a brief catch up

After arriving in Portland my priorities were to find a place to live and to get ready for work the following day. After digging through my car to find appropriate clothing and accepting a bed for the night from some very gracious friends, I felt somewhat content and fell fast asleep dreaming of what adventures would come my way as I settle into this new environment. Since then I have started work at Banks High School as the Youth and Family Counselor. I started the first day off with a list of kids ready to be 'fixed' as the principal refers to it as. The staff and teachers have been very helpful and great to work with. It is a small, agricultural community about 25 miles west of Portland with 1400 residents, making my work at the school manageable...415 students and I see about 10% on a regular basis. Here is a link to the school homepage. http://www.banks.k12.or.us/?q=taxonomy/term/1

After an exhausting housing search, thanks to Craig's list, I found an ideal living situation. I have 3 roommates, 2 guys that live in the basement, whom I rarely see....Nana, don't worry, they are good guys :) and I share the main part of the 2 bedroom house with a girl, Kelly, she comes with a friendly black lab, Lucy. Kelly and I have quickly become good friends and bonded over our love for the White Sox!! Our house is on an acre of land where there is fresh fruit and veggies to be picked and a pit for a warm fire to be had. And as of last week I was able to get my room put together with all the necessary furniture, yay....getting closer to that settling feeling.

As far as getting out and about, I have been camping on the Clackamas, rafting down the McKenzie, meals with old and new friends, visiting my alma mater, shopping at local markets, and frequenting coffee shops of course.