Summer Break Pt. I

This summer started with the Santa Cruz Mountains burning in 4 different places. It seemed like an ominous beginning to my first summer without specific plans since before I started high school.

This summer I have chosen not to work nor to vacation internationally, mainly because of the dominating costs and my want to spend more time with Meghan, my friends and my family. I realize that it is a luxury, as a teacher to have this much time to play around with, but I think and hope that it will increase my happiness quotient. (random fact: The country of Bhutan actually measures its GNH Gross National Happiness)

I did begin working on the farm that works with the Santa Cruz Homeless Garden Project, but I will write more about after I spend more time there. Along with this vacationing, I hope to get involved with my community

...

The first week was surprisingly difficult as I discovered that Newtons first law (an object in motion remains in motion unless acted upon by an equal and opposite force) applies to teachers and summer break. I had no idea what to do with all of my time. I wanted to relax but found myself unable to. So, I got together with my old high school buddy, Dominick and decided that we should go backpacking in Yosemite.

And being the privileged vacation-prone people that we are we did it. We spent 3 days in and around Yosemite's Tuolumne meadows. Over 3 days we hiked about 25 miles from an elevation of 8,000 ft to an elevation of 11,000 feet. The trails we hiked on were just thawing from their winter hibernation... meaning that they were muddy, snow covered and extremely mosquito-ridden in some places.

We saw Marmots, Prairie dogs, White tail deer, bear scat, wild rivers and streams, frozen lakes, alpine tundra, and boy scouts. It was a wonderful experience and it left both of us wanting to stay longer.

I am sure it wont be my only backpacking trip this summer, but it sure was an amazing one to start with. Dom had to be back to continue his job search, and i had to return for my next adventure: The Kate Wolf Music Festival and my bike ride down the California coast. But more of that to come. Until then here are some backpacking pictures and a link to where you can see more.

River Thoughts

Dinner Prep

Ireland Lake, Frozen in all its glory

Dom and Daren on top of another Pass.

----------------
Now playing: Dolorean - You Can't Win
via FoxyTunes

You guys rock

Just wanted to say thanks to the responsive public. Lets keep the avenue open for discussion. Anyone have any thoughts about Obama's recent nomination--should Hillary be his his vice nomination or will he be ok on his own?

----------------
Now playing: Nina Simone - Little Girl Blue (The Postal Service Remix)
via FoxyTunes

not feeling extremely reflective

Summer is on the horizon. I can see it, yet at times it just feels so far away.
It's June and I am so looking forward to being done with the school year. Kids are a little crazy, but the reality is--the stress of preparing, grading and planning is just getting to me. I need a break.

This is the last week of instruction and next week we have graduation and conferences and cleaning my classroom and compiling data for my school (WHAT??!!). yeah, its all coming.

Its funny because I look so foreword to summer, but I'm really not sure what I'm going to do with myself. I know I need to relax, but it will be weird not to have any work. I feel like I've been putting everything off until summer begins (not really the best excuse).

Well I guess the title of this post is suiting, I'm just not sure what else to talk about. Although, I would enjoy if anyone who reads my blog could please click on the little comment button. And say something. It gets hard to get motivated to write when I'm not sure if anyone is reading. Thanks

Listening to: random classical music at the coffee shop