Summer.
Since school ended I have been living in Portland working for eNRG Kayaking as a kayak instructor and river guide. That's one big ol' check on my list of dream jobs to have. I've been dreaming of being a raft guide for a long time. So a big "Thank You" to Sam Drevo for offering me a position at eNRG for the summer. Working for Sam at eNRG has been huge. Definitely the biggest part of my 'summer.' I say summer in quotations because this is a summer unlike any other I've ever had. I'm not going back to school in the fall, I'm not in Ashland, and it's not over 90 degrees everyday. Summer in Ashland is hard to beat: Waking up in a cool dark basement late in the afternoon to a 90 degree day well underway. Going on a hike and and taking a subsequent dip in the icy reservoir above the lush and green Lithia Park. Packing in a car with friends and heading out to the Illinois river for a camping trip. Bonfires and backpacking in the hills behind Ashland in the dog days of summer. Midnight snacks and videogames until four in the morning with friends. Getting everywhere by skateboard. Truly carefree.
Working this summer has been rewarding and I've met many good friends through eNRG. To name a few; Sam Drevo, Eric Adsit, Michael Gordon, Niko Peha, Aaron Paulson, and many more. We've all invested a lot into this new venture and have been taking lots of people out on the river, mainly with our Willamette Falls Kayak Tour. On this tour we talk about the history of the area surrounding the falls and get an unmatched view of the falls itself. If I ever get my camera back from my mom I might take it along one of these days and post some pictures of the falls.
I've been told most of my life that it is important that you love the work you do. I've never doubted that. With this job I'm learning that lesson firsthand. It would be nice to make money doing what you love, but earning money and fulfillment seems like a hard balance to strike. So fortunate are those that can make a good living doing what they love. Being a river dawg isn't the most lucrative business to say the least, but luckily for me I'm passionate enough about kayaking that the fulfillment I get from being on the river everyday more than makes up for it.
Initially I was planning on funding my adventure to SE Asia with money saved from working at eNRG this summer. I hope to still make a good amount of money at eNRG but I probably won't reach my original goal of $4,000. I was stressing out over this until I got word from my parents that I had inherited some money from my aunt who passed away a few years ago due to cancer. Barb's love is still blessing my life today as her gift alleviated that stress of not making enough money at work to fund my trip. Now I get to focus on having a good time at work and can look forward to spreading Barb's love all over the world!
I've learned some big lessons already in my time away from school. I've spent some valuable time "in the real world." I've had a job. I've payed bills. Real bills like rent, electricity, garbage, water, gas, food, etc. I've found that I had huge expectations for this summer. What a dream to be living in Portland driving my motorcycle to work. And by work I mean kayaking. :P And for the most part it's been great. Honestly a little lonely at times, and confusing. The world can be a confusing place at times. It can be scary, stressful, overwhelming and seemingly unmanageable. It's easy to lose oneself in big questions and big feelings.
Luckily there are places like Oregon Country Fair that remind us about the most important things in life. That is, that the world is first and foremost a beautiful place, full of wonder and awe, stimulation and love.
It hasn't really sunk in yet that I won't be going back to LC in the fall. I still visit campus regularly and use the facilities there often. The library has been a great resource as well as the gym and outdoor pool :)
I'm at school now, in the library. I've been here longer than I planned but it's fine because it feels right.
Remember that last sentence because you might here it again in 10 months.
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