Monday, September 22, 2008

Stepping up to the future

I guess I don't have a lot to say, so this is more of an update on my previous declaration of bucking up. Many of my posts have been rather depressing, so I would like to dedicate this post to the things I am excited about and the positive experiences I have had recently.



I decided to finally give in to Portland's bike culture. I am not sure what my aversion was in the first place, but that is neither here nor there. I perused craigslist for quite a while, and ended up with a vintage schwinn that was hot off the back of some truck from the couve. I hated it, but it was cheap and easily spray painted into a ridiculous ride. Although functional for riding about town, it most certianly is not the ideal commuting bike. Mostly because it is a total tank, and heavier than tammy faye's makeup. So I procured a puprple mountain's majesty peugeot from the awesome guys at Better Cycle. It's a fabulously swift ride and I'm totally stoked to sport it to work.

I have been fortunate enough to get a visit from my dad, he just left on Sunday. It was a great time to hang out and go on mini adventures to the beach, the rose garden and many of my favorite haunts (Toro Bravo, Andina, Costellos, Masu East, etc). I miss my family a lot, and although I need to figure myself out away from home, it is so amazing to spend time with people who have such unconditional love for you. I am a lucky girl!

I also just finished my first day of orientation at Legacy- I will be working in the KERN ICU at Good Samaritan. I am totally atingle to discover that they have paid time off to volunteer or participate in community improvement programs. I have been really discouraged with healthcare in America, and this tiny little incentive has just given me a newfound sprightliness for trudging on in my dedication to better healthcare. I can tell you one thing, I will not miss the hell of highway 26 every morning on my way home from St. V's. Thank all good things for being able to part ways with the dreadful morning commute home when I could barely keep my eyes open. Don't let the picture of the glorious sunshine coming up over downtown fool you, it's not very thrilling at all. My emotions are captured while in traffic below. Yay.

I am also working on revamping the apartment in preparation for living completely alone, since I am in the process of finding Abe a new home so he has a better life. I will have updates on this sometime in the near future. An eggplant colored couch is my muse for creating an inviting haven that I actually look forward to retreating to after a long day at work. More pictures to come...