North Carolina

So, I've finished the final course of my contract and my goals for this time off (Six weeks from course end to the start of New Staff Training) were essentially to relax, recuperate, and write about the last two years of my life. Instead, I went and played in North Carolina. A BUNCH. The first trip up there was with Amy A, Sue, Dan, and Dani and it involved a lot of wine, whitewater canoeing and rafting, playing games, going on walks, etc. But the mountain air was so crisp and cool and refreshing...it was just a wonderful week in general.

Getting ready to hit the river on Day 2, when I had decided it was time to try out whitewater canoeing.

I had Dani take this picture right after getting on the river, because I was fairly sure I would only stay in the canoe for about ten minutes.

Amy A bringing the canoe down the homestretch of the river.

Upon my return to Fernandina Beach, I spent a few days with friends, watched the Royal Wedding, and went right back up to the cabin the following week.

Gotta love the look on Amy's face.

Joanna coming down the chute.

Hmmm...

I've been trying this new thing lately where I stay off facebook, and off the internet in general when I'm not working in an effort to write more. The writing is happening, yet the staying off the internet is difficult. So I've combined the two.

I have a lot of family and friends who are really far away from me, yet consistently ask me for updates on my life. As many a blog is born...this one is also created to keep people up to date, but also for me to make a record of this crazy life. I only wish I had started this thing four years ago, when things really got interesting, but no time like the present. So here it goes.

Right now I'm a lead instructor with Outward Bound in the Southeast. Down here we work specifically with "At-risk" populations, and in a year and a half, I've worked with adjudicated youth (kids who have been in the court system and/or detention facilities), kids who are on the way toward becoming adjudicated, and kids from around the country who have gotten in trouble or have little to no motivation, but their families can fund an Outward Bound trip for them. It's been a crazy ride so far and I'm coming to the end of it in the next couple of months here. For now.

More to come...