Last night, I went to the Green Bay Bullfrogs game with Alison, Amy, and Adam - sadly, they lost, but I was able to enjoy some ballpark hot dogs for sure. It was fantastic to hang out with Amy and Adam (Alison as well, but I see her all the time!), and it was their first night away from Audrey, who is their new bundle of love. Amy's mom had come for the night to babysit, and the desire was definitely there to call home and see how she was doing! I can imagine it is tough to be away for the first time, as I've had several conversations with parents lately about the dreaded "first day of day care". But it was so fun to see them - we're gearing up for Lindsay's visit (July 5-13), which is right after Kendra's visit from Montana (July 2-6). Yay!
This weekend, I'm heading to Milwaukee to visit Vanessa - we're going to check out Waukesha's Fiesta and go biking on Saturday. Then, I'm trekking over to Madison for my cousin's graduation party - yay family!
I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.
20 June 2008
18 June 2008
My Missoula Friends
It seems like lately I've been missing my Missoula friends a LOT - it must have just hit me, because I was doing alright so far! A lot of it is simply readjusting to "life at home" again, but most of it is knowing that those friendships are definitely some of the best I've had in my lifetime, and they will forever be changed as we go our separate ways. They are the friends I laugh with, cry with, dance with, climb mountains with, and so on. We challenge each other, and I am challenged by them to be the best person I can be. These are ten reasons I miss them, although there are many, many more:
1. I could always count on calling anyone when I am bored and instantaneously having something to do, whether it is heading to the Old Post for a PBR, hiking, watching a movie, or making dinner.
2. I miss our Wednesday evening dinners at Erin's, sometimes complete with a fantastic game of CatchPhrase or Tri-ominoes (so I've heard).
3. No matter what the conversation topic (child trafficking, the meaning of marriage, what we like on our sandwiches, the wierdness of Missoula), it is almost always a stimulating and deep conversation, something which I am not getting too much of lately.
4. I miss being able to bike anywhere with my friends.
5. The farmer's market was fabulous, and spending those Saturday mornings with friends was even more fabulous.
6. Any one of us could burst into tears at any time during class, and there was some normalcy in that.
7. We accepted each other - our pasts, our beliefs, our interests.
8. I had less "fat days" in 10 months than I've had in the past 4 weeks - my Missoula friends helped me feel beautiful, inside and out.
9. No matter what the issue, I could always count on open communication - drama was definitely at a minimum.
10. And finally, I miss them because they are them - encouraging, loving, accepting, challenging, fun, playful, etc.
I love you guys!
16 June 2008
FAQs
Lots and lots of people have been asking about my plans for the Philippines and what I will be doing. I'm not going to lie, I love talking about it. But, maybe I could answer some of the frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.s, if you will) on here. They include:
1. Where are you going?
2. What will you be doing?
3. Are you excited?
4. Are you nervous?
5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
6. Will you get to come home at all?
7. Is there anything that you need or want?
There are many other questions, I am sure, but these have been the most common. If you have any, feel free to comment on this post, and I will post the question and answer for all to see. Please keep them nicely worded, as I know how rebellious all you blog-readers can be :).
1. Where are you going?
By now, most of you know that I'm going to the Philippines. I accepted my invitation to serve there right before spring break, in mid-March. In mid-August, I'll be leaving to join the rest of the crew (about 30 volunteers total) in a city in the U.S. for a two-day staging event (pre-departure orientation). After we all get slightly acquainted, we'll ship off (well, fly off, to be technical) to the Philippines, where we'll participate in a three-month training (technical training, safety training, language training, health, and cultural training). This will probably occur in Manila or somewhere near, although I don't know that for sure yet. Sometime during the first few weeks of training, I'll receive my site assignment (we receive the assignments typically earlier than PCVs in other countries, because the placement will determine the language of study...although many of us are studying Tagalog at the moment, courtesy of the Peace Corps). After training, I'll head to live with a new host family in my new community!
2. What will you be doing?
I am a Children, Youth, and Families volunteer, which means (ding, ding, ding!) I'll be working with the kiddos and, you guessed it, their families. Site placements can vary - I could be working at a residential facility or a community center or with street children, or many other placements as well. I don't have my description booklet here at the moment, but I'll be working within a program under the Filipino government that focuses on youth services. Youth development is my dream job, so I'm pretty excited to get my feet wet.
3. Are you excited?
Well, I sort of just answered this question, but YES. It cannot come soon enough, and I am so looking forward to everything the future holds - the work I'll be doing, the connections I'll be making, the experience I'll be gaining, the relationships that will be forming, the places I'll be seeing, etc. So excited for it all.
4. Are you nervous?
Honestly, at this moment, I'm not. This will probably change as the time comes closer, but this is something that I've wanted to do since I was eight years old. Therefore, I've been thinking and dreaming about these moments for a good sixteen years. I know that whatever I have pictured will be completely different, but I'm excited nonetheless. At the moment, the only nervousness I have is evenly split between the worry of overpacking and the small thought of what if I don't fit in? I hope both of these nervous spots dissipate as the time nears, as they are the typical worries before I go anywhere.
5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
At the moment, no, not in person. However, there has been much chatter on Facebook, and connections are beginning.
6. Will you get to come home at all?
Tricky question. I do accumulate vacation days as PCV, and I am able to use these vacation days any way I see fit. I am planning on using them by travelling through the country and enjoying family and friend visits. Plane tickets to the States are also expensive. Therefore, unless something bad happens (and hopefully not...), I will not be returning home during that time - so come visit me!
7. Is there anything that you need or want?
As my main worry is overpacking, there is nothing that I really need from others (unless you want to chip in for the iPod I just bought or contribute money/gift cards to the large amount of tampons that I'll need). But speaking of the iPod (I'm so excited to own one...it WAS on the packing list), I would absolutely love, love, LOVE (if you want or insist on sending something with me) mixed CDs of your favorite music! I can then put the music on my iPod and I can think of you at any moment! So great!
There may be more FAQs than I am thinking of at the moment. Like I said, just ask, and you shall be answered!
Mucho love.
1. Where are you going?
2. What will you be doing?
3. Are you excited?
4. Are you nervous?
5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
6. Will you get to come home at all?
7. Is there anything that you need or want?
There are many other questions, I am sure, but these have been the most common. If you have any, feel free to comment on this post, and I will post the question and answer for all to see. Please keep them nicely worded, as I know how rebellious all you blog-readers can be :).
1. Where are you going?
By now, most of you know that I'm going to the Philippines. I accepted my invitation to serve there right before spring break, in mid-March. In mid-August, I'll be leaving to join the rest of the crew (about 30 volunteers total) in a city in the U.S. for a two-day staging event (pre-departure orientation). After we all get slightly acquainted, we'll ship off (well, fly off, to be technical) to the Philippines, where we'll participate in a three-month training (technical training, safety training, language training, health, and cultural training). This will probably occur in Manila or somewhere near, although I don't know that for sure yet. Sometime during the first few weeks of training, I'll receive my site assignment (we receive the assignments typically earlier than PCVs in other countries, because the placement will determine the language of study...although many of us are studying Tagalog at the moment, courtesy of the Peace Corps). After training, I'll head to live with a new host family in my new community!
2. What will you be doing?
I am a Children, Youth, and Families volunteer, which means (ding, ding, ding!) I'll be working with the kiddos and, you guessed it, their families. Site placements can vary - I could be working at a residential facility or a community center or with street children, or many other placements as well. I don't have my description booklet here at the moment, but I'll be working within a program under the Filipino government that focuses on youth services. Youth development is my dream job, so I'm pretty excited to get my feet wet.
3. Are you excited?
Well, I sort of just answered this question, but YES. It cannot come soon enough, and I am so looking forward to everything the future holds - the work I'll be doing, the connections I'll be making, the experience I'll be gaining, the relationships that will be forming, the places I'll be seeing, etc. So excited for it all.
4. Are you nervous?
Honestly, at this moment, I'm not. This will probably change as the time comes closer, but this is something that I've wanted to do since I was eight years old. Therefore, I've been thinking and dreaming about these moments for a good sixteen years. I know that whatever I have pictured will be completely different, but I'm excited nonetheless. At the moment, the only nervousness I have is evenly split between the worry of overpacking and the small thought of what if I don't fit in? I hope both of these nervous spots dissipate as the time nears, as they are the typical worries before I go anywhere.
5. Do you know anyone else who is going?
At the moment, no, not in person. However, there has been much chatter on Facebook, and connections are beginning.
6. Will you get to come home at all?
Tricky question. I do accumulate vacation days as PCV, and I am able to use these vacation days any way I see fit. I am planning on using them by travelling through the country and enjoying family and friend visits. Plane tickets to the States are also expensive. Therefore, unless something bad happens (and hopefully not...), I will not be returning home during that time - so come visit me!
7. Is there anything that you need or want?
As my main worry is overpacking, there is nothing that I really need from others (unless you want to chip in for the iPod I just bought or contribute money/gift cards to the large amount of tampons that I'll need). But speaking of the iPod (I'm so excited to own one...it WAS on the packing list), I would absolutely love, love, LOVE (if you want or insist on sending something with me) mixed CDs of your favorite music! I can then put the music on my iPod and I can think of you at any moment! So great!
There may be more FAQs than I am thinking of at the moment. Like I said, just ask, and you shall be answered!
Mucho love.
The day that Lynn got angry.
I know, right? I am completely against anger - I have written about it before, how much the particular emotion is unnecessary in the world and how much it annoys me. What good does it do? Well, tonight my anger helped me get through two spinning classes. Besides that, though, it did not do much good for the world and those around me. I will tell you the two situations that led to my anger (within 15 minutes of each other...that probably didn't help) and the third that simply added to it slightly. Ahhhh, anger, pshhh. It's gone, but I just thought I would share the slight rudeness (or obliviousness?) of others.
First, we all have a personal bubble. Yours may be a different size than mine, but we still have one. You may require 3 inches of space constantly, whereas I may require 1.5 feet constantly. Whatever the size, I think it is usually pretty easy to read cues from others as to whether an infringement has been made. Well, this story starts at the pharmacy when I was picking up some meds. At my pharmacy, there is a "pick-up" window and a "pay here" window. I was talking to the pharmacist a bit about my meds (there was a big insurance debacle apparently), and as I was talking to him, a lady came up and put her purse RIGHT NEXT TO ME and continued to stand there, practically being sandwiched in our conversation. There was no respect of my personal bubble whatsoever. Not only should our bubbles be respected, but I feel that the pharmacy is one place where the bubble should be doubly respected. What if I were picking up my hemorrhoid medication, or some anti-depressants, or medication for the tons of warts on my toes? Well, I wasn't.....and not that any of those should be embarassing, but I am just making a point. I did not want that woman in my business, and therefore, she should have given me a larger bubble. I looked at her, turned back to my conversation with the pharmacist, and when she was still there, I turned and gave her a slight evil eye. Still no movement. I was annoyed.
Shortly after, I headed to the Wellness Center (my gym) to get some spinning in. When I arrived, people were at the front desk doing some paperwork with the lady who was working (it's a gym where the person needs to check you in). So I waited patiently, as it looked like they were almost done and the worker definitely saw me. Well, as I was waiting (clearly in line), a woman came in the door and headed right in front of me - a BUDGER! I thought budgers were taught back in kindergarten that budging is not acceptable, but apparently this woman never learned this. It was no big deal, really....I had to wait .2 seconds longer? No biggie. But the fact that she was a budger wasn't even apparent to her, apparently. The question is, how could it not be? I was clearly standing there. It was like one of those moments where you feel like you're invisible - the clerk helps the next person in line, people leave you out of conversations, etc. I could have said something, such as, "Excuse me, ma'am? There's a line." or "Uh-hem." or "Excuse me. I don't know if you saw me, but I was waiting." There are also some less acceptable things I could have said, as well as I'm sure many more polite things. But I figured I didn't really want to be the loser at the gym who is a baby and can't handle people budging in front of her. So obviously since she checked in first, she went in the locker room first and chose a locker right by the door. As I walked in, she looked right at me, and there it was - I gave the evil eye again! It was not a nice evil eye, it was a "What the hell were you thinking, budging in front of me? evil eye." Uhh.
I thought it was over. And then I headed to spinning class. Wahoooo - I got the last bike! So I look at the class and see who's there (the cycles are arranged in a circle, facing each other), and the BUDGER is right across from me. I had to look at the BUDGER the entire class! Yikes. But, I was feeling pretty good after class (less anger), until I was standing at the paper towels and the BUDGER's friend came up and budged right in front of me (making her BUDGER #2). Am I invisible? She grabbed a paper towel, and yes, there it was again. My evil eye. Not nice. Well, she saw it and backed down a bit. I was so disgusted, and it showed. She handed over that paper towel quickly after the evil eye exchange (grudgingly, I put a smile on and said "thank you"). But then she took the spray bottle first.
Oh, the drama that happens at the gym.
I was ready to leave after that, but then my favorite teacher was teaching the next class AND some of my favorite spinning partners were there - of course I had to stay. There's a happy ending - the anger was all gone afterwards.
Thanks for listening to my griping.
First, we all have a personal bubble. Yours may be a different size than mine, but we still have one. You may require 3 inches of space constantly, whereas I may require 1.5 feet constantly. Whatever the size, I think it is usually pretty easy to read cues from others as to whether an infringement has been made. Well, this story starts at the pharmacy when I was picking up some meds. At my pharmacy, there is a "pick-up" window and a "pay here" window. I was talking to the pharmacist a bit about my meds (there was a big insurance debacle apparently), and as I was talking to him, a lady came up and put her purse RIGHT NEXT TO ME and continued to stand there, practically being sandwiched in our conversation. There was no respect of my personal bubble whatsoever. Not only should our bubbles be respected, but I feel that the pharmacy is one place where the bubble should be doubly respected. What if I were picking up my hemorrhoid medication, or some anti-depressants, or medication for the tons of warts on my toes? Well, I wasn't.....and not that any of those should be embarassing, but I am just making a point. I did not want that woman in my business, and therefore, she should have given me a larger bubble. I looked at her, turned back to my conversation with the pharmacist, and when she was still there, I turned and gave her a slight evil eye. Still no movement. I was annoyed.
Shortly after, I headed to the Wellness Center (my gym) to get some spinning in. When I arrived, people were at the front desk doing some paperwork with the lady who was working (it's a gym where the person needs to check you in). So I waited patiently, as it looked like they were almost done and the worker definitely saw me. Well, as I was waiting (clearly in line), a woman came in the door and headed right in front of me - a BUDGER! I thought budgers were taught back in kindergarten that budging is not acceptable, but apparently this woman never learned this. It was no big deal, really....I had to wait .2 seconds longer? No biggie. But the fact that she was a budger wasn't even apparent to her, apparently. The question is, how could it not be? I was clearly standing there. It was like one of those moments where you feel like you're invisible - the clerk helps the next person in line, people leave you out of conversations, etc. I could have said something, such as, "Excuse me, ma'am? There's a line." or "Uh-hem." or "Excuse me. I don't know if you saw me, but I was waiting." There are also some less acceptable things I could have said, as well as I'm sure many more polite things. But I figured I didn't really want to be the loser at the gym who is a baby and can't handle people budging in front of her. So obviously since she checked in first, she went in the locker room first and chose a locker right by the door. As I walked in, she looked right at me, and there it was - I gave the evil eye again! It was not a nice evil eye, it was a "What the hell were you thinking, budging in front of me? evil eye." Uhh.
I thought it was over. And then I headed to spinning class. Wahoooo - I got the last bike! So I look at the class and see who's there (the cycles are arranged in a circle, facing each other), and the BUDGER is right across from me. I had to look at the BUDGER the entire class! Yikes. But, I was feeling pretty good after class (less anger), until I was standing at the paper towels and the BUDGER's friend came up and budged right in front of me (making her BUDGER #2). Am I invisible? She grabbed a paper towel, and yes, there it was again. My evil eye. Not nice. Well, she saw it and backed down a bit. I was so disgusted, and it showed. She handed over that paper towel quickly after the evil eye exchange (grudgingly, I put a smile on and said "thank you"). But then she took the spray bottle first.
Oh, the drama that happens at the gym.
I was ready to leave after that, but then my favorite teacher was teaching the next class AND some of my favorite spinning partners were there - of course I had to stay. There's a happy ending - the anger was all gone afterwards.
Thanks for listening to my griping.
But another highlight.
So, my credit card company must think that my card has been stolen, based on the amount of purchases that have been going on it (things I may need, of course....well plus the new bike and Jenna's trip to the spa that cost $467). BUT how amazing is it that I ordered something on Friday, and it showed up via USPS today. That's only one business day, people. This is amazing. Although postage keeps going up, maybe there are benefits to the fact that people are using the good ol' postal service less and less. So great.
Travel Advice
Today, I got the best (= worst) travel advice ever.
1. If you go to Thailand, go to the crocodile/tiger zoos.
2. Don't go to the circuses, though. They're no good.
3. Oh yeah, and since you're blonde, you might get kidnapped. It's good luck.
Thank you, cultured and widely-travelled former co-worker.
1. If you go to Thailand, go to the crocodile/tiger zoos.
2. Don't go to the circuses, though. They're no good.
3. Oh yeah, and since you're blonde, you might get kidnapped. It's good luck.
Thank you, cultured and widely-travelled former co-worker.
Pictures
You're right - this last picture is not from the game, but I was dogsitting this weekend for Scott and Kim (Corky's on the left). Alison and I took the dogs for a short walk (granted, it was hot out), and they both totally crashed. Although, this is what Derby looks like every single day...he is actually laying right next to me right now, crashed on the couch. Soooo cute.15 June 2008
Brewers, you let me down.
We went to the Brewers game yesterday on a bus trip with Crow Bar in Mishicot. Honestly, I was not looking too much forward to it, but it ended up being a really great time. This is all in exception to the Brewers losing in extra innings - yikes, they did not pull that one off well. Such a good game, and then in the 12th inning, they really let me down.
I woke up with a major dilemma. First, it was going to be an extremely hot day with perfect opportunity for tanning. Therefore, I knew I needed to wear something that was airy but that also did not allow for horrible tan lines. However, it was also a "fat day". I'm not saying I think I am fat or that I need to go on a diet - I think most women would know what a "fat day" entails. It just means that blech I don't want to wear anything that is too form-fitting, I guess you could say. Since it was going to be so hot, I would normally wear my golden Brewers tube-top, but since it was a fat-day, it was sort of out of the question. See? A major dilemma. It's right up there with how to change the world. But I didn't have anything else to wear that was Brewers-y besides some T-shirts. And I will not go to a baseball game without dressing like a baseball fan - I left my high heels at home, unlike so many women that go to Brewers games with their high heels on (yes, that was me at one point in my life, but I have to say - what was I thinking????). Back to the story - like I said, T-shirts are out because it was going to be a really really HOT day! What to wear, what to wear...I had one Brewers "Cervezeros" T-shirt that was too big, and I had already attempted cutting the neck out, but I had accidentally cut it too far. So, what could I do with this T-shirt that is too big? Hmmmm. Perfect. I cut it into a halter top! See, my life is super complicated and meaningful at the same time. I know. It was so cute with my capris - and then, before the game, I took the dogs for a walk to the post office (not very far), but somehow ended up with mud allllll over the capris and my feet. Nice. So, I had to change into shorts, which since it was a hot day, was totally okay.
Anyways, the game was fun and I had to exercise brain power that morning - that is the point of my story. Thanks for your patience if you are still reading this - don't you have anything else to do????
Ahhh, anyways - Father's Day I was able to spend the day with my Gpa and Gma and the rest of the fam - so great! The bocce ball game was intense until the millions of mosquitoes came out and attacked. Then, not so much fun anymore. But dinner was fantastic and so was just overall time with the fam.
I also start subbing this week (today - but this post might read "Sunday" because that's when I started it...I know, confusing), but obviously there was no spot for me today! This also leaves me with a dilemma. Since I don't know what time they call in the morning, I do not want to wait to receive a phone call to wake up, because that would just leave me rushing around and out the door. That is not how I like my mornings. So therefore, I am rising at 6 AM to shower and get ready (very different from my 10 AM dawdlings lately that involve Price is Right, long breakfasts, noon showers), even though I may not even have a job that day! We'll see how this goes, although waking up early and being ready for the day (even without a job...) is better than the alternative - getting woken by a phone call and then rushing the rest of the morning to look somewhat presentable as I run out the door, half-asleep. Ahhh, the life.
Have a great week, ya'll.
I woke up with a major dilemma. First, it was going to be an extremely hot day with perfect opportunity for tanning. Therefore, I knew I needed to wear something that was airy but that also did not allow for horrible tan lines. However, it was also a "fat day". I'm not saying I think I am fat or that I need to go on a diet - I think most women would know what a "fat day" entails. It just means that blech I don't want to wear anything that is too form-fitting, I guess you could say. Since it was going to be so hot, I would normally wear my golden Brewers tube-top, but since it was a fat-day, it was sort of out of the question. See? A major dilemma. It's right up there with how to change the world. But I didn't have anything else to wear that was Brewers-y besides some T-shirts. And I will not go to a baseball game without dressing like a baseball fan - I left my high heels at home, unlike so many women that go to Brewers games with their high heels on (yes, that was me at one point in my life, but I have to say - what was I thinking????). Back to the story - like I said, T-shirts are out because it was going to be a really really HOT day! What to wear, what to wear...I had one Brewers "Cervezeros" T-shirt that was too big, and I had already attempted cutting the neck out, but I had accidentally cut it too far. So, what could I do with this T-shirt that is too big? Hmmmm. Perfect. I cut it into a halter top! See, my life is super complicated and meaningful at the same time. I know. It was so cute with my capris - and then, before the game, I took the dogs for a walk to the post office (not very far), but somehow ended up with mud allllll over the capris and my feet. Nice. So, I had to change into shorts, which since it was a hot day, was totally okay.
Anyways, the game was fun and I had to exercise brain power that morning - that is the point of my story. Thanks for your patience if you are still reading this - don't you have anything else to do????
Ahhh, anyways - Father's Day I was able to spend the day with my Gpa and Gma and the rest of the fam - so great! The bocce ball game was intense until the millions of mosquitoes came out and attacked. Then, not so much fun anymore. But dinner was fantastic and so was just overall time with the fam.
I also start subbing this week (today - but this post might read "Sunday" because that's when I started it...I know, confusing), but obviously there was no spot for me today! This also leaves me with a dilemma. Since I don't know what time they call in the morning, I do not want to wait to receive a phone call to wake up, because that would just leave me rushing around and out the door. That is not how I like my mornings. So therefore, I am rising at 6 AM to shower and get ready (very different from my 10 AM dawdlings lately that involve Price is Right, long breakfasts, noon showers), even though I may not even have a job that day! We'll see how this goes, although waking up early and being ready for the day (even without a job...) is better than the alternative - getting woken by a phone call and then rushing the rest of the morning to look somewhat presentable as I run out the door, half-asleep. Ahhh, the life.
Have a great week, ya'll.
14 June 2008
Car Horns in the AM
It's 4:13 AM, and I've been awake for quite some time. Some of the "new" neighbors on this street (for the most part, our neighborhood's population is pretty steady....as in, it's been the same people mostly for twenty years) feel the need to drive by with their very loud, home-made (did I mention very loud?) engines several times per night while also honking their horn. Is there a need for horns at 1:15 AM or even 3:00 AM? I didn't think so, unless someone is merging into your lane because they didn't see you. There's really no other reason I can think of - can you think of any reasons why someone's truck that is already loud enough would have to sound the horn while coming down our road not once, but twice during one night? Anything? Anything? And plus, there are not multiple lanes on our street, much less even lines painted on the street, so I see no need. These are also the neighbors that are significantly bringing down the average of "quality of people" (you're right - purely a subjective and judgmental statement for me to use - I apologize for my judgmentalism and snooty-ism) in the village. I'm not too worried about them seeing this - I do not think they are frequent bloggers.
Good morning to all. :)
Good morning to all. :)
13 June 2008
Flooding
I know, I know. I haven't blogged in quite a while. You may be saying, "Did Lynn drown in the floods last night?" or "Has she been sleeping too much?" or "Is the fun of Francis Creek just too much for her to handle?" or "Hmm. Perhaps she has been playing too much Scrabble." Well, none of those. Simply, I've just been lazy. So I guess statement number 2 could be true - I definitely have been sleeping way too much!
As much as you might have guessed I would have drowned last night, though, I didn't. I did, however, spend a half hour stuck in a locker room with twenty other women while we waited out the tornado warning. Yes, you guessed it - bad weather has hit the midwest yet again. Earlier this week, Lake Delton drained as its banks could not hold the water and a roadway was washed out. The entire lake is gone, including the houses on its shores - so sad that all of those memories that belong to those families are now gone. Last night, we dealt with horrible thunderstorms and tornadoes here in Northeast Wisconson. When I was young, I used to be a huge fan of thunderstorms...well, I don't know what happened, but that definitely has changed as I grew into adulthood! I absolutely hate the lightnings, the thunders, the tornadoes, the rains...they are not interesting to me in the least, so needless to say, I should have a challenge with the extreme weather in the Philippines. Anyways, back to the story - I drove to town around 5:00 for spinning class, figuring that I need to bike at some point this week - the weather hasn't allowed me to get outside, and I only had done one 15-mile ride all week. The entire drive on the interstate, my car was swaying in the wind - there was one point where I thought a tornado was going to shoot down in front of me and suck me up. But there were no warnings or watches at that point, so that's why I decided to venture to town. I spent the entire two hours on the bike looking out the window at the pouring rain and high winds, and listening above to the pounding on the roof. A little before 7:00, a tornado warning was put into effect, and we were shuttled into the locker rooms to keep cover and watch the weather on the TV. I am not going to lie, I was pretty scared. After the warning dissipated, I dashed to my car in the pouring rain to drive home. Roads were flooded, and there were areas of fields that looked like lakes. Those poor farmers!
Let's see what else....I have found a job for the summer. Starting next week, I'll be subbing for summer school in MPSD for two weeks. For the second two-week session, I'll actually be teaching - yay! Math-teacher-Lynn to the rescue. This is really exciting, because I can't wait to be around students again - kids are so much fun! I also applied for several waitressing jobs throughout Manitowoc, but apparently either I wasn't qualified enough or I was over-qualified. Nice - love that I almost have a Master's Degree but yet can't get hired at a restaurant.
Speaking of almost having a Master's Degree, my plan for the summer was to work on my professional project in order to graduate by December. My project was going to be a literature review on the state of children in the Philippines, so as to sort-of prepare me for the main issues that children have. Well, I started working on it and then got overwhelmed - I also decided that I wanted to make my project more meaningful towards my internship and towards a community. So I think I have decided to postpone working on my project until I get to the Philippines and start my placement. Once in a community, I hope I will have several ideas to apply my professional project towards. So, needless to say, I will not be graduating in December, but all's good - I think it will be alright.
Kim, Scott, and Carol (Kim's mom) will be coming into town tonight to get ready to leave for their big trip to Alaska tomorrow - so that means one thing: We're going to Tony's!!!! I can't believe that I haven't been to my favorite Manitowoc restaurant for perch, having been home for a month already (hard to believe!). So tonight I'll be chowing down on a huge perch plate, complete with some Spotted Cow beer. So delicious. Tomorrow, I'll be going to a Brewers game on a bus trip with Crow Bar - Alison and Beth will be going, as well as a few other people I know. I am crossing my fingers that people will not get as obnoxiously drunk as last year (by people, I mean all the old men on the bus who insisted on having the bus driver stop to buy beer on the way home, although we were definitely in a county where they stopped selling beer at 9 PM). Let's hope not!
Love to all.
As much as you might have guessed I would have drowned last night, though, I didn't. I did, however, spend a half hour stuck in a locker room with twenty other women while we waited out the tornado warning. Yes, you guessed it - bad weather has hit the midwest yet again. Earlier this week, Lake Delton drained as its banks could not hold the water and a roadway was washed out. The entire lake is gone, including the houses on its shores - so sad that all of those memories that belong to those families are now gone. Last night, we dealt with horrible thunderstorms and tornadoes here in Northeast Wisconson. When I was young, I used to be a huge fan of thunderstorms...well, I don't know what happened, but that definitely has changed as I grew into adulthood! I absolutely hate the lightnings, the thunders, the tornadoes, the rains...they are not interesting to me in the least, so needless to say, I should have a challenge with the extreme weather in the Philippines. Anyways, back to the story - I drove to town around 5:00 for spinning class, figuring that I need to bike at some point this week - the weather hasn't allowed me to get outside, and I only had done one 15-mile ride all week. The entire drive on the interstate, my car was swaying in the wind - there was one point where I thought a tornado was going to shoot down in front of me and suck me up. But there were no warnings or watches at that point, so that's why I decided to venture to town. I spent the entire two hours on the bike looking out the window at the pouring rain and high winds, and listening above to the pounding on the roof. A little before 7:00, a tornado warning was put into effect, and we were shuttled into the locker rooms to keep cover and watch the weather on the TV. I am not going to lie, I was pretty scared. After the warning dissipated, I dashed to my car in the pouring rain to drive home. Roads were flooded, and there were areas of fields that looked like lakes. Those poor farmers!
Let's see what else....I have found a job for the summer. Starting next week, I'll be subbing for summer school in MPSD for two weeks. For the second two-week session, I'll actually be teaching - yay! Math-teacher-Lynn to the rescue. This is really exciting, because I can't wait to be around students again - kids are so much fun! I also applied for several waitressing jobs throughout Manitowoc, but apparently either I wasn't qualified enough or I was over-qualified. Nice - love that I almost have a Master's Degree but yet can't get hired at a restaurant.
Speaking of almost having a Master's Degree, my plan for the summer was to work on my professional project in order to graduate by December. My project was going to be a literature review on the state of children in the Philippines, so as to sort-of prepare me for the main issues that children have. Well, I started working on it and then got overwhelmed - I also decided that I wanted to make my project more meaningful towards my internship and towards a community. So I think I have decided to postpone working on my project until I get to the Philippines and start my placement. Once in a community, I hope I will have several ideas to apply my professional project towards. So, needless to say, I will not be graduating in December, but all's good - I think it will be alright.
Kim, Scott, and Carol (Kim's mom) will be coming into town tonight to get ready to leave for their big trip to Alaska tomorrow - so that means one thing: We're going to Tony's!!!! I can't believe that I haven't been to my favorite Manitowoc restaurant for perch, having been home for a month already (hard to believe!). So tonight I'll be chowing down on a huge perch plate, complete with some Spotted Cow beer. So delicious. Tomorrow, I'll be going to a Brewers game on a bus trip with Crow Bar - Alison and Beth will be going, as well as a few other people I know. I am crossing my fingers that people will not get as obnoxiously drunk as last year (by people, I mean all the old men on the bus who insisted on having the bus driver stop to buy beer on the way home, although we were definitely in a county where they stopped selling beer at 9 PM). Let's hope not!
Love to all.
02 June 2008
Job. Or no job?
So, I have returned to the world of instead of handing in a resume to apply for a job, a person has to fill out endless amounts of applications. This allows their hand to cramp up, their legs to fall asleep, and the workers at Starbucks to take pity on them and offer them free caffeine. Yes! Job searching. Although I haven't quite yet decided if I need a job. I'm hopefully going to be on the sub list for summer school for MPSD, although there has been some confusion about my licensure/lack of licensure (because DPI never got back to me when I applied last year). So we'll see how this turns out. Pleeeeease cross your fingers for me. Also, my professional project/lack of professional project is ya know...not great. I have decided that what I originally had planned to do (and by originally, I don't mean originally at all....I mean originally as in this is what I was told I should do) isn't really too meaningful, and I want to do something meaningful. I may have a lead with SARC (Sexual Assault Resource Center) here in Manitowoc in doing research and prevention efforts with them in the schools...meeting next week. I'll keep you updated.
Some fun news though, all in regards to looking for a job. Well, no one wants to hire someone for two months. Poo on them. Anyways...that was a sidenote. Sorry. The random insults again - they always get me into trouble. I walked into Lakeshore Day Care (Now Lakeshore Child Care Center) today to gather an application for a job, and although they are not hiring, I had the coolest experience. I walked into the office and introduced myself ("Hi, I'm Lynn."). The response was, "Oh, I know...I remember you...and so-and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so". Wow! I have not been at that Day Care for about 18 years (probably since I was six years old), and two of the women in the office (who used to be teachers) recognized me. A-maz-ing.
Several of the girlfriends and I this past weekend headed out to cheer on the Brewers as they beat the Houston Astros. We had an amazing time, and then someone got shot in the foot (at RiverSplash in downtown Milwaukee)....and then the next day I was horribly sick. Perhaps my body does not like alcohol. All I know is that I was the only one who was feeling bad the next day...the girls suggest food poisoning, although I know better. My body just doesn't like me.
On the upnote, I felt slightly better today (my body still needs mucho water and re-hydration) and was able to do some good training tonight for my bike ride. Since I have no job, I've been spending mucho time at the gym - which means that in no time, I'll be a size 4 and will be running marathons. It'll be amazing. Although I don't think I would like me without a little bit of chubbiness. I think it adds some character for sure.
Love ya'lls.
Some fun news though, all in regards to looking for a job. Well, no one wants to hire someone for two months. Poo on them. Anyways...that was a sidenote. Sorry. The random insults again - they always get me into trouble. I walked into Lakeshore Day Care (Now Lakeshore Child Care Center) today to gather an application for a job, and although they are not hiring, I had the coolest experience. I walked into the office and introduced myself ("Hi, I'm Lynn."). The response was, "Oh, I know...I remember you...and so-and-so, and so-and-so, and so-and-so". Wow! I have not been at that Day Care for about 18 years (probably since I was six years old), and two of the women in the office (who used to be teachers) recognized me. A-maz-ing.
Several of the girlfriends and I this past weekend headed out to cheer on the Brewers as they beat the Houston Astros. We had an amazing time, and then someone got shot in the foot (at RiverSplash in downtown Milwaukee)....and then the next day I was horribly sick. Perhaps my body does not like alcohol. All I know is that I was the only one who was feeling bad the next day...the girls suggest food poisoning, although I know better. My body just doesn't like me.
On the upnote, I felt slightly better today (my body still needs mucho water and re-hydration) and was able to do some good training tonight for my bike ride. Since I have no job, I've been spending mucho time at the gym - which means that in no time, I'll be a size 4 and will be running marathons. It'll be amazing. Although I don't think I would like me without a little bit of chubbiness. I think it adds some character for sure.
Love ya'lls.
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