Last days

So much has been happening this last week. The headline of it all is capstone festival, a presentation of everyone's final senior projects. My presentation in front of 200+ people is this Friday. Before this, there will be a flood of goodbyes, some tears and embracing every minute I'm here before I leave.

I'm more excited than nervous at this point to go home, swapping teachers, classrooms and papers for bosses, libraries (and coffee shops) and accounts.

This is it. I'm done with college.

"You're not going back; you're moving forward."

Fort Ord

I went mountain biking for the first time by myself in Fort Ord. Although its known to be confusing, I made it through without getting lost. I absolutely loved one of the trails as there were tons of turns and short elevation changes; I went back and forth through it five times! I can't wait to keep biking at home in the spring!

Working out outside makes me feel like I'm on top of the world. Nature blasts bad moods, sad moods, mixed moods and gives you tons of energy. I am so happy I came to Monterey and rediscovered my love for the outdoors.

Today, I went to target first to get a new pair of headphones and park my bike next to another. Still content with what I was riding...

When farmers market produce is about to go bad

Casserole time! Leftover broccoli, string beans and mushrooms with pork and a can of mushroom soup plus black pepper and soy sauce to taste. Scoop some over brown rice for extra heartiness! Yum!

Don't forget to breathe: Skydive documentary

There's cheese in those burgers

Adios CSU Adventuring

I've done so much outdoor with CSUMB from backpacking and hiking to kayaking and rock climbing. I've camped, disc golfed and biked all for class credit.

Friday was my last kayaking class, my last course with my favorite outdoor professor. That was my last collegiate final and the only class of my college career that I truly learned everyday right up to the very end.

We kayaked down from Del Monte beach to the buoy one nautical mile offshore toward Lover's Point. We kayaked between rocks, timing the waves. My giggling verified what my professor said: exploring through rocks in a sea kayak is incredibly fun.

We saw seals fighting over who could stay sitting on the edge of the buoys. We found a dead bay sunfish and studied it, then saw seals and birds fighting over it moments later. We saw an otter with a bloody nose: "it's female. Do you know how you can tell?" "Nope, why" "Because she just mated. A male bites her nose and comes up behind her to mate. The males are much longer..."

We played one last game of tag then headed back sharing stories and laughs. I'm really going to miss adventuring for school credit. It was by far a highlight of my stay here in California.

Kelly's First Skydive - Video fixed

Video is so frustrating. Good thing I'm not a TAT major!

New Years Resolution

Once again a not-so-manic Monday

Everything about today was awesome. I made progress on the job that starts in January, heard back from an interested publisher, gave food to a homeless man, biked down to Monterey, had Chinese food that I was craving, took a nap, tried an awesome coffee sampler, went to class that got out early and am eating an eggplant lasagna dish I made yesterday.

Everything about today makes me smile.

Eggplant sliced and baked with olive oil and garlic salt layered with butternut squash sauce, hard boiled egg, onion, spice and cheese is all about to be in my belly. It's weirdly delicious.

Healthy snack idea

Potato sliced and baked with garlic salt, sea salt and pepper with a smashed avocado with a drop of avocado

California Breakfast

San Francisco sour dough from my trip, Monterey Jack cheese and avocado. Can't get any more Californian

Why San Fran is not the city for me

1. If you want a mile in any direction you end up in a bad part of town

2. My bank doesn't like San Fran (for many reasons)

3. Everyone's opinions are so in your face

4. Hills kick my butt

San Fran Thanksgiving

Japan Center twice, Haight-Ash and Castro, The Stinking Rose with fellow travelers, Fisherman's Wharf and my first hostel experience was all conquered in two days.

While sitting across the Golden Gate with a smile on my face from high fiving fellow runners across the bridge, I think of how different tonight's dinner will be compared to last years. I think of how different my life was just a few months ago when I was here. I've got so much to be thankful for.

Tonight I'll have thanksgiving with two Canadians who insist thanksgiving was in October, and we'll talk of all we're thankful for.

Past 10 Days

I have camped in Ventana twice, once in Los Padres (Big Sur) and once in Arryo Seco, filmed a documentary, utilized legal drinking and hiked Garapatta (Sobranes) all within the past 10 days.

The first three day camping trip was done through the outdoor adventure club. It was a nice laid back camping trip with some decent hiking. I met a few new friends and got to hang out with my Quebec friends. It was a fun trip with lots of food and beautiful views of the Pacific.

The documentary shooting of a manufacturing manager turned skydiver was quite an experience. Everything that could go wrong did. I've learned that even when I work with my friends, group projects stink. Anytime where responsibility is supposed to be divided equally, it's not. I'm so happy I'm in journalism and get to work with people without running into this power dynamic time and time again.

The second camping trip was just 3 days after the first one. It was a trail clearing trip, although locations were change due to rain. Most of the students were a part of a class while a few people and myself were just along for the ride. We didn't do an awful amount of trail work; it was a laid back trip, but it was fun and I learned a lot. I learned different knots and facts about trees and stars. The professor of the class, a teacher I have had a few classes with, brought his two dogs which was fun. I miss my Jack.

Today I am using a spa gift card to get a massage then packing and getting ready for San Francisco. I am excited to spend this trip with Lindsey.

After this trip I will know some of the results of fellowship applications and other writing opportunities. Exciting stuff

Food and Outdoors

If you haven't noticed a theme in this semester, I can spell it out for you: food and outdoors.

I am so happy I came to the Monterey Peninsula because the opportunity to get outside is available each day, rain or shine. Yesterday, my adventure sports class headed out in the rain to play disc golf, an interesting sport I have never heard of which is essentially golfing with frisbees.

This weekend I will be camping in I believe Vincente Flat in Big Sur. Most of the hike is facing the ocean; there will be panoramic views of cliffs and redwoods; I will be in heaven.

Next weekend is a trail clearing trip in a part of Big Sur I camped in last semester. I'm super excited for back to back camping weekends.

I am a bit nervous to come home after this semester and live in a place without these opportunities. I will definitely be volunteering for Sandy relief and joining hiking/kayaking clubs as well as getting friends together to go camping. Until then, I am definitely exploiting these chances to get outside and meet new people while I can!

Breakfast

I miss the simple meals I had in Italy

Who says healthy cant taste good

Brussel sprouts with evoo, balsamic, sea salt, pepper, and a bit of mozzarella

Who says college kids eat crap?

Nature Nature Everywhere

Topics not covered in this video but should be mentioned:

The Conversation Just Transpired Between Myself and My Roommate
"I love this [collectors old school Campbell's can]! It holds my pens and markers. I want to take it to college."
Bursting out laughing: "I'm sorry honey, but you're about to graduate."
"Ooooops," I saw huddling toward the door in embarrassment. "I meant take it home. I'll put it on my desk at work and carrying with me while I travel and I can use it to press up against the wall to hear things and right stories about them"
"I'm so glad I just cleaned the floor because laying on it laughing wouldn't be this fun."

The Bike High-five
I was biking down to Monterey yesterday to kayak and was enjoying a large downhill with my arms out wide as if I were an airplane. This older man riding one of those low bikes that have you so leaned back since your pedal is way atop your front wheel was riding in the opposite direction. He started mimicking me and smiling. It wasn't creepy although it may sound a bit sketchy. Once we got to the point of passing each other, we high-fived and he yelled out "perfect!" I shouted back "enjoy the day!" It was a nice moment of strangers sharing a nice bike ride across the beach on a clear day. Unfortunately, my faith in humans was lost later that day when a strange man was "swimming" (really dancing and singing) in the bay as my kayak class came back in and loaded up the trailer.

How Scared I am Not to Always Have Super Fun, Outdoorsy Weekends
I have faith in myself to keep doing what I love, working out or doing some kind of adventure sport in nature, although it is so much easier to do here. I have a list of trails and places I want to go in Jersey, so my friends better be ready! Plus, I will be doing meet ups.

my weekend:
Thursday: 8am class, library, night hike in Ventana with adventure sports class
Friday: Breakfast with Lindsey, bike to Monterey, kayak with group 1, swim in the bay for the first time with a wetsuit, recharge with power food (banana, nuts, luna bar), kayak again with group 2, plan more camping trips
Saturday: Wake up early and head over to Santa Cruz to watch a surf competition with friends. Surf was flat so it was cancelled, but we shopped and ate and beached and ate instead. I bought a  bathing suit to lay out in since it was 25 degrees (C). I went in the Pacific for the first time in a bathing suit. A friend and I ran on the beach a bit. We hit a farmers market on the way back (as I typed We hit a farmer, I realize I could have put that nicer, oops). I came back and biked to the sunset then Target with Lindsey.
Sunday: I will be making pumpkin pancakes with my roommate, then we'll bike down to a movie and enjoy some indian food with friends. Can't wait.

I ended up in paragraph form, oops. I would correct it if I wasn't so tired from the hiking, biking, kayaking, running, beaching, lack of sleeping. Good thing we fall back and gain an hour of sleep tonight!

Oyasumi (that's goodnight in Japanese, a language I will eventually be conversational in)

Hike, Bike and Kayak

Leftovers

Leftover squash with onion, whole wheat elbows, olive oil and garlic salt topped with cheese

KELLYS FIRST EARTHQUAKE

I have been waiting for a mini earthquake just to see what it is like, and it has happened. I was more scared of feeling one but the mini quake that just happened was just a little jiggle. I thought someone was at the door, but when I stopped looking at the door and glanced to my friend, I heard the word "earthquake" and then it hit me what was going on. The floor was a quick jello jiggle and then my roommate came running to me, "you're first earthquake!" I am no longer a California quake virgin.

Pretty produce

Third Floor of CSUMB Library

Lindsey and I make Japanese Food

"Okay, spell it out, like in words"
HAHAHHA
"Karee raisu"

Stuff

When I was in Italy one of my favorite sentimental shots is of my stuff, all the things I had with me while laying in the grass reading at the park. It's crazy how we can look back on our everyday objects that were once so close to us. Some of our stuff has history, stories, hardships (especially my sunglasses that I drop regularly). Looking at a picture like that brings me back to that time like no other. I want to remember senior year of college at CSUMB, about to graduate. It's one crazy feeling.

College Food at Its Finest

My Stream of Consciousness:

There isn't much cornbread left in the tin. I like eating cornbread with spicy things. Its turns any meal into a comfort food meal. The chili disappeared days ago, and the only other thing I have left that can be spicy is canned soup or eggs with Mazi. What if I crack a soft fried egg and drape it over the little slice of cornbread and put Mazi all over it [Mazi is Piri Piri sauce homemade with chili peppers and lemon and whiskey out of Asbury Park and sold at Belmar Bagel for those not in the know].

I didn't take a picture of it as it didn't look super appetizing but it was a major success. 

I once wanted to be a professional cook, but I know that is not for me. It would have destroyed my passion for food, and I would not be happy slaving in a kitchen all day making and remaking dishes over and over again. I love to be creative and think of new and different ways to use things. I love to be thrifty, taking what I have and looking at it differently to make something new [and since I do this in the kitchen most often, something delicious]. I was never a recipe follower as I always mess those up. I love going to a farmers market, walking around, seeing what's good and what's on sale and thinking of all the ways I can make it. I really wished I forever lived within walking or biking distance to a farmers market. Hopefully where ever I am next [aside from home for a several months] this dream will be a reality.

Pumpkin pancakes with my Canadian roommate

And yes, that is real Canadian Maple Syrup!

Project Graduation

I've been getting nervous as graduation is nearing. I always like to have a plan and know what I'll do worse comes to worse. I've decided to make a little graduation survival guide compiling all of the people and companies who have my resume, listing all of my international friends I hope to one day visit, naming all of the hikes and bikes I'd like to do, marking all of the places I'd like to see and adding motivational quotes and short films.  The film I saw today in documentary class definitely made the cut (pun intended, I secretly love corny knee-slapper jokes).

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/14074949" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe> <p><a href="http://vimeo.com/14074949">DARK SIDE OF THE LENS</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/astrayfilms">Astray Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

Fully functioning member of society

Since Yankees are done I've been watching the SF Giants and their comeback. I've feel like such a well-rounded person as I watch the game and the debate as I cook and eat cornbread and chili!

Monterey Mama

Walking away from the yellow Camaro Mom and Mrs. Hogan rented, I realized the next time I will see my mom will be in Newark Airport as a college graduate. Nostalgia is hitting hard.

Mom and Mrs. Hogan came for a log weekend. We saw Monterey, the 17-mile drive and had yummy Mexican food. We went horseback riding, shopping and brunching. We drove down to the Hearst Castle and saw elephant seals. It was a beautiful trip, and I'm happy I got to spend time with my mom.

More Farmer's Market Meals

Roasted yams, carrots and onion with EVOO, balsamic, garlic salt and pepper. I can still make cheap college meals once I graduate right?

Eggplant dinner

Slices of eggplant sautéed with extra virgin olive oil, garlic salt, and pepper layered with a mixture of chopped white onion and avocado.

My husband and kids will eat like royalty. Farmers' market royalty.

Lots of Changes

In just one week, I went from my boring out-grown haircut and clean-cut face to this.

First thing's first, Mom, don't be mad. I told you I fell on my bike and got some scrapes, but I'm fine. I fell on my bike. I didn't get too hurt. I learned a lesson. Yes, it could have been worse, but I learned my lesson. Moving on.

I think its hilarious that this happened the same weekend I got a drastically different haircut.

Anyway.

Other than all this, I am so excited to see my mom Thursday morning! Of course of all the weeks, she has to come the one I have scrapes on my face but we've moved on from that topic.

Capstone has been going really well: I'm creating a little booklet for students to learn how to study abroad in Europe sustainably. I've got plans of having it printed and distributed at the National Student Exchange meeting in March where all the advisors from all over the country meet up. It's pretty exciting.

October has FLOWN by. I can't believe I only have a half of a semester left in my college career. It is a lot easier to deal with knowing I have plans set up for January and a bit beyond that. At least I'm not fearful of leaving here now.

Aside from work, I have plans of joining an outdoor club like kayaking or hiking. I will be sure to keep biking and hiking at least weekly once I'm home (once the weather's okay). Until then, I'll be at hot yoga.

Once the summer hits, my job may be completely virtual, leaving me free to travel and visit some of my friends (or hopefully travel with friends).

I think the things I'll miss the most about college are the little things: running into my friends in the library, hot chocolate and tea is always within walking distance, there is no chopping involved in making an omelet in the morning, friends are always close by, biking and hiking and kayaking are regular occurrences, etc.

I love my life here. I really do, and I've had enough experiences going somewhere new and building a new happy life there that I can do it again. I just hope I never lose this motivation to go out and have new experiences, and do things I've never done before, and meet new people, and integrate nature into my workouts.

Although I'm excited (and a bit nervous) for the next step, I'm really enjoying soaking in every moment of senior year.

Getting my Asian on

Eggplant zucchini and onions in a sweet chili sauce over rice

BYE

In biology, chemistry, math, students can choose to test out of a class. Many big universities across the States discourage professors from having attendance grades. Thus, a student can show up to the midterm and final and if they pass, they are set.

I understand that in writing, no matter what level you are at, practice is key. I just wish there was an option to test out of the lecture portion of classes. It can be very frustrating to sit in class as students ask the difference between a byline and a headline. I understand if a person knows nothing about journalism, those questions arise, but why can't students who know what they are doing test out of those lectures?

I have been learning all of the frustration that comes with the last weeks of a degree: filling out petty paperwork, sitting through classes that are only challenging because projects are chosen individually, constantly swimming in a sea of fellowship applications for months and months ahead of time.

Sometimes I wish life was a little more like football. I should be getting a BYE pretty soon...

Manic Monday - Not really

I love having my Mondays back! After waking up early to get to the library when it opened, I realized that today is the 5th clear sunny day in a row and moved my things outside. Five hours of capstone work sure goes by quickly on a nice day.

After some calls and emails, I went back in my room to put my yesterday's farmers market finds to good use! My roommate and I biked all the way I Moss Landing which paid off since a weeks worth of fruits and veggies came out to just under $7.

I made zucchini and onions with tuna, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper over elbows.

Beautiful day and more to come with a quick 2hr class then Zumba!

World's Highest Tandem Skydive

So the cat's out of the bag, last weekend I went skydiving. I blocked all of my family and family friends from the album on Facebook hoping to keep it a secret until I get a real job and sit down with my parents to watch some home movies (and just slip in the skydiving video).

I'm not sure how they found out and don't really care too much. I'm happy they know.

Skydiving was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had. I got a group together and after many backed out, we had a group of four, perfect for the group discount. It was quite an international group: a student from Canada, Australia, Japan, and uh, Jersey.

The scariest moment was by far signing your life away on those papers they give you, ensuring you won't sue if something goes wrong. What kept me calm was the realization that these people do this all the time, not just everyday but multiple times a day.

Three of the four signed up for 18,000 feet, the world's highest tandem jump complete with video and photography. One member of our group opted for 15,000 feet, California's Highest Tandem. She said that in Sydney, they only go to 10,000 feet, so it's still a good deal.

It turns out that on Saturday, only our Aussie friend got to go because after she jumped clouds and fog rolled in, typical for Monterey. I had a feeling it wasn't going to happen that day because I woke up in cloudiness.

Sunday, I woke up to sunlight flooding my room, a good breakfast and excitement in my veins. We biked over to the airport again, yes we biked to skydiving, and everyone knew today was the day.

There are things in the hanger like scrabble, a pool table, a deck of cards, etc. to keep us entertained while waiting for paperwork and for our group to get going, but we exhausted all of the entertainment opportunities Saturday waiting for clouds to pass. By the time Sunday came around, we ended up singing and dancing outside, entertaining ourselves with yoga and goofing off.

We found out it was time. Again, we would be in the second batch of skydivers, after the 15,000 ft group. It was calming and incredibly exciting to see them land before we took off.

 If you scroll quick, it looks like I'm moving:

Riding in the plane was definitely second on the scariest moments list. Flying high in the sky then hearing my instructor say "we've still got 12,000 feet to go" was shocking. I almost wanted to ask (a couple times) "you know we're not strapped together yet, right?" A few minutes later, he told me to sit on his lap to get strapped in (this is where signing the funny part of the contract about equipment placement and touching came into play). We were strapped in and I was the first to jump.

This is my "We still have 12,000 feet to go" face:

After joking with my roommate who was next to me and the guys we were strapped to, I kept thinking of what Dad said about how one thing he learned being a pilot is that you're not supposed to jump out. I knew the moment of jumping out was going to go quick. I told myself "You are about to jump out of a plane," so I could remember the moment.

I thought of any stress I've had looking and applying for jobs after. I thought about how this was my last semester ever. I thought about how if not now, when? Then I did it. The guy strapped to my back said this is it and we went to the edge. I saw the cameraman jump and a few seconds later, I was behind him.

The freefall was incredible. 90 seconds full of coastline views, 120mph winds, some spins and horseplay from the guy strapped on my back and me repeating the words "holy shit." The scariness disappears the second you jump out.

(This is me being selective about pictures....)

Once we were low enough, Brandon pulled the shoot and my legs swiftly returned to where they should be, under me and not behind. It was a very peaceful experience gliding down. We faced the coast, and I felt like I was taking the clearest breath I've ever had, not because my sinuses were clear after the jump or that I wasn't breathing in the fall, but because it was really peaceful.

We did a couple of spins and then all of a sudden I dropped a few inches on Brandon. "WTF?! Where ya goin?" He said he was loosing things up to make me more comfortable. My response: "I'm plenty comfortable strapped as close to you as possible."

After that, we glided down, I kicked my feet out and landed in a squat.

We stood up and I thought about how much I wish I was back up on that plane, doing it all over again.

Video coming soon