Tight Pants!

Anticipation is the theme of my life right now.

I am currently working on settling in to my new old home, Portlandia. I am incredibly excited right now because I am waiting to hear back about a house that I applied to rent with a group of amazing folk that I recently met. The whole thing has come together rather quickly and wonderfully, so I hope our application will be approved and a moving day is on the horizon.

The job search is a bit more daunting, as the economy is totally lame at this time. Perhaps you have heard about it. The unemployment rate here in Oregon is 9%, one of the worst rates in the country. Though, it seems only double the historical low. That makes me feel better.

I took a résumé to a café yesterday, and decided to also have a sandwich. As I sat there eating, about 8 other people came in and dropped off an application as well. The man at the counter said it had been a steady stream like that all day. Ugh, for us all.

In any case, I am happy to say that I have submitted my application to graduate school at U of Vermont, and am participating in the waiting game.

It is all up in the air, but I feel rather okay with that.

Last of the Hawai'i Pics

Hello from the good ol' USofA. I made it back into Portland and am working on getting resettled in. All is well. I do have few more pictures of Hawai'i to share. These are from the last week there, during which the interns and I had a totally sweet trip around the island!

AMAZING cafe in Honoka'a where we watched the inauguration at 5:30am! They had incredible company and incredible taro banana pancakes. A dream spot.

Roadside photo stop for the lush canyon behind us: me, Emily.

Viewing the canyon: Emily, Christina.

More fun signs! These were both on Mauna Kea, at the observatory visitors' center. We caught a special monthy cultural presentation and got to look at the stars, naked eye and telescope, from the best viewing spot on Earth!!

On our last full day on the island, we headed STEEPLY down into Waimea Canyon to do the beach bum thing.

Our calves were giving out on the decent, so we caught a ride with a local surfer. Here is Cristina hanging on for dear life! At one point we went over a bump and I somehow got from my butt to my feet... hunh?

The Tours Are Over

Well, another tour season comes to a close...
This one had me taking very few pictures in order to save my camera from the monsoon. I do have a couple gems, though. I would make some comments about the tour, but it is mostly a blur right now. I'm still in recovery mode.

Meet our lovely team of interns!
(Yes, I did make them wear those vests for their first impression on the clients.)

Christina, showing the way to the orientation meeting.

Anita, stationed in a fairly low traffic area.

Emily, hamming it up.

Below you will see a mangosteen, of current superfood fad fame. I believe this to be the most anime looking object in the natural world.

Yes! It even has a star/flower on the bottom!!

I am starting to see that I have a thing for taking pictures up from the base of trees. Here is a papaya plantation with the moon coming up.

Pretties on a sunny coco-lined lane!

I love signs.

Playing in the cocos

A wild tribe of bikers!

Partner(s) yoga... that's me on the bottom.

Dangerous Hawai'i!