Application Overload

This semester is the mother of all semesters for me. I apologize in advance for the rant I am about to go on. I am working for the student newspaper, taking a documentary class and taking my capstone course. Three classes doesn't seem so bad right?

For capstone, I have decided to do a creative project where I will be making a booklet for students who study abroad in Europe. I will be focusing on studying abroad sustainably. I have researched and done interviews to add profiles to the booklet so it's not all just factual info. I'm also creating a persona to be carried throughout. The character's name is Juan Darer (get it?).

Aside from these classes I will continue to blog with eCampus blog. I am also writing for two other publications consistently and one other every so often. Another job is starting up in October.

I've made sure to workout each day since I bike to one job, bike to yoga and am taking two exercise courses. Plus, Zumba is free and on campus every Monday.

Work has been crazy but I have been able to go to a couple festivals, went out with friends for food and hiked outside of class.

It is scary facing my last college semester. I've applied for reporting jobs all over the place. My resume, cover letter, recommendations and clips are all over Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Hawaii, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Colorado and maybe a few others.

I can't wait to see what happens but I'm not rushing the present. Monterey has been fun so far and I'm excited to spend the next three months here.

Cafeteria Creativity

Along with my morning omelette, I put a slather of cream cheese, cinnamon bread and a banana in my to go box as I let the dining commons. For a snack later in the day, I toasted the bread, spread on the cream cheese and sliced up the banana. Sweet, savory and delicious.

Active Weekends

Thursday I've got my capstone class then adventure sports. Friday I have kayaking class. Last Friday was our first day on the water as a class. We went to Kirby Park by Elkhorn Slough. It was nice to be back on water again. Saturday I went to my first Oktoberfest, and didn't even get carded. My souvenir stein on my desk accompanying my wine glass makes it look like I drink more often than I actually do. After all the beer, a huge pretzel and a full box of mac and cheese I was in need to burn off the excess calories so I hopped on my bike Sunday and got to work. I biked to east campus and back then to the rock climbing gym. After a few hours I biked down to a Bikram yoga studio, a place I'll be going much more often. It's definitely much easier to work out without hitting the gym here, between the single bike lane to downtown and nice weather.

Food

Everyone knows I'm a foodie. No doubt about it. Today after coming up with a capstone project that I'm excited about and preparing for my first shooting in documentary class I made spaghetti squash with black beans, diced tomatoes, green onion, mazi sauce, and some secret spices. Absolutely delicious.

Soulful Saturday

1. Free hatha yoga in pacific grove 2. Italian festival in Monterey for aracini and icecream 3. Happy Hour on the wharf (app sampler and my first legal margherita) 4. Nap time/watch entourage 5. Free rock climbing day

My life is surreal. It'll be a tough job to continue this lifestyle post-graduation, but I know I can't go from this to a 9-6 sitting behind a desk answering phones. So many people think traveling like this is irresponsible. The truth is it gives me more of a drive to continue doing incredible things with positive people, whether it's staying in shape outdoors or interviewing for an article. Journalism residency applications here I come.

My biggest fear traveling is to forget the things I've learned along the way, which is why I've been blogging and journaling in my little leather books. Although I'm glad for anyone reading this, I've been doing it to remember. Hopefully one day someone will ask my son or daughter what grandma was like when she was little. I'd like them to see this.

Farmers Market Foods and Biking for Bargains

Put simply, I am having a beautiful week.

Weekend Through the Trees

Walking through Point Lobos for a second time with all new people in a different season was incredible.  It's crazy how much of a different experience you get based on whom you are surrounded by.  The view was jaw dropping.

The next day, I felt like going for a bike ride to the beach.  It's only a mile away. I was planning on bringing one of my favorite books, The Catcher and the Rye, and napping a bit. It was foggy so I made a deal with myself that I would keep biking until the fog cleared up.

Two and a half hours and 35+ miles later, I ended up at Carmel Beach.

Lacking the energy to bike all the way back, I hopped a bus and ended up at the Del Monte Center, where I stopped and got my necklace fixed and purchased a smaller earring for my mid-ear piercing.

After a slice of pesto pizza from Pizza My Heart, I mustered up the energy to ride back.  

By the time Monday came, I didn't mind writing and eating, researching and cooking, editing and savoring.

What a beautiful weekend. I'm so glad I came back.