Awake

The Cold Dark Tunnel: It's Licensing Exam Time!

Photo credit: Oregon State Archives, Oregon State Highway Division, OHD1273

Whenever I think of a tunnel, I think of the Salt Creek Tunnel on Oregon Highway 58 in the Willamette Pass. I always picture this particular tunnel because of the time that our family was in a very unhappy overheated Pontiac station wagon and we just made it out of the tunnel before it broke down (again). I'll never forget that feeling of *just* making it out of the tunnel and how blessed we felt to be on the other side of it—neither in it nor approaching it. I anticipate re-experiencing that same feeling soon. I chose this picture for this post for two reasons: one, it's a picture of the tunnel I always think of when I think of tunnels and two, it's a historic picture, reminescent of pioneering. I am a pioneer of my own life. Right now I'm in a tunnel. I can't wait be on the other side of that tunnel. (Oh, what adventures will follow?)

In between the road and the light at the end of the tunnel is the tunnel. I think I am now officially in the tunnel. I am taking the national exam on May 5 at 10 am. I finally got my financial aid situation ironed out at the school which led to my transcripts being released. This was the final baby step to getting my application into the Oregon Board of Massage Therapists. I dropped it in the mail about 15 minutes ago. I hope to get a test date for my practical examination soon.

Saturday, I'm studying all day with my school chum Dana. We're going to practice the draping, palpation, actions, lengthening, and shortening for all the muscles on the board exam. We'll also probably go through all the pathologies on the board exam as well.

It's a little cold and dark in this tunnel, but it helps that the light is just ahead. Drew and Kelly and I are starting in on marketing plans and other arrangements for starting up my massage practice out of Abbinito (their salon) in Ashland. As soon as my license is in-hand, I plan on going down there on the weekends. I have one class left to take over the summer term (July-September) and then after that, if all went well over the summer, I'll be moving down to the Ashland area.

I plan on coming up to Portland often. Hopefully I will have some clients up here to work on (hint hint), plus I plan on offering parent classes for infant massage as well.

Finally, I'll be presenting a workshop at Village Women's ministry's Wellness Fair on Saturday, May 19. Details to follow.

Happy Friday!

Black and White

April (my sis-in-law) took some pics of her daughter (my niece) Kylia and me using my digital camera's black and white settings. (Zoie and Adalie make cameo appearances as well.)

Here's the link to the album:
The Gallery at Sleepyhead City :: Black and White

John Perkins Coming to Portland!

Image Credit: The John Perkins Center, Seattle Pacific University The last place I would have expected to see an interview with John Perkins is the Willamette Week. But lo' and behold, on page 17 of of the April 4, 2007 edition, is a Q&A with the man himself. And why? Because he's a leader in racial reconciliation and community-based movements of faith and justice across the globe. And, because he's coming to Portland in a week!

As part of the week-long New Wine conference, Dr. Perkins will be speaking at a variety of venues in the Portland area, including Multnomah Bible College and Multnomah Biblical Seminary chapels on the mornings of the 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, Cedar Mill Bible Church's morning services on Sunday, April 15th, and Imago Dei Community on the evening of the 15th. New Wineskins Institute for the Theology of Culture: "For The Least of These" Spring Conference

I've heard him speak on multiple occasions, at CCDA in New Orleans several years back and in Seattle more recently. (Seattle Pacific excellently hosts The John Perkins Center for Reconciliation, Leadership Training, and Community Development.) I strongly encourage you to try and attend one of John Perkins' speaking engagements. He'll be speaking at Cedar Mill Bible Church's morning services on Sunday, April 15th. That's the one I'll be attending. Let me know if you want to go as a group!

Links:

• New Wine, New Wineskins: For the Least of These Spring Conference, April 10-15, 2007
• Christian Community Development Association (CCDA)
• John M. Perkins Foundation For Reconciliation & Development
• The John Perkins Center at SPU

Happy Thursday! It's a beautiful day out, isn't it?