I just got the news last night that I was accepted to be a writer on a website called Hot Ticket Sports. I will be posting a blog (web log or web journal entry) dedicated to PAC-10 football. They have already posted my first one that I used in my application.

So, I need readers to make comments, as comments make blogs more fun and interactive. Make sure to pass this web address to your friends, especially the sports fans you know.

Hot Ticket Sports - Aurae's Blog

Have you ever been so excited that you just can't focus or feel so energized and full of thoughts, even though your body is tired? That is me today!

I'm either a bit crazy or it's a sign from God. Today as I flipped through a health care magazine at work, I saw an ad for Pacific University, announcing their new program for Masters in Healthcare Administration. I had to check it out, because 1. in high school I had researched Pacific University and thought of going their to study Communications, and 2. because I was interested in their MHA program and also 3. because my sister-in-law went there.

So, I pulled up the school's website, only to find the program had just been established and announced on May 13th. It is a 2-year program at the Hillsboro campus but can also involve online courses. The main thing was that they don't require GRE test results. That's the one thing that has kept me from completing my Masters at OSU. Why would I want to go take a test, which includes Math, just to finish my Masters? I've already completed a third of my requirements.

So, I will go to the program's open house this month to meet people, learn about the program and see if my credits will transfer over. Then I have to complete the application and we'll see. I will be able to apply to have my employer pay for some of the tuition, which is very nice.

It's exciting to me because I have been wondering what to do in life. Of course I want to write and I will always write. But I've been wondering what to do with my healthcare experience and education. I did want to finish my degree at OSU but wasn't sure about completing an MPH - Masters in Public Health. I would much rather complete a Masters in Healthcare Administration, since that's what my graduate certificate is in.

Now, I think this is a sign. Either that or I want to be so busy that I won't be able to function, ha ha! That's where I think I might be a little crazy. But at least it will be 2 years or less!

Wish me luck! I will let you know how the process goes.

Isn't it amazing when you meet someone new and are able to talk to this person like someone you've known all your life? That happened to me this weekend. I guess the term "kindred souls" comes to mind. It's so nice to be able to connect to someone so quickly and with so much depth. To me, it's a glimpse at what heaven might be. I imagine a place where we all get a chance to know every soul of each person. I imagine it as a place of relationship.

I love meeting new people. I love learning some aspect about people, or learning something new about the world or myself just by talking with another person. Sometimes when I talk to other people, I can solve my current dilemma or predicament. I guess I just like to talk my problems out.

Yet, the connection I feel with others I just meet or converse with can make me disheartened at times. I just know that our conversation might be the last of its kind or will not be the same again. I feel discouraged when others don’t keep in touch or can’t connect in the same manner again.

I live in those special moments, wanting to savor them and cherish them. I know I shouldn’t be scared that these moments will not happen again but I am. I do know that God has given me this ability to glimpse into the depths of each person’s soul, to see the goodness within. I appreciate this sense or gift and know I should treasure it.

I am still looking to expand my writing skills and experience. I've been trying to write more articles on travel, going so far as to launch a website/ blog devoted to NW Travel.

Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by how much there is out there to discover! I see so many wonderful things to write about just here in my hometown. So, I will take it one step at a time. I have been talking with a few travel writers in my Suite101.com group. I hope they can give me some advice on travel writing.

So, if you have any ideas or suggestions, please leave me a message.
Thank you!

Yesterday afternoon, after some time in the yard weeding, I felt like I needed to get out and go somewhere to walk. I do like walking around the neighborhood but sometimes it's more fun to take the dog in the truck and find a new adventure.

So, yesterday my dog, Spirit and I set out to find a new adventure. We drove to the end of Circle Blvd, where it meets Witham Hill Drive and found the Corl House park, or rather the Woodland Meadows Park. The park entrance is a small gravel road, ending with a small parking lot. The parking lot is located on a hill, surrounded by fields of grass. I remarked to myself, we've found a slice of heaven, according to Spirit. He loves tall grass, bounding through it after mice, at least he thinks there are mice.





We walked to the off leash area, only to find it was the majority of the park. Later I found the stats - 33 acres to be exact. There were other dogs playing ball in the area so we found a nice trail to hike along. The trail ended up going down the hill and around the park. I let Spirit off his leash and he was free. He mostly stayed on the trail and enjoyed being able to mark spots along the way.

At the bottom of the hill we found some huge old oak trees, hanging over the path. It was beautiful. I could hear the birds in the trees and then saw a squirrel rush up the trunk of one. Spirit saw him too. We then walked along the bottom of the hill, back up towards the parking lot.



What a great place, and located within the city. I hope this place is always a park and not turned into housing developments.

You can read my review of this park and Willamette Park in the article: Dog Parks in Corvallis

I just can't help myself - I love spring and flowers! Plus, our yard has so many beautiful flowers. Here are some pictures I took this evening, as I was out in the yard between showers:

I would like to get your input and suggestions on my thoughts to organize a hike this summer for friends and family. I grew up on the Little N. Fork of the Santiam River, and every year at about this time I feel a yearning to get back to my old stomping grounds. Usually this entails visiting the old swimming hole or driving by the old farm house. Usually I don't get up there until August, when the river has shrunk and the algae has begun to grow. I want to get a jump on it this year.
I also want to share this beautiful area with my friends and family. So, here are my thoughts - let's go to Opal Creek and hike along the river. I've attached a link to the map and website for Opal Creek.

Opal Creek is a beautiful place. You don't realize how beautiful nature is until you visit this place. The trees are massive, the water is crystal clear, the rocks are sky blue and on and on. In the summer this hike is great because it's mostly shaded. The main hike consists of a gravel road which staff of Friends of Opal Creek use to bring in supplies and staff. But there are also trails that extend from the main road and places to stop and take in the views. The pace can be whatever you make it.

It's about 40 miles from Salem. We could carpool. There is a $5 fee for parking at the trail head, per vehicle. The main hike is about 3 miles one way but there are other hikes to take also. Look at the map to see the trails and approximate mileage. This is mostly a gravel road with small hills but an easy hike.

Here's the link: Opal Creek Trails

Let me know what you think. Please send me your preferred dates. Also, anyone is welcome so let your friends know too.
I look forward to sharing this beautiful place with you.

So, I signed up as a member of GoSeeOregon.com, as NWTravel. This is an interesting site, where I can give travel tips and reviews. I think this will benefit my writing, and further my interest in writing about Northwest Travel.

Make sure to keep checking back for updates to the NW Travel Online website. There's a link to it under the Links box to the left side of this website. Now, I just have Oregon Travel topics but I will be expanding soon.

I've joined a group of Suite101.com writers and it's been great learning about their writing adventures and sharing my own.

Thanks for your support. If you are interested in writing about Northwest Travel, let me know. I can add authors to the site.

Click below to get to the NW Travel Online website.
NW Travel Online

I forgot to mention that my husband and I completed the 5K race we had signed up for. It ended up being a warm, sunny morning. We had expected cold, foggy weather. It was a very nice day though. We completed the run/walk and in less time than I had thought. We could have pushed ourselves harder but this was our first time.

The 5K race course took us around several neighborhoods in Florence, with the final half taking us up a small hill. Once on top of the hill it was all downhill, with even a glimpse of the ocean.

Our friend also did the 5K. My father-in-law completed the 10K. We all watched in awe as he crossed the finish line. It is very motivating to watch him run and be involved in these events.

So, our morning competitions got us motivated to complete the race again next year, and with better times.

Florence Oregon broke its record high for May 16th, with an official high temperature reading of 99F! Wow! The same official temperature reading was also registered in Corvallis, Oregon, with another record broken.

It was hot at the beach, there is no other way to put it. We walked down to the beach, wearing shorts and T-shirts. The kids made sandcastles, girls sunbathed in bikinis, surfers and waders all ventured into the water. The sun glistened on the crashing waves. It was like we had ended up on a California beach! Yet, the water was very cold. The surfers still wore their wetsuits.

While watching the Rhododendron Festival's Grand Floral Parade, we got a little color. The classic cars drove by, the clowns honked their horns and the princesses waved, all enjoying the unusual coastal sun.

Once back in the valley, we knew it had been hot, as the house was still warm and the plants needed a drink. We were amazed at how everything had opened up in just two days. The roses are all ready to explode with color. We spent some time in the yard, watering and cutting back some of the mint. We had so much extra mint that I made some iced mint tea. It was lovely on a warm evening.