Mason, flew to see me. We arranged with my work to have him come watch a surgery. I thought this could be beneficial for him while deciding what career move he may want to take. Unfortunately the case he was slated to see got cancelled but we were able to go on Saturday morning and he got to watch some of a Coronary Artery Bypass. I think he enjoyed it. We also went hiking on Saturday and Sunday. I loved that because I'm usually by myself and tend to get spooked or lonely but he was a great hiking buddy.
So this weekend I'm by myself again which feels nice after so much company. I'm on call and we have been working which is a good thing I suppose so that I can raise some money for my next adventure.
I've decided that two years of traveling is enough for me (at least right now) and that I need to go where most of my friends are, Austin, TX. My contract in Albuquerque will be up October 13 and I am working right now to find an apartment and a job down there. I'm so excited and a little scared. This thought came to me out of the blue and I don't know why I haven't thought to do it sooner. I've had a great time seeing the country and the things I've seen and places I've been are priceless memories to me but it's been lonely going it mostly alone. I've made some great friends along the way but it's time to get back to my best friends. Austin is such a cool city and I think with the help of a good friend I've found an apartment in a wonderful area that I'll like a lot. Now....if I can just find a job.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
This week
Hey - I had a great week and I hope ya'll did too. Work load is very light at the hospital right now so we are able to go home early and to have an extra day off during the week. A good thing and a bad thing as you can imagine but I'll take the time as I know when we're busy we are BUSY.
Took a hike on Thursday but I didn't enjoy it very much. I went at high noon and the trail was hard to follow. I did see this little guy, tho.
Then on Friday night we stayed late to finish a case. I left at 6 pm , got home, ate dinner and then an hour late got called into work again. There was a lot of commotion and activity at the old hospital across the street. Trailers and lights and cameras. Turns out they were filming a scene for a movie by the Coen Brothers called "No Country for Old Men". There are lots of stars in this movie. The most notable being Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson. After our case at around 10:30 we went across the street to watch what was going on. We were able to see them filming one scene which they did over and over again. Tommy Lee Jones walked right past me from his trailer to the set. Too bad I didn't have my camera for that but it is something I've never seen before and am not likely to forget.
Took a hike on Thursday but I didn't enjoy it very much. I went at high noon and the trail was hard to follow. I did see this little guy, tho.
Then on Friday night we stayed late to finish a case. I left at 6 pm , got home, ate dinner and then an hour late got called into work again. There was a lot of commotion and activity at the old hospital across the street. Trailers and lights and cameras. Turns out they were filming a scene for a movie by the Coen Brothers called "No Country for Old Men". There are lots of stars in this movie. The most notable being Tommy Lee Jones and Woody Harrelson. After our case at around 10:30 we went across the street to watch what was going on. We were able to see them filming one scene which they did over and over again. Tommy Lee Jones walked right past me from his trailer to the set. Too bad I didn't have my camera for that but it is something I've never seen before and am not likely to forget.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
10 years
Life is still good in Albuquerque, NM. The weather has been crazy as we have been getting rain almost everyday. Ya'll know how much I love thunderstorms so this has been amazing for me. Of course, I got a lot of rain when I was in Washington state but there was no lightning and thunder and that's what makes a good storm.
Last weekend I went to my hometown of Dalhart, TX for my 10 year high school reunion. I had so much fun seeing the friends that I grew up with. I went there with some trepidation since the last 2 years of school were not my greatest time. There's no good way to put it but I made some really bad decisions, some very selfish choices, some incredibly stupid moves. I wish I knew why exactly I did the things I did and I still can't understand why I shunned my upbringing and acted like someone who had no morals or values. I'm really embarrassed at this. But I was lucky to have a lot of people who cared about what happened to me. My family, for sure, but other random angels who went an extra mile to make sure I finished high school. A man named Mr. Bliss, for example. He was my 4th grade math teacher turned alternative school principal who would call my friend Sierra and I every morning to make sure we were coming to school that day. And there was Sierra's step grandmother who invited us over to breakfast every morning before school so we would get a good meal (sometimes our only one of the day) and when she foiled our plan of going back home and going to bed after the waffles she started taking us to the school and would actually sit at the door to make sure we stayed there the whole time. I missed a lot of your basic high school monumental times because I was growing up too fast. I traded one life for another and eventually lost hope and felt like I was doomed to live this life I was creating forever. But eventually through the diligent work of my parents and my grandparents and me I grew up - it just took me a little longer than my classmates. And so here I am 10 years later going back to this town and these people to hopefully make some ammends and they welcomed me with open arms.
Last weekend I went to my hometown of Dalhart, TX for my 10 year high school reunion. I had so much fun seeing the friends that I grew up with. I went there with some trepidation since the last 2 years of school were not my greatest time. There's no good way to put it but I made some really bad decisions, some very selfish choices, some incredibly stupid moves. I wish I knew why exactly I did the things I did and I still can't understand why I shunned my upbringing and acted like someone who had no morals or values. I'm really embarrassed at this. But I was lucky to have a lot of people who cared about what happened to me. My family, for sure, but other random angels who went an extra mile to make sure I finished high school. A man named Mr. Bliss, for example. He was my 4th grade math teacher turned alternative school principal who would call my friend Sierra and I every morning to make sure we were coming to school that day. And there was Sierra's step grandmother who invited us over to breakfast every morning before school so we would get a good meal (sometimes our only one of the day) and when she foiled our plan of going back home and going to bed after the waffles she started taking us to the school and would actually sit at the door to make sure we stayed there the whole time. I missed a lot of your basic high school monumental times because I was growing up too fast. I traded one life for another and eventually lost hope and felt like I was doomed to live this life I was creating forever. But eventually through the diligent work of my parents and my grandparents and me I grew up - it just took me a little longer than my classmates. And so here I am 10 years later going back to this town and these people to hopefully make some ammends and they welcomed me with open arms.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
New old place
Hi just a quick post to let ya'll know I made it to Albuquerque and that everything is going great. Work is good and I got to see a lot of old friends. This is a great hospital and I really enjoy working here. I had forgotten just how much I loved it in this city. Sure, it's deathly hot, especially considering where i just came from BUT it is so beautiful!
I won't have internet for awhile but am at my favorite coffee shop in town - Satellite Coffee - a branch of the Flying Star restaurant. I'd write more but I'm out of coffee and the sun is beating down on my little table. More to come soon and maybe some pictures, too!
I won't have internet for awhile but am at my favorite coffee shop in town - Satellite Coffee - a branch of the Flying Star restaurant. I'd write more but I'm out of coffee and the sun is beating down on my little table. More to come soon and maybe some pictures, too!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
This is Texas
I'll leave tomorrow for Albuquerque, NM. It's just a 4 hour drive but I'm putting it off until the last minute. I've been having the best time in Texas and I hate to leave my family and friends but it will be nice to get back on a schedule and I do need to start making some money again. Wednesday I went with my dad to the town I grew up in. He works there and my grandparents and other family still live there. I got to catch up with my grandma and that's always nice because we are very close and I miss her so much when I'm away. Plus, she knows the good gossip. Thursday my sister came to Amarillo and the whole family went to barbeque hamburgers at our favorite park. Friday my parents and I went for a 5 mile walk at my old walking trail. I'd forgotten how hot and sans any shade or relief it is. And man, they are in good shape - I stayed about a step behind them the whole way. We also went to an art gallery and viewed some local art which was surprisingly awesome - I say surprisingly because I wasn't aware that Amarillo had so many working artists. Friday evening my good friend Penny and my best friend Sierra came to visit. We got a hotel room and drank a few beers - ate a 2am breakfast at IHOP and talked all night. Today my dad and I went and hit a couple of buckets of golf balls and I'm about 5 shades of red. Now, I'm just waiting for my little brother to get off of work and I'm going to make him spend some time with me. I really have missed Texas. You know the song "the stars at night are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas"? It's really true and I'm not sure why the sky is so big or the stars so bright but it is unparelled anywhere I've been so far. I could just sit out all night long and star gaze.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
FINALLY!
I have finally made it to Texas this evening. I thought the drive would never end - especially today the last and probably most boring leg of the trip. I really want to thank everybody for the calls checking in on me. Always much appreciated! And I especially want to thank Debrah, Delinda and Lea Ann for letting me stay at their homes. You all showed me so much hospitality and it was really cool getting to see your cities and homes and families and friends and dogs!
Unfortunately I didn't take as many pictures as planned to document the trip. I was just too focused on getting to point A, B, C and D. I did get a few so I'll post them here in a minute.
Day 1 -
I left as planned early in the morning - said goodbye to my ghetto apt and my favorite mountain and got on the road. Oregon and northern California were beautiful but hot and getting hotter as my little wheels ate up the road. I was really surprised at how awesome Mt. Shasta and that area was. Way different than Washington or Oregon. I made it to Davis, CA at around 6 in the evening and found my friend Debrah's house and we reunited after 12 years! I can't believe how fast time flies but we got caught up quickly. I got to meet her 10 year old son and they both took me out on the town which is the CUTEST town ever. We walked around looking at shops and ate pizza and walked on a path beside a canal and had Baskin Robbins. I loved it. The town has the greatest most easy going feel to it. We stayed up late talking and drinking a beer and of course I overslept the next morning - so thanks Deb for getting me up.
Day 2 -
The beginning of day 2 was runner up for most boring scenery because after Sacramento there is nothing but yellow grass and a few hills. Ok, some pistachio trees. I made it into L.A. in the early afternoon and went with my friend Delinda to a flea market at the Rose Bowl where she was working a booth. She lives in Pasadena and what a great city that is. We took a nap at her awesome little apt and then she and her friend took me out and gave me the world's most thorough 2 hour tour of LA. First we went to the Santa Monica pier and had dinner and a walk around. It was full of your usual oddities - people with snakes, musicians (one man bands) artists and tourist. We had dinner at the end of the pier at sunset but wouldn't you know it a few clouds rolled in and I felt like I'd never left Washington. We did a little walking on the beach then it was in the car to Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Blvd....uh, did I leave anything out? Rodeo Drive! They were really sweet to give me the tour and I liked it a lot.
Day 3-
Got to sleep in a little later that morning but poor Delinda had to go to work. So I took a walk around her neighborhood. I'm surprised at how safe and clean LA was - I had this notion that it would be murderous traffic, smog so thick you couldn't breath nor see but it was none of that when I was there. I chilled out with Phoebe a little and then started the drive from Pasadena to Tempe. Across the desert. A little twilight zone - those of you that know me know that I tend to get paranoid and so I must confess I constantly had a Unknown Mysteries commentary going on in my head "witnesses say the woman was last seen buying cigarettes at this convenience store" "she went into the desert and never came out" "attacked by a gang of cacti" yes, it got more ridiculous as the temperature climbed and delerium and dehydration took their course. But obviously I made it safely to my friend Lea Ann's house. She took me to dinner at her favorite little place and we had a great time talking and laughing and reviving some old memories. We spent the rest of the night under the full moon sitting beside her fabulous pool.
Day 4 -
Overslept, AGAIN. Cursed and beat my head against the steering wheel for 10 hours where I finally made it home to my family in Texas and now I'm beat so I'll write about that all later!
Unfortunately I didn't take as many pictures as planned to document the trip. I was just too focused on getting to point A, B, C and D. I did get a few so I'll post them here in a minute.
Day 1 -
I left as planned early in the morning - said goodbye to my ghetto apt and my favorite mountain and got on the road. Oregon and northern California were beautiful but hot and getting hotter as my little wheels ate up the road. I was really surprised at how awesome Mt. Shasta and that area was. Way different than Washington or Oregon. I made it to Davis, CA at around 6 in the evening and found my friend Debrah's house and we reunited after 12 years! I can't believe how fast time flies but we got caught up quickly. I got to meet her 10 year old son and they both took me out on the town which is the CUTEST town ever. We walked around looking at shops and ate pizza and walked on a path beside a canal and had Baskin Robbins. I loved it. The town has the greatest most easy going feel to it. We stayed up late talking and drinking a beer and of course I overslept the next morning - so thanks Deb for getting me up.
Day 2 -
The beginning of day 2 was runner up for most boring scenery because after Sacramento there is nothing but yellow grass and a few hills. Ok, some pistachio trees. I made it into L.A. in the early afternoon and went with my friend Delinda to a flea market at the Rose Bowl where she was working a booth. She lives in Pasadena and what a great city that is. We took a nap at her awesome little apt and then she and her friend took me out and gave me the world's most thorough 2 hour tour of LA. First we went to the Santa Monica pier and had dinner and a walk around. It was full of your usual oddities - people with snakes, musicians (one man bands) artists and tourist. We had dinner at the end of the pier at sunset but wouldn't you know it a few clouds rolled in and I felt like I'd never left Washington. We did a little walking on the beach then it was in the car to Beverly Hills, Sunset Strip, Hollywood Blvd....uh, did I leave anything out? Rodeo Drive! They were really sweet to give me the tour and I liked it a lot.
Day 3-
Got to sleep in a little later that morning but poor Delinda had to go to work. So I took a walk around her neighborhood. I'm surprised at how safe and clean LA was - I had this notion that it would be murderous traffic, smog so thick you couldn't breath nor see but it was none of that when I was there. I chilled out with Phoebe a little and then started the drive from Pasadena to Tempe. Across the desert. A little twilight zone - those of you that know me know that I tend to get paranoid and so I must confess I constantly had a Unknown Mysteries commentary going on in my head "witnesses say the woman was last seen buying cigarettes at this convenience store" "she went into the desert and never came out" "attacked by a gang of cacti" yes, it got more ridiculous as the temperature climbed and delerium and dehydration took their course. But obviously I made it safely to my friend Lea Ann's house. She took me to dinner at her favorite little place and we had a great time talking and laughing and reviving some old memories. We spent the rest of the night under the full moon sitting beside her fabulous pool.
Day 4 -
Overslept, AGAIN. Cursed and beat my head against the steering wheel for 10 hours where I finally made it home to my family in Texas and now I'm beat so I'll write about that all later!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Sad Goodbye
Augh, I can't believe my time here in Washington is over! I've been here for 6 months but it seems like mere weeks in some ways. I have grown so attatched to this area and the friends I have made. I hate to leave but I am definitely taking a lot of happy and crazy memories with me and hopefully this won't be the last I'm seeing of the Pacific Northwest. I've been pretty organized with my packing and haven't waited until the last minutes like I sometimes do. My car is packed to the limit and I've still got a few odds and ends I have to find nooks for.
I have a great couple of days coming up that I've been looking forward to. It's going to be a lot of driving but filled with new places and old friends. Tomorrow morning I will leave as early as possible and drive straight down I-5 through Oregon and into California where I will reach Davis, Ca. I have an old old friend there that I've recently gotten back in touch with who is gracious enough to let me stay with her. We'll have LOTS of catching up to do. Then Sunday I will leave Davis and drive down to Pasadena to stay with another good friend. I'm so excited to see that part of California and I know she'll show me some good spots. Monday I'll drive from Pasadena to Tempe, AZ where, once again, I'll stay with a friend who I haven't seen in awhile. Tuesday will be a long drive from AZ all the way home to my family in Texas. I'll try to keep posting updates and pictures of my 4 day roadtrip!
I have a great couple of days coming up that I've been looking forward to. It's going to be a lot of driving but filled with new places and old friends. Tomorrow morning I will leave as early as possible and drive straight down I-5 through Oregon and into California where I will reach Davis, Ca. I have an old old friend there that I've recently gotten back in touch with who is gracious enough to let me stay with her. We'll have LOTS of catching up to do. Then Sunday I will leave Davis and drive down to Pasadena to stay with another good friend. I'm so excited to see that part of California and I know she'll show me some good spots. Monday I'll drive from Pasadena to Tempe, AZ where, once again, I'll stay with a friend who I haven't seen in awhile. Tuesday will be a long drive from AZ all the way home to my family in Texas. I'll try to keep posting updates and pictures of my 4 day roadtrip!
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Hiking in Oregon
Ok, so maybe you all are getting tired of hearing about volksmarching. However, this weekend I went to an event in Cascade Locks, Oregon and have thus decided that Oregon is the most beautiful of all 50 states and that I probably should live here someday. I was about 1/2 hour east of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge and the drive alone was worth the trip but the hike was so incredibly outrageously gorgeous that it bordered on ridiculous. All in all it took me over 5 hours to go up and down on a 25k course. I started the hike with a couple from Sacramento, CA who were really nice and gave me all sorts of advice for my drive home next month. Then I continued alone for the rest of the hike although there were lots of hikers on the trail and it was fun to meet all these different people. When I got to the turn around point at Crossover Falls I took a rest by the river and then headed back down. I soon discovered on the way down that my water bottle had leaked all over the contents of my backpack. So the last two hours of my hike was done with a wet and sticky back PLUS sans anything to drink. It did mar the experience a bit but as you can see it was such a beautiful view that it wasn't hard to forget about all that.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
Winding down
Hi, everybody! My assignment here in Tacoma, Wa is about to end and I will soon be making the drive back down to Texas. July 8 is the day I'll start the trip and instead of taking the same route I came up here on (ya'll saw how well that went) I think I'll go south on I-5 through California - stopping and staying with a few friends on the way then east through Arizona, New Mexico and then Texas. However, I'll only be able to spend a few days with the family before going back to Albuquerque where I'll start my next 3 month assignment. I'll be working at the same hospital as last time and I couldn't be more excited. I know the point of me traveling is to see new destinations but I figure what good is loving a place if you don't get to go back and enjoy it some more? I truly dig Albuquerque and the surrounding area. I made a lot of great friends and ate too much good food! It's like a second home to me and it's a comfort to know where I'll be spending the next 3 months. PLUS, it feels like I'm just down the street from my family in Tx - seeing how I'll only be 4 hours away as opposed to 30! I'll keep everyone posted on my travels and of course I expect phone calls to keep me company on the 4 day drive.
I really will miss the Pacific Northwest. I am constantly amazed at how beautiful it is and my time spent here has been very rejuvenating. I'll miss it and hope to come back but for now it is time to move on.
I really will miss the Pacific Northwest. I am constantly amazed at how beautiful it is and my time spent here has been very rejuvenating. I'll miss it and hope to come back but for now it is time to move on.
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Bonsai!!!!!
Today, Sunday, I did another Volksmarch - this time at the Weyerhauser Campus in Federal Way, Wa. - about a 30 minute drive from my apartment. It did rain or drizzle on us most of the way but the views were incredible. I went with a coworker and we completed the 10k course, ate a Lion's Club breakfast consisting of pancakes and ham and then went around one more time on the 5k course. Volksmarching is a really big thing up here and I am happy that I have found it because it is exactly what I have been looking for. There are events in all 50 states so I should be able to continue to Volksmarch all over the country - AND YOU CAN TOO! Check out the American Volksport Association webpage for events in your area! http://www.ava.org/index.htm
There were different parts to the walk: trails through the most beautiful woods, around a pond, through a rhododendron garden (the Washington state flower) and a bonsai exhibit.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Weekend Volkswalk
Today I went to a Volksmarch event at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (http://www.nwtrek.org/). For once this week the weather was beautiful and I had a great 10k walk. My 2nd. I saw some amazing animals in a great setting - in their own habitats - without cages. After the walk which took me about 2 hours to complete due to all the picture taking I took a tram ride through the rest of the park and saw caribou, bison, rams, racoons and some BIG
elk! 
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Volksmarching!!
I discovered something new today and it was a lot of fun and something I will continue to do throughout my travels. It is called volksport - which is german for "sport of the people" it's a completely non-competitive way to get out and do sporting events. You buy record books and keep track of your progress. At each event you get your book stamped and if you pay a little more you get a patch or a pin. Each walk is usually 10 km (6.2 miles). My first volksmarch today was on the Fort Lewis Army Base for Armed Forces day. Aside from the walk they had a little street fair with booths and all kinds of army vehicles and whatnot for civilians to check out. It was a great day! 
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Saturday at Pikes Market Place
You couldn't ask for a better day than we had on Saturday at Pikes Market Place. We walked around downtown all day - the weather was nice - the weirdos were out and we had a good time! I just got home from dropping off the girls at the airport. Anyone who knows me, knows that I need my alone time. But I had a great time these past 5 days and I'm so glad Melissa and Whitney came to visit. They really showed me Washington in a new light. It's so good to have good friends that you can laugh with. I'm going to miss their company.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
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