Today I dressed up like a Pirate when I went to work, oh yes I did, and it was amazing. Funny thing though, after work I took a shower, put on a skirt and had to dash back toward work to pick up my paycheck. When I climbed the steps, a community dude remarked 'hey you look like a real women.' huh. My response was'how would you like it if this real women gave you a swift kick to the side of your head.' no not really, actually i said, 'no, i always dress like a real woman, just some days it takes a real man to notice.' no, for real i said 'haha, the power of a shower.' How Lame. the power of a shower? come on now, my life is so much better when I re-write it post-facto.

Amazing Thing: apparently you can use your americorp money to go on a NOLS backpacking trips. say what! I am totally pumped. There is one going to INDIA! to hike in the HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS!! right after my americorp programs ends--a little more money than my americorp reward, but i have already emailed them to ask about financial aid and airfare--hopefully they will see how brilliant i am and give me lots of money. and then i can go to INDIA for a month. If that fails, there are definitely more affordable ones in the US, so either way--Backpacking-a-go-go!!

Another option, volunteer on an international organic farm, i am not kidding you, they will give me money to do that--how about a farm in Cambodia? or the Czech Republic? The options are endless.

Other fun plan, there is an adventure race in the Adirondacks in NY-a crazy 24 hour race, that i could never do on my own (Run a marathon, bike 100 mi, and then kyacking) I might split it up with Keirsa and Kelsea though, Keirsa runs, Christa bikes, and Kelsea Kyacks. Sounds good to me. And then we can go celebrate in NY City. woot woot.

It never hurts to dream big.

p.s. this is me as schmeegor, the pampires assistant (a pampire is a combo Pirate/ Vampire, a schmeegor a combo shipmate schmee/ igor, get it? watch out for more creative combos)


a wampire, a pampire, schmeegor, and a coffip

promised red hair pics

i now know someone whose name is True Love. I am not kidding. True Love.

Tonight is a Halloween bonfire and I am super excited about my costume---expect pictures soon.

mark one off the list, i have died my hair red. Well, really i think its more auburn with red undertones, so not a crazy shade of red, but this is the gateway hair dyeing experience. Next time, we go a shade darker. its all about baby steps. (sorry no picture, i will post one shortly, though Shawna recorded the process on facebook)
I am looking forward to a Halloween bonfire this weekend, plus a dress rehearsal for the benefit concert we are giving. I am super excited because Rachel just asked Joelle and I to sing along with her on this piece that is intended for choir that she had been singing alone. It sounds really beautiful, if i do say so myself.
I have been exceptionally busy, what with work, rehearsals, halloween costumes, and hanging out with folks. I think I will need some major alone time soon or I am going to crash big time. and some sleep, sleep would be good. Maybe next weekend.

So we threw Nora a beat street birthday party last Saturday and it was lots of fun with the minor exception that the pictures proved to me that indeed dancing, especially me dancing, is better suited to dark, dusky venues. Alas, the kitchen of Monterey house was all too well lit. Oh well, I get a double dose of fun, the fun of the party and then the fun of chuckling at my ridiculous, black-mail worthy photos. And you ask why I am not posting any here, tsk, you should know better, my vanity can only take so much abuse.

disappointment = wanting to work out on a rainy day, getting to the gym only to realize that it is closed. bummer.

Kiersa made an enlightened remark the other day, that this is the year to do all those things you said you would do but never have acutally done. I like this idea and think I can get a good number of my life list things accomplished this year (please refer to the entry of September 21st). Hmmm, where to start.

It was really good to see Dad and Danny again, we had a good time :)

Yesterday was Friday the thirteenth and while I am not a superspicious person, it was not my best day. It was not due to opening umbrellas, black cats, ravens, or broken mirrors that my day was bad, it was salmon. Yes, that delectable pink fish that is supposed to be so yummy that I don't think i can ever stomach again. I did not eat bad salmon, rather, Nora and I decided to make salmon patties for dinner, along with our delicious roasted veggies. but what we did not realize is that canned salmon still requires you to sort through the fish flesh for bones and skin. I think I could handle gutting real fresh fish better than the procedure of sorting through 16 cans of super processed fish. yuck. we only made it through 13 cans before Nora and I both fled the kitchen. but i still had to go back and spend couple hours frying them all up in a skillet, which (nothing to do with my cooking, i swear) filled the entire shelter up with smoke. oops. thank goodness the weekend starts tomorrow. (p.s. even though Nora and I couldn't eat the patties, they were a hit, folks gobbled them up while I prayed no one would choke on a bone).

Well, Mom and Dad have just left and it was so good to see them. We hung out, chatted, ate, took a cold train ride to Levita, rode around in the country, poked around in shops, drove to Monte Vista, and had many group hugs. How I will miss them! But, lucky for me, I will get to see Dad and Dan next weekend- it is truly an October of Oakes.

Life is going well here in Alamosa, despite my tooth-less admirers and those pesky life questions. Today for lunch Mom, Dad, and I went to eat authentic Mexican at Marquez's. After getting our tacos we went to the salsa bar and loaded our food with fresh cilantro, limes, and salsa--I thought I was putting a harmless pico de gallo on mine (confidently following my lead and assurances it was mild, Mom followed suite) but the first bite introduced an excruciating level of spiciness to my taste buds and reinforced the truth that i am a gringo. Whodoggy! Mom was panting and I was about to eat my napkin when Dad rescued us by ordering more tortillas to re-establish equilibrium in our mouths. Yikes! The pain was only truly over after some Dairy Queen.

now i must leave, for a converstation with my brother awaits me.

dear megan stop. i am sorry i do not blog more stop. i miss you and will be very eloquent stop. love christa stop.



Lost by David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.