if the clerk at the butcher shop is 5 foot 9, what does he weigh?

We finally have our first real snow...it kind of melted during the day but now is falling hard again and is beautiful. I will post pictures soon. If I were in NC the entire city would be shut down.


and so a quote that I love and find very comforting since I don't like not knowing everything. ahem:

Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart. Try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.

Rainer Maria Rilke

How is this for blogger productivity, three times in a day. It is curious, I think its probably true that my blog exists 98% for self-affirmation and showing off my self-proclaimed cleverness (it comes and goes) and 2% for family and friends to know whats going on with me (on a whole, pretty much 100% self-centered) still, i like it, so comment away friends and shower me with admiration and verbal applause (whats the point of beating around the bush about what this is really about *wink*).

Because I firmly believe that your life can never be too busy, Rachel and I whisked ourselves away from the valley for the weekend, meeting up with the Vineyard family in Evergreen for a much needed break from life as we know it. The drive was beautiful and we had a great time playing nertz, making creme brulee (Rachel has the picture of Jeff with his blow torch, not the culinary kind, the welding kind, finishing the final touches on the dessert), and running away from scary, huge pigs that roam about the house. I also got to clean stalls!!! and was very brave, chasing pigs with a broom, hanging out with the horses, who kept trying to tip and eat my wheelbarrow. silly horses. Other exciting highlights, Beau Jo's 'mountain pie' pizza, cute shops in evergreen, and Target. and a drive home that was breathtakingly beautiful (me: "Rachel, the camera, take another picture, wait look over there, oh my gosh, its so beautiful, wait, look at that" and so on)

so enough words, here are some pictures:

Thanksgiving came and went with such speed I can hardly believe that it is less than a week until December. It was a blur to say the least. The feast at the shelter went well, but my favorite part of the day was when most of the volunteers got together and watched Gery's Anatomy and Home Alone that evening, oh and we ate puppy chow (remember Dan, that sugery goodness in chex, chocolate, and peanut butter form, yummy!) Phew. Now we have a super busy three weeks of events, parties, fundraisers, and christmasness before the blessed event of my family returning to Colorado!! Hooray! (and I will be turning 23 on the 18th; there are many (5) December birthdays, so i am not sure if i will get to have a party all to myslef....hmmmm....I am thinking of having a scavenger hunt....)

Emmy, Rachel, and I faithfully (wo)man the office

What row of numbers comes next?
This is a tough one!
1
11
21
1211
111221
312211
13112221

For you, a riddle:


It's more powerful than God,
more evil than the devil,
poor people have it,
rich people need it,
and if you eat it you'll die.


what is it??

What Hero would you be:

I scored as El Zorro.



Zorro is the bane of the corrupt officials of Old California, a Spanish Robin Hood, a cavalier caballero who robs from the rich, gives to the poor, and always leaves his trademark "Z" behind as a reminder that when the people need him, he will always appear on his black stallion.

William Wallace 67%

El Zorro 67%

Captain Jack Sparrow 63%

Indiana Jones 63%

Neo, the "One" 63%

The Amazing Spider-Man 54%

Maximus 54%

Lara Croft 46%

James Bond, Agent 007 38%

Batman, the Dark Knight 38%

The Terminator 29%

www.quizfarm.com

Two funny little things:


1. A lady that I met at the benefit concert (the smallest little woman i have ever seen, tini tiny with a huge tall husband, both sweet sweet people) told me after the concert that she had something to bring me. So the other day, while at the office, she came in and handed me a little package. I opened it and it was a little statue of a girl playing the cello-she said she had had it forever and had been waiting until she knew someone who played the cello to give it to. Isn't that precious?!? Its now on my shelf.
2. I just met a man named Abe in the coffee shop who interrupted my writing to tell me his life story. Fascinating and also sweet, he owned a restaurant for 25 years and 3 months and had to sell it and now, he says, its going down the drains. But he had met Johnny Cash and June Carter, who came to town just for his restaurant and Johnny ate, sang with the juke box, and played pool. and Abe got his autograph. ah small towns!



New item: I am transitioning to a new job in La Puente, managing and leading work groups, i think it will be perfect for me and i am really excited. And I will be moving into a new house right next to the shelter, which should be interesting...

So our benefit concert went very well last Saturday. We had an ok showing, about 50 people, but the best part was everyone's positive response and we have had an offer to perform at the college, as well as in a coffee shop. Plus a local guy wants to record one of the songs we did, one written by one of the staff of La Puente about coming to the valley (he said he had a tear when the cello came in, thats me, the cello) anyway it was all very exciting and we raised a good amount of money, with much potential for more funds in the future. and i actually sang in public without humiliating results. Other funny things, I almost hum while I am playing, its so weird and i can't really stop it, but when i am concentrating really hard on my playing, my mouth opens and i unconciously hum, not even along with the music, just atonal noise. interesting.

its been cold here, we have had snow this morning and sunday morning too, though it all melts by noon. It is beautiful.

for general amusement:
a pre-halloween debate between Keirsa and myself:

Keirsa:
The Inverse Ninja Law states that the effectiveness of a group of ninja are inversely proportional to the number of ninja in the group. While a single enemy ninja is often portrayed as a significant threat to the protagonists, a large group of ninja are significantly less of a threat, and as such are easily defeated. This is sometimes applicable to other close combat–oriented minions as well.

so basically, i'll be unstoppable against all of you silly pirates.

Christa:
Tom foolery, my friend, what brand of grog you be drinkin' to think you may best this band of pirates, whose wit and skill in fighting, though not drapped in black like a ninja, can out-fight, out-drink, out-dance, and out-house any opponent, whether it be a ninja or ninjies. i fart in your general direction.

Keirsa:
one cannot expect a mangy specimen such as yourself to fully comprehend the intelect, subtlty and art that comes with being a ninja. the crass and vile nature of your comments were expected, though utterly without base. were my intentions not so cold and calculated, i would take pitty on you silly fools.

Christa:
I will warn you not to underestimate a 'mangy specimen' such as myself, though I may not be a refined, pompous ninja snob with the diction and syntax of one who has been socially isolated in the mountains for many a year learning skills that will be of no use and outdated once one decends said mountain. I, rather, have honed my skill by sailing the seas and skewering contemptible wretches who make gratuitous threats. I have no more time to waste on you; your ninja sidekick would have no effect on my pirate booty.

Keirsa:
for my rebutal i would like to cite the most authoritative source of information on ninja history, realultimatpower.net.

in 440 C.E. "two ninjas kill an entire squadron of pirates and don't even think twice about it."

Christa:
A gentle reminder that a pampire is a completely different from a pirate. I concede that, perhaps, the most excellent of ninjas might have at one time defeated a squadron of the weakest and most poorly oraganized pirates (who had probably been celebrating after a successful looting expedition and were wasted, poorly disciplined brutes), but that has no bearing on the fact that we are pampires. higly disciplined and organized pampires, a more sophisticated, elite, and secret band of ne'er-do-wellers. This history tid-bit is meaningless and will not have any sway in the battle we will have tomorrow after nightfall. Prepare yourself.

so yesterday morning, in lue of our normal all-staff monthly meeting, we all took an abbreviated meyers-briggs personality test. Fascinating results- There are four categories on which you are measured and upon completion of my test I was an ENFX(the X signifying that I was tied on the last category) which made me fall between two categories, a teacher or a champion, and I was supposed to discern which category fit be better. PLEASE!! Clearly I am a champion, was there ever any question!! A Champion is, in brief, "Warmly enthusiastic, high spirited, ingenious, and imaginative. Able to do almost anything that interests them. Quick with a solution for any difficulty and ready to help anybody with a problem. Make connections between eveents and information quickly, and confidently proced based on the patterns they see. Spontaneous and flexible, often rely on their ability to improvise and their verbal fluency." Any way, the confounding part is that being a champion put me in the same group with Carman and Guy, who are machisimo, mafia-esque, uber-dudes who are able to talk their way in or out of anything[A characteristic of a champion gone wrong, actually, is manipulation and being able to talk your way out of anything(I sum up, they both have excellent qualities, just not many shared with me)]. Vhat!?! Everyone sort of did a double take when we stood together. Interesting. Really, I think I am the true champion and the boys just wanted to be champions too so they skewed the results. I just don't think I am a teacher,my insides resist at being labelled (a characteristic of a champion: 'They have a strong need to be independent, and resist being controlled or labelled') something so passive and patient sounding (honorable, amazing, and, i am not going to lie, a bit boring). Anyway, I am sticking to my guns, I AM A CHAMPION! so watch out world, Champion Christa is on a quest!


(Other interesting fact is that my broader category was an idealist(shocker) which means, according to our proctor, that in Harry Potter I would be Harry, in Sex in the City I would be Carrie, and in Star Wars I would be Luke. Heck yes, I am the Star! Notice that all the characters tend to be a little, um whats the word, whiny and, not gonna lie, a little annoying. ouch. (but still the star!)).

I cannot believe it is already November.

I am ready a book about women empowerment (or somethingalong those lines) and suddenly I am reminded of my childhood self, in that i am ready to fight, ready to challenge, and generally my level of mischeivious inclination has greatly increased.
Interesting. Watch out people, I am in a fiesty mood, to be sure.

I met a woman who bought a bus on ebay and lives out of it; the inside is gutted and lined with belongings, a bed, and a wood burning stove, among other things. And she is from North Carolina, Raleigh to be exact. cool.

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.