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. 

                                         

 

                                       

 

       

Ninety-Fourth Stop: Sea Week

Time is quickly winding down.  After being back from spring break and getting back in some what of a routine, here is the week I have been looking forward to all year… SEA WEEK!!! 

Today we got to go spend the morning on the reef.  I have to say that has become one of my most favorite places.  Taking a step on the reef, you walk into a completely different world.  It is as if you are walking into the movie "Finding Nemo"... Everything you may see in the aquarium on a much larger scale.

The kids were separated into groups and given a paper with different creatures, plants, and rocks to examine.  As the kids go on the reef and find one things after another on their paper,  they get so excited.  They get to pick it up, touch it, and poke it.  This giant reef is their backyard, but like most of them, they have awesome backyards  that they don’t frequent.    To watch them learn their environment that has played such a major role in their culture is truly magical.

Watching Mama Ann, the octopus, whisper on the reef and passing her knowledge on to the kids was an amazing moment to be apart of... To watch Mama Ann pass on her knowledge to the little kiddos and to watch them light up as the octopus finally surrenders and give himself up.  This knowledge that has been passed down from previous generations to Mama Ann and now she is passing it on to the future generations - Something that is truly a beautiful part of these kids' culture.   This is something they may not completely understand now, but I hope will one day look back and appreciate it.

  

Leg by leg.. struggle was real. 

Kir won the war!

Sacrifice is left to give thanks for the Octopus surrendering its life to us. 

Ninety-Third Stop: Back Country Roads

Still on a Garth Brooks high, our last day in Oregon is upon us, and we have no plans.  I asked Alyssa, "Do we head down town and walk around the city or do we jump in the car and head towards the beach?"

Needless to say that you can't keep two California girls away from the salty air and beautiful waves!

We jumped in the car, rolled down the windows, turned up the good ol country music and headed toward Cannon Beach enjoying the beautiful drive on Hwy 26.  We stopped at Camp 18 for breakfast in Seaside, OR.  It is just over an hour outside of Portland.  It is a super cute little pit stop with delicious food!  For anyone who has been to Black Bear it is similar to that.. only better!

Eventually getting on the Oregon Highway, 101... We made it to Cannon Beach and drove through the adorable little town.  It reminded me a lot of home.  So many great little "mom and pop" shops....So much better than most major chains.

We then jumped back on the 101 and drove South through many more adorable cities on our way to Tillamook Cheese Factory.  Some of the cities were Arch Cape, Nehalem, Wheeler, and Bay City.  Some of the National Forest were:  Hug Point State Park, and Oswald West State Park.

Come to find out, I was there several years ago, but unfortunately do not remember it.  But Alyssa and I had a great time learning and watching the process of how the delicious cheese goes from moo cow to shelf at the store.  There, of course, were then samples.. can't go wrong with that!  As our tour came to an end, we ordered some delicious Tillamook ice cream and headed outside to enjoy the beautiful weather.

After getting fat and happy we jumped back into the car and headed back to Cannon Beach.  We were going to explore a little more.  Before we got back,though, one of the State Parks I mentioned was Hug Point.  I noticed on our way through the first time and if I could catch it on the way back, thought it would be fun to stop.  We ended up pulling over and jumping out to enjoy the beautiful beach.  Much different than any beach I have been on before.  So much beautiful sand and waves consistently crashing one after the other.  It was so nice to sit with sand under my feet and the warm beautiful sun on my face with my best friend.  Can't beat that.  Before we jumped back in the car we took a hugging selfie at Hug Point.  Felt fitting.

Made it back to Cannon Beach and we were going to stop and explore, but then got the crazy idea that we should keep driving to Astoria.  It was also suggested to us.  Just a little over an hour North of Cannon Beach.  We ended up stopping at a cute little pup called Fort George upon arrival in Astoria.  We met some really awesome people that we had great conversations with.  After a few hours, we decided to hit the road and make our way back to Portland.

We ended up taking a different way back and jumped on Highway 30... Another beautiful drive.  This state is gorgeous and everyone was so great and helpful.  It was such a wonderful trip.

Here are some more pictures from the trip. 

Woke up to our very own Peter Rabbit.

 First stop: breakfast at Camp 18

                    

                          We made it and yes.. that cinnamon roll was HUGE and delicious!

Beautiful fireplace!

I see Big Foot!

Not a bad back yard to have!

"Only you can prevent forest fires!" Smokey. 

Second stop... Cannon Beach!

Third Stop: Tillamook!

Can't pass up samples...

Or ice cream!

  

Can't go wrong with ice cream. 

Fourth Stop: Hug Point

Fifth Stop: Astoria and found the Fort George Pub