The New Place

These are some pictures of my new apartment! I really can't wait until I have my own house someday that I will stay in for more than a year. But this does just fine for now :) I still need to brighten it up a little bit, but since I don't have money for decorative things, they will come slowly. This is what I have for right now!

KaBOOM!

I don't think I mentioned on here that Americana got a new playground! It was very exciting. We got a grant from a nonprofit organization that builds playgrounds all across the country. It was funded by Home Depot. It was all built in a period of about 6 hours by around 200 volunteers. On one of the hottest days of the summer, I think it hit 103 that day (it was August 9th). What a day that was. All the Americana staff put in long hours that day and started off very early (6:30 a.m.). I can't even describe how exhausted I was at the end of the day (and I didn't even do that much physical labor). That is what spending 10 hours either in the hot sun or the hot kitchen will do to you (I think the kitchen was hotter than outside). I took so many pictures that day - here are a few.

The End of Summer

My four month summer vacation from school has officially ended. How fast summer flew by. I miss it. Only two days into my new schedule and I am pretty exhausted. And my eyeballs hurt (just thought I'd share, don't know what is up with that - I am assuming it is my allergies/the disgusting weather & air quality we have had). I included some pictures of me in case you forgot what I looked like. One is at the Bats game I mentioned in my last post (sporting a fashionable hat with dollar signs all over it, which you can't see) and the other of me having an awesome time at my family reunion (actually, I shouldn't be sarcastic there, it was an enjoyable afternoon). My last weekend of summer was spent with my family for the reunion. My aunt and uncle who are normally in France were there and it is always nice to see them. My uncle is preaching at First Mennonite in Bluffton in a couple of weeks. Wish I could make it up there for that, but doesn't seem likely. If only I could apparate like Harry Potter....Anyways, I am sad that the trip to the lake did not happen, but I was able to use that weekend to prepare for moving, which was a good thing. My original plan was to wait to move until this coming weekend, but then I realized it would be a lot less stressful to be all moved in before school started, so that's what I did. I moved the majority of my things last week after work. I am so glad it is over. And also greatful for all the help I had from friends. Couldn't have done it without them! As of Sunday night, I am all unpacked and I am loving my new place. I am definitely going to be spoiled by living alone. I can do whatever I want, whenever, and have everything just as I like it. And I don't have to clean up other people's messes. It's quite wonderful. But I did feel a little sad leaving my old place, which I usually do. And my former housemate Alisa left last week....another friend gone. Luckily I have several friends that live around my new place, so I am not all alone by any means. But I need to be careful not to become a hermit. It could become quite easy when I am in the midst of school and work and practicum, plus I love being at my new place! But that should wear off soon.

So school began yesterday. Not quite ready for it. The first week is always easy, but the reality of all the work it takes will sink in soon enough. I started my new practicum at Catholic Charities yesterday. I will be there Monday-Wednesday (16 hours per week). So far we have just been doing the orientation thing and meeting with different departments of the agency. Everyone has been so nice and I have two other interns with me so that will be fun. I really like the agency so far, they do a lot of good things (obviously). I am actually excited to dive in and learn lots of new things and start my work (whatever it ends up being, I have a general idea, but only time will tell). Yeah, I'm a loser. I am taking 4 classes but have only had one so far. It was tonight and it seems like it will be a good class (spirituality and social work). My other classes are Thursday and Friday. And I will still be working 15-20 hours a week at Americana. Yep, I'm superwoman. Actually, I thought going to school full time and working part time was crazy enough, but I found out some people in my program go to school full time and work full time and are single moms. Now they are really superwomen. I thought my 11 hour days were long enough!