Playing instruments with your hands.... no instrument required

There's nothing like starting the new year off with moving to Texas, right? 45 days and I'm still here. I have asked myself a few times, "what the ____ (you can fill in the blank with all sorts of words)?" But in a funny way (funny haha) it's good, and I can't really explain it. To solidify my stay I am now an official resident (on paper, as I could never claim true residency in my heart, mind, or soul). The one good thing about getting a new license is the picture. Being able to replace the bad hair-do photo in my Oregon's license with a picture I actually combed my hair.

The name of the town I live in is Trinity. I was told it's one of a few towns in Texas where you have to cross a bridge in order to get into the town. I haven't verified that yet via the Internet but I do know I have crossed quite a few bridges leaving and coming into Trinity. Another interesting fact about Texas is that there are a whole lot of foe lakes (like in the thousands but this is also from a source that I should probably verify). What else about Texas? Welp, there is this great town of Crocket where a great little music whole in the wall exists and I think I can chalk it up as one of the most interesting, enjoyable small shows I've been to. The musician: Carolyn Wonderland (her real last name is Martin; I can see why she went with Wonderland... way better stage name). Genre: who the heck knows?! whatever genre you can fit in someone that plays instruments by using just her hands... no instruments folks. Just hands. Which makes me ask myself how come I don't do that more often? Anyhow, I would go back to this place in a heart beat. All in all, she was enjoyable and very musical talented.

In conclusion. East Texas is not all that bad. I mean there could be worse right? Like West Texas.

Real quick

Real quick update:
I'm moving to Texas. What's my motivation you might ask? No, it's not the cowboys or the flat terrain, it's a job. I have to be honest, it's one state I thought I would never move to but I'm hoping it will surprise me with its charm.

Just in case...

Two words that just don't sound good together: infectious and diarrhea. Then when someone tells you "just in case you get infectious diarrhea take these"... that doesn't sound too good either.
Plane ticket = $700
Medication for infectious diarrhea = $(I actually don't know the cost)
Seeing Katie Mader (pictured below) everyday for a week and potentially getting ID : Priceless



I will be traveling to Guatemala to visit an amazing friend of mine who has been serving in a village there for the past year. She will be there at least another year. I am sure I'll keep busy and hopefully fit in...
In Honduras I will be spending time at an orphanage with a team of people. I'm excited and look forward very much to being able to spend time with the children and serve in any way.

So I am jet setting yet again... and I will hopefully post some pics when time permits. Until then God speed! Prayers are welcome for safety and health.

I don't know...

I don't really know what to write right now except the fact I just had to retype my name like 5 times before I got it right. I do have pictures though. I actually found some pics from about 4 years ago (almost to date too!). They are from my first backpacking trip, with Geebs and Will and I haven't been since. I know, you think I would be more into huh? Welp, some day. Some day. I'm just glad my friends like to take me along on ventures like such. What would I do without em? We were somewhere in the Rocky Mtns of Colorado. I don't remember exactly where. And it's not because it wasn't memorable, it has more to do with a declining memory.

I promise I was going the speed limit.

Beach vs. Bike

I had all the intentions in the world to post pictures from the bike trip at the beginning of July but that never happened, so I'll do that now. I did survive the trip as I clearly am able to type this now, however I might try to convince my sister to go to the beach next year.

why?

Why do I allow myself to be convinced of riding my bike more than a normal person rides in a lifetime in a span of 6 days at high altitude? That is an easy question to answer! Only for the pure joy of spending time with my sister, and not to mention riding with 2500 other people in spandex- it's really a once in a lifetime opportunity to be with that many spandex wearing people and not feel awkward.

My lungs will definitely need to be massaged when I'm done... more to come on Bicycle Tour Colorado.

oh how fast

As I sit here in the library procrastinating from doing some homework, I can't help but think about what I was doing 1 year ago. 1 year ago I was in Nashville, Tennessee in the middle of a 8 month journey around our country. 1 year ago I was living out of a carry on duffle bag, which included a scrabble board. 1 year ago I had no idea I would be doing what I am doing right now, heck I didn't even know about the profession (child life specialist). 1 year ago I was on my 3 tube of travel toothpaste. 1 year ago I was wearing the same pants I am wearing today (how I know this is because I only traveled with two pairs of pants and I didn't really like the other pair). 1 year ago I didn't know that the year would be the best year of my life yet. Oh how fast the year has gone.

Snow Shmo

At the beginning of last week I got real good at sarcasm. You must understand I am not naturally good at sarcasm, in fact I really don't like it. The weather man (or men/women) kept predicting record amount of snow fall and below normal snow temperature. "snow schmo" I repeated, along with "ohh don't go outside and let's cancel school there is too much snow". In fact school, along with many other places of important operation, were canceled for the majority of the week... did I mention there was only an inch on the ground at that point. Welp lo and behold Thursday rolls around along with some grey clouds and manages to dump a record amount of snow in a matter of 5 days... only a week after the predicted Artic Blast 08 was supposed to roll thru. I might sound a tad frustrated at this... okay I am, but it's amazing how it manages to slow people down, in a good way. In this season when we are all caught up in getting that perfect gift or catching the right sale, some how the snow has managed to force people to worry less about consumerism and more about what's happening in front of them (or around them). Being from Colorado though, it is quite annoying that there is not a snow removal plan for this city. I am done with the snow, ready to go south.
Speaking of south, I am headed south and then east in 2 days. Yes I said it. I am moving to the southeast, and who knows for how long.
I will be an intern at a hospital doing child life therapy. Google it, if you don't know what it is. I will reunite with some of my best friends in whom I will be living with and taking in the southern life. I will keep you posted.
I would like to give Jenni from the block a shout out. Hey Jenni! Can't wait till you start writing again and why are you coming to Oregon when I am not going to be here? What the heck?!!?
Anyway I'll leave you all with my favorite snow moment of the week.



I really wanted to see someone plow through this. I waited and waited but as of right now it still stands. Maybe tomorrow.

T is for toilet

This is dedicated to my sister Lia.

3 months ago I dropped my cell phone in the toilet... it hasn't been the same since. Now the battery only lasts maybe 8 hours, 5 if I have a few phone conversations and two if it's on vibrate. It has caused me to miss events, loose my phone for hours on end, and the best part, have meaningful conversations in person. Sure cell phones connect us with our friends globally, but they sure do remove us from what is around us. All that to say, sorry to anyone (especially my sisters) for not calling you back or missing your call, chances were my phone was dead. Hopefully now you will understand, or take pity and help me buy a new cell phone battery.

Life beyond toilets has been going good. I finished my quarter at Portland State University and finally received word that I officially received an internship at a hospital in North Carolina. After a 3 month legal process between the school and hospital it was finally a go this past Tuesday. I leave for NC the day after Christmas. Wohoo! another road trip.

"What else?" you might be wondering.... I don't know. It's late. Maybe I should try writing these when I actually have energy.

Oh and Lia, have a great day tomorrow. You too, Bink.

WHY?

Why do I seem to do my best work after midnight? Why do I like to get up early even though I go to bed late? Why haven't I gotten my haircut in 2.5 months even though it is one of the best amenities in life? Why do I not do what I should be doing but instead do what I shouldn't be doing? Why is it so hard to relate to kids when we were all kids once (shouldn't we be experts)? Why are PB&J sandwiches always better when made by someone else? And WHY are the most valuable treasures at the end of a hard road?

Sprinkles

Today I was convinced if I ate a donut with pink frosting (the kind with sprinkles), it would melt all stresses in my life away. Then I realized I didn't need to eat a donut, what I really needed was a big glass of water... oh the simplicity of water. How it fills us like no other thing can.

Side bar: 5 more days until November, 9 more days until we elect a new president, 47 more days until the end of my quarter, and 248 days until the 4th of July... not that I'm counting or anything.

3:45 AM

Every once in a while I manage to awaken real early and find myslef wondering what to do, so this morning I am going to take the opportunity to update my blog. Since the last time I wrote (I just realized it was 4 months ago) I have visited 7 states, rode my bike more than 600 miles, used 4 travel size tubes of toothpaste, have aquired (I'm not sure if this is how you spell this word, but remember it's real early in the mornin) a new found love for Dr. Pepper, and gained a year of my life...aka turned 29.

I am currently in Oregon, still deciding if I want to live here. I'm not real sure. I would ask for suggestions on where to go next, but I feel as if my bag of ideas has reached it's capacity and now I need to decide.

Here are a few pics from my time spent in Colorado bicycling with my sis...





The sun is rising now.... gotta go

Leah Dillman

Dear Leah,
Oh how long it has been since I have seen you... okay maybe not that long, but long enough. I didn't cut my hair for three months and thought of you everyday. My hair = you not telling me to cut it. I tried. I tried for three months and it just became a shaggy mess that sat on my head. So I walked myself into a salon and let Gia go at it. I was hoping to get the haircut ninja again but he has since "moved up" and charges way more than an unemployed singleton could afford. Gia did a good job.
About 3 weeks previous to my haircut I was able to have the privledge to have this picture taken with a "well known" person. Leah, I can't wait to see you and I really do hope I get the "Dillman invite" to come over for supper. I think you need to teach Nora my name before I come. You have two days Dillman, two days.

A Tandem Bike and Octopus

So you might be wondering "what is happening in Micah's life that she uses tandem bike and octopus in the title?" Let me fill you in on a little secret called, rad friends. Rad friends have tandem bikes and like to take their friends on joy rides around the city; rad friends encourage their friends to try things like a octopus tostada, even though they would never try it themselves; rad friends also like to make faces for the camera.
This is day 11 in Oregon and it is also the 9th day in a row it has rained. I would like to officially declare this the rainiest April I have ever experienced, and the coldest. For those of you in weather above 70 degrees, heck 60, I'm officially jealous. I know the Bible tells us not to be but it is real hard in this case.
Speaking of the Bible have you read it lately? Maybe someone should ask me that in return - maybe that is setting me up for an accountability partner I never asked for.

Two Things...

1. Why are geese making noise at 2:30 thru 4:30 AM but are silent during waking hours?
2. I think geese could be in my top three least favorite animals.

Conclusion: Geese just flat out stink! (I'm giving all geese the stink-eye right now, so is Kate but she doesn't know it)



Speaking of cats I met this woman this weekend who "pickled" two new born cats when she was in college and proceeded to use them as bookends. Later in the conversation she told us the kittens were already dead - that was a good piece of info to find out because I was starting to wonder who I was sitting next to.

Okay so I am in Oregon now. I don't have much to say besides that. I'm slowly attempting to process the change and transition of life the past few months, but I don't know how well that will go because I am still processing from a year ago.

With all that to say here is few of the many people I was able to spend time with in all my travels... Bia "Kate" Briskie and her hubby Matt this is dedicated to you!




If there is one thing in life that is invaluable, it's walking through life with each other. Priceless I tell ya, priceless.

still don't have any pics to show...yet

If I would have wrote this yesterday the title of this would have been "Today I... am glad I wasn't writing this on a real piece of paper because if I was then it would be really illegible" or maybe "Today I... sat in a plane at the Knoxville airport because the President was in Nashville, so inconvenient!" or maybe even this "Today I.. am glad that I am over 25 because I love renting cars"
So that describes my day yesterday, inpart. I left Raleigh or to be more descript I left 6 really really really hard to leave people. I am glad I was bummed/sad to leave, because if I wasn't then I would wonder what the H-E-double hockey sticks I had been doing the past six months. So Laura or Steve if your reading this... the past six months was SOOOOOO worth it!
Okay so off I go... I am driving to Knoxville today. If your wondering why I didn't get off the plane in Knoxville (refering to the title mentioned above) they wouldn't let me. Again, so inconvenient.

wish

Today I wish I had some pictures to post, but I don't. It's not that I haven't taken any since I have been in North Carolina, but it has everything to do with I am running out of room on my computer. I have hit my 4,000 picture limit (or at least I think that seems to be the limit with how slow it is running). I will eventually go through the pics and delete and move and copy and burn, but until then I guess I will have to use words to paint a visual of my life.
So let me begin with this:
In 6 days I will get on a plane leaving North Carolina and travel to Tennessee for 10days. I have been traveling nearly 2 months now (6 if you count the stent I lived in ID) and will be for another month after I leave here. I will go to Tennessee first to see friends and then I am off to Boston to hang with my sister for Easter and see her world. I'm stoked. And just when you think I'm done, I'm not. I will then zoom over to SoCal for a week. Finally I will make my way to Seattle stay a few days, drink some coffee, maybe get my haircut then drive to Portland where I plan to live out my Oregon residency. I tell ya life is a journey and I'm on it.

"You have only to find how your deep gladness is meant to touch the world's deep hunger and be there..."

am all words!

Not really, I just don't have any pictures to post. I will take some this weekend... at least I hope I will. So I have been kinda bummed/pissy because I partially tore some tendons in my foot/ankle after doing a sweet ninja kick to a dog. I only wish it was because of a sweet ninja kick. Truth is I was running and slipped on a stick or a pine cone; I was in too much pain at the time to differentiate between the two. I did however proceed to run home. Probably not the smartest decision I have ever made, but it's not like I could send a telepathic message to my friends to come find me on some random curb on a street that I have no idea the name of, so why not run.
Beside being bummed that I am laid up from running for at least 4 weeks ( boooo!) I am trying to see it as a good circumstance. And here is a top 3 why is could be good:
1. It might force me to sleep in
2. I can do more work (or at least that is a good thought)
3. I don't have to shower and since NC is in a drought it saves water

I can either be in a bad mood and have a bumm ankle or a good mood and have a bumm ankle... either way I'm still going to have a bumm ankle. I only have to repeat that to myslef every hour.

got 8 hours of sleep!

So I get the question "Where are you now?" quite a bit. I am going to address the NOW part of that question...
I am currently in North Carolina... or as people out here call it: Carolina. North Carolinians don't really think South Carolina is a real state... my South Carolinian friend would beg to differ.
I arrived here on Tues eve/Wed morn and I never really understood jet lag until now. So last night I got 8 hours of sleep, that is twice in 3 days that I have slept more than my usual 5/6 hours. That is how I know things aren't normal for me. Going from Hawaii and coming to the east is not an easy task (some may argue otherwise)... however I would do it again, just not this week. Actually give me a year.
Here is a 5 list of my past month of travel (note: this is a real hard list to make) in no particular order and I haven't been in NC long enought for there to be any standoutish highlights, other than my bike fiasco, but that is a whole other story:
1. HAWAII in general and the people I went with... although I did not enjoy having sand in places where it shouldn't be
2. Falling in love.... with Seattle and my friends there
3. Being able to see my friend Katherine on a layover in Nashville
4. Playing soccer 2 days in one week with fun women and having our butts kicked by a bunch of 13 yr olds.
5. Laughing until I get a side cramp
Here are some pics from the past few weeks...









If you get a chance check out my sister's blog... for an enginerd she is quite funny. She is one of a kind that is for sure!