Working Pedometer

So...as it turns out, yesterday, my pedometer only read about 2,100 steps for a FULL day of work. FULL day mind you. I know this is not correct. Thus, I tried again this morning, but to no avail. It read 0. I DEFINITELY knew there was a problem, i.e. my pedometer was broken/nonfunctional/not working/*insert your choice of words*. Time passes and during my "break" in between activities, I kind of pulled it away from the casing and looked at the back....the equivalent to the "motherboard"/hard drive of a computer. Came to find that the little mechanism that moves up and down - hitting the sensor that tracks the steps - was stuck. So, somehow, without knowing it, I un-stuck it and it worked.....started working.

Other than work, which went pretty good, and after work was done, I worked out - as usual - after a lunch (spacing it out as one should) and then I just did whatever until dinner - which was late. Part of my afternoon activities, sadly, was starting to go through my room....all of my stuff. It is rather depressing, and I got really discouraged - still am - but I know I just need to get rid of just about everything.... :/ Wasn't fun, won't be fun, but is such a necessity.

Two Days

So....my mum and I saw "Karate Kid" yesterday…subtitles were AWFUL! They were a transparent white that one could barely see. I missed half of them because they were white on white background. The musical notes and "(music playing)" where in a solid yellow, as well as other unimportant notes. Why is it that the least important parts of the movie were the easiest captions to see? I hope not ALL captioned films are like this. I had quite the awful experience and hope that the next film I see is nothing like this one. I feel sorry for Deaf people if this is the only stuff that people see/the "best" that OC gets.....it's more of a challenge for Deaf people to see. *insert sad face here*

But anywho, yesterday started week two of summer. Already it has been interesting – again. Today, a gal fell off one of the horses, getting off. I had to catch at least one other person. It is AMAZING how many times in a row one must say something in order for kids to remember. Kids just DON'T listen. Grumble, grumble, grumble. I want them to be safe. I want them to have fun. But that can't happen if they don't listen and - knowingly or unknowingly - do things that are not safe.

Today, I had work in the morning, a massage appointment thereafter, and then a chiro appt following that. I then worked out, came home to settle some "affairs" and topped the day with dinner - I didn't get a lunch, and only had a minimal amount of a morning tea. Yesterday was as busy, I'm sure....I just don't remember. My days, starting since spring term, have just blend together. I don't know what I did when. My sense of time is going out the window.

Well, think that is about all the "excitement" for now. Things will happen, and I'll try to write them down, but no promises. We'll see where tomorrow takes me. I have a list of things to do, none of which are getting done fast, and this saddens me most. But, we'll see what happens. Hopefully things will work out for the best. Although, I must say, that one of the support counselors today made me laugh so hard I was tearing up, doubling over with laughter, and I couldn't breathe.....ah. Thanks Audrey. Smile.

Sore, sore, sore

I am in pain from being so sore from working yesterday. I hurt to move and I think I hurt almost everywhere but my lower back - where I formerly had some discomfort from past activity. But, I'm taking Ibuprofen and that seems to help some, but not even 800mg can seem to cease the pain. Tried sitting on some ice for my quads, and that just numbed them for a short spell...hands hurt pretty bad from supporting my weight, but there is nothing a good paraffin wax bath won't do to fix/help with that.

We have royal family camp this week, so that means I need to wear a name card with my name and picture. Will be an interesting week - hopefully non campers will fall off the horse and me have to catch them. But it should be a nice sunny week, again. We'll see where it takes me. Theoretically, I get to see an OC film on Monday. Yesterday didn't happen 'cause I decided I wanted to earn a little extra money - soon to be deposited into savings. As much I would have liked to go watch it on a weekend, life happens and we don't always get what we want. But at least I'll get to see it, right? Well, the plan is that I'll work in the morning, and then my mum and I will go to the movie for the evening showing, since the morning showing is when I work. I'm only sorry I don't have a vehicle to drive myself to places such as the movies or the store...would allow for more flexibility, but I'll take what I can get, even if it's not exactly how I would like.

Anywho, need to jet to get something to eat since I have chapel - Sunday night Bible study for staff before the week starts - and though I normally eat between 6:00pm and 7:00pm - on a good day - I need to eat a bit earlier so I won't be late going down (w/my dad.)

Chau.

First Week of Sumner Work Is Over

So, camp ended yesterday, and today I was going to go see an OC (Open Caption) movie with my mum, but I was given a work opportunity and worked for several hours today to earn a little extra cash. It was rather hot, since most of it was in the sun. I wouldn't doubt if I had a bit of a burn, though I'm not feeling it and my skin doesn't seem red at all. I did some yard work, which included moving rocks, pulling weeds, and removing rubbish from the rocks. Nothing too interesting, but fairly hard work, and a bit grueling. My back is feeling it now, but I'll be okay. Just need to take it easy tonight and tomorrow.

Other than that, not much has happened today. Nothing interesting.

Today – Nothing Interesting

Well, it wasn't a blistering 80º or however hot it was yesterday, but it was quite humid. Heat I don't mind as much as humidity, but those poor ponies...with saddles and kids getting on and off, and moving around in the heat of the day....

Okay so I don't feel too sorry for them, but still feel a wee bit bad considering weather conditions.

Speaking of horses: due to request of a certain individual - names to remain unspoken - I will divulge a little about my driving experience. Not car driving, but horse driving. That's right: I am learning how to harness, hook up, and drive a horse pulling a wagon - 15 passenger I believe. It's been fun, and yesterday, we - "we" being us at the ranch/barn - harnessed up and hooked to the wagon our draft (mix) Brooke to the wagon. It was a little easier the second time around. We then drove down to the ranch (not far away,) turned around, and picked up the kids.

As we were making our way down to day camp (opposite end of the canyon) to drop off the campers to do the zip line, Ren handed me the reins and said "Here: you drive." So, I took the reins and drove. I've discovered how soft of a voice I have when it comes to horse cues.

So, with two trips down and back for the zip line, we then headed to main camp to give the overnight campers a ride around. Two groups for this session as well. I drove quite a bit and it was good experience. Sadly, I doubt it will happen again, for, I found out earlier today as I was kicking out the ponies - that's horsey term for put them out to pasture - I was informed that the wagon rides will now be done in the mornings....all of the days I will be doing pony rides down at the day camp.

Alas....my days of driving are all but at an end. Woe is me.....Not really. I'll be alright. I'm sure there will be another time or two that I might get to drive. If not, hay: at least I had the opportunity now and the chance not many get...though I doubt it will do anything for my resume.

Back to today....finished a DVD project for a friend, and am a few transitions - literally - away from another DVD project from my Alternative Break experience from back in December. Will burn the AB DVD and send copies to my trip advisers back in Monmouth. Hope they like it/like what I have. Am sad I didn't take more video, but I'll be okay.

Me thinks that is about it for today. Today wasn't that exciting, considering no campers almost bit the dust dismounting - getting off of a horse - though I am actually very happy, since that means no injury and the like. Weather was what it was, and I didn't have to be at work, not until early afternoon, allowing for a chiro appt and time to workout in the morning.

Still am a bit sore and very tired and exhausted after work, even on my "light" days, but it's good for me and I'm racking up quite the steps...though I forgot my pedometer today, so I don't know how far I walked, but am estimating an easy 5000 steps.

*** Remember: I only am counting steps related to going to work, time at work, and coming home from work.

Note: I walk to work for those who may not know. It's a pathway down into a canyon that takes me no more than 10 minutes to walk to where I need to be to prep the ponies, then it's about another 10 minute walk to the corral at the day camp, since the ponies are so slow - for whatever reason.

Closing for the night.

11720.......16965

Steps.
That's right: steps I took today related to work.
The first number is regarding day camp (morning) and then the second number is adding on evening activities. (Subtract them and you'll find the amount for just the evening.)

Today will be a MUCH shorter blog.

Today, at work, I had at least two campers almost totally fall off the horse as they were getting off. No wonder: they didn’t listen to what I was saying. That’s why we try to emphasize to LISTEN to the instructors at the beginning of the activity.

Anywho, earlier this afternoon, I got to help harness and hook up to the wagon out (camp’s) draft horse. Heck, Ren – the horsemanship director – tossed me the reins today as we were taking the kids down to the zip line. I drove quite a bit today. *big grin*

Today, I was inspired:

You know you are a horse person when:
– you reach in your back pocket to pull out the bailing twine and find a hoof pick (true story)
– the smell of horse is one of your favorites, if not your favorite, and you soak in the smell after a short leave of absence
- you use horse terms without even noticing it until someone asks “What’s that?”/”What does that mean?”


That’s it for today folks.

Here's a quote I found to be rather challenging, very TRUE, and something to think about.
Something to chew on:
"Christianity, in its purest for, is nothing more than seeing Jesus.
Christian service, in its purest form, is nothing more than imitating him who we see."
– Max Lucado, "You: God's Brand New Idea"

Wednesday, 23 June 2010

There are those that wish me to blog about my life….or what’s left of it. My guess? About 60-70 years….or so I hope. Though, I don’t plan to blog that long necessarily. Anywho, it was strongly suggested that I just blog a little “everyday.” It may be daily, it may be every few days...depends on how I feel. I have tons of other things to do...but as Aunt Carrie says "Five sentences..." well, today, you all (if anyone is even reading this) get about five paragraphs.

To start off, as many/all may know, I graduated from Western Oregon University 12 June 2010 with my B.A. in Spanish with a Communication Studies Minor. Though many don’t know – and I personally feel – don’t understand that Spanish is not the avenue that I wish to persue, nor is it something that I ever had a passion for; an interest: yes. A passion: no. Before I took ASL (American Sign Language) classes – starting my junior year – I did have an interest in Spanish. I never really did know what to do/what I wanted to do with it, but I just decided to major in it and just go with it since, at the time, that was the only thing I was “good” at and the only language I had studied at the time, since my H.S. only had Spanish coursework. It’s hard for people to think that I have a passion different than that of what people thought I had a passion for before. But in truth: I never had a passion, just an interest. I’m sure that if I had the opportunity to take ASL classes back in H.S., my major would be different. I know this is something I'm passionate about 'cause other people notice it, too. I have had a good handful of people already comment....if that isn't enough to say that it's not just another thing I'm "interested" in, then I don't know what is.

So, I’m finding myself back at home for the summer until I move back to Monmouth in September, where I plan to work part-time (more than just a few hours a week,) and go back to school part-time to take more ASL classes to keep up on my skill, have more access to the Deaf community, and I feel I will be much happier where I will have more access to people who are fighting with me for me to become more independent and helping me gain more freedom for myself. I have my license, but that hasn’t proven to give me as much opportunity or freedom as I had hoped, though it is a step in the right direction and allows me for more opportunity to do something I enjoy and will help give me a better idea of which direction I wish to take for my future career.

Anywho….off of me ranting and being as raw and brutaltally honest as I can without offending anyone or pointing fingers, etc. I’ll give a brief update about today up until now since it’s getting late and I should get back to bed in order to be well-rested for tomorrow.

Today was day three of work. Better than day one (by FAR) and better than yesterday. The weather is improving, though that means I need to keep an eye on the horses more. Oh: let me back up. I am the pony ride leader for the day camp at Canyonview Camp. I am in charge of bringing the horses down – i.e. preparing them by grooming and saddling – and then leading them down to turn them out in the corrale. I have to now monitor their water bucket, which I set up today, and have to be sure I always have at least ¾ a bucket of water ready to refill. I find this easier than continually hiking to the creek, although I had to do it thrice my first time setting up my “watering system.”

In any case, I help the campers get on the horse, lead them around, do a little trotting if they feel comfortable and then rotate through the group. Today, I clocked my steps with a pedometer….and today was weird/unusually/not a “normal” day, but then again, no day this week has been “normal.” But I walked over 9000 steps I belive – if memory serves me correct. And that was only about half of the day. I didn’t even clock the rest, but I do remember I walked over 4.6 miles (I think it was 4.667 miles.)

Anyways, it will be interesting to see how far I walk from home to work, around work, and back home again. Not quite sure what to look forward to anymore since things seem to change at the drop of a pin, or a dime, or whatever small, metal object people tend to drop. But, I’ll close for now. I could write more on stories about work or my true frustrations on life and home and what I do or don’t like about what is going on….but that would probably leave me….let’s just say in a world of hurt. It’s hard when one wants to truly express how they feel but can’t bcause they are afraid of what….powers that be will do/say and the consequences of one’s true expression. I really can’t feel I can be as honest as I would like now that I’m home. I feel a bit afraid at times to say something, for it will spread quicker than wildfire to just about everyone, and then things tend to go downhill in that there is more tension that builds. I am afraid to say how I feel for fear of punishment, anger, blame, and other negative feelings directed at me. And I can’t do anything about it because I’m given this label as “kid” as “child” to keep me “in my place,” to keep me from gaining that independence….to be controlled. Hence: I need to move out. As HORRIBLE of an economy as it is, and as much as I will struggle and maybe not even make it, I need to try, or I will be so miserable and unhappy until….well, until whenever I can break through that bondage of limitation I feel so much when I’m away from that group of support I found in Monmouth.

That’s all for now.