Im glad to be home

Because you are my home. 

Just a 'blah' kind of day

It is now the third week of school. For some reason I just cannot seem to conjure up the effort to get my butt to class. I do all the reading. I turn in all my assignments. I even get dressed and ready to go. But for some reason I just cannot seem to get my feet walking on the orange and yellow leaf covered pavement.

I do not know what it is. Today even happens to be sunny and a lot warmer then the past two weeks. Maybe it is just the lack of drive to sit through classes where they lecture on the reading they assigned so you already know what they are talking about. Maybe it is that I do not have someone to walk with, or talk with, while I make my way through campus. Or maybe it is the lack of sugar and caffein in my diet.

Since I have been at school, the only sugar intake I have had are a small box of Oreos and a cup of chocolate mousse.  NO coffee! No coffee is crazy coming from me. I had a coffee every day after work this summer just to get me through the rest of the day.

 

I thought since I am here and I choose my foods that I would try and eat healthy. For the past 4 weeks I have been living off of salads, fruits, and soups pretty much, with the occasional French bread pizza or pasta salad. I work out every few days to one of my awesome work out videos. That Beach Body lady sure can motivate. I just do not know what is with me.

I miss home. I miss my family. I miss my boyfriend. I miss making cookies and cakes. I miss my car. I miss the life I had for the past two years. But you know what, I just need to get a rhythm and some how make sure it keeps me motivated. Now I just need to figure out what that motivation is.

Here is my quote for today: 

Seventy percent of success in life is showing up.  

~Woody Allen

Trip back to school...

boarding the plane

The days leading up to my trip back to OSU were filled with lots of laughter, tears, and happiness. There was also a lot of fear. I hate flying, and I had to fly to get up to school. I packed almost all my things into 2 suitcases and 2 boxes, yes, it was a miracle. I said goodbye, with lots of tears and hugs, its always the hardest thing. Then I sat in an airport for about an hour dreading being 40,000 feet in the air. We bored the plane and sat there ready for take off. I was shaking and scared. I hate flying. 

We took off, and I held on for dear life. I watched 5 episodes of house hunters, which seemed to take like 3 days. Finally we started or decent and guess what, its was raining in Portland. A good welcome back. 

After a few random speed bumps we got everything set up and it was great. Now I get a fresh start and am going to work really hard to finish strong. 

descending to land

all my stuff

moments

always and forever

being a summer aide

This summer I decided to change jobs before I left for school again. With that decision, I had to say goodbye to all the lovely people at the movie theater and start on a new adventure somewhere familiar. I got a job at a place very close to my heart, the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. I have been involved there for the past 6 years, volunteering and as staff. I have always enjoyed my times spent at OI so I wanted to work there again for the summer. I got hired as a summer aide for OI summer camps. Let me tell you this, it was not what I was expecting.


It is not a usual summer camp with games and time fillers. This camp is a place to learn while still enjoying yourself. The instructors and leaders care so much about educating these kids, it's amazing to see. It has been 11 weeks of constant Monday through Friday, labs, boat rides, field trips, different characters of kids, and the constant uncertainty of the tides. But I have loved every minute of it.


I have never worked with kids quite like this, so it has been both a challenge and a blessing. I have been able to see the difference in kids, from age, family, and their personalities. I feel like I have grown a lot having to talk with them, teach them, and deal with the conflicts that arise. I am proud of myself, because in all honesty, I never thought I would have to do something like this.

I have always learned so much from the people around me. All of the instructors have gone to school and this is what they want to do. It was such an eye opening experience for me to be able to see these people, a lot still very young, doing something they love. Yes, there were times when they needed to escape the constant questions or the misbehaving kids, but that comes with the territory. To me, seeing them teach these kids things that they didn't know and see the light bulb turn on in the kids eyes, it made me smile and happy to know that maybe one day I could do the same.



Now I am entering my last week as a summer aide, and I have to say, these weeks have flown by too fast. I can't believe its over, I don't want it to be. But it has given me hope and something to work towards. I have grown a lot in my own knowledge, learning what I am capable of, and my confidence. I hope that I am able to work with these summer camps next year, I am already looking forward to it.

My Regal Days

I worked at Regal for a year and a half. I saw huge openings for Iron Man 2, Eclipse, Despicable Me, Inception, Black Swan, Toy Story 3, and Part 1 of the final Harry Potter. ( I loved being Hermione!! ) I also worked some lovely midnights that sold 15 tickets, Get him to the Greek. I saw thousands and thousands of customers on a good day, and hundreds, maybe, on a slow day. Being the Lobby person on Christmas will be something I will never forget. I never really lost my love for popcorn like so many people say they do when they work at a theater. But I did get tons of paper cuts before they changed the boxes. And I learned to count money 10 different ways, and still tend to get the wrong amount after 3 tries, but always be even.


I don't really miss the work, and I don't really miss the customers. I do however very much miss the people! You go to work, 3-5 days a week, and  you see the same people, and they become a part of you whether you like it or not. I had some of the best employees, I should say friends, at the theater! The jokes, the funny faces, the stories... There is nothing better! I would've had to quit eventually due to the fact that I am moving, but I wish I could have worked through the summer. But I do like the fact that I can still go and visit, and can now be 'facebook friends' with the managers :P 


Regal gave me something that I hadn't had in a while. It gave me Hope. Yes, weird, I know. But I enjoyed working with my employees and it makes me smile that even though there were crazy days at the theater when you didn't get a break until your 5 hour and people were frustrated with the poppers not popping fast enough and running out of large tubs when suddenly everyone wanted to upsize, that you had conversations that make your day great, and could even change your life. 


I just wanted to get the point across that I love my Regal employees and friends, and I miss you all! 

in an instant

eyes flitter open

to the world unknown to many. 

things go spinning, 

lights strobe in the distance. 

in an instant its all new

this unimaginable world.

shaking commences

numbness over takes

but a smile crosses the face. 

there is nothing more,

nothing else. 

piercing starbursts into the soul.

heart beats louder, faster, stronger.

you know you are home.