Bloom Where You're Planted

The best part of moving to a new area?  Discovering all the new things to do, especially if you live in a touristy area that is trying to attract people to come visit.  Prince Eric and I are throwing ourselves into our new community; we've made the local newspaper twice in the 2 months we've lived here.  Besides doing all the usual beach stuff (tide pooling, crabbing, clamming, whale watching and float finding), we've participated in some of the local festivities (HOA potlucks, Fourth of July sing-a-long, softball games, Chamber of Commerce events, and a local version of the Amazing Race). Yesterday, we were pirates. 

Our little town on the coast is rumored to have been a hideout for famous 16th century captain Sir Francis Drake and a local pirate fan club has hosted an annual all-day pirate treasure hunt as a fundraiser for our local food bank for 8 years.  The cannon blew at 10 am and we were off on our adventure of completing challenges, solving clues and dodging scalliwags!  Our goodwill purchased outfits were good enough to please the tourists and it was fun being asked to pose in  pictures.  I didn't feel any snooty disdain from the more elaborately dressed participants either, some coming from Idaho and Washington to compete.   At the end of the day, we came in 3rd place and won about $300 worth of swag and gift certificates.  Yay team Booty Snatchers!

I was painfully shy as a child, terrified to speak up in class and not comfortable in new situations.  Thankfully, I've overcome most of those feelings and I try not to let that shyness hold me back.  It took me a long time but I'm grateful that I've found a willing and eager partner, Prince Eric, to encourage and accompany me on my adventures.  We can be silly and goofy together as we go beyond my comfort zone.  I regret missing out on things when I was younger because I felt too awkward or that people would look at me.  You realize as you age that people pay far less attention to you than you think and I wish I could impart to my daughter the message to follow your dreams without reservation.  I love that she competes in sports and puts herself out there much more than I ever did.  This move, going into her second year of high school, is not easy for her.  She's leaving her longtime friends at a time when they are more important than anything.  As the new school year is about to start I hope she can embrace this new area and open herself up to the many possibilities ahead.  Ultimately, what you go through in life may be out of your control, but how you go through it is up to you.  I'm determined to make the most of this short ride.  Wanna come along?

From left: Prince Eric, me, a mermaid, and our pirate partner, "Loretta"

Not All Who Wander Are Lost

I enjoy traveling by myself; I am an excellent companion.  I never have the radio too loud or too quiet, or complain about being too hot or too cold.  I always like my audio book choices.  And, I can wander off the beaten path.  Prince Eric does not like to wander.  He likes to get from Point A to Point B efficiently, on time and with clear directions.  Today I went on a short solo road trip (less than 2 hours away) to have lunch with a friend and to do some shopping in stores we don't have here . . . which would be about anything but Fred Meyer and WalMart.

I wandered off the path, not intentionally, when I followed a sign that said "Salem".  This back road took a little longer, I didn't come into the city at the spot I expected, but I saw bucolic farms and fields of corn, Tall Fescue and Perennial Rye.  I saw roadside flower and fruit stands and a historic cemetery.  I like finding the unexpected and the thrill of relying on myself to navigate.  This girl doesn't use a gps to get around.  I like a real map and knowing which way is North.  As long as I'm headed the right general direction I know I'll be alright.  Do I get lost?  Yep.  Do I have to backtrack sometimes? Yep (okay, more than sometimes).  Prince Eric hates to backtrack.

Today while wandering I discovered a Goodwill Outlet store.  I don't recommend it.  If you don't like the disorganization of the regular Goodwill store, you certainly won't like this warehouse filled with long tables holding bins of random crap.  Sketchy people paw through and pay by the pound for items.  Yikes.

Today while wandering I came across the state mental hospital and the state capitol.  Blocking the lane to one of the state buildings was a blue van with "Police Explosive Unit" painted on the side.  Hmm, think I won't linger here . . .Gradually I head back west towards the ocean. 

Today while wandering I also discovered a button on my new smart phone.  "Navigate" "Speak Location".  . . It was kind of impressive. . . . but I'll never stop wandering.

Big Fish, Small Pond: Job Hunting in a Coastal Community

I have sent 31 resumes, gone on 5 interviews and had 2 skills tests.  Like most coastal towns, much of the area is tourist driven.  Like many small towns, the area is also economically depressed and limited in it's professional positions.  Today, I took a skills test for a good pay, benefitted county office position . . . along with nearly 70 other candidates.  I'm starting to see the same people.  In addition to a neighbor lady, I recognized at least 2 from another skills test.  These 70 people are just the ones who passed the requirement of having some higher education and at least 3 years office experience.

We eye each other in a wary camaraderie, sizing up the competition.  I mentally dismiss half the room as lacking my skills and abilities.  First to go are the 5 who didn't bring the blue ball point pen requested in the invite email.  Next, I check off the ones who showed up in jeans and sweatshirts.  Now, I didn't dress quite "interview ready" but almost.  A few more are crossed off when they ask dumb questions.  Now, the test begins. . . .we are given 45 minutes for the first portion and have to wait the whole time until beginning section 2.  Two people get up and go to the bathroom.  You're out!! I think as the emailed instructions said they preferred we not leave the testing area.  I like it when the stupids weed themselves out of the lineup.

Luckily, tests are my forte; I was the odd kid who loved the annual achievement tests at school.  Being such a prolific reader, I easily recognize misspelled words and grammar error. Not only was this a breeze, but we got to read a book of our choice when we were done.  The best part, this was a pressure free atmosphere - no grades involved.  Today had a little more at stake - 1 job and 70 candidates.  At the end of the tests, the hiring manager said the top 16 would be selected for an interview.  Ahh, the stakes have changed: 1 job, me and 15 others.  I will be in that interview group.  :)

How to Have a Successful Bucket List

How many of you have a "Bucket List"?  Probably many of you have a few ideas kicking around in your brain, but I'm talking about a written-down certifiable list.  Prince Eric and I were talking tonight and he mentioned how he always wanted to go the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH and we should plan a trip.  I countered with I would, but then I would get to drag him somewhere I always wanted to go and suggested the Mall of America.  Little did I know he actually wanted to go there too . . . . so my plan to stick him in misery didn't work, but I did get one more item to add to my list.  And, I can mark off Ohio to my list of states visited.

I first started my informal mental list around the time I achieved my goal of learning to drive a stick shift in 1999, then I went to a few places I always wanted to go- Las Vegas and Mexico.  Somewhere along the way I wrote down some things I wanted to do in a notebook and mostly forgot about it.  Finally, almost 3 years ago I utilized the public forum of Facebook to post my list and now it's always handy and visible.   Every year, I strive to mark off at least one thing on my list and I've been able to keep to it.  Technically, I have 2013 already done because we have a trip to Disneyland planned for December. But I keep thinking about the community college course catalog that came in the mail last week and has beginning and intermediate Sign Language classes being offered.  I took these classes many years ago but I am far from fluent.  I think it's time to start working on one of my medium dreams!  So, here's a few tips to get you started.

1.  Dream Big . . .  and medium and small.
     Add those pie-in-the-sky dreams in, the ones that might seem far out of reach, or unattainable.  It gives you a goal to look forward to and work towards.  But, also put the doable one & done down so you don't get discouraged.  Then, think of a few medium ones that might take a little longer, but are still within the realm of possibility.  Don't be afraid to just "sample" a dream.  I wanted to learn to knit and play the violin.  I learned one basic stitch, made a hat and scarf and I was done.  I haven't knit anything since.  I learned to play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" on the violin, and never played again.  It's okay to be easily satisfied with the experience.  I didn't feel I had to master the techniques.

2.  Complete at least one thing off your list every year.
    This gives you a sense of accomplishment and pushes you to do something that might be a little uncomfortable, but worth it.

3.  Update (add, delete, mark off) your list often.
     List new dreams as you think of them.  Delete those dreams that you no longer have interest in or that you're dreading.  This is for fun, not punishment.  Just because it was your dream at 20 doesn't mean you still want to do it at 30.  Case in point:  many years ago I saw a PBS special on the Appalachian Trail that followed a group of average people walking it.  Well, I only saw the episode that had them walking a paved trail and I thought this was what the whole trail was like. . . when I found out the reality I wasn't so interested. It remains on my list, but I scaled back from completing the AT to setting foot on it.  When you do complete an item, put the date on it, and maybe write a little about it.  It's fun to go back and see what you've done over the years.

4.  Tell people your dreams!
     You never know who knows somebody who might be able to help you achieve your dream.  Friends and family - I want to see your lists!  Maybe I'll see a good Christmas or birthday present idea.  I've come close twice to baling hay, one of my dreams, because of friend's farm connections.


MY LIST:
Bale hay
Write a book
Become fluent in another language
Lifetime member status Weight Watchers (maintain within 2 lbs goal weight)
Visit all 50 states (have done about 1/2)
Travel Europe
Pole dance
Running of the Bulls
Walk Appalachian Trail
Take a car repair course
Go to Disneyland
Build something usable
Stay the night somewhere haunted.
Go on a motorcycle ride
go to Breitenbush Hot Springs (aka organic hippy commune clothing optional springs)
visit / pick in a cranberry bog
go to an Easter Sunrise Service
go to Hooter's
go to the Mall of America

Previously accomplished:
learn to drive stick - 1999
knit a scarf & hat - 2005
polar bear swim -2006
play the violin - 2002
Get bachelors degree before 30 yrs old - dec 2002
Belly button pierced - 1995
Go to Mexico - 2004
Go to Las Vegas - 2000
Go greener every year
grow a garden - 2008
have chickens - mar 2011
catch a fish - may 2011
skinny dipped in Cabo! - Sept 2011
Snowshoed on Mt Bachelor - 12/31/11
go to McMenamins Edgefield - Mar 2012
Belly danced - 11/13/12