I have a new blog - Aurae's New Blog. I will posting new blog entries there. So make sure to visit the new blog from now on. The posts from this blog will appear on the new blog.

I also have a new look to my website - Aurae's Website.

I don't like driving in Portland but I am forced to endure it for another month. I attend my classes Friday night in Hillsboro and then drive to SE Portland to stay the night with family. The drive usually takes about an hour, even though it's about 25-30 miles. The first time I drove to SE Portland, it was dark and busy. I got lost twice, well, I wouldn't say lost, more like misplaced. I knew where I was and where I wanted to go; I was just in the wrong place. So, the next time I got misplaced again, thinking I could use a different route and end up at the same place. That's what I get for thinking at 10pm after a long day of work, class and driving.

So, tonight, I made my fifth trip to SE Portland and it was just about perfect. I still don't like driving in Portland. People drive so much faster. There are signed pointing all over the place. I am thankful that there isn't too much traffic at 10pm and then at 8am when I leave again.

There is only one thing that makes my drive worthwhile. As I come through the Sunset Tunnel into Portland and turn onto the bridge, the cityscape lights up the night sky, reflecting on the Willamette River. Every time it takes my breath away. You just don't see that site anywhere else in Oregon. It's amazing. I wish I had more time to view it and take in its glory.

I’ve been as busy as ever this month with my first term at Pacific in full swing now. I am really enjoying my studies in leadership and strategy. We’ve had some great discussions in class, posing challenging and intriguing questions about the status of our healthcare system in the U.S. and asking what we can do about it.

I’m now facing the start of a challenging class in healthcare finance. It’s hard for me to wrap my mind around financial issues sometimes. I’ve read the chapters for class but I feel I might just have to read them over to actually start to begin to understand them. There are so many terms and acronyms that I need to learn just to be able to do the simplest problems. It will take some work but it’s one area I can improve my skills in. After my lunch with a family friend who just happens to be a physician, I have learned that financial skills are a must. So, I’m trying to have a better attitude towards finance and accounting, even though they involve math.

I’ve managed to write several articles on winter travel in Oregon but I wish I had more time to write. I know that once my classes end this term I will have some time. But it’s hard for me to not have time or energy for creative writing. At least I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

It was a beautiful weekend, with glorious sun and fall colors. We took a nice walk, in search of some fall foliage but were not lucky in our search around the neighborhood. Driving home from church, the variety of colors we saw was amazing: red, orange, yellow, and green all over the place. It was beautiful, especially with the bright sunlight.

Recently at the hospital where I work, we've started utilizing eco-friendly containers for to-go food and cups. The cups are made from corn, and boast that they are "100% Compostable". The other containers for to-go meals or hot contents are made from bamboo, and are also compostable.

I think this change is great, especially since the old containers and cups were made from Styrofoam. However, our hospital did a great job at recycling, before the change was made.

So, just this week, the cafeteria has begun charging 10 cents for a cup to use for water. Before, cups used for water were free and styrofoam. The staff are urging us to bring our own containers in. I just keep thinking why didn't they do this before, when we were using the styrofoam cups? If everyone had re-used their cups before, then we wouldn't have the problem of filling up landfills? It just seems backwards to me. I just don't understand why we have to pay more for recycled material.

It's amazing how good coming home can feel. Greeted by my animals so happy to see me, they expressed their love and need in their individual ways. The dog with his wagging tail and happy face, urging me to chase him around the yard, and looking hopefully at the lease hanging on the back porch. The cat took several minutes before she was ready to express herself but once I had settled myself in at home, she jumped on my lap, full of purring and love. Somehow she knew I needed extra love tonight or maybe it was her need. But she sat content, purring and rubbing her head on me. We were both content.

Animals have that sixth sense to feel how we humans are feeling. They tend to know something is wrong. I know if I cry the dog is curious, wondering why the tears and even looks sad himself. The cat is good at bringing cheer or laughter with silly antics. Even the bird can liven spirits with her strange dance and head bobbing. She's even good for a cuddle.

I just woke up a little while ago in a fog. My husband has been getting up early to do a morning workout in the park for his Tae Kwon Do class. Last night, I had said I would get up with him and then go walk the dog and do things around the house. Well, I guess I am just not a morning person. The alarm went off this morning and I didn't know what time it was. I guess he had left and I had fallen back asleep. I can't remember. I guess I was tired. But I have successfully woken up with him once this week and stayed up. That is a triumph on my part! Now, if I can just do it again.

The weather has been so cold and cloudy, even rainy. It doesn't make me want to do much of anything. It would be nice to have a day or two of sun. I did try to do some yardwork last night, pulling and cutting some grass out of the flower beds (I think the grass gets another point!). But the grass was wet and it was cold outside.

My husband and I were discussing the weather forecast yesterday and the different meanings of "chance of shower" and "partly cloudy". I guess since I write for Meteorology & Climatology I understand it a bit differently, or I'm just more optimistic about the weather. I'm happy to hear about a forecast with a chance of showers rather than rain because it means more often than not, most of the day will be clear or at least dry. It does however mean there are more clouds than a forecast for sunbreaks. I guess we live in Oregon. You'll have to read my latest blog at Suite101.com under Meteorology & Climatology, as I investigate if summer really starts in Oregon after the 4th of July. It was fun to research.

Hello!
As if I wasn't busy enough! I've started a new website for travel information.
The link is:
NW Travel Online
This site will contain my travel articles and information on travel in Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho and Wymoing. I want to get serious about writing useful and informative articles.

I stayed home from work today because I have a nasty head cold, with a sore throat, runny nose, cough and stuffy head. It was nice to sleep for several hours, letting my body take over the battle against the bad bugs.

It's nice to be a home where it's quiet and calm, with no stress. It's just too bad that I don't feel good. The cat enjoys my company, purring loudly as I write.

The sun has returned after a long sleep behind the clouds. I ventured out on the back steps to feel the warm rays and take in the view of spring. The dog enjoys my company, greeting me with a panting smile, saying pet me!

I'm sad because I was scheduled to volunteer at a Christian youth event tonight and tomorrow called Acquire the Fire. I know they really needed my dedication as a volunteer. I had to tell them earlier I couldn't make it to the event. I really wanted to volunteer because I love interacting with people, and that feeling you get by giving, doing something without receiving anything back. I hope I can find a place to volunteer around where I live.

Well, it's back to resting for me. There's nothing worthy on TV. Perhaps I can do some writing if my head will clear.

I woke up to a cold but sunny Friday morning. It was so bright, the sun shining on my bedroom window. The freshly cut grass glimmering in the morning light, lightly touched with dew. The brisk cool air of early spring. It was hard not to be in a good mood this morning.

Fridays are special days, filled with hopes and dreams for the weekend. From relaxing on Saturday morning to working hard in the yard, or taking the dog for a walk at the park or having time to write or traveling, the weekends have so much to offer. I get a chance to free my mind, recover from a long week of work or be myself.

I am ready!

Hello!
Welcome to my blog. This will be a place for my ranting, raving and everything in between. Join me for thoughts on writing, weather and life.

-Aurae