I could use a lot of hugs and love right now.
Life is trying at the moment. I know I will be better in the long run for surviving my current work and school frustrations, but right now all I really want to do is say to heck with it all and pack up my room.
Thanksgiving can't come soon enough.
Love!
~g
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Weekend Goings-On
What a busy weekend!!! I has an appointment with Jason, my massage therapist, Friday morning and then came home to relax and clean. The apartment was nice for a whole day or two! Woohoo!
Yesterday up relatively early (for a weekend) and out to an apple/pumpkin/raspberry orchard. Sure, it was an one and a half hours away, but oh-so worth it! Horizon broken only by colorful foliage, dry cornstalks, and fresh breezes. We picked Yellow and Red Delicious apples, ate some apple pie washed down with cold cider, and purchased fresh doughnuts and apple butter at the store. Consumer-driven and country-stereotypical? Sure! Do I care? NO!
I found the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. I will take pictures and show future generations the perfect pumpkin I found in my 24th year on this earth. It did not grow on its side but rather its bottom, making it perfectly round. I left a large stem when I pulled it off the vine. The stem even curves to make a just-right handle (minus those stupid little prickers pumpkins come with). I almost do not want to carve it, but I want its seeds so it has to be cut sometime. I decided I am going to roast pumpkin seeds this year. I remember doing this when I was younger but haven't had them in years. I know they are very healthy and it should be fun!
We arrived home from the orchard later than we planned, and last night was pretty low-key. I knew I had to be up VERY early this morning, so I tried to get to bed at a decent time. Tried is the operative word in that sentence. I got busy and did not go down until about 11:30, meaning the 5:00 am wake up call came way too soon!
The Chicago Marathon was today and I volunteered at an aid location, mile 16 rather than the 13 I had previously thought. Arrived around 6:15 to check in and get my instructions. The group I was with helped in the Gatorade block, while the water was another block down. Let it be said that if I had not already previously despised Gatorade I would have developed a loathing in the 7 hours I was out today.
Keeping in mind last year's fiasco of a marathon in which the day was unexpectedly warm and the aid stations terribly short-supplied, the officials this year added five more aid stations; all told, 100,000 gallons of Gatorade and water. It was my our job to stack the tables of Gatorade 5-tiers high and we spent the first few hours this morning doing just that. Favorite quote of the morning had to come from the Gatorade Coordinator at our station who, while instructing us on the parts of Gatorade to parts of water ratio, said, "The Gatorade is highly concentrated and cannot be drunk straight from the container. Doing so will kill you." It's lethal, but watered down it's a great, electrolyte-boosting sports drink! Woohoo!
Once the runners really started coming through my job turned to standing course-side, passing cups to runners and yelling my voice raw. Between spilling Gatorade all over me while filling the cups in the morning, having it splashed on me as runners snatched the cups out of my hand and the hands of those in front of me, and having not-empty cups tossed at me I came away pretty well soaked and sticky from the race. Straight home and into the shower and clothes straight into the washer.
I had a ton of fun, though! It was totally awesome to see the elite runners, and the rest of the pack was, for the most part, very polite and thankful. It was hot again today, about 80 degrees by noon (it's never a good sign when it is 65 degrees and humid before the sun is even up) and the race starts a bit later than most. Because of last year, race officials instituted a color-coded system to inform racers and volunteers of course conditions. It is a basic triage system, green being good to go and black being deadly. Last year was definitely a black. This year started at yellow because of the heat and humidity, and was upgraded to red by 11:00 am.
Despite the heat, we still had cups stacked three and four high when it was time to start breaking down our station. We had been told to keep mixing and filling, and therefore had been. Tear-down comes and we have tables full of Gatorade. Of course, in the spirit of conservation and environmentalism, the first step of clean-up was to up-end the tables in the street, spilling Gatorade and cups everywhere, and then just using shovels to put the whole mess in large plastic bags. It made me cringe every time a table went over.
It was a great experience overall, and I got a nifty jacket and official badge out of the deal. Go me with my volunteering self!
Post-marathon meant shower and nap. Then some laundry and reading for the upcoming week of classes. What a domestic life I lead!
This coming week is shaping up to be pretty quiet and will give me a nice break. I have class and work on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I take the train home to Iowa. Thursday is for whatever I want! Friday some shopping and a dentist appointment, then back to the city. Saturday is Wicked with Mom!
Life is just continuing at its unrelenting pace, and I'm along for the ride.
Love to everyone!
~g
Yesterday up relatively early (for a weekend) and out to an apple/pumpkin/raspberry orchard. Sure, it was an one and a half hours away, but oh-so worth it! Horizon broken only by colorful foliage, dry cornstalks, and fresh breezes. We picked Yellow and Red Delicious apples, ate some apple pie washed down with cold cider, and purchased fresh doughnuts and apple butter at the store. Consumer-driven and country-stereotypical? Sure! Do I care? NO!
I found the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. I will take pictures and show future generations the perfect pumpkin I found in my 24th year on this earth. It did not grow on its side but rather its bottom, making it perfectly round. I left a large stem when I pulled it off the vine. The stem even curves to make a just-right handle (minus those stupid little prickers pumpkins come with). I almost do not want to carve it, but I want its seeds so it has to be cut sometime. I decided I am going to roast pumpkin seeds this year. I remember doing this when I was younger but haven't had them in years. I know they are very healthy and it should be fun!
We arrived home from the orchard later than we planned, and last night was pretty low-key. I knew I had to be up VERY early this morning, so I tried to get to bed at a decent time. Tried is the operative word in that sentence. I got busy and did not go down until about 11:30, meaning the 5:00 am wake up call came way too soon!
The Chicago Marathon was today and I volunteered at an aid location, mile 16 rather than the 13 I had previously thought. Arrived around 6:15 to check in and get my instructions. The group I was with helped in the Gatorade block, while the water was another block down. Let it be said that if I had not already previously despised Gatorade I would have developed a loathing in the 7 hours I was out today.
Keeping in mind last year's fiasco of a marathon in which the day was unexpectedly warm and the aid stations terribly short-supplied, the officials this year added five more aid stations; all told, 100,000 gallons of Gatorade and water. It was my our job to stack the tables of Gatorade 5-tiers high and we spent the first few hours this morning doing just that. Favorite quote of the morning had to come from the Gatorade Coordinator at our station who, while instructing us on the parts of Gatorade to parts of water ratio, said, "The Gatorade is highly concentrated and cannot be drunk straight from the container. Doing so will kill you." It's lethal, but watered down it's a great, electrolyte-boosting sports drink! Woohoo!
Once the runners really started coming through my job turned to standing course-side, passing cups to runners and yelling my voice raw. Between spilling Gatorade all over me while filling the cups in the morning, having it splashed on me as runners snatched the cups out of my hand and the hands of those in front of me, and having not-empty cups tossed at me I came away pretty well soaked and sticky from the race. Straight home and into the shower and clothes straight into the washer.
I had a ton of fun, though! It was totally awesome to see the elite runners, and the rest of the pack was, for the most part, very polite and thankful. It was hot again today, about 80 degrees by noon (it's never a good sign when it is 65 degrees and humid before the sun is even up) and the race starts a bit later than most. Because of last year, race officials instituted a color-coded system to inform racers and volunteers of course conditions. It is a basic triage system, green being good to go and black being deadly. Last year was definitely a black. This year started at yellow because of the heat and humidity, and was upgraded to red by 11:00 am.
Despite the heat, we still had cups stacked three and four high when it was time to start breaking down our station. We had been told to keep mixing and filling, and therefore had been. Tear-down comes and we have tables full of Gatorade. Of course, in the spirit of conservation and environmentalism, the first step of clean-up was to up-end the tables in the street, spilling Gatorade and cups everywhere, and then just using shovels to put the whole mess in large plastic bags. It made me cringe every time a table went over.
It was a great experience overall, and I got a nifty jacket and official badge out of the deal. Go me with my volunteering self!
Post-marathon meant shower and nap. Then some laundry and reading for the upcoming week of classes. What a domestic life I lead!
This coming week is shaping up to be pretty quiet and will give me a nice break. I have class and work on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday I take the train home to Iowa. Thursday is for whatever I want! Friday some shopping and a dentist appointment, then back to the city. Saturday is Wicked with Mom!
Life is just continuing at its unrelenting pace, and I'm along for the ride.
Love to everyone!
~g
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Blogs and Thoughts
Marshall and I were having a Facebook conversation tonight about our blogs and life and such. Below is a snippet of that conversation. The reference Marsh makes about love was in response to my status on Facebook, which reads, "Grace wonders, of the following, which is the greatest: Peace, Joy, Faith, Hope, or Love?"
Grace
Grace
:)
i don't say nearly as many profound things in my entries - nothing like you. mine are more for just keeping people up to date on my life and random thoughts
Marshall
ha
i just ramble like a son of a b
not profound at all.
Grace
your thoughts and rambling are usually pretty profound. God gave you quite the mind big brother.
Marshall
well, He gave me something.
i just hope i put it to good use.
Grace
i think you are
Marshall
also, the bible would say love.
just fyi.
Grace
i know the verse, but when you throw faith in the mix....
Marshall
but then comes the debate of whether faith is even possible without love.
OH SHIT NO HE DINTTTTT
Grace
or is the love the result of the faith?
Marshall
can you have faith in something you dont believe in? or that you dont trust?
and arent believe and trust at the core of love?
Grace
yes - that's what faith is sometimes... trusting and believing despite all evidence to the contrary. faith isn't necessarily easy, and arguably stronger when it involves adversary
right.
so then it could be argued than none is actually greater than the others, but that all are equally important when considered to be inextricably tied to the rest.
Grace
which gets to the root of my initial question... perhaps i didn't post looking for an answer but instead knew it would be rhetorical and instead wanted to start a conversation
Grace
or perhaps the question stems from current life events of me
Marshall
im sure it does.
Grace
totally terrible sentence structure there
come on, grad school
Grace
still better than a lot of people
11:48pmMarshall
yea.
The conversation was heading in a route I liked and was saddened when Marshall informed me it was time for him to sign off. I considered writing him an email to continue with my thought process, then decided to post it here instead. I know Marshall is not the only person who will be interested in what I have to say next.
I know something has been missing in my life. And I know that I have been restless and unhappy. And I have known, deep down, for a very long time that what is missing is a belief in something bigger, in God.
Having been raised Christian it is very easy for me to turn to the Christian faith. Honestly, I don't think I ever left it behind. It has always been there, but many questions and doubts of my own have stood in the way. Church and religion have long been sources of pain and confusion for me. The hypocrisy I witnessed and experienced for myself growing up were enough to push me away and keep me away. It is very difficult to look beyond the fallacy of the mortal followers to the perfection of the immortal God. The tangible is always more easily accepted than the intangible.
Several years ago five words wrote themselves on my heart. I did not pay them much mind then, but I am paying them lots of mind now. Peace. Joy. Faith. Hope. Love.
I am still struggling, wanting desperately to believe and yet feeling chained to all my history and doubt.
About two weeks ago I made a decision. I decided, rather than work it all out for myself and then approach God, that I would ask for His help instead. So I sat down by myself and closed my eyes and began to let my heart speak.
I couldn't begin to tell you all of the words. I truly can't remember most. I was not thinking of what to say to God; I was just saying it. I do know I asked Him into my heart and soul. I asked for His love and partnership. I asked for His help in healing the injuries caused in His house as I grew up. I asked for His guidance and patience as I come to know Him as I am now, instead of who I used to be. I told Him I made the choice to have faith in Him and His plan for my life even though questions still plague me. I told Him the faith is my part of the deal, and part of that is the belief He will heal me and come into my life in the timing He sees fit. I told Him I needed and wanted Him and His love.
There was no blinding insight; no instantaneous belief or joy. Mostly there was exhaustion and tears. Really, day-to-day life seems unchanged. The only difference is I feel more calm, more at peace. I laugh more and smile more. I have been more giving of my time, attention, and resources than before and finding great joy in it. And I have become very focused on Christmas. Yes, that is random, but then again, is it?
I am sure there will be tough times ahead. I am sure there will be days when I struggle at maintaining faith. Pray for me. Pray God continues his work. Pray for the day my healing is complete and the Lord enters my life as my partner and savior.
I am sure some of you are going to want to speak to me after reading this. I look forward to hearing from you as I continue this scary and exciting journey.
Much love.
~g
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Singin' In the Rain
So I came out of my test tonight to discover it was pouring down rain and the wind was whipping pretty hard. Problem. I did not take an umbrella to campus today. Only way to get home was to walk, so I walked in the rain. After splashing my way through an unavoidable puddle, visions of Gene Kelly popped into my head and the next thing you know I am skipping and singing. Definitely got some crazy looks, but also got some smiles and one gentleman even nodded and wished me a good evening. Was I ever soaked when I got home! And smiling. Everyone should skip and sing in the rain.
Midterm went alright. Not too great, not terribly bad. Just alright. Yes, I should have studied more, but there's nothing I can do now.
I took the day off of work today and enjoyed sleeping in a bit. Things are going to slow down for the next few weeks which is very good for me. I can use the slower pace. And I really need to get back to the gym! Between illness, injury, and hiatus for work, my gym time has really seen a drastic decline. I am trying to keep up with the healthier eating and am attempting to do things such as sit ups and push ups at home, but I am finding I actually miss the gym. Crazy!
I miss the pool as well. I don't get in as often as I would like. Lauren and I have a deal, though. She hates the pool and I hate the lack of variety, so once a week she gives in and gets in the pool and the rest of the time I don't complain. It's a friendship that works because we communicate and compromise!
Now I just need the guy I can have the communication and compromise and mutual pleasing with.
That sentence made sense in my head.
I'm trying to figure out what I am going to be for Halloween. I think we are going to have a community party here at the building with all of the neighbors. Angela wants to be a Smurfette. I will be costume hunting while at home next week. I would like suggestions for costumes and need them no later than one week from now. You have been charged with your task.
My Christmas spirit has started remarkably early this year. What does that mean?
I will spend most of Friday cleaning the apartment. It is atrocious. At least by my standards. I would be ashamed to bring anyone into this house right now even though none of the mess is mine. At this point I do not care who created the mess - I simply want it gone.
Life continues. 212 days until I graduate from my program and go on to the next phase.
I figured that out today while avoiding studying. At least I can count!
Love!
~g
Midterm went alright. Not too great, not terribly bad. Just alright. Yes, I should have studied more, but there's nothing I can do now.
I took the day off of work today and enjoyed sleeping in a bit. Things are going to slow down for the next few weeks which is very good for me. I can use the slower pace. And I really need to get back to the gym! Between illness, injury, and hiatus for work, my gym time has really seen a drastic decline. I am trying to keep up with the healthier eating and am attempting to do things such as sit ups and push ups at home, but I am finding I actually miss the gym. Crazy!
I miss the pool as well. I don't get in as often as I would like. Lauren and I have a deal, though. She hates the pool and I hate the lack of variety, so once a week she gives in and gets in the pool and the rest of the time I don't complain. It's a friendship that works because we communicate and compromise!
Now I just need the guy I can have the communication and compromise and mutual pleasing with.
That sentence made sense in my head.
I'm trying to figure out what I am going to be for Halloween. I think we are going to have a community party here at the building with all of the neighbors. Angela wants to be a Smurfette. I will be costume hunting while at home next week. I would like suggestions for costumes and need them no later than one week from now. You have been charged with your task.
My Christmas spirit has started remarkably early this year. What does that mean?
I will spend most of Friday cleaning the apartment. It is atrocious. At least by my standards. I would be ashamed to bring anyone into this house right now even though none of the mess is mine. At this point I do not care who created the mess - I simply want it gone.
Life continues. 212 days until I graduate from my program and go on to the next phase.
I figured that out today while avoiding studying. At least I can count!
Love!
~g
Monday, October 6, 2008
Long and Short
I am busy. Very busy. But less busy after Tuesday.
I am becoming more at peace. Broad statement, I know. And somewhat hard to explain. I do not yet know if I am more at peace with myself, my surroundings, my perceived path (or lack thereof), or what. All I know is I feel more settled and calm. I am not questioning but rather thanking God and asking for the peace to continue.
Next weekend I am going apple picking. While I look forward to the apples, I really look forward to the raspberries, pumpkins, and fresh doughnuts. That will be on Saturday. On Sunday I am getting up entirely too early and helping man (or in my case, woman) a Gatorade station for the Chicago Marathon. The station is right around the 13 mile mark and should consequently be incredibly fun.
One of my favorite websites is back up and running. Take a moment to check out Komar.org and his controllable lights. I do not know why I find this sight so much fun, but I do. The Christmas version is even better than the Halloween version!
Tonight will be a somewhat late night as I work on studying for tomorrow's midterm and advancing laundry that I should have done yesterday. I took tomorrow off from work (I am owed quite a few hours) and will sleep in a bit then cram hard. I am fine with the overview of the topics for tomorrow's exam, but need work on the nuances.
I am, in my spare time -ok, let me be frank, in class when I am bored - putting together a list of things to do with my father and stepmother when they come visit me at Thanksgiving. Suggestions are appreciated.
Scavengers in the alley! Wow, they are early tonight. Usually they don't come around until around 11:30. I can hear them as my window overlooks the alley, but being on the second floor I am not very concerned. Our scavengers and us have a mutual understanding - we put the items we know they want (cardboard, recyclables, etc) on top and they collect and leave quickly. Minimally bothersome to us, helpful to them.
The things you learn when living in a city...
I am off to compare Stone's theory of public policy with the rational models. Input is much desired.
Love!
~g
BTW - In my supreme September business I completely spaced off and forgot the birthday's (should that be possessive?) of two good friends. To my Iowa State mother: Remember, you are now officially one year closer to retirement! And to my Dubuque buddy: You will get your card when I get stamps.
I am becoming more at peace. Broad statement, I know. And somewhat hard to explain. I do not yet know if I am more at peace with myself, my surroundings, my perceived path (or lack thereof), or what. All I know is I feel more settled and calm. I am not questioning but rather thanking God and asking for the peace to continue.
Next weekend I am going apple picking. While I look forward to the apples, I really look forward to the raspberries, pumpkins, and fresh doughnuts. That will be on Saturday. On Sunday I am getting up entirely too early and helping man (or in my case, woman) a Gatorade station for the Chicago Marathon. The station is right around the 13 mile mark and should consequently be incredibly fun.
One of my favorite websites is back up and running. Take a moment to check out Komar.org and his controllable lights. I do not know why I find this sight so much fun, but I do. The Christmas version is even better than the Halloween version!
Tonight will be a somewhat late night as I work on studying for tomorrow's midterm and advancing laundry that I should have done yesterday. I took tomorrow off from work (I am owed quite a few hours) and will sleep in a bit then cram hard. I am fine with the overview of the topics for tomorrow's exam, but need work on the nuances.
I am, in my spare time -ok, let me be frank, in class when I am bored - putting together a list of things to do with my father and stepmother when they come visit me at Thanksgiving. Suggestions are appreciated.
Scavengers in the alley! Wow, they are early tonight. Usually they don't come around until around 11:30. I can hear them as my window overlooks the alley, but being on the second floor I am not very concerned. Our scavengers and us have a mutual understanding - we put the items we know they want (cardboard, recyclables, etc) on top and they collect and leave quickly. Minimally bothersome to us, helpful to them.
The things you learn when living in a city...
I am off to compare Stone's theory of public policy with the rational models. Input is much desired.
Love!
~g
BTW - In my supreme September business I completely spaced off and forgot the birthday's (should that be possessive?) of two good friends. To my Iowa State mother: Remember, you are now officially one year closer to retirement! And to my Dubuque buddy: You will get your card when I get stamps.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
So much for writing more often!
It's been crazy busy in my life! School this semester is very intense, and much more like what I imagined graduate school would be. My classes are much more discussion-based, making it very obvious if you fall behind in the reading! And I only have one class that has an actual midterm and final test; the other two have weekly papers and a term paper, respectively. I expected to do a lot more talking and writing in grad school rather than being lectured at and tested. Last year, because I was mostly lectured at, I still felt very much like I was an undergraduate. This semester is much different!
Work has been incredibly busy. The biggest leadership event we do is the annual Student Leadership Conference. Last year I served on the committee for the conference and provided whatever support the coordinator needed. It was a good learning experience but, despite it being a leadership program and me being the leadership initiatives grad assistant, I really had very little to do with the conference. That changed this year!
We moved the conference to the fall semester for the first time this year and with the transition in the office and more pressing programs to plan and launch, the planning of the conference did not really begin until the semester started. That gave me six weeks, SIX WEEKS, to coordinate a conference for roughly two-hundred students! Of course, I am not doing it alone, but I am doing a lot!
I have, in the past five weeks: researched national keynote speakers, solicited proposals from those I felt may be able to provide what we were looking for, convinced the committee to go with my top choice, extended an offer, took care of all of the speaker's travel and facility needs, managed the needs of the afternoon speakers and their technical needs, convinced campus catering to waived a $400 fee, oversaw the solicitation of co-sponsorship in the amount of roughly $5000 - 7000 (we won't know about the last $2000 until after the conference), chose and ordered a conference gift, convinced several on-campus departs and Kaplan, Inc. to donate raffle prizes, and the performed the multitude of daily tasks such a large conference requires.
The conference is one week from today, after which my life gets much easier!
I have still been managing to make it to the gym and continue to impress myself and Lauren with my awesome strength. The gym visits fell off this past week because both Lauren and I felt pretty puny. The time at the gym most likely will be scarce next week, as well, as I put in long hours at work pulling the conference together. Still, I can see and feel a difference and my doctor was uber impressed at the lower numbers my cholesterol is showing (ok, so there was also some medicinal intervention in that one, but I'm doing a lot too!).
The roommate situation is still going well! So is the getting to know our neighbors. This place is starting to turn into its own little community, which is very nice! I like knowing the people who live around me and I like having the ability to have a conversation and even friendship with them. It's shaping up to be a good year here at 1257, 1R.
I am super excited that I am going to become an auntie! :)
Some of the best movies of all time, in no particular order:
12 Angry Men (1957 version)
My Fair Lady
Shop Around the Corner
Love to everyone!
~g
Work has been incredibly busy. The biggest leadership event we do is the annual Student Leadership Conference. Last year I served on the committee for the conference and provided whatever support the coordinator needed. It was a good learning experience but, despite it being a leadership program and me being the leadership initiatives grad assistant, I really had very little to do with the conference. That changed this year!
We moved the conference to the fall semester for the first time this year and with the transition in the office and more pressing programs to plan and launch, the planning of the conference did not really begin until the semester started. That gave me six weeks, SIX WEEKS, to coordinate a conference for roughly two-hundred students! Of course, I am not doing it alone, but I am doing a lot!
I have, in the past five weeks: researched national keynote speakers, solicited proposals from those I felt may be able to provide what we were looking for, convinced the committee to go with my top choice, extended an offer, took care of all of the speaker's travel and facility needs, managed the needs of the afternoon speakers and their technical needs, convinced campus catering to waived a $400 fee, oversaw the solicitation of co-sponsorship in the amount of roughly $5000 - 7000 (we won't know about the last $2000 until after the conference), chose and ordered a conference gift, convinced several on-campus departs and Kaplan, Inc. to donate raffle prizes, and the performed the multitude of daily tasks such a large conference requires.
The conference is one week from today, after which my life gets much easier!
I have still been managing to make it to the gym and continue to impress myself and Lauren with my awesome strength. The gym visits fell off this past week because both Lauren and I felt pretty puny. The time at the gym most likely will be scarce next week, as well, as I put in long hours at work pulling the conference together. Still, I can see and feel a difference and my doctor was uber impressed at the lower numbers my cholesterol is showing (ok, so there was also some medicinal intervention in that one, but I'm doing a lot too!).
The roommate situation is still going well! So is the getting to know our neighbors. This place is starting to turn into its own little community, which is very nice! I like knowing the people who live around me and I like having the ability to have a conversation and even friendship with them. It's shaping up to be a good year here at 1257, 1R.
I am super excited that I am going to become an auntie! :)
Some of the best movies of all time, in no particular order:
12 Angry Men (1957 version)
My Fair Lady
Shop Around the Corner
Love to everyone!
~g
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Madison
So I went to Madison this weekend to hang out with Angela and her buddies and some of my own! Angela's birthday was this past Monday and, falling during the week, mostly unnoticed. She spent last weekend with her boyfriend and this weekend with her friends to make up for it!
My good friend, Mike, came up from Dubuque to join us in Madison. I was super happy as I do not get to see him, well, ever. We all went out last night to watch Wisconsin play Fresno. That was a blast! I loved being back in an atmosphere where everyone was intent on their friends but fully ready to yell at the many TVs broadcasting the game.
We slept in today and got a late start back to Chicago. Making only one detour for cheese, we made it back in very good time and now I am just taking the evening to unwind and gather myself for this coming week. I have quite a few assignments due and frankly could not afford the weekend road trip, but I decided the memories of this weekend are more important than the perfect grade on the assignments.
Life continues to be very busy and I continue to stay right at the water level.
The Broncos need to learn what the word "defense" means.
LOVE!
~g
My good friend, Mike, came up from Dubuque to join us in Madison. I was super happy as I do not get to see him, well, ever. We all went out last night to watch Wisconsin play Fresno. That was a blast! I loved being back in an atmosphere where everyone was intent on their friends but fully ready to yell at the many TVs broadcasting the game.
We slept in today and got a late start back to Chicago. Making only one detour for cheese, we made it back in very good time and now I am just taking the evening to unwind and gather myself for this coming week. I have quite a few assignments due and frankly could not afford the weekend road trip, but I decided the memories of this weekend are more important than the perfect grade on the assignments.
Life continues to be very busy and I continue to stay right at the water level.
The Broncos need to learn what the word "defense" means.
LOVE!
~g
Thursday, September 11, 2008
OWIE!!!
I'm kicking butt at the gym but dang does it hurt! The abdominals in particular have taken a beating this week.
I'm going to be an aunt! It is a bit strange to think of but I am excited. And to be honest a little sad and longing for the relationship and the family myself. But mostly just excited and already loving my new niece or nephew. This seals it - we're officially adults now.
Life has been going quickly, as usual. My big event for work is coming up very soon and with the school year fully underway my obligations to our student group are also picking up. Be sure to check out PASA's blog and website!
http://uicpasa.blogspot.com/
http://sites.google.com/site/uicpasa/
The roomie and I are heading to Madison this weekend to celebrate her birthday with some of her friends. We have plans to hit the farmer's market and the local cheese shop. Party people!
We have gotten to know our neighbors upstairs. Last weekend we grilled out together in the courtyard and played corn hole and had a generally good time. Last night we exchanged fruit and vegetables. I like the sense of community and knowing the people I share walls and ceilings/floors with. CNB is still CNB.
Other than that life just continues to plug away.
Love to everyone!!
~g
I'm going to be an aunt! It is a bit strange to think of but I am excited. And to be honest a little sad and longing for the relationship and the family myself. But mostly just excited and already loving my new niece or nephew. This seals it - we're officially adults now.
Life has been going quickly, as usual. My big event for work is coming up very soon and with the school year fully underway my obligations to our student group are also picking up. Be sure to check out PASA's blog and website!
http://uicpasa.blogspot.com/
http://sites.google.com/site/uicpasa/
The roomie and I are heading to Madison this weekend to celebrate her birthday with some of her friends. We have plans to hit the farmer's market and the local cheese shop. Party people!
We have gotten to know our neighbors upstairs. Last weekend we grilled out together in the courtyard and played corn hole and had a generally good time. Last night we exchanged fruit and vegetables. I like the sense of community and knowing the people I share walls and ceilings/floors with. CNB is still CNB.
Other than that life just continues to plug away.
Love to everyone!!
~g
Thursday, September 4, 2008
CNB
Neighbor Joe has officially been dubbed CNB - Cute Neighbor Boy.
CNB came around tonight for help hooking his Mac up to the Internet. I looked decidedly better tonight compared to his first visit, but alas was not able to help. Macs are dumb. He's a bright boy and has a PC for everyday use; his Mac is only a really old secondary computer.
2 miles at the gym today. 2.5 yesterday. Weights and such as well. Dang. I'm trying to convince Lauren to swim tomorrow in an effort to shake up the routine.
No big plans for the weekend. At some point I need to kick it into gear and get into school mode. It's been difficult to transition into this semester considering how few classes have actually been held. I'm sure this next week it will start to feel more settled.
I'm starting to get a social life. I have been invited to road trip to Madison as well as somewhere in Indiana a few weeks from now. Problem is the road trips are scheduled for the same weekend. Yayy for having friends and being in demand!
Stupid Gustav rain bands. I got soaked despite my umbrella (ella, ella, hey hey). It's time for a new umbrella. The 5 + year old one with the broken spokes just isn't cutting it anymore.
I am becoming a fan of headbands again.
~g
CNB came around tonight for help hooking his Mac up to the Internet. I looked decidedly better tonight compared to his first visit, but alas was not able to help. Macs are dumb. He's a bright boy and has a PC for everyday use; his Mac is only a really old secondary computer.
2 miles at the gym today. 2.5 yesterday. Weights and such as well. Dang. I'm trying to convince Lauren to swim tomorrow in an effort to shake up the routine.
No big plans for the weekend. At some point I need to kick it into gear and get into school mode. It's been difficult to transition into this semester considering how few classes have actually been held. I'm sure this next week it will start to feel more settled.
I'm starting to get a social life. I have been invited to road trip to Madison as well as somewhere in Indiana a few weeks from now. Problem is the road trips are scheduled for the same weekend. Yayy for having friends and being in demand!
Stupid Gustav rain bands. I got soaked despite my umbrella (ella, ella, hey hey). It's time for a new umbrella. The 5 + year old one with the broken spokes just isn't cutting it anymore.
I am becoming a fan of headbands again.
~g
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
So busy!!
Yeah, it has been awhile. Stupid life getting in the way.
School has commenced. In the two weeks of classes (during which time I should have had six classes) I have attended all of three. Labor Day took care of one, and another course I have yet to begin. The teacher has been out of town at conferences for the past two weeks and has yet to hold class. It has been an interesting start to the semester!
I have come to the conclusion that work is going to be a real challenge this year. With all of the transition politics, new expectations, and a redefined list of duties for my position it is very confusing, tiring, and difficult. I am doing more than I did last year, playing a much more vital role in the programs I oversee. I have no problem doing this but feel in some ways I have been left without the proper support to ensure the programs are a success. It seems more like a sink or swim on my own deal. The real problem is not that I am executing the programs that fall under the scope of my position, but rather that I am executing someone else's vision of the programs in my realm. It is a struggle.
I have begun attending the gym quite regularly, both because I would like to lead a healthier life and because I have to do something with my work stress and anger. I have been constantly sore for the last several weeks and am a bit frustrated by a lack of physical changes. I know those will come in time if I keep up my schedule and eat healthier, but in the era of instant gratification I would like to see results faster. That being said, I am growing to appreciate my strength if not my appearance. As I have become fond of saying, "It may be a bit flabby, but it's strong!" My legs, especially, are amazing. I'm pretty much have the strength of a newborn bird in my arms, but boy howdy can I push the weight with my legs! I broke 200 pounds this week on the thigh abduction/ adduction machines and was able to run for 2.5 miles straight today. Go me with my gym self!
On the home front, things are going well with the new roommate. Having never lived with males other than my immediate family I was a bit hesitant to take on a male roommate but now find myself regretting not having done so earlier! There is no drama, the place is cleaner than it was with the old roommate, and there is no crazy significant other or drug dealer. Ryan came around at the right time and was the perfect fit.
The new neighbors in the apartment upstairs are also much better than the girls from last year. We have a Justin, Sarah, and Joe living upstairs and have started to get to know them. We're planning a grill-out this weekend with them and anyone from the front building that would like to join. Last night Justin and Joe came a'knockin at our door with the proposition to share our wireless. We have a great, well-established connection with a pretty strong router while they were running into difficulty after difficulty in getting any service. They have been able to see our signal which is, of course, protected and knew it would work in their apartment. We agreed to give it a try and gave them the password. It works very well, so now there will be six of us paying for wireless access, meaning smaller bills all around. Yayy!
I have to say, Joe is a total cutie. I had not met him before last night, but wow! He and I share a wall. Maybe we'll become friends and have a knocking code.
I'm a dork.
For the record, I think that idea is silly.
On the political front, the less I say, the better. My opinions seem to be a bit too straightforward for some. I will leave it at "God help us all if McCain/Palin actually figure out how to rig yet another election for the Republicans and steal the White House."
I will try to post more regularly.
Go Broncos!
~g
School has commenced. In the two weeks of classes (during which time I should have had six classes) I have attended all of three. Labor Day took care of one, and another course I have yet to begin. The teacher has been out of town at conferences for the past two weeks and has yet to hold class. It has been an interesting start to the semester!
I have come to the conclusion that work is going to be a real challenge this year. With all of the transition politics, new expectations, and a redefined list of duties for my position it is very confusing, tiring, and difficult. I am doing more than I did last year, playing a much more vital role in the programs I oversee. I have no problem doing this but feel in some ways I have been left without the proper support to ensure the programs are a success. It seems more like a sink or swim on my own deal. The real problem is not that I am executing the programs that fall under the scope of my position, but rather that I am executing someone else's vision of the programs in my realm. It is a struggle.
I have begun attending the gym quite regularly, both because I would like to lead a healthier life and because I have to do something with my work stress and anger. I have been constantly sore for the last several weeks and am a bit frustrated by a lack of physical changes. I know those will come in time if I keep up my schedule and eat healthier, but in the era of instant gratification I would like to see results faster. That being said, I am growing to appreciate my strength if not my appearance. As I have become fond of saying, "It may be a bit flabby, but it's strong!" My legs, especially, are amazing. I'm pretty much have the strength of a newborn bird in my arms, but boy howdy can I push the weight with my legs! I broke 200 pounds this week on the thigh abduction/ adduction machines and was able to run for 2.5 miles straight today. Go me with my gym self!
On the home front, things are going well with the new roommate. Having never lived with males other than my immediate family I was a bit hesitant to take on a male roommate but now find myself regretting not having done so earlier! There is no drama, the place is cleaner than it was with the old roommate, and there is no crazy significant other or drug dealer. Ryan came around at the right time and was the perfect fit.
The new neighbors in the apartment upstairs are also much better than the girls from last year. We have a Justin, Sarah, and Joe living upstairs and have started to get to know them. We're planning a grill-out this weekend with them and anyone from the front building that would like to join. Last night Justin and Joe came a'knockin at our door with the proposition to share our wireless. We have a great, well-established connection with a pretty strong router while they were running into difficulty after difficulty in getting any service. They have been able to see our signal which is, of course, protected and knew it would work in their apartment. We agreed to give it a try and gave them the password. It works very well, so now there will be six of us paying for wireless access, meaning smaller bills all around. Yayy!
I have to say, Joe is a total cutie. I had not met him before last night, but wow! He and I share a wall. Maybe we'll become friends and have a knocking code.
I'm a dork.
For the record, I think that idea is silly.
On the political front, the less I say, the better. My opinions seem to be a bit too straightforward for some. I will leave it at "God help us all if McCain/Palin actually figure out how to rig yet another election for the Republicans and steal the White House."
I will try to post more regularly.
Go Broncos!
~g
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