My Adventures in Writing

I returned late Sunday evening from Wyoming, to rain and cool temperatures in Oregon. It was kind of nice, as the rain was refreshing. My trip to Wyoming was a success, with smooth travel the whole time. My flights were early, the rental car was great on gas and our tour guides were excellent.

I have about 10 article ideas ready to work on. Sweetwater County, Wyoming is one of the most beautiful and exotic places I've ever been. Filled with wildlife and wild horses, adventure is easily found. The cities of Rock Springs and Green River are brimming with history and mystery. From coal mining to petroglyphs to Butch Cassidy and Sin City, their history is an exciting discovery.

I found the Western Wyoming Community College to be unlike any other school I have been to. How many schools contain a natural history museum or massive dinosaurs roaming the halls? Not to mention the massive boulders placed around the campus, representing the geology of the surrounding mountains, or the 9 ton Easter Island statue. The school is an exhibit in and of itself, with interesting architecture and large open spaces.

Mere words can not describe the beauty of the mountains near Pinedale, at the Flying A Guest Ranch. Beautiful horses, pristine mountains, wildlife and quaking aspen are just the beginning of the sights of this area. Riding horseback through the quietness of the woods, spotting bears and moose, surrounded by the Wind River Mountains and Gros Ventre Mountains is a unique experience. It will be a challenge to find the words to describe this place.

The people I met probably had the largest impression on me. Kind, authentic people who care so much about their surroundings and are so passionate about the things they love.

What a great experience! This is only the beginning of my thoughts on the location, experience and people. Stay tuned for more.


Photo by Peggy Paine

This week I am off to Wyoming and Utah for my wild west adventure and press trip. I already have a line-up for upcoming articles and I'm sure once I'm there, my list will only expand. Be sure to check back and look for my new articles at Suite101.com. I am also looking at some other publications for publishing my stories.

It's really frustrating having the desire to want to workout or take a walk and not being able to. Since my ATV incident this weekend, I have been healing but unable to walk very far. Last night, I tried to lay down on the floor, so I could stretch out. Bad idea. I felt a sharp pain in my side, and could not lay flat. My right side rib area had hurt just after my accident, and still hurts if I try to bend down. Well, now it hurts if I move at all. It isn't very painful but still noticeable.

It's frustrating because I've been watching the Olympics every evening. Watching the swimmers makes me want to go swimming. I have a membership to the local pool but I haven't used it lately. Now, I know I won't be able to use it for awhile. I could just imagine reaching out to swimming and having that pain in my side.

Walking is getting easier but I still can't go very far. Plus, I don't want to over do it. After my accident, we went to the dunes and hiked around. I know that made my foot hurt worse. By the time we got back to the truck, my foot was in constant pain. It doesn't hurt now unless I turn it funny. Maybe by this weekend, I will be able to walk the dog around the block.

It's just not fair because I have the desire to get moving right now and start losing weight, but I can't.

Well, yesterday I got the news that I had been accepted to the Masters of Healthcare Administration program at Pacific University. I will be in the first class ever. How exciting!

Although this may seem as off topic from my writing, I will now get the chance to bring my writing skills together with my career in healthcare. Though it may sound cliche, I want to make a change in this world, and I know that God is pushing me to do it. I have the skills, ability and insight needed to get things going in healthcare. I just need to do it. I need to stop talking and start doing.

I will continue to do my freelance writing, for as long as possible. I hope I can find just enough time to keep doing it.
Please feel free to ask me about my studies and what I am working on.

Well, we didn't make it down to Crater Lake this weekend, but instead spent a nice weekend enjoying the outdoors around Florence, Oregon. The weather was warm and dry with blue skies. We walked along the beach, finding beautiful shells and rocks. We walked through the sand dunes. We even rented ATVs and explored the sand dunes at faster speeds. It was fun to spend time with relatives and enjoy the outdoors.
More to come on this adventure later...

Tomorrow I am off to discover new places in Oregon with my relatives from Washington. We will start at the Oregon Coast near Florence, then head east, finally ending at Crater Lake National Park. I'm probably one of the only Oregonians who hasn't seen this natural wonder. Even people I've talked to who live across the country have seen the park. I can't wait to finally see it and take some pictures. I will make sure to post some if they turn out. I will also write an article or two.

I am getting very excited about my trip to Wyoming coming up later this month. It is considered a press trip, as I have agreed to complete several articles about the area. I will be publishing several articles at Suite101.com. But I am also looking at other publications for submission of longer articles or personal travel account stories, such as print publications and other online publications. I would really like to get my article in a print publication.

I am also excited that my photographs for my articles will be taken by an excellent, experience photographer. My mom will be coming along as my photographer, ready to take some great shots of the Southwestern Wyoming wildlife and scenery. You can see some examples of her work on this website under the "Images" link. I will be able to link to the gallery of our trip once we have all the photographs ready for viewing.

So, make sure to check back for my articles and my mother's photographs from Wyoming.

The one area that I am always being tested in for my life, is my patience. If I could have everything now or in a timely manner, I would be very happy. I am not very good at waiting.

I had my graduate school interview of Tuesday for Pacific University's new Master's of Healthcare Administration program. It went well, I think. It was quick and I was the first one of the day. But the assistant dean told me they would start sending out information yesterday. I had thought she meant an e-mail or a phone call, but maybe they started sending out information packets yesterday, which could take awhile by mail.

I'm not too worried because I think they looked on my application favorably. The director even knew my CEO. But it would be nice to get the official acceptance, before I start planning my next 2 years. I don't want to count my chicken before they hatch, you know. I am very good at planning and setting goals but I do tend to get ahead of myself. Just ask my husband! ;)

So, if you get a chance, please pray for my patience. Thanks!

We had a wonderful sermon today discussing how much God loves us. It was an eye-opener, as sometimes I really take it for granted. I just think it's amazing that God would show how deep His love is by subjecting himself to human form and humbling himself enough to feel the humiliation. It touches my heart to know our God has done this for all of us. It hurts me to know that some people don't know of His love or turn their back on it.

I also think it's amazing that no matter how much we sin or how bad we may think we've been, God never fails or gives up on us. There's no limit to His love. What a wonderful message!

We went through the teachings of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, on love, which we have all heard before, at weddings or at other special times. Yet, if you take each and every characteristic in those verses, it's amazing how perfect love can be. Here it is again, just in case you don't remember each one:

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Think of these verses and each aspect of love. Do you practice these with your loved ones, or even people you may not know? I know I need to work on these things but it gives me hope to think there is one who has perfect love - God.