...Lord, it's you who gave me life... and I can't explain just how much you mean to me now. You have saved me, Lord; I give all that I am to you... that every day I might be a light unto the world. Every day! It's you I live for! Every day! I'll follow after you! Every day! I'll walk with you, my Lord!
Old high school church song just popped into my head... :)
Except they always spelled it "Everyday", which drove me a little nuts.
These last few days I've been sitting at work, doing the usual... and being a little bored with the work. But yesterday, I met my recruiter in Bellevue, at the same joint services recruiting station that I saw SFC Smith at in 2000, except it's down the hall. Petty Officer Mike L. is a great guy! We talked, I took a practice ASVAB, and I realized I haven't done story problems, algebra and fractions in a LONG time... LOL. Technically, they scored me in the "upper mental" category. LOL! You have to love the military! Taking the partial test cold, I qualified for the job I want. I expected to do a little better though.
I learned they extended the delayed program from 12 to 15 months. I'm thinking of next fall... who knows.
Jp
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
It Was a Friendly Weekend
I had a lovely time of fellowship with my friend from Florida... after her niece's birthday party, we went to the Northgate Mall and stopped by Barnes&Noble and had Ivar's Chowder and Sole in the food court. It was a breath of fresh air to see her again.
Chat was extraordinarily fun, encouraging and... long! Why on earth do I rarely feel tired during the wee part of Sunday? :)
Slept in til 10:30! Good thing! My sister and I spent the day together, riding, reading, resting and visiting friends. The sun was shining, it was a glorious 50/60 degrees and we had a leisurely ride.
This week should be rather intense with everything I have to do for class. He's starting to expect prints to be framed now... eeek.
Jp
Chat was extraordinarily fun, encouraging and... long! Why on earth do I rarely feel tired during the wee part of Sunday? :)
Slept in til 10:30! Good thing! My sister and I spent the day together, riding, reading, resting and visiting friends. The sun was shining, it was a glorious 50/60 degrees and we had a leisurely ride.
This week should be rather intense with everything I have to do for class. He's starting to expect prints to be framed now... eeek.
Jp
Saturday, April 25, 2009
How Yesterday Was Wonderful
Testing day... after biking in the sun.
Absolutely gorgeous weather! No clouds, about 70 degrees, cool breezes... so I thought I'd like to bike all the way around Lake Sammamish. It was about 20 miles, starting at Marymoor Park in Redmond, biking south along the East Lake Sam. Pkwy to Issaquah, through the Lake Sam. State Park, and back north on the West Lk. Sam. Pkwy to my car at Marymoor. I don't think I'd like to do it again, as you have to bike with traffic most of the way. Once I was scared to death, going down a huge hill going north (ruts and all). But there were several times (when there was a nice bike lane) that I just adored my ride. It was such a glorious day.
Before I went any further with my inclinations from a couple days ago, I thought that I should see where I am for the running and swimming requirements. I went to Juanita High School (my Alma mater) and borrowed the use of the track. A mile and a half in 16 minutes (holy cow! I made the list on my first run!), according to my sister, who most generously volunteered to watch me suffer, and to time me. And then with about 15 minutes break, we went to the JHS pool, and I tried the 500 yds swim. This, I was not as worried about. I did 475 yds. in 10:33. I got a cramp in my right leg just before the last 25 yard link. Meg said it took me about 0:45 seconds every 25. So there's at least one thing I can do! The thing that I'm most worried about is push-ups; it's so difficult for me...
So I was red after the run, but the water was great! I've always hated running! But my seniors in ROTC really gave me good words of advice that helped me, for sure.
I told my parents about this Thursday night, after a frustrating photography class. They were not all that surprised... :) and they were supportive, like always.
Phew! It was great to get home and sit down. This morning my hamstrings are a little tight. But other than that, I'm feeling great!
Today, I am meeting a friend from Florida! She's up here for the weekend! So today is pretty much just relaxing and getting a few things done! Yey!
Jp
Absolutely gorgeous weather! No clouds, about 70 degrees, cool breezes... so I thought I'd like to bike all the way around Lake Sammamish. It was about 20 miles, starting at Marymoor Park in Redmond, biking south along the East Lake Sam. Pkwy to Issaquah, through the Lake Sam. State Park, and back north on the West Lk. Sam. Pkwy to my car at Marymoor. I don't think I'd like to do it again, as you have to bike with traffic most of the way. Once I was scared to death, going down a huge hill going north (ruts and all). But there were several times (when there was a nice bike lane) that I just adored my ride. It was such a glorious day.
Before I went any further with my inclinations from a couple days ago, I thought that I should see where I am for the running and swimming requirements. I went to Juanita High School (my Alma mater) and borrowed the use of the track. A mile and a half in 16 minutes (holy cow! I made the list on my first run!), according to my sister, who most generously volunteered to watch me suffer, and to time me. And then with about 15 minutes break, we went to the JHS pool, and I tried the 500 yds swim. This, I was not as worried about. I did 475 yds. in 10:33. I got a cramp in my right leg just before the last 25 yard link. Meg said it took me about 0:45 seconds every 25. So there's at least one thing I can do! The thing that I'm most worried about is push-ups; it's so difficult for me...
So I was red after the run, but the water was great! I've always hated running! But my seniors in ROTC really gave me good words of advice that helped me, for sure.
I told my parents about this Thursday night, after a frustrating photography class. They were not all that surprised... :) and they were supportive, like always.
Phew! It was great to get home and sit down. This morning my hamstrings are a little tight. But other than that, I'm feeling great!
Today, I am meeting a friend from Florida! She's up here for the weekend! So today is pretty much just relaxing and getting a few things done! Yey!
Jp
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
So Happy!
I am preliminarily extremely excited...
I think I know what I want to do!
If possible (in the from of losing weight, doing push-ups, and passing MEPS... which would be a mere miracle), I am thinking about joining the US Navy. I would do a job called RP. LOL!
It's an enlisted position called Religious Programs Specialist. Along with assisting Navy chaplains, I would operate shipboard libraries! And they pay for continuing education... library school! What a good deal that would be! I'm mostly interested in serving my country, and in this job I would be serving the people serving the country! I'm still just thinking about it, and I haven't told my parents yet... they are still adjusting to my brother being gone and in the Marines. If it happens, it would be over a year away.
Just a "wow" moment. Nothing is decided yet.
Possible reasons why this came on:
1. I love how the Navy is steeped in history and tradition, yet is embracing new technologies while continuing those old traditions.
2. My grandfather on my dad's side served aboard a small aircraft carrier during the later part of World War II.
3. On Saturday, January 10, 2009, before the first bike ride, I happened to watch the commissioning of the USS George H. W. Bush on TV, as my dad had it on and I was up early. Former President George H. W. Bush Sr. spoke about his service during WWII, and it was inspiring.
4. I've wanted to be in the military since I was around 12, but I found out the Army was not for me at 17 yrs old and again at 22. MS4 Rother, from ROTC, during a ruck march (that was impossible to keep up on), in all sincerity, suggested that I join a less physically demanding service like the Navy or Air Force.
5. I want to work in libraries, but the field is pretty full-up right now. This might be a good transition job, as I do not want to do my current job for the rest of my life.
[6. There are several people I really love who were in the Navy before I met them.]
Jp
I think I know what I want to do!
If possible (in the from of losing weight, doing push-ups, and passing MEPS... which would be a mere miracle), I am thinking about joining the US Navy. I would do a job called RP. LOL!
It's an enlisted position called Religious Programs Specialist. Along with assisting Navy chaplains, I would operate shipboard libraries! And they pay for continuing education... library school! What a good deal that would be! I'm mostly interested in serving my country, and in this job I would be serving the people serving the country! I'm still just thinking about it, and I haven't told my parents yet... they are still adjusting to my brother being gone and in the Marines. If it happens, it would be over a year away.
Just a "wow" moment. Nothing is decided yet.
Possible reasons why this came on:
1. I love how the Navy is steeped in history and tradition, yet is embracing new technologies while continuing those old traditions.
2. My grandfather on my dad's side served aboard a small aircraft carrier during the later part of World War II.
3. On Saturday, January 10, 2009, before the first bike ride, I happened to watch the commissioning of the USS George H. W. Bush on TV, as my dad had it on and I was up early. Former President George H. W. Bush Sr. spoke about his service during WWII, and it was inspiring.
4. I've wanted to be in the military since I was around 12, but I found out the Army was not for me at 17 yrs old and again at 22. MS4 Rother, from ROTC, during a ruck march (that was impossible to keep up on), in all sincerity, suggested that I join a less physically demanding service like the Navy or Air Force.
5. I want to work in libraries, but the field is pretty full-up right now. This might be a good transition job, as I do not want to do my current job for the rest of my life.
[6. There are several people I really love who were in the Navy before I met them.]
Jp
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Again
Warm, sunny, hard to stay in the office, thinking the people who go running at noontime once it gets boiling sunny outside are insane... same as yesterday. Except last night I stayed up way late working on a class assignment. I was having the hardest time remembering how to do what I was supposed to do - last week I forgot paper in class, wrote my notes on a macintosh word document that my windows couldn't read - but late last night after a MASH episode, I remembered what to do. Tonight I'm going to go to sleep! Yey!
Jp
Jp
Monday, April 20, 2009
It Sure is Spring Today!
Bright blue sky all day today... it was in the upper 70's in the evening. Smelled many fragrances while walking the dog tonight... ah, it truly is Springtime! The flowers are sure popping out! And it was hot in the office building today, for the first time this season. Yey.
I gave Mom the Heron print tonight, because I couldn't bear to wait for an occasion. We went together to Michael's and picked out an appropriate frame.
Also noteworthy was the arrival of half of my Elkhart museum. I got the 1932 yearbook in the mail today... holy cow is it a page turner! Very interesting! There was an English teacher named Gertrude Clendenon... and a student named Ann Roberts. Maybe a sister. LOL
Jp
I gave Mom the Heron print tonight, because I couldn't bear to wait for an occasion. We went together to Michael's and picked out an appropriate frame.
Also noteworthy was the arrival of half of my Elkhart museum. I got the 1932 yearbook in the mail today... holy cow is it a page turner! Very interesting! There was an English teacher named Gertrude Clendenon... and a student named Ann Roberts. Maybe a sister. LOL
Jp
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday Adventure
Spur of the moment, this week I decided to go up to the Vancouver Aquarium today, to take more pictures for my project and to see two more of the aquariums of the west coast.
I got up at 8, had a quick snack of blueberry muffins and an avocado with my sister, and then took off north up I-5 all by myself. The scenery is just incredible! Both the Cascades and the Olympics were clearly visible and much of the way was brilliant green... farmland just north of Everett, and woods north of that.
I listened and sang to my heart's content and then stuck on an audio book by an Easy Company Soldier from the famous "Band of Brothers". He grew up here, in the Pacific Northwest... Astoria, Oregon, to be specific. It was fabulous hearing about how he grew up here in the 20's and 30's. And JBL narrated it, of course. This is the second time I've gotten a book that he read... both incredible stories, read meticulously! Sometimes I even forget that it's him... as he does Irish accents and gruff voices. Very entertaining. And then he mentioned Pittsburgh once, and some spy that got caught by the Germans... No kidding!
I stopped off at Bellingham at 10:20, drove through the Western Washington University campus just to see it, then headed to the waterfront to take in the Marine Life Center of Bellingham. It was a tiny little thing with only 5 tanks, but number of tanks doesn't mean you can take any less valuable pictures... in fact, the smaller, the less distracting the aquarium. There are a couple images I got that will be contenders for the project! I took about 3/4 hour in that little room! On the way back, I stopped in a little marine supply/art gallery not far from the waterfront. I bought a print of a great blue heron for Mom. After that I went to Taco Time, back by the university, and then hopped back on I-5 North.
The border crossing was fast, around 1PM, but the Canadian lady was grumpy. What's funny is, coming back, the American lady was friendly. Usually, or in my past experience, this should have been the opposite. Only took a couple minutes to get through.
I got confused by the directions Google gave me, and took a wrong route. I ended up heading for the University of British Colombia's campus, which I wanted to peek at anyway (they have a good Library Science program). Nice campus! It sits on the southern tip of Vancouver, jutting out into the Straight of Georgia. Views of towering mountains from across the wide river's mouth. When I turned around, I finally got it straight, and after a little getting lost at Stanley Park... and seeing Clydesdales, of all things... I found the Aquarium. I was a little bewildered, but made it alright. I found that I dislike Canadian traffic. They rarely have turn signals and when the light is green, it blinks at you. Why? Also, the streets seem a little narrower and there is a serious lack of signs directing you to places. Gah! I felt like I was in downtown Seattle (which I also strenuously dislike) except with no turn signals. To tell the truth, it felt a little like driving in Beijing - except with English. Maybe it's an Olympic thing. :)
The aquarium was... concise. I was surprised to find they had an African fish exhibit, combined with exotic birds. It felt a little out of place, along with the frog exhibit, as the rest of the aquarium was Pacific marine life. But their layout was very good and they had many great tanks, including 3 lionfish, a giant pacific octopus, hagfish, and the usual set. Outside they had a pair of beluga whales, dolphins, seals and otters. There was also a hawk and bald eagle show going on when I walked outside. Very cool, indeed!
I headed straight home after the hour and 3/4 I spent there. Going back was much simpler. I made it though nearly 3 full discs of the book! It's a very good one.
Got home at 8:15, filled up the 3/4 tank of gas I used today, and then got a snack at home. 300 mile trip today! Good thing I was in my car.
What a day, again! Holy cow! I have to stay in one place tomorrow!
Can I handle it?
Jp
I got up at 8, had a quick snack of blueberry muffins and an avocado with my sister, and then took off north up I-5 all by myself. The scenery is just incredible! Both the Cascades and the Olympics were clearly visible and much of the way was brilliant green... farmland just north of Everett, and woods north of that.
I listened and sang to my heart's content and then stuck on an audio book by an Easy Company Soldier from the famous "Band of Brothers". He grew up here, in the Pacific Northwest... Astoria, Oregon, to be specific. It was fabulous hearing about how he grew up here in the 20's and 30's. And JBL narrated it, of course. This is the second time I've gotten a book that he read... both incredible stories, read meticulously! Sometimes I even forget that it's him... as he does Irish accents and gruff voices. Very entertaining. And then he mentioned Pittsburgh once, and some spy that got caught by the Germans... No kidding!
I stopped off at Bellingham at 10:20, drove through the Western Washington University campus just to see it, then headed to the waterfront to take in the Marine Life Center of Bellingham. It was a tiny little thing with only 5 tanks, but number of tanks doesn't mean you can take any less valuable pictures... in fact, the smaller, the less distracting the aquarium. There are a couple images I got that will be contenders for the project! I took about 3/4 hour in that little room! On the way back, I stopped in a little marine supply/art gallery not far from the waterfront. I bought a print of a great blue heron for Mom. After that I went to Taco Time, back by the university, and then hopped back on I-5 North.
The border crossing was fast, around 1PM, but the Canadian lady was grumpy. What's funny is, coming back, the American lady was friendly. Usually, or in my past experience, this should have been the opposite. Only took a couple minutes to get through.
I got confused by the directions Google gave me, and took a wrong route. I ended up heading for the University of British Colombia's campus, which I wanted to peek at anyway (they have a good Library Science program). Nice campus! It sits on the southern tip of Vancouver, jutting out into the Straight of Georgia. Views of towering mountains from across the wide river's mouth. When I turned around, I finally got it straight, and after a little getting lost at Stanley Park... and seeing Clydesdales, of all things... I found the Aquarium. I was a little bewildered, but made it alright. I found that I dislike Canadian traffic. They rarely have turn signals and when the light is green, it blinks at you. Why? Also, the streets seem a little narrower and there is a serious lack of signs directing you to places. Gah! I felt like I was in downtown Seattle (which I also strenuously dislike) except with no turn signals. To tell the truth, it felt a little like driving in Beijing - except with English. Maybe it's an Olympic thing. :)
The aquarium was... concise. I was surprised to find they had an African fish exhibit, combined with exotic birds. It felt a little out of place, along with the frog exhibit, as the rest of the aquarium was Pacific marine life. But their layout was very good and they had many great tanks, including 3 lionfish, a giant pacific octopus, hagfish, and the usual set. Outside they had a pair of beluga whales, dolphins, seals and otters. There was also a hawk and bald eagle show going on when I walked outside. Very cool, indeed!
I headed straight home after the hour and 3/4 I spent there. Going back was much simpler. I made it though nearly 3 full discs of the book! It's a very good one.
Got home at 8:15, filled up the 3/4 tank of gas I used today, and then got a snack at home. 300 mile trip today! Good thing I was in my car.
What a day, again! Holy cow! I have to stay in one place tomorrow!
Can I handle it?
Jp
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Plum Tuckered Out
6 miles from the UW to I-90,
2 miles across I-90,
13.5 miles around Mercer Island,
2 miles back on I-90,
6 miles back to the UW.
...............................................
= 29.5 miles round-trip
sitting down in my car: priceless.
That was pretty much my day, other than having a great breakfast with my mom and sister, which doesn't happen very often, and dropping my cellphone on I-90, having it get run over by two bikes, getting it back and having it work...
and then after the ride, I dropped my bike off for it's free 90 day tune up, and picked up a pump and tube and saddle pouch, so when my tire goes flat next time (it happened about a mile into our trip) I'll be able to fix it, no problem. (Thanks to Brian for the tube! and for showing me how!)
at home, after swinging by Fred Meyer for two large CD cases (still in my biking pants - eeeeik!), I came home to an already prepared baked potato dinner! Yum! And then my sister and I went to Target to spend my gift card from work. Comfy socks! and a couple Schleich toys. I saw the Webkins Lion, and I thought he was rather cute! Another time, maybe.
So, after a long, relaxing shower, I'm sitting here in the living room sorting through all my CD's... because they are very unsorted and hard to find.
What a day!
Jp
2 miles across I-90,
13.5 miles around Mercer Island,
2 miles back on I-90,
6 miles back to the UW.
...............................................
= 29.5 miles round-trip
sitting down in my car: priceless.
That was pretty much my day, other than having a great breakfast with my mom and sister, which doesn't happen very often, and dropping my cellphone on I-90, having it get run over by two bikes, getting it back and having it work...
and then after the ride, I dropped my bike off for it's free 90 day tune up, and picked up a pump and tube and saddle pouch, so when my tire goes flat next time (it happened about a mile into our trip) I'll be able to fix it, no problem. (Thanks to Brian for the tube! and for showing me how!)
at home, after swinging by Fred Meyer for two large CD cases (still in my biking pants - eeeeik!), I came home to an already prepared baked potato dinner! Yum! And then my sister and I went to Target to spend my gift card from work. Comfy socks! and a couple Schleich toys. I saw the Webkins Lion, and I thought he was rather cute! Another time, maybe.
So, after a long, relaxing shower, I'm sitting here in the living room sorting through all my CD's... because they are very unsorted and hard to find.
What a day!
Jp
Friday, April 17, 2009
Happiness in a Bag
A mint condition, 1988 Allosaurus from the Carnegie Collection. Impossible to find... unless you find one of two copies on eBay, both from England. :)Otherwise, today has been rather slow and peaceful. Nothing much to report, other than I've watched a lot of MASH, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941) with the family. Enjoyed it immensely... very 40's indeed. And the orchestra segment on afterwords was equally entertaining. In fact, just the adds were great... makes me long for better days, and Pittsburgh.
Oh, and I found out that my fourth friend (after Andrea, Jen and Laura) is getting married next month. It's to that point in my life, is it?! Eeeeeek! I wonder if I'll ever meet someone?
Jp
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Happy Tax Day
...as I raise my tea in a toast to our great nation.
Those people who are protesting taxation... need to talk to their representatives before invoking the Revolution. Geesh.
Jp
Those people who are protesting taxation... need to talk to their representatives before invoking the Revolution. Geesh.
Jp
A Brief Recap
Easter Sunday was very odd, but also quite enjoyable... especially from 1 - 2 AM... LOL! My sis and I were alone for much of the day, so after listening to a sermon, we watched Toby Tyler... and I remembered much of it for watching it so long ago. We thought we'd get work done at the same time, but we were both so enthralled with watching it again, that we did nothing but eat pizza during it. This was followed by some MASH, and then my parents returned. And after a short respite, we watched another one. Odd, odd, odd, but fun.
Monday, after a very dull day at work, I went to school to work in the lab on this week's assignment that I couldn't figure out how to do on my laptop. And it took a while. And then I came home, watched one MASH and went to bed after a quick snack.
Yesterday, Tuesday, was absolutely wonderful! I took a day off work, got up at 5:20AM, drove with my sis to her job at the Community College in Covingiton to watch her teach logic (and get a refresher, myself - I get to supervise 3 homework days the first week of May). After that and an hour of office hours - during which I read - we had brunch at Subway and went shopping at Fred's where I found athletic pants and a couple tops. Still in Covington, we took Hwy 18 to I-90 to Preston where we headed out to Carnation to go horseback riding. It took forever to brush them, as they are beginning to shed. Roo was awful for picking his feet again, but he was fine when I got up; and very patient too... I had my camera along to take more soft pictures of the forest. On the trail past the power lines, we saw a wild coyote come walking onto the trail from the brush ahead, only 10 yds away. The dogs took off, chasing it... stupid things! Thankfully they came back to us without any trouble.
The weather was very off and on... the sun broke through thick clouds when we were brushing and picking, but it was lightly hailing when we were returning from the trails. There was a slight dusting of snow along the trail as we went. Wild!
We got back to the house just in time for me to take off to class after changing my pants and retrieving my purse, which I had left on my chair that morning. Class was fabulous! We learned to make a PDF slide show in Photoshop, and then how to combine multiple pictures for even exposure. And then we had a mini assignment to go out and take pictures on campus for over an hour! What pure fun! I got a little carried away! This week, we are to use the pictures we took and make a slide show and a combined picture. :)
And I successfully bid for the Elkhart trumpet I was watching on eBay. LOL! (No, no... I actually wanted a trumpet in the first place. I used to play trumpet in Jr. High before I switched to horn. Having it be an antique made in Elkhart during the 1930's is an added pleasure :)
Today, work has been steady and engaging. I wish I could take every Tuesday off!
Jp
[Update, April 14, 2013: Easter Sunday, April 12, from around 1-2 am, was the first time my husband Mike and I talked on the phone. At this point in life I was still worried about saying too much on the Internet, for fear of who should know what about me. We were chatting later than everyone else, as usual, and suddenly we were talking about phone calls, and suddenly I gave him my home phone number. He called and we were both a little nervous, but had a whale of a great time talking vocally for the first time.]
Monday, after a very dull day at work, I went to school to work in the lab on this week's assignment that I couldn't figure out how to do on my laptop. And it took a while. And then I came home, watched one MASH and went to bed after a quick snack.
Yesterday, Tuesday, was absolutely wonderful! I took a day off work, got up at 5:20AM, drove with my sis to her job at the Community College in Covingiton to watch her teach logic (and get a refresher, myself - I get to supervise 3 homework days the first week of May). After that and an hour of office hours - during which I read - we had brunch at Subway and went shopping at Fred's where I found athletic pants and a couple tops. Still in Covington, we took Hwy 18 to I-90 to Preston where we headed out to Carnation to go horseback riding. It took forever to brush them, as they are beginning to shed. Roo was awful for picking his feet again, but he was fine when I got up; and very patient too... I had my camera along to take more soft pictures of the forest. On the trail past the power lines, we saw a wild coyote come walking onto the trail from the brush ahead, only 10 yds away. The dogs took off, chasing it... stupid things! Thankfully they came back to us without any trouble.
The weather was very off and on... the sun broke through thick clouds when we were brushing and picking, but it was lightly hailing when we were returning from the trails. There was a slight dusting of snow along the trail as we went. Wild!
We got back to the house just in time for me to take off to class after changing my pants and retrieving my purse, which I had left on my chair that morning. Class was fabulous! We learned to make a PDF slide show in Photoshop, and then how to combine multiple pictures for even exposure. And then we had a mini assignment to go out and take pictures on campus for over an hour! What pure fun! I got a little carried away! This week, we are to use the pictures we took and make a slide show and a combined picture. :)
And I successfully bid for the Elkhart trumpet I was watching on eBay. LOL! (No, no... I actually wanted a trumpet in the first place. I used to play trumpet in Jr. High before I switched to horn. Having it be an antique made in Elkhart during the 1930's is an added pleasure :)
Today, work has been steady and engaging. I wish I could take every Tuesday off!
Jp
[Update, April 14, 2013: Easter Sunday, April 12, from around 1-2 am, was the first time my husband Mike and I talked on the phone. At this point in life I was still worried about saying too much on the Internet, for fear of who should know what about me. We were chatting later than everyone else, as usual, and suddenly we were talking about phone calls, and suddenly I gave him my home phone number. He called and we were both a little nervous, but had a whale of a great time talking vocally for the first time.]
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Biking, Crashing and Printing
I had planned on getting up at 9:30, but I woke myself up just before 8... turned out it was good I did! I got lots of stuff done: washed the bed, ate breakfast, wrote a letter... and I left in time, about 20 to 11 AM.
Biking was really good! We went on the Burke-Gilman to Bothell and back. I tried out using my bike's stirrups this time and only fell over once. LOL! But then there was that other time I was stopping and I rode into the chain link fence on the bridge... red mark on the shoulder! And the leg is already sore. The ride took a long time because someone needed a flat changed in Bothell. We didn't get back until 3PM.
After that, I went to the Art building on upper campus to print from yesterday's photo shoot at the Seattle Aquarium (at which I spent four hours - and loved every minute of it - good thing I had a spare battery and spare 4GB card - LOL!) And I printed 10 photos to show in class. It took until 5PM to select the ones I wanted (out of 400+) and then actually print. I'm glad I took the time to convert them last night!
So I'm switching the project to abstract/macro aquarium pictures because I love fish so much, and I want to show the beautiful detail of smaller, less noticed things. Most people in aquariums fly right by most of the beauty. It's a shame, but I understand why they do it... little kids! Oh, little kids at aquariums are so funny to watch! I remember myself when I see them staring with wide eyes at the big fish.
I could spend my whole life watching the fish! :)
So my sister and I are alone this weekend, and tonight we had a lovely steak dinner together, pan seared with spices. And then some avocados and garlic sourdough bread. yum! Tomorrow will be the most odd Easter ever... just the two of us!
Jp
Biking was really good! We went on the Burke-Gilman to Bothell and back. I tried out using my bike's stirrups this time and only fell over once. LOL! But then there was that other time I was stopping and I rode into the chain link fence on the bridge... red mark on the shoulder! And the leg is already sore. The ride took a long time because someone needed a flat changed in Bothell. We didn't get back until 3PM.
After that, I went to the Art building on upper campus to print from yesterday's photo shoot at the Seattle Aquarium (at which I spent four hours - and loved every minute of it - good thing I had a spare battery and spare 4GB card - LOL!) And I printed 10 photos to show in class. It took until 5PM to select the ones I wanted (out of 400+) and then actually print. I'm glad I took the time to convert them last night!
So I'm switching the project to abstract/macro aquarium pictures because I love fish so much, and I want to show the beautiful detail of smaller, less noticed things. Most people in aquariums fly right by most of the beauty. It's a shame, but I understand why they do it... little kids! Oh, little kids at aquariums are so funny to watch! I remember myself when I see them staring with wide eyes at the big fish.
I could spend my whole life watching the fish! :)
So my sister and I are alone this weekend, and tonight we had a lovely steak dinner together, pan seared with spices. And then some avocados and garlic sourdough bread. yum! Tomorrow will be the most odd Easter ever... just the two of us!
Jp
Friday, April 10, 2009
Minor Happenings
Our beautiful weather only lasted until Tuesday afternoon, when the sun was again enveloped in clouds... only to be interrupted briefly, yesterday evening, before being further blanketed by thick clouds this morning. But that break was pure heaven... I was walking to class from the north parking lot under a canopy of green trees near the dorm that my friends stayed at, back when we were in school. Lots of memories... mixed feelings. But the weather was great!
I found something important to me on eBay yesterday: an old Carnegie Allosaurus model from 1988 that isn't available anymore. My favorite toy store, Tree Top Toys in Redmond, has a display model that I've asked them about maybe 5 times, but they always say they'll have someone call. My goodness! It had to come from England! That pretty much rounds out my collection now!
Class on Tuesday didn't fry my brain! It was all about the different ways to make selections on a photograph, and I understood everything! Class on Thursday was amazing! We had Jock Sturges as a guest lecturer. I didn't know how I would react, as his work is mostly of nudes, but I didn't think too much about it. He showed a slide show of his work and talked about the stories of the models. It was very touching and tasteful, and not at all sexual... in fact, I enjoyed it! It's difficult to describe. The success of the images is not about the nudity, it's about the innocence... if that makes any sense. It's the relationships with, and love that he had for the families he was photographing. I was enchanted with his quiet, open and honest manner. He truly cares about people. I really thought about our culture as it relates to nudity, and I'm interested. I don't plan on changing my own culture, but it's interesting to think about. And I thought I was learning photography!
Here's to living and learning!
Jp
I found something important to me on eBay yesterday: an old Carnegie Allosaurus model from 1988 that isn't available anymore. My favorite toy store, Tree Top Toys in Redmond, has a display model that I've asked them about maybe 5 times, but they always say they'll have someone call. My goodness! It had to come from England! That pretty much rounds out my collection now!
Class on Tuesday didn't fry my brain! It was all about the different ways to make selections on a photograph, and I understood everything! Class on Thursday was amazing! We had Jock Sturges as a guest lecturer. I didn't know how I would react, as his work is mostly of nudes, but I didn't think too much about it. He showed a slide show of his work and talked about the stories of the models. It was very touching and tasteful, and not at all sexual... in fact, I enjoyed it! It's difficult to describe. The success of the images is not about the nudity, it's about the innocence... if that makes any sense. It's the relationships with, and love that he had for the families he was photographing. I was enchanted with his quiet, open and honest manner. He truly cares about people. I really thought about our culture as it relates to nudity, and I'm interested. I don't plan on changing my own culture, but it's interesting to think about. And I thought I was learning photography!
Here's to living and learning!
Jp
Monday, April 6, 2009
Woweee!
76 degrees at quitting time today! Beautiful sunshine with an unheard of cloudless sky, all day long. Today was exquisite... just perfect... and now we're hearing the birds really go at it! Ah! I love the cool spring air: everything fresh and green, cherry blossoms popping out everywhere before the hardwoods get their leaves; and the little girls are practicing softball again at 132nd square park, on the way home from work. It reminds me of all those Little League evening practices more than a decade ago.
Here in the Seattle area, we've been blanketed by clouds and rain (and snow!) for much longer than normal... it seemed that winter lasted forever... It's like I just woke up today and found out I was alive. Ah! It's almost like I forgot what the color blue looked like. And it made me happy!
Another letter from my brother! And I wrote him today too... our letters are crossing in the mail.
Tonight, after dinner, I put on my new biking pants and jumped in my car to go enjoy the last few moments of perfect weather. I biked for an hour, going 12 and a half miles round-trip on the Sammamish River Trail. The crickets were singing their guts out, the Canadian geese honked as they flew in for landings, all sorts of varieties of birds chirped and a wild bunny scampered across the path in front of me on my way back, getting out of the way just in time. Just a mile into the ride, I saw what I thought was a duck swimming in the river. But I realized it couldn't be, since there wasn't anything where the duck's head should be. It turned out to be a river otter, swimming briskly upstream! But my favorite encounter of the evening was the bald eagle, perched high on a young, bare tree, just on the river's edge. Lord, I love Willows Valley! What a beautiful place! As I returned, it was getting dark. The sun had gone over the west ridge, but the sky was still a deep, bright blue, and it reflected brilliantly off of the glassy surface of the water, accenting the crisp images of bare trees painted on the river.
I am in love with this place.
I returned right at 9 o'clock, and in order to completely avoid an episode of 24, my sister and I watched two episodes of MASH downstairs. What a day!
Jp
Here in the Seattle area, we've been blanketed by clouds and rain (and snow!) for much longer than normal... it seemed that winter lasted forever... It's like I just woke up today and found out I was alive. Ah! It's almost like I forgot what the color blue looked like. And it made me happy!
Another letter from my brother! And I wrote him today too... our letters are crossing in the mail.
Tonight, after dinner, I put on my new biking pants and jumped in my car to go enjoy the last few moments of perfect weather. I biked for an hour, going 12 and a half miles round-trip on the Sammamish River Trail. The crickets were singing their guts out, the Canadian geese honked as they flew in for landings, all sorts of varieties of birds chirped and a wild bunny scampered across the path in front of me on my way back, getting out of the way just in time. Just a mile into the ride, I saw what I thought was a duck swimming in the river. But I realized it couldn't be, since there wasn't anything where the duck's head should be. It turned out to be a river otter, swimming briskly upstream! But my favorite encounter of the evening was the bald eagle, perched high on a young, bare tree, just on the river's edge. Lord, I love Willows Valley! What a beautiful place! As I returned, it was getting dark. The sun had gone over the west ridge, but the sky was still a deep, bright blue, and it reflected brilliantly off of the glassy surface of the water, accenting the crisp images of bare trees painted on the river.
I am in love with this place.
I returned right at 9 o'clock, and in order to completely avoid an episode of 24, my sister and I watched two episodes of MASH downstairs. What a day!
Jp
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Sunny Sunday
Bright sun again!
It was nice, because today was the Walk for MS... it was fun to see my band friends again! And the weather was perfect! My only complaint is that my left foot is hurting me now... I know - I'm falling apart. lol! It was a lovely morning! I was up an' at 'em at 7:30, arriving right on time at 8:30. We hung out together in the band block in Husky Stadium until we gathered our team and it was time to go. I loved the free beef jerky and bananas! It was a very pleasant walk, not too fast, sometimes too slow and just long enough. I was back home by 12:30... it was a good two hours of walking.
At home I took a brief lay-down/nap until my friend came over. Our family did a Passover celebration, in honor of Easter next week (My brother in law is partly Jewish), and although it certainly was not Kosher, it was sorta close... Mom got all the readings together from the Bible and we each read as we walked through God's promises and provisions for the Israelites. There was an added portion about Jesus, and we drank and feasted sort of similarly, complete with lamb. Very tasty, indeed.
Afterwards, my sister performed her LOTR/WENN fanfiction for us, as my friend and I were going to complete watching the series after desert with the last three episodes. It really is hilarious. After screaming about the usual things during the finale, I realized I didn't hate this episode as much as I thought. The last few times I watched it, I had been studying nuances about the B/S/V relationship... but now that my epic fanfiction is done, it's much more enjoyable. Some of those lines are hysterical! even if there are certain historical impossibilities... Also, we were watching it on my brother's projector, which is very cool, in and of itself. Betty, being magnified ten times! ...well, maybe not that much... LOL
And then the perfect day was rounded out with three episodes of MASH, which even my sister hadn't seen before! And they were really good! I really liked the one where Hawkeye and Hot Lips and Klinger did battlefield surgery up at the front because the surgeon had been killed there. Major character development for Major Houlihan. Darn, I love this show! Only 8 seasons of new episodes for me to watch! I'm going to miss Henry!
Jp
It was nice, because today was the Walk for MS... it was fun to see my band friends again! And the weather was perfect! My only complaint is that my left foot is hurting me now... I know - I'm falling apart. lol! It was a lovely morning! I was up an' at 'em at 7:30, arriving right on time at 8:30. We hung out together in the band block in Husky Stadium until we gathered our team and it was time to go. I loved the free beef jerky and bananas! It was a very pleasant walk, not too fast, sometimes too slow and just long enough. I was back home by 12:30... it was a good two hours of walking.
At home I took a brief lay-down/nap until my friend came over. Our family did a Passover celebration, in honor of Easter next week (My brother in law is partly Jewish), and although it certainly was not Kosher, it was sorta close... Mom got all the readings together from the Bible and we each read as we walked through God's promises and provisions for the Israelites. There was an added portion about Jesus, and we drank and feasted sort of similarly, complete with lamb. Very tasty, indeed.
Afterwards, my sister performed her LOTR/WENN fanfiction for us, as my friend and I were going to complete watching the series after desert with the last three episodes. It really is hilarious. After screaming about the usual things during the finale, I realized I didn't hate this episode as much as I thought. The last few times I watched it, I had been studying nuances about the B/S/V relationship... but now that my epic fanfiction is done, it's much more enjoyable. Some of those lines are hysterical! even if there are certain historical impossibilities... Also, we were watching it on my brother's projector, which is very cool, in and of itself. Betty, being magnified ten times! ...well, maybe not that much... LOL
And then the perfect day was rounded out with three episodes of MASH, which even my sister hadn't seen before! And they were really good! I really liked the one where Hawkeye and Hot Lips and Klinger did battlefield surgery up at the front because the surgeon had been killed there. Major character development for Major Houlihan. Darn, I love this show! Only 8 seasons of new episodes for me to watch! I'm going to miss Henry!
Jp
Sunny Day on Saturday
Wow! All of a sudden the weather is beautiful! With more on the way, I hear!
Yesterday I had a ride on the ferry with my sister, as we had something to go to on the peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle. I love riding the ferry and smelling the sea, looking at birds and seals, basking in the sun, getting blown by the icy wind and taking pictures. (smile)
She had a meeting, so I mostly just read and relaxed... I read Shag: the last of the plains buffalo, by McClung and finished the first two acts of Twelfth Night, as I'm going to see it this summer.
To pass the time, we stopped by an antique shop on the way to the ferry, and found a nice painting for the library downstairs... or wherever we put it. Cute little shop... and not too expensive either. I also got a little fish book that goes in a set with others I have... the Golden Nature Guides from 1955... I also have Mammals and Seashores. "A Guide to Familiar American Species"... I like the drawings; they are richly drawn! Cute little books too!
Coming and going from Bremerton, we passed by the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, where we saw the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, at it's final berth. But we only saw it from the ferry.
On the way home we stopped at Ivar's for dinner and went home. I just found out that it's only in Washington! Huh!
Jp
Yesterday I had a ride on the ferry with my sister, as we had something to go to on the peninsula across Puget Sound from Seattle. I love riding the ferry and smelling the sea, looking at birds and seals, basking in the sun, getting blown by the icy wind and taking pictures. (smile)
She had a meeting, so I mostly just read and relaxed... I read Shag: the last of the plains buffalo, by McClung and finished the first two acts of Twelfth Night, as I'm going to see it this summer.
To pass the time, we stopped by an antique shop on the way to the ferry, and found a nice painting for the library downstairs... or wherever we put it. Cute little shop... and not too expensive either. I also got a little fish book that goes in a set with others I have... the Golden Nature Guides from 1955... I also have Mammals and Seashores. "A Guide to Familiar American Species"... I like the drawings; they are richly drawn! Cute little books too!
Coming and going from Bremerton, we passed by the Bremerton Naval Shipyard, where we saw the USS Kitty Hawk CV-63, at it's final berth. But we only saw it from the ferry.
On the way home we stopped at Ivar's for dinner and went home. I just found out that it's only in Washington! Huh!
Jp
Friday, April 3, 2009
Utterly Unpredictable
Yes, the weather. I got up in time for Jazzercise this morning, and found as I was driving to Redmond, that snow was coming down with the rain.
Work was great, actually. I cleaned up many things on my desk.
After work and a quick snack of leftovers at home, I retired to my room to put more things in order. Then I took the Dingo for a walk and took many pictures... there were great compositions because it had just been pouring a moment before we went out. The rain had been a steady, fresh rain, with the sun still shining a ways away. A very springy rain. Thank goodness! Maybe it's finally here!
Jp
Work was great, actually. I cleaned up many things on my desk.
After work and a quick snack of leftovers at home, I retired to my room to put more things in order. Then I took the Dingo for a walk and took many pictures... there were great compositions because it had just been pouring a moment before we went out. The rain had been a steady, fresh rain, with the sun still shining a ways away. A very springy rain. Thank goodness! Maybe it's finally here!
Jp
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A. Fool's Weather
It's been raining hard for two days now... but yesterday we had snow mixed in. (rolls eyes - I wasn't even too taken aback at this news)
Crazy weather. I think that's made it six or seven times that we've had snow since January... in Seattle... This is nuts!
Jp
Crazy weather. I think that's made it six or seven times that we've had snow since January... in Seattle... This is nuts!
Jp
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Success!
I was in bed by 11pm, and this morning I heard my alarm! Yey! Still took me 15 minutes to get out though... do I hear 10pm? Yeah, I'll try! I don't plan on making another photo album soon, so it might be easier than I think.
Class was both fun and difficult last night. It was a little bit of a refresher, and new operations in Photoshop as well. My head got pretty full of functions, but I did a better job of writing stuff down this time. It was great to see my classmates and teachers again!
Jp
Class was both fun and difficult last night. It was a little bit of a refresher, and new operations in Photoshop as well. My head got pretty full of functions, but I did a better job of writing stuff down this time. It was great to see my classmates and teachers again!
Jp
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