Hello friends and faithful readers! Trying to do better at writing more often this year. So I’m writing to you about my amazing adventures this week. Okay, so they’re not super epic. But I’m writing anyway.
For context, let’s recount the spring breaks I’ve had as a licensed teacher:
- 2014: Kabul Stay-cation. Stayed on the compound with my friend the English teacher, my friend the PE teacher’s parents, and some of our administration.
- 2015: Willamette Valley Stay-cation. I had just gotten the job here at the military school, so I stayed home to make lesson plans, and settle in a bit to life back in the States.
- 2016: Madras Vacation. I got to visit/house-sit for friends there, and travel the area and beyond.
Which brings us to 2017: Staying here in my hometown where I now live in the Willamette Valley. I didn’t really go anywhere winter break, but I’ll be traveling a lot this summer, so I looked forward to just staying and catching up with life. I’ve been working on projects in my apartment, like framing artwork and maps I’ve picked up in my travels. Mom and I were tourists in Eugene for a day by touring the Cascades Raptor Center. It was fun to see Peregrine falcons and Red-tailed hawks and other beautiful birds! On Wednesday I got to spend time with my cousin and her adorable kids. And of course I’ve been catching up on all the normal life stuff that gets put off during school weeks, and getting out in the sunshine by foot or bike pedal on every sun break. So it’s been a nice relaxing week.
But best of all, I got a cat. I got it approved with the property managers, and I picked her out at the pet shelter yesterday. She’s a very pretty little girl cat. Sweet but playful, which is what I need.
I named her Arwen. I’m not entirely sure why. Her name at the shelter was Fiona, which I assumed was after the princess in Shrek. She’s mostly white but with black patches, including on her head and back. So that combined with her princess name reminded me of Arwen from LOTR for some reason. Then I had fun with it and gave her a bunch more princess names that start with A, in the manner of princesses in books by authors like Gail Carson Levine. So she is now Arwen Avarella Aminatu Ariana Mielle. I almost added Eilonwy, too. I may yet. But for short, I call her Arwen the Adorable, or Miss Mielle (after a character from a book I’m currently reading). Yeah, I know I’m a nerd!
She was a bit shy when I brought her home, hiding under the bed a lot. But she has been coming out and exploring a lot more today. She loves to flop over for a tummy rub, as well as walk by where I’m sitting and get her incredibly fluffy tail in my face.
Yes, she’ll be a great little friend to sit with me as I write (or grade papers).
That’s my Spring Break 2017! Yeah, I know it’s not the most epic ever, but it’s what I needed. And who knows? There’s two more days of it, most of which will be spent grading and planning, but there’s just enough time to have a mini-adventure if one comes along.
Be watching for a return to my more literary blog posts, where I recount the adventures and journeys of women (historical or fictional).
The Compass Rose Queen 
Arwen is cute! Congrats