Stuck.

Today is Sunday. I was supposed to be home two nights ago. But when I woke up Friday morning, my front yard looked like this out the sliding glass door in my living room.



Unfortunately, our plane was delayed until today. At 3:13 pm. But when I woke up this morning, my from yard looked like this out the sliding glass door in my living room.


Of course, the airport's online server is down, so you can't see flight statuses coming and going from Grand Rapids. And Carina and I were calling all day to see what we should do once we saw that our flight was canceled. Finally, I got a hold of a nice woman at Continental's costumer service. She was very helpful and very friendly, but the best she could find us was a flight into Portland's airport on Christmas day. So I got that, and then bought tickets from Portland to Eugene, because weather is bad on the west coast too.

Let's just hope my front yard looks a little cleaner on Christmas morning.

January 14th, I get to go see Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) and John Foreman (Switchfoot) together, as Fiction Family, at Calvin! Come out and see them with me :)

Today I auditioned for the Women's Chorale, and was so happy when Dr. Shangkuan told me I had made it right then and there. It means that I'll get to head back out to the Pacific Northwest for our spring break tour, home! I'll be in Portland, performing in mid-march. I'll keep you posted on the details.

Ah, the joys of having one's own kitchen.

http://www.bake-share-eat-repeat.blogspot.com/

And by the way, after much thought and reflection of my eating habits and beliefs about the meat industry, I've decided to become a vegetarian. It may be hard (considering how meat just tastes so good sometimes) but I think I will be much happier knowing that my lifestyle reflects my values.

Back in GR

Wednesday evening around 6:30 my plane finally touched down in the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. I'm back. Carina's former room mate Amy was there to pick us up, and take us back to her place. We freshened up, then headed out again to go see more friends. We drove over to Colin's place (and Mitch's place, and Johnny's place, and ben, tony, kevin, ben, nathaniel, etc) and were greeted with hugs and a delicious meal out on the front porch. Later Emma Slager and Oliver stopped by, as well as Asa and Mag. So many friends the first evening back, it was great!

Thursday morning I didn't wake up until noon. But that's 9:00 am west coast time, so it's not as terrible as it sounds. Amy, Carina and I went swimming, grocery shopping, and made a delicious curry dinner which we shared with Donnie (best friend of Amy, and fun guy). After dinner we went out to the movies which was fun, even though Wanted was a slightly disappointing movie.

Friday Amy and Donnie headed off to Texas to visit Donnie's family. Amy kindly left her car here for Carina and I to use. We packed up our things and headed over to Colin's house to spend the next two nights. We also did a little shopping for a few things we'll need in our new place. But not too much. Most of our shopping will have to wait until we get into our apartment (tonight!).

Yesterday (Saturday), I got a lot of reading done. As well as some exploring of the neighborhood. In the later afternoon, we walked down to gas light village with Colin, and napped in the shade by Reed's Lake. Then grabbed some delicious ice cream for the walk back.

Tonight, Carina and I will be able to move into our new apartment. I'm excited to finally get settled in my own space. I start working on tuesday, meet with the head of academic services on wednesday (to talk about my plan now that I've changed majors), work on thursday and friday, celebrate ana's birthday on thursday night, and pick up Carsten and Dathan from the airport friday evening. Classes start the 8th.

(and no, I haven't actually been to see the Calder - bir red sculpture, and symbol of Grand Rapids - yet, but I'm sure I'll see it soon)

Today I finished my final day of working at Bergeson-Boese & Associates. Well at least for this summer. I'm still sitting around the office though, because Mom insisted that her, Carina and I all drive in one car this morning, and she takes off at noon. So I'm stuck here until Dad is ready to go. And it's only two o'clock, so I'd imagine I have at least another good two and a half hours. Oh, and I forgot to mention that Dad's truck is in the shop, so we'll have to get a ride out there from someone. Looks like only driving one car to work today didn't really pay off today.

I'm finished doing online chemical spill research.
I'm finished making trips to the county office, and copying deed records.
I'm finished taking up large tables at the public library, surrounded by piles of Eugene City Directories.
I'm finished awkwardly waiting around at the City Building, waiting to talk to someone about "storm and waste water hook-ups."
I'm finished ordering aerial photographs.
I'm finished sending reminder e-mails to clients asking them to get their questionnaires back.
I'm finished faxing forms to the fire department.
I'm finished I'm [almost] finished filling out time sheets.
I'm finished asking for "petty cash."
I'm finished proof-reading reports.
I'm finished filling out tables, trying to decifer what's "upgradient," what's "downgradient," and what's "side gradient."
I'm finished highlighting things in pink.
I'm finished printing out maps and drawing 1/4 mile and 1/2 mile radius circles around the subject properties.
I'm finished calculating ground water depth.
I'm finished getting paid.

Now I only have two and a half more days at Dynamic Measurement Group, and I'm all done for the summer. Wednesday is a party for the summer interns, and my job for that half day is to set up for the party up at Hendricks Park. Whoo!

As of Saturday evening, I decided upon changing my major. I was at the best coffee shop in Eugene (The Wandering Goat) with Carina after a fabulous day frequenting the Saturday market and the Whitaker neighborhood bloc party. We were sitting at a high table sipping our delicious lattes - made with hazelnut milk - and talking about life. Somehow the subject of what we're studying in school came up, and all my doubts about my chosen career path came out. Don't get me wrong, I've loved [almost] every bit of my engineering courses, and I picked chemical engineering in the first place because of my passion for math and chemistry. However, the more I've thought about life after school and the more I hear, "oh, chemical engineering and french? interesting. what do you plan on doing with that??" I realize I can't foresee an enjoyable career in engineering. When people ask me what I want to do after I finish school, two things usually come to mind: travel and maybe teach someday. So, after a 45 minute discussion with Carina, I decided I was going to change my major. I'm going back to school this fall to study mathematics and secondary education (along with my French) - I'm going to be a high school math teacher. Looks like Mr. O'Donahue had a big influence on me in AP calc.

Sunday morning rolled around, and at least six people at church asked me what I was studying. With most people I shared my thoughts from the night before, but not with everyone - because I hadn't even told my parents yet. Mom was out of town. Sunday afternoon I told my parents, who are ever supportive of whatever I want to study. (Thank you!) Monday I contacted the school, was assigned a new advisor, and informed of what classes I'd need to take this fall instead of engineering statics and dynamics, physics 235, engineering math 232, and C++ computer programming. Instead of these fun - but at the same time miserable classes, I'll be taking math 256 (linear algebra and something something else) education 102, french 215, sociology 151, computer science 108, the same two choirs as last year, and an aerobic dance PE class.

As of yesterday I have my class schedule all fixed and all my books ordered. I leave for Grand Rapids in the early early morning of August 27th, out of Portland. I'll be sad to leave Eugene again, but I'm so excited for this school year. I feel nervous about the complete change in plans, but very excited and at peace about my decision. And I so dearly miss my many friends from Calvin.

I'm looking forward to classes. I'm looking forward to my new job (desk receptionist in the dorm I lived in last year). I'm looking forward to baking bread two or three times a week again with Carsten. I'm looking forward to sharing an apartment with Carina. I'm sad that my good friend Leo won't be returning. I'm anxious to go back to my church. I can't wait to start learning Handel's Messiah. I look forward to going apple picking at the orchard. I can't wait to see my old room mate again. I hope to play another game of eucher with Pole (yes, that's 'Paul' with an English accent). I excited for what God has in store for me this year.

Friendships are strange and fabulous things. One's very closest friends often change from year to year, or month to month. Friendships change and people change, and interests change. And it can be hard when you notice friendships fading due to changing interests and habits, when you care for the people just as much as always.

But what a joy it is, when you realize that a friendship has survived through turbulent ups and downs. That events that often tear people apart are gently put aside. It's an incredible feeling to realize that after a year of change, you are once again on the same page. You can talk about anything, you understand each others frustrations, and you enjoy each others company.

God gifted me with a few such friends this summer.

Last night I attended Jamie's 8th grade gradutation. She looked absolutely stunning in her new dress, she seemed incredibly happy, and she is now quite a bit taller than me. She is growing up. Oh how I wish I could be home for her high school years. But I'll have to make do with being home only for the summer months.

I love her.

Sometimes I sit at work with nothing to do. This is one of those times.

Home for the Summer

Today I have been home for a total of 5 days.  I arrived at the Eugene airport Friday night to be welcomed by my family and the Selvens.  It was wonderful to see everyone at once.  We headed out to dinner together and got to spend a little time catching up.  What a lovely welcome home party.  I even got to see James at the airport.

The next morning, After feeding the homeless under the bridge with my family, Carina and I took Jamie graduation dress shopping.  She found the cutest dress right away.  She looked stunning.  But we decided to put it on hold, just so we could check out a few other places.  Unfortunately, the people at the store didn't know the meaning of "may I put this on hold please?  My name is Jamie."  Because we came back a few hours later and they had sold it to another girl.  ugh.  Oh well, they felt bad, and gave Jamie three 25% off coupons, so we'll be returning when their next shipment comes in.  Saturday night I made it over to Peter Barnes's house (a close friend from school for 12 years) for his going away party.  Peter left on his two-year Mormon mission this morning.  He is so excited to learn russian and bring peop

le joy and hope.  I am proud of him.

Sunday Morning I went to church.  It was really nice to see so many familiar faces at church.  I spent so much time hugging people that I was a few minutes late to Beth's Sunday school lesson.  She talked about spiritual gifts, and how we can nurture the gifts present within our church.  Very interesting, and hopefully a good start to some good work in our congregation.  At church I got to see Anna and Page, which was wonderful.  I had missed them both so much over the school year.  If I remember correctly, Sunday night I spent at home with my family.

Monday morning I woke up nice and early and got ready to go to the oral surgeon.  Out with the wisdom teeth!  I remember very very little.  When I finally became really conscious, I was lying on the couch at home and mom was changing the gauze in my mouth.  She was wonderful to me.  I iced my face all day, and wasn't swollen at all by the late afternoon.  I even at dinner: yumm bowls!

Tuesday morning, I woke up at 4:45 am.  My face was quite swollen and uncomfortable, and I couldn't sleep.  I got up to get some more ice, and tried to fall back asleep.  I spent most of the day reading.  Anna Karenina is a very good book so far.  I would recommend it.  Around 10:45, Peter Barnes came over to say goodbye and catch up a bit.  He so kindly brought me some chocolate ice cream, and it was gone before the morning was over!  We had a great time sharing college stories, talking theology, and saying goodbye.  It will be quite a while before I see him again.

Today (Wednesday), I didn't wake up until 9:30.  Last night I was out late watching Iron Man with Ginny, Jay, David, Andrew, James and DK.  But I got up and found a note from my mom on the kitchen table.  She asked me to cook up some chicken for this weekend (we're going to Seattle for Jamie's volleyball tournament), so I spent the first part of the morning in the kitchen.  The rest of the day I spent reading, writing letters, making graduation cards for friends, wasting time on facebook, and complaining that my face is still puffy.  Not quite as uncomfortable as yesterday though.

I only have a few more week days left to enjoy before I have to start work.  Tomorrow I'm sharing lunch with a good friend, and I'm very excited.  It's important to catch up with the people you haven't seen for months.

Hopefully tomorrow my face will be back to normal.

I know that for me, two things this year have been really helpful in my walk with Christ.

First, it's those few and precious friends who share my faith, who are regularly encouraging me to dig into God's word. It's those friends who also struggle with ideas of a perfectly good and just God, who created this world full of people, many of whom won't be saved. It's these friends that not only suggest good readings, but read them with me and to me; as we discuss them together I get excited. Sometimes I am frustrated, but more often I am given a sense of peace or awe at the mystery of God. It's these friends that will sit in the Fish House café and discuss the concepts of predestination and free will while going through passages in Romans and Malachi that are hard to reconcile with. And being able to apply new knowledge I've been exploring and learning about through my theology class just gives me excitement and passion for Christ.

The other thing has been my church. Carsten and I have been attending Woodlawn CRC church since November. Sticking around after the service to get to know and talk with the pastors, grabbing some coffee with the congregation downstairs only to spill it all over myself when I shake one of my professor's hands, and being recognized but other members of the congregation have made us begin to feel at home. Just like any church, it has it's strengths, and it's areas that are still being improved, but that's not what matters. It's the act of showing up, for the purpose of learning and worshiping our creator. What a joy to realize that all week I'm looking forward to church on Sunday morning.

April 16, 2008 11:15 PM

January Is Coming To An End.

Interim finished on Wednesday, so I've had a few days to do whatever I feel like. It was so wonderful dancing so much over interim, that I miss it already. I would love to take ballet classes for the rest of the school year, but none are offered on campus, and I have no means of transport (or payment) for classes elsewhere. Oh well. Now that I've started getting back into shape, I've decided to head to the gym. Been going every day to run on the elliptical for at least half an hour, it feels good.

I've also taken these past few empty days to get some little things done. I have been doing work towards possible engineering internships this summer, and have applied for scholarships for next years enormous tuition bill. And of course, I manage to find plenty of time to hang out and have fun. Last night I went out to dinner and bowling with some friends from my floor. My two biggest accomplishments of the night:
1) I ate my huge red robin's burger faster than anyone else (except for Mag)
2) I got a double while bowling! yeah.

I think I'm looking forward to next semester, but I won't really know what it's going to be like until it starts. Mostly, I'm just looking forward to the return of Carina (tomorrow night) and Carsten (Sunday night).

Oh, I've also been getting some good reading done, and have become hooked on LOST, thanks to my wonderful room mate Ana.

I think that's about all for now.

Here is Asa, Me and David. At the bowling alley.











Here am I with Byron, Chandler (top), Mag, and Erika.

January

I arrived back in Grand Rapids nearly a week ago, but it already feels like it's been much longer. I came in on Wednesday night a little over an hour late. My friend Zach picked me up from the airport, and kindly helped me haul my large suitcases up to my room. It felt both strange and nice to be back at Calvin.

The next morning classes started bright and early. Most people take one class during interim, but some choose to travel (like Carina) or work or study abroad. I'm here on campus, taking a DCM (developing a Christian mind) class. Every calvin student is required to take a DCM class once, and usually you take it your freshman year. There are about 30 to choose from, and there's quite a variety of subjects. The course I'm taking is called Human Nature, and it's basically a psychology class. So far, in the first four days of class, we've talked about worldviews, main differences between the Christian worldview and those of the world, the brain and it's functions, the difference between "mind" and "brain," and hermeneutics. We've studied some scripture, and I think we will used passages and characters in the Bible to illustrate many topics in the curriculum. We've already had one paper to write; the question was "what does the Bible say about human nature?" I actually enjoyed writing it, and finding passages from scripture to support my thesis. I think this class will be really good, and my professor is amazing.

I'm also taking a ballet class, just to keep exercising, and attempt to get back into the shape I was in while dancing back home. That will be difficult, because I was once dancing 12 hours a week, and my Ballet II class only meets on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 12:00 to 3:00. I found it quite annoying that Ballet I meets Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and we meet Thursday and Friday. Why not spread them out over the week? The way it is now, I wait nearly a week between Friday's class and the following Thursday. So I talked to my teacher, and she said I was allowed to go to Ballet I's classes as well, if I wanted. After classes last week, I was so sore. Everything from my neck to my abs, my but to my calves to my feet. But I went back today, and worked off most of the soreness. It's so nice to be back in ballet class.

After ballet, I work on the little homework I get, then just hang out, something fun always comes up. Bowling, movie, Ethiopian food, book club, shopping for groceries, whatever. I find myself bored sometimes, but I think it's mostly because it's strange not having Carsten here with me. I miss both him and Carina, and am eagerly awaiting their return.

I will probably start working again this week. During January, work is voluntary, and first come first serve. Which is nice. I can work as little or as much as I want, any night I want to.

Calvin also has an awesome January Series, a series of guests who give amazing lectures, everyday in the Fine Arts Center. It's packed to the max every day. I've only been able to attend once so far, because ballet conflicts with it, but it was really good. Sonia Nazario, the author of Enrique's Journey, came to talk about illegal immigration from central America. She gave her first hand account of what the journey is like, and why it is made by so many single moms, and later their young children. It was heart-wrenching, and I found myself tearing up. She also talked about the political side of the issue, and gave multiple perspectives on the issue of immigration. I think everyone left feeling more informed and aware of the national issue.

Well, that's about all there is for now. I'll probably forget to update for another few months, but I'll do my best to try. Letters, phone calls and e-mails are always welcome, especially if you want me to keep in contact with you better. Love you all,
kaylee joy