an update

I know I haven't attempted to stay up-to-date with this for several months, but the new thing I did last weekend was pretty awesome: I met one of my long-time internet friends in person. He lives in northern Ohio and a few years ago a bunch of friends and I planned to meet up with him and his family at a concert in Cleveland (ska prom, no less) but he had a freak car accident two days before the show. His distraught dad called me the next day to say he'd had a stroke while driving, and that's what caused the accident. (He was 22 years old and the docs discovered that a hole in his heart had caused the stroke, so he had heart surgery to fix the problem). So needless to say, we didn't meet, as he was in ICU and they wouldn't allow visitors.

Fast-forward three or so years, Nick was 90% recovered and engaged, and he invited us to his wedding. So we went. It was at a state park in eastern Ohio, so we camped on the grounds and met him on his wedding day. His mom gave me a hug. His dad burst out laughing when Nick introduced me as his "friend from the internet."

Graduation from College

April 24, 2009
Another huge step- Graduating from college! I graduated from Grand valley's college of Education and went to convocation (the small graduation for college of ed students and then went to the bigger graduation with all of Grand VAlley. It was a proud moment in my life. I have worked so hard to get here, after 5 years, that it feels amazing to be done with school! My parents are so proud of me and I am even more proud of myself!

And now hopefully Peace Corps is going through! Because right now I'm not sure what Plan B and C may be! But I have the summer to think about it!

Our Nations Capitol

June 7-11 2009, My dad and I went to Washington D.C. He was doing research for a alphabet book on the Smithsonian musuems. I didnt know there were so many museums. I have been to D.C many times , but never known about all the museums. So it was a great experience.

We went to the Natural History Museum, Air and Space, American History, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirshorn Museum and Scuplture Garden, and Renwick Gallery and a few other places. It really was pretty intresting how you miss things sometimes. And while I was there, I had to stop and check out Obama's house!

Camp - June 15-17, 2009

I was a camp counselor for the first time. I have worked with students in daycare/camp settings, but never gone to a camp and worked with students. And the interesting thing about the students was that they were homeless- meaning they were either living in shelters or their houses burned down.

I worked with mostly older students (6th and 7th grade) but I also worked with the younger students. We went to a camp in Wayland and I loved it, being outdoors, but city kids have a problem with being outside. Mosquitos, walking, canoeing, etc. I really enjoyed the experience, but it kind of made me question if teaching is really what I want to do. Good experience for resume and myself, and the money wasnt bad either!

June 26, 2009

I know! I know! Its been like 4 months! I am going to retrace my steps with my previous happenings! But here goes todays. I turned 24 today! It was actually a pretty nice birthday. I slept in, opened my few presents (movie gift card and biking water bottle) went for a bike ride into town, to deposit my check from camp (another experience I need to updayte) and came home and went to dinner!

Then after dinner, I instant messaged a friend I hadnt talked to in awhile, for a couple of beers at the bar. We went to the bar, had two beers, talked, caught up, walked around MSU and then, confidently, after contemplating driving home, I got the courage to be slightly risky and drove home. I really was okay, but I was behind a cop for a long time it felt! Normally I would be really worried about driving home, but Tyler, the guy I hung out with, said something that kind of clicked. He said he was a very independent guy, and I see myself the same way. So I took a couple of breaths and said I can do this. I am not drunk, I can read signs, I was just a little nervous. I made it home fine, and just once, took a small risk, that normally I dont do! So, I did what I normally dont do. Took a small risk, one I was confident enough to get through. I did contemplate calling Tyler, saying, Please drive behind me. But then his speech about taking a few risks in life, made me remember this blog and it worked out ok! Sometimes we have to take risks in life! Know your limit is all I say!

Moving to Grand Rapids

This week I'm moving back home. Its been almost five months here in New Jersey. I can't believe how time flies. I arrived on New Years Eve, and already this whole thing is over. So I'm saying a few last goodbyes, and on Monday I'll be driving the 12 hour trip to Grand Rapids to finish up a few seminars for ordination and do an interview with the committee of higherups.

a whole year later

It's my wedding anniversary (yesterday)! The first one! We're currently hanging out in the hotel lobby chatting with the hostesses and watching the Weather Channel. We realized today that our anniversary will always be at the time of year when the weather is getting nice but summer tourism hasn't really started yet, so it feels like we have everything to ourselves. I just checked out the hotel pool and it's empty. Tomorrow we're going to the state park here in Ludington to hike some trails and hang out at the lake and have a picnic.

Also, thanks for keeping this blog alive, Simon. :)