Coffee Traders!

Recent Sunset in CO

Quick blog on how thankful I am for my parents and their unending supply of Montana Coffee Traders coffee.  This morning was particularly rough and just knowing I had good coffee in my mug (made the night before so it could be iced coffee) made the day was bearable.  Though today is Wednesday, this week is only going to get worse!  I have a massive project due on Friday- one that I was advised to begin several weeks ago due to the nature of its complexity and coordination required to complete the project.  But, in true Jyndia-fashion, I began last week and now I am down to crunch time!  All thats to say, I will be drink a lot of coffee in the next couple of days!

Farewell to my friends...

"It is an ancient need to be told stories, but the story, needs a great storyteller"  ~ Alan Rickman

I have a confession... prior to seeing the last film of Harry Potter: The Deathly Hallows (Part2), I could not remember how the story ended.  How can you not remember!?!?  Here is my sore bit of an excuse.  The book came out in July of 2007- I had just graduated from undergrad, was living the absolute dream in Portland and planning madly for the next phase of my life- New York.  I read the book in about three days and in the craziness- I forgot the details.  Details!

The famous book series has finally come to a close.  The series that has taken the WORLD captive and until now, held them completely ransom.  The story of a wee-little boy who, against all odds, saved the world.  The "magical world" of course.  But isnt that the beauty?  That the world can be saved by someone who is wholly underestimated?

The quote above is an excerpt from a letter written by Alan Rickman (the actor who played Snape) to JK Rowling.  The statement is simple, yet profound.  In the day of computers, wii, playstation, etc., I often wonder if children still learn to read?  Or more, do they still enjoy reading?  We have proof that storytelling is an ancient ritual; but only stories that are crafted in the most unexplainable way are remembered.

When I think back to my childhood, I remember how hard it was to learn how to read and spell.  Nevertheless, my parents always emphasized the importance of language and communication.  My dad would sit int he hallway between my room and my brother's (on a stool that was merely 8 inches off the ground) and read stories to us before bed.  I have one particular memory of him reading Where the Red Fern Grows and while he read the final chapters, I cried silently from my room.  The story had come to life and was a part of me.

That is what JK Rowling has done with the Harry Potter series.  She has weaved a phenomenal story into the lives of millions of children (and equally as many adults).  She has threaded Ron, Harry and Hermione into the daily happenings of children that grew up simultaneously with them- to the point where they identify with each character in way similar to that of a friend.  The mark of a great story- but of an even greater story teller.

And so, we all bid farewell to our friends.  We all greave in ways that are unique to the relationship we had with the characters of this story.  It is my hope that this is one of those stories that continues to inspire generations to come... to read.  to write.  and to tell stories.

My "almost" friend

I have been sitting alone at the high-rise bar at the Starbucks near my apartment for nearly 3 hours- studying of course.  I have drank a venti iced coffee (sweetened with vanilla), ate one chocolate chip cookie and most recently drank a grande passion tea lemonade.  Why is this important???  Well, because of my almost friend... allow me to explain.

After hour 2.75, a girl walks and sits beside me at the high-rise bar.  She opens her bag (yellow like mine) and pulls out a computer- exactly like mine (not uncommon as I have the best computer known to man).  Then, she pulls out an Abnormal Psychology text book and leaves to order her drink.  She returns, with a grande passion team lemonade and a chocolate chip cookie.  She begins to study...

I steal glances.  She is wearing a tank top that I own (only I own it in black) and wearing shoes that I also own.  She has green headphones- nearly the same shade as mine.  She pulls out her phone- it is my phone, only black instead of purple.  

It is now nearly an hour since my "almost friend" has sat down and I am more than intrigued.  Could we be friends? Clearly we have the same style of material possessions and for the goodness that comes from green straws (Starbucks).  She is studying a subject that I have an interest in and typing madly away on her computer- something I tend to do as well.  So, instead of taking out my headphones and engaging in a conversation, I decide to make up her life story... one of my favorite things to do.

She is in her second year of graduate school- trying to find her place in the vast field of psychology.  She is typing a case study from one of her most recent patients.  He suffered a brain injury and is now at Craig Hospital.  As she flips mindlessly through the pages of her text book, she realizes this is one of those cases that could be the gateway to her career... solidify a residency, land the job, and end the madness of grad school.  She is awaiting a call/text from her boyfriend- but he doesnt call- forcing her to continue to work on her case study. Type, type, type. One more glance at her phone indicates its time to depart- packing her things in a rush and walking speedily to the parking lot...

I sit in wonder if we could be friends?  Maybe, we will cross each other's paths again- maybe at this high-rise bar at this Starbucks.  Maybe at Craig this fall?  Until then, she will remain my "almost" friend.

Writer's Block

I really have missed writing. And I feel like I have writer's block.  I usually have all these thoughts throughout the day and then I sit down to write and all I see is the blinking cursor. Blink... blink... blink!

Friends at a concert-beer in a mason jar

Life has been quite crazy these first few months of the summer semester. After my jaunt around the country, I have been trying to focus on classes and summer in CO.  Update on classes- they are non-interesting, non-exciting and seeking to destroy my summer!  We are done with all our PT- content and now suffering through the throws of Medicare, health care reform, leadership classes/professional development, more pediatric course... blah blah blah.  If you're board, just remember this is my life :)

I have been able to mix in a little fun though! I had a great weekend celebrating America's Birthday!  Rockies game was over 100 degrees, but the frozen yogurt following was amazing!  I have been biking a bit more and enjoying that! I love my new bike!!!  I also moved into my own place!  A studio, with a pool- of which I have taken advantage of a couple of times!

CO roommates in MT

I am missing the slow pace of Montana summers.  Even though I havent been home for more than a week during the summer since High School, I still miss the lazy mornings, the days down at the lake, BBQs and ice blocking!  I just found out that I will be in the 406 this August for a little over a week, so I am very excited!!!

I am going to try and get over this writer's block, but until then, you will have to make do with life updates :)  And to make it a little more exciting, I will post some pictures :)

My Class!!!