Thursday, June 6, 2013

Graduation!

I did it!  This last year was really tough and the master's degree was a big part of that.  I am so excited to have finished my degree and to now be able to just focus on what I learned and put it into my teaching.  My official graduation date was May 8, 2013!

Engagement!

     For spring break this year, Anthony and I were able to go back to Canon Beach again for a weekend trip.  The weather was actually pretty horrible this year so we were not able to get too many pictures.  It was pretty cool though because the sand was blowing on the beach and looked like how the desert does in movies.  It rained often, but we did find a few times where the weather was okay.  We were able to enjoy our evening fires this year and were able to stay warm despite the wet and wind.  The sun even peeked out every so often.  The last day we ate breakfast at one of the restaurants that is right on the beach looking over Haystack Rock.  Looking out at the ocean I thought it looked really close and further in than usual, but I figured it was just my different view.  After breakfast I wanted to peak at the ocean one more time, so we walked down the road that goes to the beach.  This is that little paved stretch by the Surfsand Resort.  As we were getting close to the beach I saw the stream that runs to the ocean and suddenly I see a wave of water rush up over the stream and spill onto the road!  I thought oh my goodness the ocean is close!  It seemed safe so we ventured a peek around the storm wall and sure enough, the front waves were almost all the way up to the storm wall!  I had never seen a storm like that at the beach before.  I wish I had been able to get a picture.  Here is a picture of me earlier in the trip pretending the wind is blowing me away.  It was strong enough you could lean into a little bit and not fall.

     Anthony and I had talked about getting married after he graduated, which is coming up soon, so I was starting to figure and hope that he would ask me sometime in the near future.  I was thinking that he may choose Canon Beach, but didn't know for sure.  I was kind of hoping and had an inkling.  Once we were at the beach I thought he seemed nervous at times.  Well, not quite nervous, I could just tell he was thinking and I was hoping that it was for a good reason!  The weather was so horrible and the wind so strong that it made it hard to find a good place that was also semi-private.  I remember finding some nice spots every now and then and making comments to Anthony, oh, this is a nice spot, hoping he had a ring in wait and was looking for a good spot.  Hehe, actually I don't think I told him that was why I kept saying that.  He just thought I liked the spot we found to sit or see the ocean.  Finally on Saturday, we got some nice weather and went to Ecola State Park.  Anthony was hoping for Sun Set's like we had last year, but it was still a pretty nice day even if not super clear and sunny.  While there we took pictures and looked around.  A park ranger, whom I calling the Engagement Fairy, told us how to get down to a private beach area we had never been for.  The hike was a little muddy, but then it opened up to a small beach where the tide was out enough you could climd down and walk around a bit.  We stood on a ledge looking out at the light house and rocks when a sun beam bursts through the clouds on us and Anthony took the moment to ask me!  He pulled the ring out, asked me, and I said yes and put the ring right on my finger!  I guess I was supposed to wait for him to do that, but I was too excited!  We stayed at the beach spot for awhile and watched the ocean before heading back.

Here are some of the few pictures from the trip:

                                                  Me chilling in the cabin.

                                                        Making funny faces at the camera.

                                                        Anthony's turn!

                                                             Pro funny-face maker.

                                                       Not too stormy for the camera today!

                                                                 On the beach....

                                                                 Haystack Rock

                                                            Haystack and her little sisters...

                                                                 Anthony on the beach.

         All bundled up either right before or after Anthony asked me....I look sleepy...hard mattress....

                                                                Tillamook Lighthouse

                                       Our private beach, can you tell the sun is out a little?

                                                                        Seagull

                                                              Path to the small beach.

                                                Trying to get good picture with the ring.

                                               Another try....

                                               Just being silly now.........

                                             Someone was nice enough to take our picture!

                                This pictured blurred in a cool way to make my ring look extra sparkly!
      Playing around again.  I am supposed to be debating my answer to Anthony while I try to ring on.

On our way home at Multnomah Falls for our annual cave picture.