Happy new year

So, another calendar year passes and the grey hair on my head can no longer be avoided.

I turned one more year closer to 30, saw my family during a 60th anniversary party for the grandparents and went to a wedding of a good friend from high school.

In the abstract, time is passing. Friends adventure off into the world- jobs, spouses, children. Family members do the same. Other folks lose their hearing and some have more difficulty moving than they used to. Time (which really doesn't move) moves on and memories are all that remain left in its wake.

For a more "downer" post, but philosophically uplifting(?):

I am 29 and have nothing to show for it. I have memories that only I can see. I have stories which need others' ears to be heard. I have the ability to communicate in many languages but can't talk with myself about it (or at least I can't respond without being considered crazy!)

I have no Things to show for my time, less some saved-up money from previous work.

It is a bit depressing because I have grown up exposed to the idea that one must have things to show for his work. A car, a house, a kid, a spouse. Perhaps an occupation or some advanced education.

And I can think myself into a rut when I compare myself to friends and others who have Things, not NoThings. I think I am behind, I think I should take a debt to pay off, I think I am lonely without a partner.

I think and think and think... and I could be really upset. But being upset only comes from a heart that is being ignored... not from a brain that is not being listened to.

I have started to "feel" instead of think. The heart is the speaker of feelings, not the brain. The brain is for working and accomplishing tasks. But the heart is for leading my life and when it does, when I leave space for it to speak (and more importantly, space for me to listen!), when I let my brain's word-train ramble off down the track (as it always does), when I sit on the side of the track and listen to the soft murmur of my heart, I know that I am moving in the right direction.

Sometimes I have to jump on the train to gain some ground faster, but I have to get off at the right stations to make sure I shouldn't transfer. And while I am waiting, perhaps it's important to walk around the station area, get a meal or a cup of coffee and ponder for a little while. It's a good opportunity to talk with some locals about what makes them tick. How are they doing on this particular day? It's nice to have a conversation with someone who doesn't know me or my story. They want my business, I want their service and we use the fluid time to live the moment... unless they are running around all crazy like during the lunch rush!

The time train rattles on. Fortunately there is email and telephones to help us meet up in the same places at the same "official" times. And while I could go on with the abstract time train continuum discussion, and indeed I could extrapolate much more on this topic, I just got a call from Drew and we are going to talk business on the golf course.

(Actually, it's gonna look like us laughing and causing trouble while playing mini golf. That is how business is done in the environmental education field!)

Cheers,
Dave

Fotos to compliment my last post

Chef Shelby's hands at work on one of the T-day birds.

Icicles greeting visitors upon entering the Dam and Learning Center.

Tracks from the family of raccoons that live in my neighborhood.

Migrant fisherman (Bald Eagle) takes her post in a leaf-less Alder, waiting for signs from the salmon!

Almost a month since the last

So,
I haven't had time to blog... then I had time, but not my pictures. Now I've misplaced my camera with the pictures I really wanted to share.

But, I'm in Irvine at my parents' house, I spent a very relaxing birthday yesterday napping, eating and seeing friends. That was awesome and the dinner with my parents was incredible.... we all enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

Since the 23rd of Nov, I helped work a Thanksgiving Family getaway at the learning center during which I helped run some programs for the 50 participants there. An eagle presentation, a Dam walk, a night hike, a tracking class as well as the participation in various icebreakers and social events, as well as the front desk! Concierge = me!

I finished the quarter's worth of projects and classes. I think my experience in Japan has helped me tremendously because I am focused and patiently grinding away at the never-ending work load. A little bit each day and I hit the deadlines with no real loss of sleep!

I have been working out a little bit too. Basic exercises and now basic pilates (thanks to my mother, the instructor!) and I'm ready to rock.

Speaking of rocks, last week massive amounts of debris came flying off the mountains and all over the roads as we experienced a rain-on-snow event. Lots of water, rocks, sediment load and trees covered the road, learning center parking lot and the highway. we were kinda trapped for two days! Fortunately it got cleaned up and we escaped.

I spent three days in transit- two with another student in my group, Codi and her husband, Jimmy who put (up with me/ me up) [hehehe]. We ate well and went birding and watched soccer. It was a nice way to unwind from crazy school life- seeing hawks, snow geese, trumpeter swans [loud bastards!], Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles. Then a night on Bainbridge Island with Svend and Edie, a nice couple I met at the Getaway. We spoke for hours and Edie whipped up a nice meal for us. I look forward to seeing them when I get back to the Northwest.

Now that I am 29, I feel like I have reached a milestone. 10 years since I have "been on my own" and I am still not completely out on my own. Well, I suppose I am, and now in terms of financial independence and space. But I come back to my parent's house and almost consider it home. It is comfortable and nice and I like being here... for a visit!

I'll be here for a wedding, more birthday celebrations and a huge family reunion and anniversary party. Seeing friends and family will be delightful (or not). Then whisking myself back to the cold, dark north for avalanche training and skiing before my program starts again.

Quick note on the program: It is exactly where I need to be right now. I love every single second of the studying I am doing and I am slowly settling into the Pacific Northwest also. Non-profit admin and education (through the lens of environmental and experiential approaches) is the path that seems most natural to me. There are still many options for careers and paths towards which this graduate program may direct me... but they all point towards happiness and personal satisfaction. For that I am so grateful.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a safe New Year to you.

Cheers.