Take An Unplanned Road Trip: The Point Defiance 5-Mile Drive

Point Defiance Park is home to Pt. Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and was the key location of my unplanned road trip. I have been to the park before, but I have never properly explored it. Today was the day!

The weather was awful - stereotypical of the Pacific Northwest. As soon as my brother returned from school, we packed up and took off in the direction of the park. It was soon decided my brother would be my navigator, so I handed him the map I had made and maneuvered through the streets of Tacoma to our first pit stop.

We arrived at my grandparents' house and ate a quick snack, detailing our plans for the afternoon and looking over the map. After saying goodbye, we continued our journey to Ruston Way and drove along the waterfront before reaching the park. Once there, we put aside the map and followed along the 5-Mile Drive.

The drive led us to several viewpoints which overlooked the Puget Sound. On this horribly rainy day, the sight of the Sound was a welcome compensation to the alternative moisture that seemingly provoked us from all angles. I took as many pictures as I dared of the flora and the fauna as we drove slowly along the winding path through the park.

It was a wonderful couple of hours spent wandering, although I would have loved to spend more time enjoying the scenery by foot. The mini-road trip was a perfect start to the weekend and tickled my sense of adventure. I will always enjoy traveling and I look forward to wherever the road of life takes me next!

Spend a Whole Day Reading a Novel: The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

I knew for this challenge I would want to pick the right book, not just any book I had on hand. I began reading it the night before and I knew that that I wanted to spend the entire day with it, reading, reflecting, and processing it.

The novel is about Hattie Shepherd and the raising of her children in 20th-century Philadelphia. Hattie, an African-American, struggles to provide for her children with her husband August who ends up being more of a disappointment to her than anything else. A tragedy early on in their marriage results in a lifetime of anger and resentment for Hattie. Her children, raised with her callousness, go on to lead very different lives and constantly ache for their mother's love. The brief snapshots into her and her children's lives, however, provide insight to the inner workings of the Shepherd family and Hattie's immense love for her children.

Throughout the tales of Hattie and her children, I contemplated my future family and reflected on my own familial relations. As much as I say I do not like children, I actually do. I just don't feel comfortable with them because I do not know where my boundaries are as a stranger. I am neither a parent nor other family member, so what can I do to show my affection and well-being for the child? I would love to show affection for young'uns because that's how I feel most comfortable with children.

Hattie, on the other hand, worked immensely to keep her children fed and clothed. Some might consider this an implied responsibility of mothership, but with the constant barrage of hardships she had endured I consider this quite a feat for her. Hattie felt as though there was no more love in her to be given after doing all that was necessary for her children.

At one point, Hattie blames herself for not recognizing her daughter's distress. She says, "I never did know what to do about my children's spirits. I didn't know how to health anybody in that way." My compassion for her rose to new heights as I read those lines. What I saw in those lines was a woman exhausted by providing for her family trying to be a better mother. She gave no excuses, she simply stated her faults. 

I wonder how much I will change my response to children if I do become a parent. I can now discern the love my parents and grandparents expressed in doing what was necessary for me, especially when I did not appreciate it, but I wonder if I will have the fortitude to do that for my children if the time comes... 

Contemplation

I apologize for the lack of postings the last few days. It is becoming needless to say I was drained from the preceding week's events and needed a break from obligations. This break included my weekly trip to the farmers' market where I purchased pear butter (delicious, try it if the opportunity arises), a trip to see my cousins, and a necessary trip to Anna Bannanas to try a new beverage and study.

Among the hot topics worthy of pondering, the three most popular at the moment are:

1. The list
2. Christmas gifts
3. Jobs

I continually think of good ideas to add to the list but eventually come up with a reason not to add them. For instance, I was thinking of adding a silent retreat to the list, but then I thought it would almost be the same as a day of silence. I could use a few creative minds' suggestions as I am getting restless and want more challenges. Hint, hint. Where should I take this project?

I know I really should not even be thinking about Christmas gifts as it is not yet even Halloween, yet I find myself trying to think of creative gifts rather than strictly material ones. I have one idea for my close friends, but I would also like to do something festive. Any ideas?

I am so grateful for the job I currently have, but I have been thinking about where I want to work in the future. Not the long-term future, the short-term. What I mean is, I will hopefully be getting my CNA license in December and I would like to have a job for January, but I do not know where I want to direct my application efforts. Should I apply for a job at a long-term care facility? Should I apply for a job at a clinic? Should I apply for a job at a hospital? Should I continue to work in food services until I am ready to work in the healthcare field?

Thoughts like these rotate around in my head, sharing equal time bothering my sanity. The weather is not helping either - it puts me in such a contemplative mood!