It's the end of 2015 everyone! This has been the craziest year of my life. There was the discovery of vinyasa yoga, I started hiking, I GRADUATED, there was travel, there was Burning Man, I bought a house, and I moved to Oregon...to name a few! Wow, looking back on it all gives me anxiety. I did so much. I feel overwhelmed looking at it all. I am so grateful though. I have met people who have forever changed my life and lost people I thought would be around forever. This is the year that I really learned what life is all about. Okay, so I've just begun to scratch the surface, but I'm going to be starting off 2016 with a whole new sense of perspective.
This post is going to work as a combo post. I'm going to review my year (including my trip to Oklahoma and my move to Oregon, which should have their own posts, but I'm feeling lazy), then I'm going to take a look at next year and what I would like to accomplish. Let's begin!
January:
I started the year off depressed, but trying to work through it on my own. Also, I got roommates.
This picture was taken by my love Sk. You can follow her on Instagram @ninjesama
I got food poisoning, an upper respiratory infection, and finally realized how depressed I was. I started at my yoga studio and got put on anti-depressants, as well as started hiking. I also started this blog! (It kind of looks like my year started in February! ^.^ )
Both my pack and boots look much more used than this.
March:
That month was all about school. I also became friends with one of my best friends Jennifer. We haven't even known each other a year and she's changed my life for the better!
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April:
I ended up going to the Sand Dunes. Road trip by myself was rejuvenating. It always is...a couple days after its over, anyways.
Sand Dunes National Park in southern Colorado. Should be on your bucket list.
The pups loved a romp in the sand.
May:
I GRADUATED! I'm so proud of myself! I am the first person out of my generation in my family that has gotten my Bachelor's. I also met Mr. K, a man who I am sure will be a friend for life.
My graduation photograph. This was taken by my lovely roommate C. She doesn't have social media. :(
Also take by C. Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs.
June:
I spent most of the month filling out job applications, but then got my military disability. I was able to pay off ALL of my debt. I consider myself beyond lucky.
I also saw the new Jurassic Park movie at the drive-in.
In the picture below I was doing research for a job interview.
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November:
I closed on the 2nd, my roommates moved out, my birthday was on the 14th, I went to see my family in Oklahoma for Thanksgiving, and finished packing up my apartment, all while having several freak-out moments.
Jesse, Jennifer, and I tubing for my birthday.
Shed at my family's farm in Oklahoma.
Windmill on my family's farm in Oklahoma. Very noisy.
The pups were worn out from running around all day, but rode so well on the way home.
Even when my car slid off the road! O.o I'm glad no one got hurt.
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December:
I moved to Oregon! My car broke down, I met Mr. S, I found out best friend Sk was going to be renting on of my upstairs rooms.
First picture in front of my new home!
And then my car broke down. I'm so glad to have it back in working order!
First day trip to Portland!
Amazing Christmas present from Mr. S.
Like I said, it's been a crazy year. I expect next year might be just as crazy just in new and innovative ways. The Universe likes to keep me on my toes!
From my first "hike" here.
As we move into this new year, there's only a few things I want. The first, is to travel. I want to see Stonehenge this year. The next is to take my GRE, so I can start applying for graduate schools. Clearly, I am insane to want more schooling. Finally, I want to spend more time outside. I think that getting out into nature really has helped my sanity and I want to continue to improve. Thank you all for joining me on this journey, and here's to a whole new year to conquer the world!
I flew out to Oregon on the 24th and came back the 26th. I would have written a post earlier, but I was fighting with my Burning Man post (click here if you missed it). If everything goes according to plan, in December I'll be living just outside of Eugene, OR. I'll be able to work for a while, and maybe even get my PhD. :D
So, here's the story of my crazy house-hunting weekend in Oregon.
So, there was this 2 story, 4 bed, 3 bath house in Junction City that I really liked. I decided to fly out to see it. I had a good feeling about going to Oregon this time. So, I made plans to fly out.
My friend Mango is moving to San Francisco. She doesn't have a car. She agreed to drive me to the airport and since she was flying out the next day she'd leave my keys in my car locked, and I'd just use my spare to get in. That went off perfectly, except I was 7 minutes too late for the cut off, because traffic was insane on the way there. So, we rescheduled my flight, but it wasn't until 5.
Back to my house we went (after stopping for mimosas and ranting), and I figured I'd dye my hair. I got an undercut done, but because my hair is so light, you could barely tell. I picked up a purple hair dye that's so dark it's almost black. It did not turn out as planned.
I don't hate it, though. I actually like that it's unique!
I did make it to my rescheduled flight. I got to talk to a lovely woman who does tribal belly dance. She's from Denver. New friends!
After I landed I rented my first car. ^,^ I feel like a big girl now. I stayed in Portland that night. Then it was off to Eugene. After a treat, of course!
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I saw several houses the first day. Only one of which peaked my interest. The one problem was that it was just out of my price range. I technically could afford it, but I would really have to get a job. With how crazy my body has been, I didn't know if that was possible.
After that I drove into the woods to the place I was staying. The drive itself made it totally worth it. Here's a picture.
The second day, I walked into this little 1945 Cottage and it reminded me of my grandparents' house (not in a bad way). It was incredibly cozy and well maintained. I knew when I walked in. Just to be sure I looked around, then at other houses, then back at the house that was just out of my price range. The cottage was right for me. It was still more than I would have liked, but definitely a reasonable price.
So after a call to my mom, I decided to put an offer in.
The trip back was nice. All airports should have miso and sake!
This has been an insane past few weeks, but I have learned so much about myself I cannot even remember my life before! I've come back to Denver and traveled again since my last post, but more on that later.
I saw a lot of houses, one of which I wanted, but the owner wouldn't budge on the price. It was already over-priced, so I'm still on the hunt for a home to buy. I'm getting more and more excited because I feel like something big is about to happen. :)
I spent my first day in Oregon at the beach. I haven't ever understood people's obsession with the ocean until I was standing in Seaside, OR with the ice cold waves rolling over my feet.
But first there was breakfast at Harlow in Portland...
The waiter called me Lady Bug when he brought me my food. Only my mom has ever called me Lady Bug.
The drive was so breath taking and the air was so clean!
It's been 5 years!
To me, this is perfect beach weather.
So cold, but so wonderful.
Panorama of the beach
Starfish!
Little hermit crab.
Sea anemone.
The clouds rolling in.
The logging industry. The conservation biologist in me flipped.
Excellent Korean Food
FINALLY FOUND THE COOKIES (I've been looking for them for years)!
Obligatory selfie.
Smoke from the forest fires.
In-n-Out Burger. It's all about the shakes....
This is how a girl passes the time on a 20 hour drive.
So, I love Oregon and I now refer to it as home even though I've never lived there. I'm now furiously hunting for a house. A week and a half after I got back to Denver, I left for Burning Man. While there, I was able to reevaluate my life, and I realized that moving to Oregon is EXACTLY what I must do to keep building the life I want.
