Lost and Found

For as much as I travel with my job, I almost consider my car to be my first home and my actual house to be my second. Thus, my car has so many of the luxuries that are "necessities" while travelling... navigation system, satellite radio, multiple charger port, etc. My nav sytem is pretty good, and sometimes it ends up being a "little" off...this being one of those times.

This week I have been travelling through SE WA and had to see a client about 2 hours away in NE OR. In the past I have taken a smaller highway to get to Hwy 84 and there is a little shortcut that shaves about 10 minutes off the route. The problem is I couldn't always remember exactly where it is, but I figured that my nav system would find it since it looks for the shortest route. So when it said to turn left at a certain point that looked vaguely familiar, I turned... and realized that it wasn't the correct place. I knew I was going to be a little late as a result, and that I was too far into the path to turn around without being really late, so I continued on. This new path took me on a 2 lane highway through a beautiful national forest and as I had to navigate the sharp turns rather slowly, it forced me to look around. I counted no less than 5 deer off to the sides in the forest; the trees were blazing in their fall colors, there was a stunning view of a glassy lake off to my right, and I don't remember seeing evergreens so tall. I am sure that there are many on my travels...I just don't pay attention as I am whizzing past at 60 (OK, 70) miles an hour. With so much going on in my life right now, I know that it can get so easy to get caught up in the things that have to get done--work, school, boyfriend, friends, family, etc--that I can miss out on the things that have to get experienced. Driving the 60 miles through the forest forced me to contemplate and consider the beauty of God's creation in ways that I haven't bothered to in a long time, and I am grateful for the opportunity. In the end, I wasn't late at all, I arrived just when I needed to to meet my client.

While all of these technological advances exist to make our lives easier, they are indeed man-made devices and thus are imperfect. My nav system, while amazing most of the time, still sometimes sends me down a road that doesn't exist, misses an exit that I *know* I should be taking, suggests an impractical route, or sends me down a 2 lane highway instead of the 4 lane freeway.

And sometimes, it sends me exactly where I need to be.

And so it begins (again)...

I have been trying to come up with something interesting to write about, had a few flashes of brilliance, and then decided I was too picky about what I write. :) Today I start my next session for my doctorate, and rather than take the customary one class, I have decided to double up to finish a little sooner. I tried this once before, and I didn't see my friends for almost two months, my parents were threatening to put me on a milk carton, and Fabulous Boyfriend developed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. So why would I attempt this again (Seriously, FB is sufficiently worried)? Because this time I got smart and am doing 2 easy classes instead of two really hard ones. At least, that is what I am telling myself. And that this will be worth it when I graduate in two years instead of three and a half.

Woo-hoo!

Love dogs, except...

...for the one that keeps leaving presents in my front yard. First thing in the morning. Exactly where I need to step to get into my car to go to work. And by the size of said gifts, I am estimating it is a Saint Bernard or small bear. I don't have a problem with dogs--grew up with them, love them, blah blah blah, but I've never liked cleaning up after them even when they were mine, let alone some random neighbor's. That is my post/rant for the moment...

Opening Day...

...so under inspiration from my friend Krista, I have decided to at least begin a blog. I am not sure about how much I will have to say (or reveal), but only time will tell. So, a little about me: I am from Tacoma, WA and currently work for a hearing aid manufacturer as a sales rep. I own a house out here (bought all by myself...yay for me!) and travel quite a bit with my job. I recently downsized from 5 states to 2, which makes my life 10 times easier... I have been dating a wonderful guy for just over a year and I am so blessed to have him in my life. Oh, and I am also going to school to earn a doctorate as well. Life is busy! :) So keep tuned...