“The past is gone; the future is not coming yet. This moment is a beautiful moment.”
-Quote nabbed from Nathan Thomas Hall’s Buddhist Teacher
Living in the moment is something I’ve struggled with lately. My thoughts are all on future plans or past experiences and being content with or even realizing where I am does not occur to me. Oregon has been a place of huge ups and downs, I’ve never been so far from home for such a long time, and I’ve never had a job that was life consuming. I joined the military with the main goal of financial stability and gaining work experience, but I’ve had to give up some freedoms (like traveling to Mexico and calling in sick) that have made me question my decision. So while I reflect I am going to make a list of 5 things I have learned while living on the Wet Coast.
- Surfing/Snowboarding. I had never surfed a day in my life before coming out here, and it’s something I am still a complete novice at, however it is one hobby that has kept me going on the dreariest days. Even though I mainly get pummeled and salt water drains from my nose for hours after it’s the closest I can get to having beautiful moments. Snowboarding is the one thing that makes me want to stay in Oregon for another winter, and makes me sad to know I’m not going to be drinking beers/bloody mary’s at the lodge this year.
- Waking up early. I would not say I’ve learned to enjoy this, but I am physically capable of arriving on time at 0430 for bar patrol. I feel so angry and tired walking down the “green mile” to the boat house, but once we’re underway and I see the sunrise and the pelicans swooping down for the morning meal I realize that Tillamook Bay is a pretty special place and it’s unlikely I’ll have many more chances to wake up on the Pacific Ocean.
- Marksmanship. Carrying/shooting guns is something I never expected to like, but now I totally get why people do it. It’s weird how carrying a gun makes you feel strangely powerful and like a total badass. It’s also great because now my Dad and I have a hobby and we can talk some of the same language.
- How to Knit. Sitting in the tower for hours with no one to talk to will make you either go crazy or read a lot of books, I ended up reading a knitting book, and now I have some really awesome beanies. It also lets me channel some creative energy and I can craft nerdy christmas presents for all my friends.
- Girls are awesome (and way less drama prone than one might think). I’ve had the privilege to work with some amazing females at this station and it makes me sad that I can’t take them with me. Since we now have two female boat drivers I’ve been able to get underway with a mostly female boat crew and this is something that makes me so happy. I know that even 10 years ago this would never have happened. We make an amazing crew as females, and what some might say we lack in strength we make up for in endurance and team work.
Now of course I’ll share some pictures from my past weeks adventures!
Delicious red huckleberry. Tasty treat while riding bikes near Netarts Bay.
Stump with interesting growths found while looking for Morels in the forest.
Dead tree lurking above Netarts Bay.
Duke, one of the sexiest dogs I’ve ever met.
This book even demonstrated what type of cat you should get according to your personal style.
Square near the mall in downtown Seattle. Lots of fashionable people and homeless people.
Seattle Public Library. My hotel was right across the street from this building and it fascinated me from every angle.
Two hip creatures inside the library.
Tangerine colored baby shrooms on the forest floor.
Nighttiming 