Update

School is still going great! I've been very busy studying. This week is test week. I had a test over the weekend in one of my online classes, a test today, a test tomorrow, and a lab practical tomorrow. Everyone in my class is overwhelmed, but we are getting through this week. My test today was harder than I thought it would be. There was a lot of information and on some of the questions I wasn't exactly sure if I gave the answer she was looking for. Tomorrow my test is in Kinesiology. I'm not as worried about that test. We have had three pop quizzes and I study for that class all the time.

For my Therapeutic Media class I have to do a playground assessment. Today, after my test, I went to the Recreation District Park on Beverly Drive. It's not far from the Meyer Center. I've been there before with JP. It was beautiful out there today. There were a couple of mothers there with their daughters. The girls were all running around playing. I sat there and did my assessment and took pictures different equipment. I was watching the girls play and I noticed that I was observing them thinking of OT and of different activities to do. Six weeks ago I would have never thought that my brain would be thinking this way, I know it sounds weird. OTA school has become my life and it's showing in things I do everyday.

That is pretty much what has been going on in my life. I still continue to go to the gym five days a week, that is my outlet. Last week I slacked and only made it one day! It felt great to get in there today. Other than school and the gym I don't have much time. Friday I am going to go out with some friends and relax, definately needed after this busy week.

I hope everyone is doing well.

OTA School

Well, I have made it through the first two weeks of OTA school and ABSOLUTELY love it! The people are great and so are the classes. I have a great schedule. I couldn't have asked for a better one. I do get confused as to what class I am in sometimes. Our classes are between two classrooms and you see the same teachers everyday. I have brought the wrong book to class, opps.

My hard class will be Kinesiology. It is a lot like Anatomy and Physiology, but more in depth. This class is not my favorite, but I will get through it. I love all my other classes. So far my favorite class is Therapeutic Media. We are going to do sand art next week. How cool is that?!

I am so pumped about my classes. Any doubt I had before about making the right decision is gone. The head of the department has said that our class is so enthusiastic and that we have raised the standards for classes to come. Wow! That's all I can say. She said that she can tell each of us are dedicated. It is such a neat environment. How often do you look forward to going to classes? I do each day, maybe not as much for Kinesiology.

The next 15 months are going to be challenging but very exciting. I have started the preparation for the rest of my life. This is not school, but my career. I am truely excited.

Maine

Maine was great! We had a cool and rainy week but still had a blast. We would walk down to the village every night, walk along the boardwalk, and just really enjoy each others company. My dad and I went hiking to Camden, Me. It is about an hour north of Portland. The hike was great, although challenging because the trail was wet. We were supposed to have a great view of the Maine rocky shoreline, but it was very foggy so we didn't have a view. We still enjoyed our over three mile hike. After our hike we ate lunch and had the biggest lobster rolls I have ever seen. It was on an oversized hamburger bun piled high with lobster meat. They were delicious and only $12.95, which is not a bad price. My dad and I also went to Kennebunkport. We went through all the shops and ate lunch at Mrs. B's. We go there every year. The clam chowder is amazing and the homemade blueberry pie is out of this world. We would have gotten lobster rolls, but at $18 a piece we decided to just stick with the clam chowder. We then stopped by the beach we used to go to as kids and the camp ground we used to camp in. We then went to Fortunes Rock which is a place we also used to go to as kids. It has beautiful views.

The week was wonderful. It was so great to see my relatives. It is amazing how much the kids grew in a year. We always have such a wonderful time. I can still hear the laughter of everyone having a great time and the waves crashing on the rocks. I can't wait to go back. I will have to wait for two years since I will be in school next summer.

I'm going to try to put a link up for the pictures of the sunrise and sunset. My mom put these pictures on her website. The pictures were taken by my dad. The pictures are beautiful.

http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.com/Maine.html

Goldrenrod - where we get ice cream and watch salt water taffy being made

View of the village with the Fun Park in the back
Ryan
Marina

Rachael at Fortunes Rock
Lighthouse at Fortunes Rock

Gino, Elyse, and Francesca

Francesca, Elyse, Gino
Steve holding the sting ray that Ryan found
Steve "eating" the sting ray
Francesca and Elyse

An evening with My Grandpa and Helen

After my dad and I left my Uncle Don's we went to my Grandpa and Helen's house. This is my dad's dad. I haven't seen him in probably 7 or eight years. Again, I know terrible. We had a nice time catching up and talking about growing up. We ate a wonderful dinner. Then enjoyed a very pleasant evening out on the front porch. It was beautiful out. It felt like a late September evening. Definately a change from the extreme heat we are used to. I also got to see pictures of my cousin's babies. It still seems weird to me that my cousins are married with children. I guess because I haven't seen them in so long.

We had a great time visiting with my Grandpa and Helen. I look forward to seeing them again soon.

Helen and Grandpa

Rachael
Grandpa and Dad
Grandpa, Helen, and Dad

Trip to Uncle Don's

On Friday, August 1st my dad and I drove "up north" to see my Great Uncle Don. Up north is in Moriah, NY. It is about 2 hours north of Schnectady or the Albany area. I haven't seen my Uncle Don in probably 14 to 18 years. Yes, I said years. I remember going to his house in the summer for family reunions. He always had amazing gardens. He says he is too old to keep up his gardens, he is 82. I remember having my kid sister doll up at his house and he would hide it next to him. I would get so mad because I couldn't find it. Adventually he would give it back to me.

Uncle Don looked great. We had a great visit with him and a great lunch. He made macoroni salad, egg salad, chicken sandwiches, cottage cheese. He went all out for us, which is so true to his character.

My dad and I had a wonderful time. I can't wait to see him again.

Rachael and Uncle Don

Uncle Don's house

Hello from Maine

Well I am in Maine having a blast. The weather hasn't been the best. It's been raining all day. We are playing cards and relaxing. There are 26 of us here. We are going to eat lobster tonight.

We got to Maine on Saturday. All of us were tired from the drive up, plus my dad and I had already traveled 14 hours. Sunday we went down to the beach, but it was chilly. Yesterday was the best weather day so far. We went to the beach and relaxed. Last night we went down to the village and to the Fun Park. The kids had a blast. I went on the Scrambler ride. I haven't been on that ride in years. I laughed so hard! We also went on the Go-Karts. I think that the adults had more fun than the kids.

Tomorrow my dad and I are going to attempt to go hiking on the coast, weather permitting. It has been a very fun and relaxing week.

I will post pictures when I get home. I hope everyone is doing well.

Update

My summer has been awesome! I have met some pretty cool people and made some wonderful friendships. My last day of work is two weeks from today. I'm sad. I have enjoyed working at the gym this summer. My boss told me that if I had time in my schedule that I was more than welcome to still work there. I told him that I have to see what my schedule is.

I leave for the beach two weeks from tomorrow. My dad and I are driving up to New York on a Thursday. Then on Saturday between 20 and 25 of my family members are driving to York Beach, Maine for a week. We rent two beach houses and we have a blast! We eat fresh Maine lobster, go swimming in the ocean, walk through the village. It is an awesome time! I am very excited about seeing my second cousins and how much they have grown in the past year. There are six of them that range from the ages 5-12. They are a handful, but fun.

Not much else is going on in my life. Just working, spending time with friends, and enjoying my last month of relaxation for awhile.

I hope everyone is having a great summer!