Grad School Gives Way Around the Bend: Dreaming Life in Real Time

I can hardly believe that my second year of graduate school is half over. As usual, the time I've spent here seems both to span a much longer period than a year and a half, and it also feels like I just arrived yesterday at the same time. This paradoxical combination leaves me without words to describe my feelings often and at a loss when I struggle to explain to myself just how I feel about the experience, what it means to me, or piece it together into the story of "me." It's much easier, though, when I stop trying to do this and just accept the past and present (and future) for what they were, are, and might be. I am joyful. I'm celebrating life, and I feel incredibly lucky to be sharing my time here with such beautiful, loving and caring friends. I've had the good fortune to spend much time with my roommates over the past few months. They are dear to my heart, and we have made amazing memories together. I've been on weekend running trips to the beach, Thanksgiving ski cabin adventures, and holiday trips with my friend and roommate Katy, and I'm certain that I've found a friend in her to help me and motivate me to be the best that I can, all while we have an incredibly enjoyable fun time together in the process. Meeting her family was a beautiful experience for me, and all I can hope for is that I can be a good enough friend to her in return in order to honor the gift she's given me.

Katy and I jogging at the Oregon Coast near Newport

Loal Ocean Seafood Fisherman's Wives Stew: feast for two

I was a back-up dancer in the fall OSU drag show for my friend Thomas/"Varza"! It was an 80's workout theme. "Exercise your ass off!"

For Halloween we roommates (plus 1) where Spice girl Ninja Turtles in honor of our Tur-telle Team from Costa Rica ;) I was Posh-Michaelangelo

Ande and I enjoy dessert--and let it snow let it snow let it snow!

For Thanksgiving we headed out to a Forest Service cabin near Mt. Baily! Over 30 people came! We all built a kayak luge and had a jolly ol' time--even on the first night, when Katy and I arrived near the cabin around 10pm in the dark and a blizzard and weren't sure we were on the right trail. We decided to set up our tent where we were and wait it out til morning. We didn't realize we were only 150 meters from the cabin until a rescue party came out and found us. We decided to stay hunkered down, as we were already settled in and full of peppermint schnapps.

For Christmas, Katy and I both went to Moab to spend the holidays with her family! They were incredibly welcoming and we had a lovely time every day sleeping in, eating delicious food cooked by Katy's mom, going on hikes in canyon country and celebrating in town.

Moab Brewery

Moab

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park

Hidden Valley hike/run

Then it was time to head up to Park City Canyons resort and hit the slopes!

And we finished it off with some fabulous cross-country skiing. The whole trip was blissful, even despite a sore throat I incurred at the very end that caused me to miss the first couple of days back to work. Now we're planning to head out to Sun River near Bend, Oregon with our skis for another winter wonderland-filled weekend at a house some friends have rented there for the MLK holiday. I'm enjoying my last couple of seasons here in Corvallis for all they're worth, and I finally think I'm starting to experience them for what they are instead of just wishing I was done with grad school and looking toward the future constantly. I'm sure this is for many reasons, including my relaxed schedule due to my being almost done with my classes and thesis (!), my having found an amazing place full of love to live with beautiful friends and being able to take the time to appreciate and have adventures with them. I also credit more time do the things that I love to do that make my life feel more balances and me feel healthier: salsa lessons, reading yoga philosophy and doing yoga, studying French and sitting with the Corvallis Zen Circle for meditation. Not least of all, I'm very excited about the possibility that I'll land a job teaching in Europe (France or Spain) for next year. I haven't heard back from the Fulbright Committee yet, but I'm very hopeful. I do find it ironic, though, that it's just when my departure is in sight, when I have bright plans and graduation on the horizon, that my life here is starting feel that much sweeter. But I'm going to take it where I can get it, and just keep on smiling through the happiness, sadness and confusion of dreams lived out in real time. :)