There are three cars and three people at our house, a few minutes ago there were 4 & 4, an hour ago there were 5 & 5. Last night we celebrated Lynnea's bday by playing poisonball and eating dirt - what a fabulous celebration! I even ate several worms. (Not fried). Today we garage saled for awhile and I ended up with Cranium and Catch Phrase!!
I have the sweetest hand tan - tanned up to my knuckles and then white from then on. Aah, work. It's lovely. And it is over for the summer. As much as it was hard, I will miss it slightly. But I am also grateful for the 1.5 weeks I have off before heading back to school.
I'm going to play a game with mom and James now. Au Revoir mes amis!
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Wow!
It hasn't even been a week and I'm posting again!
Because it's summer it's been crazy and so much fun. I get to see my brother, my sister,
my cousins, my relatives, my friends and I even get some time to work in there. Wow. God is so good!!
My work has been outside and last week it poured buckets, dripped, rained, sprinkled etc. so I got these sweet yellow rain pants:
hopefully this works. Anyway, if so, that's Lynnea and I. Lynnea's about to bbq there. Saturday I went to visit Jason in Lynden and spent some time at the ocean and around with his relatives who were visiting. We had a really good time and I was incredibly tired by the end of the day. Good tired.
On Monday, Lynola, mom and I went shopping we ALL found something (or several somethings) Here's a pic of Lynola and my cute purple shirts. That'd be my good looking dad in there too.
Tomorrow I'm going grocery etc. shopping (That'll make 3 days in a row - yikes!) Tonight Uncle John and AUnt Sylvia are showing up, THursday we're going to Bard at the Bandstand (As You Like It - local theatre). Friday Lynola and I are going to James' for dinner. I have such a life this week ;-)
Hope you're all proud of me for blogging. (It was slightly encouraged by Lynnea and Lynola who also posted today)
Because it's summer it's been crazy and so much fun. I get to see my brother, my sister,
my cousins, my relatives, my friends and I even get some time to work in there. Wow. God is so good!!
My work has been outside and last week it poured buckets, dripped, rained, sprinkled etc. so I got these sweet yellow rain pants:
hopefully this works. Anyway, if so, that's Lynnea and I. Lynnea's about to bbq there. Saturday I went to visit Jason in Lynden and spent some time at the ocean and around with his relatives who were visiting. We had a really good time and I was incredibly tired by the end of the day. Good tired.
On Monday, Lynola, mom and I went shopping we ALL found something (or several somethings) Here's a pic of Lynola and my cute purple shirts. That'd be my good looking dad in there too.
Tomorrow I'm going grocery etc. shopping (That'll make 3 days in a row - yikes!) Tonight Uncle John and AUnt Sylvia are showing up, THursday we're going to Bard at the Bandstand (As You Like It - local theatre). Friday Lynola and I are going to James' for dinner. I have such a life this week ;-)
Hope you're all proud of me for blogging. (It was slightly encouraged by Lynnea and Lynola who also posted today)
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Well I got promoted to working outside today. Hard work on the back, but a bit better pay. Rainy this week so I went out and bought rainpants today. They're super cool yellow. I'm grateful to be working. But living in B.C. has benefits and struggles. Union is having a vote tomorrow to strike. Whenever you read this, please pray. I reall ydon't want to strike but don't know enough about the reasoning yet to vote. Perhaps I shall find out more tomorrow and then cast a vote.
In other news...
Life is good. God is good. I still have work this summer. Our house is usually full of people. Smitherines were here awhile, James and Lynola, Lynnea and Jason have been around. Seinens are currently residing with us. But only til Saturday :( Then we get to move them which will be fun and I"m sure good for them to be in their new home too but we'll miss them.
This past weekend I went to Harrison Lake and swam across the little pool part, got somewhat sunburnt, looked at art work etc. It was fun. Also slept over at Jan's - got to see her new place which is beautiful and has yummy cherries. We shopped, talked, slept, and then joined my family for Harrison b4 coming home to make pizza, eat pizza and just have a jolly good time.
This is a recent picture of myself this summer. Hope you all like it!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Happy Summer!
Well folks, we're just over half way to Christmas now and I've been humming Christmas music for all of the 3 weeks I've been at work. Yes I have been working. After all that fun I've had this summer it's time to buckle down and smell the trees. They smell good, the rubber gloves - not so much. I picked up my formerly - had job and am grading, wrapping and boxing seedlings again. It's been 3 weeks and I hope it will be about 6 more. This job is helping me pay for school. God is gracious and thus, I have a job and quite close to home. I am also able to work days and can see my family!
This weekend I biked out to the dyke and proceeded to get soaking wet with Jason when God sent beautiful rain. We had a good time and I was grateful to have warm dry clothes to change into as well.
Oh yah, and I went 5 pin bowling with my family and Jason and Janice. First time seeing Jan since California so that was fabulous (she even came over for ice cream afterwards!!) and Jason's first time doing 5 pin (I think he might have won...)
This coming weekend I hope to be moving cousins, an aunt and uncle, and a brother (mine to be precise). And perhaps I'll even make it down to the states for a bit on the 4th of July. We'll have to see about that though.
Anyway, such is my life currently. Hope you're all doing well. If so, or if not, send me an e-mail. I want to pray for you!
This weekend I biked out to the dyke and proceeded to get soaking wet with Jason when God sent beautiful rain. We had a good time and I was grateful to have warm dry clothes to change into as well.
Oh yah, and I went 5 pin bowling with my family and Jason and Janice. First time seeing Jan since California so that was fabulous (she even came over for ice cream afterwards!!) and Jason's first time doing 5 pin (I think he might have won...)
This coming weekend I hope to be moving cousins, an aunt and uncle, and a brother (mine to be precise). And perhaps I'll even make it down to the states for a bit on the 4th of July. We'll have to see about that though.
Anyway, such is my life currently. Hope you're all doing well. If so, or if not, send me an e-mail. I want to pray for you!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wedding!!
Guess where I was this weekend? And by this weekend I mean last weekend.
If you guessed California, Oregon and Washington you'd be correct.
Wednesday night last week Jason and I travelled up to Newberg where we chatted with family - I love those people! It was so good to be there even if for a really short time. It was great to see Uncle John, Aunt Sylvia and Rachel again. And to remeet Gideon and finally meet Anneke!! Anyway we left Thursday morning after a yummy breakfast with Uncle John and Aunt Sylvia and showed up in Ripon that night.
On Friday I showed up and was priveleged to be allowed to help set up for the outdoor reception etc. I also got to see the town of Ripon - visit the river, eat pizza, stop at a second hand store etc. Then Saturday was the wedding - seeing this picture is just a glimpse of how happy the two of them were / are. Wow. What an incredible gift. (By the way, who's the good-looking guy blowing bubbles on the sidelines?)
Sunday we left again - after going to church in Ripon. Good strong sermon - I'm so glad God didn't pick me to be a preacher - this guy is good. THis time we had a 3rd person. Janice joined Jason and I for our trek home. I gotta tell you - my family travels to get places - Jason travels to see stuff along the way. THought it would drive me nuts but it was SOOOO much fun! Y'all should try it sometime. We stuck our feet in Lake Shasta and sat on a dock in Everett. Good times were had by all.
Anyway now I'm back and I began work yesterday (Thursday) and had a half day today. I'm also going to apply elsewhere b/c if I can get a job I enjoy even if pays less - I might go for it. Lots of prayer on that.
One thing I know - it's good to be home!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Okay Okay
I'm posting!! Who commented as my blog anyway? That was clever.
Well I'm home. Hooray! I got home on Monday night and I've been enjoying every minute of it. I learned to play Red Hot Yott and Some train ride game around U.S. - both were pretty fun. Also played some Dordt Guess Who and Hand & Foot.
Jason had to leave right away - he slept over Monday night but then went to Lynden Tuesday morning to go for job interviews etc. And yes he did find a job for the summer! He's working part time in Lynden and Bellingham - I don't know any details yet though. Just happy he got some work.
But then Tuesday night Lynnea showed up. She flew into Vancouver and then was going to take the greyhound home but hmm - those bus drivers went on strike so she got stuck. THankfully her luggage showed up last night (Wed) at 10:50 and also dad found her a car which she'll drive around here. That means she had transportation home and is on her way right now. Praying she gets there safely and soon. SO we had fun with Lynnea too.
Today we did some yardwork - dug up dandelions, weeded the gardens, cleaned cars (well the guys did), did laundry. Yup. Oh and I was standing on the porch hanging laundry and the line fell down - *snap!* Oops. It was pretty old. So I'm standing there holding this long line of clothes. It was a beautiful moment.
And hopefully Jason will be able to come up again this weekend - maybe even Saturday... we'll see guess that all depends on work. And I get to start work on June 5th I believe - I'll find out for sure on May 31. Glad to have a job. But I really hope I don't start earlier. B/c I'm going to a California wedding. Leaving next week Thursday probably to go to Neil and Sarah's wedding on June 2 (Saturday). I'm so excited!!
Looks to be a good summer. I hope yours will be too!
Oh yah Guess I should talk about where I was the week b/w grad and now. Jason and I drove back together. We stopped in Helena for a week - spend time with his family. His sister Maria was graduating so we got to go to her grad. I also got to spend time with his 3yearold and 14 year old sisters - playing games, washing cars, going to the bookstore they own and all. Wow. That's about all I can say. Biked, walked, drove around, had a campfire, played with gutters and trees, blue sand and read picture books. Also learned how to make cute little chocolate grad caps. It was lovely.
E-mail me if you want to know more ;-)
Well I'm home. Hooray! I got home on Monday night and I've been enjoying every minute of it. I learned to play Red Hot Yott and Some train ride game around U.S. - both were pretty fun. Also played some Dordt Guess Who and Hand & Foot.
Jason had to leave right away - he slept over Monday night but then went to Lynden Tuesday morning to go for job interviews etc. And yes he did find a job for the summer! He's working part time in Lynden and Bellingham - I don't know any details yet though. Just happy he got some work.
But then Tuesday night Lynnea showed up. She flew into Vancouver and then was going to take the greyhound home but hmm - those bus drivers went on strike so she got stuck. THankfully her luggage showed up last night (Wed) at 10:50 and also dad found her a car which she'll drive around here. That means she had transportation home and is on her way right now. Praying she gets there safely and soon. SO we had fun with Lynnea too.
Today we did some yardwork - dug up dandelions, weeded the gardens, cleaned cars (well the guys did), did laundry. Yup. Oh and I was standing on the porch hanging laundry and the line fell down - *snap!* Oops. It was pretty old. So I'm standing there holding this long line of clothes. It was a beautiful moment.
And hopefully Jason will be able to come up again this weekend - maybe even Saturday... we'll see guess that all depends on work. And I get to start work on June 5th I believe - I'll find out for sure on May 31. Glad to have a job. But I really hope I don't start earlier. B/c I'm going to a California wedding. Leaving next week Thursday probably to go to Neil and Sarah's wedding on June 2 (Saturday). I'm so excited!!
Looks to be a good summer. I hope yours will be too!
Oh yah Guess I should talk about where I was the week b/w grad and now. Jason and I drove back together. We stopped in Helena for a week - spend time with his family. His sister Maria was graduating so we got to go to her grad. I also got to spend time with his 3yearold and 14 year old sisters - playing games, washing cars, going to the bookstore they own and all. Wow. That's about all I can say. Biked, walked, drove around, had a campfire, played with gutters and trees, blue sand and read picture books. Also learned how to make cute little chocolate grad caps. It was lovely.
E-mail me if you want to know more ;-)
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Visited your local library lately?
Happy National Library week! I hope you're enjoying your local library b/c I'm sure enjoying the Dordt library!
Just over an hour ago I participated in a reference book dominoes contest. There were about 10 teams of people. We could grab any of the reference books and set them up to make the longest line in 10 minutes. The key - if our whole line didn't fall over, we were disqualified. Well we were disqualified - the last 3 didn't fall over. Rats. But it was SO much fun! I would reccommend it to you all.
So this afternoon I will be working at the library and I'll get to shelve some of those books :) I also participated in a library workstudy shelving competition this morning. We were given two crates of mixed up dvds and had to shelve them onto 2 shelves as quickly and accurately as possible. For every misshelved dvd we added 15 seconds to our score. Well people will be doing that throughout the day.
Last night when I worked, I got to refill the candy bowl, and set out 3 trays of Caseys chocolate chip cookies for people to eat. I also got to do some shelving of dvds (hmm, good practice ;) and fixed a photocopy machine jam. Working at the library is amazing! Oh and Tuesday there was an airplane flying contest down the rows. Unfortunately I missed it - but while I missed it I got a new set of frames for my glasses so I can see - hooray!
This week has been incredibly busy but I'm loving every minute of it. The weather is beautiful and I went and read on a grassy hill yesterday before work. Lovely! THis coming weekend I will be working at the special olympics in the morning, school work in the afternoon, and going to a bachelorette party in the evening.
Lots of projects left to do, some papers to write. (Don't let me confuse you - I AM still at college! [and I love this place])
Anyway I should get to that homework.
Hope you're all having positive library experiences. If you're not, come to our library - the people are great!
Just over an hour ago I participated in a reference book dominoes contest. There were about 10 teams of people. We could grab any of the reference books and set them up to make the longest line in 10 minutes. The key - if our whole line didn't fall over, we were disqualified. Well we were disqualified - the last 3 didn't fall over. Rats. But it was SO much fun! I would reccommend it to you all.
So this afternoon I will be working at the library and I'll get to shelve some of those books :) I also participated in a library workstudy shelving competition this morning. We were given two crates of mixed up dvds and had to shelve them onto 2 shelves as quickly and accurately as possible. For every misshelved dvd we added 15 seconds to our score. Well people will be doing that throughout the day.
Last night when I worked, I got to refill the candy bowl, and set out 3 trays of Caseys chocolate chip cookies for people to eat. I also got to do some shelving of dvds (hmm, good practice ;) and fixed a photocopy machine jam. Working at the library is amazing! Oh and Tuesday there was an airplane flying contest down the rows. Unfortunately I missed it - but while I missed it I got a new set of frames for my glasses so I can see - hooray!
This week has been incredibly busy but I'm loving every minute of it. The weather is beautiful and I went and read on a grassy hill yesterday before work. Lovely! THis coming weekend I will be working at the special olympics in the morning, school work in the afternoon, and going to a bachelorette party in the evening.
Lots of projects left to do, some papers to write. (Don't let me confuse you - I AM still at college! [and I love this place])
Anyway I should get to that homework.
Hope you're all having positive library experiences. If you're not, come to our library - the people are great!
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Alive and Well
I made it! I am back home in Iowa and only 18 hours late! The good news is that I got to spend 10 of those extra hours with my cousins Timothy and Catherine, in Denver. The bad news is that we were late because we had a head on collision with a guy driving the wrong way down the hwy. On our bus, 11 out of 40 some odd people went to the hospital by ambulance or airplane. At least according to the article, these people were okay but they didn't sound like it when I was sitting near them. 2 seats ahead of me was a guy with pain all up his spine and neck, 2 seats ahead of me and to the left was a guy who couldn't walk because of his knee, right next to me - the lady who had the window seat got glass in her eye. In the very front, the lady had a hit her head. To be honest my heart feels like it's beating faster just writing about this. I left without any scratches on me that I've seen. But it's hard to say 'thank-God I'm safe' because although I am safe and I didn't get hurt, a lot of other people did.
I am, however, very glad to be home and in one hour I'll even get my luggage. God is good. All the time. My first big accident. I didn't like pulling glass pieces from my hair 24 hours later but now I've showered and put on clean clothes and I feel so much better.
Anyway, thanks for everyone who prayed. And thanks to you who didn't know but still care :)
Signing with love.
PS Here's a site I think Uncle John Vis found about the accident:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0325on-bus25.html
I am, however, very glad to be home and in one hour I'll even get my luggage. God is good. All the time. My first big accident. I didn't like pulling glass pieces from my hair 24 hours later but now I've showered and put on clean clothes and I feel so much better.
Anyway, thanks for everyone who prayed. And thanks to you who didn't know but still care :)
Signing with love.
PS Here's a site I think Uncle John Vis found about the accident:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0325on-bus25.html
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Phoenix!
Hi all!
Thanks for your posts. That's exciting. Twas nice to hear from you all.
Right now I'm in Kindergarten. I just stamped addition - 2 + 1 = ??? That was really fun. These kids are really cute. I'm going to teach Computers today - like find the letter "m" on your keyboard. Do you remember what the monitor is? etc. Yesterday I subbed for grade 7 & 8 Geography, history and english that was a switch. They had work to do so I didn't have much to do. Good group of kids here.
The weather's been nice. Warm. Went swimming twice at Lynola's apartment complex. She has a nice apartment and good view of a little park outside. She also has a lot of chocolate that she's been trying to feed me. That means I've had my 3rd birthday cake. My roommates made me one - yum! Jason made me one - yum! And Lynola made me one - yum! They were all different and all amazing. My roommates made a by chocolate cake with buttercream frosting - wow! Jason made a mint ice cream, chocolate pudding, oreos, hot fudge, whipped cream layer cake - wow! And Lynola made chocolate with chocolate icing and chocolate chips - wow! Notice I gave all equal wows and yums, they were all amazing. So yah, I've had my years worth of junk food but it tasted good.
But can you believe that it's Spring Break and I'm getting up at 6:15 am?
Thanks for your posts. That's exciting. Twas nice to hear from you all.
Right now I'm in Kindergarten. I just stamped addition - 2 + 1 = ??? That was really fun. These kids are really cute. I'm going to teach Computers today - like find the letter "m" on your keyboard. Do you remember what the monitor is? etc. Yesterday I subbed for grade 7 & 8 Geography, history and english that was a switch. They had work to do so I didn't have much to do. Good group of kids here.
The weather's been nice. Warm. Went swimming twice at Lynola's apartment complex. She has a nice apartment and good view of a little park outside. She also has a lot of chocolate that she's been trying to feed me. That means I've had my 3rd birthday cake. My roommates made me one - yum! Jason made me one - yum! And Lynola made me one - yum! They were all different and all amazing. My roommates made a by chocolate cake with buttercream frosting - wow! Jason made a mint ice cream, chocolate pudding, oreos, hot fudge, whipped cream layer cake - wow! And Lynola made chocolate with chocolate icing and chocolate chips - wow! Notice I gave all equal wows and yums, they were all amazing. So yah, I've had my years worth of junk food but it tasted good.
But can you believe that it's Spring Break and I'm getting up at 6:15 am?
Phoenix!
Hi all!
Thanks for your posts. That's exciting. Twas nice to hear from you all.
Right now I'm in Kindergarten. I just stamped addition - 2 + 1 = ??? That was really fun. These kids are really cute. I'm going to teach Computers today - like find the letter "m" on your keyboard. Do you remember what the monitor is? etc. Yesterday I subbed for grade 7 & 8 Geography, history and english that was a switch. They had work to do so I didn't have much to do. Good group of kids here.
The weather's been nice. Warm. Went swimming twice at Lynola's apartment complex. She has a nice apartment and good view of a little park outside. She also has a lot of chocolate that she's been trying to feed me. That means I've had my 3rd birthday cake. My roommates made me one - yum! Jason made me one - yum! And Lynola made me one - yum! They were all different and all amazing. My roommates made a by chocolate cake with buttercream frosting - wow! Jason made a mint ice cream, chocolate pudding, oreos, hot fudge, whipped cream layer cake - wow! And Lynola made chocolate with chocolate icing and chocolate chips - wow! Notice I gave all equal wows and yums, they were all amazing. So yah, I've had my years worth of junk food but it tasted good.
But can you believe that it's Spring Break and I'm getting up at 6:15 am?
Thanks for your posts. That's exciting. Twas nice to hear from you all.
Right now I'm in Kindergarten. I just stamped addition - 2 + 1 = ??? That was really fun. These kids are really cute. I'm going to teach Computers today - like find the letter "m" on your keyboard. Do you remember what the monitor is? etc. Yesterday I subbed for grade 7 & 8 Geography, history and english that was a switch. They had work to do so I didn't have much to do. Good group of kids here.
The weather's been nice. Warm. Went swimming twice at Lynola's apartment complex. She has a nice apartment and good view of a little park outside. She also has a lot of chocolate that she's been trying to feed me. That means I've had my 3rd birthday cake. My roommates made me one - yum! Jason made me one - yum! And Lynola made me one - yum! They were all different and all amazing. My roommates made a by chocolate cake with buttercream frosting - wow! Jason made a mint ice cream, chocolate pudding, oreos, hot fudge, whipped cream layer cake - wow! And Lynola made chocolate with chocolate icing and chocolate chips - wow! Notice I gave all equal wows and yums, they were all amazing. So yah, I've had my years worth of junk food but it tasted good.
But can you believe that it's Spring Break and I'm getting up at 6:15 am?
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Spring Break!
Yes it is finally (almost) here! Tomorrow Spring Break officially starts at Dordt. So far about half the campus is already on Spring Break (if not physically, we are at least mentally already gone). My brother is visiting - YAY!!!!!!!!!! Which means I bowled with him and Karlynn today and that totally messed me up in regards to ... what? I have class tomorrow? Oh yes and please be attentive.
Yup. Tomorrow also marks the 21st anniversary of my birth. I will be celebrating by getting up early to watch the sunrise as I drive one roommate to the airport (with the company of 2 other roommates). Then I will either go to SCCS reading room for my practicum or come home and sleep for an hour before my Theology class. After Theology I will be officially done for the week and following. Upon which time I shall do some homework (hahahahaha....no wait - I'm serious!), pack, and say goodbye to people before vamosing (sp? - that's supposed to have a long 'o' sound anyway) over to the library to persuade Jason and Lynnea to leave their work and studies behind to join me in a jaunt over to Mahaffys.
And there the party!! I get to spend several hours with Mahaffys, Jason, Lynnea, and James and this also includes dinner! (My relatives are fabulous and incredibly hospitable, if you don't yet know them - attend Dordt while I'm still here and I'll introduce you)
Yup, this party is followed by hours of beautiful scenery. I get to enjoy the first hour and a bit with Lynnea and Jason (as they bring me to Sioux Falls bus depot) and then the scenery will accompany my solitude from tomorrow night until Saturday morning 10:30am when I will arrive in PHOENIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, my work shift is just about over so I should sign off.
Thanks for stopping by!
With love,
Michelle
IMPORTANT!!! READ THIS!!! ->PS If you visit this blog - want to comment just say 'hi' (or more if you so desire)so I know who actually visits and who I should send the link to :-) Wait, does this sound like I'm trying to track your every move? B/c I'm not...
Yup. Tomorrow also marks the 21st anniversary of my birth. I will be celebrating by getting up early to watch the sunrise as I drive one roommate to the airport (with the company of 2 other roommates). Then I will either go to SCCS reading room for my practicum or come home and sleep for an hour before my Theology class. After Theology I will be officially done for the week and following. Upon which time I shall do some homework (hahahahaha....no wait - I'm serious!), pack, and say goodbye to people before vamosing (sp? - that's supposed to have a long 'o' sound anyway) over to the library to persuade Jason and Lynnea to leave their work and studies behind to join me in a jaunt over to Mahaffys.
And there the party!! I get to spend several hours with Mahaffys, Jason, Lynnea, and James and this also includes dinner! (My relatives are fabulous and incredibly hospitable, if you don't yet know them - attend Dordt while I'm still here and I'll introduce you)
Yup, this party is followed by hours of beautiful scenery. I get to enjoy the first hour and a bit with Lynnea and Jason (as they bring me to Sioux Falls bus depot) and then the scenery will accompany my solitude from tomorrow night until Saturday morning 10:30am when I will arrive in PHOENIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, my work shift is just about over so I should sign off.
Thanks for stopping by!
With love,
Michelle
IMPORTANT!!! READ THIS!!! ->PS If you visit this blog - want to comment just say 'hi' (or more if you so desire)so I know who actually visits and who I should send the link to :-) Wait, does this sound like I'm trying to track your every move? B/c I'm not...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Step Aerobics!!
Yes this class was amazing! This is our last day of class (insert sad face) and our instructor got snowed in at home so we couldn't even step. Sad. We miss it. Oh, and I have muscles in my arms right now. :-O If you want to see them before they disappear, come on over before March 15 and I'll show you ;-)
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Hi
Happy March to you all. In one week and 1 day I will leave for Phoenix to see my sister and her class and the sun again!
Believe it or not, I am very busy. So why am I posting on my blog? I have 40 minutes until I have to leave for work and I am waiting to hear from people before I can work on the majority of my homework. Thus I am justified. Plus it's probably been awhile. Hmmm, what's happening in my life?
Some budding branches from California showed up in my room yesterday, I got to tell my sister Happy Birthday and hear her cow talk. Ooh, my clock says my birthday on it - 3:15. Cool. Only a week and a day away. And my brother will be here for my bday and the few days before.
Oh yah, Tuesday the 13th is my first Dordt chorale concert! (That I'm in, I have attended before) I'm pretty excited to wear a choir robe. Maybe I can get a picture taken and then I'll post it if it's digital.
In other news, I just had a bite of this yummy concoction that Kirbee stuck in my mouth - chocolate chips, peanut butter and hersheys chocolate syrup - melted and slightly hardened. Wow. Good stuff.
Tomorrow Soulforce comes to our campus. They're a group promoting homosexuality and are staying one day / night. So Monday and Tuesday we had talks on it - Monday a Christian lady who used to be homosexual talked to us and then yesterday 2 pastors and a psych prof spoke. It was really interesting and helpful too. I'm glad I went.
Friday I'm hoping to buy some food so I can make omelettes and pizza on Saturday b/c Saturday is a cousin date and Monday I'll be eating that pizza in celebration of my birthday.
Umm, yup, so, well,
I think I'll stop there folks. Thanks for visiting!
Believe it or not, I am very busy. So why am I posting on my blog? I have 40 minutes until I have to leave for work and I am waiting to hear from people before I can work on the majority of my homework. Thus I am justified. Plus it's probably been awhile. Hmmm, what's happening in my life?
Some budding branches from California showed up in my room yesterday, I got to tell my sister Happy Birthday and hear her cow talk. Ooh, my clock says my birthday on it - 3:15. Cool. Only a week and a day away. And my brother will be here for my bday and the few days before.
Oh yah, Tuesday the 13th is my first Dordt chorale concert! (That I'm in, I have attended before) I'm pretty excited to wear a choir robe. Maybe I can get a picture taken and then I'll post it if it's digital.
In other news, I just had a bite of this yummy concoction that Kirbee stuck in my mouth - chocolate chips, peanut butter and hersheys chocolate syrup - melted and slightly hardened. Wow. Good stuff.
Tomorrow Soulforce comes to our campus. They're a group promoting homosexuality and are staying one day / night. So Monday and Tuesday we had talks on it - Monday a Christian lady who used to be homosexual talked to us and then yesterday 2 pastors and a psych prof spoke. It was really interesting and helpful too. I'm glad I went.
Friday I'm hoping to buy some food so I can make omelettes and pizza on Saturday b/c Saturday is a cousin date and Monday I'll be eating that pizza in celebration of my birthday.
Umm, yup, so, well,
I think I'll stop there folks. Thanks for visiting!
Monday, February 19, 2007
Hi again!
Hello visitors,
Thanks for the comment Rachel :) I am now posting b/c of you. So I updated my blog so I could stick those cool links on the side (look to the right and you can jump to people's blogs!!) and I think I must have accidently changed my password so I couldn't get in very well. Anyway I ended up changing my password so now I am happily writing again.
So last week was Valentine's day - hooray! I wore red socks with colorful hearts on them, a pink shirt, red sweater, and mailed some Valentine's. I also got valentine's. Just while I was working in the library I got a box of those candy hearts with writing on them (from the library staff), a bag of chocolates and other stuff from Mom (someone from church back home was in town), and AMAZING chocolate truffles, a note and hoody from Jason. Yup it was a good day.
This weekend I worked at a Kids carnival during Alumni weekend - I did the coloring table and the beanbag toss. I also got some homework done, and spent sometime with an 8 year old so I could get started on my case study.
Last week was also great b/c I got my bookorders! Thus, I now have 3 books on tape - well CD - some Max Lucado books and a few otehrs - happy am I :)
After a cold spell, we have warm weather finally. I'm loving it. Karlynn and I walked to church and Sunday school yesterday and it was so warm (33'F) that I took off my hat, gloves and coat - I love it when Spring is coming (though it is over a month away yet...). And today it's 39'F so Lynnea and I are walking to the grocery store together after class.
Speaking of class, I should be heading to mine soon. (Chorale). Normally I'm in Diagnosis and Remediation right now but the prof is evaluating Jason at student - teaching right now. Match that with Friday's Ed dept. meeting and I miss three classes this week - hopefully I can get some time in at the Christian School's reading room. (By the way I'm starting a practicum there this week).
Love to all and I'm off!
Michelle
Thanks for the comment Rachel :) I am now posting b/c of you. So I updated my blog so I could stick those cool links on the side (look to the right and you can jump to people's blogs!!) and I think I must have accidently changed my password so I couldn't get in very well. Anyway I ended up changing my password so now I am happily writing again.
So last week was Valentine's day - hooray! I wore red socks with colorful hearts on them, a pink shirt, red sweater, and mailed some Valentine's. I also got valentine's. Just while I was working in the library I got a box of those candy hearts with writing on them (from the library staff), a bag of chocolates and other stuff from Mom (someone from church back home was in town), and AMAZING chocolate truffles, a note and hoody from Jason. Yup it was a good day.
This weekend I worked at a Kids carnival during Alumni weekend - I did the coloring table and the beanbag toss. I also got some homework done, and spent sometime with an 8 year old so I could get started on my case study.
Last week was also great b/c I got my bookorders! Thus, I now have 3 books on tape - well CD - some Max Lucado books and a few otehrs - happy am I :)
After a cold spell, we have warm weather finally. I'm loving it. Karlynn and I walked to church and Sunday school yesterday and it was so warm (33'F) that I took off my hat, gloves and coat - I love it when Spring is coming (though it is over a month away yet...). And today it's 39'F so Lynnea and I are walking to the grocery store together after class.
Speaking of class, I should be heading to mine soon. (Chorale). Normally I'm in Diagnosis and Remediation right now but the prof is evaluating Jason at student - teaching right now. Match that with Friday's Ed dept. meeting and I miss three classes this week - hopefully I can get some time in at the Christian School's reading room. (By the way I'm starting a practicum there this week).
Love to all and I'm off!
Michelle
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Back in Iowa for almost 2 weeks now
Here's the school we worked at most of the 2 weeks we were there. Actually this is the sign outside the gate of the school we worked at...nice street though eh? (Barb's missing from the picture)Now I'm back into the mode of school. Not too busy but I'm enjoying my classes so far. Sadly coming back from the D.R. means I have to wait a year til I can donate blood again - I got so excited b/c I actually knew when blood donor people were on campus but then I realised I have to wait a year. Weird to think that a year from now I'll be student-teaching - aaah!
This semester I'm trying something new - Chorale and I'm also in Step Aerobics (which I'm finding out is alot more than just stepping up and down - the stepping is the least painful but more confusing part) Our room is also down to 5 people. Sad. We miss Cassie. Today three roommates got pictures back from WalMart so we had some of the night before Cassie left - pretty fun pictures. Some of them are on our quote wall now.
It's vonderful to be able to go to chapel again and church in English. Not to mention flushing our toilet paper and having warmer showers. This Sunday Karlynn and I get to start teaching Sunday school again - yay! We had snow here and it's beautiful. I definitely appreciate it more now that it's much warmer. After being in class for 8 days I'm usually getting busy, I guess I start some of the group projects on Saturday and then Tuesday so the busyness will begin - I've never gone so far in the semester w/out much homework though. Thankfully I've been reading "Safely Home" which I reccommend to any and all of you.
Anyway, I can't seem to remember what kind of update I was going to give. I'm happy to see all my family and friends around here again. I can't believe it's only 11 months til Christmas ;-)
Trip Summary...
Ok, so my comments on the last blog were to write about my trip. This is something I wrote for the Faculty / Staff online newsletter at Dordt. It was supposed to be only 250 words (it's actually 500) so it's a rather broad overview but that'll keep it shorter for those of you who don't want to read as much. Hopefully also gives you a bit of a picture. I really am planning to send out a mass letter or e-mail at some point but that will likely be longer and take awhile to write. So here's some stuff:
“Sorry, your flight to
We were immediately immersed in city driving – Dominican style. Honking horns were not necessarily rude, nor a friendly greeting, they were an essential merging signal. Although only one line was drawn down the middle of the road, four cars could be side by side.
Our second lesson in Dominican culture came through work. In the morning we bought our supplies for the day, began work, and bought more supplies as they were needed. And at the end of the day, all the workers were paid. The people worked to work and enjoy themselves rather than simply working to get the job done. “This is the day that the Lord has made!”
The first two days of work were in the Batays: a poor Haitian village in the country. At the school we dug, weeded, moved sand, mixed cement with shovels and pickaxes, nailed boards in place and then formed a bucket brigade to pour concrete pillars. We were also able to play tag with the children who laughed at our ‘Spanish’, walked around on their hands, and grinned while they showed us their village.
The rest of our work days brought us to Renacer Collegio Cristiano in the city of
We pulled nails, carried buckets of sand, rocks and water up three flights of stairs, and formed bucket lines to send the cement up the rest of the way. By the end of our time we had leveled and cleaned up the area around the school (I felt like an archeologist as we dug up layer after layer of garbage), sealed two and a half sides of the three story school, painted the bars on the first floor windows, knocked down a wall (and emptied the pieces out the window so we could pick them up again), and laid two classroom floors. We also sang “Down By the Bay” a few too many times, started a lunch hour English class for the workers (led by Jessi Rieken and Megan Haan), and played ball and jump rope with the students during their break.
I went on this trip planning to work but we did a lot more than just work. Several times, Barb reminded me that this was a Missions trip. We worked, but we also got to know some people, walked the beaches, towns and markets to get to know the culture, and go to church to worship one God in Creole, Spanish, and English.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
DR
Hi all!
I'm in Republica Dominican right now. On the plane ride I had my first 'spanish' conversation with a man from Dominican Republic. He knew small words of English and I had my cheat sheet of spanish phrases so I tried and he tried and we used motions and simple phrases. Lots of smiling. It was fun, sure would be nice to have some knowledge fo the Spanish language though! What a difference from the ol' USA. I've seen whole pigs for sale - roasted and still on their spits. I found out the horn is essential to driving. I've watched a cockroach and gecko scramble across our bedroom floor. The food I've eaten has been pretty Americanish so far. We went to church in Creole (Haitian - a mix of Spanish and French - but all I understood was 'merci beaucoup') It was very small, so they had someone translate every once in awhile. They also wanted us to come up and talk. I was relieved when we could clap along b/c I sure couldn't sing along and dancing to the music...not so much.
We just got in this morning to the Mission Center at 2:30 am after 24 hours of traveling. Half of the group is here so far and the other half who were delayed are supposed to get into the country right about now. Hopefully they're going through customs already at the airport. You'll have to ask me if you want more details about our extended travel.
Tomorrow we start getting to work. We're moving out of the city to the countryside. Filling some walls in to stablize them with cement and then we'll go onto the next project - probably after 2 days there. We don't do work on the weekend and our last Friday is also a free day. I was kind of disappointed about that - hoping to get more done but that's me now - before I've done any work. Anyway, you can pray that we are efficient and effective.
Hasta luego! See you later.
Michelle
I'm in Republica Dominican right now. On the plane ride I had my first 'spanish' conversation with a man from Dominican Republic. He knew small words of English and I had my cheat sheet of spanish phrases so I tried and he tried and we used motions and simple phrases. Lots of smiling. It was fun, sure would be nice to have some knowledge fo the Spanish language though! What a difference from the ol' USA. I've seen whole pigs for sale - roasted and still on their spits. I found out the horn is essential to driving. I've watched a cockroach and gecko scramble across our bedroom floor. The food I've eaten has been pretty Americanish so far. We went to church in Creole (Haitian - a mix of Spanish and French - but all I understood was 'merci beaucoup') It was very small, so they had someone translate every once in awhile. They also wanted us to come up and talk. I was relieved when we could clap along b/c I sure couldn't sing along and dancing to the music...not so much.
We just got in this morning to the Mission Center at 2:30 am after 24 hours of traveling. Half of the group is here so far and the other half who were delayed are supposed to get into the country right about now. Hopefully they're going through customs already at the airport. You'll have to ask me if you want more details about our extended travel.
Tomorrow we start getting to work. We're moving out of the city to the countryside. Filling some walls in to stablize them with cement and then we'll go onto the next project - probably after 2 days there. We don't do work on the weekend and our last Friday is also a free day. I was kind of disappointed about that - hoping to get more done but that's me now - before I've done any work. Anyway, you can pray that we are efficient and effective.
Hasta luego! See you later.
Michelle
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
8 days!
Til I see my brother and sister - HOORAY! This is my official dead week. However it is neither dead in the sense of no homework, nor dead in the sense that my homework is killing me. In other words, I'm busy, but not too busy. I have to only write 3 things yet, I have an exam tomorrow in Advanced Expos (which will hopefully not be too difficult - probably not), a take-home for Consulataion & Collaboration, then only 2 in class exams next week. Rather nice eh?
Yesterday I went to a Sign Language Christmas party and All-Campus SAC party - both were fun and I left feeling too full of junk food but it was yummy! I enjoy all the Christmas food but I'm glad that I don't have any (or hardly any) in my apartment - it definitely helps. Actually tonight is our last meal together as a room in 2006. :-( We're trying to go through food so it doesn't sit here over break thus we're not buying more food and therefore there's not much food to pick from ;-)
I got mail today too! From my mom and dad - so exciting!!!
Ok, dinner will be soon (but that's just an excuse - really I'm just uninspired / not remembering what happened in my life recently). Tomorrow's the Christmas banquet - 'twill be fun.
How are you all doing? (You all being whoever actually knows my blog and visits it.)
Yesterday I went to a Sign Language Christmas party and All-Campus SAC party - both were fun and I left feeling too full of junk food but it was yummy! I enjoy all the Christmas food but I'm glad that I don't have any (or hardly any) in my apartment - it definitely helps. Actually tonight is our last meal together as a room in 2006. :-( We're trying to go through food so it doesn't sit here over break thus we're not buying more food and therefore there's not much food to pick from ;-)
I got mail today too! From my mom and dad - so exciting!!!
Ok, dinner will be soon (but that's just an excuse - really I'm just uninspired / not remembering what happened in my life recently). Tomorrow's the Christmas banquet - 'twill be fun.
How are you all doing? (You all being whoever actually knows my blog and visits it.)
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