Another year: Over and Out

Wow. It's December 31st, 2014. The very last day of another year.

This time of year always has people in retrospect. We're looking at the past 365 days and trying to figure out how they measure up in the grand scheme of life. Are we happier today than we were a year ago? Did we do anything absolutely show stopping to brag about? Are we making more money, taking better vacations, working more exciting jobs? Did we get married, have kids, buy a house, lose weight, make a milestone somewhere? We all seem to try and rate how well we did by some sort of magical, invisible scale of success.

But really, does it matter? Sometimes just living life, getting through it and having a little fun along the way is enough. Maybe it's okay just to be happy with simply making another trip around the sun.

I didn't do any of those milestones listed above, but I do have to say, I'm okay with that. As I reached my 32nd birthday, I came to the conclusion that although life isn't necessarily where I thought it would be by now, I am exactly where I need to be.

Highs/Lows/Mediocres and all....2014: That's a wrap. 

SEA-HAWKS

This year for Christmas, my brother and I got my dad tickets to a seahawks game. It was my first game a Century Link, in the midst of the awe inspiring 12th man crowd. 

It was amazing. Even if we were in seats closer to heaven than the field. 

The Hawks won. Obviously. So it was a Good time had by all. 

When East Meets West.

I know back in week 13, as it was my last week on the road. However technically, I did have one final trip back to the East Coast. Every December we come to Connecticut for our end of your meetings and the company holiday party. I look forward to this time of year because it's fun to get to see my colleagues and spend some time in New York City. 

This officially marks the end of the semester. I can't believe how quickly time flies. I guess people are right when they tell you that life tends to fly by. Maybe it's just me getting older. (That's probably it.) This year's holiday party was held at a bar near downtown. We spent the afternoon hanging out with friends, drinking and eating lots of good food. Again I didn't win any cool prizes. Every year the company raffles off two round trip tickets to London. I always think I'm gonna win. But I never do.

I guess there's always next year.

After the party, friend A and I went into the city to go see a show. The play was just mediocre. But it was fun to get to see the city at night all lit up Christmas decorations.

Final State Count for Fall 2014: 22! Almost half of the country was visited in 16 weeks. What the what?! 

California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Utah, Nevada

#waltersout

This is Real Life: Tear Gassed.

Last night I was attending the Audra McDonald concert in Berkeley. In the midst of CA life right now, we're going through some major protests on the Police brutality surround our country. #Blacklivesmatter and #handsupdontshoot are parts of our everyday lingo and rightfully so. We clearly have issues and the militarization of our police systems is causing people to lose lives.

There had been a lot of police activity in the area before the concert even started. So not the setting you'd expect before an Audra concert, but it was on the Cal campus, so that area is always a buzz with protesters.

If you don't know Audra McDonald then let me enlighten you: fantastic, fantastic singer, the only Broadway actress to win a Tony award in each of the acting categories, median age of concert goers: 60 plus.

Not the demographic you'd consider getting caught in the middle of a dangerous protest.

After the show ended, the venue did warn us that there was a lot of protesting going on around the parking garages that most would have left their cars at. Little did I know what we would all be walking right into.

Let me say this, I never once saw a protester do anything that would warrant the treatment they were given by police. I may have missed it, but overall everyone was being incredibly peaceful. However, as a we walked back to our cars all I heard was yelling by police, telling everyone to get out of the streets and then a big boom.

It was too quite for a bomb, but I knew it wasn't going to end well. At this point I had almost made it to the garage, which I'm guessing was a good thing, though I did learn that tear gas (yes, that is what the boom was) gets stuck in compacted areas.....like a garage.

I've never felt anything like it....and I hope to never again. I was enraged as I watched a lot of older people struggle to get back to their cars, fear in their faces. Thankfully I made it back to mine and ended up picking a few people up to get them out of the air...though it was already burning our faces and our eyes.

I get that the police were trying to control the town....but tear gas is technically a chemical weapon....and don't we frown upon other countries for using that? But why is it okay to do it to our own citizens?

Not cool Berkeley. Not cool.

Gratitude: Check.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I flew home Thanksgiving day, which happens to quite possibly be the best day to fly home. There were very few people at the airport, the flight wasn't full and it took very little time to get through security. Score! I got home by like 10 AM, plenty of time to enjoy the entire holiday. 

Thanksgiving happens to be one of my favorite days of the year. I like it because it doesn't involve buying people things. It's really just a day that you can be surrounded by people you love and eat food. And watch football. What more could you want? This year the holiday was at my parents house. My cousins came over and we had a really good time just hanging out. Like we usually do. Also Thanksgiving happened to be a very important football day. The Seahawks were playing the 49ers. West Coast rilvary! Unsurprisingly, we beat them. In their own home. Silly 49ers.

That weekend, my cousin and I went to the EMP. I never been to the museum before… Mostly because it's really ugly and I didn't want to support it. However, they're having a special 12's exhibit. And I really wanted to see it. It ended up being a really fun trip to the museum. I wouldn't mind going back again someday. The exhibit itself was really small, but it did have the Lombardi trophy and a Super Bowl ring. 

There were some other cool exhibits in the museum as well. There was a horror movie exhibit which was neat and a game of thrones 4D experience. 

It being Thanksgiving and all, I figure there's no better time to write a thank you speech. I'm probably never going to win an Oscar or an Emmy or Tony or any sort of award that allows me to get up on a stage and thank the people who've been the biggest influence on me. So instead, I will use this platform to do so: 

First of all I would like to thank my family for always being there for me. Every single one of the people in my family bring such joy to my life. Even when they're acting weird. Yes I'm looking at you cousin G. Thank you for hanging out with me, for eating Dim Sum with me, and for spending countless hours playing silly games. Thanks to my parents for always supporting me. For allowing me to have crazy adventures and always willing to welcome me home. Thank you to all of my friends who constantly make me laugh. Who are there for me when times are tough, when times are fun, and when times are boring. A special shout out to all of my road friends. I see you more than I see most other people in my life. You're more than friends, you're family. (Cue hallmark commercial). I'd also like to thank all of the flight attendants, the hotel staff, and the people who make my food while I'm on the road. You're jobs are usually thankless. But know that I really do appreciate you. I'd also like to thank the Seattle Seahawks. For giving my city something to cheer about. Lastly, I'd like to thank "not my cat"cat, Finn. For always welcoming me home after a long week on the road.

And of course I'd like to think Academy. All of them. Even if they didn't give me a real award.

It is finished.

Celebrate good times, throw your hands up in the air, party like it's 1999....whatever your party rock anthem may be, play it loud because this week is a week to let the good times roll....

(See what I just did there?) 

This is week 13. 

Whoever said the number 13 is unlucky is wrong. Because this week marks the end of my fall semester college visits. 13 straight weeks of being on an airplane, staying in hotels, eating food from God knows where....all very worth this moment. 

Run, Walters, Run: Las Vegas Rock and Roll Half Marathon Recap

 

This just happened. 

A 5K and a Half Marathon in two days. 

The Las Vegas Rock n' Roll running weekend I so ambitiously signed up for months ago was finally here. 

And I was so not ready for it. 

When it comes to these sort of events. They always seem completely achivable months for the actual race.

Cue the day of...And holy cow! What was I thinking?!? 

I have been in Colorado for the past week for work so my flight wasn't too bad Saturday morning. I got into Vegas around 11 AM and had plenty of time to hit the expo hall, check into my hotel and relax before the night's 5K race. I never really run at night, so I had no idea how this race is going to go. 

It ended up being really cool and a great way to kick off the weekend. Everything was lit up and lots of people were wearing neon colors or glow sticks or anything that glittered. I was staying at Circus Circus Hotel, and the 5K started right across the street. It was great. As I was running, I had to remind myself that I had a 13 mile race tomorrow, so I better take it easy. I really wanted to get up a PR, but didn't realized I should just be using this run as a warm-up for tomorrow. 

I couldn't take it to slow, I had tickets to go see Cirque du Soleil that night. By the time I got back to my hotel, I had to quickly shower and make a mad dash for the theater. 

I have never gotten to see a cirque show before, so I was pretty excited. It was definitely everything I thought it was going to be and at the same time, not at all how I imagined. I will say, those Acrobats and athletes are intense. Holy cow, I can't even imagine the work they put into train. 

The Half marathon, like the 5K, didn't start until the evening. It was really cold all day long. So I went to a clothing store to see if I could get a bit of warmer clothing....apparently this was on everyone's to do list. There were a ton of runners stocking up on socks and gloves and hats. 

One of the best aspects of a rock 'n roll race, is that they have a headlining band either before or after the race starts. Because the Vegas race starts so late, the Band performs before the race actually starts.  It was originally supposed to be Snoop Dogg performing. But for some reason he canceled last minute. So it ended up being the awesome Seattle band Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. I was way more excited to see them that I was to see Snoop Dogg. I got to the venue right before they started playing, and got a really good spot in the crowd. It was really neat to see them live. There were also a ton of Seattle people in town too. A lot of them wearing their Seahawks gear.

After Macklemore played, it was time for the race to start. There were like 30,000 runners in town for the event, what took a while to get to the starting line. It actually took me almost an hour! 

What's my bones started to defrost from the freezing cold weather, I got a good pace and had a really great time running through the streets of Vegas. The best part, of course, was running down the strip. It was so neat to be in the midst of all of the lights and the crowd was cheering entire time. I definitely didn't run my best time, but it was totally worth the experience.

State count, 18.

Let the storm rage on....

Week 12 brought with it a polar vortex. I have of course found myself in Colorado. I'm beginning to judge people who tell me Colorado has the best weather. Because every time I'm in town, I get stuck in some sort of unnatural, heinous weather conditions.

Rains, floods, snowstorms,… But this week brought me freezing temperatures that could rival an Alaskan winter. 

It was legit. Because of that, I feel like I've blocked out the entire week.  I did get to run into a few really good friends, so that was fun.

The one where we conferenced, but really we just ate a lot.

This week was the annual conference week for for my region. A week where professionals in the  education abroad world come together to network, hang out, learn a little, and hopefully gain new skills. This year, the conference was being held in Portland Oregon. A crazy cool city that I don't spend a ton of time in, but always enjoy while I'm there. And the fact that all my friends were converging together, even better!  

That was raised by the river, so there was a really good running paths. I got up early one morning (note: only one more in the entire week did this happen) to run, but was blessed with a pretty sunrise.

The conference was 80s themed and I have to admit it was really fun. The organizers did an amazing job this year. There was so much going on at night, and we all had a really good time at receptions. Michael Jackson even came back from the grave to dance for us for a little while.

There was a course of Photo Booth… And you know how I feel about photo booths.

And it being Portland, the land of endless food, we ate our way through the entire week. From Ramen to sushi to seafood, I don't think I stopped eating. And to top it off the conference brought in the infamous voodoo donuts. I've never seen so many donuts and so many hungry conference goers ever. before.

Not going to lie, it was totally worth it. And even better one of my very good friends, friend A, won an award for being an awesome person. No one deserves it more than her.

Ten. Ten. Ten.

You guessed it...Week Ten.

This is the week where I have completely forgotten where I am, why I'm there and what I should be doing. It's a constant state of delirium.

Appropriately known as the end of October. 

In the life of a road warrior, we have weeks that come like clockwork. The week where you hit the wall is usually around this time. 

And right on schedule, here it was. 

I had a short week, with a quick trip to Montana. This state, like pretty much my entire region, is gorgeous. With its big sky and it s big mountains, I really enjoying coming here. 

I had a beautiful sunset and an even more beautiful sunrise. I hoped to see a buffalo (I didn't) but I did see some really big cows. So there's that. 

State count: 16 technically, but I'm going to totally count Utah because even though I didn't leave the airport, I spent a respectable amount of time there during my layovers. So, 17.

Go Cougs....obviously.

Week nine… You're looking so fine…being so close to the end of the semester is divine.

That's a Walters rap for you. #Dropmic 

Another week, another trip to Pullman. I love this time of year in Eastern Washington. The leaves are starting to change colors, the fields are kind of a glowing yellow. It's right on the cusp of winter. But still so beautiful. One of my favorite running routes on the road is actually in Pullman. It's right by the hotel I stay at and it goes through downtown, around a little park and garden. After I arrived, before heading out with some friends, I did a little run. The trees are changing colors and it was really, really nice. 

Pullman has changed so much since I was a student. There's a lot more restaurants, a lot more places to go out, and quite a bit more to do. Some of my on-campus friends, and I decided to go to a cider house to grab a few drinks. I love ciders. And there's so many to choose. This is the Kind of place we needed when I was a student.

Other than the normal work stuff, nothing happened this week that was exciting. And for week nine, that is definitely a good thing. 

Smooth sailing till the end. 

Love and Marriage: Fall Wedding #2

My gorgeous cousin, N got married to her awesome man J this weekend in Chicago.

The wedding was fun, filled with laughter and love.

Congrats N and J!

Conquering the Final Frontier

Week Eight: Alaska. 

I consider myself very lucky to get to go to Alaska twice a year. I feel like it is always the longest week of my life, but also one that is filled with top notch fun. 

Alaska is how I imagine the Wild West was once like. Filled with land and tough terrain and large, wild animals. 

For years, I've had an Alaska bucket list. This list includes: 

1. Eat as much seafood as humanly possible (this one will never get checked off, because one can never eat enough seafood)

2. See a moose in the wild. Close enough to see it, but far enough away to not get killed by it.

3. See the Northern Lights.

4. Blow bubbles in negative degree weather so they instantly freeze (I did this last spring and it was amazing) 

5. Visit Wasilla. The home of Sarah Palin. 

7. Go dog sledding. 

8. Take a glacier cruise.

Before this trip, I still had # 2, 3, and 5 to accomplish. 

I am proud to say, that as of the end of this week, all of these can be checked off.

I flew in a bit early Monday morning and took a drive around the Kenai peninsula. Turns out it was Columbus Day #IndigenousPeoplesDay, so the head office was closed and I got a bit of free time to roam. 

I went down to Seward for a quick visit. Since tourist season was ending, pretty much everything was closed, but it was still a nice drive.

 As I made my way back to Anchorage, I ended up continuing on to Wasilla. It was all that I had hoped it to be. 

My colleagues and I spent about two days in Anchorage before heading to Fairbanks. I really like Fairbanks. It's not the prettiest, but we always find interesting things to do there. 

For instance, this time, we went to North Pole, AK. What the what?!?

 It is a town just outside of Fairbanks that celebrates Christmas all year round. 

They have a Santa House there, with reindeer and candy cane light posts and a real, fake Pole. There is also the world's largest Santa. 

(I consider it the world's creepiest Santa, but potato, potatoe) 

Children can call Santa whenever they want and a lot of the letters they write to Santa are sent here. 

Adorable.

It was a fun little outing before heading to one of my favorite places, Silver Gulch, the Nation's northern most brewery. Filled with good drinks, good eats and lots of good company. 

After filling our bellies, a friend of ours told us that the northern lights were out and that we needed to find complete darkness to see them.

We still can't figure out how he knew, but he did. 

And we saw them! It was faint, but it was still cool. I ended up seeing them again later that night around 2 am and they were a bit more green and a bit brighter. 

We stayed out for awhile, chased the lights around and then headed back to the hotel. 

On the way back, Friend S1 was driving us all down a pitch black road...and what does she almost hit? 

A group of moose. 

They were massive, with large antlers. There was probably about 4 or 5 of them right by the road. Friend S2 and I, who have both been dying to see a real moose literally high-fived in the backseat. 

We're a cool, easy to please group. 

Too excited to sleep, Friend S and I stayed up and played board games in the hotel lobby. I taught friend S how to play chutes and ladders and she creamed me every time.

State count:15