European History

Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The wall was up for 28 years, separating Germany into east and west. The wall was constructed because 3.5 million Germans left east Germany for the freedom of the west in the years after WWII. After the construction of the wall 200 people were killed trying to escape across the wall. Up to 5000 escaped successfully using such routes as tunnels, zip lines, hot air balloons, or simply driving full speed through the check point. Finally, with thousands of people revolting in the streets of East Berlin, the wall was opened on Nov. 9th, 1989. Two days later the deconstruction of the wall began.

We all remember those powerful words of our great president,

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

And I Follow My Nose

My week, in smells:

Monday - On mondays I make dinner at Rain Rock, and it smelled amazing. Garden burgers and cheese!
Tuesday - Smelling my lunch heat up at school activated the smell receptors in my brain. It made me hungry and my Thai noodles were tastytastic.
Wednesday - Fall days smell like clean air and wet leaves. They also smell like cold!
Thursday - Kidneys, when dissected, smell like formaldehyde.
Today - Coffee, bagel, and orange for breakfast smell like comfort, warmth, and happiness.

The Unsinkable

Molly Brown - Born 1867 Margaret Brown is famous for her efforts to help survivors of the 1912 Titanic disaster. Molly was born to humble means and grew up in Missouri and later Colorado, where she married JJ Brown. Molly is quoted to say that she always planned to marry for money but then JJ came along and she couldn't help herself. Luckily he hit it rich with the Denver mining industry and Molly got to be rich anyway!

She is know as a socialist and womans' rights activist. When the Titanic was sinking Molly only entered a rescue boat when forced to and then took over her rescue boat, leading the women aboard to return and find survivor, although it is reported that they found none.

Changing seasons

I've had several indications this week that fall is here. First, I changed the air in my car from AC to the heater. And I don't anticipate turning it back for about 8 months. Of course school has started, and it is impossible to deny the new season when all of my syllabi say "fall term." I've also retrieved sweaters, scarves and gloves from storage bins. I even brought an umbrella with me to school this week, although like a true oregonian I did not use it.

No more leaving the windows down in my car. My shoes, which each have at least 2 places where I can put my finger all the way through the sole, may need to be upgraded. Cute hats and gloves are comin' back!

A Letter

Recently we had a young girl leave Rain Rock to go home and finish her last year of high school. She asked me to write her a letter, and this is what I wrote.

My Friend,
You are embarking on a wonderful and dangerous journey. I know that you are aware of all the traps and pitfalls, so I will speak to you of the joys.
I have seen your amazing ability for friendship and connection. I believe that t his is your greatest tool in this battle. Strive for self reflection and inner peace, of course. But never isolation.
Acknowledge and appreciate your strengths, but do so without arrogance. See others with eyes that do not judge, and just so do not judge yourself. When you sway from your resolve do not be downtrodden. Know that this is a part of your journey. Take the experience; make peace with those you have wronged; learn something about yourself; precede without guilt.
And always, my friend, seek Truth, Virtue, Beauty, and Wisdom. Through these you will find fulfillment, through that epic search. Remember those who love and support you. We will always be here for you.

Five Friends

I met you last week, and you said we connect. I see your value, I love your soul. I wish you knew your beauty, I wish you weren't killing yourself. Your heart needs love, your body need food. You allow yourself love, but not nourishment. I hope you don't have to die you realize that you want to live.

I met you two years ago, this month we became friends. You take care of everyone, the eternal big sister. Your soul oozes art, and you give it expression. I've seen your pain, I know your struggle. But know, little one, that you will find peace. You will fight and you will win; your prize will be safety. And know, sweet girl, that I will always love you, no matter the distance between us.

I met you five years ago, we were not instant friends. But now you are the world to me, you have been my salvation. Your path will change, our friendship will change, but I'm so happy for your new life. You have grown so much, with such keen growing pains. But the product is breathtaking, and you are beautiful. I will be there for you as you have always been for me.

I met you seven years ago, since then we've been friends. I admire your calm, it gives me peace. But don't be deceived, you have strength under the sweetness. You know what is true, and you fight for what is right. You will always feel like home to me, you will always be safe.

I met you twelve years ago, I haven't seen you for seven. We have seen the world like in a house of mirrors. The truth is evasive, and we have not agreed. Under all our love are layers of misunderstanding and distrust. I will always love you, but I struggle to believe you. I hope we can clear the fog, for I want to support you. I hope we can find what we had as children.

A weekend's Repose and an Old Hobby

After a stressful weekend culminating in a stressful friday night, I decided last week to take off work and take off for Reno. A delightful weekend was spent filled with sushi, music, a good friend, books on tape and a little gambling and absinthe, mixed with some GRE studying. I have to say that the opportunity to get away from Eugene and responsiblity was wonderful.
The next 6-8 weeks will be filled with new adventures, like taking the GRE, applying for nursing school (again), starting my last term of pre-nursing classes, and hopefully taking a sailing trip around the San Juan Islands.
The next 6-8 months might be filled with adventures too. I haven't ventured to dream for a very long time, but picking up on that old hobby is quite delightful. If I had my way my near future would involve vising orphanages in Africa and Asia, buying a sailboat, getting in to nursing school, and moving. Big dreams, but it's better than no dream.