30 August 2010
Let the graduate studies begin...
...classes at UM started today, but classes for Emily do not start until tomorrow. Lucky me, no classes on Mondays! Tomorrow I start the day off with being introduced in a class that I TA for (Foundations of Health & Human Performance), then attend my Culture, Health & Healing class, then teach Fundamentals of basketball to 30 eager college students, and then finish off the day with my Health Promotion Strategies class. It will be a full day, but I'm ready to get this journey started.
I have really started to feel "at home" here in Missoula as I bike around town, explore more of campus and the town, sit and sip coffee at the local coffee shops, and hang out reading, sewing and scrapbooking.
While I feel very "at home"...something is missing. And that something starts with a "C" and ends with an "asey." Corny, I know.
I have really started to feel "at home" here in Missoula as I bike around town, explore more of campus and the town, sit and sip coffee at the local coffee shops, and hang out reading, sewing and scrapbooking.
While I feel very "at home"...something is missing. And that something starts with a "C" and ends with an "asey." Corny, I know.
25 August 2010
Something new...
I've made a mental goal to visit or explore someplace new every day.
Yesterday I visited the Tuesday night farmer's market...and I rode my bike there! I heard that the Saturday market is much bigger. There were probably 15 or so produce stands...most with huckleberries and giant zucchinis!! I purchased some cucumbers and broccoli...that was all that I had enough cash for :) I will visit again on Saturday and see if I can't find some more yummy foods.
Today I checked out the Lunch in the Park. There were about 20 local restaurant vendors and live music. I tried a meatball kabobwich with apple bbq sauce. It was delicious! The music and food were both great and I enjoyed people watching for a few minutes...but it would have been much more fun with Casey or a friend.
Yesterday I visited the Tuesday night farmer's market...and I rode my bike there! I heard that the Saturday market is much bigger. There were probably 15 or so produce stands...most with huckleberries and giant zucchinis!! I purchased some cucumbers and broccoli...that was all that I had enough cash for :) I will visit again on Saturday and see if I can't find some more yummy foods.
Today I checked out the Lunch in the Park. There were about 20 local restaurant vendors and live music. I tried a meatball kabobwich with apple bbq sauce. It was delicious! The music and food were both great and I enjoyed people watching for a few minutes...but it would have been much more fun with Casey or a friend.
24 August 2010
Home
Here is the place that I will call home for at least the next year...
Kitchen
Spacious kitchen. I haven't added any of my touches yet, but I'm thinking we need a counter height little table in the center...
Bedroom
I'm loving all of the space! Casey, Holly and I could all be in it moving and unpacking stuff without being in each other's way! How wonderful. On the wall facing the bed is my desk and a place where my sewing machine will go!
Bathroom
My very own bathroom right off of my bedroom. This means I am not cleaning up after people, I am not refilling toilet paper for someone else, nobody is using my towels, and I can take a bath without bathing where other people shower. Ahhh, it really is about the simple things in life!
I will be using these three spaces the most, but the apartment also has a nice front patio, a spacious living room (that isn't very cute yet), and a washer/dryer unit. Having a nice, big, clean space to live in makes the adjustment to a new life much easier!
Missoula.
Here it is. My first blog from Missoula. I know it has been a widely anticipated blog by all of my blog readers! Today is Tuesday and since Saturday it has been a blur. It literally has gone by in a flash. So many new places, so many great meals, so much walking. I was so blessed to have Casey here Saturday and Sunday to help me move and explore my new home, and Holly here from Saturday until just a few hours ago. Now it is time to get going on my own (until Mom and Nat come Thursday!!)...
Here's a very condensed version of the last few days.
Saturday. Leave Clarkston at 8:15 a.m. and make the glorious, curvy, long trek to Missoula. We stopped several times (thanks Starbucks) and got a little bit lost once we hit Missoula, but we finally arrived at the apartment and got to unloading the vehicles right away. It was HOT! We were all three sweating by the end of it, but decided to hit up downtown and the mall and then McKenzie River Pizza Company for dinner (so good!). We spent a good portion of time driving around to find The Good Food Store that I remembered seeing before and had heard good things about from people in Wallowa County- we were not successful.
Sunday. Casey was sad he had to leave that day, but we all decided to make the best of it (what else can we do??). We had coffee together, hit up a few shops, and then had Fudruckers for lunch. It was burgers and fries so I think that made Casey happy. By the time we got back, it was time for Casey to hit the road unfortunately. We both know that it is in every one's best interest to stay positive...and that we will make it :) Holly and did MORE shopping, and more searching for the Good Food Store after Casey left...and also some serious organizing and unpacking.
Monday. Morning started with a lovely (and tiring because I'm so out of shape) hike to the famous "M" on Missoula's hillside...beautiful view from the top!
Here's a very condensed version of the last few days.
Saturday. Leave Clarkston at 8:15 a.m. and make the glorious, curvy, long trek to Missoula. We stopped several times (thanks Starbucks) and got a little bit lost once we hit Missoula, but we finally arrived at the apartment and got to unloading the vehicles right away. It was HOT! We were all three sweating by the end of it, but decided to hit up downtown and the mall and then McKenzie River Pizza Company for dinner (so good!). We spent a good portion of time driving around to find The Good Food Store that I remembered seeing before and had heard good things about from people in Wallowa County- we were not successful.
Sunday. Casey was sad he had to leave that day, but we all decided to make the best of it (what else can we do??). We had coffee together, hit up a few shops, and then had Fudruckers for lunch. It was burgers and fries so I think that made Casey happy. By the time we got back, it was time for Casey to hit the road unfortunately. We both know that it is in every one's best interest to stay positive...and that we will make it :) Holly and did MORE shopping, and more searching for the Good Food Store after Casey left...and also some serious organizing and unpacking.
Monday. Morning started with a lovely (and tiring because I'm so out of shape) hike to the famous "M" on Missoula's hillside...beautiful view from the top!
Holly and went in several cute shops and boutiques downtown before showering and cleaning up to head to the mall for some nice and relaxing retail therapy. After shopping off and on for three days with Holly I can confidently say that I have enough clothes to get me through the next several months...without having to do laundry for more clothes, haha. And, the highlight of the day was finding The Good Food Store! We had actually turned right before it several times, driven along the side of it, and it is on the same street as my apartment. Oops! But we found it, and it was everything I had anticipated. We came back, ate pita and hummus and had a Big Sky Summer Honey Ale...with fresh honey from the Good Food Store. The night ended with Holly convincing me to watch an episode of The Bachelor Pad online...and now I'm hooked.
Tuesday. Episode 3 of The Bachelor Pad online and coffee with Holly (I have now tried four coffee places in 4 days). Time to say goodbye to Holly. So bittersweet. I wanted her to stay, but I knew that I needed to be alone and get used to the feeling of being more independent! So here I am...blogging! I think a bike ride will be in store later this afternoon.
19 August 2010
Thursday
Missoula bound in two days. Feelings still mixed...getting more excited. My nerves were soothed a bit when mom said that her and Nat are coming down next Thursday. I'm remembering back to four years ago when I was getting settled in my dormroom at WSU. I remember being nervous then too...but not this nervous! It seems like there are so many more unknown variables going into grad school at UM, but really when I think about all the unknowns, the same variables were unknown going into my undergrad at WSU. Weird. The mind can be a tricky thing!
Chest Freezer
Casey and I more or less inherited a chest freezer from my parents. Actually, it is more like it was sitting in our garage and I was itching to cook some freezer meals for Casey and I to enjoy throughout the fall, so we asked for it and dad said we could have it!
Five pounds of ground beef, some chicken, 12 tupperware containers, six foil pans and about five hours later we have a chest freezer full of delicious food! I suppose time will tell just how delicious they really are! I think more than anything, they will be convenient and easy...two things that I love most!
Five pounds of ground beef, some chicken, 12 tupperware containers, six foil pans and about five hours later we have a chest freezer full of delicious food! I suppose time will tell just how delicious they really are! I think more than anything, they will be convenient and easy...two things that I love most!
16 August 2010
Mixed Emotions
When I sit down to think about what I'm really feeling at this point in time...I get completely mixed signals. I am spending my last full day here at home packing, cleaning, getting UM stuff together, and running errands. All of that is fine, but it is bit sad to be leaving. It truly has been a great summer full of fun times, great experiences and a little bit of sun.
And then I think of the reason why I'm packing, cleaning, getting UM stuff together, and running errands...and I feel excited, scared, anxious and nervous all at the same time. I don't really know what to expect when I get to that first orientation or as I teach my first basketball class, or as I grade my first batch of papers, or as I talk to my advisor about my plan for the next two years, or as I write my first paper of graduate school. There are so many unknowns...and I don't do well with that. BUT, I am also excited to discover a new city (with the help of Casey and Holly the first few days!), excited to acquire knowledge in a field that I am extremely interested in, excited to discover more about myself, and excited to meet new people.
And then I think of all that I am moving further away from. Casey. Pullman friends. Family in Joseph. Joseph friends. New BHF co-workers/friends.
These mixed emotions and back-and-forth excitement are playing continuously in my mind. I don't think my mind will be settled until I get there and get into a routine...so for that reason I am counting down the days. 14 days until the routine begins.
And then I think of the reason why I'm packing, cleaning, getting UM stuff together, and running errands...and I feel excited, scared, anxious and nervous all at the same time. I don't really know what to expect when I get to that first orientation or as I teach my first basketball class, or as I grade my first batch of papers, or as I talk to my advisor about my plan for the next two years, or as I write my first paper of graduate school. There are so many unknowns...and I don't do well with that. BUT, I am also excited to discover a new city (with the help of Casey and Holly the first few days!), excited to acquire knowledge in a field that I am extremely interested in, excited to discover more about myself, and excited to meet new people.
And then I think of all that I am moving further away from. Casey. Pullman friends. Family in Joseph. Joseph friends. New BHF co-workers/friends.
These mixed emotions and back-and-forth excitement are playing continuously in my mind. I don't think my mind will be settled until I get there and get into a routine...so for that reason I am counting down the days. 14 days until the routine begins.
01 August 2010
Sunday
Almost perfect Sunday...
...breakfast and my book at Old Town,
baking blueberry scones,
listening to Lady Antebellum,
blogging,
and laying at the lake with my book.
...breakfast and my book at Old Town,
baking blueberry scones,
listening to Lady Antebellum,
blogging,
and laying at the lake with my book.
Wedding bells?
When mom asked me yesterday if Casey and I ever talked about getting married I could feel my cheeks blushing. Of course we talk about it! We are two young individuals, in love, who want nothing more than to settle down with our soul mates and start a family. We both seek comfort, simplicity and some sort of a routine. And we both just feel that it is right. It's a feeling I've never experienced before...but I think I like it ;)
After basically telling mom yes...I think she went into full wedding mode. We checked out the backyard where I would LOVE to get married, talked about reception venues, looked at a few dresses, and Liv and I spend much of the afternoon looking at cakes, decorations, favors, flowers and bridesmaid dresses. Oh jeeze!! :)
Take note people, this won't be for AT LEAST two more years as we have both decided that I need to be done in Missoula before we want to tie the knot...and we need to be engaged first! But it is always fun to think about it!
After basically telling mom yes...I think she went into full wedding mode. We checked out the backyard where I would LOVE to get married, talked about reception venues, looked at a few dresses, and Liv and I spend much of the afternoon looking at cakes, decorations, favors, flowers and bridesmaid dresses. Oh jeeze!! :)
Take note people, this won't be for AT LEAST two more years as we have both decided that I need to be done in Missoula before we want to tie the knot...and we need to be engaged first! But it is always fun to think about it!
Summertime
The summertime bug has got me. It's been about a month since a blog post. Shame on me. It really has been a crazy, busy, and fast summer. In just twenty short days I will be on my way to Missoula, Montana to begin my next big adventure. It's an adventure that I'm both excited and super nervous about. I'm thankful for the opportunity to further my education in an area that I truly am passionate and excited to learn more about. However, I'm nervous about adjusting to a new city, being away from the one that I love, being away from my family, being away from my fabulous WSU and Joseph friends, and finding enough focus to excel in my graduate studies. That being said...there is only one thing I can do: Just do it. The only way I will get through it is to take one day at a time, live in the moment, and remember to count my blessings.
Summer activities have ranged from attending early morning cowboy breakfast, relaxing on the Snake, mentoring an amazing 14-year-old, folding loads of laundry, and running my first ever Family Play Group! It truly has been wild and full of unforgetable people, relationships, and learning experiences.
Casey and I found ourselves once again enjoying the music and booze of the thunder room. Again, it was a great time with friends followed by pancakes and eggs at the ever-so-famous cowboy breakfast at 2:00 a.m. This was our second Chief Joseph Days together...wow.
We finally had a weekend a few weeks ago where we didn't have ANYTHING planned. It was amazing. The previous eight weekends were all booked, and on our first free weekend we enjoyed the sunshine both days on the Snake River. I can't wait to be on the water again this next weekend for Casey's company getaway trip up the Snake.
Mentoring. Something I never thought I would be good at...and at first I don't think I was. However, I have really started appreciating my time with my mentee. We have learned a lot from each other and I'm sure we will miss our time together. She has a long ways to go still, but with a little support from community members, I am confident she will succeed. Just remember-a smile and a hug can go a long ways!
Unfortunately for me, I took on the night job from last summer at the motel again. It is only two nights a week, but still the worst part of the week. I try to make the best of it, and it really isn't THAT bad...it could be worse. It's extra money and that never hurts. Working this job two nights a week makes me thankful for my education and the fact that I will be able to have a "normal" weekday job.
Family Play Group! All summer at BHF I had been planning curriculum for a parent-child play group. With the opening of the new Learning Center set for after I leave, we decided it would be a good idea for me to implement my curriculum with a different target audience. We invited the families that different staff members at BHF home visit for a variety of reasons. These family play groups have been quite a whirlwind. My passion is NOT working with one to five year olds. I enjoy them, but I also enjoy order and perfection-two things that are not possible with a group of toddlers. Week one saw no attendees. Week two (with incentives and door prizes) saw 12 children (5 families). Whew-zero to 17 people in one short week was not what I had in mind. I was overwhelmed, but thanks to my co-workers, remembered to look at the bright side. All kids took home a free book, all kids sat still during story and song time, a family in need won a Safeway gift card, and a mom who is usually against any sort of parenting information asked a clarifying question about my handout. They were engaged, and many positives came from the group-but Wowza, hopefully next time I have additional co-workers for support! Week three was much different than week two. We had 3 children (3 families). Much more laid back, parents interacted with each other, and it was not so LOUD! What will week four have in store...?
Those are the summer highlights in a nutshell. More to come as the adventure rolls on...
Summer activities have ranged from attending early morning cowboy breakfast, relaxing on the Snake, mentoring an amazing 14-year-old, folding loads of laundry, and running my first ever Family Play Group! It truly has been wild and full of unforgetable people, relationships, and learning experiences.
Casey and I found ourselves once again enjoying the music and booze of the thunder room. Again, it was a great time with friends followed by pancakes and eggs at the ever-so-famous cowboy breakfast at 2:00 a.m. This was our second Chief Joseph Days together...wow.
We finally had a weekend a few weeks ago where we didn't have ANYTHING planned. It was amazing. The previous eight weekends were all booked, and on our first free weekend we enjoyed the sunshine both days on the Snake River. I can't wait to be on the water again this next weekend for Casey's company getaway trip up the Snake.
Mentoring. Something I never thought I would be good at...and at first I don't think I was. However, I have really started appreciating my time with my mentee. We have learned a lot from each other and I'm sure we will miss our time together. She has a long ways to go still, but with a little support from community members, I am confident she will succeed. Just remember-a smile and a hug can go a long ways!
Unfortunately for me, I took on the night job from last summer at the motel again. It is only two nights a week, but still the worst part of the week. I try to make the best of it, and it really isn't THAT bad...it could be worse. It's extra money and that never hurts. Working this job two nights a week makes me thankful for my education and the fact that I will be able to have a "normal" weekday job.
Family Play Group! All summer at BHF I had been planning curriculum for a parent-child play group. With the opening of the new Learning Center set for after I leave, we decided it would be a good idea for me to implement my curriculum with a different target audience. We invited the families that different staff members at BHF home visit for a variety of reasons. These family play groups have been quite a whirlwind. My passion is NOT working with one to five year olds. I enjoy them, but I also enjoy order and perfection-two things that are not possible with a group of toddlers. Week one saw no attendees. Week two (with incentives and door prizes) saw 12 children (5 families). Whew-zero to 17 people in one short week was not what I had in mind. I was overwhelmed, but thanks to my co-workers, remembered to look at the bright side. All kids took home a free book, all kids sat still during story and song time, a family in need won a Safeway gift card, and a mom who is usually against any sort of parenting information asked a clarifying question about my handout. They were engaged, and many positives came from the group-but Wowza, hopefully next time I have additional co-workers for support! Week three was much different than week two. We had 3 children (3 families). Much more laid back, parents interacted with each other, and it was not so LOUD! What will week four have in store...?
Those are the summer highlights in a nutshell. More to come as the adventure rolls on...
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