Hello everyone. Time for another blog that is way past due. It has been almost a YEAR since I have written one of these. So much has happened since. It was quite funny to see pictures from my last post of our time on the coast in Cayucos as we just got done with that trip with my second VS group. Here's a couple of pictures from our time there this year. :)
These were mostly taken at Morro Rock in Morro Bay, but some we also went to Pismo Beach and a little north of Cayucus to see some Elephant Seals. :) It was such a fun time to relax and get away from the central valley. We were not able to get out to the beach all weekend though because of the tsunami that had just Hawaii. The tide was always too far in. No one was allowed on the pier either as the waves were crashing through it! I had some great seafood that weekend! Fish and Chips and clam chowder (not as good as the chowder on Martha's Vineyard though!!). The view of the coastal range as we drove between Cayucos and Pismo Beach (45 miles apart) was just gorgeous. Vegetation was so green with eucalyptus trees on the winding roads, spanish moss trees, haunting on the trail of the elfin forest we walked through and wild poppies on the side of the highway. The sight of the otters in the ocean floating on their backs and the elephant seals barking and meowing like both cats and dogs was quite entertaining. It still amazes me how close I live to so many places of natural beauty (within 3 hours of most places) but rarely get to go see them. Work keeps me VERY busy and when I am not working, I enjoy relaxing with friends at the Revue (cafe'/coffeehouse). 
Well...onto some bigger news about my future. Throughout the past 20 months working with COSA, I have finally found what I believe to be a career path. I never thought the moment would come when I would actually find something I wanted to do with my life as a career that I would enjoy! It had always been music. There will always be a part of me that will wonder if I could have made a career in the music business, but regret is not the right adjective. I am very excited about this new path I am hoping to take. I have started (and almost finished) the application process to the MFT (Marriage Family Therapy) Masters program at California State University-Fresno (Fresno State). I am hoping to eventually become a therapist and find a job working with individual and group therapy. I think I want to work with clients in the LGBTQ community and possibly victims of sexual abuse. Working with sex offenders for 2 years has awakened an energy in me to now work with victims of sexual abuse and peoples dealing with issues of sexuality. I believe my empathetic personality, need for working with the marginalized and the longing for harmony in life (relationships with others, the community, environment and oneself) will make me a good therapist. I almost feel like events in my life and all of the different relationships i have had with different friends and communities has led me to this point of decision. It is a very exciting time for me as well as a very scary time with many "unknowns." So right now, I am just in the phase of waiting to see if I get into the program. I am feeling a bit confident as one of my letters of reference is coming from a renowned professor of Criminology at CSU-Fresno (Fresno State), Dr. Arthur Wint. I have been lucky enough to work with him as he is on the COSA board and has been a keynote speaker in some of our training sessions. Also, Clare Ann is another person of reference for me (my boss at COSA) and the fact that I have been doing "therapy-esque" work already for almost two years with a very difficult demographic will bode well for me. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as this next chapter of my life begins to unravel.
Anyway, I am getting SUPER EXCITED about our vacation in July! It sounded like everyone had a good time at Ri's birthday party yesterday at Grandma's. I wish I could have been there. That is one thing that will be difficult to adjust to if I do get into the program and stay out here in California...being so far away from you all again. I do feel this is a great step forward for me though, and even though the distance will be quite difficult, I cannot let that hinder my growth and journey through adulthood. If I could, I would move you all out here with me and we could all live within 5 blocks of each other and still have our jobs and activities. OK, i am getting sappy and emotional now. Anyway, I know i say this all the time, but I shall truly try to write a blog more regularly. Would love to hear from everyone by email or by phone soon! I was going through some photos when I transferred them from my phone to my computer and came across these that took last year and thought I would add them at the end of this blog in memory of Grandpa Lynn. I'm sure we are all thinking of him and Grandma constantly. He is missed greatly every day.
I love and miss you all dearly!
Jor
PS: Something I told most of you, last fall I was able to see my favorite singer/songwriter/musician Tori Amos in concert and was able to meet her personally before the show! Here is a pic! You can clearly see how ecstatic i was!
Here are some pics from Christmas at Liechty's and Zickafoose's :) and a pic of some of friends from the coffee shop at Karaoke one night this winter and another night bowling!
The Elephant Seals in Cayucos and Rainbow after a day of rain at the Revue. Thank goodness for winter/spring here in Fresno where we get SOME rain!
OH! and I thought you all would get a kick out of this! I have been going to our church's Monday night quilting group at our next door neighbor Sylvia's house for about a month now! :) We have about 11 quilts and comforters that will be auctioned at the MCC Relief sale in April. This is a picture of the big quilt I helped on and a picture of some of the stitching i did on it close up.
