Total Pageviews

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Grownups Can Still Play in Fountains

This afternoon the weather was fantastic. I met up with some friends downtown to hangout and enjoy the weather

After looking at some vintage cars, we headed over to Violetas, a cute burger organic-y cafe downtown.  As we were enjoying our food, we noticed that our friend Rama had gone missing.  After searching, we found him sitting by a fountain that children were splashing around in.

We decided to go get some frozen yogurt, so we went to my nearby favorite fro-yo shop (tartberry). After loading up our fro-yo with amazing goodies, we heading back and enjoyed the sun with Rama

I soon became very jealous of the kids in the water, so I decided to join them. I cautiously waded out, as a large group of parents looked at me- probably thinking I was crazy

The water was actually quite nice, so I started dancing around as my friends clicked photos


I then began posing 


Before I knew it, the rest of my group began cautiously wading

We then took the obligatory jumping shots

And even made friends with the other kids playing in the water



And before you know it, we all became models






Soon after, dozens of other non-children were dancing, taking photos, and enjoying the fountain as well. Note the people in the background of following pic



Friday, June 24, 2011

Life Update

Since I havn't written in a while, I thought I should do a little life update


1. I Got A Job!
WIC Logo
This is likely not news to most of you.  It is very exciting.  I was hired by Washington County Wic in Hillsboro to be a public health nutritionist, and registered dietitian (once I get my RD license).
What is WIC? You may ask. WIC is a federally funded program program that provides low income women, infants, and children with supplemental food packages, health care referrals, and nutrition education.  My role at WIC, obviously, is in the category of nutrition education.
My main role is one on one nutrition counseling with women, infants, and children with high nutrition risks and needs. Whats super cool is I get to speak Spanish. More than half of the clinics patients are hispanic and most of the clinic staff speaks spanish and are latinas. I know my Spanish skills are going to grow leaps and bounds simply by going to work each day.  I have yet to see a patient by myself and instead have been immersed in training and job shadowing.  I feel like there is an amazing amount of things to learn, but I am getting there!
 My coworkers are amazing and the clinic is really nice. Plus the best american mexican food I have ever been to is just down the street at a restaurant called Amelias.  Hillsboro is cuter than expected, think Corvallisesque. The only downside is the commute (I hate hate hate highway 26). Luckily the county paid for a trimet pass. It takes an hour and half via trimet, but its completely nonstressful. In fact, I have read a book and a half over the past three days riding the system.  Hopefully I will be able to move closer sometime soon.
 I am currently only working halftime, but this is great because I can focus on my thesis on the days off.  I should be done with that by the end of the summer (yay!!) They say that they hope to make me full time then. Its all so good!

2.
Tomorrow is super fun graduation ceremony. None of my family can come tho. Zach is working. My parents are in Idaho at the cabin. Taylor is in Jamaica on a mission trip. Luckily Amy, my neighbor, can come!  And Zach and some friends are meeting me in the evening to celebrate at big Als.

3.
As mentioned previously, I have just finished a book in the past week. Here is my mini review.
The book is called XVI
XVI
It is about a futuristic world where people get tattoos to become adults at age 16. The main mystery of the plot is the protagonist learning about her missing/dead parents involvement in a rebellion against a repressive government. It was pretty good and different enough from the other dystopian books to be entertaining. It is a very quick read. However, not the most amazing book ever. 4/5 stars

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Weird Things My Family Does: Entry 2

My family likes to stay up late.  As a result, I stay up late. I did not realize how unusual this was until I would go to bed extremely later than every roommate I have ever had.
Therefore, if you go to my parents house, an assortment of activities may be occurring at 3 am

I might be sitting on the couch, on my computer

Bailey might be chewing up something at the bottom of the stairs

Dad might be playing with his camera

My mom is probably in bed watching tv or read or on her laptop. I have no photos of this, so this is close enough (on vacation in mexico)

Dad might be wandering around in his running clothes

Boys might be having fun... in the hottub

Kids might be enjoying video games in garage

Or we might be working on homework

Someone might decide to make legos

Mom likes to pet her puppy

Or a good old fashioned board game might commence

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

America Pacifica

Yesterday I finished the novel America Pacifica by Anna North.  As I have previously explained, I'm a sucker for dystopian novels. What makes this novel different, however, is that it is a real grown up adult book versus a young adult novel.

I first encountered this book while browsing at borders. It was on the featured table at the front of the store. I was initially drawn to the cover and thought that the plot sounded intriguing. It is about an 18 year old girl  named Darcy who lives on an isolated island dystopian society.  Her mother came there from the mainland (Portland!) before she was born.  North America had become uninhabitable do to extreme global warming. The novel really kicks off when the Darcy's mother disappears. Darcy goes on a quest to find her and realizes that not is all as it seems. 

I didn't buy it, however. A few days later, I was at Powells and decided that I had changed my mind and wanted it.  Finding it proved tricky. First I looked in the new and featured book section- no go. Then I went to the teen dystopian book section- also no go. I looked in the adult sci fi section- nope. Then I went to the adult literature fiction, where I couldn't find it.  That's when I decided I needed help.  Unfortunately, I didn't know the name of the novel but I knew what the cover looked like and the general plot of it. The Powell's staffer in the adult literature section had never heard of it.  We then looked up names of books on the computer using words like Pacifica, Cascadia, ect.  I saw the title and thought that perhaps it was the correct one.  It was actually about 6 feet from where I was talking to the staffer, in the adult literature section. It was not being featured in any sort of way.  I managed to get a used copy that looked brand new.  The employee said that she never would have thought that that was the book I was looking for.   Funny thing, however, when I went home I found a piece of paper describing the book from the publisher for the book store. Obviously, I had gotten the promotional copy, which was why no one knew what I was talking about.  
Today when I went back to Powell's it was being featured on its shelf, with the cover showing versus the spine. I would like to think that thats because of me :)

Anyhow, back to the book.  It was very gritty and raw. I do think its appropriate calling it an adult novel versus young adult, despite the young age of the protagonist.  But really, whats the difference?   There was some very non-romantic non-erotic sexual content bordering on rape/prostitution and you could feel the filth. The ending was ambiguous and it could lead to a sequel, which I would read.

Overall I liked it because it was different.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Big Picture or Little Picture?

Recently I have been thinking a lot about the difference between being a big picture versus a little picture sort of person. 

Big Picture People
I am a big picture sort of person.  People like me see the world in themes and try not to sweat the small stuff. The greater goal of a project or situation is much more important than the details. I can sort through priorities relatively easy.  I also can complete tasks very quickly. However, there are some negatives to this. 
As my brain races to complete a project, the details get lost. My grammar and spelling have always been subpar.  People accuse me of not proofreading things (which is sometimes true).  My handwriting is horrible.  However I have always found these details silly and unimportant. Isn't the content of my work more important than unimportant details? I consider people who judge others based upon details to be nitpicky and anal. Sometimes I just want to shake them and say- does it really matter???  

Little Picture People
Little picture people value details. They value perfection in their tasks and will proofread something to death. They find imperfection in the details distracting and it prevents them from taking someone seriously. I've noticed that in internet forums where there is a disagreement, instead of addressing the content of their opponents view, they attack their grammar and discredit them (I do not like this). 

What does this mean?
It means that people are different. God has given us different strengths. It is like what Paul describes in Corinthians, we are all parts of the body with different functions and strengths.  A big picture person may neglect important details. A little picture person may  get so caught up in details, they lose focus on what's really important. I think we need to work together.  And remember that just because someone views the picture differently than you, it does not mean that they are lazy or nitpicky.  It means that we all have our strengths and that we need each other.

p.s. I make a point not to proofread my blog, because I hate it. I just want to get my ideas out.  So everything is a first draft ;) 

Life is Full of Change


The seeds of change are brewing in my life
Today I completed my final homework assignment, ever. Which is an absolutely crazy thought.  I simply need to finish my thesis (easier said than done) and I will be done with school. This should be around August, if all goes according to plan.

I applied for my first real job the other day.  I really felt good about it and I shall find out if I got it around Wednesday. Even if I do not get it, I will be in the work force soon enough, another crazy thought.  I have never had a real job.  I have had internships and worked at camp, but never something that provided an adequate income.  I have been blessed with the support of my parents, who are probably some of the most amazing people I know.  However, at 24, I am looking forward to being on my own.

I may be moving soon, depending on my job situation. Another possible change.

There always seems to be change in the friend department- I just met an amazing group of people at the recent bridge getaway.

I have been thinking a lot about a lot of deep spiritual issues, which is also good and bad.  There are so many things that are complicated and difficult to understand. The things that frustrate me the most are things that are essential in how you conduct your Christian walk, but various Christians disagree greatly on them. Pet peeve along these lines- I feel like some of my brothers and sisters have this feeling of spiritual superiority and think that there faith is "more developed", whatever that means. Yet they do not value the most important commandment to love.  God is a loving father to his children. Sometimes I think people forget this and see him as a scary God that you don't want to disappoint or else.  They forget the essential element of grace and focus on trying to be perfect, something they shall never achieve. Yes, we should avoid evil as much as possible. But be do not beat yourself up- there is no condemnation for those in Christ. I believe God honors our intentions and heart. 

Back to changes- I have been reading a lot more than in the past.

I eagerly await meeting (or realizing he is the one) the man that I (God willing) will marry one day

My personality has become very outgoing and I have become very comfortable in social situations

Changes that I do not like
feeling separated from my brothers and friends in Corvallis

grieving friendships lost in past- someone i came out of touch with recently defriended me on facebook, which was actually quite hurtful. These ex friendships really make me sad.  Some of these people I truly deeply miss.

people I love growing older

the continued rise of anti-christianism in world and widespread acceptance of sinful behavior, such as premarital sex

discovering that some people are not as pure as I thought they were

Life is Full of Change.. 
This is why I try to focus on the here and now... we do not know what the future holds. yes good things may be coming but so will bad.  
treasure the things you have now. treasure your grandparents, your relationships, the gift of education, the opportunities for witnessing that God provides, the joys of youth, the love, the joy of the Lord
pray for guidance, wise counsel, and keep in step with the Word