Avery
So, cue May!
Though we haven't chronicled it all that well, we have managed to make it to Canada (twice!), Seattle, and Massachusetts. The drive across the country was long and taxing but we made it more or less in one piece. We are now settling in somewhat for a summer filled with waitressing (and hopefully a few adventures tossed in) before we move on to our next destination and a new apartment!
For now, we truly are living apartment-wise: Marta is staying with her parents, while Audrey and I share a room in a family's house. It portends to be by all accounts an interesting summer.
Seeing as I unfortunately have no camera, I'll have to convince Marta or Audrey to post pictures of our adventures thus far.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
The MAC
Audrey
Since late February I have been working as a volunteer for the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (affectionately known as "MAC") in Spokane. It's no Smithsonian, but it's still interesting--they just opened their centennial exhibit, "100 Stories," a few days before I started.
My job is to stand around for four hours every Wednesday and ask people if they like what they see, and give them more information if they want it (which they never do). I also make MAC buttons for visitors and facilitate the use of the button-maker if visitors want to make their own button.
A favorite with the kids is story #72, which mentions the blizzard of '09 that was apparently big here and allows you to write on the black parts of the wall with a chalkboard marker. Miraculously, the most inappropriate things I've seen on the board are "butts" (courtesy of Marta, actually) and "poop," written in flowing cursive handwriting.
In the back of one of the galleries is a display of clothing from a few different eras in Spokane history--it's probably one of my favorite of the exhibits.
It's weird to think about, but except for Native American history, there's actually nothing in the Spokane area dating back further than 1805 when Lewis and Clark came through the area. Compared to even Boston, Spokane is a little bitty baby city.
My absolute favorite story and accompanying item is an old missile-launch console from the Cold War that was actually in an underground facility somewhere in Spokane. As of a few weeks ago, it even lights up. *_*
Alan the Security Guy tried to get me to press the red button...when I didn't, he went down and pressed it for me to demonstrate the loud noise it makes. I stayed up on the balcony and took a video from a safe distance that is now inexplicably sideways and I'm not sure how to fix it so I won't post it.
Speaking of Alan the Security Guy:
He swears he was smiling behind his hand.
After the first 12 hours of volunteering, he is the only interesting thing left in the gallery (actually, halfway through my first four-hour shift he was the only interesting thing). Arts and culture becomes dull quickly...
We talk about what we've been up to the past week and I tell him about our adventures and plans for travel. Alan grew up here in Spokane area and most of his family still lives in the NW too, so he's a home-grown kinda guy. He fishes and wants to buy a fishing shack with a buddy out on the coast near Seattle.
The exterior of the MAC is almost more interesting than what it houses--multiple sculptures dot the campus, and the outside is deceiving. It may look small, but there are multiple floors underground and the galleries stretch out beneath the lawn and parking lot.
Even if it does get dull once in a while, I'm going to miss the MAC and the people who run it when we roll out of town next month. <3
Since late February I have been working as a volunteer for the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (affectionately known as "MAC") in Spokane. It's no Smithsonian, but it's still interesting--they just opened their centennial exhibit, "100 Stories," a few days before I started.
My job is to stand around for four hours every Wednesday and ask people if they like what they see, and give them more information if they want it (which they never do). I also make MAC buttons for visitors and facilitate the use of the button-maker if visitors want to make their own button.
A favorite with the kids is story #72, which mentions the blizzard of '09 that was apparently big here and allows you to write on the black parts of the wall with a chalkboard marker. Miraculously, the most inappropriate things I've seen on the board are "butts" (courtesy of Marta, actually) and "poop," written in flowing cursive handwriting.
In the back of one of the galleries is a display of clothing from a few different eras in Spokane history--it's probably one of my favorite of the exhibits.
It's weird to think about, but except for Native American history, there's actually nothing in the Spokane area dating back further than 1805 when Lewis and Clark came through the area. Compared to even Boston, Spokane is a little bitty baby city.
My absolute favorite story and accompanying item is an old missile-launch console from the Cold War that was actually in an underground facility somewhere in Spokane. As of a few weeks ago, it even lights up. *_*
Alan the Security Guy tried to get me to press the red button...when I didn't, he went down and pressed it for me to demonstrate the loud noise it makes. I stayed up on the balcony and took a video from a safe distance that is now inexplicably sideways and I'm not sure how to fix it so I won't post it.
Speaking of Alan the Security Guy:
He swears he was smiling behind his hand.
After the first 12 hours of volunteering, he is the only interesting thing left in the gallery (actually, halfway through my first four-hour shift he was the only interesting thing). Arts and culture becomes dull quickly...
We talk about what we've been up to the past week and I tell him about our adventures and plans for travel. Alan grew up here in Spokane area and most of his family still lives in the NW too, so he's a home-grown kinda guy. He fishes and wants to buy a fishing shack with a buddy out on the coast near Seattle.
The exterior of the MAC is almost more interesting than what it houses--multiple sculptures dot the campus, and the outside is deceiving. It may look small, but there are multiple floors underground and the galleries stretch out beneath the lawn and parking lot.
Even if it does get dull once in a while, I'm going to miss the MAC and the people who run it when we roll out of town next month. <3
Friday, March 28, 2014
Routine
Avery
So now that we've all (finally) gotten jobs, we've sort of settled into a routine. Get up, go to work, come home, eat, watch TV, sleep, repeat. Audrey cooks, Marta and I clean up, or we all just scrounge. Marta and I still clean up.
The weather is still schizophrenic, one day sunny and around 60 degrees, then suddenly rainy and 30 the next day. At one point it was hailing, and another, already-formed snowballs were pelting from the sky. It was very strange.
At some point, I hope the weather will be trustworthy enough for us to go on organized adventures, but to date, that has not happened. In the very distant future of April, we have a trip planned but that's sooooo far away!
In the meantime, you can find us either here in our apartment, hiding away from the precipitation and waiting for better days, or at work!
So now that we've all (finally) gotten jobs, we've sort of settled into a routine. Get up, go to work, come home, eat, watch TV, sleep, repeat. Audrey cooks, Marta and I clean up, or we all just scrounge. Marta and I still clean up.
The weather is still schizophrenic, one day sunny and around 60 degrees, then suddenly rainy and 30 the next day. At one point it was hailing, and another, already-formed snowballs were pelting from the sky. It was very strange.
At some point, I hope the weather will be trustworthy enough for us to go on organized adventures, but to date, that has not happened. In the very distant future of April, we have a trip planned but that's sooooo far away!
In the meantime, you can find us either here in our apartment, hiding away from the precipitation and waiting for better days, or at work!
Monday, February 24, 2014
The Hospital
Avery
As a natural homebody and not one for burning gas that I don't have to, I haven't been out that much since we got here. I go to the grocery store, the bank, and out to an interview (in the hopes of curing my terminal case of Unemployed) if I'm lucky enough to get one. About two weeks ago, I managed to land a job babysitting every now and then so I had no excuse but to go out.
I found my way there, found my way to the school and kindergarten to pick the children up, and found my way back. On the way, I found the mall, a movie theater (I think), and several parks.
Audrey and I went out this past weekend for haircuts and we found that and then the bank.
I had an interview for nannying I managed to locate.
Today I had a grand adventure looking for a Carl's Jr. in pursuit of fries.
What do all of these incidents have to do with each other? Their location.
Somehow I always end up back at the hospital. The apartment where I babysit? Across the street from the hospital. The bank? On the road to the hospital from the school. Interview? By the hospital. Carl's Jr? Also right by the hospital (I found it after driving all around the part of town I'm familiar with and took a turn that accidentally took me right back to downtown. Which is where the hospital is).
I have therefore come to the conclusion that all roads lead to the hospital. No matter where you are, no matter where you're headed, you'll end up at Sacred Heart Hospital. Sacred Heart is a beacon drawing you in. It is the center of gravity around which the rest of the city orbits. It draws all of Spokane in to itself.
Despair if you aim to arrive anywhere else. You will always end up at the hospital. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you cannot escape. Accept it now that this is your unalterable fate.
As a natural homebody and not one for burning gas that I don't have to, I haven't been out that much since we got here. I go to the grocery store, the bank, and out to an interview (in the hopes of curing my terminal case of Unemployed) if I'm lucky enough to get one. About two weeks ago, I managed to land a job babysitting every now and then so I had no excuse but to go out.
I found my way there, found my way to the school and kindergarten to pick the children up, and found my way back. On the way, I found the mall, a movie theater (I think), and several parks.
Audrey and I went out this past weekend for haircuts and we found that and then the bank.
I had an interview for nannying I managed to locate.
Today I had a grand adventure looking for a Carl's Jr. in pursuit of fries.
What do all of these incidents have to do with each other? Their location.
Somehow I always end up back at the hospital. The apartment where I babysit? Across the street from the hospital. The bank? On the road to the hospital from the school. Interview? By the hospital. Carl's Jr? Also right by the hospital (I found it after driving all around the part of town I'm familiar with and took a turn that accidentally took me right back to downtown. Which is where the hospital is).
I have therefore come to the conclusion that all roads lead to the hospital. No matter where you are, no matter where you're headed, you'll end up at Sacred Heart Hospital. Sacred Heart is a beacon drawing you in. It is the center of gravity around which the rest of the city orbits. It draws all of Spokane in to itself.
Despair if you aim to arrive anywhere else. You will always end up at the hospital. No matter what you do, no matter where you go, you cannot escape. Accept it now that this is your unalterable fate.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Winter Wonderland
Marta
So I'll be honest, right now it's way too cold and snowy to do anything super interesting and exciting. The coldest it's gotten so far is -3 degrees, and it got up above freezing for the first time this week. Because of this, the most exciting I've gotten so far is to learn how to pay bills and shop on my own, as well as integrating myself into a new work environment. I transferred to the Staples about 10 minutes from the apartment because none of the other jobs I applied for wanted me, so I'm earning my rent as a register monkey and meeting tons of interesting people when they come through my lines!
Once it gets warmer, though, I have plans. Many plans. There's a park nearby, and it looks like the kind that holds events and concerts. I've gotten lost on purpose a couple times so I can get to know the area, and I'm talking with my coworkers about fun things to do in the area.
I just need it to be above freezing first.
So I'll be honest, right now it's way too cold and snowy to do anything super interesting and exciting. The coldest it's gotten so far is -3 degrees, and it got up above freezing for the first time this week. Because of this, the most exciting I've gotten so far is to learn how to pay bills and shop on my own, as well as integrating myself into a new work environment. I transferred to the Staples about 10 minutes from the apartment because none of the other jobs I applied for wanted me, so I'm earning my rent as a register monkey and meeting tons of interesting people when they come through my lines!
Once it gets warmer, though, I have plans. Many plans. There's a park nearby, and it looks like the kind that holds events and concerts. I've gotten lost on purpose a couple times so I can get to know the area, and I'm talking with my coworkers about fun things to do in the area.
I just need it to be above freezing first.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Spokane First Friday
Audrey
On the first Friday of every month, the art galleries of Spokane keep their doors open late, have wine tastings and free food, and let the public enjoy everything they have to offer for free. The church I've been attending, Spokane Christian Church, just so happens to have a bible study of people around my own age, and last night they were meeting up at one of the art galleries to explore First Friday events. I joined them.
We saw a great deal of art, most of which made sense to none of us, ate crackers and brightly-colored pasta that matched the modern art on the walls, sipped free wine samples, and froze outside as we walked between galleries.
I forgot to take pictures. 'pologies.
On the first Friday of every month, the art galleries of Spokane keep their doors open late, have wine tastings and free food, and let the public enjoy everything they have to offer for free. The church I've been attending, Spokane Christian Church, just so happens to have a bible study of people around my own age, and last night they were meeting up at one of the art galleries to explore First Friday events. I joined them.
We saw a great deal of art, most of which made sense to none of us, ate crackers and brightly-colored pasta that matched the modern art on the walls, sipped free wine samples, and froze outside as we walked between galleries.
I forgot to take pictures. 'pologies.
Friday, January 31, 2014
How much I missed winter after four years in NC
Audrey
The sun peeked out for the first time in well over a week. The snow glittered, the neighborhood looked actually pretty, and I went outside to frolic like a preschooler.
I bundled up in all my New England winter gear, of course--snowpants, boots, thick socks, double-layered LL Bean gloves, the works.
I ate snow, and made a snow angel because the snow wasn't sticky enough to make a snowman.
I wandered around to the hedges between the two apartment buildings and found a lovely cave area tucked away beside the office building.
I crawled in, of course.
And discovered what the view would be like for any dead bodies I need to hide, if dead bodies could see.
Picasa decided to add a falling snow effect to this one and I ain't complaining
We also have train tracks right above our apartment. You get used to it...
The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
(I also basked in the sun on the carpet like a cat afterwards. Our next destination may have to be sunny.)
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