Ups and Downs...

Since the semester began on Monday, things have been in their ups and downs. I have also realized that this semester will be extremely different, interesting, and will definitely go fast!
Writing things out may take a while so I'll use a bulleted list to illustrate what I mean.

Downs:

• My employment with Science Outreach does not seem to be doing well. For one thing, I haven't been able to participate in some of their events most of the year. Another thing is that I seem to not fit in as much there... my hope is that I will somehow gain a nitche in the group and be more available this semester for different events.

Ups:

• I auditioned for the UWO-jazz band and got in! :) I've been playing since I was little and I felt like I was being doubly punished by not being able to play and having to be in Chemistry hell for a year! I guess it really showed how much I wanted to get back in... and how much I missed playing! My nerves were a tad bit jumpy! :) So far it's been fun... and we have a kick-butt schedule prepared for this semester where we are traveling and playing in different parts of the campus.
• I applied to fill the position of VP for NRHH. It will only be for a semester but I look forward to the extra experience on an exec board. I also get to go to WURHA! I've never been to a conference like this before and am very excited for the opportunity to go!
• The wedding plans are going really well! We have chosen a florist to work with whom I would strongly recomend. Not only were they extremely knowledgeable about their buisness but they were also priced fairly as well!
• This academic semester is going to go well for a change! I'm taking two science classes: Geology and Cell and Molecular Biology. I'm really enjoying the Geology class and am beginning to wish I had experienced it when I was a freshmen... I may have majored in that instead! My Cell and Molec class is also good. We had our first real lecture today and it was nothing like I thought it would be. I prepared for the class by finishing all the reading, which really scared me because the reading was so much more dense than I thought I could handle. But after going to the lecture, I realized that the reading is actually more of a supliment to the lectures (that's also what the prof said!).
• Jim signed up for the Oshkosh half-marathon! I know he'll do really well! He has been running every day in the wee morning hours and does between 4 and 6 miles around Oshkosh. I'm really excited for him and I envy him too... I'm just trying to eeke out 3 miles by the end of the semester!
  

Well, I'm sure I'm missing something! But that's all for now, thanks for reading! Signing off...

Wedding Update

The wedding plans are definitely rolling along quickly! Jim told me that he suddenly woke up in the middle of the night thinking about how close the wedding was getting. He and I are definitely planners and usually have things prepared well in advance. So, yesterday we went to our scheduled tasting at the Vineyard! And it was sooo good! Our guests are really in for a good dinner! The woman who has been working with us said jokingly that she normally doesn't expect June weddings to do their tasting until about April! Although she confirmed that we're on the right track, I worry that we could be doing more to get some things ready and worry less about other things. The menu is finalized, however, and looks great. Jim and I had a good time trying all of the dishes we had inquired about and a few really stood out to us! The first thing we tried was a raspberry vinegrette salad with candied walnuts and raspberries which was so good but we worried about food allergies so we're inquiring about having two choices for the salad. For the vegetarian option we decided on a sun-dried tomato and red whine cheese ravioli dish, which we asked to be turned down a bit because it was a little spicy at first... but so good that you wanted to eat more! For our beef-lovers we chose a beef tenderloin, which Jim seemed to like and looked delicious! Finally, our favorite platter was a huge helping of samon smothered in a Jack Daniels sauce. We also decided on having these wonderful garlic-butter mashed potatos and esparigus. Everything was so good that Jim and I have contemplated helping ourselves to more than one dish at the wedding! It's going to be so hard to chose!
It was really nice to finally get some things worked out between the Vineyard and our planning, and afterwards, they wrapped up all the left-overs and let us take it home for dinner. It was a good time! Now, all we need to do is conquere the florist tonight and most of our big planning will be done! :)

That's all for now! Signing off...

Random Thoughts...

There are those who are very good at keeping journals and there are those who are just not as consistant... can you tell which group I belong in? :) Anway, it's been a while since I've written last so I thought I should visit and write a little something.

Yesterday was my final day doing my clinicals at Webster-Stanley Middle School. At first I was not quite sure how to feel, I mean, I only spent three weeks with them. I think it hit me when some of my favorite students came up to me with cards and hugs and begged me not to leave. One student even threatened to strike so I wouldn't leave! It really didn't hit me until the ride home. I got a little teary-eyed and all I could think was that I hope I bump into them somewhere while I'm still in Oshkosh. I've realized that there is only so much a student-teacher can do to make his or her experience great... the rest is up to the students and I had four classes of awesome students who I will miss greatly. To show my appreciation and to ease some of the tension yesterday, I baked (successfully!) 100+ chocolate chip cookies for the students and bought my cooperating teacher a really cute pink-flowery over-sized coffee mug and a Caramello bar. I wrote up a card for my teacher as well and left her a card to read to the class the next day... when I would not be there. All in all, it was a terrific experience that has given me some true closure that this was a good career choice, and something that I am definately good at and will enjoy immensly.

In wedding news, I found my dress! I tried on this 'diamond in the rough' at David's bridal, and, actually, it was a designer gown that had been set aside on a 'nicer' rack that had been over-looked and was going to be discontinued/taken out of stores in 12 hours from the time we checked out! I think it was ment to be! It's very pretty and I love it! I can't say too much about it because Jim reads these blogs but I can say that it is ivory... I looked like a corpse-bride in the white/champane I was so pale!... and was actually two sizes too small when I tried it on! I really crammed myself in that dress! In fact, I couldn't even zip it up entirely in the back and just to take pictures, the lady said to breath everything out and then she quickly zipped me up... Well, we took a few pictures as my chest, neck, and face began turning red... but I remember turning to my mom and saying 'this is the one' and beginning to cry without reason. My crying, started my mom to cry, and our crying made Nikki, our dress woman, begin to cry! Then a woman next to me found her dress and began to cry! Wow. We also found the bride's maids dresses and have begun to get all the girls' measurements in so that they can be ordered because they take 3-4 MONTHS! to come in!

Jim has been doing GREAT! He has been running everyday for a little more than a week now and he just informed me that he didn't even realize it, but he ran 5.2 miles this morning! So a BIG WOOT! and KOODOS goes out to Jim for doing so well! He also met up with the Superintendent for our district/Methodist churches and received a few options that I think helped settle his mind on some things. The option he is most excited about (as am I!) is that he can actually go to school part time and commute while being a full-time student (?) pastor! Which means that he would be able to do all the normal things that pastors do and it would give him a great deal of experience as well! I'm excited about this because neither of us were too thrilled in possibly having to move to the Chicago land area and instead can stay in WI near our friends and family! In addition, I can also teach in Wisconsin although I will be researching how to obtain a teaching license to teach in Il.

Otherwise, my fingers are tired from typing so I will retire until another time! :) Signing off...

Leveling Out

More recently, I have noticed how my life and personality seem to be comfortably leveling off in comparison to my prior years of college. I remember being interested in so many different things and feeling very mixed up about who I was. Now I feel as though I am actually on a direct path with some ability to take control of what happens. This is definately what would be considered as maturing past those young adult years and entering into the adult ones. All I can say is that it feels really good to have some stability.

The holidays were really great! I got some much needed R and R and was able to see my friends as well as spend some time with Jim and my family. Matt suprised us all by getting leave and coming home! He is on his way back to Missouri for more training as I type this, but it was so nice to see him... I had no idea how much I really missed him!

The wedding planning is just leaping and bounding with progress. We will be choosing our music, food, invitations, and finalizing the complete guest list (finally!). It's been very exciting and I feel so blessed that Jim and I have such a great support system! Jim's mom has been so wonderful in helping us with the guest gifts and goodie-bags... I can't wait to see the final product! Dresses have been difficult; however, and trying them on is even more difficult since you need another person to help you! The tuxes have been picked out and they will look awesome with the lavender vests! I saw Jim try on one of the tux jackets and when asked how he looked, all I could do is smile and blush... he looked so good! :)

In other news, I began my clinicals this past week at Webster Stanley Middle school. It has been a blast and the kids have been so much fun to work with. My cooperating teacher has made it so easy for me to just slip right in and feel comfortable with classroom tasks, working with the students, and facilitating mini-lessons/homework. She's also trying to prepare me for any interviews that might come my way in the future. One student asked me today if I would fill out an application to teach 7th grade (she's in 6th)... it was so cute, and really meant a lot to me because it shows me that I'm on the right track. I just hope I don't screw it up somehow. :)

My last thought is of Jim. He has recently sent his letter into the superintendent to ask to begin the first steps of the seminary process. I am thrilled and soo very excited for him. I'm still working on beginning a 'new life'/career for myself and I know that he will have a blast beginning a new career for himself as well. I'm really proud of him and I hope that I can be as helpful and as supportive (and as forgiving) as he has been to me (if not more).

Signing off...