If you ever find yourself wandering up to the top of Waterrock Knob, then you might just stumble upon something unexpected and fascinating. Waterrock Knob is a prominent mountain an hour west of Asheville right off of the Blueridge Parkway. If you get to the top of the mountain, there is a dirt intersection. Go... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Six: A Wave of Perplexing Emotions in the Illustrious and Foreboding City of Valetta, Malta
Early the next morning, our ship made its way into the port of Valetta, the capital of Malta. Malta is an island nation in the middle of the Mediterranean, just below Sicily. Valetta is Europe’s southernmost capital. It would be a short trek southward from here to the coasts of Tunisia and Libya. Despite sharing... Continue Reading →
Chasing the Carrot on a String and The Ever-Receding Rainbow
I am endlessly chasing the carrot on a stick, the ever-receding rainbow, whether it be some arbitrary goal that I’ve set up for myself, or simply trying to be stable, avoiding conflict and the perceived disasters that life can throw at me. I tell myself that if only this thing will happen in my life,... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Five: The Bountiful and Illustrious Island of Corfu
The next stop on our Mediterranean journey turned out to be even more magical than Mykonos, which is an astounding feat. The ship spent the night curving around the Greek mainland to the enchanted island of Corfu on the Northwest side of Greece, floating between the Greek/Albanian border. A small channel of deep blue separated... Continue Reading →
A Valentine’s Letter To My Wife Bonnie
This past year has been one of the most challenging and beautiful years for my wife Bonnie and me. This year, we have experienced the highs of marriage, our honeymoon, the joys of our new cats, and countless memories from exploring new places to simply snuggling on the couch playing Mario Party or watching tv.... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Four: The Mysterious and Enchanting Island of Mykonos
Leaving the grandiose spectacle of the wondrous ancient city of Athens, we set sail that evening, arriving the next morning at Mykonos, an island Southeast of the Greek mainland. This island, nestled in the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, was a strikingly barren and rocky terrain. Its mountains and hillsides were towering granite... Continue Reading →
A Brief Journal about Facing and Adapting to My Emotions, My Mental Health, and a New Reality
I feel tired and groggy and a little nauseous today. I drank a little too much last night. This is my last day of Christmas vacation before starting my next travel nurse contract. It feels gloomy today, like a typical Sunday after a long weekend. It feels a little like being trapped, like I am... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Three: On the Acropolis, the Parthenon, and an Endless Sea of Wonder
After our most memorable lunch in the village, we followed the coastal rode back north to Athens, to a special place at the heart of the city. Passing through the crowded streets and tight-packed buildings, we emerged at an opening in the middle of the city, where all else gave way and the dazzling blue... Continue Reading →
Our Mediterranean Adventure Part Two: On Athens, the Temple of Poseidon, and the Art of Enjoying a Meal
Athens is a place that almost doesn’t seem real, like the lost city of Atlantis or Mount Olympus’s home of the gods. Its reputation as a mecca in the Western political, social, cultural, and spiritual ethos makes it seem from another dimension. It is transcended by myth in the minds of all who read about... Continue Reading →
I Started A New Medication and Today Was a Good Day
Today has been a good day. It’s a day I dream about when thinking about improving my mental health. Even though I went to work at a job I ultimately am not passionate about nor want to continue for much longer, my mindset was totally different. I don’t know if it’s the new medication but... Continue Reading →