Hundred and One Stops: Oregon!!

Well, the first week is complete and I do have to admit that there was a point when giving up was definitely an option that crossed my mind.b Between the content of the material, homework, and getting ready for the test,  lead to lack of sleep and it was not pretty.

Towards the end of the week though I was able to find a balance that helped me get peace of mind.   Every morning would start at 5:15 and I would go to the gym for 45 mins to an hour where I worked out, broke a sweat instead of crying and studied for the upcoming test that morning.  This helped me get in the right mindset to take on the day and helped me feel like such an accomplishment was already completed.

After spending 8 hours in the most uncomfortable chairs possible, I would head back and figure out what was for dinner.  This is my least favorite part.  The hotel food was not that great and rather expensive and eating out is already getting old.  We still have 3 weeks!  There is only so much you can make with a microwave.

We did have a 3-day weekend, which has totally helped the anxiety because I was able to study for 2 full days and still get to go out and have some fun.  I mean we are in Portland Oregon… it is so beautiful!

Got to spend the day with Erika and Nick and we went up to the waterfalls, with everyone else who thought this would be awesome idea, and hiked the Multnomah falls that was so beautiful...it was an amazing escape!

We then headed over to Salt and Straw and had the BEST ice cream I have ever  had in my entire life.  If you are ever in Oregon, you have to get yourself over to one of the Salt and Straws. It is absolutely amazing.  Super cute story on how it came to be to.

Here is their story from their website:

Our story is part luck, part strategy and part love (for ice cream, family, local foods, and other stuff we can’t mention here). I (Kim) have been wanting to open an ice cream scoop shop since 1996. I thought it would be nice to have a local spot where you could run into your neighbors, celebrate with your family, reward yourself…whatever! And I love exploring fun, interesting new flavors. After toiling away in safe mode working for several amazing Fortune 500 businesses, I moved back to Portland for love and found the window of opportunity and support that I’d been lacking to jump start my idea.

In the mean time, my cousin Tyler had been studying in China and traveling in Asia. He completed his business degree and had just announced to the family that he was going to enroll in Culinary School. I actually saw a posting on Facebook that he was considering moving to Portland and phoned him up…not even knowing about his plans! We traded stories and updated each other – coming to realize we are on similar paths by coincidence. Next thing I knew, I was getting reports from Tyler regarding ice cream tests he was running with his friends and family as tasters. He had a million ideas and wanted to join me in this crazy idea. How could I resist? He literally dropped what he was doing, loaded up his car and drove to Portland from Seattle to start work as our head ice cream maker the very next day. I would probably be somewhere rocking back and forth in a corner without him. He’s amazingly talented, super smart, hard working, and quite possibly the nicest person ever.

So…I cashed in my 401K, signed a lease, created a custom push cart, and spent days and days in Sarah Masoni’s kitchen (head of R &D at the Oregon Food Innovation Center) creating ice cream recipes. And now, here we are.

We’re hoping to create the kind of company that’s fun to support, work for, and partner with. We’re about building strong local community – both in the neighborhoods where we do business and by purchasing as many local products as possible (to keep our money in Oregon and help create stronger local economies).

But at the end of the day, we just really hope you enjoy the ice cream.

Check them out at: http://saltandstraw.com/about/"

I think I am ready to tackle week 2!

Hundredth Stop: Flight Attendant Training

Who would have thought that me taking a chance and applying for a flight attendant job would actually lead to me taking off for ground school in Portland for a month???   Who would have thought ?!

Ground school will include 4 weeks of all the skills that you need to be a successful flight attendant... From assisting in medical situations, to protecting the flight deck, to passing out a snack and drinks. 

I look forward to meeting new people that I am sure will become family- Considering we will be together all the time in class for 8 hours a day, study time, and hotel life. 

I am interested to see if my study habits are still with me.

Goals for the month:

-       Workout at least 4 times a week

-       Maintain, as much as possible, a healthy eating lifestyle

-       Not have to retake a quiz.

Let the games begin… 

Ninety-Nineth Stop: Fun Day 2015

Who doesn't love adorable, amazing, hard working puppies?!  Well this girl, me, has missed having a puppy at my side everyday all day and would not pass up a weekend full of puppy breath, wiggles, and adorable puppies themselves!

I had the opportunity of joining our Fresno Far Sighted group as we went up to San Rafael for the Puppy Fun Day.   I got to see so many wonderful people who I miss seeing on a regular basis, and got to meet the new puppies in our group and wish luck to the older ones who are entering school and going to start phase training.

After a very fun Saturday, we headed to San Francisco on Sunday to give the puppies experiences that we were not always able to provide in our home cities.  It also gave them a paw up when they go back to official training because they have already experienced some of the sights, sounds, smells, and tourists.

Wish luck to Mr. Catcher, who is Solstice's half-brother, as he was going back to school Sunday.

 

Mr. Catcher is all grown now. 

Ninety-Eighth Stop: Taking A Chance

Ever had a dream and wondered how it was going to be able to come true?   Well, I have developed a love of travel and have a very long lists of places to see and things to do.  On an interpreters salary, it was going to be nearly impossible to afford.

So, I decided to take a chance and apply for a flight attendant position.  Never in a million years did I ever think I would be chosen for an over-the-phone interview and from that passed on to the group interview, but I was and I was so excited.

As the time got closer for me to arrive in Portland for my interview I was surprisingly calm... Even upon my arrival and day interview.

Coming to day's end, I was able to advance from the group interview to one-on-one, and at the completion I was offered a position.  I cannot wait to start my training.  in a few months, I will be attending a month long training to learn how to become a flight attendant.  Let's be honest ...the more I learn about the profession I am quickly learning that it is more than just providing drinks and snacks!

Here is to my new adventure that I am so thrilled about!  Fingers crossed ...I will remember quickly how to become a successful student again.

Ninety-Seventh Stop: Camping

Well, my contract is finished and the reality sets in... I am unemployed... what better way to not think about that than to go camping!

I got to go on one more kayaking and camping adventure with 2 pretty awesome people and it was a beautiful way to wrap up my stay here in Nanwalek. We were able to see hundreds of sea otters and their babies.  It was a really amazing thing.   I got so excited!  All the moms had their babies on their chest as they float ed...and you could hear them crying.  Mother Nature never fails to amaze.

We then kayaked around to find our perfect beach and our third try was the successful one!  After a day of rain and winds, it was nice to set up camp on a beautiful calm beach.  It was pretty unreal how the weather changed so fast.  It was truly the beauty after the storm!

Ninety-Sixth Stop: Chapter Closed

Today is a day that continues to develop importance and leaves me misty when I think about it.

Today I just completed my 9 month contract here in Nanwalek. I interpreted my first and last graduation for the year and it was truly a beautiful day to be celebrated. Six of our pre-school kids got promoted to kindergarten, 4 of our kindergarteners got promoted to first grade, 4 of our 8^th graders got promoted to high school, and 4 of our seniors graduated college and are off to start their lives.  It is such an honor to be a part of any graduation- be it here in Nanwalek or at back home interpreting for Fresno State.  At each event, people are accepting new responsibilities and going on to start the next chapter of their lives.  It is a beautiful moment and I get to be a part of it!

Today, 4 years ago, I completed a promise that I not only made to myself, but to my family.  I became a graduate, with not only one degree, but two!  One of those people, specifically, was my grandpa.  He always would ask how my studies were during our Sunday calls...Always reminding me of the beautiful opportunities that will await for me after I complete my degree and embark on the world.  

Not only did I complete my promise to myself, my family and my Grandpa today, but then I lost that beautiful man.  He passed away 4 years ago today just after I had finally graduated and moved my tassel and celebrated.  He waited to pass till all the festivities were over.   I was not there with him when he passed because I was participating in the graduation festivities .  I have often wondered if I made the right decision and always get this beautiful peace that comes over me.  The same peace that I would get when I would hug him.  Just a reminder that I did it and he is proud. 

Here is a cheers to the graduates, to those starting a new chapter, and to the beautiful man I got to call my Grandpa. 

Ninety- Fifth Stop: Sea Lion

As the week has progressed, we have been able to dive into the depths of the wonderful ocean.  We have learned about the different ocean zones, the animals, and the creatures that make up each one of them.

  

A highlight of today was getting to meet a lady who represents the Sea Lion Commissio.  All of the kiddos and staff got to see how they harvest a sea lion and gather different parts of the sea lion to be tested back in the lab to make sure that they continue to reproduce and are healthy.

Before the first cut takes place, there are many steps that have to happen first.  The sea lion has to be measured, whisker samples taken, and teeth samples have to be collected.  After that is completed, the first cut takes place.  Then they take the measurement of how much blubber is present .  Then they work to collect samples of the liver and stomach to look at what was consumed.

This specific sea lion was a female, approximately 2 years old , and had several inches of blubber.  When we looked at the contents of the stomach, needless to say there she did not get the best last meal.  She only had one piece of bull kelp. 

  

One of the best parts of this culture, though, is once all the scientific data and observations were completed, every single part of the seal is used.  They will use it for cooking, eating, clothing, and art work... Truly a special thing..to not only see the process, but get to partake in the rewards of the animal sacrifice.