Thursday, January 26, 2012

I Hate Technology. . . but Not as Much as You, You See

So the major event of this week has been the rain.  In normal winter climates, places get snow.  We get rain, more like torrential downpours!  The rain started last Friday, continued through the weekend (minus my birthday) and stopped Monday night.  Not only was it unpleasant to be in the rain, but I exchanged so many shoes!

This is why I hate technology.  I didn't bring my camera to work (nor did anybody else) but the 100+ wet shoes were a sight to behold!  I took a picture with my phone to show you lovely viewers, but I cannot get it to my computer! Oh well.  Imagine a bookshelf full with wet shoes smashed in, and that's what this picture looked like.  Then add mildew, mud, shoe odor, and wetness, and this is what it smelled like.

I also hate technology this week because I'm starting to job search/find a path in life.  I made a vow not to think about the future until February. . . I almost made it.  I have not applied for any jobs or updated my resume, yet.  I am thinking about non-profit work, more volunteer work, or continued education, but I am overwhelmed.  I've been glued to my computer for the past week and it feels awful.  If you have any suggestions for my future, please let me know!  I'm always very interested in others' opinions.
 
This blog post is a day early due to the fact that I will be going to re-orientation tomorrow! We will be re-dedicating ourselves to this service year and examining more social justice issues in depth.

I'll tell you how it goes next post!!

Friday, January 20, 2012

We're gonna party like it's your birthday!

Yes, it is my 24th birthday tomorrow (January 21st).  Birthdays have never been that big of a deal for me, but I do like to feel special!  Today at work, I felt very special!!  I went out to lunch with Garren and had a little emotional check-in, I was sung "Happy Birthday" two times over the intercom, and I was wished a happy birthday at least a hundred times!  Not to shabby!

Birthday plans are as follows:
-Attend a wedding of two of the guests at the park
-Dinner with casa at a nearby restaurant
-Drinks at a local karaoke bar to follow!!! (The karaoke is what I'm really looking forward to!)

Fantastic highlight of the week:

During the Christmas season, Mustard Seed School was given a very generous donation by Sacramentans to purchase shoes.  The had some surplus money, and generously gave the park $400 in Wal-Mart gift cards, just for shoes!  My casamate Kathleen (who works at Mustard Seed) and I went to buy them.  Unfortunately, as we approached the register, all their systems failed, and we could only use cash.  The woman ahead of us in line saw our odd cart piled high with shoes and asked us about it.  After hearing where we worked and what we did, she pulled out all of her cash and offered to buy as many as she could- over $100 worth! Thanks Babette! (If the systems weren't down, she would of paid for them all!) After her kind gesture she said, "We all have to remember how lucky we are!"

Here, here Babette!

I'm lucky to live in a great house with a phenomenal casa, have a great job with loving co-workers, have a fantastic family and wonderful friends, and be alive! 

24 is going to be a great age!

Friday, January 13, 2012

Superstition Ain't the Way

Nothing too terrible happened this week, just the usual terribleness with very little positive to balance it out :( 

But I'm trying to be optimistic (though it doesn't always work) so I'll mention the highlights:

1. I came back!!! It was good to be in my casa again, with my casa-mates, and back at work.
2. A loud and wonderful guest, Janine, is getting married on my birthday! It is my birthday present to myself to be there!
3. My casa had great spirituality and community nights this week, complete with our support people, Madonna and Larry!
4. Our casa (Casa Ignatius of Loyola) had a fun community meal with the other JV casa in Sacramento, Casa Jane Adams!
5. Beth and Tom are on their way here! I'll hopefully get to see them Monday!
6. A JV house in San Francisco is having a MLK party tomorrow! Alice, Anne, and I will be attending, and the others in our house are going to Santa Monica for a frisbee tournament!
7.  It's Friday! (and the 13th at that!)

Have a great weekend; I hope I have a good one too!

Friday, January 6, 2012

'Cause I'm Leaving on a Jetplane. . .

Yesterday (Friday) was my day to post.  I apologize that I did not.  Since I've been at home, I have been trying to see all of my family and good friends. . . after a week of careful scheduling and mere coincidences, I did get to see almost everyone.  (Sorry to those who I was unable to see- I'll try really hard next time!)

You probably don't want a laundry list of the things/places I did/went, so I'll give you highlights (in no particular order):

1. Had a sleepover with my nieces! (Thank goodness for skype, so at least I can see them when I'm far away.)
2. Saw 2 movies!! "War Horse" is a good story, but not really great, and "We Bought a Zoo" was great! I highly recommend it! After I finish writing this, I will see "Breaking Dawn" with my mom . . . yes, we both enjoy Twilight.
3. Had Dunkin' Donuts and Portillo's! Chicago is a great city!
4. Celebrated my Grandma's 90th birthday!! Gram doesn't look or act 90 either! One of my cousin's (Susie's) favorite stories is when she was with Gram a few years ago at the grocery store and my Grandma got hit on by a 70 year old! Still got it Gram!

I am so grateful to be in Chicago, but I can't wait to return to Sacramento!  I haven't seen most of my casa-mates in over 3 weeks, and I miss them dearly!  I can't wait to get back to work with a rejuvenated spirit, refreshed from my wonderful time at home!