Bookends

What an encouraging way to begin and end a travel season. First, the Lord allows me to venture into a "little boy's dream" and walk around a cowboy's town, causing uncontrollable grins to spread across my cheeks, expressing the deeper, undefined joy and excitement buried in my chest. Then, to spend time catching up with old friends from high school and college, bringing a different smile and delight to my face and heart.

Thank you, Lord, my King, for these great blessings. May I ever be your faithful servant.

Oh, and my family makes me laugh too.

Text message from my sister: "Where are you there days?"

My response: "Well, 'there days' I am in Redding. I drive home tomorrow."

Sister: "Cool. Good weather down these?"

My response: "Yes, the run shines nicely down here."

God bless my family. Or rather, God's blessed me with my family. =)

The Final Countdown

Festivals are gone, Ashland

onward now to California

undoubtedly it'll be sunny

returning soon after friends

To Put it Succinctly... (And yes, I CAN do that...)

Now,
today:
beautiful,
God-filled, joyful,
praise Him for so much!
Great

Bucks,
Starbucks.
Yes I did.
Friendly ladies
called me the "Tea Guy".
Grins

School:
Eagle Point.
Great turnout,
sincere interest.
Cool eagle statue,
gray.

Lunch:
outside,
clear with breeze,
by the river,
fancy cabin feel.
Grand

Drive:
southbound,
redwoods route,
river giants,
astounding beauty!
God

Inn:
bayside,
character,
Crescent City.
Boost in my spirits!
Glee

Plans:
weekend
redwoods tour,
driving through giant.
Kiddish giddiness!
God

Potty Day

A subtle theme seems to have seeped through the day today. Well, mostly just the last few hours, but nevertheless, coincidences of a toilety nature in fairly recent succession never sit well with a person.

First, while searching for a hotel in Ashland, I accidentally went searching for...well, something else. A town I certainly hope doesn't exist! Then, while reading a book at dinner the author released information from a story about some young person urinating on the wall at some youth retreat. And to finish the job I actually read an advertisement on a urinal mat!

I mean, honestly. Have we really sunk so low as to advertise (for alcoholic beverages no less) in a toilet?! In the advertisers' defense it certainly does shows a lot of respect for their company.

"Hey guys, I think we have one of the greatest products on the market, don't you? [Hearty agreements from the crowd.] Then let's really show our worth with this next advertising campaign. We need something that will flush all our competitors out of the running. If we believe in this product we should shower it with great ideas. Let's think of something that will get people streaming in the doors here. I don't want one of these shallow-reaching promotions that only sprinkle the population here and there. I want something, great; a downpour of creative thought! [Here, here's and cheers from the group.] Now what could we do that would blow our competitors out of the water? ...Hmm...
...
...
...
...Eureka! Urinal mats!

But I suppose I should let my readers be the judges.

Subliminally Pointless Update (SPU)

Spilled water on my lap, during my nap,
Our little airplane friend did, Ethan did.
Underneath his foot caught the cup, tipped it up,
Trickled down, toward the ground.
Hit my pants, soaked my bum, very dumb.
Ethan's mom: "Sure, take the chair; I don't care,
Recognizing" (said so terse) "I may just nurse."
Now I'm stuck, just my luck.

Open fields Wyoming had, I was glad,
Realizing that the state was in a state
Each stereotype, quite had right:
Grassy knolls, cows and bulls,
Or even colts and buffalo, whaddya know?
Novelties for cowgirls and boys; oh the joys!

Nothing but the sun for everyone,
Only heat, not a drop, one raindrop.
Rather quite forgot, being so hot,
That fall was near, even here.
Here I felt that I could stay any day
Even if adventure called me out past the mounts.
Regretted once again forgetting my lens
No pictures from this trip, what a rip.

Connected more with colleagues now, don't know how,
And laughed and joked with the man, Dan's the man.
Loved his sense of humor and his heart, work of art.
Inviting fellow, seems so mellow,
Father's got a plan for him, not a whim.
Obvious His plans are not, that I've got,
Reflecting often as I am about the plan
Now waiting as it always is inside His
Incredible hand; oh so grand!
And clear to me as neuropsychology.

Hope to see some friends around the bend,
Only have a few more weeks, three more weeks,
Medford, Roseburg fairs, quite the scares;
Everyone just grabs; what's the info? No one cares though!

Cliff-top Courage

Today I stole some time with our Awesome Creator before His astounding creation. I sat on the edge of a small cliff (I say small so that your minds do not immediately jump to a Grand Canyon-sized drop off as I know they would) just over the ocean today. I wondered who would really miss me if I skipped my after school visit in San Francisco...nevertheless, I ended my cliff-side conversation with my King and continued on. But before doing that I sat peacefully in the chunky grass/aloe-like vegetation with the wind gently whipping the sand into my hair, ears, clothing, and lap.

If you have not recently taken time sitting silently before the majesty of the Sovereign Shepherd, seeking no requests, speaking no words, but hearing from His heart, I admonish you to do so. I have had built into me courage and joy that I have not felt in some time all because I allowed my Savior to share how much He loves his son, His sheep. Sit on a cliff-side (or a safe little rock, firmly planted on the ground) soon.

Good thing I went to my school visit. Alex was a man with a renewed motivation for his education and I was blessed to have been able to pour into him. Glory to God!

"The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic...
The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning...
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks
and strips the forests bare.
And in His temple all cry, 'Glory!'"

~Ps. 29:4, 7, 9

hello from CA

Is it true that as I drive around I am constantly singing Katy Perry's "California Girls..." Maybe just a little bit. Or a lot bit. I've been doing it again this year, posting on my blog and forgetting about the work one. So sorry. But feel free to check it and see what I've been up to..... I can summarize though.
Hmm... I started off in San Jose, but it was a short stay. I've made my way around San Jose, Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, Salinas, Fresno, Madera Ranchos, Dinuba, Clovis....hmm... it's hard to remember all those random smaller towns, but probably about 6 other towns I can't think of off hand. Headed to Dinuba tonight and then Bakersfield by Wedneday.
I got asked out by an interesting man in borders a few days ago, maybe that was in san jose actually. Yep, he had a nice braided beard half a rulers length...really really great..... I wrote about it in my blog too, the full story.
My hotels have been fairly decent, way better than last year, that's for sure. There has been this unbelievable fog everywhere- until I got to Fresno that is. Fresno was already 75 degrees at 7:30am this morning. It's been consistently in the 90's everyday. But dense fog, I couldn't even see off my hotel balcony one night, the trees around it were eerie, could barely even make out their edges, fifteen feet away. Tulle fog, as my Nana says it is.
Gracie, the GPS, as my Nana also named it, has been a real life saver. Seriously, it has been so wonderful and working. I suppose we had are issues in the beginning but now she has submitted to my rule and is working like a dream come true. Love it. I've never used one for Idaho or Eastern oregon so I'm excited about this possibility upon my return. Jordi if you're reading this, will you water my plant in my windowsill in my room please....random side note I just thought of.

I'm pretty sure my left leg just got a really nice tan....too bad my right leg didn't join in for the fun.

Overall, its been a successful trip. I spoke for a really awesome youth group this last week, I was the speaker for the night, so it was all on me. they had amazing questions after, it was such a blessing to share a night with them and their amazing staff. I've also spoken for a few class rooms and ended up taking the whole class up...I'm sure in part to students wanting to avoid work, but they asked tons of questions and we're pretty interested in what I had to say, so I'll take it how I can get it.

If I can send out a prayer though, I haven't been sleeping. it happens every travel season, but worse this year for whatever reason. I barely slept a wink last night, and I'm exhausted. My back has also been hurting and its so bad that its radiating down a leg and causing me to not be able to stand straight or walk right because it hurts. So just that I can get some good sleep and my back stops hurting. Other than that, things are great. I've posted a bunch of photos on my blog too, so check them out!
Miss you all and hope everyone is well!

Jared, Cara and Casey-

Hey road warriors... Jordan will join your numbers tonight... (and he just got back!) Jordi will join you next week... and I'll join the ranks in three weeks. (three? Is that right, look I don't know.)

Office life: hmmmm.
you are all missing nothing. That's not true, our last chair and two tables came. Also... it's raining. :( All this to say, enjoy Cali and Eastern Washington, the grass is always greener on the other side and our grass is literally just getting greener. (and longer. I now think about these things as I am the one who has to mow...)

Apps are rolling in, that's cool! Courtney and I accepted several of Casey and Jared's people... and I think Jordan got to do his first accept today and Jordi, she's rocking it too. So it's fun to see that happening...

Ok so this is the most boring post but at least you all know that we're thinking of you and praying for you and blogging TO you. (sort of... that sounds weird.)

out.

Abounding Praises

Today marks the completion of the first full week of travel. I've received Joel Osteen's newest book for being a first-time guest at a bigger-than-Salem-Alliance church, eaten at In-N-Out (for David C.'s sake), jogged to the theater to see "Despicable Me" since I was running a bit late only to remember when I got there that it was playing at a different theater and it was the last showing, rented "The Book of Eli" from a Redbox instead, saw an El Camino parked on West El Camino Avenue, laughed in the middle of the street at something embarrassingly commonplace which has since completely escaped my mind, and ordered way more sushi than I thought I did for dinner.

And the rest of the week wasn't too bad either.

So who wants to guess how many miles I've driven in just one small week?

Things to praise God about:
1. Got to visit with one of my 2010 student's parents and younger brother after visiting their youth group.

2. Got to have dinner with a current potential student and her family. She's applying.

3. Despite being on the road, at least 10 more school visits have appeared on my schedule.

4. I am healthy.

5. The King and I have some one on one time for another week and a half.

PS: If you guessed 1,075 miles you'd be the winner.

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name;
make known among the [high schools] what He has done.
Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always."

~1 Chronicles 16:8-11

Howdy from the Cowboy

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven..." ~Ecc. 3:1

Laying dormant for 7 months, the season has come once again to revive the Admissions Adventure Blog. Allow me to be the first since, well, I'm the only one on the road right now!

Firstly, I'd like to tell you about Jessica.

I met her on the plane. She was sitting right next to me. How was I to know she was from Oregon as well? What a lovely coincidence! So Jessica and I talked. Not the whole time, but enough to have built some surface level rapport with each other. She happens to be from West Linn of all places. Long story short, we will be keeping in touch upon my return and hers. I think I will be enjoying this new travel season...

Now for the real story. Jessica sat next to me. She is a 7th grader. She lives in Davis, CA. I have no contact info nor do I care to (except perhaps to woo her to Corban). Sorry. Couldn't resist deceiving all or some of you if only for a moment. =D

I will say that I'm regretting the choice to leave my camera behind. I got to catch the last day of the "Gold Rush" in Old Sacramento. Oh how it made the little boy yearning to be a cowboy inside me happy! Several people were dressed from the period, despite it being 80-90 degrees, and they had little tents set up with old fashioned gambling games, dress-sewing, wood/metal/leather works, and even a fakey old-time doc. I walked around with a cheezy half grin on my face for quite some time. I even thought about buying a cowboy hat. Might still do that. Oh how lovely.

The only other news is that I am driving a little white Ford Focus and am feeling pretty special because it's got "the works". I have programmed my phone into the car (thanks Stefan...oops I mean "Cottonball"), I have a sun roof, and I can even change the color of the light by my feet for just the right ambience for me and...myself. Nothing new to me of course, since I had the same car in silver last year, but since I mastered the Bluetooth I thought I'd share about it this year. =)

Wishing you all a wonderful week, sorrowful about missing the farewell party and the welcoming party for the new "Little One", and praying that God would be honored in all I do these weeks, granting me success along the way.

Coolest Hotel Ever!

I didn't realize I was in the picture when took it.

Isn't this sink cool?

Window seat overlooking the water.

French doors leading into the bathroom.

View from the balcony.

The pictures don't quite do it justice but had to share where I get to stay. I just want to stay here and hang out all night, but I'm hungry so I guess I'll out:)

I have a question....

why are there so many phones in hotel rooms, including the bathroom? The phone rang in my room a few minutes ago and startled me becuase it sounded like it was coming from all directions.

And I had gluten free pizza today:)

The Oregon Coast

So, I guess I'll take Coos Bay off my hated places to visit list. This year there was no snow, no semi's overturned in the interstate, no almost bathroom emergencies, and no smelly sketchy hotels. The fair was slow today but I met up with some other reps for dinner tonight and went to a fun seafood place so that was good.

Marvin however is not doing so good. The heat is doing that thing again where its either on full blast or not at all so I'm cold then hot, cold then hot and so on and so on. His roof also starting to leak today. It's raining a lot here and when I got in the car this afternoon I saw a drip out of the corner of my eye. Sure enough, right up near the corner of the windsheild on the drivers side there was a slow drip coming in. He is getting old:(

So I went went to Medford from Klamath Falls falls yesterday, hit some snow finally but it wasn't too bad.

So weather has been good, the fairs have been pretty good, food has been good, I even had a gluten free sandwich at a place in Medford yesterday. My hotel selection has not been as good however. I accidentally booked a place in Medford with outdoor entrances, the room itself however was pretty nice. I have only done that like twice and you'd think I'd have learned by now. The hotel I'm in tonight has indoor entrances which is good:) Its not the nicest place but its fine and something I found kind of funny is that they gave me an actual key for my room, not a card. Its been a while since I've stayed at place with real old school keys.

So, its getting late I guess better get some sleep, I'm headed back to Salem tomorrow, yay!

Bend and Klamath Falls

So, here is run down of my trip so far:

Monday afternoon I drove to Sisters and it was wet but no snow or ice so a nice easy drive. (Actually getting on the road was a little challenging but I made it. I came into work late as most of you know because I was packing Monday morning, once I got to the office the craziness of visitors, phone calls and people coming into my office ensued and kept me from getting some things done I had planned so I left later than I meant to from work. I also forgot something at home so had to run back to my apartment which in the opposite direction. I had a bowl of quinoa in hand and in my haste rushing to get on the road I dropped that bowl all over my carpet so had to clean that up before I left as well. I have come the realization that I am actually quite a klutz sometimes.) I got to stay the night with Seth and Jenni Burke and it was so nice to catch up with them and see Jenni:) I always enjoy visiting Sisters it nice quiet, cute town and they have gluten free bakery!

Tuesday I got up stopped by the gluten free bakery for coffee and some pastries and headed to Bend. Again no snow so nice easy drive. The fair was a little slow but I was sitting by Dot from Fox so we chatted a bunch. From there I stopped by Cafe Yum in the Old Mill District and had a yummy gluten free meal:) I also stopped by Thump in Bend for some Stump Town Coffee before hitting the road. I know I know, you're all jealous and yes it was as good as it always it:) Again a nice easy snow free drive, I'm very thankful for that and made good time. I stayed with Ben and Barb Cornelius in Klamath Falls so had a nice home cooked meal and chatted with them last night. I had planned to do some work but they live way out of town so no Internet access. I did however spend some time working on my Greek homework. So right now I am sitting at my booth at Klamath Community College. Its a very tiny school and when I drove up I wasn't sure this was it since there are only like two building. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by the response, its slow now but I have actually talked to a lot of people, way more than at COCC. So, this random little college might be work it:)

After this I head to Medford so hopefully I will avoid snow again. I'll update more later!