A Few Words On My New Job and Why It Kicks Ass

I have this new job. It's tops. Not only do I get to work with freshman...yea, get 'em while I can still influence their sponge like minds, but the principals (not administration, but beliefs) of this school are right up my alley. Back to those corn based cups I mentioned in the previous post. The superintendent told me they pay more to use those cups "so they can support the people who produce them". There isnt even a plant in this state that can compost them...they get taken up to Seattle. The school is as paper free as possible. Report cards- online, schedules- online, student reports and homework- emailed to the teacher. Have I died and gone to heaven? Even math work is frequently done...on the computer. We focus on global appreciation and value, helping students to recognize their place in the world. Wow, these Oregonians really got some neat ideas. Something must be working because 85% of the graduates of this school go to college. Now, check back with me a little into school to see if the high achieving, conservation crazed white people start to drive me insane. I'm thinking I might just get a little more hippie and eliminate paper from my life.

The end of summer

A sad, yet amazing thing happened today...my vacation was laid to rest. In just one hour, the interview was over and the offer was on the table. Perhaps it was my wit, charm, and intelligence that had the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent sold on my counseling abilities. Perhaps it was the immediate need for a counselor to begin the job- tomorrow. It's good to know I dont have to blame not getting an offer on spilling water all over myself minutes into the interview. It was ok, I changed the topic to the corn based "plastic" cups used in the office. Am I ready to give up my freedom and indecisive lifestyle, hopping from place to place at a moments notice? Not at all. Perhaps this 1/2 time position will do the trick. The perfect balance between making enough to live AND living? Is it possible?!

Today is a day of celebration and mourning. And my brother cant expect me to pay rent on HALF a real salary can he? And it's not even real, I am in education. It's cool...right? I'll keep up with the groceries and we'll call it even.

Victory!

We arrived in Portland 6 days after departing from Maryland. We were both relatively sane and still speaking to one another. Consider it a victory.

Sorry for the hasty wrap up, but this is way overdue. I have held off writing anything else about my vacation (code word for unemployment)in Portland because I wanted to finish the trip write-ups.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone is rad. I mean, just check out these pictures







We caught a glimpse of several animals...although not as many as I hoped. I decided not to post the picture I took of a bison, because, well bison are gross. It's funny that everyone in the park runs and pulls over to take pictures of animals. Now I look at this revolting picture of a bison, next to the picture of the lounging elk and wonder why I needed to snap these photos. I was content with the elk, deer, and bison spotting, still hoping to see a bear when we stopped to use the facilities. It was here that I overheard a British woman sharing the joy of spotting a wolf and THREE bears. THREE bears. All I wanted to see was one. AND a wolf? Please.

We ended this glorious day in Missoula, MT. It was great revisiting Missoula, a place I spent several days in with my good friend Maya about 5 years ago. I anticipated my arrival in the microbrew heaven that is Portland, with a couple tasty brews from Montana. We then went to sleep before the sun set completely for the second time of the trip.

Westard to Wyoming

Day four was our shortest day. We made it to Cody, Wyoming, about an hour east of Yellowstone. We got there early enough to check into our hotel and walk around town a bit. At dinner we tried to pick out the locals, deciphering between the much too ridiculous hats of the tourists trying to get the most out of their Western experience and the regular everyday hat of a Wyomingite. Purses with pictures of horses were pretty much a dead giveaway.

On the way to Cody we drove by Mt Rushmore. We figured the view from the road was sufficient, and we had a lot of driving to do. I mean, it was cool, but nothing to write home about.

The Black Hills, however, are a different story. It made a short day of 10 hours on the road only feel like 8...perhaps even just 7.

Finally Some Sweet Scenery

Day three brought us to the Badlands! Wohoo! I have to say, besides the elevation sickness I suffered in this steamy place, this day was amazing. We drove through the park, stopping for some photo ops, walks, and climbs.



Anyone who has traveled through this area knows what came next. Signs for Wall Drug extend hundreds of miles from the store, advertising free ice water and 5 cent coffee. Pounding as much water as I could through the badlands it wasnt the free water that caught my attention but the opportunity to use their facilities..and see what all the commotion is about. With items like this, it did not disappoint.



We ended the day in Rapid City South Dakota, and spent the night at a hotel containing "The Largest Indoor Water Park in South Dakota".



I cant forget to mention a quick trip to the Corn Palace. Signs along the road made us think we couldnt miss this place. Boy am I glad we didnt. Anything corn you ever wanted (or didnt) can be seen and purchased here. It was on this detour that we learned our fun fact about South Dakota- They haven an ethanol plant in the state making mid grade gas cheaper than low grade. I had to walk in and ask the clerk what the deal was after staring perplexed at the pump for a couple of minutes.

The Excitement Continues

Day two began with a delicious waffle made from the waffle maker at our complimentary continental breakfast. The highlight of today was a stop for lunch in Madison, WI. Never traveling through these parts I wasn't sure what to expect, but Madison was quite impressive. There are wide activity paths along the water which many people took advantage of. The atmosphere was friendly and the immense bike and foot traffic gave me a good impression of the ideals of the city. We stopped to eat along the water and took a short walk along the path.

Wisconsin is a bit like Kansas in terms of landscape. At least the part we traveled through. Thankfully we hit Madison for a little break, and then checked out LaCrosse. While looking for the visitors center in LaCrosse we encountered RiverFest. (Self explanatory). We spent about 15 minutes there, 10 of which were involved getting directions to Grandad Bluff for a view of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa, from some very friendly, detail oriented Wisconsiners. My excitement peaked when they said "make the first left after the big six pack". I knew what that meant...World's Largest Six Pack! I read about this but had no idea we'd drive right by! All I wanted was to head towards it at that moment, but they still had 8 minutes left of direction giving.




I suppose the drive up to the bluff was worth it. I mean, it was kinda cool but not as impressive as I expected. Perhaps the rush from the Six Pack prevented me from fully enjoying the view from the bluff.

We continued driving into Minnesota, stopping in beautiful Albert Lea. We didnt see a whole lot of action, but did indulge in a Wal-Mart visit that Saturday night with some of the locals.