Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Fall is upon us! Where did the chickadee go?

How quickly it appears, like the sun rising over the horizon- one minute its not there, and then the next its all around you. Trail running has helped keep me in touch more with the seasons. I notice changes sooner since you see all the little things happening in the woods. Its a wonderful time of year, when the fall transition comes. I love the cooler mornings and dew covered grasses. The golds and oranges start to take precedence, and everything smells like earth and leaves... until you leave the countryside that it. Then who knows...
This semester is going well at school. I am learning a ton and the reality that I will be heading into the 'fray' in less than 10 months is both exciting and a little nerve wracking. I have been finding it hard to find time to get my long runs in, and just get out and run when I can. It is important to me to really do well scholastically, not only because I am really hoping for some grants to come to fruition due to the extra effort but because this is my future, and it is all relevant. I try to really soak in as much as possible, until I am overflowing with info...lol not hard to do these days.
I miss attending Aikido classes with my dad- the feeling of the mat and just practicing with him. Reflecting on that makes me realize it is really the only thing we have shared, besides a love for reading and collecting books. I hope that I can get a class in soon, as I do not want to let too much time go by...as if it is up to me, right? lol "Whoa, too much time going by...better hold some back..."
It seems to avalanche on you, the passing of time. First we chase after things, some are practical goals and others as elusive as a chickadee in flight through the trees. Our lives are a collection of goals and setbacks, of stumbles and stellar finishes. I am grateful to have the resources and ambition to continue going after what I am passionate about, learning and growing while I go through the motions that bring me ever closer.  Grateful and thankful-especially to be chasing the chickadee, who, through a quick glimpse here and there, leads me on...

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Fall semester 2012...

Ah, to wake up to pre-calculus every day of the week...brings me such joy. It is that time of year again, and I am back at school pursuing the never ending path of Architecture. One of the blessings here at Madison College is that they brew their own coffee in the cafeteria, all sorts of flavors for all sorts of folks...love it. All 21 credits this semester...whew!
I will FINALLY be applying to UWM this Wednesday, so excited to be getting the ball rolling on that! I have this semester and one more in Spring and then it is time to make the move to Milwaukee! That will be such a big change in my life, looking forward to all the adventure it will bring...
Timeline wise, after the big move I will probably be looking at about 2.5 more years to finish up the Bachelors, and then I will be applying to the Masters program (or dual Masters, rather) for Architecture and Urban Planning. Fast forward an additional 3 years for that- then what?

Honestly, who knows. I will of course be chasing IDP hours and internships while trying to eventually sit for the ARE exams. I am in no rush, but would like to get there eventually. Most of all I am trying to enjoy the ride, to soak up as much as I can, because to me this is fun. I am shaping my own future in a way, building a career. Every day I am moving farther into an unknown place, and that is exciting to me.
One thing that I truly love about Architecture is that there are so many options available as far as what road you take, or end up on. Personally, I plan on relocating to Portland, Oregon upon graduation...trail runners heaven up there, while the communities seem to be more environmentally minded and conscious of sustainable practices...call it a movement if you will. It is merely the direction my internal compass is pointing, a goal I have in mind.
I am going to be trying to document more of the journey so I can look back on these ramblings while sipping coffee some mornings, and see how far (or not) I have come.
Enjoy the day, I know I will~