The allure of Australia has caught my attention yet again. I'm embarking on the long journey of writing a senior history paper. My topic (so far) revolves around the Stolen Generation (thanks dad for the idea!) and in my source scouting, I came across this movie trailer. It really caught my eye and reminded me just how much I miss the nature, people, and culture of Australia...

Kanyini

You'll surely be hearing more about this throughout the next year...

This is a poor neglected Winnie the Pooh that I happened to walk past on my way home from school one day. He was out on the street in a pile of leaves - clearly well loved. He doesn't even look too upset about his plight...

I'm using it as a background on my phone at the moment. Willy nilly silly old bear!

In other news, I had a great time relaxing over Christmas break with my extended family in California. I got to see most of my cousins and even my nieces!

Since then, I made it back to Walla Walla, and started both a new quarter and a new year. I'm taking the following classes this time:
Electromechanical Energy Conversion
Essentials of Critical Reasoning
Abstract Algebra 2
The Craft of History
Computer Architecture
Analog Design (auditing)

I'm involved in a lot more than I probably should be, but I'm loving it as usual. I found out today that my best friend got a job in Thailand which is most excellent (and quite a relief).

It feels good to finally blog again - maybe I can make the habit stick for a while...

I had a dream the other night that I'm still thinking about. That's rather rare. I don't remember some of the details (very normal for a dream, in my experience), but since I subconsciously invented the whole thing, I'll fill in the details the way I represent it in my mind now.

I was in a state of existence in a dim world. I existed on a type of plateau with a steep drop hundreds of feet down to an ocean splashing against the dark rock cliff. The top of the plateau stretched beyond my sight and was rather barren - a few rocks and a single thin, dark, ancient, and sturdy tree with only a few leaves.

I existed in this place for a long time - serene and almost in a meditative mindset. Then, one evening, I stood near the cliff edge and saw far in the distance, a dark (nearly black) wave of extraordinary height was coming my direction. It was beyond panic or fear - it was so immense and grand that the danger was a puny concept. It was simply awe inspiring. It was 'awesome' in the word's truest sense. It immeasurably high. The picture above is not even a ripple in comparison.

It swooped towards me and in a moment I was submerged - inside the towering wall of water. It was not cold or hot. It would have been wet, except that the word lost its meaning since 'dry' was inconceivable in this new underwater existence.

The force of the water tore past me, but I found my arms wrapped around the stout tree. The wave had unbelievable force that nothing could oppose and yet I was secure because I was part of the tree, the tree was part of the cliff, and the cliff was immovable.

I remained submerged in the rushing water for a long time. I opened my eyes and watched the water race by. I breathed somehow in a very natural way. The wave was powerful, angry, and had no sympathy for me, but I remained calm and in a state of awe. I was where I belonged in spite of the chaos around me.

The dream ended.

Once more (the same night), I dreamed the same entire dream. Once more the dream ended.

A third time, I dreamed the same thing. But this time, I let go of the tree. I found myself a mere particle in the raging wave as is swept over everything. I lost all orientation and no action I was capable of mattered in the slightest. I fell unconscious - not worried, but still under water and very lost. Darkness.

I became conscious, floating on the open sea. Lost and alone in a way I hadn't felt on the plateau. I was still calm, but knew my future consisted of drifting forever. No control. Nothing. Only floating. I sensed a deep remorse for ever choosing to let go of the tree...

Then I woke up.

This dream struck me as a deeply symbolic experience. Very ethereal and yet purely sensory. The only things close to this dream were the surreal moments in "The Fountain".

What does it all mean? Is each wave a school year - overwhelming me every time? Is the tree my values? Is the tree a person that keeps me sane? Does the last wave foretell my doom? Did I simply need to go to the bathroom really bad? I have no idea.

So maybe "soon" was a bit unrealistic. Not much has happened in the last two weeks besides the usual outpouring of homework and Michelle's birthday! Sadly she's lined up to work 3 weekends in a row, which makes it difficult to spend much time together.

My best friend in Thailand is starting a teaching job at an orphanage which is pretty cool. Most of the people I know are either graduating this year or starting new jobs. I suppose I'll have to do all that soon enough. I might be working with a team of graduate students at Washington State University next summer as an internship. I also have a potential option to work at Los Alamos National Laboratories over the summer. As part of all that, I should pull a resume together soon. Any suggestions?

Not a whole lot to talk about right now, really. Just a bit overwhelmed with school and looking forward to Thanksgiving break already!

P.S. Thanks for the prodding to post more - I needed it!

Just when you least expected, I finally post! In the above picture, I'm about to climb a cliff. That cliff = school and I will try to conquer it. My safety rope = friends.

It's been a long time, but not a whole lot has happened. I'm back in Walla Walla diligently attending class and learning a lot. I officially added a history degree in the mix for fun. Michelle is up here working crazy night-shift hours as a brand new RN - it's so nice to have her close by!!

More posting soon! No, really!

I was walking home from class after a very long day of classes and it was one of those moments that just lifted my spirits.  I saw this on the elementary school wall in San Jose, Costa Rica.  I couldn't help but smile.

So, remember this when you are having a hard day.  Somebody always loves you!

Recovery took longer than I anticipated. However, I can confidently say that I am almost back to full health now.

Manuel Antonio was great last weekend in spite of rain on Saturday. There were loads of monkeys, sloths, and other fascinating animals as well as gorgeous beaches.

Classes seem to be going well. Tomorrow (my last day), I´ll be learning the imperative tense. Finally I´ll be able to tell other people what to do in Spanish and English!

My plans to blog regularly in Costa Rica have pretty much been squashed... However, I am here on the outskirts of San Jose studying Spanish, meeting people, and visiting various places. Pictures will be posted when I return most likely.

I´m staying with a great host family (along with two other students). I walk 30 minutes to and from school every day, I´m in class for about 6 hours a day, and it rains practically every afternoon here. In the evenings and weekends, I´ve managed to meet new people, go dancing, and visit Monteverde (and Manuel Antonio this coming weekend).

I was dreadfully sick yesterday, but I am quickly recovering today. My friend theorizes that it was a result of me not finishing homework before I went out to have fun Tuesday night. I would blame the food, but it´s so tasty that it just doesn´t seem possible...

I'm back home!  I've been working in Atlanta the last week or two and right now I'm crunching through history homework before I leave for Costa Rica on Sunday.  Enjoy the blog posts though - Europe pictures and posts will sporadically appear over the next months, I'm sure.

Welcome to the White Cliffs of Dover, one of my top five fav's from England.  Dover played an important role in English history as the point of contact with the rest of Europe.  The short, safe link to French mainland (particularly the port of Calais) was heavily used and is still used in conjunction with the Chunnel to transfer goods between England and France.  Calais was a defensible stronghold traditionally held by the English until the French regained control (late 1550's) during Mary Tudor's reign.

In more modern times, Dover was heavily fortified as the point of first contact with German air raids in World War 2.  In fact, my friend Michael and I found a bunker carved into the side of the cliffs.  It's almost eery to be in history like this.

The best part of Dover, however, is the nature.  Majestic chalk cliffs, beautiful water, French mainland visible across the channel, sweeping wheat fields, and endless hikes along the cliff ridges.  I would love to go back some day with a backpack and just wander for several days, sleeping in the abandoned bunkers and absorbing the costal serenity.

As Bev (my literature teacher explained), you only stay sane on trips to England by planning what to see next time.  There really is just too much to do and see.  The Dover trip was a great Sabbath hike after a brief pilgrimage to Canterbury on a beautiful summer day.  Highly recommended for potential visitors to England.