Holiday Card 2004
Its time again for our opt-in holiday card. Apologies to those who don't have computers. Or accidently clicked on the link.
2004 has been yet another busy year for Michelle and I. The biggest bit is that Michelle finished law school and passed her bar exam, and is now an officially sanctioned attorney. She's working on getting a job, hopefully in poverty law, but she's also looking at family law or something similar at a smaller firm. If you're hiring... :) Michelle's also taken to running, which she does after walking the dog. Barley is too awkward to run with.
Following Michelle's graduation, the two of us went to Bermuda for a week. We had an excellent time snorkeling and cruising around the lovely island while relaxing before starting studies for the Oregon state bar exam. It was a blast, and we're hoping to go somewhere a little more challenging this coming year. Early sights are on Thailand, but we'll have to see what life brings. The picture at the right was taken at Warwick Beach after having snorkeled for an hour in what we later learned was unsafe. I suppose the beach and water was rough, but the sign should have read "Warning - lame snorkeling."
I've started graduate work in geography at Portland State, and just finished my first class. So far I'm going part-time, though I'm hoping to switch to school full time and work part-time within the next year. My early direction is in cartography, though my recent class exposed me to the compelling facets of human geography again. Time will tell. Next term I'll be taking more GIS, and I'm looking forward to having access to software and data again.
Both Michelle's brother and my sister moved to Portland this year. Jason works at PCC too, and seems to be enjoying the work, especially in contrast to his previous job. Hilary moved down on Halloween with her friend Emily and is working at Cameraworld. She seems to be liking Portland quite a bit. We see both Jason and Hilary weekly for our Sunday dinner ritual, and often other days as well. There's plenty to do in PDX.
Barley has finished the year without any surgery; his first year yet without any. He's been enjoying the squirrels, walks, and unending showers of affection he receives from his mom and just about everyone else. Even at 3 he's still very much a puppy, and doesn't mind that his left hip is somewhat dysfunctional. Luckily, it doesn't slow him down at all.
Tigger is also doing quite well though he's lost some weight. Occasionaly he comes home with some scabs from tussles, and we're quite sure he was on the losing end of the squabble. Still, at 15, he's a spitfire.
We have high hopes for the coming year. Much of its the usual stuff: health, happiness, fewer rain days, peace, a new president, faster downloads, etc. If 2004 was any indicator, we've look forward to the new year. We wish you all the best as well.
Andy, Michelle, Tigger and Barley