Schoolin' Update...

Master's Degree in 3-1/2 months...entry #2 (day 3):

Ok, I just noticed on trkee's blog that he has finished his first paper. Well, I just finished my first exam. Next step for me is my 'first paper' (for this course, that is). Before I can get to that point, though, I must read 18 multi-hour lessons (i.e. 36 hours' worth of history classes) and understand them--well. Hence, the lack of activity on this site these past few days. We did manage to squeeze in a 3 mile roundtrip walk to the new playground with a stop at the library on the way home. That was a nice break. But now, it's back to the books. Just learned everything I wanted to know about Frederick the Great. Next stop, the American Revolution.

...

In Up To My Eyeballs...

Yesterday I started my 'graduate level' course (read full Master's Degree) that I must complete for work by 30 Sep. Normally, folks are given 3 years to complete this course but due to circumstances beyond my control--I'm in a sink or swim situation and I've been given very limited time to 'knock it out' (i.e. from now to Sep). My alternative option is much scarier than my current prospect of diving head first into panic mode--so I've decided to jump into the 'known' abyss in lieu of jumping into an 'unknown' abyss and try to beat the suspense. My 'counselor' said she's heard of others who have finished the entire course in 4 months (yes, a Master's in 4 months)--so I'm taking her 'challenge' to heart and will try to beat this record she quoted to me. ;)

I completed part 1 (minus the exam which will arrive in the mail shortly) in 2 days. Now, I'm starting part 2 and have several papers, case studies and other 'not so interesting' requirements to knock out in warp speed. Ugh... Hopefully, this will go quickly and I'll get into a good self-paced 'student' study rhythm where I can knock out big chunks of requirements in spurts around my family, work and life commitments. It'll be such a nice feeling to have this major hurdle finished and out of the way.

Yes, I didn't get the trail name 'Adventure Seeker' for just any reason! Chaos and unknown adventures reign supreme in my everyday life, don't they?

Airplanes, too!

Another thing trkr is going to love. After all, his signature stamp is a float plane!

Big Toys!!! Hooah!

How cool! A HMMWV in our neighborhood playground. trkr is going to LOVE this!!!

My handiwork!

So, here's a little sample of my router work. The board on the right, upright bit with the curved edge is where I made my mark. Woo hoo!!!

Busy, Busy Saturday!

dvn2r ckr with POWER TOOLS!!!

Today was a busy day! We started the day off bright and early with the 12 km Sound to Narrows running race. It's known as the toughest 12km in the world and it's got something like a 700'+ elevation change. It's the third time I've run this event and it's comforting to know that I've run consistently slower, MUCH slower, each time around. The embarrassing part is that the last time I ran it I was pregnant--so running slower this time wasn't a good thing. So, I completed the course and had a blast exploring the 'freebie' stands afterwards. Mostly the typical handouts--water, fruit, handouts, but then Starbucks had their Iced Mint Frappucino stand. So, we had to try them. Ok, not just once, but twice! ;) Mmmm.... Then, we picked up our free loaf of Roman Meal bread (they were one of the big sponsors) and Sierra Mist.

After we finished our 'exploring the freebies' adventure, we caught the shuttle back to our car. From there, we headed over to the 'build the playground' event at Ft Steilacoom Park. The plan is for the community to all pitch in to help build one of these massive mega-cool playgrounds. Awesome!!! I went there ready to WORK! I signed in and was instantly labelled 'unskilled'. Cool! That meant I was going to keep all 10 of my fingers! :) Then, I had to find one of the folks in the 'yellow' shirts--indicating they were a head honcho. So, I found Doug (in a pink shirt) and then Bill (in a yellow shirt) and he instantly said "ever used a router before?" I said "nope but I'm teachable". So, I went from being 'unskilled' to skilled in about 1.5 minutes! He handed me a router, an extension cord and I was off! Rendering rough 90* angles to smooth, curved edges every where I could possible find a rough edge. It was awesome! Empowerment, baby!!!

So, this picture is (staged of course) of me using a router. We had to stage the photo because the debris kept flying directly into my eyes/hair--couldn't figure out how to switch the shield. That'll occur on the 2nd day of lessons, I presume... ;)

Don Quixote: Take Two!!!

Ok--so I'm well on my way to reading Don Quixote for a second time. I'm now on Chapter 3! ;)

Just came across an appropriate quote that aptly describes my letterboxing experience:

"With this he quieted his mind and went on his way, taking whatever road his horse chose, in the belief that in this lay the essence of adventure."

Sort of explains my letterboxing experiences rather well... ;)

Finally!!!

After several months of tackling Cervantes' Don Quixote, I have finally completed it. Wow! What a book! Adventuresome, difficult, complex, exciting, boring, vicious, romantic, slapstick humorous, you name it. I walked into this book only knowing about Don Quixote's crazy attack on the 'giant' windmills, I finished the book having learned MUCH, MUCH more. It certainly is a difficult work but quite rewarding, too. If you are considering reading this book, take it in small 'bites'.

I'm following a classical curriculum approach to reading the great classics. It recommends that you read each classic not just once but three times through. You look for different things each time you read it. So, it's taken me about 4 months to read through Don Quixote the first time, hopefully, the second and third times will go much, much quicker. I'm wondering if Don Quixote and his zany cast of characters do anything 'different' this time around. ;)

13th Anniversary!!!

new wedding band

After 13 years of marital bliss (with a bunch of chaos intermixed) trkee and I have new wedding bands!!! Of course, we can only admire each others' rings by long distance at the moment as duty calls--so here's a picture of mine so he can see how it looks. It's really beautiful--simple, rugged, sturdy and titanium which possesses some cool qualities. It feels incredible when you rub it between your fingers--smooth like butter! Strong yet featherlight! It also makes a really interesting 'bell ring' sound when it drops onto hard surfaces--ask trkr about how we learned that tidbit of info. ;)

Awesome Ring!!!

I love it!!! I love it!!! I love it!!!

Anyway, the story 'behind' the new rings is that trkee's original wedding band cracked and needed either to be repaired or replaced. We thought it would be neat to actually get matching wedding bands (since we actually married eachother)--hence, these new matching rings. Okay, so it took awhile to actually go through with the idea. It was about 2 years ago when we decided to look into getting new rings--when his original ring just started to crack. Fast forward some 2 years, thousands of miles of separation, the occasional awesome opportunity to visit with him again and you now see half of the results: these cool rings! They were custom made by an artist in Georgia--Boone Titanium Rings If you're in the market for custom made titanium items, we highly recommend this company--mom and pop business that not only custom made our rings but had them in the mail, priority, to us within 12 hours of placing the order. Awesome service, awesome product! A great analogy to symbolize our 13 year marriage which has stood firm despite many external and occasionally unbearable trials and tribulations along the way.

Trkee--I thank God daily that He placed you in my life some 15 years ago. I thank you for these past awesome 13 years of marriage and two beautiful children! I also thank you for your dedication to God, country, your family, friends and the people for whom you work so selflessly, without recognition or thanks, and your unceasing devotion to the ideals of freedom! May God continue to bless you and our marriage in the future!!! I love you!!! dvn2r ckr

rays of hope

After a long and taxing day, this was our view after dinner. I love the sun's rays peering through the clouds.

'sand angels'

rnrB making a 'sand angel' at the beach. It was a warm day today but a quick dip in the water was enough to make us running toward our fleece pullovers. A typical Pacific Northwest day at the beach. ;)

trkr's strand

trkr having some fun with the 'drift wood'. Lots of things are much BIGGER in WASHINGTON! ;)

sleepy little town

Here's a view of the sleepy little town of Steilacoom. It has its own ferry--the MV Anderson. Lots of shipping traffic on the Sound, too. Always makes the view quite interesting for the lollygaggers.

pier to nowhere

One of the many angles of beautiful scenes at Sunnyside Beach. I often wonder what this park was like when this pier existed in its glorydays. Hmmm....maybe a little research is in order? Always looking for more letterboxing ideas. ;)

day at the beach

Spent the day lollygagging at Sunnyside Beach in Steilacoom, WA (the OLDEST town in WA). Kids had fun playing in the sand. We arrived at high tide and left when it was almost at low tide. We were there a LONG time! :)