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Tuesday, 04 March 2008

I'm curious about what happened to my xanga page...

Monday, 18 June 2007

It’s that time of year…the school year has ended and things have slowed down enough for me to reflect on the past semester and future plans. So here is a quick update on my life…

Second semester started off with me spending 4 weeks as the Gerig Hall director over j-term. I really enjoyed being back in a smaller co-ed residence hall…what a neat community! January also brought with it the beginning of my training for the Indy mini marathon. All of the Olson PAs decided in October that it would be fun to run the mini as a staff. So all 16 of us (14 PAs, Shelley, and me) signed up and trained.

My semester was filled with work, mini training, leadership class (I was a group discussion leader), PA class, and leading a trip to Mexico. Yeah... I had the opportunity to lead a group of 12 Taylor students to Ixtapan de la Sal, Mexico. We worked with the Lions Club to distribute eye glasses to over 4,600 people. Leading a TU trip was a new experience, but I really enjoyed getting to know the students, Lions club members, and Mexican volunteers. It was neat to meet such a practical need while also knowing that God will continue to work in the lives of the people we met. Mexico was beautiful, the people were beautiful and our ten days serving there were a highlight of my semester.

Shortly after we returned from spring break our mini training was put to the test. I could not have been prouder than I was when the last member of our PA staff crossed the finish line. We were all at different fitness levels when we started and we all finished the race in different times, but we all finished! I never would have run 13 miles if it had not been for the girls. I did not always enjoy running and this experience has not trigger a pro runner in me, but I do appreciate running in a way that I never have before.

Now that the semester is over I’m planning for the summer and fall. I will spend most of my summer working in University Relation and taking a few grad classes at Ball State University. I’m working on an MA in counseling. my work in UR ends the last week in July. I’ve enjoyed my time in UR and I’ve learned a lot, but I’m ready to move on. After I’m done in UR I will spend a week or so with my family and then head back to TU for several Res Life/Student Development retreats at the beginning of August. I’m excited to spend one more year as the assistant hall director in Olson.

Next fall I will begin a graduate assistantship with the Ball State News Center. I’ll work 20 hours a week doing online news and press releases. I’ll also take 12 hours of class. Getting this GA position is a huge blessing because it will pay for my classes and provide a stipend for the year.

I know next year will be busy, but I’m excited about the changes. It’s taking a little to get back into the student mindset, but I’m sure it will come.
I feel really blessed to have experienced another great semester at Taylor!

Wednesday, 20 December 2006

Ok…so I’ve gotten into the habit of posting once ever 4 – 6 months. I do read your xangas I just don’t often feel inspired enough to post.

So let’s see if I can catch you up on my life over the past semester…well it has been fun and fast as usual. Most of you can relate to the speed of a semester at TU which is only brought into perspective as we speed past markers such as air band, spiritual renewal, fall break, WOW, my gen, thanksgiving, and finals.

I again…for my sixth year (in-a-row) participated in intramural football, soccer, and dodge ball. For dodge ball this year Travis Yoder put together a faculty/staff team. Because this is not a co-ed intramural we played in the men’s league. I almost died at least once…maybe twice. I throw good for a girl and bad for a boy…catching was totally my strategy and most of the time it worked. The worst part, by far, was the ugly, absurdly oversized, teal green basketball jerseys Travis made us wear. They all say Brasil on the front and 10 on the back.

Speaking of looking ridiculous…My office puts on a community appreciation dinner for local service people. They do a really nice dinner, with entertainment, but they also have a theme. This year was “western” we decorated the DC banquet rooms to look like a western hotel. And then they made us…the people in my office hosting the dinner…dress up for the occasion. I was given the character of Mexican bandit. If you have to look stupid you better play it up! So I did…

A highlight of my fall was a 4 day trip to New York City with my twin sister, Abby. We visited with two friends that live in the city and hit several tourist sights over our time. Abby had never been to NYC so we visited central park, the met, ground zero, time square, chelsea market, Rockefeller plaza, statue of liberty, etc. We ate lots of good ethnic food and took some time out to visit an area of the city were my friend Sarah works. It was good to be in parts of NYC that are not so glamorous. It was a fun, insightful and exciting trip. Like all trips it is hard to explain it all, but it was great!

Thanksgiving and the weekend before Christmas my whole family…including Jason, Kerry and Anna from TX…were together. We had lots of fun just being together, talking, playing games, and eating good mama Hillier cooking. These times together made me so very thankful for my life now and growing up. My family is great…not perfect, but great!

Over all this has been a great semester. A prank or two has ticked me off…for example…a few weeks ago when I woke up at 6:15am the dorm smelled horrible (AKA like butt). I didn't think that much about it, but when Shelley and I got back from picking up food for our Olson Hall Christmas breakfast we found out that someone had generously left 5 dead animals (including 2 skunks) in plastic bags on 2nd West. The real treat was a full size deer they put in the bathroom. The whole building smelled for days… it still smells. I know you're jealous that you're not a hall director...sick!
Ok…so that is an overview of my semester. I love my job, my family, my life. I’m making plans for second semester, summer and next fall. Some things are settled…other things are still up in the air, but I’m secure that God will lead me in any new steps I take.
If you made it to the end of this post good for you! Merry Christmas!

Friday, 08 September 2006

Hotlanta here we come!

So the beginning of the school year has been busy and fun as usual. The Sunday that returners arrive on campus is probably my most favorite day of the year...there is so much excitement and love in the air!
The past week I have been plagued with bad luck...
         Sunday crashed my bike. Flew over the handle bars. No major injuries, but I was sore and I do have scraps and bruises. I have not crashed my bike since I was 10!
         Tuesday $25 ticket from a State Patrol man for not wearing my seatbelt. I was driving from Olson to the administration building! What was a State Trooper doing on TU's campus? Was I really putting myself or anyone else in danger? Are you kidding me?! That was my first ticket.
      Thursday I broke or at least severely injured my right pinky finger playing intramural football. At least we won.
Tonight I'm headed to Atlanta with 10 hall directors to attend Jacob Drake and Whitney Gabrielsen's wedding. We are staying with Mr. Andrew Miles which is a total bonus! It will be lots of driving, but the fun should make up for that! Hopefully my streak of bad luck will be ending soon.

Monday, 19 June 2006

So I stopped writing on xanga last summer when my need for this electronic connection faded because most of my TU friends were returning to campus where we could have real life interactions. But now, as many of you have graduated, it has come to my attention that xanga may again serve a purpose as a valuable way for me to stay in contact with you. I can not guarantee that I will write often or that my muses will be witty, but I can guarantee that I will continue to check-up with you all and keep you in my prayers.