Drives

One of the things I missed most while in Spain, was driving.  I developed a love for driving and the open road during college.  Hitting the road was my stress relief.

That's also sort of the case now.  I'm am busy every moment of the day, so my time in my car is the only time I truly have to just breathe and think.  I've intentionally left the radio off every time I've gotten in my car the past few months so that I can just think and enjoy the silence in the midst of my crazy schedule.  It's actually been really great, and I think it's helped center and re-focus me in the afternoons especially - between work and class.  There have only been like three times these past few months I've listened to music, and two of them were on the way to Wichita, so I would stay awake.

I used to listen to music on the way to Wichita just to pass time and keep from being bored, but the last couple trips I haven't even noticed the music being off, and I get so lost in thought the 3 hour drive just flies by!  I'm so glad I have that "me" time, and that I'm being disciplined and intentional with it!

And this picture sucks, but I was happy to drive through this on my way out of Lawrence after class last night :-)

Jingle Jammies Night

So my college roommate, Colleen, first told me about jingle jammies.  Basically she and her husband called Christmas pajamas jingle jammies, and they would have jingle jammie nights where they wore their pajamas.  I of course, loving all things Christmas, fell in love with the idea.

Last year, since I had just moved back from Spain, I didn't have a job yet, and my mom, brother, and his fiance Shannon, decided to have advent Sunday jingle jam nights.  Every Sunday of advent we went to church, went out to lunch, and then watched a Christmas movie in our jingle jammies.  It was amazing. 

I told my Wednesday night dinner dates, Erin and Beth, about jingle jammies and they also liked the idea, so Sunday night we got together, put on our jams and watched Love Actually.  Though I was distracted by homework half the time, it was still a lovely evening, and I'm glad I got to share the tradition with two super cool chicks, here in KC.

Boo for no photo of this...next time!

TEFL class

So, as if I wasn't busy enough, I added 20 hours of class time a week for the next few weeks.  I decided it would be a good idea to get my TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certification.  I figured it would be good to have whether I taught here in the states, or abroad.

While the class itself itsn't super exciting, and I've learned most of what we covered this past weekend, at KU, I really enjoy being surrounded by like-minded, adventurous people.  A lot of our class is just us talking about experiences we've had abroad, and it's so fun!  It can be really hard moving back from a different country because your friends and family get tired of hearing every sentence out of your mouth start with, "when I was in..." So it's really nice we all have a space we can share our adventures, hopes, and desires and have others understand those adventures, hopes, and desires.

Also, though I'm sure it's not just because of this class, I was already offered a job in South Korea.  And while I couldn't accept right now, it's nice knowing I am desirable in the job market of other countries!

Roommates

I adore Dan and Connie Horner.  They are seriously, the best roommates ever.  It's like having a second set of parents, who cook and clean and take care of me, but also awesome friends who party with me, peer pressure me into late night movies and conversation, and are always full of wisdom, advice and love.

Beyond blessed to have gotten to move to KC to live with them years ago, and even more blessed they let me come back to live with them again!

Hookah smoking, bluegrass listening, pool shooting, margarita drinking, pie eating, movie watching, thrift store shopping, wedding dancing, memory making.

Love, love, love them.

New school friends

In undergrad at KU I only officially made one friend through my classes (meaning I made other friends through roommates, friends of friends, etc., just not in my classes).  And while Trav (my one friend) is super awesome, I was always kind of sad that I didn't make more of an effort in undergrad.

Love me some Travy Trav!

Grad school has been the complete opposite though!  My first class I became fast friends with the brilliant but sassy Tim, and luckily have had a class with him each term since then.  In my second class, more brilliance and sass was added to the line-up with Ujash.  Love those boys so much and we've had great lunch dates, brunch dates, birthday celebrations and lots of other fun times since.

Stunner

KU gameday brunch!

Southern charmer

I also became friends with Kate through a poetry reading one night - which wasn't technically a class, but it was still through school.  It's rare I can become friends with a girl so quickly (working on this), but she's completely awesome and has already shared dinners, drinks, sleepover, and multiple concert memories with me.

Cutie Kate and I at a rockin concert.

Due to a group project - which I usually abhor - I got to know Mike.  We did our project over a couple beers, and have had some other drink dates since.  Last Thursday we also did some spontaneous booty-shaking late into the night, and it was delightful. 

Trouble with a capital T!

Parkville Nature Sanctuary

I adored this place the moment I first stepped foot in it.  It was like a magical, secret garden, right in the middle of Parkville.  Trees, and hiking paths, and waterfalls, and inspirationally-quoted resting benches.  I'm so thankful to have this gorgeous safe-haven sanctuary so close to my home!

Dancing

Anyone who knows me, knows that I adore dancing.  It is so fun, and freeing, and good for you!

I'm so glad that I'm one of those people who's not too embarrassed to dance in front of others.  I know I'm not a superb dancer, but I have fun, and that's all I care about!  I danced my ass off at Maggie's wedding on Saturday and it felt great!  James and I started dancing the very first song that played, and literally danced until after they had announced the last song.  So glad I got to dance so much, and that I had someone to dance with!

It's also thanks to dancing that I've met some really cool dudes.  Working at the Foundry was great because I got to meet all the best beat boys in KC, and Van and Adonus are definitely two of them.  It's thanks to Van that I'm even able to sit in my bed and type this right now, because he helped me immensely with this Mac purchase, and Adonus has just been a great friend since I've moved back!

My love of shaking my booty is definitely one trait I got from my dad that I'm pretty happy about!

Flowers

I know it makes me super girly, but I really like flowers.  I like looking at flowers, receiving flowers, smelling flowers - just flowers.  My very favorite are sunflowers, but really I like them all.

When I would get really sad and homesick in Barcelona, Yago would buy me Sunflowers to cheer me up...and it worked.  John and Brandi got me some on my 27th birthday there as well.

I've usually get lots of flowers on my birthday, which always makes me happy.  This year Seve gave me one of the best bouquets I've ever gotten, because it combines three of my favorite things: sunflowers, wheat, fall leaves (you can't really see the leaves in the picture, but they're there).

Today I was reading my tea box (I was that bored at work), and it had a great quote on it, "Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flower."  I thought that was really great, and would totally be happy with a bouquet of leaves right now, with as gorgeous as they are!

Also, Maggie and Kassie's bouquets at their wedding on Saturday were probably the most beautiful bouquets I've ever seen in my life.  Flowers just make such an impact!

It's the little things that bring me joy, I guess.

Fall

My very favorite season is fall, and I have been reminded of that - full force - this year in Kansas City.

Fall doesn't really exist in Barcelona because palm trees don't really turn beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows.  And last year I moved back right after Fall had finished falling.

This year has been absolutely breathtaking though.  I had really wanted to go up north, like to Maine, to be able to experience fall up there, because you always hear about how great fall is in the northeast, but I just really can't imagine it would have been any better than what we've been getting here.

I'm so grateful to live in such a beautiful city.

Art

I think this is something that we as a society don't value enough.  My art history and knowledge are very lacking, but I can still appreciate and admire it.

At First Fridays a couple nights ago here in KC, there was an entire Dali exhibit.  My mind was blown, as I was expecting to walk into a room of local KC artists, and was instead greeted by an entire gallery full of Dali's works.

I also went to an event yesterday called "Crafts and Drafts" and appreciated all the beautiful art that was for sale there as well.

I love that my church is also an art gallery and that I get to soak in God's word and love each Sunday morning, in a beautiful, creative space.  I'm lucky to be at a church that truly appreciates art and understands its importance in everyday life and faith.  My pastor has even written a book about it.

Here's a photo of a piece of art I bought at KC's first "Crafts and Drafts"

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is kind of like a double-edged sword.  I love it and I hate it.  But no matter which emotion I'm feeling towards it at any given point in time, I'm grateful for it.

It has afforded me the ability to get my undergrad at KU, and to currently work towards my master's.  It also made it possible for me to get a much-needed laptop, this week.  Without financial aid, none of these things would have been possible.

And though many people may think I'm irresponsible, or silly, or maybe just plain dumb, it is probably what will be helping me pay for my trip overseas this spring.  But it's my money and I can do what I want.