tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62775325393882652912023-11-16T08:44:07.913-05:00robin's randoms.tales from a midwestern twenty something pursuing a career in the conservation field.robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-34673017206971872062014-11-14T16:36:00.000-05:002014-11-14T16:36:03.233-05:00welcome to crutch life.i'm in my second year of graduate school after a fantastic summer working for a finance firm focused on exploring sustainable investing. i've been active in student organizations, love my classes, have a great job in sustainable clark, ran a half marathon in october and keep myself busy with lots of other side projects and procrastination endeavors.<br />
<br />
but…halloween found me a bit silly, and i hurt my foot. after an agonizing morning of "what did i do?" "why is my foot so gigantic?" and my housemate wondering why i was trudging around the apartment using his baseball bat, i hobbled to urgent care for the start of x-rays, examinations and future appointments to find out how much i actually hurt my foot.<br />
<br />
it's not broken, but a pretty bad sprain with a potential ligament tear (surgery). doc said we won't know how severe until i just stay off of it and let it heal for 6 weeks. really? 6 weeks???<br />
<br />
i spent the first week incredibly sore and exhausted in almost any way imaginable. moving myself from point a to point b became physically draining on crutches. having to confront the reality of my irresponsibility about 15 times each day when people asked what happened was emotionally draining. and strategically planning my future moves to minimize the aforementioned concerns exhausted my mental capacity (on top of being a graduate student!).<br />
<br />
i did manage to attend a professional conference in minneapolis, made much more enjoyable by being wheeled about the airport and getting to speed through security! instead of morning runs in the park and casual networking, i enjoyed learning about uber and relishing in the cozy airbnb i shared with other from my school attending the conference.<br />
<br />
the second week has been better. i miss so many of the activities that give me joy like dancing, running, riding my bike, spending time outside, and being an active member of my community, but here are some of the upsides:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>water conservation: </b>i take like one bath a week. and maybe (maybe) wash my hair in between.</li>
<li><b>saving money on groceries: </b>i don't expend too many calories these days, so i'm really not hungry much. saving lots of money on groceries!</li>
<li><b>netflix:</b> finally watching orange is the new black. i watched 7 episodes yesterday.</li>
<li><b>tackling the side projects: </b>those "side" projects are now my main digs!</li>
<li><b>becoming a pirate:</b> yup. i'm getting a peg leg!</li>
<li><b>measuring progress in the little things:</b> like my toes being the same size, and getting faster at crawling up the stairs to my apartment.</li>
</ul>
<div>
i'm optimistic that this is will be a good time in my life to reflect on where i am, and where i want to be. but it still stinks when i see my calf muscles withering away, and i know i have the tribulations of physical therapy ahead…</div>
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robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-17623167159710018172014-05-21T13:39:00.002-04:002014-05-21T13:39:31.448-04:00boston summer: day 3.okay, so i skipped days 1 and 2, but they weren't terribly exciting. packing and moving. moving and unpacking. eating food, learning my way around the T, and enjoying a lovely dinner out, and going blues dancing.<br />
<br />
here's my to-do list for the next few days:<br />
- get a new stud to replace my nose ring (SAD DAY)<br />
- pimp out my bike (sexypants is getting a milk crate, new pedals and a better lock system)<br />
- get new "running" shoes (i don't run)<br />
- buy a nice spring jacket that isn't a fleece or soft-shell<br />
- find trader joe's (i need chocolate)<br />
- play my ukulele<br />
- get a chaco tan line (it's getting there!)<br />
<br />
and try not to go dancing ALL the time. but i'm already in a bad habit…<br />
<br />
: )<br />
<br />robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-50962885678752118852014-05-06T01:40:00.003-04:002014-05-06T01:40:48.512-04:00summer time, but the living isn't as easy as i'd hope.it's been a while since i've shared in this space. let's see what i can sum up from the past … uh … 2 years?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>i survived hidden villa summer camp</li>
<li>i cooked lots of food for lots of people and even got to teach some of the wee ones at high trails</li>
<li>i did as much contra dancing as my budget and body would allow which brought me exciting places like san francisco, santa barbara, san luis obipso, hawaii, pasadena, and arizona to name a few</li>
<li>i traded in my banjo for a ukulele</li>
<li>i traveled all around the national parks in california: death valley, joshua tree, yosemite, kings canyon, and sequoia</li>
<li>i drove across the country for the 4th time</li>
<li>my grandmother passed away</li>
<li>i spent a month in alaska leading a native alaskan high school trail crew</li>
<li>i lived in a crazy old victorian house in a slightly sketchy neighborhood (drug deals and ladies of the night regularly crossed my path) in worcester, ma with wonderful housemates who i will miss dearly</li>
<li>i managed to contra dance almost every weekend (thank you new england!)</li>
<li>i rediscovered a love for latin dance</li>
<li>i played music at a cafe!</li>
<li>although i daily doubt the usefulness of my degree program, i made it through a year of graduate school! yippee!</li>
<li>i flirted with the dating scene…might have broken some hearts along the way (including my own) and need to just wait for the right opportunity</li>
<li>i've tried out two internships (both at nonprofits, one doing nothing, one doing some cool research) and two jobs (grading art history exams and working for an energy efficiency company) but still feel far from knowing what direction i want my career to take</li>
<li>i landed a paid internship in boston with an investment firm (WHAT?!)</li>
</ul>
<div>
right now, i'm in this slightly strange place of being in my current housing situation for another few weeks…not taking classes…not working…not really doing much of anything besides grading some art history exams and riding my bike. strangely, it feels kind of nice. i do have responsibilities and errands to take care of, but those things are pretty basic (get a hair cut, take my car to the shop, start packing up my things, etc), so it'll be easy to manage. i'm (hopefully) moving to a cute apartment outside of boston for the summer and then another cute house for the fall. here's to hoping i can make it through another year of school...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
some life lessons i've learned in these years:</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>as much as i want to plan everything, i can't. life will undoubtedly throw wrenches into all plans.</li>
<li>life really is all about the connections you make and keep. on the spectrum of utilitarian to idealist…it is all important.</li>
<li>music and exercise are automatic portals to happiness. especially when they happen at the same time.</li>
<li>i really like painting my nails.</li>
<li>sleep is crucial to staying healthy and sane.</li>
<li>i am NOT good at lead generation or reading complex journal articles.</li>
<li>i AM good at plugging things into a spreadsheet and making cookies.</li>
<li>i NEED to learn a foreign language.</li>
<li>quitting can feel quite liberating.</li>
<li>nostalgia stinks, but it means that the experiences i've had have been authentic.</li>
<li>i am not an east coast person. california. i'm headed to you soon!</li>
<li>i still have some wanderlust in me and need to find the best ways to channel that energy so that i can be content and present in the moment.</li>
</ul>
<div>
i'm going to try to keep this updated semi-regularly. i'm sure there will be plenty of interesting tales from my foray into the finance world this summer...</div>
<div>
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</div>
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<br />
<br />robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-63562132999485386622012-07-10T18:44:00.000-04:002014-05-21T13:43:05.967-04:00life is certainly throwing me curveballs.i enjoyed a very lovely spring full of travel and adventure. i saw family and friends. i spent a lot of time outside. i even made it to my first weekend music festival in joshua tree.<br />
<br />
i'd be lying, though, if i said that life has been peachy keen.<br />
<br />
at the end of may, a tragic accident ended the life of my coworker, roommate and friend, heather. this isn't the first time i've tragically lost a friend, but it still hit me hard. she was struck by a truck while jogging and killed instantly. the accident happened two days before the end of the high trails season. i only had a few days to pull myself together before traveling up the coast to start my summer job at the hidden villa summer camp. i still don't quite know how i eventually packed my things up in storage in big bear, loaded up my car and drove up the coast.<br />
<br />
the coast was beautiful. i travelled with my friend victoria, and we spent a couple days finding the perfect beaches nestled away from civilization to camp and begin the healing process.<br />
<br />
after those days, though, i found myself in an entirely different world at hidden villa with curveballs being thrown in every direction.<br />
<br />
at high trails, i've become so accustomed to the high desert with it's dry foliage and lack of green. hidden villa is a lush farm (still dry, but not a desert) where i can't escape the sounds of chickens, pigs, goats, sheep and cows that surround the house i share with dozen other camp staff and farm interns. town is only a 10 minute drive away. my job as the food service manager is much more demanding than i thought. once i finally thought i had a handle on everything, i broke my toe and found out one of my kitchen staff had to be let go from background check issues.<br />
<br />
i spent the first month at hidden villa thinking i would give up, pack up my car and head home. dealing with the emotional roller coaster of grieving without a reliable support network, starting a new job i struggle to find joy in and not doing a great job of taking care of myself has taken a toll. i decided to stick with it, though, and i'm glad i have. although i'd like to stop dodging curveballs life has thrown at me lately, i'm slowly letting the beauty of this place and the people i'm surrounded with fill my heart.<br />
<br />
i've always prided myself on being a positive person, but somewhere in the past month, i've lost my positivity mojo. i'm seeing it come back in small doses, though. i feel it when i laughed for ten minutes straight about nothing at all. i feel it when i visited the farm of a close friend and saw the joy she lives in every day. i feel it when i saw fireworks on the 4th of july and laughed so much that the couple in front of me turned around to smile.<br />
<br />
i'm looking forward to the days when my heart feels stronger and my self-confidence returns. when i feel content and happy again. when i can accept that everything in life happens for a reason. until then...i'm going to keep dodging the curveballs.robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-89956572265716782742012-05-13T15:48:00.003-04:002012-05-13T15:52:54.547-04:00time for another transition.holy moly! it's been a while since i've written here. let me try to sum things up...<br />
<br />
contra dancing: i went to two weekend festivals - one in pasadena and one at mt. baldy. i enjoyed seeing friends i met last year and getting to know them better. here's the group! fun times.<br />
<br />
parents: my parents came to visit for my spring break. we went on a bunch of fun adventures...sunset in big bear, huntington library and botanical gardens in pasadena, joshua tree national park, and hiking around camp.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaisxXNSb3scoIxE5ISTozgm9tm1ldSwXZzcf8aI9VdFTqEbbSu7gBhPWPE52ZlGaccOcb75pVYhM7UQlEo_4jV8ZX3ZEoXJDySIkbgaKH8mT3x1jUrqaaKQM97qj964VgGjQZi1FN5l6q/s1600/IMG_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaisxXNSb3scoIxE5ISTozgm9tm1ldSwXZzcf8aI9VdFTqEbbSu7gBhPWPE52ZlGaccOcb75pVYhM7UQlEo_4jV8ZX3ZEoXJDySIkbgaKH8mT3x1jUrqaaKQM97qj964VgGjQZi1FN5l6q/s320/IMG_0015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mt. baldy contra dancing folks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuU0XUpBhVXO2oqop20ofdcy9qBNSa0AXQ-v5QdzLw7nGHc6kunJzvuFy73oej3wZQi4q3VArUnOIgpPSDL9D_yVm3nlaPb3nWUL0TVhSfMz_VYYFpVL_RwieywVBsNAT9zHZFbxE7UE1/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtuU0XUpBhVXO2oqop20ofdcy9qBNSa0AXQ-v5QdzLw7nGHc6kunJzvuFy73oej3wZQi4q3VArUnOIgpPSDL9D_yVm3nlaPb3nWUL0TVhSfMz_VYYFpVL_RwieywVBsNAT9zHZFbxE7UE1/s200/IMG_0024.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big bear sunset.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkxYVGmV05-rBXQ-P9ON2sfQrTO3WiBhZvk8QKouPLssurEpxkvZEpS3lDoCOitPvUnpldXf0nQzwu1IAXs_AlsIySiVpbPjdiN7SEdPwU3e4OPEi4hJEJBWxZJ7zNP9gcZMdiafocHEL/s1600/IMG_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkxYVGmV05-rBXQ-P9ON2sfQrTO3WiBhZvk8QKouPLssurEpxkvZEpS3lDoCOitPvUnpldXf0nQzwu1IAXs_AlsIySiVpbPjdiN7SEdPwU3e4OPEi4hJEJBWxZJ7zNP9gcZMdiafocHEL/s320/IMG_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ocotillo in bloom at joshua tree national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKW8BjBC-dPDZG6ifyVWW6T3t8M9jvrweZnH0_MEZ8gskXpLBa9QaKoD69Qg5MJrsfRKbFN9Fkl8bXRtwtLwC9oLkMkMSCd3oARijmLRK7oQsbZmwEN9mZvGCR5SD4_f0RAQtp6Yeh8yS/s1600/IMG_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKW8BjBC-dPDZG6ifyVWW6T3t8M9jvrweZnH0_MEZ8gskXpLBa9QaKoD69Qg5MJrsfRKbFN9Fkl8bXRtwtLwC9oLkMkMSCd3oARijmLRK7oQsbZmwEN9mZvGCR5SD4_f0RAQtp6Yeh8yS/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dead ironwood at joshua tree national park.</td></tr>
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catalina island: right after i dropped my parents off at LAX i headed out with some work buddies to catalina island. emily, shannon and i enjoyed 2 lovely days of sun, sand and adventures. we explored town, had a spa day and even went parasailing!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7U0MwBdzGumU_6bNR53i6Sh-O2fSIlPQtR2mJL7eX8kqcx1TJ6OBITfJtkBL9jftqAzOMUKzaggojQt2co2pxc-wvPFc3ZytgrKP4dosxytpkLdBQPBvJuw1l7C_EY3LN2VFzxAGcAjW/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy7U0MwBdzGumU_6bNR53i6Sh-O2fSIlPQtR2mJL7eX8kqcx1TJ6OBITfJtkBL9jftqAzOMUKzaggojQt2co2pxc-wvPFc3ZytgrKP4dosxytpkLdBQPBvJuw1l7C_EY3LN2VFzxAGcAjW/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">around town! we loved happy hour margaritas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl1ieIP9F0RmNDQHckm4V0wTcfGiOIsbAYy6IWnd6dkCqxwQ_sDTTEYq5rKh4j_qxdGriALGl8CptA87DDzricER-tpI54u8Gilt9Vy_focY5URKvnV8uLpIKFqaMfRg0v28x2o64ioPl/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDl1ieIP9F0RmNDQHckm4V0wTcfGiOIsbAYy6IWnd6dkCqxwQ_sDTTEYq5rKh4j_qxdGriALGl8CptA87DDzricER-tpI54u8Gilt9Vy_focY5URKvnV8uLpIKFqaMfRg0v28x2o64ioPl/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">harbor and old casino at catalina.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOl6k7rKjSznfztLbDW4DILBzAdONVQJgW5ea5i5Sd3ciRE1cNPbh1F4sxfXPLKOLHSCSP6eNhSD20nZ2x6iCIKKWawdQeN4ap0PM80b2ivQIg_euxGxXD2bEt4u0lPlqqWp3aikOYFjb/s1600/IMG_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOl6k7rKjSznfztLbDW4DILBzAdONVQJgW5ea5i5Sd3ciRE1cNPbh1F4sxfXPLKOLHSCSP6eNhSD20nZ2x6iCIKKWawdQeN4ap0PM80b2ivQIg_euxGxXD2bEt4u0lPlqqWp3aikOYFjb/s320/IMG_0031.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">catalina island snack time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPJ9Hw9VdyKLcRuScNHWpFoYWq9QVVzSVSyTVpVKGIa6TxdlXgStytcBkPRu06_KazFYIGMX4Ui_A_wlubMyMwdPextco4mgb5nU9bKoLbQCs8Op7t_uaBJ2A7LZOTyvRQLDjA3EoaFqS/s1600/IMG_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPJ9Hw9VdyKLcRuScNHWpFoYWq9QVVzSVSyTVpVKGIa6TxdlXgStytcBkPRu06_KazFYIGMX4Ui_A_wlubMyMwdPextco4mgb5nU9bKoLbQCs8Op7t_uaBJ2A7LZOTyvRQLDjA3EoaFqS/s200/IMG_0039.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pier at catalina.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNdLVueCxLqbJtE0CUhfv1PdPDKSbMPGtZ41eKYjVFJACKYdE1s-zN0woLEpetu1MKqI5zjLYC12KVFxcFcssquuAQCPQhS8dJdiLRvtvYyKurMmMKeDJtK-fQIVm-hPr6apCW3T4A0gm/s1600/IMG_0043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNdLVueCxLqbJtE0CUhfv1PdPDKSbMPGtZ41eKYjVFJACKYdE1s-zN0woLEpetu1MKqI5zjLYC12KVFxcFcssquuAQCPQhS8dJdiLRvtvYyKurMmMKeDJtK-fQIVm-hPr6apCW3T4A0gm/s320/IMG_0043.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">palm trees along the beach!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAallapr-Bh3blwgs98k2NcX9I633BND59QuWN_sjXZJUWLTlPmzJ0rOLwiU8PqDJQUUEWM5KutcUTNyaVVxqY_aHRrDa2plb0tkF34XY-kk1gUlshbx0TvR4xO95N65iAwYImcEhlE_SX/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAallapr-Bh3blwgs98k2NcX9I633BND59QuWN_sjXZJUWLTlPmzJ0rOLwiU8PqDJQUUEWM5KutcUTNyaVVxqY_aHRrDa2plb0tkF34XY-kk1gUlshbx0TvR4xO95N65iAwYImcEhlE_SX/s320/IMG_0045.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beachy beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxCYAruhQSeZXYuHTXAI-KoUJld8iWKydT8gut4waAakbzucCPVz_cx53PzZIFW-nrWctKLFfnrpAO3pi_YjB2MTpk0HukpwW2U2PaDe3TNmFWJr3rSD23L_k_8TwOYBVwJI5qmDoEgaN/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxCYAruhQSeZXYuHTXAI-KoUJld8iWKydT8gut4waAakbzucCPVz_cx53PzZIFW-nrWctKLFfnrpAO3pi_YjB2MTpk0HukpwW2U2PaDe3TNmFWJr3rSD23L_k_8TwOYBVwJI5qmDoEgaN/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not too shabby of a view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDskt5Htq81p06zo-evfCgpBExRPfuNgNiGuigA8gdhwLqB78HmYuRFnIyAQY61yR8Jt4v2WIBzvdciJsaY1EpfsG7-OFKtyt6My0yZ9QeOHdXvhrr7DpJEoTOJ4O_Q0RuJmYM3JKMablx/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDskt5Htq81p06zo-evfCgpBExRPfuNgNiGuigA8gdhwLqB78HmYuRFnIyAQY61yR8Jt4v2WIBzvdciJsaY1EpfsG7-OFKtyt6My0yZ9QeOHdXvhrr7DpJEoTOJ4O_Q0RuJmYM3JKMablx/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">being sneaky.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt0FOnlQaQ2Xgld_UVeDKtpe3ff7J9kOCXrYE7G6BpCXV7LFwvZI2MP8g1T1vQ0lMDtwpu_vafaWHup8F0nOT1t37dh5tByNaES0uhPET5HcizbdK-nOsqOUl0OFMjVlyumB0gTx5vypN/s1600/IMG_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt0FOnlQaQ2Xgld_UVeDKtpe3ff7J9kOCXrYE7G6BpCXV7LFwvZI2MP8g1T1vQ0lMDtwpu_vafaWHup8F0nOT1t37dh5tByNaES0uhPET5HcizbdK-nOsqOUl0OFMjVlyumB0gTx5vypN/s320/IMG_0107.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bison!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF8D8YwprU8ofrdctWTPvjfK0wyEKbvSn5KVQen9q5NMpPdXW1BKBKXB5FkeYwMYJ9cqhM7GTkEA1nFfyYpkqdEOpE1W1dqrdbTgs9l5nRpX7BMVwVxG-C2jBw4SDH3kVElX92F427sfR/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF8D8YwprU8ofrdctWTPvjfK0wyEKbvSn5KVQen9q5NMpPdXW1BKBKXB5FkeYwMYJ9cqhM7GTkEA1nFfyYpkqdEOpE1W1dqrdbTgs9l5nRpX7BMVwVxG-C2jBw4SDH3kVElX92F427sfR/s320/IMG_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">parasailing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHPpIlOh-_5CJvnlqUgzJPB0Gf35v7jmK8zGYx9W4RXcbsdqOI1kIAAiLtPEic_xB7XkgEUJZSAlnrtNQcq22C8aqngL6VoV14mEqfoqzEUqz0cLp4m-Xzt7wAj0N_fCREQA8kySw9yCq/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHPpIlOh-_5CJvnlqUgzJPB0Gf35v7jmK8zGYx9W4RXcbsdqOI1kIAAiLtPEic_xB7XkgEUJZSAlnrtNQcq22C8aqngL6VoV14mEqfoqzEUqz0cLp4m-Xzt7wAj0N_fCREQA8kySw9yCq/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">up in the air!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
being an LA tourist: at the end of april, my friend, jordan, came to visit from michigan. he made the trip really fun by doing all of the planning himself. he came with a whole list of things to do and i just filled in the cracks of where we could eat and how to get there. highlights included visiting the LAX flightpath museum (crazy folks work there...) where i learned all about the history of flight in southern california, watching a puffin launch a stream of poo into the water, fighting with all of the small children at the aquarium of the pacific to pet the sharks, serendipitously running into some fellow high trails folks out to dinner in town, taking the aerial tramway up to mt. san jacinto state park (very cool!!), doing the quick and dirty drive-through of joshua tree national park, and having front and center seats for the tonight show with jay leno.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y2OmDTcDuwvYdR_qr75vgRuLe5AdajKHLOHuPLfI4Lsxjbx5S6N31bp3v2LAyVyJ5Jm_PB_Z7DiiKXB1uItjNzyEDZK6U5wX3xd7s9cRaHbePj1OhyleOOF-Oj0Lk8VGnEA43qKNI9Y5/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2y2OmDTcDuwvYdR_qr75vgRuLe5AdajKHLOHuPLfI4Lsxjbx5S6N31bp3v2LAyVyJ5Jm_PB_Z7DiiKXB1uItjNzyEDZK6U5wX3xd7s9cRaHbePj1OhyleOOF-Oj0Lk8VGnEA43qKNI9Y5/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a blue heron!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fe4xpwrEuQO_YS55EDVlC0msI-Ax93Fit5KQAOiJrv2EuN3W75kGGR9WVSs0yq6OYnR6Jm1TOyiUrk9C8HThjcrnudJ0bdluazziuXf7nMBgE85ljFnKBcMd8c-qWFAv9HJbfJnYG66V/s1600/IMG_0150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fe4xpwrEuQO_YS55EDVlC0msI-Ax93Fit5KQAOiJrv2EuN3W75kGGR9WVSs0yq6OYnR6Jm1TOyiUrk9C8HThjcrnudJ0bdluazziuXf7nMBgE85ljFnKBcMd8c-qWFAv9HJbfJnYG66V/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sea lions on the harbor tour in long beach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMaTQNQ67HiMLjjMpRKiu1jMV9kzCsLGt33kOnfJGTQxJj2TXcfqDxZ_IMDN6p1eAzy3aL6A70ciQlkWUddouFrGlgL1SMZV-JtKrGbSgfTYnaqC7z6V5UbyUIG5WPbB29WI6aK4Llhas/s1600/IMG_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMaTQNQ67HiMLjjMpRKiu1jMV9kzCsLGt33kOnfJGTQxJj2TXcfqDxZ_IMDN6p1eAzy3aL6A70ciQlkWUddouFrGlgL1SMZV-JtKrGbSgfTYnaqC7z6V5UbyUIG5WPbB29WI6aK4Llhas/s320/IMG_0138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
it was int'l children's day at the aquarium.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
that meant madness and lots of small children. everywhere.</div>
<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs3C8c6V9fxgon7iH6-sST496STmkYU1gJm36hMnJNSdFTtnzA_gAWUJKYhia9dQxizEgFDicvYwF7Da6C6ay1SC13GP-Xv3WbQRxuPTq5Fy_r7t_6djZIBe48ZYP39aniqut4OIvwQf7/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs3C8c6V9fxgon7iH6-sST496STmkYU1gJm36hMnJNSdFTtnzA_gAWUJKYhia9dQxizEgFDicvYwF7Da6C6ay1SC13GP-Xv3WbQRxuPTq5Fy_r7t_6djZIBe48ZYP39aniqut4OIvwQf7/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the top of the tram.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA28z1vZui_qCloMJQtN8GEPocaD9YWUXUsXcRRLNEHJjEReX-vyLTI3iklzyXXk1TR2-WI-hsCAvILkI0wSJ5fMpkS5wr6tbAifDvYbuz5km456m7Yi5Mj7oub-HyuauNQILdnTq8Wkk/s1600/IMG_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA28z1vZui_qCloMJQtN8GEPocaD9YWUXUsXcRRLNEHJjEReX-vyLTI3iklzyXXk1TR2-WI-hsCAvILkI0wSJ5fMpkS5wr6tbAifDvYbuz5km456m7Yi5Mj7oub-HyuauNQILdnTq8Wkk/s320/IMG_0185.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chollah garden in bloom at j tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszfXmaH_Dfego-Ph3qqs5li1ri9AU14FhQaJU8TKvMMAifzXfs-jbM2OnvqZWTRQOyGZILjlAXrwqjm5C1fc6eOZIjMRrd5ETXTkGLrFvklomq0oFCYnV1-O9LXXEON4N_qbSa9EqqvD/s1600/IMG_0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixszfXmaH_Dfego-Ph3qqs5li1ri9AU14FhQaJU8TKvMMAifzXfs-jbM2OnvqZWTRQOyGZILjlAXrwqjm5C1fc6eOZIjMRrd5ETXTkGLrFvklomq0oFCYnV1-O9LXXEON4N_qbSa9EqqvD/s320/IMG_0187.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chollah blossoms!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgkZtZHxVXmDbENPhmYgoBxWr5MW-7PqrayRop55SEeuIU85OXY5jmvAA8eYNItmo-4fbd-U_8GPeehrzKdPkfjb7MfLKw7iAcNQLhvHzxQZCzBPuHRIzMP5vqsPc6b1Rgj3Vkq_XFKwg/s1600/IMG_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgkZtZHxVXmDbENPhmYgoBxWr5MW-7PqrayRop55SEeuIU85OXY5jmvAA8eYNItmo-4fbd-U_8GPeehrzKdPkfjb7MfLKw7iAcNQLhvHzxQZCzBPuHRIzMP5vqsPc6b1Rgj3Vkq_XFKwg/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the nbc headquarters for the taping!</td></tr>
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<div>
life now: i'm 2 weeks shy of finishing the season at high trails. along with making sure all the food is eaten in the kitchen, i'm getting ready to move up to the bay area to be the kitchen manager of the hidden villa summer camp. i'm working with 2 other high trails folks in the kitchen who also happen to be the two new cooks at high trails in the fall. i'm trying not to be stressed with all of the transition time, so i decided to get away for the weekend and spend time at my friend karis' in ventura.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
i'll write more about my thoughts of the school year at high trails but wanted to get this out with some updated photos. enjoy!</div>
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<br /></div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-21921750491683874312012-02-13T16:01:00.001-05:002012-02-13T16:01:56.851-05:00where is winter?i am down the mountain today and while the sun isn't shining, it feels very far from winter. january came and went without a snowflake from the sky. with february half over and only a few chilly days, i fear i may experience a winter with the least amount of snow in my life!<br />
<br />
we had a nice smattering of snow this weekend...and a tiny bit this week, but that's been it.<br />
<br />
january was uneventful. work was busier and more stressful than i anticipated, i got a gnarly sinus infection, and finally submitted an application to my dream summer job cooking for a summer camp on an organic farm south of san francisco.<br />
<br />
highlights from the mountains include driving a giant blue diesel truck filled with nearly $1000 worth of food, being slightly impulsive with some of my social plans, and finding a pair of black cowboy boots for $7 at the thrift store. <br />
<br />
we have a break coming up soon which i hope to be able to do a lot of contra dancing and catch up on this fast paced life. although i came to the mountains to slow down life a notch, this year keep flying by at warp speed.<br />
<br />
in the meantime, enjoy some photos...<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLIkrAyy4vmBEp_SwkhpqBgpVpS8T5irZ-2YTv6gMC7Gk80fJ0g214V0tPeO0taUFjzh8V0Ed4moYWecLMMskqlT-xjasz3rKZ270IXbmVdklaP2uN5CZ9cKY2BJgSuBvlCdBb-83buE0/s640/blogger-image--652617136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLIkrAyy4vmBEp_SwkhpqBgpVpS8T5irZ-2YTv6gMC7Gk80fJ0g214V0tPeO0taUFjzh8V0Ed4moYWecLMMskqlT-xjasz3rKZ270IXbmVdklaP2uN5CZ9cKY2BJgSuBvlCdBb-83buE0/s640/blogger-image--652617136.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia86dLyNuMYrsWJT9oWXiGznQus5BexX4y-yIBJWLgX12rFBb8ZuBRQ56-GNH5-LF8oOHR_kWIHGE98agbNKNaK5gJmnnGb9YNOPzyu1AKoxNkPztp5-auqq_BfMmfJPo-_tH_9I6x5ZJ3/s640/blogger-image--300851471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia86dLyNuMYrsWJT9oWXiGznQus5BexX4y-yIBJWLgX12rFBb8ZuBRQ56-GNH5-LF8oOHR_kWIHGE98agbNKNaK5gJmnnGb9YNOPzyu1AKoxNkPztp5-auqq_BfMmfJPo-_tH_9I6x5ZJ3/s640/blogger-image--300851471.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3yEyv9XOD4fUyVM08ggSvEUJS9thKEEf0WZ0cyx_WE5eRvhgBWS4oy7hh50zaJvJmQc8xB27oVVAnbT-lmeE4W-PdMWTqwSfZHLV0qW_Ze-swMv5zLKkpio_AW0VTkiOBncrQyRK-daY/s640/blogger-image--286131048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3yEyv9XOD4fUyVM08ggSvEUJS9thKEEf0WZ0cyx_WE5eRvhgBWS4oy7hh50zaJvJmQc8xB27oVVAnbT-lmeE4W-PdMWTqwSfZHLV0qW_Ze-swMv5zLKkpio_AW0VTkiOBncrQyRK-daY/s640/blogger-image--286131048.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKUpWzEfcm0VdAHEt_T49V8XGzaTOyQLgC8Co45CbjaZFriD5qErhJ9hQkckuXF8gA8bxanVIdT8xHTt82amxtzXd9vLPibbnL20KQsOe5LI3RnWT3cY5UkKTZsE5ELY-2yuhupAsMuuI/s640/blogger-image-1200649506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKUpWzEfcm0VdAHEt_T49V8XGzaTOyQLgC8Co45CbjaZFriD5qErhJ9hQkckuXF8gA8bxanVIdT8xHTt82amxtzXd9vLPibbnL20KQsOe5LI3RnWT3cY5UkKTZsE5ELY-2yuhupAsMuuI/s640/blogger-image-1200649506.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHZe8ZI81s8kjB8PsgNCyf02Japu2o81QNmAtk6i_fYky4qB5xopEqQsYctrqHAiNiuHCopIgFuzd2xZVECcbWCrv_IatN3m0shy5yDR1vfIiadWyoO8AOOWnJDbZd4VDdQUdPAQDM-kn/s640/blogger-image-85569372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHZe8ZI81s8kjB8PsgNCyf02Japu2o81QNmAtk6i_fYky4qB5xopEqQsYctrqHAiNiuHCopIgFuzd2xZVECcbWCrv_IatN3m0shy5yDR1vfIiadWyoO8AOOWnJDbZd4VDdQUdPAQDM-kn/s640/blogger-image-85569372.jpg" /></a></div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-47079368636854949892011-12-08T16:05:00.001-05:002011-12-08T16:05:47.750-05:00frigid air and hot springs.i am writing this entry on my phone as i am riding my bike (on my trainer in my cabin). isn't technology great!?<br />
<br />
i can't believe there is only one week left of work for the year. time certainly flies when you are having fun. last weekend was full of adventures...a big midweek snowstorm, night out at the karaoke bar with almost all of my coworkers (over 30 people), and a day at the desert hot springs. mainly meaning i didn't sleep as much as i needed to...<br />
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the only mishap was hitting a patch of ice on the windy mountain highway into town sending my car into the guard rail...don't worry: leopold (my car) is fine as well as everyone in the car. surprisingly, the guard rail only left 3 tiny scratches and and took a tiny piece of my hubcap as a souvenir. <br />
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i am looking forward to wrapping up the season soon and spending time back in the Midwest. that's right...this one is coming back! in chicago for a few days before Christmas and then in Michigan until January 7. give me a shout if you want to get together!!<br />
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here are some photos from my adventures:<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDcD6depEngTvJVf_vUgE8LrmjarIi3dClA4l-xD9dqSpmLB3ZlkTtOY6zeFvAvvioXLnJu8wsEC6VLTgw-CgKvDIe8S25OU9ZRdZ25OEowYdQg41cjfpEMjDyNWqafOE1FmEWyYlZeAx/s640/blogger-image--1042052426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDcD6depEngTvJVf_vUgE8LrmjarIi3dClA4l-xD9dqSpmLB3ZlkTtOY6zeFvAvvioXLnJu8wsEC6VLTgw-CgKvDIe8S25OU9ZRdZ25OEowYdQg41cjfpEMjDyNWqafOE1FmEWyYlZeAx/s640/blogger-image--1042052426.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwLdPGPtdQzAQ-khkoRIksb5iqEGdM9DH76DLV43-7XtGDXdxRqW0l0AmBcmNuZjzMK8vpr-qnS-QgIjoM9C3NOOohJ0zstgWQC5oZCHA4XzMqa46kXFrrQjIPmEic6q0g79oIUlf6qxE/s640/blogger-image--659720686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLwLdPGPtdQzAQ-khkoRIksb5iqEGdM9DH76DLV43-7XtGDXdxRqW0l0AmBcmNuZjzMK8vpr-qnS-QgIjoM9C3NOOohJ0zstgWQC5oZCHA4XzMqa46kXFrrQjIPmEic6q0g79oIUlf6qxE/s640/blogger-image--659720686.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV9_EeYD67oB446sxMMERYLaxoqXsEYNHDRdaY298mojUctLKlNUbrcA1rYkUYPQRBbsJYHjhyRRJsCiyIT7wz6SURLRZJ-SrCTVf9GI-7nCLLxDXNX9D_oK2hMsdH1Hqq2lpoa-ATx7h/s640/blogger-image-1679523306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmV9_EeYD67oB446sxMMERYLaxoqXsEYNHDRdaY298mojUctLKlNUbrcA1rYkUYPQRBbsJYHjhyRRJsCiyIT7wz6SURLRZJ-SrCTVf9GI-7nCLLxDXNX9D_oK2hMsdH1Hqq2lpoa-ATx7h/s640/blogger-image-1679523306.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVZkqt-aWEhm99UUbCX6fprIq3rGNPI7cL8LyouT-3N_PodxWAE6TD5oU-zR_IpW3Dow4wrQri8gpCFYJYAVSE24hpnzrwvHLrCfwk1tPsSZzPqCgMKV31Mlhfx9obbu7ufZNiW_pPgO/s640/blogger-image--444368230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjVZkqt-aWEhm99UUbCX6fprIq3rGNPI7cL8LyouT-3N_PodxWAE6TD5oU-zR_IpW3Dow4wrQri8gpCFYJYAVSE24hpnzrwvHLrCfwk1tPsSZzPqCgMKV31Mlhfx9obbu7ufZNiW_pPgO/s640/blogger-image--444368230.jpg" /></a></div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-60873189295155008832011-11-23T22:07:00.001-05:002011-11-23T22:13:39.339-05:00road trip and california in pictures.just some snapshots from life recently...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBKdYn7IWZbverI3TfGkf0NER8JmOCLkpZTJ3nswJatuBv3glMuX2Nx16zwd5YCbB1pe4HvP_YiCeMSKFxzm2WTkTAeB9eyw1HyHO-Ypowf7FHxeec4L3yMDlAjkWZk2f3dfg3e-LUZP1/s1600/September+and+October+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBKdYn7IWZbverI3TfGkf0NER8JmOCLkpZTJ3nswJatuBv3glMuX2Nx16zwd5YCbB1pe4HvP_YiCeMSKFxzm2WTkTAeB9eyw1HyHO-Ypowf7FHxeec4L3yMDlAjkWZk2f3dfg3e-LUZP1/s320/September+and+October+2011+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">olivia's cute. my brother is even cuter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI9S1F0xXOX-fL9GEghUAKF_KApcDxdmCGrQLNHYuDX2O7-HgmVWxt9aLpJfkvNSaqTs_2KkH3tLGvsKeTVdJFU6NkrdCxJaZH4_3-A-CkSqQeG6Qaps3ikFDHwDRIKe4VEG3dxM_Qi72/s1600/September+and+October+2011+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI9S1F0xXOX-fL9GEghUAKF_KApcDxdmCGrQLNHYuDX2O7-HgmVWxt9aLpJfkvNSaqTs_2KkH3tLGvsKeTVdJFU6NkrdCxJaZH4_3-A-CkSqQeG6Qaps3ikFDHwDRIKe4VEG3dxM_Qi72/s320/September+and+October+2011+023.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bear lake in northern utah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa86jXONJeDosnbN84FXcJQzXbvxE1FU6EcMC1tE4JQnry6-egxud7iLHMBUfq5U7qHKFOb2bWu607FP-iqPKMmuAVspg0dH0Ep89cOLScDTE0F0prs_wD_3uC7JcljAk-JkIEuduXyMU/s1600/September+and+October+2011+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSa86jXONJeDosnbN84FXcJQzXbvxE1FU6EcMC1tE4JQnry6-egxud7iLHMBUfq5U7qHKFOb2bWu607FP-iqPKMmuAVspg0dH0Ep89cOLScDTE0F0prs_wD_3uC7JcljAk-JkIEuduXyMU/s320/September+and+October+2011+043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grand teton national park!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJtNBMJgMY4QcUQbt8Ne2g0yiEkUxItIr3y90jkoUWgeO4iAYA0LlafejFfjcXckXGS5MsN9Ul6EekT6PozH3E4WOeO2r2zJJRGJfqmvtLMVUjQjp4cYbMUoj5ip-nd2U96wQDMrAszhg/s1600/September+and+October+2011+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXJtNBMJgMY4QcUQbt8Ne2g0yiEkUxItIr3y90jkoUWgeO4iAYA0LlafejFfjcXckXGS5MsN9Ul6EekT6PozH3E4WOeO2r2zJJRGJfqmvtLMVUjQjp4cYbMUoj5ip-nd2U96wQDMrAszhg/s320/September+and+October+2011+051.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more grand teton.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE-q7C8uIcgPUio_WNxABzGBkNzrBkvLir0Ak5mOR9AhDUmXXKgKhy9WJa7kZmLlRogLH0JlukbMLjLboqP99Aeaz69L3kC3U2sXMlBNn2ihIR3-SO5kyLigFMmk9xD6JtWR-vW1ZmP2e/s1600/September+and+October+2011+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE-q7C8uIcgPUio_WNxABzGBkNzrBkvLir0Ak5mOR9AhDUmXXKgKhy9WJa7kZmLlRogLH0JlukbMLjLboqP99Aeaz69L3kC3U2sXMlBNn2ihIR3-SO5kyLigFMmk9xD6JtWR-vW1ZmP2e/s320/September+and+October+2011+057.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jenny lake at grand teton national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh9ZDoSsWE9qEyabIBvvRnstqqP7W1gnUcU5WwsHSZig4h8o769fTtLFidpSKQi3N2omJZXBjPpkiHmwpFkAXePQPKKRJixjZUC5-t-f_Trj3bNVJ8hv9uf_kA26gka0yIMvcJOBWLGXM/s1600/September+and+October+2011+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGh9ZDoSsWE9qEyabIBvvRnstqqP7W1gnUcU5WwsHSZig4h8o769fTtLFidpSKQi3N2omJZXBjPpkiHmwpFkAXePQPKKRJixjZUC5-t-f_Trj3bNVJ8hv9uf_kA26gka0yIMvcJOBWLGXM/s320/September+and+October+2011+089.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me just before the geyser attacked me with sulfur fumes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAKm02yxemClF8ppWRcwmDtZCT96QPHwUxK_qDPkODKMJDFeIDku3LUDTMdoVo0w27Wn0hIUR07r3WbVpiXh4QXLtTbm5igrTfbZ4D2pJi7BKKqhXFuyAE1kpSIYMFNsb2Ym-gSH47naE/s1600/September+and+October+2011+069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAKm02yxemClF8ppWRcwmDtZCT96QPHwUxK_qDPkODKMJDFeIDku3LUDTMdoVo0w27Wn0hIUR07r3WbVpiXh4QXLtTbm5igrTfbZ4D2pJi7BKKqhXFuyAE1kpSIYMFNsb2Ym-gSH47naE/s320/September+and+October+2011+069.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yellowstone national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99y5iqtMQ874iHqxrbOenn1hrhK1lojcm4E_LlvlL0r86cBvVjNKY86ihlD2dBYvc5gTHPMdmqmWyzHEL2uQJdbyI16tN9sWnEQTD0rc43r-AVbOMlqQk1AndEpX-ZYX22L_nSOYSVHZl/s1600/September+and+October+2011+095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99y5iqtMQ874iHqxrbOenn1hrhK1lojcm4E_LlvlL0r86cBvVjNKY86ihlD2dBYvc5gTHPMdmqmWyzHEL2uQJdbyI16tN9sWnEQTD0rc43r-AVbOMlqQk1AndEpX-ZYX22L_nSOYSVHZl/s320/September+and+October+2011+095.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yellowstone national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpfBNKQqlWJZpWvXlgIqeF6JJm_3wlyw1xe7GCWoER6yXYj4vnODLTRDMV8S9fFAnr78VmRl-7Gv-nNjMP5YGKFQEyDbuPlpCWp4Hln5K03Ox0ez6bgSj6PbOFJFHpi2N6ptr5PQh2TzJ/s1600/September+and+October+2011+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpfBNKQqlWJZpWvXlgIqeF6JJm_3wlyw1xe7GCWoER6yXYj4vnODLTRDMV8S9fFAnr78VmRl-7Gv-nNjMP5YGKFQEyDbuPlpCWp4Hln5K03Ox0ez6bgSj6PbOFJFHpi2N6ptr5PQh2TzJ/s320/September+and+October+2011+101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lake tahoe!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7VewnBB0hyphenhyphen2WGOKpxHKxp0o8zyBsxazhdstFKBrbv5EhKdayXEgB_KYaXkNAwxB4Q8nUhoKAGrvGjsxRZ_LCZFqQdM5avi75OfoLcHFfVY2IgTeh0EPs2NZlUJizZ4a2Q-xpeKCjxz9N/s1600/September+and+October+2011+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7VewnBB0hyphenhyphen2WGOKpxHKxp0o8zyBsxazhdstFKBrbv5EhKdayXEgB_KYaXkNAwxB4Q8nUhoKAGrvGjsxRZ_LCZFqQdM5avi75OfoLcHFfVY2IgTeh0EPs2NZlUJizZ4a2Q-xpeKCjxz9N/s320/September+and+October+2011+103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the way to mineral king at sequoia national park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFEsmcTdc4Ad5i-ztJyBZQi0qulsnaNmMmw1Fzunge0up1MASgfDTypKgwDlLsvzzQ37v1TApwbZF_7tSrYJV9_Gk9j7uHokfq19YW-dIbJkfCtWHn-XrQdm8GPnCXuLKvS2NuahUqz-B/s1600/September+and+October+2011+112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFEsmcTdc4Ad5i-ztJyBZQi0qulsnaNmMmw1Fzunge0up1MASgfDTypKgwDlLsvzzQ37v1TApwbZF_7tSrYJV9_Gk9j7uHokfq19YW-dIbJkfCtWHn-XrQdm8GPnCXuLKvS2NuahUqz-B/s320/September+and+October+2011+112.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">thia with a sequoia tree.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEm2eLFv0b4-O-oOXfSsxCdJ5ciHY_QA8sO-HUOTC_XjwBV7AoAfFtGmgTgx4TRcn1x7CdNSiZRNiE4uwzwo_5W9_bnPuzTij5W8Sx7HQ3up7BNm98jsaNlcQs2GjKvFQiObD3bKyddVH/s1600/September+and+October+2011+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEm2eLFv0b4-O-oOXfSsxCdJ5ciHY_QA8sO-HUOTC_XjwBV7AoAfFtGmgTgx4TRcn1x7CdNSiZRNiE4uwzwo_5W9_bnPuzTij5W8Sx7HQ3up7BNm98jsaNlcQs2GjKvFQiObD3bKyddVH/s320/September+and+October+2011+114.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i fell in love with this tree. reminded me of a seahorse.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHvqfz9C1gUJmjZjH5kg0IZ5Qftb4no-wuOBTOeLIttgq991Vfmw5LFfWjP8ZndPJn_omPbnquDcvobkbzjm60IH7BHVRF-3S60Ul-GPYszfY06HV5zsv_4THjZe-GRoxcP-apGyp_e3g/s1600/September+and+October+2011+138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHvqfz9C1gUJmjZjH5kg0IZ5Qftb4no-wuOBTOeLIttgq991Vfmw5LFfWjP8ZndPJn_omPbnquDcvobkbzjm60IH7BHVRF-3S60Ul-GPYszfY06HV5zsv_4THjZe-GRoxcP-apGyp_e3g/s320/September+and+October+2011+138.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mt. sugarloaf at sunset from burnt flats.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tB0KHp9S1akf2Z26JkyzRrM3ARAoPqN7C5FA4qeuCHY6U-THvTdYASphU5yaUQ_bUAIv1bet4G0aj9ZjGao-_XIEFn_MdvtCQMFCg10-bCLJ5AgsocPQorUEhqWsjWl48S2Kj4KwYvf6/s1600/Fall+2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3tB0KHp9S1akf2Z26JkyzRrM3ARAoPqN7C5FA4qeuCHY6U-THvTdYASphU5yaUQ_bUAIv1bet4G0aj9ZjGao-_XIEFn_MdvtCQMFCg10-bCLJ5AgsocPQorUEhqWsjWl48S2Kj4KwYvf6/s320/Fall+2011+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">karis and joe getting sucked up by a tree during trail work.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw4hx2X07zm2qeR12PCU-grjnxMVDHf_Oe4mdH1yyRJlpOwel3PNLbGwMiLTrSgADobuZ-LBcDcZYvmLoR9YElFYhDUTtev9GRND2TzG7qnCtMtBqHu57YA_qQuDNe7T1CRfFF95QJpBJ/s1600/Fall+2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUw4hx2X07zm2qeR12PCU-grjnxMVDHf_Oe4mdH1yyRJlpOwel3PNLbGwMiLTrSgADobuZ-LBcDcZYvmLoR9YElFYhDUTtev9GRND2TzG7qnCtMtBqHu57YA_qQuDNe7T1CRfFF95QJpBJ/s320/Fall+2011+004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">whistle while we work (do do do do do do do do).</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWjKdLIVoBwkKc_YxCXKvX-Sz5vlvXjfBp76pFEanmLmZOcjsqoSjvuj6SukN_FCh4hs1Y-aOOfgiePPo4mezvwqww0UFbhV7QdfdrJESPDmPi_nMcXHqZ-ePDBhCOMj-8u89HLtbvvHS/s1600/Fall+2011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWjKdLIVoBwkKc_YxCXKvX-Sz5vlvXjfBp76pFEanmLmZOcjsqoSjvuj6SukN_FCh4hs1Y-aOOfgiePPo4mezvwqww0UFbhV7QdfdrJESPDmPi_nMcXHqZ-ePDBhCOMj-8u89HLtbvvHS/s320/Fall+2011+002.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">karis wears many hats.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvt4HxPpaMhq0XzTRmKJOdWOh6KsvLBViwCflwGalERvw8vcHiACkFy0EVDp-LnGvrtvlLas48EhAYgeiIzQV0lgfn0NN9VlmiJlFartScCfxPIbsKws6O_zfctTpXf-49c2DQrQzqKHl/s1600/Fall+2011+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvt4HxPpaMhq0XzTRmKJOdWOh6KsvLBViwCflwGalERvw8vcHiACkFy0EVDp-LnGvrtvlLas48EhAYgeiIzQV0lgfn0NN9VlmiJlFartScCfxPIbsKws6O_zfctTpXf-49c2DQrQzqKHl/s320/Fall+2011+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">along the PCT north of fawnskin, ca.</td></tr>
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<br />robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-84047572715352870162011-11-23T21:45:00.001-05:002012-02-13T15:46:54.213-05:00family, thanksgiving and power toolsno gathering of my family would be complete without the droning of a power drill or a trip to home depot. normally it's my parents working on some sort of home improvement project, but this time i'm visiting my aunt and uncle at their beautiful abode in colorado springs, and they seem to be at the throes of home improvement projects.<br />
<br />
when my aunt and grandmother picked me up from the aiport, my grandma proudly told me how she just bought them a new microwave to fit over their stove. while i bummed around enjoying the splendor of being around family (and greedily doing as many things as i can on their high speed internet), my aunt and uncle were busy at work the rest of the evening trying to install this microwave. trial and error revealed some holes drilled in the wrong place (measure twice, drill once, my friends), so i was called over to help out. eventually the microwave found it's new home (power drill and saw: check).<br />
<br />
the next morning, on a simple trip to the store to get yeast for baking bread (must...feed...the...addiction...), we stopped by REI, home depot and a camera shop before making it to the grocery store (home depot stop: check).<br />
<br />
i've spent the past few days relaxing, crocheting, writing letters, buying way too many things on the internet (all on sale and free shipping...), and listening to my sassy grandma's banter. she claims she's losing her sense of humor with her age; i just think she's getting more hilarious. i really wish i had a tape recorder to capture her remarks about life.<br />
<br />
i'm writing this entry to the soundtrack of a power drill, shopvac and clanging of electronic bits as my uncle tries to configure a way to use skype in the living room. by the way, i just got skype (username: miller.is.robin) and was able to catch up with my good friend heidi in real time! she's teaching english in taiwan and has her own blog (<a href="http://heidialford.tumblr.com/">http://heidialford.tumblr.com/</a>). we communicate mainly through written correspondence; however, i thoroughly enjoyed our nearly 2 hour conversation...both of us in pajamas thanks to the 15 hour time difference! me just having woken up and her about to call it a night.<br />
<br />
back on track...we did the quick and dirty version of the garden of the gods in manitou springs. i snapped some photos of the kissing camels, held up balance rock and was wooed into buying too many postcards at the trading post. then we stuffed ourselves silly with sushi before returning to prepare pies for tomorrow's feast.<br />
<br />
at the trading post by the garden of the gods, there was a sign saying "it all started when two people fell in love". being with family for thanksgiving makes me reflect on the gravity of this souvenir sign. family does start when two people fall in love. the reason that all the people in the room around me are here is because two people fell in love enough to welcome children into their lives.<br />
<br />
what the future holds for my family remains unknown. for now, i will enjoy the time we have to spend together.<br />
<br />
<br />
robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-7979180827986281982011-10-31T23:25:00.002-04:002011-10-31T23:26:01.677-04:00oh, hello there fall.today, while i walked over to sneak dinner from the camp nawakwa (we didn't have program today), i thought about fall. i've been thinking about fall a lot lately. friends have been asking me what fall is like in the mountains. i used to tell them that it made me miss the brilliant colors of the midwest. that it made me nostalgic for making giant leaf piles, jumping in them, and promptly stuffing those leaf piles down the jackets of anyone nearby. that it made me miss home.<br />
<br />
this year, i'm embracing fall in the mountains. since i spend my days in the kitchen instead of outside, i've come to appreciate my time outside so much more than i ever have. i relish the warm sunshine on my skin and the cool shade under the oak trees. i have two beautiful windows in my room and love seeing the oak trees change from yellow, the orange, and eventually to red. yesterday, when i was hiking with friends, we found a cave and even met a new bat friend! how perfect for a halloween adventure. last week i even served up pumpkin spice coffee instead of the normal blend.<br />
<br />
fall has been an awakening for me this year. i've been learning a new job, a challenging and exhausting job. i've been adjusting to a community full of familiar friends and new faces...as well as the difficulty of fitting in when my position is completely different from everyone else i work with. i am trying to stay connected to friends and family who are not in this community...and am finally planning the time to keep in touch (sorry pen pals...you will get letters!). it's not easy...but no one ever said life was.<br />
<br />
i am enjoying myself. i get to create delicious, healthy food. highlights include breakfast crepe "lasagna", quinoa-black bean-sweet potato burgers, and finally finding time to bake bread from scratch! i'm slowly reclaiming free time during the week...hoping to get on some bike rides this week before it gets too chilly. and the weekends are always full of adventure : )<br />
<br />
pictures will come soon...robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-88999466104379980012011-10-03T17:50:00.000-04:002011-10-03T17:50:57.061-04:00back to the daily grind. cooking up a storm.it has been quite some time since i gave attention to my blog. i guess you could say i took a summer vacation from blogging. to sum up the rest of my summer: my trail crew in oregon was a blast (i'll post pictures soon), my 3 weeks at home in michigan were blissful and my road trip back to california was splendid.<br />
<br />
highlights from my road trip included seeing my brother and his family in kansas at my grandmother's house, visiting my train acquaintance (rob) in utah, spending time with kyle at grand teton NP and camping with thia in lake tahoe and sequoia national park.<br />
<br />
when i got back to california, i hit the ground running. i spent the first week training under the other head cook, a beautiful soul named natalie, while cooking for new staff training. we made some delicious treats...especially spring rolls, homemade falafel, and extra delicious carrot cake.<br />
<br />
the second week was the real deal...150 kids, 50 staff and teachers, and a kitchen full of food. i really got a sense for what it's like to be not only the cook, but the kitchen manager (my actual title). it's a new challenge for me to juggle trays of tater tots for the kids while not overcooking the veggie fritatta for the adults all the while baking tantalizing treats that are not kind on the waistline and making sure there is enough hand soap (random, but apparently i'm also in charge of ordering cleaning supplies for camp. hand soap has been the one that hasn't come in yet...and the one we really need. oh well!). i am starting to notice my biceps and quads getting much stronger and defined from regularly lifting 50 pound bags of flour and large pots of boiling water.<br />
<br />
my almost-disaster came when i mixed up the squeezy bottles of cooking oil and dish soap (both yellow liquids that i hadn't labeled yet). you can imagine my surprise when i wondered why the green peppers i was cooking kept smelling so clean and bubbled up quite nicely. good thing i caught that before adding it to the huge vat of sloppy joes for the kiddos.<br />
<br />
i'm slowly catching up on rest. i spent the weekend sleeping in, settling into my room and frolicking outside. it's amazing how soothing time outside with wonderful people can be to the tired soul.<br />
<br />
this week i'm headed to virginia to see my best friend from college get married! i am escaping a puking epidemic that is going around camp and some icky weather passing through southern california. no complaints here!robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-84341441655416672732011-07-13T18:27:00.000-04:002011-07-13T18:27:35.762-04:00summer adventure. perpetual weekend.being at home with no concrete plans makes me feel like i'm living the perpetual weekend. and i love it! i stay up way too late, watch too many movies, sleep in too much, and haven't been too productive with my time.<div><br />
</div><div>my big life decisions revolve around what pointless tv show i want to stream on netflix and how many pairs of underwear i should bring with for a month of trail work. right now, i'm debating about whether to bring overalls with me...</div><div><br />
</div><div>but, my trip to oregon is just around the corner. in less than 2 days, i'll be on my way to see if i have what it takes to be a high school crew leader! i'm stoked. it'll be nice to do something with my time. i will miss playing with my cats and making food for my parents though...</div><div><br />
</div><div>here are some recent photos from my life...</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWCsl3bdLcum0G4yOzn__DBttPUqkOpwQGRoB0Kg6Hi8FxyHGQzUxQBoFeizWpVpPpcTn3jJpTsFOt_TNod-Re1lC9fm_1DTHS4CrruBtICzm9Rf44UMWoOrI43M5VXog8aK7tl2Rkpd0/s1600/IMG_0041-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWCsl3bdLcum0G4yOzn__DBttPUqkOpwQGRoB0Kg6Hi8FxyHGQzUxQBoFeizWpVpPpcTn3jJpTsFOt_TNod-Re1lC9fm_1DTHS4CrruBtICzm9Rf44UMWoOrI43M5VXog8aK7tl2Rkpd0/s320/IMG_0041-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amos lee concert at meijer gardens.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8r56uDxTUe9KcQqfZJrYKeKzrSryNcLERh77ImIGejnNWepLYp0dPacmuCUgS4_HPG5goifHhFbu7noOt8xfY0g2X6Sfq0ICcu8m6Ds9YmNxEaQmVslTNLsGWyR_QI4Omu_JJhG-PypB/s1600/IMG_0037-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8r56uDxTUe9KcQqfZJrYKeKzrSryNcLERh77ImIGejnNWepLYp0dPacmuCUgS4_HPG5goifHhFbu7noOt8xfY0g2X6Sfq0ICcu8m6Ds9YmNxEaQmVslTNLsGWyR_QI4Omu_JJhG-PypB/s320/IMG_0037-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">veggie enchiladas i made for the show.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GI6BE_Hl7jJGJKfoNokz-yvMiYZ5EYBMVA9cajWDVTY4TicAQiuX5xfp_qzECov-boXhYb1ayi_G3MNQzINFYdi7nP-Lad8QzayDhSyYnJJ8BYH1Ux3gFMqCjRiBEwiDL4viNsPvTARS/s1600/IMG_0043-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GI6BE_Hl7jJGJKfoNokz-yvMiYZ5EYBMVA9cajWDVTY4TicAQiuX5xfp_qzECov-boXhYb1ayi_G3MNQzINFYdi7nP-Lad8QzayDhSyYnJJ8BYH1Ux3gFMqCjRiBEwiDL4viNsPvTARS/s320/IMG_0043-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this guy, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mutlusounds">mutlu</a>, most entertaining performer ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6AF9ycoKahtSdze_B-gL4LPuDw0QG-UKO0or__mYgzHVDo04mO7VDx2KEAH2UNZ2yQEtOn5jDQud5R-MuLeRZWdzdB7N2A6ojzpOTDiVpO1wtcBos9yKJDwzJIbPtU5vVroXfF1a-k3n/s1600/IMG_0029-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6AF9ycoKahtSdze_B-gL4LPuDw0QG-UKO0or__mYgzHVDo04mO7VDx2KEAH2UNZ2yQEtOn5jDQud5R-MuLeRZWdzdB7N2A6ojzpOTDiVpO1wtcBos9yKJDwzJIbPtU5vVroXfF1a-k3n/s320/IMG_0029-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade pizza. and an ice cold oberon, of course.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0lbbazbYiOygSBqN6lmm-prC9hFHG3OszsyQkWzbfe9YTXj8panDa2Q8MD49PF2pejxtG9irIS05fTi0jYN-npTBFjHAeU-H5lZSAVipcsdFeIqZKMvnTsjK8IlkqH-V0IiHtI510lEa/s1600/IMG_0026-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0lbbazbYiOygSBqN6lmm-prC9hFHG3OszsyQkWzbfe9YTXj8panDa2Q8MD49PF2pejxtG9irIS05fTi0jYN-npTBFjHAeU-H5lZSAVipcsdFeIqZKMvnTsjK8IlkqH-V0IiHtI510lEa/s320/IMG_0026-6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dad watching fireworks on the 4th.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilimIYe94vAxalj4ijgFPtsVSgIsMuglbpDCzi3thLgbcpHcsDb4E6mq8rAZ1u5qhQQblHNM_2BtNiIZBToSSswVOnaA72uFWIx5S7axGTB72dzCs6900omQDhrG2NkgzGoi_O2DHiPsvA/s1600/IMG_0010-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilimIYe94vAxalj4ijgFPtsVSgIsMuglbpDCzi3thLgbcpHcsDb4E6mq8rAZ1u5qhQQblHNM_2BtNiIZBToSSswVOnaA72uFWIx5S7axGTB72dzCs6900omQDhrG2NkgzGoi_O2DHiPsvA/s320/IMG_0010-7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">peter frampton! 4th of july concert.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yNqmNL9THNy4fuhKWoMUlP9QJYoIXI1qWle7SXyapqENIXQW0uaFt033468sAPvgVeSf02dfZEvPxVy0_c8EmAuhD7DlRBi61yTJ5uDSwdQvVK-7L1FfJP204wFvrJowTiz9Wjp-Bmk9/s1600/IMG_0001-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yNqmNL9THNy4fuhKWoMUlP9QJYoIXI1qWle7SXyapqENIXQW0uaFt033468sAPvgVeSf02dfZEvPxVy0_c8EmAuhD7DlRBi61yTJ5uDSwdQvVK-7L1FfJP204wFvrJowTiz9Wjp-Bmk9/s320/IMG_0001-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sophie relaxing on the deck.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8ngNcXvVbzq0Mk9pmzulWFvOdmXPxrbqJIn8wy-oPepMbyNZZvaMDvE3JUh4KsKx9_pFVL1WJoJVCGnN28TiLZRvlxjtxJ6UNhmSabllinq1ssrpqXzTmB-e2ZAYS-GtcX-zse1Xddn9/s1600/IMG_0236-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8ngNcXvVbzq0Mk9pmzulWFvOdmXPxrbqJIn8wy-oPepMbyNZZvaMDvE3JUh4KsKx9_pFVL1WJoJVCGnN28TiLZRvlxjtxJ6UNhmSabllinq1ssrpqXzTmB-e2ZAYS-GtcX-zse1Xddn9/s320/IMG_0236-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">random frog in reading, pa.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMlEv4QBjdwb7wWNKwpccY62xYh0w2dzejF5yjc8feKa_0pjgschIbE_bsZKgKLT7VMYR6uDBMSuSVYPdnmX065XWWLM6hzOeYbf7XRVJ0Iap8hrQaYEGNc12_mNIE5Ph1zY4IBthyphenhyphenPkx/s1600/IMG_0235-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMlEv4QBjdwb7wWNKwpccY62xYh0w2dzejF5yjc8feKa_0pjgschIbE_bsZKgKLT7VMYR6uDBMSuSVYPdnmX065XWWLM6hzOeYbf7XRVJ0Iap8hrQaYEGNc12_mNIE5Ph1zY4IBthyphenhyphenPkx/s320/IMG_0235-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">yes! storm drain labels!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHrCuqoEucxaCFPHZKzQUQydt_x869ENHTRAe2O78N-t87maUHniPMRK5h3nPYvnlQrmi3flZ_iwirERMhjW0iaxN8lBrBo_wm8DInNE9tvOTzG5GXb5AaY95VxkWavYD0_IxIdqY30U_/s1600/IMG_0234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHrCuqoEucxaCFPHZKzQUQydt_x869ENHTRAe2O78N-t87maUHniPMRK5h3nPYvnlQrmi3flZ_iwirERMhjW0iaxN8lBrBo_wm8DInNE9tvOTzG5GXb5AaY95VxkWavYD0_IxIdqY30U_/s320/IMG_0234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crazy fun bookstore in metuchen, NJ.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA2aCaG6sklvRPH_188QlXZIihGEe7kvukPJuB47gWV1AMciX3FZMyRtXsvWbpOwhhyphenhyphenkIZ0PnVbPkIPCBQQAlZLJ9Ew58ZyiAtHRBPWQkad50TCVbULJvwBbsIQfFjGFmiNNsXmDK3c-R/s1600/IMG_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA2aCaG6sklvRPH_188QlXZIihGEe7kvukPJuB47gWV1AMciX3FZMyRtXsvWbpOwhhyphenhyphenkIZ0PnVbPkIPCBQQAlZLJ9Ew58ZyiAtHRBPWQkad50TCVbULJvwBbsIQfFjGFmiNNsXmDK3c-R/s320/IMG_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there was a double rainbow, all the way. so intense.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkDdfYd6-v23hECE32Ac44U6S45frIEID4Rf-qvxr4pCYytABd0lYFzCK8DW0ziFn7WEUHoMaAwFtQtrmwr6KiQTiHlaQ5QwbUpvHpIKiXLOYRIB2ouq8q1X30XUZlNfRX7YVwJT4ACew/s1600/IMG_0225-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkDdfYd6-v23hECE32Ac44U6S45frIEID4Rf-qvxr4pCYytABd0lYFzCK8DW0ziFn7WEUHoMaAwFtQtrmwr6KiQTiHlaQ5QwbUpvHpIKiXLOYRIB2ouq8q1X30XUZlNfRX7YVwJT4ACew/s320/IMG_0225-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">music under the tent (before the storm rolled in).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiCABOrTTpdYCRpcWuoRYOY4e5Kts2KgkiikOvWACjvTrEnC7WJVM2ks7fkjEIJ7z4jreQlPRplVBIwmws2Q1OUq7I7Jqeej9cIEkv2igH45klKPNZ59tArZewsAjQSbF-CMZd7cy8OUt/s1600/IMG_0219-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiCABOrTTpdYCRpcWuoRYOY4e5Kts2KgkiikOvWACjvTrEnC7WJVM2ks7fkjEIJ7z4jreQlPRplVBIwmws2Q1OUq7I7Jqeej9cIEkv2igH45klKPNZ59tArZewsAjQSbF-CMZd7cy8OUt/s320/IMG_0219-2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hawley!</td></tr>
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</div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-58778831115427864282011-07-05T13:16:00.000-04:002011-07-05T13:16:29.457-04:00summer adventure. rethinking my bucket list.now that i'm home with an abundance of free time, i've been pondering the direction of my life. how do my choices fit in with those overarching goals on my bucket list? can i keep living this life of adventure and still support myself in the long run? what will it take to get me to settle down in one place with a career?<div><br />
</div><div>so, i've started rethinking my bucket list. here are some of the current entries:</div><div><br />
</div><div>- go on a long distance bike ride (summer 2012?)</div><div>- hike the AT or the PCT (doing trail work on the PCT this summer!)</div><div>- become mayor of a small town (i'm the mayor of high trails...)</div><div>- visit all 7 continents (3 down! 4 to go)</div><div>- go on a hot air balloon ride (uhh...expensive)</div><div>- live on a farm (i keep meeting cool young farmers...maybe they'll need an intern someday)</div><div>- be in a band (learning the banjo...)</div><div><br />
</div><div>it seems as though i'm doing pretty well on these goals. in a few years, i might need to make a whole new bucket list! i'm starting to think about where i see myself in the next few years. graduate school? a more permanent job? still adventuring? the options are a little overwhelming, and i keep trying to tell myself to take life one step at a time. easier said than done for this super planner.</div><div><br />
</div><div>in other life news, i've started riding my bike again and even started logging my miles on the <a href="http://www.dailymile.com/people/robinmiller#ref=tophd">dailymile</a>. slowly, i'm catching up on some letter writing and postcards. pen pals, don't fret. mail is coming your way! i'm starting to sort through recipes i want to try on my parents for next year's culinary adventures as one of the head cooks at high trails (ah!).</div><div><br />
</div><div>time to run some errands!</div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-48980756985358544712011-06-27T21:25:00.000-04:002011-06-27T21:25:36.651-04:00summer adventure. road trip to exhaustion.i am exhausted. completely exhausted. i'm physically drained with a sprained ankle (that i'm too stubborn and busy to slow down enough and let heal). i'm emotionally taxed with making new friends and visiting old. i'm mentally wiped from spending way too much time in my car.<br />
<br />
but, it is all part of the glorious adventure of summer.<br />
<br />
after my brief jaunt across the country, i spent nearly 2 weeks training for my summer job with SCA. i am excited for the work, but i'm also feeling a little overwhelmed with all that needs to happen before i leave. i loved being back in new england. i met some fascinating people that i hope to build some friendships with as time goes on. oh, and i celebrated my 24th birthday! yay!<br />
<br />
i woke up saturday morning slightly groggy from a rowdy evening of celebrating my birthday, said goodbye to many of my new cohorts and packed my car in with an additional 3 people (little leopold, my corolla, was bursting at the seams!) for a whirlwind trip from NH to boston and back to western massachusetts. i fought through my tiredness and even went contra dancing!<br />
<br />
i left hawley early this morning, stopped in new jersey for lunch with my friend kevin, rescued my friend kt's bike in kutztown, pa and am now in reading, pa visiting a friend from high school. tomorrow i'm headed to pittsburgh to see molly! i just wish i didn't feel so much like a zombie...robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-47863177784166613612011-06-13T15:17:00.000-04:002011-06-13T15:17:54.217-04:00new challenges. job transitions.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">right now i'm at the old cummington creamery in western massachusetts, using some high speed internet and trying to catch up on everything. </div><br />
the last few weeks at work were fun with lots of smiles and adventures! here are some of the photo highlights...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehysVZGWrKxPFgGbQVL8tzz7DnWEOEJrKCpI6VtCa3DFJKYhBspf_s2EEqlrkyfhyphenhyphenZa7ahDYdjUVAo99C4AtNh5DoORpf-jdYnlPDJAzQoMPpkcFa3m1_mpXgurn06EDqNqD7SZE0cSU6/s1600/Mini+Golf+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehysVZGWrKxPFgGbQVL8tzz7DnWEOEJrKCpI6VtCa3DFJKYhBspf_s2EEqlrkyfhyphenhyphenZa7ahDYdjUVAo99C4AtNh5DoORpf-jdYnlPDJAzQoMPpkcFa3m1_mpXgurn06EDqNqD7SZE0cSU6/s320/Mini+Golf+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a few of us celebrated our 12th birthdays with minigolf and beer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM2CHu9Fd2AZy6jSGEKunZ8DXYTiAfED2PH0j7XZt329rfvvQzaMmUtmFW27q3KOPB42fF6qpRAo59TnH7GnFFZUycAbw5YcBBpNWxOz4ftXU7Ml1R0IWHf9TlQDa9aMe1FJAniiV4-V3/s1600/IMG_0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM2CHu9Fd2AZy6jSGEKunZ8DXYTiAfED2PH0j7XZt329rfvvQzaMmUtmFW27q3KOPB42fF6qpRAo59TnH7GnFFZUycAbw5YcBBpNWxOz4ftXU7Ml1R0IWHf9TlQDa9aMe1FJAniiV4-V3/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a newt at camp sturtevant!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYJcgS4_rYV6CNQ8TljUnR04samqKlccz_RPg0cqFErAdfUtBrOQ4KF1KE591k4fIN6oKZODo9RmPQtqw1-8t8K8iLODH77PXGfWB8FprAfLRWiGQ8yfG7FRggKBBkmhoNeusyT7g9Rq0/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYJcgS4_rYV6CNQ8TljUnR04samqKlccz_RPg0cqFErAdfUtBrOQ4KF1KE591k4fIN6oKZODo9RmPQtqw1-8t8K8iLODH77PXGfWB8FprAfLRWiGQ8yfG7FRggKBBkmhoNeusyT7g9Rq0/s320/IMG_0108.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they had mules to bring in our food and gear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rMQiTur3aneB027ScwjFecWTF8Wwf3LKHpxQQwSrUigA4wm9L71h4MJrmrbtw37Al5yWTRPc-YwQ3EMqBW_GnGIOK3r5WfvEdIPCL5ESeDCi1cXGMA7-XEMwMNfk2vNtVr6YLpzCZYnG/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rMQiTur3aneB027ScwjFecWTF8Wwf3LKHpxQQwSrUigA4wm9L71h4MJrmrbtw37Al5yWTRPc-YwQ3EMqBW_GnGIOK3r5WfvEdIPCL5ESeDCi1cXGMA7-XEMwMNfk2vNtVr6YLpzCZYnG/s320/IMG_0089.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there were lots of waterfalls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh1IpavFIROEAFk1TC9JJy-vzrmwbKj6NHHbr2deL2RmgBnBUMqTFRRhQhqmdoMLf-YtGCirXT4e1iIbKFJnKrIfZTb19_AEB3bs9qiyP2VcCBa3LVAH7TVOQkPneslHJTSgFLM-bjCGf/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh1IpavFIROEAFk1TC9JJy-vzrmwbKj6NHHbr2deL2RmgBnBUMqTFRRhQhqmdoMLf-YtGCirXT4e1iIbKFJnKrIfZTb19_AEB3bs9qiyP2VcCBa3LVAH7TVOQkPneslHJTSgFLM-bjCGf/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a big telescope on top of mt. wilson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalgxsZQZfJxB7sb5YwsPNSD-ptQMKVOAIOlY5qbZ9T59M8tSq2pLuWM92x7jKFdLs7zwzOew2lRk9tXfm4kC6PK63ZIZvrKAKk0-EmwGYrIEbevFPg2s2yBeN2IwExyL0r9Ft_PORFsf1/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgalgxsZQZfJxB7sb5YwsPNSD-ptQMKVOAIOlY5qbZ9T59M8tSq2pLuWM92x7jKFdLs7zwzOew2lRk9tXfm4kC6PK63ZIZvrKAKk0-EmwGYrIEbevFPg2s2yBeN2IwExyL0r9Ft_PORFsf1/s320/IMG_0134.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of LA from mt. wilson!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 6px; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; padding-top: 6px; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajU83SMTwjyA5dQdGTxnf6SjAjpXj3NY_iWiKHlDSDylY5pkpaFYJIe7y3SMD8SbJyE7nEFMi0oFeD-txWMfbPM7piou7bUVokarQ2x1uPuc8FldpF2NmGRfhIjPw1-4vRhjGwpCVbYNw/s1600/IMG_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajU83SMTwjyA5dQdGTxnf6SjAjpXj3NY_iWiKHlDSDylY5pkpaFYJIe7y3SMD8SbJyE7nEFMi0oFeD-txWMfbPM7piou7bUVokarQ2x1uPuc8FldpF2NmGRfhIjPw1-4vRhjGwpCVbYNw/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">rob and i on the way to camp sturtevant for contra.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
i also managed to snap a few photos of students in my last field group.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG9BxrnzzV-ujKhUXEjPxnZAj7HmdTFcEm_DHKxODtncvdb68W3yXna7bqoHxx_B3HtDI8qH2AyureJORhVRLJ3q0N50Xf4ZkV_rY5ZOU58MhSvZHIKpfqmZMPgLnCCQtc-DR1XRujrIm/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG9BxrnzzV-ujKhUXEjPxnZAj7HmdTFcEm_DHKxODtncvdb68W3yXna7bqoHxx_B3HtDI8qH2AyureJORhVRLJ3q0N50Xf4ZkV_rY5ZOU58MhSvZHIKpfqmZMPgLnCCQtc-DR1XRujrIm/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">romping along frog creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78t4gqBueNWb45ZK8q3GSvoK7kC1cpqw1OHuWi3pYTeUnDSBEh_42TtafJM395yv1NB82VUz3ZpH90qm3zUVZsHSX41C4vJj2OMLPkJNVJIslCg8pLLiuQbLVcVqvaEdqWwi1KKCxhDN4/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi78t4gqBueNWb45ZK8q3GSvoK7kC1cpqw1OHuWi3pYTeUnDSBEh_42TtafJM395yv1NB82VUz3ZpH90qm3zUVZsHSX41C4vJj2OMLPkJNVJIslCg8pLLiuQbLVcVqvaEdqWwi1KKCxhDN4/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">they loved this area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0zzLqkUIEmEW8omwAy77fsLXPRXw9NrkLwVNI0fGE6elNybp9VblntBEiBIG4-U18TxMSINJMRwi9a2fsKQvueSYgDBxy3AOvqwpiBBPm5yO0DG46_-tlo9vm-FiQX9wWYP4OumkyIi3/s1600/IMG_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0zzLqkUIEmEW8omwAy77fsLXPRXw9NrkLwVNI0fGE6elNybp9VblntBEiBIG4-U18TxMSINJMRwi9a2fsKQvueSYgDBxy3AOvqwpiBBPm5yO0DG46_-tlo9vm-FiQX9wWYP4OumkyIi3/s320/IMG_0036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my crazy group of boys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u4jGlJzl2HF4nzh1u4bImVNUa9MRw-ujbaxKco_hPuEQmlMTpAm_pOZFvLnakW4xI8mL-2kt6Sg9sx8mcKjYx1_BVqlie2VA06t8yezc2D5zFH9Iuon77ezDBqLN0cXY-3sW3KgOMTe7/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u4jGlJzl2HF4nzh1u4bImVNUa9MRw-ujbaxKco_hPuEQmlMTpAm_pOZFvLnakW4xI8mL-2kt6Sg9sx8mcKjYx1_BVqlie2VA06t8yezc2D5zFH9Iuon77ezDBqLN0cXY-3sW3KgOMTe7/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ten essentials!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNHfeFyQunql30kbCdyXmFxFY_FinOwcZS0b8vo9rh2dRrZCqNwjwkbM24F9o7HRxb0upOUlKcLv4BIpXz6OZBVxi7QoaJAFmVctFcVimyrfey0Hr1ByosJToyG3bzV_CDFQv8HlzMgJ8/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNHfeFyQunql30kbCdyXmFxFY_FinOwcZS0b8vo9rh2dRrZCqNwjwkbM24F9o7HRxb0upOUlKcLv4BIpXz6OZBVxi7QoaJAFmVctFcVimyrfey0Hr1ByosJToyG3bzV_CDFQv8HlzMgJ8/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hanging out at one of my favorite spots.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HhTPcgtj-Ag_Yq7si3ZCrmy9DYQ7Ro_FvPdxuCOw6CYByBW260vQ8zwnrv5656wObdpJcweQ2cBrASwxhjMlNn9n8ivZZA-5SKSZhHoyxuDQBVg9VN-AyjxRNaEtDxeMVOK3pKAuF2DR/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HhTPcgtj-Ag_Yq7si3ZCrmy9DYQ7Ro_FvPdxuCOw6CYByBW260vQ8zwnrv5656wObdpJcweQ2cBrASwxhjMlNn9n8ivZZA-5SKSZhHoyxuDQBVg9VN-AyjxRNaEtDxeMVOK3pKAuF2DR/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">climbing trees in the enchanted forest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjVkH-mpHoqaD3iJzp0DVBv1ik_GkOxGauVJ_z3lArw-TTphEy_NQpZA-t3N2_mzUHk_Dutq8kDYV-iO-2x9lX-6G6rgTZwXcdwarFputbadlhUH4e3bSTmKaBf2j3kxMCEsqr5VQgVye/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjVkH-mpHoqaD3iJzp0DVBv1ik_GkOxGauVJ_z3lArw-TTphEy_NQpZA-t3N2_mzUHk_Dutq8kDYV-iO-2x9lX-6G6rgTZwXcdwarFputbadlhUH4e3bSTmKaBf2j3kxMCEsqr5VQgVye/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">shelter building!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>and a few of my coworkers...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz_iJkcnMHuSeOPj1UcoimevzTsEx91-uhgLzLHtYrAE1VBfQoDAD7BMqvRLFa3mBER4NfCtbbHie4oPJXAYk1GuBtVtgSIYBcIxmIleWUU6MH0gVETlBOKEzc-7HSYjJ48Xsy4Gx2rTk/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz_iJkcnMHuSeOPj1UcoimevzTsEx91-uhgLzLHtYrAE1VBfQoDAD7BMqvRLFa3mBER4NfCtbbHie4oPJXAYk1GuBtVtgSIYBcIxmIleWUU6MH0gVETlBOKEzc-7HSYjJ48Xsy4Gx2rTk/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">karis and i on the last day (check out my awesome outfit).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb1knjAmJiBXgTk5OAp85f7vJWkAXO8uULexkFt5xiEo2MLqZpuEFrYt3Ictpu6A5p8qx7vsOmvMQR2BMFP3iUw0kuRU0xOYERuWqrpVOeLqvGXUbggZBPHBiSrj8iz3Td8Exh4_h3hyphenhyphenz/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGb1knjAmJiBXgTk5OAp85f7vJWkAXO8uULexkFt5xiEo2MLqZpuEFrYt3Ictpu6A5p8qx7vsOmvMQR2BMFP3iUw0kuRU0xOYERuWqrpVOeLqvGXUbggZBPHBiSrj8iz3Td8Exh4_h3hyphenhyphenz/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">melissa with clancy (the dophin) as the lorax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXVBvcRw5tVNGf4vz8504H8ZT3mQ-K-CrP5ppLPO_BV1GCHmb_YbqKGyJTtZnx_ROkO0wJnPFYaOlUdUv2yvqWNfE1GfLBxL8NhXj08VVUpL7qO58iKYtyxaPXGktVRQrV9-5GQdT-mR2/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXVBvcRw5tVNGf4vz8504H8ZT3mQ-K-CrP5ppLPO_BV1GCHmb_YbqKGyJTtZnx_ROkO0wJnPFYaOlUdUv2yvqWNfE1GfLBxL8NhXj08VVUpL7qO58iKYtyxaPXGktVRQrV9-5GQdT-mR2/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my boss. yup. crazy british man.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>with as much fun as there was, i have been rather stressed with the end of my job at high trails and the transition to my crew leading position with SCA. i realized a few days ago that there were things i probably should have been doing to be more organized and prepared, and now i feel like i'm a few steps behind where i should be. i know that it will all work out in the end, but right now i'm feeling overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
i did have a nice trip across the country complete with delightful visits to good friends and family.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sFUgwA2DB-f8mfD6Q0yBib9PIfsRvxrDfwW1YzdjHGbqDRZAGlLJIEyNHXKT4uFiNIk2spZWV9f-QXJlwNF6Ld0w3ofXNrwUfNR5K_kznSXzVxJ1tIo8w7sPkngRag55VkmUWq6dWkN7/s1600/IMG_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sFUgwA2DB-f8mfD6Q0yBib9PIfsRvxrDfwW1YzdjHGbqDRZAGlLJIEyNHXKT4uFiNIk2spZWV9f-QXJlwNF6Ld0w3ofXNrwUfNR5K_kznSXzVxJ1tIo8w7sPkngRag55VkmUWq6dWkN7/s320/IMG_0096.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">grand canyon!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEHVYyo1AuAFArOBy9SxHxV3uGQ-hScPZDyNkJFGpcX5d5C2JCrbjh8FeZmkjD70aWr_gvlqrZgVZ6fOSh7v-DfV-kQJll8WdnQuBXbE_Ge8GKFtPCzWvPFwS8IdPryI7yvcR24rVhu4s/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEHVYyo1AuAFArOBy9SxHxV3uGQ-hScPZDyNkJFGpcX5d5C2JCrbjh8FeZmkjD70aWr_gvlqrZgVZ6fOSh7v-DfV-kQJll8WdnQuBXbE_Ge8GKFtPCzWvPFwS8IdPryI7yvcR24rVhu4s/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">jumping lizard in AZ.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sl1hmSwmjVatDRyIMD5NR46fu7bSbmuxliW78i-FyC-T_cZAH0YgscpdVJstasAs9PQKAkKxXzQ62bZzQrCdnRYOslIbU6YVfgoSJIkw0a2yI1ytozR6uBhczT72K-DarDDJdX1pWYUc/s1600/IMG_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Sl1hmSwmjVatDRyIMD5NR46fu7bSbmuxliW78i-FyC-T_cZAH0YgscpdVJstasAs9PQKAkKxXzQ62bZzQrCdnRYOslIbU6YVfgoSJIkw0a2yI1ytozR6uBhczT72K-DarDDJdX1pWYUc/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lizard doing yoga?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsBld2Pq4VzPxICYBA3AnZtz_qw1OGWcW6bqIhThJR6LJFbsErrhrOPE8uYqxbmhMkq6eokWnkmHDQb7pVYZEFlG9xEM6ba-RtUGYQl6qMdPPZZxUEhEiHS90Upus_0BvZQdIBRsLueAc/s1600/IMG_0186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsBld2Pq4VzPxICYBA3AnZtz_qw1OGWcW6bqIhThJR6LJFbsErrhrOPE8uYqxbmhMkq6eokWnkmHDQb7pVYZEFlG9xEM6ba-RtUGYQl6qMdPPZZxUEhEiHS90Upus_0BvZQdIBRsLueAc/s320/IMG_0186.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 corners!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vEoHWm07PLOqydfxlyKJc1EpaF96Z3Ui85BBX8jk9_2EAsrNXLAc8LO2tYOV83Ciz1jBe5rz6or4g21N6XZa6fYQbnTLF_f7peQnZC_VbXS8XMRNdtBR7CSSjGfSodH7BCwM70mqLMCT/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vEoHWm07PLOqydfxlyKJc1EpaF96Z3Ui85BBX8jk9_2EAsrNXLAc8LO2tYOV83Ciz1jBe5rz6or4g21N6XZa6fYQbnTLF_f7peQnZC_VbXS8XMRNdtBR7CSSjGfSodH7BCwM70mqLMCT/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rocky mountains.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrpoe2Lm2DbI6ZrlidIJo9kAYQahaEFDT1-uXRBbTGN_sGXgGqB8594obyfOiuX4mDQrPo6k1iHhLW6k9HFZ6dF37A9GOqO7R_Ezl2hnskP60xRs7_pnQCD9YfwrUrvmjflmyHpEWo2Kw/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrpoe2Lm2DbI6ZrlidIJo9kAYQahaEFDT1-uXRBbTGN_sGXgGqB8594obyfOiuX4mDQrPo6k1iHhLW6k9HFZ6dF37A9GOqO7R_Ezl2hnskP60xRs7_pnQCD9YfwrUrvmjflmyHpEWo2Kw/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mesa verde national park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ll_4j6HZn0_FWBnQANUCA38jw-zvT1TiVtvMT0AD50lDrPrclNM4j3jwyXAo0n_EKk5mFsFNT3-g01R9Tq2Qh1Uz7GtU7cSz4cdJmV5eDLTrEhiaFPLzs6Sr4QkWAq7kXHX3eCotAo5o/s1600/IMG_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ll_4j6HZn0_FWBnQANUCA38jw-zvT1TiVtvMT0AD50lDrPrclNM4j3jwyXAo0n_EKk5mFsFNT3-g01R9Tq2Qh1Uz7GtU7cSz4cdJmV5eDLTrEhiaFPLzs6Sr4QkWAq7kXHX3eCotAo5o/s320/IMG_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset coming out of the rockies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>i've managed to pack in a lot during my visit to massachusetts: the montague book mill, people's pint, contra dancing in greenfield, pancakes with former corps members, ice cream from the creamery, time with some older generation friends in plainfield (with delicious food!) and a day of lazying around hawley.<br />
<br />
but with all of this excitement...i lost my voice! i'm hoping it returns before i go to crew leader training...robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-68865434596091388632011-05-27T00:54:00.000-04:002011-05-27T00:54:14.149-04:00new challenges. this is my backyard.while we were frolicking along frog creek, one of the students in my field group wistfully remarked, "i wish this was my backyard". when he said that, i thought to myself, <i>this IS my backyard</i>.<br />
<br />
as my time winds down at high trails for the spring, i have been reflecting a lot on how i have enjoyed my time here. i've learned the predominant plants and animals of the forest, but there is still so much to learn. often my student ask me what a particular bush or wildflower is...however i haven't gotten into a habit of bringing my handy-dandy field guide along with me on hikes... i have made friendships that i hope will become lasting. i developed new hobbies like baking bread and cycling and have become more advanced in knitting and crocheting. i have been to several contra dance festivals (one of which i am avoiding packing for right now...). all in all, my time in california has been awesome, and i'm looking forward to returning.<br />
<br />
this might be a short entry. life has been overwhelming, and i need some time to sort through things before i'm able to reflect in this space...robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-70238320273804940942011-05-16T12:41:00.000-04:002011-05-16T12:41:44.166-04:00new challenges. time of uncertainty.the past two weeks have been overwhelming in positive and negative ways.<br />
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i have been working 4 day programs which means i get long weekends but intense days at work. last week i pretty much worked all day every day for 4 days. i was a bit tired but enjoyed a rousing house party at camp and then went to san diego for the weekend. one of the highlights for the week was being a main part in an instructor skit (new challenge) where i decided themes for different versions of the skit. one of them was professional wrestling. when i announced the theme to the audience, they kids went crazy! that version was so intense. a chair ended up broken...and i almost peed my pants from laughing so much.<br />
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san diego was also quite wonderful. i laughed so much there that my stomach was sore for about 3 days after we got back. one of my favorite parts was doing archery with real english longbows. i wasn't too bad!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7cFieaC_vXIFZFSJ2nLDGyO2LZ8xOoWyC1mwhvwBNEV9xtAD0RT9TalLPvO5siySlvZagVYMiXzcGYZlEm8v0L8Y6-GcH-s10h9fnJbz6jlUb5BrQLykMxguYbhRss-l265rQYOFbyip/s1600/Springtime+2011+149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7cFieaC_vXIFZFSJ2nLDGyO2LZ8xOoWyC1mwhvwBNEV9xtAD0RT9TalLPvO5siySlvZagVYMiXzcGYZlEm8v0L8Y6-GcH-s10h9fnJbz6jlUb5BrQLykMxguYbhRss-l265rQYOFbyip/s320/Springtime+2011+149.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">beth and thia at balboa park in san diego.</td></tr>
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i had the day off last monday, so i decided to make the <a href="http://www.dirtyclassroom.com/">high trails logo</a> out of bread.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUJxXJX1P9qXw-XDSeCEOCP57Q8hrQNLr_DMo2wbJmvVYyKtTQITg_CVbJsYEJC7ZZdGPAePUvrTz8Nt6mOvALHroYVBqNNHvJZgVC1lrfZXzVmtuRMXEnfSGXyY_ZHHmuI2w0irbl6zf/s1600/Springtime+2011+159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUJxXJX1P9qXw-XDSeCEOCP57Q8hrQNLr_DMo2wbJmvVYyKtTQITg_CVbJsYEJC7ZZdGPAePUvrTz8Nt6mOvALHroYVBqNNHvJZgVC1lrfZXzVmtuRMXEnfSGXyY_ZHHmuI2w0irbl6zf/s320/Springtime+2011+159.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">challah with egg wash before baking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx4dQUsS_I4l5ok8QibvcWkeGlACrUiBkzAxOVNKPMrMai6a1k0SD-e9WzfJSsy54Fx6wVRX-FRsdw1K5eZePGR-WonX2g2YDIUnMNeYK2Ybq24uZ9ZpUJoayS0a4bHg9_joOX9dmH0iX/s1600/Springtime+2011+163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSx4dQUsS_I4l5ok8QibvcWkeGlACrUiBkzAxOVNKPMrMai6a1k0SD-e9WzfJSsy54Fx6wVRX-FRsdw1K5eZePGR-WonX2g2YDIUnMNeYK2Ybq24uZ9ZpUJoayS0a4bHg9_joOX9dmH0iX/s320/Springtime+2011+163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">oops. the children all lost their heads.</td></tr>
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needless to say, that was quite a challenge, but i had a lot of fun. this week at work, the biggest challenge i faced was being stressed, not something i've felt in a while. high trails just announced their openings for positions in the fall, and among some of the leadership/administrative positions, one of the head cook positions has opened up. i'm seriously considering applying, but it would mean a drastic shift in the way i am a staff member. i would no longer enjoy sharing fun stories about students in my cabin or field groups with fellow instructors, but i would have the opportunity to feed nearly 200 people each week with healthy, wholesome food. the pay would be nice, though, and i'd have a break during the day and my nights off. it is a lot to consider, and i don't need to make a decision right at this moment, but it has been providing some stress in my life.<br />
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so, this weekend i've been hanging out with some coworkers at my friend karis' in ventura, ca. we've been sleeping in, cooking really delicious food (including an indian dish with fresh made naan and homemade pizza) and relaxing a lot. i actually watched tv for the first time since january. not just a movie. but satellite with a bazillion channels. wow. here are some photos...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVuZDo1WNYcPRjKNHDxGZSMXzdahaPIJ22HFdrtJV_cg-O1lKov4-bewUsWHcnJmlMHBse4RcUD0uwq0XpK_yC_H-975aJgfIdpQ427zbMcSAAiVzQZIRpsXMZ0q7TkBWPhyphenhyphenF9x8VO0ZM/s1600/Ventura+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVuZDo1WNYcPRjKNHDxGZSMXzdahaPIJ22HFdrtJV_cg-O1lKov4-bewUsWHcnJmlMHBse4RcUD0uwq0XpK_yC_H-975aJgfIdpQ427zbMcSAAiVzQZIRpsXMZ0q7TkBWPhyphenhyphenF9x8VO0ZM/s320/Ventura+008.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ventura beach and eucalyptus tree.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ4gwndWk5nK1lzTtp1u2dk-Emt_l0qfbCgRrnqwlbV05HxjrcbvBmByXh93V8E2W6POOtRTKl8tCiyXbK5wW8gVDdmreqhiP2Bp5iaWHdQPzowFGwHvTZWv1S2COg_M7MwJ2OmlnUPDy/s1600/Ventura+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ4gwndWk5nK1lzTtp1u2dk-Emt_l0qfbCgRrnqwlbV05HxjrcbvBmByXh93V8E2W6POOtRTKl8tCiyXbK5wW8gVDdmreqhiP2Bp5iaWHdQPzowFGwHvTZWv1S2COg_M7MwJ2OmlnUPDy/s320/Ventura+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">karis admiring the view.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_itvwZvosHoZcDPxKvPPmGI6AsPulCa8bGQ9FixEpvZwWxokaXbVWBDqyzd0Jz5onaYDgL8q046YnTfNSXv7ZWFVxcTTTAHVzkLh3jSbnthwsiS2-apBLlAh8EEHfnW8n7u52xhv1shYN/s1600/Ventura+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_itvwZvosHoZcDPxKvPPmGI6AsPulCa8bGQ9FixEpvZwWxokaXbVWBDqyzd0Jz5onaYDgL8q046YnTfNSXv7ZWFVxcTTTAHVzkLh3jSbnthwsiS2-apBLlAh8EEHfnW8n7u52xhv1shYN/s320/Ventura+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">robbie, me, karis and karis' dad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtbZx5aiSWNcrVlIgzk4a98Q2zPbfLaK6Goj2xAXLOG0Sc4yB2qf5kgaSKKCoxbOJQ-ZhQ-mHE_RGmqhVnYT_rQ8YOFFlvIBoyViaKSgGCHT6QxjzyFRJv9hFdvN71WnD0OHipsbdYBtE/s1600/Ventura+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNtbZx5aiSWNcrVlIgzk4a98Q2zPbfLaK6Goj2xAXLOG0Sc4yB2qf5kgaSKKCoxbOJQ-ZhQ-mHE_RGmqhVnYT_rQ8YOFFlvIBoyViaKSgGCHT6QxjzyFRJv9hFdvN71WnD0OHipsbdYBtE/s320/Ventura+012.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">karis took a nap.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2bRMlOoyxYVOAh0tliO_h3957W0WuEmIp9uPHaBFvwAA9j2L4ttJx3K2zG29NOIb3kHBB3zs5l4083unaeZSE8QhaiEZUeRSPzJxTfmmKdRcarjTL5rX7zvq1Ph2x2bB-XKJOmnLl7Jc/s1600/Ventura+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2bRMlOoyxYVOAh0tliO_h3957W0WuEmIp9uPHaBFvwAA9j2L4ttJx3K2zG29NOIb3kHBB3zs5l4083unaeZSE8QhaiEZUeRSPzJxTfmmKdRcarjTL5rX7zvq1Ph2x2bB-XKJOmnLl7Jc/s320/Ventura+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">flipping a pizza crust in the air! (i caught it).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj995HGT38Tc3vv2P_yfioLHoRXnA0Z46MZvkPCWAIEBQpKQ3Czg-rNxK5kenEStOfv6OieddAjwQ9ZbJ50bkUTfWUouWvRkq0Wa8-_eIwNMUD050GUoKC6_I294na44pXkX6fh4d0gfVcf/s1600/Ventura+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj995HGT38Tc3vv2P_yfioLHoRXnA0Z46MZvkPCWAIEBQpKQ3Czg-rNxK5kenEStOfv6OieddAjwQ9ZbJ50bkUTfWUouWvRkq0Wa8-_eIwNMUD050GUoKC6_I294na44pXkX6fh4d0gfVcf/s320/Ventura+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">homemade pizza! pineapple, onion, mushroom and green pepper with bbq sauce.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUcj0uVdB0vZbaSM5pm1-rPsk0l8Z_dHcH4jkrIulq65lsYVWvq7e7fh2Pghbem8bZ9jQcPpfxXlRKALQ22cOjr-9TSoBvod42mksUYtgAPJ-VvA29D_C2jGrk2Q5wxFuG9L5-MKqWqXS/s1600/Ventura+017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUcj0uVdB0vZbaSM5pm1-rPsk0l8Z_dHcH4jkrIulq65lsYVWvq7e7fh2Pghbem8bZ9jQcPpfxXlRKALQ22cOjr-9TSoBvod42mksUYtgAPJ-VvA29D_C2jGrk2Q5wxFuG9L5-MKqWqXS/s320/Ventura+017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">caleb's irish soda bread. they look like potatoes.</td></tr>
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there are lots of new challenges in my life now. starting a new summer job in a few weeks. deciding what my position will be in the fall. making some really great new friends at work. the final three weeks of the season at high trails should be fun, but transition times can often be difficult for me. i'm not looking forward to packing up my things, but i am excited to be home for a while this summer.<br />
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off to meet my summer trail crew coleader!robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-76698798729331280172011-05-01T15:33:00.000-04:002011-05-01T15:33:34.097-04:00food. jesus bread.for easter, i made a bread version of jesus on the cross (unfortunately didn't take any good photos) and had a big celebration with lots of food at one of the other staff houses.<div><br />
</div><div>my friend and cooking partner-in-crime, karis, made falafel from scratch. thia made potatoes and the amazingly delicious cake for another coworker's birthday. i made pita bread (turned out great and actually had pockets!) as well as baba ghanouj and tiziki sauce for the falafel. we drank wine, smoked cigars and generally enjoyed one another's company. </div><div><br />
</div><div>i was on a cabin shift this week. i had a mix of tomboys and cheerleaders. such an interesting dynamic. one side of the room was talking about how much they love justin bieber and which cheerleading team they want to be on next while the other half discussed mind control, warp speed and mystical animals.</div><div><br />
</div><div>wednesday evening. i took a nap in the afternoon which was a horrible idea because i wake up from naps really cranky. i stumbled over to work...got through dinner and shower time. at the end of showers, though, there was an exploding, overflowing toilet. i used to have an irrational fear of overflowing toilets and this brought back so much anxiety. luckily one of the other staff members was able to come and help. then, i taught line dancing which is normally the highlight of my week. it was definitely the low point...mainly because the students would not stop talking. we even had to have a minute of silence at the end of the class. </div><div><br />
</div><div>right when we were going to sleep, one of my girls had a bloody nose. while i was taking care of her, another girl discovered a broken window (probably from a bird flying into it) so i had to take care of the broken glass.</div><div><br />
</div><div>needless to say, it took me a long time to wind down after that evening. but, just as i was hunkering down, i was woken up by a girl who told me she was having trouble sleeping. she wanted me to read one more page of the story, which wasn't a big deal. she then disappeared though and came back with a leaf saying she'd brought me the book (not true, the book was at my bed). i realized she was sleep walking, so i read a paragraph and sent her back to bed. quite a comical way to end the night.</div><div><br />
</div><div>friday i went out with a bunch of coworkers and had a blast! we went to a karaoke place which is always entertaining. on saturday, i drove back to the desert with some friends for a service project. we picked up a lot of broken glass around the site. i went on an epic hike. then i came back and made dinner with robbie, my hiking buddy for the day. he made an amazing fruit salad and i made daal. mmm. delicious!</div><div><br />
</div><div>right now i have a <a href="http://steamykitchen.com/168-no-knead-bread-revisited.html">no knead bread</a> going and am playing with my bread machine. off for a bike ride!</div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-12816324100779369272011-04-24T15:46:00.000-04:002011-04-24T15:46:29.744-04:00food. baking like mad.snapshot: i'm covered in flour. there are various bowls of delicious baking creations surrounding me. lots of friends in the kitchen also cooking and baking. good music playing in the background.<br />
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snapshot: camping in the desert. eating a delicious baked potato smothered in vegetarian chili, salsa and sour cream. completely content.<br />
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snapshot: roasting corn, onions and sweet potatoes over a fire at my boss' housewarming party with most of my coworkers. drinking sangria and playing music.<br />
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snapshot: a day in town with a good friend. we stumble upon a farmer's market and i pick up flax seed and coconut to add some excitement to my cooking adventures.<br />
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snapshot: over at a friend's house. made the largest (and most delicious) loaf of <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/09/best-challah-egg-bread/">challah bread</a> in my life. later realize that the recipe called for 2 loaves. oops.<br />
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needless to say, food has been great for me these two weeks. i've had a lot of fun baking and trying new recipes. i'm finally writing the recipes down so i don't have to keep fumbling around on my computer and our (often horrible) internet to find what i'm looking for.<br />
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i found out i'll be working in southwest oregon this summer for my crew which means i'll be on opposite sides of the country for big parts of my summer (training is in new hampshire) with sandwiches of time in michigan. pretty great!<br />
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in other life news, i've been riding my bike (named fabio) a lot. i had to bite the bullet and buy a new seat because chunks of foam were coming out of my old seat. it lasted me about 7 years though! i'm slowly improving on the banjo. i have a lot of interesting knitting projects in the docket and even learned about to do cable patterns. here are some recently photos from my life...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEqzvjtt0JLy0x0uBO0_yc4Jdy0APNKW-dJewDu7Ld_gCT2fezjNJrv90kk7WtoS82iOrRe3pYSaNQRRMAQN9oxaTn8AC441qXjlE5LW99Fdzem1CYQvmqoWGafDQszI5uo11TH6oF0nE/s1600/Springtime+2011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEqzvjtt0JLy0x0uBO0_yc4Jdy0APNKW-dJewDu7Ld_gCT2fezjNJrv90kk7WtoS82iOrRe3pYSaNQRRMAQN9oxaTn8AC441qXjlE5LW99Fdzem1CYQvmqoWGafDQszI5uo11TH6oF0nE/s200/Springtime+2011+014.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mt. baldy frosted in snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq94mSBO-E_oqdljpV14oGtLyf-s09nv13JbUDRGs10PSpJAIddvJkCHH66ynPAEAOt_IcTa8h-W3V5jukCYacOe6iBQocS3e9vv0V_oLX5vF-mdVZt2peNeLS2yd34quYrVXzk4QC1e-J/s1600/Springtime+2011+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq94mSBO-E_oqdljpV14oGtLyf-s09nv13JbUDRGs10PSpJAIddvJkCHH66ynPAEAOt_IcTa8h-W3V5jukCYacOe6iBQocS3e9vv0V_oLX5vF-mdVZt2peNeLS2yd34quYrVXzk4QC1e-J/s200/Springtime+2011+053.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">i rock climbed. yup. bad ass.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Xjhp75mAqDDsk2mQ7fm1sC9nlkIeRyNGsHrKdExbtOH52PnkRHEpLCtHPVCU1dXpmgrXlCmCDBZlLh4XoVQ8m54jhe_RVRELlRk5BkYH5KSo7ZeUVeTqjM_ie-hCjzDHglfmsCR1EUa/s1600/Springtime+2011+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_Xjhp75mAqDDsk2mQ7fm1sC9nlkIeRyNGsHrKdExbtOH52PnkRHEpLCtHPVCU1dXpmgrXlCmCDBZlLh4XoVQ8m54jhe_RVRELlRk5BkYH5KSo7ZeUVeTqjM_ie-hCjzDHglfmsCR1EUa/s200/Springtime+2011+057.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and my cabin mate, kyle.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nEuM5-DD158o1MajEwUZDJxVbbNifemqJUKib5SU7Zc0opxGpaeuVhbRbxYdgLhUTO9i1upURWt6x_p6mXH7gn1XwFxYVNnNnM6-m7TeNdpqPCEDdYsJZZ8T_LdHR0eynTyzEouD_ysB/s1600/Springtime+2011+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nEuM5-DD158o1MajEwUZDJxVbbNifemqJUKib5SU7Zc0opxGpaeuVhbRbxYdgLhUTO9i1upURWt6x_p6mXH7gn1XwFxYVNnNnM6-m7TeNdpqPCEDdYsJZZ8T_LdHR0eynTyzEouD_ysB/s200/Springtime+2011+034.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ari and jake on our fun hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQFjJSyd9WS3jIwRvOtDvMkQLMd9oGfvVoo6XDlEffISbFXSfdKK4dnwsQP5IZxGktaC79DcPxwATNeHnvLRBL6UAPtHsKQw4KpjHmXEr0OBjOb76c9OVrFC8z6_j7SSecsnPAX61pyte/s1600/Springtime+2011+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQFjJSyd9WS3jIwRvOtDvMkQLMd9oGfvVoo6XDlEffISbFXSfdKK4dnwsQP5IZxGktaC79DcPxwATNeHnvLRBL6UAPtHsKQw4KpjHmXEr0OBjOb76c9OVrFC8z6_j7SSecsnPAX61pyte/s200/Springtime+2011+070.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sean contemplating the desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisInK68PMmuqLhIcnwrWmGdzz4WhnmZhXxzfLcdvj3wcxAQFrTD_uslLpvvZuz7mqmk8N9_ucW9IMk0IGj2u7ErLJQjxT-EGnX0yuChn6A-ywYfncEIJuvW7PSeMHOGJGSeacwWiZvsWHE/s1600/Springtime+2011+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisInK68PMmuqLhIcnwrWmGdzz4WhnmZhXxzfLcdvj3wcxAQFrTD_uslLpvvZuz7mqmk8N9_ucW9IMk0IGj2u7ErLJQjxT-EGnX0yuChn6A-ywYfncEIJuvW7PSeMHOGJGSeacwWiZvsWHE/s200/Springtime+2011+102.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lunch spot on a nice day hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-9hkUix5_B3BO7QbihcfoBPhfmv5ZwTJop03H0FGbWqPVz6xFiD7J-1OgflPMimnxdkaD5kv6xEddTN1kK5-qs-md9BEbgOdlW4w6vJAVgs9fRFjZ6KDtGVYou_N2RM4C5sAF_4FY_bV/s1600/Springtime+2011+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI-9hkUix5_B3BO7QbihcfoBPhfmv5ZwTJop03H0FGbWqPVz6xFiD7J-1OgflPMimnxdkaD5kv6xEddTN1kK5-qs-md9BEbgOdlW4w6vJAVgs9fRFjZ6KDtGVYou_N2RM4C5sAF_4FY_bV/s200/Springtime+2011+075.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset in the desert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q2erSSeKD6HJ5t3UW_xvcqLivV3P5fXVr0S2Z1OUBih8D125wTZoKlv0BaNUXT2O7TIGEMEzgDf9baKrx5kSSsCei0q0w61op9zD8tyZpnwTG9QHV1u9h-RMtCQedMGHdIzLS7cVEfoD/s1600/Springtime+2011+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Q2erSSeKD6HJ5t3UW_xvcqLivV3P5fXVr0S2Z1OUBih8D125wTZoKlv0BaNUXT2O7TIGEMEzgDf9baKrx5kSSsCei0q0w61op9zD8tyZpnwTG9QHV1u9h-RMtCQedMGHdIzLS7cVEfoD/s200/Springtime+2011+099.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clouds rolling in through the valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ0XVdVO3Atw2X69UWmqJPU3ECZGgQy2WKPbzcEAyjlHo2pnp1ViUil4_OLGdJYwptEpQhfRUmZziMtAU5X_nYdYUrl85xdYeb-SCkDyrnHwNOOr2IX1HYgKrdQ8M-AgDuX5A3DkZcw0r/s1600/Springtime+2011+114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJ0XVdVO3Atw2X69UWmqJPU3ECZGgQy2WKPbzcEAyjlHo2pnp1ViUil4_OLGdJYwptEpQhfRUmZziMtAU5X_nYdYUrl85xdYeb-SCkDyrnHwNOOr2IX1HYgKrdQ8M-AgDuX5A3DkZcw0r/s200/Springtime+2011+114.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lena in an epic pose.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBic2bNoKU0mWQRh7LO_IGhxurZRZRigd8a49ZPkdmH_DOseh7yB0l_Ko0fkrSrdU_NfmqhjLxt_1pztwlMBYQHjE3UibPw3zn-0OMt91yoJNWohMj6zFZSwHcXPDL0VXs7L3lPw20tWS/s1600/Springtime+2011+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBic2bNoKU0mWQRh7LO_IGhxurZRZRigd8a49ZPkdmH_DOseh7yB0l_Ko0fkrSrdU_NfmqhjLxt_1pztwlMBYQHjE3UibPw3zn-0OMt91yoJNWohMj6zFZSwHcXPDL0VXs7L3lPw20tWS/s200/Springtime+2011+093.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">big rocks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-49519075245733086562011-04-11T17:23:00.000-04:002011-04-11T17:23:14.000-04:00food. spring break adventures.i just finished cleaning the kitchen after baking two loaves of oatmeal honey bread, a batch of granola and set everything out to make a delicious bean and barley soup with cornmeal muffins and sweet potato fries for dinner. just writing that makes my mouth water!<br />
<br />
i managed to eat rather healthy over spring break. since i mostly stayed with friends and paid my rent in baked goods and meals, i had a lot of control over what i prepared...which isn't typical of whirlwind vacations. the exception was my day at six flags where i ate about a pound of chocolate covered brownie bites and jelly beans followed by greasy cheese sticks. we went to a mongolian bbq restaurant later (aptly called genghis khan) where i redeemed myself with a fresh salad and a bowl of noodles with lots of veggies.<br />
<br />
my break wouldn't be complete without baking bread, of course. one of my friends lent me a bread machine so i had a lot of fun making a loaf of bread in that and can't wait to experiment more! i also made some delicious garlic herb bread with ingredients fresh from the ventura farmer's market. this paired well with a vegetarian lasagna my friend karis made using kale instead of spinach. soooo good! during a break in the dancing, i made a few loaves of honey oat bread while at a contra weekend up in mt. baldy.<br />
<br />
tomorrow it is back to camp food for the week, but i'm hoping to try some new recipes again next weekend. any suggestions of ingredients to try?robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-31323298884468788692011-04-07T23:24:00.000-04:002011-04-07T23:24:57.306-04:00pictures from here and there.i'm finally at a place with high speed internet, so...some pictures of my life in california...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMJKsQEgq3zlgbNpttvTHOjx9Z5mGAi9WwQNkvqYwHvfnszDR7rryAX_qE3mcoUv-dBKvR7ayTsk2jHnoHPsPH6Mp-3lROgNgQEaoq1uBicz9cBQlLsOAsSD9uZ2wCjQjyyP3tu3krSQX/s1600/Winter+fun+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMJKsQEgq3zlgbNpttvTHOjx9Z5mGAi9WwQNkvqYwHvfnszDR7rryAX_qE3mcoUv-dBKvR7ayTsk2jHnoHPsPH6Mp-3lROgNgQEaoq1uBicz9cBQlLsOAsSD9uZ2wCjQjyyP3tu3krSQX/s320/Winter+fun+015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my bike after one of the snowstorms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj091RAji5TMlAzkuPA8KMiN5KeypCVlQtYFEmBakddJnzpekqETft9jfuUbNgyY198-Fk7gLxNJOE30ejDzuIaWX63UZ9PVkPUfy7U7y4BXHbDoEsA3OPzvJHod5r0cbc2g2JW2qs0tY5f/s1600/Winter+fun+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj091RAji5TMlAzkuPA8KMiN5KeypCVlQtYFEmBakddJnzpekqETft9jfuUbNgyY198-Fk7gLxNJOE30ejDzuIaWX63UZ9PVkPUfy7U7y4BXHbDoEsA3OPzvJHod5r0cbc2g2JW2qs0tY5f/s320/Winter+fun+099.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">snapshot of my job.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gzEZ398K-G5Rmy3AYUD3iMSnR6brIdrIQxJhpXPr5XKehiu8OJp8XnTMZDGO18FrOi6DJg5G_BvhpuDc6qTSBWrU_uiV2fUe6L49Krtas4HxoLkAvW7KozuhBAlJl0mB8RGO45JSIdP2/s1600/Winter+fun+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8gzEZ398K-G5Rmy3AYUD3iMSnR6brIdrIQxJhpXPr5XKehiu8OJp8XnTMZDGO18FrOi6DJg5G_BvhpuDc6qTSBWrU_uiV2fUe6L49Krtas4HxoLkAvW7KozuhBAlJl0mB8RGO45JSIdP2/s320/Winter+fun+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mountain lion tracks!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM57ewbc3gXredGovEFsl-UwvWylC93B0Vm9NH4d4SSknK3EYQIpry5DSv5BmLlfpy0zFEbKJK_vI01EK6XZNJlgMRsVKwGqdRTKbArn46ynS8Bdzpe6WklByOkroxj0tLKvY66T-dFQo/s1600/Winter+fun+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgM57ewbc3gXredGovEFsl-UwvWylC93B0Vm9NH4d4SSknK3EYQIpry5DSv5BmLlfpy0zFEbKJK_vI01EK6XZNJlgMRsVKwGqdRTKbArn46ynS8Bdzpe6WklByOkroxj0tLKvY66T-dFQo/s320/Winter+fun+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">building a creepy snowperson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIHh148BbKHkPTw7hLyc-1vqgTOZSw3pNj9UBEtQYQFggvXpZg7W4pjGmDlyGLhWhZBZUsAl6FRyh5RQZsE-XHEWmCQXRth1-bsm3WiJ8rjrOxgVFVDrjn7JuhsbeT8nCuTF4xOJSQ1i1/s1600/Winter+fun+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIHh148BbKHkPTw7hLyc-1vqgTOZSw3pNj9UBEtQYQFggvXpZg7W4pjGmDlyGLhWhZBZUsAl6FRyh5RQZsE-XHEWmCQXRth1-bsm3WiJ8rjrOxgVFVDrjn7JuhsbeT8nCuTF4xOJSQ1i1/s320/Winter+fun+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">contra dance festival in pasadena.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFC2qigHOPCStOIN3kpKHJpdr2vXCv28o6g3X_k5l4j91AnJPOxS56IUxUAozw3QK3nCUDntXnaq8umzkeroqPGSxo3J_n03cfpdxW79FRpOnlgBGvX9nvv1g2tM8sz_1jjNvwk92LWHM/s1600/Winter+fun+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFC2qigHOPCStOIN3kpKHJpdr2vXCv28o6g3X_k5l4j91AnJPOxS56IUxUAozw3QK3nCUDntXnaq8umzkeroqPGSxo3J_n03cfpdxW79FRpOnlgBGvX9nvv1g2tM8sz_1jjNvwk92LWHM/s320/Winter+fun+067.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">smoking cigars in big bear (at least trying to).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzLfzm9QZo2IvFMRIibJPSXve7WlVu9dGilmbbd3d48dnM1mEYV1071PQcFpglGZHsLCkZNoqxkp8z5oUimC-_Kwat0H4d7oRu0i-HmPAeKToJIadMTrYXr3NO4kkuxhC6I7PEmnhwht/s1600/Winter+fun+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzLfzm9QZo2IvFMRIibJPSXve7WlVu9dGilmbbd3d48dnM1mEYV1071PQcFpglGZHsLCkZNoqxkp8z5oUimC-_Kwat0H4d7oRu0i-HmPAeKToJIadMTrYXr3NO4kkuxhC6I7PEmnhwht/s320/Winter+fun+080.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fish hat i made for the lorax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidfDVBX3lUUcFbGUCMD4e_4bKQb9G-AMmdsNaY_iDThhdB-uV5Wq7AMBXIH3l6AVzkWw7eKyfOifm98nm2Pva8mUbeXJBMq1dzqLvxkFWmp0VGYvSzvsLpelt0Y7_HiTFi4yJ0LMiy5-z/s1600/Winter+fun+082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiidfDVBX3lUUcFbGUCMD4e_4bKQb9G-AMmdsNaY_iDThhdB-uV5Wq7AMBXIH3l6AVzkWw7eKyfOifm98nm2Pva8mUbeXJBMq1dzqLvxkFWmp0VGYvSzvsLpelt0Y7_HiTFi4yJ0LMiy5-z/s320/Winter+fun+082.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lorax hat i made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6GOY1dX9b3Xxk_fLyJXe6NGDkvJa5jcJ57IogH8d3I3jVJsfSwIN9jnEqoPP2WCOh-iBmG83JYpFfDWuOFtfEO_6wxhxZB0ws4EejElkIGktnfwosUfyMxL9oGt5-4uxqB7vegnwjTyD/s1600/Winter+fun+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6GOY1dX9b3Xxk_fLyJXe6NGDkvJa5jcJ57IogH8d3I3jVJsfSwIN9jnEqoPP2WCOh-iBmG83JYpFfDWuOFtfEO_6wxhxZB0ws4EejElkIGktnfwosUfyMxL9oGt5-4uxqB7vegnwjTyD/s320/Winter+fun+084.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bear hat i made for the lorax.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygOjjT1y2TG3BtEOWS5SUzjsV5iXrpQmQ44d4ftAEe3UWfnj-sSzOcpixe1cHa24vGaIuWj5QBRApXmcf13B2ufECI0k1c-W0MBq0OjVTdJf7cnIS43RdYBUcflOpEodBFsZFh1-r7kit/s1600/Winter+fun+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygOjjT1y2TG3BtEOWS5SUzjsV5iXrpQmQ44d4ftAEe3UWfnj-sSzOcpixe1cHa24vGaIuWj5QBRApXmcf13B2ufECI0k1c-W0MBq0OjVTdJf7cnIS43RdYBUcflOpEodBFsZFh1-r7kit/s320/Winter+fun+093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">san gorgonio. from a hike to the headwaters trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span id="goog_825950830"></span><span id="goog_825950831"></span>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-87827720515467320302011-04-03T12:18:00.000-04:002011-04-03T12:18:07.838-04:00the land: mountains are unpredictable.goodness. time has certainly been flying by lately. the past two weeks have been one long and tiresome adventure. two weeks ago, we received about 2 feet of snow on the eve of spring. not exactly what i wanted...but my field group tackled the addition to our rough terrain well. they loved breaking trail (tromping through the snow to create a path) and had a lot of fun with our classes. i loved being out in the snow with the bright southern california sunshine beating down. pretty darn delightful.<br />
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i went contra dancing in an old barn that friday with some coworkers and was stunned at the beauty of that area. the barn is nestled in a countryside of orchards and small farms. not something i expected just off the hills of the mountains.<br />
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soon after i returned from dancing, however, i was hit with the stomach plague that had started to pillage children and staff earlier that week. after winning a gold medal in the puke olympics (puking every 2 hours throughout the night and then after trying to rehydrate and eat, puking it all out along with bile. gross.) i managed to recuperate and get my taxes completely done (yay!).<br />
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this week i worked a double shift, meaning i had a cabin group and a field group. all in all, my week was awesome. along with mountains often being unpredictable, we talk a lot at high trails about kids being unpredictable. i had a student with asberger's syndrome (similar to mild autism), which i wasn't entirely sure how to handle. he ended up being great and only had a meltdown on the final class of the final day. <br />
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now i'm on spring break. off to explore new places and try cooking new foods (the focus of my april entries).<br />
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: )robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-40581895029325294992011-04-03T12:07:00.001-04:002011-04-03T12:08:54.472-04:00the land: exploring my own surroundings.i've spent the past couple weekends hanging around camp a lot. partly because i'm trying to save up money, but mostly because i really enjoy this place. last weekend i had a great time wandering around big bear with a couple good friends. we visited the thrift stores in search of outfits for the staff party. when i moved here, i was surprised to find that big bear has a large selection of thrift stores. they are all those locally owned shops who just charge you $5 for a big pile of items when you set them on the counter. love it.<br />
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</div><div>after finding many goodies, we bought cigars and attempted to smoke them while walking along a boardwalk. it was so windy we couldn't get them to light, but i laughed so much in the process that it was all worth it.</div><div><br />
</div><div>i was a field instructor this week and my students were awesome. they all really loved hiking and exploring the forest. on thursday afternoon, we had a low point, so i busted out my fake farting noise and most the students wrote on their evaluations that the 20 minutes of laughter and farting would be some of the moments they remember most in 6 months. i might not have been the best at teaching the concepts this week, but i know my students left with a sense of inquiry and wonder about the land around them.</div><div><br />
</div><div>this weekend has been a blast so far. the staff party was a riot. i'll leave it at that. slightly ragged from the party, the next day a car full of us drove down the mountain for a day of enjoyment at pharaoh's lost paradise fun center. we bought passes for 2 hours of unlimited mini golf, go carts and arcade games. i got an ab workout from all of the laughing i did. i'm pretty sure i even drooled a little bit. i ended the night early with a good book and some mango sorbet.</div><div><br />
</div><div>i'm not about to hike to a new place in the forest i haven't been to yet. can't wait!</div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-43546614608941613102011-03-20T00:21:00.000-04:002011-03-20T00:21:57.987-04:00the land: branching out on new adventures.lately i've been slacking on making adventurous weekend plans. i typically get caught up in the tasks of the week and arrive at friday without a thought on what i will do over the weekend.<div><br />
</div><div>this weekend, however, i went through several different options. i first thought i wanted to go to las vegas. after considering that i've been trying to save money and not spend it...i decided against that. then i thought about going to the REI used gear sale, hitting up huntington gardens and going to a housewarming party for a former high trails employee. but, considering i don't need any gear, the gardens cost $20 to get in and the party would probably end up with some unnecessary unwise life decisions.</div><div><br />
</div><div>i ended up going to joshua tree national park with a few friends. one of our coworkers let us borrow her parks pass so we got in for free. on our way we stopped by the farmer's market and a few thrift stores where i picked up some grapefruit and a crazy cat sweater. after scrambling around the park for a few hours, we scrounged together our food to make a delicious meal of quinoa, adzuki beans, tofu and an assortment of veggies. </div><div><br />
</div><div>so delightful.</div><div><br />
</div><div>here are some highlights:</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzPfy3dIBsSdN5lkFPnKnj8wQsTVqSkb2wgd9x-buSRBsy0a0Q0owNNwx3xDMaASuc-Sw_0TEcjIzhlfL6HbqtlvJxTFPWDMmRQigkTQrE6bHUAOF6ziFmO2ltT0mVlFM_nF8YuASYPl5/s1600/Winter+fun+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzPfy3dIBsSdN5lkFPnKnj8wQsTVqSkb2wgd9x-buSRBsy0a0Q0owNNwx3xDMaASuc-Sw_0TEcjIzhlfL6HbqtlvJxTFPWDMmRQigkTQrE6bHUAOF6ziFmO2ltT0mVlFM_nF8YuASYPl5/s320/Winter+fun+125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidruGCb4-4bHXn2lX7QjrrajCWJS1TgB64X6W-pbZWglE_nesMKBEYuR6a_-_HW6-IL7z4EC6usxyjmvcTzWtl2SJQfw6sKydS44PQb-1c-YEiH-UIh7mG0MXO9e-tlEJCfTpcGO1oAbsJ/s1600/Winter+fun+135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidruGCb4-4bHXn2lX7QjrrajCWJS1TgB64X6W-pbZWglE_nesMKBEYuR6a_-_HW6-IL7z4EC6usxyjmvcTzWtl2SJQfw6sKydS44PQb-1c-YEiH-UIh7mG0MXO9e-tlEJCfTpcGO1oAbsJ/s320/Winter+fun+135.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6277532539388265291.post-62553515457418910612011-03-08T00:25:00.000-05:002011-03-08T00:25:59.118-05:00the land: living in the national forest.my entries this month are going to focus on the land. now that i've been here for 6 months, it's nice to have some perspective on living in the san bernardino national forest.<br />
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i came from living in state forest in the hilltowns of western massachusetts complete with gently rolling hills and scenic new england towns to slightly steeper elevations of the high desert. i still remember driving up from the desert into the forest and seeing the marked change from craggy desert land to the ponderosa pine forests. i've slowly connected to this place, not as quickly as i connected to the forests of western massachuestts. my home in massachusetts had hallockville pond to its favor which provided year-round entertainment with polar plunges and ice skating in the winter and summer swimming. there was also the pond loop which i walked most days there...<br />
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but the land in the california definitely has its perks, too. since i'm up in the high desert, there aren't too many different species of trees and plants, so it was easy to learn. i'm starting to notice plants that i don't know now and need to keep reminding myself to bring a field guide out the next time i go on a hike.<br />
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it was interesting to experience fall here with out the dramatic color change of leaves. since most of the forest is filled with evergreens (pine, fir, and cedar), only the oak trees changed color (with some willows and alders closer to waterways). now the land is covered with a blanket of snow. most of the snow has yet again melted off and considering that it is already march, it might be safe to say that this is the mildest winter i've experienced in my life.<br />
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in other life news, my bread baking adventures have continued. i baked a monster loaf of garlic rosemary bread followed by a more appropriately sized honey wheat loaf. i capped the week off by making maple-cinnamon challah bread based on this delicious <a href="http://justgathering.com/2010/12/17/just-made-maple-cinnamon-challah/">recipe</a>. along with my friend karis, i also made some chickpea burgers with homemade buns! so delicious.<br />
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i finally got around to cleaning my car out this morning and found a moldy orange, a snow shovel, a tent, lots of directions to random places but the best thing was finding a $20 bill underneath the driver's seat. holler! then i found $2 more wedged between the seat and the center console. that combined with submitting my federal taxes (getting a nice refund!) made today very good financially for me.<br />
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that's it for now. more musings (and hopefully pictures if i can get to a high speed internet connection) to come later!robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837966834170504480noreply@blogger.com1