Wheel of the Year

I officially claim the title of lifelong learner as I embark on the journey of a SECOND  masters. This time it will be focused on a Masters of Nursing. I plan to get two post-graduate certificates one in education and the second as a clinical nurse specialist.  I currently hold a Master of Science in Herbal Medicine from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formally Tai Sophia). It's exciting as I am beginning to figure out what I want to be in my career. My plan currently is to become a clinical nurse specialist in oncology, alternative/complimentary medicines, and palliative care. Not quite sure how all this will fit together, but hopefully it will make sense as I move forward.  I have a couple of goals to move me forward in this arena in 2016. 1) Attend a herbal medicine conference in 2016. 2) Begin sharing writings and learnings from my education at Walden University.

2015 *Life is a series of events and breaths glued together by the hope that everything will work out in the end. - Marikat 2015* My twenties was a mixture of triumphs and falls; considering the foolish decisions I made during parts of these times, I take my current breaths deeply as I could have died several times over. Like most early twenties, I thought I knew everything and had all the answers. My mid to late twenties were spent beating these feelings out of me. I appreciate my twenties for what they were, they made me into a stronger person with lessons of madness, disease, death, poverty, failure.... I have seen humanity at some of it's worse points and from this I learned that it is never too late to start over; even after innocence is gone, joy can be reborn. I was not really able to say this until after I turned 30. I am a beautiful person both inside and out. When I look into the mirror I see a pair of eyes that sparkle in the face of adversity. I see lips that smile...

On Feb 22nd, 2012 I packed up my life and got into a car and left WV for good. I am now in Palo Alto, California... I feel like I have aged 100 years between November 2011 and now. My mother became ill, my parents house caught on fire, fortunately my parents are okay however 3 cats died, a mentor and person who was with me during a difficult time in my life passed on, and a dear friend chose to no longer be apart of my life. Even the security of my old job has even been lost with the new management and people that have influenced my career having been removed. I feel like an orphan and the securities I once had have been removed. In short my life has been chaos and I have no idea how I am continuing on and not breaking down or losing my mind. Although there has been a lot of pain, there has been blessings. My sister and I have become closer and talk weekly, I have seen a lot of the United States including the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and the Pacific Ocean. I am here in California, a ha...

So it's been a while and I guess I need to do some catching up into what's going on. I am almost officially a graduate with an MS from Tai Sophia and I am now travel nursing!!! I am currently up in Burlington, VT and damn if it's not one of the most beautiful places I have ever been! I haven't had as much time as I wished to have had to explore the area however I have been working at the hospital a lot so yeah still doing that exploring thing. ;) I am going to be adding pictures and videos of my time as my journey continues. I am flying home the end of this month so yippie!!!! :)

All my life I have had vivid dreams and here is just an example of one. Last night was a night of amazing and beautiful dreams. I dream last night I was visiting Shepherdstown and getting ready to leave again for a flight across an ocean. I was very excited about my journey yet trying to get ready. Before I left, someone I care deeply for and I had a deep moment of intimacy, he said he missed me and we touched each other more gently than any one could ever touch a lover. (It was rather steamy!!!) After this I left him and got on a plane, the plane had people I knew on it and it was interesting b/c it had to turn off and the wheels touched the sea as we took off. It was so beautiful and I felt so at peace and loved in this dream. It was much needed!!!!!

So my adventures have taken a new turn from writing long papers to going back into the woods and hiking. It is sorta fun to go hiking this time of year as suddenly the air is more crisp as it fills my lungs. It hurts sometimes but so worth it to be outside in the sun. This is pictures of Kilgore Falls and King & Queens Seat in Rocks State park, Maryland. I love this state park as it is pretty local (only 30 minutes away by car) and there is something profoundly healing about that place. It used to be a sacred splace by the Native Americans there at the time as you will read on the sign below. I hope you enjoy my pictures and get transported to this lovely place. :)