Just Like That

Just like that another year passes by. Realize that this isn't truly a near year that it's just a time line that we as humans place on our world. Based upon the sun's cycles. Nevertheless another year has passed! What do we have to show for it? A personal question for other people to answer, but knowing how this past year went for me I can guess this year wasn't the best. Nevertheless I start an internship on the Monday the 4th that will kick me into shape. Let's talk about that for a minute.

I can't believe I'm here. I remember when I first started my program at WCU and I learned about the required internship needed to complete the program. I immediately decided that I wanted to go to Shepherd Hospital. Now to say that I didn't want to go elsewhere to complete my internship would be a lie, but in the end I finally decided on Shepherd Center. I remember this past October when I went down to Atlanta for an interview and how nervous I was. Two hours later I was finished and driving back to Western, and one week later I had the internship. Let's see how this goes for me.

I really want to leave my mark on the place but of course I can't stir things up too much. Let's be hopeful for my new year but also others coming new year. So it goes everyone.

The times I have cried have been all but weird; however, tonight I sat down with my dog. I sat down with Boot and gave him some food to eat. I kept my eyes on the top of his head and he would take a nibble of food then look up at me. He had this look on his face, the look you get when you have lost something. I started to cry and started talking to him thinking he could understand me. However, I could tell he knew I was upset so I guess that was comforting. I continued to pet him while thinking how there are no Christmas lights on the bushes outside. In previous years my mother had hung them on the bushes for all of our neighbors to see. So it goes.

I fly out tomorrow you know. Fly out to Seattle for Christmas. We're going to Vancouver, British Columbia to I guess sight see. I'm just excited about the Skiing. That's all I have so I'll go now. Peace.

Nothing Else Matters

As I'm listening to NPR I flinch when I here about climate change, health care overhaul and its enemies, and I fully flinch when I think of the real world. I am about to embark on a journey that is exciting and while at the same time scary as hell. My internship at Shepherd Center should prepare me for working with people and should allow me to become a fully fledged practitioner. I know my professors are proud of me and they expect all of us to have a career in Recreational Therapy. I keep thinking back to my philosophies and since I'm young I feel I can deliver efficacious treatments that truly make a difference in one's life.

While I haven't posted here in awhile that's OK because I'm going to use it as a journal. I've been told I need this journal to write down my thoughts however crazy they are so I'm going to. Let me apologize forthright before I start writing my insane thoughts down in an electronic journal. Some of my thoughts will be personal but of course I'll be writing to an audience so I'll keep that in mind. However, forgive my words as they may bring about hostile thoughts towards me, but remember these are only words.

Carved

"I wonder why, we are the way we are" - Alexi Murdoch

Standing in front of the gravestone, that is the color of pearl, I see my mother's named. It is etched cleanly into the stone and it is upright next to hundreds of others. Almost like tablets. A survey with your own eyes shows the cemetery surrounded by mountains; in fact, it's a military cemetery (I guess uncle sam does take care of his veterans). I stand muttering to myself as if she can hear me and understand me. I stumble around for a moment and collapse, and on my knees I'm closer to her headstone. My eyes, now blurry, reads the name and this death is real. Seeing her die wasn't enough but this is. Enough.

The vision of visiting my mother's grave came to me while looking at my friend's pictures from his accident. I saw him eating with his family and I remembered eating a "victory" meal with my mom. Victory meal after finishing outpatient rehab at Pathways near Atlanta, GA. A meal that meant that I was on my way to recovery from a near death accident. The coming year was a blur. Should I re-hash it? Sure.

I declared Recreational Therapy as my major and I began a long course classes that would lead me to where I am now. I began cycling again as my main sport, but I didn't truly start again until last year. I also dropped kayaking for awhile, but of course I am back into that sport again too. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. I dated a girl named Nikki for over a year; this ended with sadness and guilt but she changed my life. My mom was diagnosed with cancer. I got a new mountain bike which I absolutely love; however, I'm convinced my friends think I'm going to hurt myself again. I'm actually in descent physical fitness now which I'm happy about. My mom was diagnosed with cancer.

I guess it's the juxtaposition of how I held my mom's hand that upset me. She held mine you know. I don't know where I'm going or who I'm going to be, but I know what I hope to be and hope to be going. However, hope is a word that doesn't exist in my vocabulary right now. Just remember whom you love and why. Don't take things for granted. It could have been worse. My mom could have been killed in a car wreck. What a sob story.

Metaphor

This photo is a metaphor: people always try to grab things but they're always out of reach.

This photo is from the Women's Rugby game, Western Carolina v. Georgia Tech. Now I can't tell you if they won. However, they played very well.

Really like this photo. Great one. Alright, I'm off to Snowshoe, WV so I'll hopefully get some photos. Maybe, depends on if I'm too busy skiing. Oh well.

Grapevine Fires

A new video from death cab for cutie! Check it out. For those on facebook, gotta head to my actual blog to see this post. www.amburnj.blogspot.com

Nick Meleti

Nick Meleti, originally uploaded by amburn.everett.

Hmm the sweetness of a carve.

Looking Glass Falls

This waterfall, one of the most photographed falls in the nation. Now, I told my girlfriend about it before we came upon it and in her excitement jumped around in the car. So I couldn't just drive by it, and she said "we have to look at it!" Well I've actually never seen the waterfall, just driven past it.

At this point, I had to walk down and look. I was actually really impressed with the sight of the falls, it is really awesome! I had to give this waterfall a picture it deserved, it's been doing this job for awhile.

Here it is. The photo of photos I feel. Of course, I have more on my flickr. Enjoy!

The Night Race

So my adventure to Fontana village was mainly for the night race. The rugby game I was going to take photos of was canceled so I hopped a ride with my bud. I took photos of the XC race and waited around to take photos of the night time downhill race. Yes. Night time. Let me get this straight, you race downhill at night because? Oh wait, it's fun!
Here's some practice shots you all may enjoy.


Alright here are the photos of the night race. Let's just say that it was sick. Really sick.


Remember that guy Ryan Dunn I bashed with my XC post? Well, he won sport class dh race.
Very nice. That's it that's all folks.

You Have a Race

Fontana XC Race 2009 started off and ended cold. The race looked hard and one of my friends race in the event. He used to rock at cross country mountain biking, but now he rides downhill. Here are some photos from the race!

My friend Julia Tew preparing to race in the cold weather. She did well for her first race!
With a le mans style start and a nice climb to start. Good show!
Tired? Maybe.
The finish line, yea it ended going uphill. Fun.

In Your Honor Sir

Let's sum up Bush.



Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Self Reflection

only the tragedies

in my life,

define me

these

give you a

taste

of what is inside me

taste of what i am

not my possessions

not my bike

as these are just

objects

it’s only where the lightning

strikes

you’ll find me

naked with perceptual

fear and understanding

of myself

fear of what may happen to

me

as i’m the living tragedy

everyone coming from the light

and going into the darkness

around me

be warned with this:

i’m the pale horse

that johnny speaks of

only it’s almost like i am death

but

hell isn’t following me

only dark

Seattle Battle

I hope to maybe get to a computer and upload some photos; however, I'm not promising anything! I'll be in Seattle till the 10th and then I'm off to school the 11th as classes start the 12th. Fun. Anyhow, I'll have many posts about Seattle soon!

In true fashion, I'll leave you all with a photo!

I've posted this video before on facebook, but not my blog. I don't think. Either way, this video must be watched. Sit down and take time to watch this video, really watch. It is an hour long so it will take some time. I'm not asking you to prescribe to my politics, just asking you to watch this video. Really is a great one.


Now it truly wasn't that bad was it? Reflect and think on our government's impact on other nations. Amazing isn't it?

This is the New Year!

So new year, new day. I think we need a kitty in the snow.