So, I just had a really super fun creative day playing trading spaces. As most of you know, I live in a lodge...so it's kind of like colleg living, in that I live ina big building, but occupy just a room of it. Considering my room is the one place I can go to get away (as there are people everywhere), it's kind of important for it to be homey. I thought I had already done a pretty good darn job of making it my own, but then one of my friends and I started talking about Trading Spaces and how we should try it at CooperRiis.
And that's how today happened. A friend and I decorated his room. And then he, Simon/lodge advisor (click on link--the dude above me in the pictures), and Mike/farm manager (click on link--bottom right corner) decorated my room. I didn't know it could get much better, but these guys should get paid (they didn't.) I now have a bamboo rack extending from floor to ceiling for my hats, purses, scarves. I have shelves on all of my windowsills. I have a giant branch hanging from my ceiling with pictures attached to ropes hanging off of it. An awesome, giant rock sits at the end of my bed. My books and magazines are organized. I have plants everywhere. It's beatutiful. Y'all have got to come see it!
Us girls did a pretty good job of decorating Simon's room, although I admit we didn't do quite as spectacular of a job, thinking as outside the box as they did. We did manage to turn a tree branch into a hat rack, made some curtains, created a spiritual Simon space with candles and what not, got rid of a hideous singing stuffed thing, covered the television with cloth...etc...
Of course we filmed it all and we're going to show it to our community. All in a day's work. I'm pooped.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Job Openings
Hi y'all,
Long time, no see. Well, for most of you. However, I will be in Arkansas April 13-22, so I'm looking forward to catching up. Another good way we could stay in contact: Anyone is interested in moving to North Carolina and working with me? I know this doesn't sound enticing to some of you, but I was too lazy to sift through my email for the people it might most apply to. And then there's always friends of friends (Nick, forward this along to Peter maybe), who you might want to pass this onto, if they're interested in psychology and working with people. There are 2 positions open for lodge advising that would begin at the end of April/beginning of May. It's a pretty sweet job in some aspects, challenging in others. If you think you might be interested, I can elaborate in individual emails.
Here's the job listing:
http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/SiteIndex/AssetViewer/view?asset=Job&asset-id=170007-331&sid=50593615-109-LNJnS
But a lot of the requirements have changed. Like we don't give out medications on a regular basis anymore. And you don't necessarily work on your days off (the listing makes it sound like you work all the time)--it's 40 hours in 4 days, and then your off for 3 days. An awesome schedule! Also, it makes it seem like you work in an office setting, but your really involved in working all around the farm--inside and out.
Anyway, if you're interested, apply. And say you know me.
They will also probably open up a Wellness Coordinator position in the next few weeks for people who have more of an interest in helping people through the exercise and diet program here.
And North Carolina is beautiful!
Miss you,
Ellen H.
Long time, no see. Well, for most of you. However, I will be in Arkansas April 13-22, so I'm looking forward to catching up. Another good way we could stay in contact: Anyone is interested in moving to North Carolina and working with me? I know this doesn't sound enticing to some of you, but I was too lazy to sift through my email for the people it might most apply to. And then there's always friends of friends (Nick, forward this along to Peter maybe), who you might want to pass this onto, if they're interested in psychology and working with people. There are 2 positions open for lodge advising that would begin at the end of April/beginning of May. It's a pretty sweet job in some aspects, challenging in others. If you think you might be interested, I can elaborate in individual emails.
Here's the job listing:
http://www.idealist.org/if/idealist/en/SiteIndex/AssetViewer/view?asset=Job&asset-id=170007-331&sid=50593615-109-LNJnS
But a lot of the requirements have changed. Like we don't give out medications on a regular basis anymore. And you don't necessarily work on your days off (the listing makes it sound like you work all the time)--it's 40 hours in 4 days, and then your off for 3 days. An awesome schedule! Also, it makes it seem like you work in an office setting, but your really involved in working all around the farm--inside and out.
Anyway, if you're interested, apply. And say you know me.
They will also probably open up a Wellness Coordinator position in the next few weeks for people who have more of an interest in helping people through the exercise and diet program here.
And North Carolina is beautiful!
Miss you,
Ellen H.
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
On top of the mountain
So other than trying to stuff my rain/fly flap (is that what's it called) into the pole bag, camping was great. Nor was it too cold, except for the night we stayed in the car a few hours drinking beer to the heater and old guthrie tracks, etc, before toughing it outside around the fire.
So the details:
Location: Cosby
Trails: Well, I'm not all that great with names...we hiked many miles up, then along the Appalachian trail (some of which was also up) and down and around the Snake Den trail for a total of about 12 miles. We also did another 6 mile trail into an old grove of Poplars.
Highlights: Sleeping outside of course, even if somewhat uncomfortably. Being on top of the mountain, where their was ice being blown off the trees, allowing us to feel like we were being snowed on. Wondering if we were going to run into trolls in the Poplar forest. Learning how to say Rododendron. Learning to identify things, (although not very successfully at times), like rododendron, spring beauty, trout lily, violets, habatica (or something like that), hemlock, spruce, and all the other ones I don't remember. Allowing Rick to carry the backpack hiking (too heavy for my tastes). Allowing Nick to start the fire. Okay, so allowing the boys to do basically all the work. What a vacation! Oh yeah, and the OREOS. What a blessed treat!
Oh, and let's not forget WILCO, who put on a good, long show for us. It was like 2 hours with 2 or 3 encores. I had to sit down through some of it. Having run that morning and being a little pooped from driving and anticipating seeing old, familiar friends, I just couldn't stand through the whole thing, like a fan should do. Let's see what they'd sing about? All I can remember is something about chrome devils, daffodils, making the world better, a Guthrie song.....I'm sure Rick can fill you in on the missing details. And the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville is a rad setting. And thanks to Chad and Rachel for hosting us. That was sweet. They live in this vintage building that used to be a hotel. Also a rad setting.
Pictures to come. Too lazy at this moment.
So the details:
Location: Cosby
Trails: Well, I'm not all that great with names...we hiked many miles up, then along the Appalachian trail (some of which was also up) and down and around the Snake Den trail for a total of about 12 miles. We also did another 6 mile trail into an old grove of Poplars.
Highlights: Sleeping outside of course, even if somewhat uncomfortably. Being on top of the mountain, where their was ice being blown off the trees, allowing us to feel like we were being snowed on. Wondering if we were going to run into trolls in the Poplar forest. Learning how to say Rododendron. Learning to identify things, (although not very successfully at times), like rododendron, spring beauty, trout lily, violets, habatica (or something like that), hemlock, spruce, and all the other ones I don't remember. Allowing Rick to carry the backpack hiking (too heavy for my tastes). Allowing Nick to start the fire. Okay, so allowing the boys to do basically all the work. What a vacation! Oh yeah, and the OREOS. What a blessed treat!
Oh, and let's not forget WILCO, who put on a good, long show for us. It was like 2 hours with 2 or 3 encores. I had to sit down through some of it. Having run that morning and being a little pooped from driving and anticipating seeing old, familiar friends, I just couldn't stand through the whole thing, like a fan should do. Let's see what they'd sing about? All I can remember is something about chrome devils, daffodils, making the world better, a Guthrie song.....I'm sure Rick can fill you in on the missing details. And the Tennessee Theater in Knoxville is a rad setting. And thanks to Chad and Rachel for hosting us. That was sweet. They live in this vintage building that used to be a hotel. Also a rad setting.
Pictures to come. Too lazy at this moment.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Thinking ahead.
So I'm packing up for Wilco and camping for the weekend. Yeahooo! I feel a little bit funny about seeing Wilco. I mean I definitely like what I've heard of them, but I don't own any of their CD's or anything like that. I'm sure more dedicated and deserving fans are out there. Too bad for them.
And I'm having the damndest time packing. Not for Wilco. My outfit for that is set, but for the camping part. I've never really camped in what will probably be pretty cold weather. I'm kind of a pansy when it comes to being cold, so I want to be warm, but I also don't want to pack a lot, as I'm also probably a pansy when it comes to carrying a heavy load. Well, I guess I should be greatful that this is my only dilemma for the time being. Things could be much worse. And then I'm wondering if it's nerdy to take a book or two camping. It's not like I'll get bored, but what if the conversation gets dull or we get pooped out from hikig, surely the best relaxation would be a book in the big outdoors. And a journal, right? Cause I should be recording stuff too, so that I'll have accurate notes for my next post.
Got to think ahead on these things...
And I'm having the damndest time packing. Not for Wilco. My outfit for that is set, but for the camping part. I've never really camped in what will probably be pretty cold weather. I'm kind of a pansy when it comes to being cold, so I want to be warm, but I also don't want to pack a lot, as I'm also probably a pansy when it comes to carrying a heavy load. Well, I guess I should be greatful that this is my only dilemma for the time being. Things could be much worse. And then I'm wondering if it's nerdy to take a book or two camping. It's not like I'll get bored, but what if the conversation gets dull or we get pooped out from hikig, surely the best relaxation would be a book in the big outdoors. And a journal, right? Cause I should be recording stuff too, so that I'll have accurate notes for my next post.
Got to think ahead on these things...
Friday, March 10, 2006
Hands on the Wheel
So I went to the dentist yesterday. I think it had been about 2 years since my last visit. Isn't insurance great. It didn't cost a thing to get my teeth blasted with baking soda. I also got the local gossip from the hygenist. That day in town a woman got fined a 350 dollar ticket for having both her hands off the wheel? Any clues to what she was doing? Oh geez, no. She was just putting on her make-up, which led to another story from my dear hygenist about one of her friend's daughters who totaled her car on her way to dental hygenist school, because she was brushing her teeth and lost control. Hysterical irony if you ask me. Welp, just another reminder to keep our hands on the wheel. Unless it's for a better reason than the above mentioned stories.
I skipped rugby practice yesterday (because I've started feeling obligated, and so not going was just a way to prove that rugby isn't controlling my life; plus, I was experiencing PMS and I didn't want to really hurt anybody). Ran 3.7 miles, for the second day in a row. Did a little yoga. Looked for a road bike to buy, but to no avail. Those things are expensive, especially brand new. I'll be going the used route for sure. Watched Crash, Broken Flowers, Songcatcher. So it was an anti-social day.
Today was more social. Sunny skies. 75 degrees. Babysat two rascals: twins. Went hiking with some friends, or should I say sliding down a mountain most of the way. A total muddy mess. We even had to climb down this rock face using a rope tied to a tree to reach the waterfall.
I skipped rugby practice yesterday (because I've started feeling obligated, and so not going was just a way to prove that rugby isn't controlling my life; plus, I was experiencing PMS and I didn't want to really hurt anybody). Ran 3.7 miles, for the second day in a row. Did a little yoga. Looked for a road bike to buy, but to no avail. Those things are expensive, especially brand new. I'll be going the used route for sure. Watched Crash, Broken Flowers, Songcatcher. So it was an anti-social day.
Today was more social. Sunny skies. 75 degrees. Babysat two rascals: twins. Went hiking with some friends, or should I say sliding down a mountain most of the way. A total muddy mess. We even had to climb down this rock face using a rope tied to a tree to reach the waterfall.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
See it, to believe it
For those of you who have a hard time believing I play rugby:
A Scrum:
Our team: "The French Broads"
Sometimes I'm just the water girl:
Okay, so a lot of the time:
Practice:
Post game:
The team again:
Rugger girls just about to go out for some fun:
For more pics, please visit: http://www.ashevillerugby.com/women/php/pictures.php
A Scrum:
Our team: "The French Broads"
Sometimes I'm just the water girl:
Okay, so a lot of the time:
Practice:
Post game:
The team again:
Rugger girls just about to go out for some fun:
For more pics, please visit: http://www.ashevillerugby.com/women/php/pictures.php
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Game is on...
Well, I somewhat successfully have played 2 rugby games. We have a small team (in terms of our physical, body size, not numbers) in comparison to the other teams we've played, so it's been brutal at times. I like tackling and being tackled by the bigger girls better anyway, cause it doesn't hurt as much when they break my fall.
I play flanker, so basically my only goal is to tackle and be tackled. A very versatile position. I rarely have to touch the ball. A couple nice bruises grace my knees and legs. My bones ache. My muscles are sore. My ankle got slightly twisted. All for the love of the game. Okay, so I wouldn't call it love yet, but there is a fascination that keeps me attending practice. The rugby socials are also quite fascinating, in which the ruggers (this is what rugby players are called; I'm learning the lingo) are quite frequently lesbian and who like to sing really dirty, slightly offensive songs about, well, just about anything. So the pickings are slim (for me anyways) at these female charged socials. I'm making nice friends though, which is always nice.
Finally finished reading
Otherwise, work is good. We got a full house again with 12 residents in our lodge, so the dull moments are few and far between, which keeps the clock ticking at a rapid pace. I have no idea how it's already March. I'm super looking forward to the Wilco concert and seeing friends in Knoxville, in less than 2 weeks. And even more super looking forward to being in Arkansas/Oklahoma for 10 days come April. It's better than birthdays.
I play flanker, so basically my only goal is to tackle and be tackled. A very versatile position. I rarely have to touch the ball. A couple nice bruises grace my knees and legs. My bones ache. My muscles are sore. My ankle got slightly twisted. All for the love of the game. Okay, so I wouldn't call it love yet, but there is a fascination that keeps me attending practice. The rugby socials are also quite fascinating, in which the ruggers (this is what rugby players are called; I'm learning the lingo) are quite frequently lesbian and who like to sing really dirty, slightly offensive songs about, well, just about anything. So the pickings are slim (for me anyways) at these female charged socials. I'm making nice friends though, which is always nice.
Finally finished reading
Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Outcome: Depressing. I guess it's good to be at a healing farm if I must be depressed. But seriously, I'm by no means a "it has to be happily ever after" kind of person to enjoy a book. I tend to like sad, serious, even messed-up stuff. But this was just an intense kind of realism in which all the characters ended in the bottom of their darkest pits with no way out. Maybe I missed the glimmer of hope at the end. Promise, I looked hard. Just couldn't find it. True enough.
Otherwise, work is good. We got a full house again with 12 residents in our lodge, so the dull moments are few and far between, which keeps the clock ticking at a rapid pace. I have no idea how it's already March. I'm super looking forward to the Wilco concert and seeing friends in Knoxville, in less than 2 weeks. And even more super looking forward to being in Arkansas/Oklahoma for 10 days come April. It's better than birthdays.
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