The Sky is a Hazy Shade of Winter

I flew home last Saturday for some R&R. My fall semester is officially over! My spring semester has not really begun. I have always found it weird that the 'spring' semester begins in the dead of winter. Of course by the time you end it's summer, so I guess spring is in the middle. I found it really interesting to go through an entire three course class in three weeks. Three hours a day. Three weeks. Three credits. Not to mention homework time. The people who found it the hardest were those in languages. I understand that. I did that over the summer. I enjoyed learning Nonviolent Communication. It gave me a great tool for pastoral care and for the Clinical Pastoral Education I'm doing over the summer which both scares me and excites me.

But this week I'm doing my best not to think about any of that. This week I'm hanging out with my family and Colorado friends. And on that note, allow me to introduce the newest member of my family to you: TUCKER! He's our 4th golden retriever, so I guess my family has found a breed that fits us. His older counterpart Gabby doesn't know whether to play with Tucker or to ignore him. He likes to chew on my socks which wouldn't be a big deal except my feet are usually still in them! More later. :)

2009 Recap

2009 was a busy year for me. My last semester at University seems like so long ago. When 2009 began I was living in a studio apartment in Missouri working two internships along with a full load of classes to finish my degree. In May I graduated and moved back home for a month then followed my parents to St. Paul for another month. [Congrats to my Mom for passing her summer classes with flying colors!] Then my Dad and I drove to the east coast with a car packed to bursting with my stuff to move into a dorm room and start summer Greek. After Greek the real work began with the fall long term which I just completed, and now I'm back in Colorado hanging out with my family for the holidays.

I went from being a senior at University to being a junior at Princeton Seminary. [Why they call the first years juniors is still beyond me.]

I went from organizing a once-a-week chapel service to attending daily chapel.

I downsized from a studio apartment to a dorm room.

My car has gone through two scheduled maintenances meaning I've driven at least 6,000 miles, and I'm almost ready for a third.

I went from working at a church and studying primary documents to studying church and working with primary documents.

I upgraded my phone to a touch screen with a full keyboard and internet access.

I have crossed off two of my life goals: graduate from college and see a Broadway musical.

It's been a busy year, and our family is preparing for a party to welcome in the new one. I am blessed to have a home to return to and a family who loves me. I am blessed to have the luxury to attend any masters program.

May God bless your new year and many after this one!

Merry Christmas-tide!

Yes, Christmas really does last for 12 whole days! It's called Christmas-tide, and it's the basis for that song that everybody knows part of but not the whole 12 days... yes, that one!

I'm back in Colorado after several delays and detours. I ended up in St. Paul overnight, but thanks to the Mom Network [better than any cell phone company can offer] I had a place to sleep and a family to welcome me. The traditional Christmas events are in full swing. We had a clam sauce pasta dinner with some local extended family, and some last minute shopping. I participated in my home church's Christmas Eve service which was wonderful. I also attended a local church's 11pm service. Even though it felt very late, it was magical to walk out of the church after midnight knowing it was truly Christmas.

Now we're in full swing of Christmas-tide joy. I head back to Princeton on the 3rd. Class starts again on the 4th, but for now I'm not thinking about that.