Rain rain, go away...
Spring is definitely here, and so is the rain!
Those native to Oregon have told me that this spring and early summer have been rainier and chillier than what’s typical. And while I don’t mind the 50-60 degree days, the sunshine could certainly show its face a little more often.
Even with all the rain, it’s made worth it for those days of sunshine that occasionally sneak in. And with Portland nestled right between mountains and coast, the hour drive in either direction has made the decision on days off of which place to go awfully difficult.
I recently fulfilled a goal I’d set for myself nearly two years ago of becoming a fitness coach. I passed the personal training exam last summer, and have since been in teacher training at the gym I’m now currently teaching at. If the pandemic taught me anything, it’s the power that physical fitness has not only on your physical health, but also on your mental health. It’s been the most fulfilling experience to play a part in the lives of others, providing encouragement and whatever else they need to achieve goals they’ve set for themselves. It’s incredibly rewarding.
Maya is becoming more and more an angsty teenager, or as some would call it, her terrible two’s. We’re currently nursing a bum paw, particularly frustrating to the both of us who’d much rather be out on the trail than on the couch. And while increasingly stubborn, she’s having an absolute blast exploring the PNW. We’ve become regulars at a few dog parks within walking distance of home, spending many of our evenings out playing fetch, myself usually with a beer in hand.
Work has been increasingly arduous the past two months. The omicron surge was definitely hitting, myself catching it for the first time ever in May. And while I’m thankful for the antibodies I’d already developed, the symptoms that managed to break through were sobering in fully appreciating its virulence. After nearly two years of caring for COVID patients in ICU’s, emergency departments, and now in an urgent care, it was my turn to feel the symptoms. It’s as though my own journey with COVID has come full circle.
It’s been a long couple of years.
Life is certainly tumultuous at the moment, with unknowns around every corner. Wherever you are, I’m sending good vibes and thoughts of health your way. Let’s show kindness to one another. We’re all just doing our best.
Riley & Maya
