Howdy Friends and Family, December 2007
I have failed you, well some of you. I sent a holiday letter in March of 2005 and stated it would become annual and now you receive the second installment two plus years later – can that be considered annual? Did God create the world in 7 days (in regards to our calendar year, I am not disputing creation)? Anyway, please forgive my tardiness in Anne communication. Let’s face it, my life is moving along so maybe you did not miss much, but I will let you be the judge. IF you still have the first installment by your bed side, re-read it, then jump into this letter so you won’t miss a beat. Now that I think about it, this one is going to be jam packed. Grab a handful of raw almonds, cup of chai, and enjoy.
I still reside under the big sky, going on my 6 year in the prettiest state in the lower 48. Sadly, most that are going to receive this letter have never come for a visit; I do wish it was affordable to access Montana, multiple layovers are not that enticing. My diet consists of items from the ground (meaning: no meat, well o.k. I have tried Antelope a few times over the past 3 years). I continue to visit the pool daily to find my place of peace, to work towards my mermaid certificate, and a motivator is sticking with a goal to compete in a triathlon (some time in the next 6 years). And believe it or not, I still have no hubby to pawn this letter writing on, but I do have two lovely cotton monsters (check out http://www.cottonmonster.com/).
work.
Summer of 2005 I worked in the ranger division of Yellowstone National Park (YNP) as a leader for the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). It was an eye-opening experience. I shined with the youth. I loved teaching teens in the back country, especially YNP’s. I ended the summer having established continuing friendships with the staff I trekked throughout the park with and more awe-inspiring is the continuing friendships I made with the students. One of the students calls me mom, so for those that do not know, I have a daughter. She is 18 and a freshman at Notre Dame. I learned a considerable amount about myself and hope to integrate those skills in a future job. After that seasonal position ended in the park, I embarked on school and began work with Intrinsik Architecture where I am still employed. I value the skills I have gained through the primarily office job (I am a studio coordinator; my position encompasses many responsibilities the only area I do not work is in auto-cad). Occasionally I work in the ‘field’ (we are design build firm which means we maintain a shop to fabricate our creations). Last fall I spent 3 months with an artist taking his painted mural and fabricating it on steel over 3 panels (9’ x 6’), powder coated it with 21 different colors, ended up with over 700 pieces of steel. We installed it in Bozeman’s new LEED certified library and now there is a permanent interactive mural that engages children (300 pieces are on magnets so you can move through out each panel). The project was a blast, and I shaped a marvelous friendship with the artist. In addition, I work numerous side jobs and volunteer. Overall, work keeps me super busy.
school.
Montana State University (MSU) became my stomping grounds for a year and a half, where I pursued a degree, Masters of Architecture (5 ½ year program). Through the fall of ‘05 and spring of ’06, I was a full-time student with three part time jobs. In the fall of ‘06 I became a part-time student due to ridiculous changes the school undertook, and I went full-time at Intrinsik. I would say my degree is on hold till MSU establishes their program, but they will let you know they are a highly accredited in the Architecture world. I am not a quitter; I am disappointed with the school and myself. Something will unfold with school so stay tuned.
goals.
Goal: long endurance, month plus bike trek, Status - in the process of planning. I purchased a road bike and it is beautiful; it is gang green and a good fit. I have been sticking with a swim schedule, I try to enter the pool for an hour a day, 5 days a week. Another goal: Travel thru out Italy (hoping a trip will transpire in 08).
contact info.
New email- I feel good about the change; gmail makes me feel younger, maybe hipper, or at least provides the appearance. The name (achickent) breaks down to 3 points:1- my initials are ACT, but my middle name is not chicken -- I decided to use more meat words freely so that meat- eaters would feel comfortable around me (wink). 2- Back to the Future (movie) had an impact on me in those developmental years. 3- Then there is the fact that people tell me I am a chicken.
I did move. Again. My location is within the Bozeman city limits. My phone number has been the same for six years so that should be the only constant in your address book. After a great year in a lovely downtown building living with my brilliant roomy Dave (whom I adore), I headed out to the big box, suburb land of Bozeman. This has been a huge deal for me because for five years I walked everywhere (work, home, shopping, etc). I always lived within a few blocks of Main Street. I am learning how to drive and am thankful that I get to experience the new NW growth, so I can widen my thoughts on Bozeman’s development and city planning. Look for another email late winter because it looks as if I will be moving again.
love.
OK. The relationship part of my letter -- this is going to be kind of dry but my life is minimal in this department. My head and heart just had an argument about my last statement so I will reveal something. The past 2 years friends have been setting me up on blind dates. For the most part the dates have been fun but nothing has ever resonated or transpired. I have come to figure that people/friends assume that I should be at a different point in my life (like not single). However I am on another page, I am content, and do not see settling in the forecast.
family.
Family is doing pretty good from what they tell me and what insight is provided to me on my short visits. William is taking classes in Florida. Charlotte is a licensed clinical social worker in Denver, CO and she looks and sounds wonderful. Walter turned 60 and shared it with his girls out west. Work has been keeping him traveling and busy. Barbara is doing well, and she too is staying busy with work. Both of my grandmothers have had a few health scares, but at this point both are strong.
time.
This is the final year of my 20’s -- yep, 29 hit me in July. My mind feels full of fresh, day dreaming thoughts so I am 19 in that department. My heart is a little tarnished so 34 there, and my body, well, 23 of course. I have everyone deceived! I am going to work the late 20’s angle for a while. However it appears that plenty of folks cherish their 30’s. I have been thinking about registering for my 30 birthday because it sounds like a momentous occasion (sometimes I am so funny).
For the past three years I have been on a quest to understand my mother, her self and the effect her life and death played on my development. My sister gifted me a book, Motherless Daughters, which has provided me with direction, insight into my growth and why I have reacted to situations in the manner I have. I look forward to my continued learning and growth.
Movies, books, and other forms of media
Items that have caught my attention this past year -- magazines: The Sun, Dwell; movies: No Country for Old Men, Into the Wild, The Science of Sleep; books: Three Cups of Tea, Motherless Daughters, Body Ecology Diet, Griffin & Sabine (all six).
Overall- I am doing pretty well. I am looking forward to all of the journeys the New Year has to offer. Thanks for taking the time to read all this nonsense. If you have the time, drop me a line and let me know how things are going in your neck of the woods. Cheers to you and here’s to a happy, healthy, productive 2008.
