Homeless Uprising

Today was a strange day. The homeless were restless. Alot of quick walking and anger. More than I've seen before. Also alot more moving around teh city too. There are a few that I see each day on my walk to work and today there were many more. The lady with all the stuff. I'm going to call her Lulu. She has 2 carts and they are overflowing, along with that she has a suitcase loaded with stuff and bags attached to that also. Every day she moves all of those things one cart at a time up and down the streets. Tonight on my way home her stuff was right where she'd left it this morning and there was an ambulance and police on her corner, I'm thinking someone couldn't see around her pile and they hit a pedestrian. She didnt' seem to be anywhere around. She sits off across the street and keeps an eye on her stuff.
In the park today there were more angry smokers and some yellers too, more than usual. The angry lady with plastic wasn't in my path today. The other day she came straight at me talking angrily to herself and she threw down a plastic bottle at my feet. I'm sure there is a logical reason for that. I did see her do it again another day, to someone else who was as unsuspecting as I was.
Usually as I walk to work peacfully taking in my city I'm unscathed by that. But there was something about today. I can't quite put my finger on it. A guy went ahead of me banging on the hoods of cars that pulled too far into the cross walk, he finished with a double flip off flourish. We're talking barely in the way and he walked around another car to do it. Weird.
Its raining hard at this point. But that usually doesn't stir things up. Maybe this is what spring fever in a rainy city looks like? They shouldn't have it yet though since its only mid February. But who knows.
Last night I went to an aquatic park and learned some safety things for whitewater rafting that was fun. A pool session, to learn to right a raft that flips and toss safety lines to swimmers. It was good fun. I flipped a cataraft. They have an indoor wave pool so I learned to paddle an inflatable kayak also, that was really fun. I've never been in one of those. Not sure I'd do that on a river though, we'll see.
Thursday night already. I'm getting anxious to get this weekend over with. I signed up for a bike ride and its going to be a long cold wet ride. But I'm doing it, no matter what! And I had to bribe my friend Mitch into going along so that should be fun.
Aunt Maureen and Uncle Stan I think this almost marks my year. One year ago I went to Europe and everything changed! Should be half term for the kids there just about? I can't believe it! I can still picture that whole trip. It was definitely a special one!

God's sense of humor

In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. I think that for me its been more like playing Pinball with God. I try to do this and he bounces me back over here. I try to go there and he zips me back in another direction. I can laugh about it now since I've had a realization about that. Like I just finished saying in my last entry everything led up to this. Hasn't everything always led to something?  I guess you could say that about anything. Though I think the end game hadn't been reached and I think this next step of mine is it.
On Friday at work I started a list of the places I went and the things I did or didn't do and it was pretty amazing! Oh the things I learned along the way, the heart ache the breakups (thank goodness) the journeys I took. Its fascinating.
As my counselor would say I had a "breakthrough" a light bulb went on!

The funniest part is I'm not even there yet, I really don't know whats to come but I feel certain I can handle this job and that because it combines some of my favorite elements in life I think this is the right thing to do.

Yesterday I went snowshoeing up at Mt Hood. What a pretty drive it is to get there! My friend Tanya had put together a group to get her friends out and into the snow and it was great fun. The group of people were terrific! They all joke and laugh easily and are all caring thoughtfull people and it was just a really nice day. Afterwards I came home and got my taxes done and crunched some numbers to see about the reality of the next step. Its attainable but it won't be easy.

I also have to figure out what to do about my furniture and my things and what to do with my apartment. So I'm going to let the pieces fall where they may. I'm sure the Pinball game isn't over yet.

I also feel pretty good that all those people who shake their heads (lovingly at this point) at my new schemes are actually feeling pretty confident about this one. Anyone who's known me knows I'd be good at this job. The people I spent 4 weeks with in Majorca all knew this was my sort of thing. I was always the one gathering them up, organizing the timing, the walk, get to the bus, who has their sunscreen. None of them are surprised.

Until then I'll have to keep myself busy and not obsess about this....or is it too late :) I'm going to start packing! Ha!

I think I'll clean up my history of decisions and put it in here. Though I can't imagine its interesting for anyone but myself. Not sure if anyone is out there reading this. Aunt Maureen? Are you rolling your eyes yet? Just get on with it Karen! haha. I couldn't have done it without you always saying "hold on to the dream Karen"
Thank you,

The Carrot and the Stick

Now that I've made my decision to jump once again into something a little different I've been thinking about all the things leading up to right now. I was just telling my friend Mitch, I don't think I'd have gotten to this school had I not done everything as I had and gotten to Portland. I have been here looking for the reason I came here. I keep saying what is "it", what is that thing, that reason I ran out of money (ahem) and came home, walked into a job so taht I could live in Portland. I think it all was leading up to this.
Through out my life I've always chosen the greater adventure. I'm the horse who follows the better carrot. In all my "merry wanderings" I could have done this or that and gone here or there. Or not gone anywhere at all, settled down and maybe have been happy (?) doing that, yeah right. I've known better than that for some time now, my husband is going to have to be pretty special and understanding.

It all makes sense, things fell into place and the path was laid for me to get to this point. I couldn't have made this leap without all the others. Does that sound funny?
I've been enjoying going over in my mind the things I did or didn't do. I can follow the bread crumbs back to my friend the wanderer. From there my next step was Madagascar. And why did I chose Madagascar? Because it was a tough place to get to and far away and remote, just my cup of tea!
Well, today is Friday. I'm going to have a good day getting through work and then tomorrow I PLAY! I am going snowshoeing with a friend and that will be great! I love getting out in the snow.

Karen

Sun City

Today is Wednesday February 3rd. Last night one of my favorite shows came on and I chose to sit and watch all 3 hours of it. Sheesh! I wanted to talk about my day yesterday. It was a great day.
The sun came out in the morning on my way to work so things were aglow. The buildings and trees all seemed to stretch and yawn at the sun as it warmed them up. The Park Blocks were so pretty. I need to share some photos I took. On my walk yesterday I saw a man walking down the street and I found myself not able to look away. He seemed to glide. It was like his feet didn't really touch the ground. I've never seen anything like it. And according to his clothes I'd have assumed he was a "strutter" but he glided. Amazing. I think most women would be envious of that glide, though we are required to do that in high heels.
At lunch i went out into the sunshine and sat in the park. As I was sitting there i saw a cute old lady coming very slowly up the hill past me. She seemed to be struggling to manage the incline and would stop to catch her breath here and there. When she got to me she stopped and I smiled at her. She sort of giggled and said "its hell to get old" I giggled a little and she said she was 87 and that her pace was slowing down these days. She was a funny lady.
I had a great discussion with a teacher from a school that teaches at an International Tour Guide School. As we talked I realized I was checking off my list of "requirements" for a "dream job". I did a work book last year that helped you put your finger on things you really like and would look for in a job that became your life work. Working at something you love doing, ideally. Well those who know me know that I've always been looking for that sort of thing. Its why I have had many jobs doing all sorts of things. But now it seems to be clearer all the time to me. Things I've done all my life, learned along the way, gone to counseling for. Its all here now looking me in the face saying "this is it"! Its fantastic!
So I'm signing up! I will go to school for 2 weeks and then get to work doing what I love. Traveling, teaching, researching, speaking in front of people. Its going to be great!
So today is another day, I wonder what it will hold.
Karen