June 2016 Questing Report
*I have decided to stop writing about quests that have no real updates to give. Those bits are kinda boring, and they are frustrating to write... so I'm going to try changing things up a little, and hopefully this will get a little more concise for the rest of the year. Halfway there!!!!Quests Completed
Boss Battle #2 has been completed! Work complete on the replacement of the deck boards. They will need to be stained or painted by the end of August, but the hardest work is finished. I have now finished this quest!Quests-in-Progress
Quest # 1: Biographies
Quest # 2: Finances
Cranked out a bunch of reports this month, and have made good money again. Big purchase: plane tickets for a trip in October!
In honor of World Refugee Day, I chose to put my tithing money into micro-loans through Kiva. I contributed to two loans: one is a man living and working in Lebanon to support his wife and children in Syria; and the other is a young mother of three and her husband who live in Palestine along the Gaza Strip who are attempting to rebuild their home, which was destroyed during the war.
Quest #6: Exhibits
We went to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum, in Greensboro, North Carolina! I needed a destination for my maiden voyage (er... road trip) with my new car, and I had always wanted to see where the Woolworth sit-in happened in the 1950's. It's one of those major American historical events I had read in the history books, and marveled at the fact that it was so close to where I lived (History?! In my backyard?!).Finally having a car that can take me there was exciting. The museum was both depressing and inspiring. It was horrific to hear and see what humans have done (and do) to each other, out of fear and hatred. It was also awe-inspiring to hear about the people who were brave enough to stand up to the violence, and the prejudice. Not only stand up to it, but remain peaceful. Holy moley, think about that. Dwell on it. They were scared, oppressed, abused, discriminated against, and they chose NOT to react with violence?? Ho.ly.mo.ly. I don't think I would be brave enough. But, it does make me take a closer look at what is going on in America today, and realizing that there is an opportunity now to be an ally, again.
There is always going to be oppression in the world; always one group of people asserting dominance, often violently, over one or more other groups. Being born into the privileged life of a white, English-speaking American, it's helpful to go to museums like this; to bear witness and be educated by information like this; to know that I'm in a position to help make a change, and that I have a responsibility to do so. Yes, responsibility, ye White Person reading this. If you are part of a society, you have a part in, and a responsibility to, that society. Even inaction has effects, you just have less control over what you effect. "No man is an island," and all that jazz... which is trite but true.
I'm using Pinterest to plan my trip to England and Korea in October. So far, I've created a London board, which is mostly filled with Harry Potter sights and activities.
Quest # 13: Garden
I bought a lavender plant to make up for my dead sage plant.... but not sure that it's going to make it either..... I shall persevere....
Quest # 16: Job Work
This month had a rough week, where I got very little sleep every night and ended up pulling an all-nighter to meet a deadline. I slept a lot that following weekend. I keep chanting "I need this money, I need this money, I need this money." Sometimes people need to go through crucibles before they get to the point in life they want to be. It appears this year (and perhaps next) will be my work-life crucible.
Quest # 18: Exercise
I ended up signing up for Camp Gladiator, which is kind of like Crossfit, but outdoors. The trainers are good, positive people and the activities are fun. I still have my gym membership too though....I'm trying to decide which one I want to do more....I don't really want to keep paying for both.
Road trip with my younger brother, to Greensboro and Elon, North Carolina.
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| A beautiful, beautiful mermaid. |
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| Welcome to Greensboro! |
Went on a trip to the beach with mom and the siblings! I realized it had been about five years since I had been to a Carolina beach. I love how peaceful the beaches down here are (and generally clean). I do love the beaches in the Pacific Northwest as well... but you can actually get in the water here and swim around if you wanted - without fear of riptides, rocks, and freezing waters. Yes, there may be sharks... but it's fairly rare to run into one.
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| North Topsail Beach - starting to sink away into the ocean, and needs walls of sandbags to preserve the homes. |
In sad news, my furbaby was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. She's getting so old, I worry that she won't be my companion for much longer....I hate forcing her to take her medicine, but it seems to be working. She has a follow up scheduled in July to make sure the medicine is helping. Good thing she loves seeing the vet!Coming up next:
Quest # 1: Biographies
Couldn't find my top pick for the biography this month (a specific Eleanor Roosevelt biography), so I am going with another top First Lady biography: Michelle Obama: A Life by Peter Slevin.The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is the largest Scottish games festival in North Carolina. These highland games are one of the things I really missed when I was living in Korea, and now that I have the money for the ticket and the car to make it out there, I am making the journey up the mountain to watch men in kilts toss cabers and play the bagpipes!
Quest # 26: Friends
A friend I met in Korea will be in town for a wedding, so I get to grab a drink with him and catch up on how life has went for him the past few years!
and... continue with ongoing Quests!
KJets
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