working hard... or hardly working

What a fabulous four day weekend! This is the first time I really felt I had tons of time to do everything I wanted to do. Of course, I didn't do everything I wanted to, but I could have, if I wanted to. That is why I am working on my grad school statement of purpose right now, or, taking a break from working on it and doing a post instead. Heather and I are hard at work in our apartment (which is suprisingly NOT freezing) listening to Jack Johnson. A nice way to end the holiday weekend.

Thanksgiving was a great day of thanks with the Van Wyks. Good food, and good company. I always love spending time with that family and their friends the Shevlands. They always have fun and intelligent conversation, and I love spending time with adults. It is nice break from always spending time with 20-somethings, we tend to lose perspective sometimes, it's good to be reminded there is life after 26. And, they all really like me, so I always leave feeling really good about myself. Who wouldn't want to spend time with people like that?

I've done all sorts of things, from helping Jen decorate her classroom for Christmas, to playing Pit with friends at the Greenbean. I've worked on my grad app (and getting SO excited about the prospect of a new adventure) and went and saw Pride and Prejudice, which was very very good if you are able to separate it from the greatest movie of all times, the BBC version. I'm working on a few knitting projects, some for me, some for Christmas gifts, and have almost all my Christmas shopping done! I just need to get Mom's, I think I'll do that right now.... (be right back!).... there, that's taken care of. Hee.

And that's about it. I will sign off with the top five things I'm thankful for at this moment (in no particular order): Trader Joe's Truffles, laughing with friends until my tummy hurts, phone calls from mom and dad, beautiful yarn on sale, and people I love so much it makes me cry.

just because I adore this picture...

How can all three Van Antwerps look so good in one picture?

And when you get the chance... you are the dancing queen!

I went to a party tonight with a good friend Sarah (fellow UScholar and 4th Hiller, we've said in touch since graduating). She is part of the Mennonite church in Seattle, so has group of friends from that community and it was one of their birthdays. I hadn't hung out with Sarah for a while, so I tagged along. Sarah and her fiancee were the only people I knew, but I was graced with an uncharacteristic streak of boldness, and was able to interact with strangers, and even get involved in the dance party that started in the middle of the house. I had a really fun time, (I think part of it was that I didn't know these people at all, and the chances of seeing them again were slim, so if they didn't like my dancing, it wouldn't impact me in the slightest). I ventured outside of my SPU bubble! Whew! So much fun just to dance. I got to have a really cool chat with a guy who came to Seattle for his year of voluntary service (something strongly encouraged in the Mennonite church) and he told me his year got delayed b/c of brain surgery which left him paralyzed. He's made a pretty significant recovery, but still hasn't fully recovered all of his left side. Since I knew phrases like "tone" and "PT" and such, we connected. I shared a bit about your recovery, Dad, and it meant a lot to be able to share that with someone who could really relate. He knew what it was like when lifting your arm was worth celebrating. It was an unexpected blessing.
Our International Dinner at SPU went very well. The time leading up to it was a NIGHTMARE (so many balls were dropped and a lot of last minute things) but in true MOSAIC fashion, everything pulled together. We didn't have as large as a showing as in past years, but with very little publicity and we were also competing with men's basketball, a women's activity night, and Hill Hall's progressive holiday event. I still got home by 9:00.
I'm planning on putting in a few hours at work over the weekend so I can take all of Wednesday off (it's a half day for Thanksgiving). I have giving up on our loosey-goosey storage system of all the MOSAIC party supplies, so I went to Target and purchased all sorts of beautiful bins and am going to organize everything. Ahhh, the joys of organizing on the company credit card.
Oh, and fabulous news! The play is definitely going to be video taped, so you will get to witness your darling daughter in her debut at Taproot.
And now, I am off to bed.
Lots and lots of love.

A free evening, and a chance to breathe...

Sigh. In and out. I got to take Lukas (my bi-monthly 3 year old date) to the Greenbean last night. I think he thought he died and went to "big and cool kids" heaven. I bought him chocolate milk and we read books at a table and he got to meet Lisa and Hayden (the co-directors and baristas). Lisa wanted to shake his hand and after that he followed her around asking her why she was sweeping and putting chairs up on the tables. After they closed, I got to take him behind the counter, and showed him the espresso machine, the ice machine, all the syrups and flavors, and the cool-looking cash register (it's a computer). He was so wide-eyed I thought he would pass out. He didn't want to leave and talked all the way back to my apartment about "the coffee shop." I told Anneke and Brett if he wants to be a barista when he grows up, it' s my fault. As long as he stays away from Scooters (cold shivers). His t-shirt had a picture of a barrel of monkeys on it with the words "More fun than a...." (get it?). I think my favorite moment was when he walked up to a serious man reading a book and pointed to his tummy and said "I got monkeys on my shirt." Ahhh, to be young and blatantly proud of your t-shirt attire (now, we can only be subtly proud of our clever t-shirts).

MOSAIC has it's annual International Dinner on Friday night. It's somewhat last minute b/c the leadership and advisors have been at NCMSLC. And the students who stay behind "forgot" to post the posters. We'll see if anyone shows up. Hey, more Phad Thai for me, right?

Well, Heather is really sick, so I'm going to go run to Safeway and buy her cough drops.

Love you much, Mom and Dad!

Fun Fun at Wheaton

Indeed, it's been a good trip so far. The weather isn't freezing (hooray!) and the students are so excited to be here, it's rubbed off on me. At the advisor's luncheon, it was really fun to hear how many schools were impacted at NCMSLC last year at SPU. Stories of how they were inspired by something they saw, or determined to bring more people this year. Many sought me out to affirm what a good job I did. I love pats on the back.

I've been most impacted by the chapel and plenary speakers. Good encouragement and motivation, that has reminded me again why I do what I do. I've been able to have a really fun time with these students, and made me think about why I don't spend more time just being with them. That's really what the fundamental purpose of my job is. Anyway, I skipped out of the evening concert and opted for an early bedtime, I'm not as young as I used to be! My 24 year old body needs sleep!

Thinking about you Dad, and how you are at your own "conference" and working 100 times harder than me. I'm so proud of you. Lots of love.

Off to Chicago...

Hi Dad! Are they keeping you on your toes?
We are leaving for NCMSLC this afternoon. It doesn't feel like it's been a year since we had it here at SPU, but boy am I glad I get to sit in the bleachers this year. Heck, I'm happy I even get to sit down! We are taking 21 students and 3 staff, so it will be a big group, which makes it a lot more fun. I'm really hoping this weekend will give me some fresh motivation to really rediscover my passion for my work and what I have been investing in for the last few years. I also hope to use some of the time to work on grad applications and do some reading.

I am going to join the Van Wyks for Thanksgiving. I think the plan is to go to the Shevlands, so that will be fun. I promised Ellen a long time ago we would go see the new Pride and Prejudice movie (we are quite skeptical it would ever come close to my all time favorite movice, the BBC Version, but, I'm willing to withold judgement utnil we actually see it. I'm hoing we'll be able to find the time next week.

Well, that's it. I should get all the paperwork together before it's time. I don't think my cell phone will work, and internet access isn't guaranteed, so I'll defiantely call on Mom's cellwhen I get back on Sunday.

Dad needs to practice reading....

So, Dad, I'm going to try to do daily updates so you have something fun to read.

Yesterday we got a note taped to our door that they need to "test" our windows for any leaks. Apparently there was a manufacturers defect in the windows, and the managers are hoping our windows fail to help prove a settlement. Either way, that meant last night we had to move all of our furniture at least two feet away from our windows. My roommate and I couldn't move my bed at all without blocking the doorway into my room. I'm hoping they don't mind.

I'm meeting with a coworker who works in the Career Development Office. She is going to look over my personal statement and writing sample from my Graduate School applications from before and help me revise them for sending them off to Goldsmiths. I'm hoping it will jump start me into being more focused on my applications.

Well, that's it. Love and kisses to Michigan!

This is me. I'm happy to see you. 

there's a first time for everything

I was feeling a little left out from the blogger's circle, so I thought I'd give this a try. It's probably going to be just for my own personal rants and reflections until I have something worthy to share with the world. Until then, hope it doesn't hurt your head too much!