Mini Vacation

I've been a little disconnected from the blog world lately. And I really have missed it. Josh and I went to Washington for his brothers wedding. We were able to spend six days with his family, hanging out . . .

Getting dressed up . . . . . . .

Watching beautiful sunsets . . . . . . . . . . .

viewing and hiking great mountains (this is Mt Rainer, we didn't hike this mountain but we did another one) . . .

And seeing spectacular fireworks! It was a great trip!

Letting Go

So now that I am leaving my job in 5 weeks or 20 days (oh my gosh it is happening soon!) I am dealing with the art of saying goodbye and letting go. We all deal with this at different times in our lives. Letting go of relationships, be it a romantic relationship, a friendship, loss of a family member, is tough. I am struggling to let go of the children and families I work with. I thoroughly have enjoyed working with, helping and getting to know these people. I have been in their homes at least once a month, listening, guiding and supporting. I myself have been encouraged and uplifted by working with these families. Now it is time to say goodbye. I know this will be good, grad school is a good idea, but it doesn't make it any easier.


On a lighter note Josh took me out to the Portland City Grill on my birthday! It was great! Very yummy food and a beautiful view.

Where does all the time go?

I never talk about what I'm up to. Only thoughts that I have and revelations. So here is some stuff.

• I will be attending Grad School in the fall. This is a big long story that I may talk about at some time, I don't know. Here's the nut shell. I went through the application process with Abliene Christian University like at the beginning of the year. I was accepted and that was cool. For about one month I agonized over whether I should go. Abliene is in Texas and that is very far away. God wasn't calling me to stay or go. I just kept hearing, "This is your decision to make and I will bless you wherever you go." I had to tell Abliene quickly because they only accept so many students and if I were to decline then they would offer the spot to someone else, I declined. Then I went through the application process with George Fox University here in Portland (well Tigard area). And I was accepted! So long story short (don't you hate it when people say that?) I will be studying Marriage and Family Therapy at George Fox starting in August.
• My birthday is coming up! It's my golden (or silver?) birthday! Twenty-four on the 24th!
• Last weekend Josh and I went to the Giants/Mariners game in Seattle. That was fun. I didn't know who to root for because they both were/are my home teams. (and you know you are supposed to "root,root,root for the home team . . ")
• I'm tired of my job. Sometimes it is very frustrating, but I only have about 5 more weeks. (More thoughts to come on this later.)
• Josh's brother is getting married the first week in July. I am agonizing over what to wear! I will meet a lot of his family and I don't have anything nice to wear! I think I need to go shopping.

Well, that's it for now. I may add thoughts about some of these things later!

Busy Fun

Lately I have been able to do many fun things and go to some shows. Here's what I've been up to. Over Memorial Day Weekend I took a little getaway. I met my lovely mother in Ashland for the weekend. We had a great time. Did a little shopping and saw two shows. The first was at the Oregon Cabaret , called Tick, tick . . . BOOM! This was an autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson. For thoes of you who don't know this is the guy that wrote Rent. We first had dinner at the Cabaret which was yummy. The show was good (but of course it was no Rent.) Then at intermission the waiter brought us dessert which was double yummy!


The next day we saw Shakespears The Winters Tale. This was very good . . . I loved it! It was a great weekend, full of fun times with my mom.







Last weekend Josh and I went to see Cirque Du Soleil's Varaki. This was very cool. I had wanted to go when it was in Portland, as am not sure why I didn't. But then Josh bought me tickets to the show in Seattle as an early birthday present (what a great boyfriend!) The show was great!

Here comes the sun . . . . . not!

I miss the sun. In Portland we have not had sun for some time. Several weeks ago we got a taste of summer and of sun. But it was just a great big tease! Everything is better when the sun is out. I feel better. Food tastes better. Life is brighter. I look better. Am healthier. Words sound more beautiful. Birds chirp. Grasshoppers hop. Children laugh. Life is beautiful. WHERE IS THE SUN!?!?!

Turtles

It is World Turtle Day ! I heard this on the radio on the way to work. I like turtles so I thought I would celebrate this day! The website above tells me that I can honor turtles by protecting and advocating for them. If I see a turtle crossing the road I should brake for it (I have never seen a turtle crossing the road in Oregon, or anywhere for that matter.) And I can help by keeping the beaches clean!

Some random turtle facts:

There are about 270 species of turtles, tortoises, and terrapins worldwide.

The Galapagos tortoise is the largest living species, weighing in some cases, over 570 pounds.


The oldest known tortoise may have been a radiated tortoise from Madagascar (Astrochelys radiata), which died in 1965. She was at least 188 years old, having been given to the Tonga royal family, by Captain Cook in 1773 or 1777.

Some female turtles produce eggs four years after mating.


Many snapping turtles have been known for biting for no reason at all and not letting go. (ouch!)

Happy World Turtle Day everyone!!!

Random Thoughts and Happenings

Ok, so a pet peeve of mine is when professionals talk to you. Let me clarify. I don't like it when my dentist or doctor or eye brow lady talk to me. When I go to see one of these people I don't want a play by play. Just do what you gotta do. There are some graphic examples of this but I'll give you the not so graphic one. The other day I go to have my eyebrows waxed. Call me, sadistic, but I really enjoy having my eyebrows waxed. But not the other day! The lady talked to me the WHOLE time. "Opps, I missed two little one, have to go back and tweeze." "Ummmm, and I should get that hair . . . . must shape them nice and even . . . . . . . . now a little cooling cream for your brows" STOP TALKING!! Please just wax my brows!!


I've been eating healthier lately. This is a good thing. It's been a strange experience though. I feel very trendy (as many Portlanders are vegetanians or vegans and know exactly what is in everything you are eating.) I even went to Wild Oats the other day. For those of you that don't know what this place is they sell all natural food or what "they" affectionately call organic. (See definition 3b.)


The other day I was driving to work and at the stop light next to be was a car full of teenage boys, but in the back passenger seat was a dummy. A red sweatshirted man made dummy, with garden gloves duct taped on as hands and duct tape for two eyes and a mouth. Very interesting.

Inventions

Ok, so I've been thinking about this invention stuff. While cleaning this weekend I thought of something that would be very useful. I would like to invent a small vacuum that connects to your broom or better yet your dust-pan! You know how you have to scoot you dust-pan back like 5 times just to get all the dirt in it? Well I think it is annoying and want a little vacuum to suck all the dirt up. Maybe it could be a whole other tool. The kitchen floor vacuum!

Random Thursday

I've been thinking a lot about the randomness in this world. All of the random ideas and thoughts. Recently I have watched several episodes of American Inventor It really is an interesting and random show. The things that people think up! Here are some random inventions

The Twirling Spaghetti Fork

Noodle Fan

Umbrella Rain Tube

Plunger Hat

Water Cooler Clock

I got tell you that I think the Plunger Hat is awesome! It stops your head from bobbing around when you fall asleep.

Oops!!

So on Saturday I went to graduation. It started raining and the reception had to be inside. After making the rounds Josh and I decided to take off. We wanted to make a quick escape so that we didn't get too wet,so we ducked out the back door. About halfway down the wet, slick metal stairs my feet started to come out from under me. I slipped down two steps and then slid with my arms at my side and finally stopped hitting my back pretty hard on a step toward the bottom, all the while screaming "the scream of death." Josh quickly came to me to see if I was okay and tears instantly came streaming down as I told that I had hurt myself. As I inspected the battle wounds I began to cry harder. People had heard the "scream of death" and began to look down the stairs to see what had happened. Shortly after the fall (but still on the stairs, crying, in the rain) an old professor came down the stairs telling us to be careful and that the stairs

were slippery and we should hold on to the railing. Well, thanks for that!

Could they go all the way?

Yeah Kings! Keep up the good work!

Beer Meanderings

I felt like I needed to write a profound and meaningful blog. I have written them before Really, I have! The problem with a meaningful blog is that it takes thought! So here is what you get today!

Today I was driving on a main road and had to take a detour through a small quaint neighborhood. As I twisted in and around all these nice house I thought how it really was a strange detour. In front of me was a Budweiser truck. For some reason a Budweiser truck driving through suburbia was humorous to me. Then I though about how if we were driving through
Springfield and past the Simpson household that Homer
would start chasing after the truck. So here I am, on my way to a very important appointment picturing Homer chasing the Budweiser truck. So how about that for your meaningful blog?

Easter

So I had been hassled about calling Josh "my special friend." I have also been hassled for other reasons that I will not go into detail now. So my response is to post these pictures! We had a great time in California and a wonderful Easter!

My Favorite picture!

I know this picture is so far away, but I didn't have a stand and had to set it on a rock. I've made a copy of it closer but couldn't post that one, so this is what you get!

Eating the Easter Bunny (Chomp!)

Random Thursday: California

It is California Day!! Well, at least the day that I get to go to California! It also happens to be random Thursday! So here are some random California facts. And who knows you may be able to use these on Jeopardy someday!

• California is known variously as The Land of Milk and Honey, The El Dorado State, The Golden State, and The Grape State.

• More turkeys are raised in California than in any other state in the United States

• California Caverns claims the distinction of being the most extensive system of caverns and passageways in the Mother Lode region of the state. (I worked in one of these Caves!)

• If California's economic size were measured by itself to other countries, it would rank the 7th largest economy in the world.

• The highest and lowest points in the continental United States are within 100 miles of one another. Mount Whitney measures 14,495 feet and Bad Water in Death Valley is 282 feet below sea level.

• STATE:
  Flower: Golden poppy
  Tree: California redwood
  Bird: California valley quail
  Animal: California grizzly bear (1953)
  Fish: California golden trout (1947)
  
  Have a great day and a Happy Easter!

I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane

I get to go to California on Thursday!! To visit my family! It has been about 4 months since I have seen them, and I miss them. My "special friend" Josh is going with me and that is very exciting! Now if it could only be Thursday! This week is just slowly ticking by.


(If you look closely at the map; just southwest of the crook at the green mountain looking county called Tuolumne. That is where I am from and will be in a couple of days!)

Random Doggie Daze (Thursday)

FYI: The last post with the pictures, came from typing "random" into the tool bar of google images.

I WANT A DOG!!!!!!!

I want a dog so bad! It's all I think about. Anytime I see a dog I have this deep longing for one. On the Today Show they talked about training dogs. I could train a dog! As the weather gets nicer I am finding myself daydreaming about taking my (fictional) dog to the park and playing Frisbee with him. The reason I do not have a dog is because I feel that I do not have the time for a dog. I work 10 hours four days a week and am generally very busy. I have an apartment with no back yard. That would be unjust right? And I can't keep house plants alive.

NOW SOME RANDOMNESS

There are approximately 65 million owned dogs in the United States.

Thirty-nine percent of U.S. households (or 40.6 million) own at least one dog. (I want to be a part of that 39%!)



Some Jokes:

What is more amazing than a talking dog?
Sent by Lee, age 10, Texas USA

Answer: a spelling bee


Where should you never take a dog?
Sent by Joseph, age 8, Vermont USA

Answer: a flea market


What does a dog call his father?
Sent by Lyndsey, age 10, Ohio USA

Answer: Paw


Why did the dog wear a watch?
Sent by Amber, Age 12, Kansas USA

Answer: He wanted to be a watchdog.


What do you get when you cross a dog and a phone?
Sent by Tyler, age 8, New York USA

Answer: a Golden Receiver


Why did the Dalmatian go to the eye doctor?
Sent by Ben, age 9, Michigan USA

Answer: He kept seeing spots.


How does a dog stop a VCR ?
Sent by Abigail, age 7, Connecticut USA

Answer: Presses the paws button

I found this great website about how you can be a puppy raiser. During the first year of a puppies life you get to take care of it and socialize it, but then you give it back for advance training. Too bad the organization is in Virginia.


So, people I shouldn't get a dog . . . right?

Random Thursday

Adulthood

Lately I've been saying things like: "When did I become an adult?" "How come I have to be an adult?" and "I want to quit this adult life."

Really! I don't know when it all happened. All of a sudden I have to pay bills, work all the time and make tough life decisions. It really is not very fun and I don't like it one bit!

When I first got my apartment I was so excited. My first place! Now I dread paying rent, I hate it when the toilet gets clogged and keeping it clean is a whole nother story.

For the first several months it was exciting getting bills, writing checks and sending them off. (Or paying online). Not anymore.

At first a real job was great! I felt very grown up and loved getting a paycheck. Now . . . I dread having to go to work. Why can't I just sleep in!?!?! And my paycheck just goes to bills.

I don't feel prepared or mature enough to be an adult. I don't want to take my car in when it is not working properly. I don't want to make doctor apoinment when I am not working properly. I don't want to make important decisions about my life, i.e. grad school, moving ect..

How do I get off this adult life track?

New Post

It had been mentioned to be that I needed a new post. Some of my friends are having a dry spell. I however are not. I have plenty of things to blog about, but no time to do it. There are many stories floating around in my head that will make you laugh, cry and think. So I promise that soon I will tell these stories. SOON!

Some Travel Stories

Traveling can be a love hate relationship but mostly I enjoy traveling and all the quirky things that happen while traveling. Here are some stories from my latest journey! FYI I flew from Portland to Las Vegas, Vegas to Dallas, slept several hours then drove from Dallas to Abilene and back slept for a few more hours then flew from Dallas to Denver and Denver to Portland all in about 2 and 1/2 days!


This is what I heard over the load speaker in the airport “would the man who ate at Gustav's and ordered chicken noodle soup and a baked potato with extra butter please return for a lost item. The man who ordered chicken noodle soup and a baked potato please return to Gustav's for a lost item.”


I swear I saw both Moana from the bachelor at one airport and the e-harmony guy at another.


I almost missed my connecting flight form Las Vegas to Dallas. I was on the same plane but I decided to get off to stretch my legs and get some food (see the story below) After getting some food and seeing the door was shut to the runway I decided I needed to play the slots. After playing $5 and winning $5.25 I thought I should check on the flight again to see if we were boarding. As I approach the gate I hear “Passenger, Kristi Beeman, this is your last and final boarding call.” As I approach the front desk they ask where I’ve been. I sheepshly asked if all the other passengers were on the plane already. And they were, so I had to walk the hall of shame, all the way to the back of the plane where my seat was.

I was grabbing some food at a popular fast food restaurant (side note: it was the same restaurant my car got towed from a week ago) so I get to the counter and order what I would like and they tell me they are out of that. The woman precedes to tell me everything they are out of, which includes just about half the menu. Many of the things she named were ingredients that would be included in many different orders thus knocking them off the eating menu. So this is me, “Uhhh . . . Well then . . . . Can I have. . . . . Uhhhhhh . . . . You said you were out of __________ (ingredient)? . . . So then . . . . I think I will have . . . . Ummmmmmmm . . . .” All the while I’m trying to figure out what I can orddoesn'tat doesn’t include the 10 ingredients she sdidn'tthey didn’t have. I finally figured out what I could order and did so. But here’s the thing. As I sat and ate, somewhat indignantly, I listened to her tell other customers what they were out of and ALL of them ordered something else without missing a beat. So I guess the moral of the story is that I am slow.


In Denver there were birds in the airport. I’m not kidding actual birds. How they got into the airport I have no idea. Did they sneak in before the runway could attach to the plane? And they flew down the runway into the airport? It’s a mystery to me. But these birds flew right by me. As I let out a small scream many individuals looked at me. Sheepishly I looked back at them, pointed and said “birds.” No one seemed at all phased that there were birds in the airport.

In a public restroom in Texas they had these turbo hand dryers that said "feel the power!" I tried them and man were they powerful. They actually moved the skin around my hand. I was tempted to put my mouth on the thing and see if my cheecks got big like a dog who has his head out of the car window. But then I thought that was probably not sanitatry so I didn't do it.