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.