Nothing "Halloween-ish" is going on tonight, but I still love this holiday. I'll be tacking the mounds of laundry that have been piling up for about two weeks and still trying to get down to the wall. Mitch's new shoes are supposed to come in today, so I doubt he'll let me go through the evening without a trip to Alma.
We spent this weekend (well, once I got off work on Saturday) down at my parents' house, celebrating their birthdays. Dad's is Oct. 30 (Devil's Night - which explains a lot about him) and Mom's is Nov. 3. On Saturday afternoon, I went on a 13+ mile mountain bike excursion with Dad, Bobby and Mitch. I had no idea (1) that my legs could get so weak and still function on (2) that my buttbones could hurt so much a day later.
"So take this broken offering and make me whole,
Set my feet upon the road that leads me home,
let me walk as one fixed upon the goal,
even though I've got a thousand miles to go..."
Set my feet upon the road that leads me home,
let me walk as one fixed upon the goal,
even though I've got a thousand miles to go..."
Monday, October 31, 2005
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Back to the wall
Now that I'm home more or less for good, I've renewed my commitment to the climbing wall. Mitch and I went on Monday and I climbed like crrrrrap. I'll chalk it up to essentially taking three weeks off yet still expecting to be able to fly though boulder problems like before. Humbling experience, that's what it was. I couldn't start routes, I missed critical holds, all my sequences were off, etc. Tuesday, though, I felt a lot better. I got back in the groove on all my favorite routes and though I couldn't snag the finish on the brain hold for two of them, I know it's just a matter of re-teaching my hands how to hold it. I plan to climb a bit after work on Thursday and then again on Friday with Mitch.
Yesterday, however, was not a good climbing day for Mitch. He forgot his shorts and had to climb in windpants, and he also discovered a tear in his well-loved climbing shoes. Most of his evening consisted of talking about shoes with Caleb, Joe and some freshmen guys. We left after less than an hour because he wanted to go home and buy new shoes online. For those interested, here's what he got:
http://www.sportiva.com/products/prod/255
I swear, there are very few times I've seen him this excited. He even had them shipped to the bank so he could open them as soon as they came off the truck. He thinks they'll be here by Friday!
Yesterday, however, was not a good climbing day for Mitch. He forgot his shorts and had to climb in windpants, and he also discovered a tear in his well-loved climbing shoes. Most of his evening consisted of talking about shoes with Caleb, Joe and some freshmen guys. We left after less than an hour because he wanted to go home and buy new shoes online. For those interested, here's what he got:
http://www.sportiva.com/products/prod/255
I swear, there are very few times I've seen him this excited. He even had them shipped to the bank so he could open them as soon as they came off the truck. He thinks they'll be here by Friday!
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Pretty much done
I'm basically done travelling for the year! It was so nice this morning to wake up wedged between Mitch and Chip (the cat), in my own bed, without thinking, "I have to leave today."
I screw up Mitch's schedule when I come home, though. He and Matt have been working out two days a week, and this week they have to skip a day because I invited Mitch's parents over for dinner and planned an evening for pumpkin carving. Oh well, I don't think it bothers him! :)
Being out on the road taught me a lot about doing things alone. At first it was weird to walk into a restaurant and ask for a table for one; I got used to it very quickly, though. I even went to a movie by myself - literally. I was the only person in the entire theatre for the Wednesday matinee of "In Her Shoes." By the way, it wasn't all that good. I read the book earlier and thought it might be OK, but it wasn't.
Tim, you should be so proud: not only did I finally get around to reading Mitch's copy of "The Screwtape Letters," I also picked up "Mere Christianity" by Lewis while I was out on the road, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm sure you have other books of his to recommend - hit me!
I screw up Mitch's schedule when I come home, though. He and Matt have been working out two days a week, and this week they have to skip a day because I invited Mitch's parents over for dinner and planned an evening for pumpkin carving. Oh well, I don't think it bothers him! :)
Being out on the road taught me a lot about doing things alone. At first it was weird to walk into a restaurant and ask for a table for one; I got used to it very quickly, though. I even went to a movie by myself - literally. I was the only person in the entire theatre for the Wednesday matinee of "In Her Shoes." By the way, it wasn't all that good. I read the book earlier and thought it might be OK, but it wasn't.
Tim, you should be so proud: not only did I finally get around to reading Mitch's copy of "The Screwtape Letters," I also picked up "Mere Christianity" by Lewis while I was out on the road, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm sure you have other books of his to recommend - hit me!
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Creepy Parking Lot Dude
I hope I don't have to go out to my car again tonight, 'cause there's this creepy dude that was just staring out his window over the parking lot when I went out to get my cell phone earlier. Gives me the willies.
Anyway, I'm halfway through my last full week of travel. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but there's even the possibility of coming home early. Since I'm driving all over the state (it seems) for only a few schools, I've decided to call my last three ahead of time to make sure they have students signed up to see me before I trek all the way out there. One will surely reschedule: they had a student commit suicide recently, according to my faithful intern who makes contact with prospective students ahead of time. The others are both small schools who may or may not even have students interested in Alma. So while it would not be good in a professional sense to not have students to visit at these schools, it would be very nice from a personal standpoint. Yes, I would really like a little more time with Mitch before he goes off to climb big rocks in Kentucky.
I forgot to add that the climber's party last Saturday was lots of fun. At least I had fun and I think everyone else did, too. We played a mini game of Ultimate Frisbee, because only six people wanted to come out, but the whole group joined in for Catch Phrase after dinner. It was hilarious...Caleb has the most obscure knowledge possible and he thinks everyone else should know it, too, so when he uses it to give clues we're all, well, clueless. Nothing can ever beat the time my brother and I were playing on the same team and I started yelling, "Off like a - off like a - " and Bobby actualy got "prom dress" as the answer. Get it? Off like a prom dress? Maybe it's an Eccles thing.
Anyway, I'm halfway through my last full week of travel. I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but there's even the possibility of coming home early. Since I'm driving all over the state (it seems) for only a few schools, I've decided to call my last three ahead of time to make sure they have students signed up to see me before I trek all the way out there. One will surely reschedule: they had a student commit suicide recently, according to my faithful intern who makes contact with prospective students ahead of time. The others are both small schools who may or may not even have students interested in Alma. So while it would not be good in a professional sense to not have students to visit at these schools, it would be very nice from a personal standpoint. Yes, I would really like a little more time with Mitch before he goes off to climb big rocks in Kentucky.
I forgot to add that the climber's party last Saturday was lots of fun. At least I had fun and I think everyone else did, too. We played a mini game of Ultimate Frisbee, because only six people wanted to come out, but the whole group joined in for Catch Phrase after dinner. It was hilarious...Caleb has the most obscure knowledge possible and he thinks everyone else should know it, too, so when he uses it to give clues we're all, well, clueless. Nothing can ever beat the time my brother and I were playing on the same team and I started yelling, "Off like a - off like a - " and Bobby actualy got "prom dress" as the answer. Get it? Off like a prom dress? Maybe it's an Eccles thing.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Friendship
Why do some friendships flourish and others struggle? Why have I had the same best friend since third grade, despite differences and disagreements and distance? We talk on the phoen once every week or so, but neither of us keeps track who called whom and when and for how long. We see each other when we get the chance, making it a priority when possible and understanding when it just doesn't work out. We know how each other likes her pizza and how to make the pizza place understand our interesting half-and-half order.
How can I have this wonderful relationship with her and similar ones with a handful of other people, yet be incapable of making many of my "friendships" last? Why is it that I doggedly hold on and hurt myself and others when eventually, if I would just trust in God, everything would work itself out? One friendship, which I now hold very dear, was all but shattered by misunderstandings and anger yet now has new life for no reason but time and God's will. Why can't I turn all my relationships over to God - thank him for the ones that go well and ask for his guiding hand in those that struggle?
How can I have this wonderful relationship with her and similar ones with a handful of other people, yet be incapable of making many of my "friendships" last? Why is it that I doggedly hold on and hurt myself and others when eventually, if I would just trust in God, everything would work itself out? One friendship, which I now hold very dear, was all but shattered by misunderstandings and anger yet now has new life for no reason but time and God's will. Why can't I turn all my relationships over to God - thank him for the ones that go well and ask for his guiding hand in those that struggle?
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Happy Saturday!
This morning I willing got out of bed when Mitch got up for work...what's wrong with me? I have lots of fun stuff to do today, though, and I was kind of itching to get moving. There's the standard stuff like laundry, straightening up the apartment and packing for next week - and by the way, next week will be my last week of travel! But then I also get to go shopping for groceries and hopefully a pair of hot brown boots. My brown shoes are dying and I can't wear them with skirts, anyway. And I think I'll need to get a skirt, too, to go with my new boots. Sometimes I really like shopping.
Tonight we're having a bunch of climbers over, so I have lots of food to make. A family in the Traverse area sent me back with a ton of apples and even though I took them to the office to share, I came home with enough to fill the fruit drawer in our fridge. Needless to say, dessert tonight will be some sort of apple dish.
Tonight we're having a bunch of climbers over, so I have lots of food to make. A family in the Traverse area sent me back with a ton of apples and even though I took them to the office to share, I came home with enough to fill the fruit drawer in our fridge. Needless to say, dessert tonight will be some sort of apple dish.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Gone again
I'm back in my old, temporary stomping grounds...that's right, Cadillac. There's a college fair at the high school tonight but since I'm not staying at a hotel here, I'm currently hanging out at the library 'til it's time to head over in an hour and a half. Thank goodness for wireless. I don't think I'll ever buy a laptop without wireless capabilities, because I seem to be able to connect to the Internet almost anywhere now.
I stopped in at the hospital to say hi to my old coworkers and found that not much had changed. I get the impression that they are not really that happy with the new person they've hired for communications/grants, but they were spoiled by Lauren, the last communications specialist. She would be a hard act for anyone to follow. They seemed happy to see me, though. When I didn't get responses to the emails I sent them earlier, I kind of thought they were blowing me off, but now I know they were just busy.
This week of travel hasn't been bad. Staying at the same hotel the whole time is very nice, even though I have to drive back to TC after the fair and post-fair festivities this evening. On Monday night I went biking with Adrienne, which was a great way to catch up. She's basically been offered a job as a floating physical therapist at Munson, and if she accepts, they're going to pay for her last semeseter's tuition. Plus, she's always wanted to live and work in Traverse. The biggest sticking point is her Indiana-based boyfriend, who is understandably sad that she's going to be so far away from him next year. The thing is, he has made a commitment to work for this engineering company for at least one more year, and he definitely does not expect her to move to IN for him. He doesn't even want to settle there in the long run. So this whole conversation they're having is pretty much unneeded, because no matter where she is, she'll be away from him. The compliating factor is that he wants to get married. She wants to marry him, too...eventually. Like in a few years. After she's had her time in TC and Colorado, where another job opportunity awaits her. I'm not quite sure why I just went over all that...I don't think most people reading this even know Adrienne or would care, but oh well.
On Tuesday night, I got to hang out with Adrienne and some of the girls she's met up there. We watched "The Other Sister," which was actually a very good movie. Still kind of chick-flickish, like I figured, but kind of touching as well.
I know I've neglected to post anything about the Jars of Clay concert I attended on Friday night. This is dorky, but I had this whole blog idea in my head: my reaction to this concert along with something I wrote after seeing the first one a few years back. I'm just going to shorten it, for now, to saying that the concert was great and I had a wonderful time seeing Marc, Sarah and Ryan.
Here's something I'm struggling with, faith-wise: I know many people, all equally dedicated to their faith, who feel it's a priority to find a church family. I know others who feel that's not so important. Whatever category you fall into, I'd really like to hear your reasons for making the decision you have. Jenn, your email about this was very helpful and inspiring...thank you so much for your prayers!
Well, it's time for me to actually catch up on some of the work I've been neglecting in favor of spending much-needed time with Adrienne. Goodbye!
I stopped in at the hospital to say hi to my old coworkers and found that not much had changed. I get the impression that they are not really that happy with the new person they've hired for communications/grants, but they were spoiled by Lauren, the last communications specialist. She would be a hard act for anyone to follow. They seemed happy to see me, though. When I didn't get responses to the emails I sent them earlier, I kind of thought they were blowing me off, but now I know they were just busy.
This week of travel hasn't been bad. Staying at the same hotel the whole time is very nice, even though I have to drive back to TC after the fair and post-fair festivities this evening. On Monday night I went biking with Adrienne, which was a great way to catch up. She's basically been offered a job as a floating physical therapist at Munson, and if she accepts, they're going to pay for her last semeseter's tuition. Plus, she's always wanted to live and work in Traverse. The biggest sticking point is her Indiana-based boyfriend, who is understandably sad that she's going to be so far away from him next year. The thing is, he has made a commitment to work for this engineering company for at least one more year, and he definitely does not expect her to move to IN for him. He doesn't even want to settle there in the long run. So this whole conversation they're having is pretty much unneeded, because no matter where she is, she'll be away from him. The compliating factor is that he wants to get married. She wants to marry him, too...eventually. Like in a few years. After she's had her time in TC and Colorado, where another job opportunity awaits her. I'm not quite sure why I just went over all that...I don't think most people reading this even know Adrienne or would care, but oh well.
On Tuesday night, I got to hang out with Adrienne and some of the girls she's met up there. We watched "The Other Sister," which was actually a very good movie. Still kind of chick-flickish, like I figured, but kind of touching as well.
I know I've neglected to post anything about the Jars of Clay concert I attended on Friday night. This is dorky, but I had this whole blog idea in my head: my reaction to this concert along with something I wrote after seeing the first one a few years back. I'm just going to shorten it, for now, to saying that the concert was great and I had a wonderful time seeing Marc, Sarah and Ryan.
Here's something I'm struggling with, faith-wise: I know many people, all equally dedicated to their faith, who feel it's a priority to find a church family. I know others who feel that's not so important. Whatever category you fall into, I'd really like to hear your reasons for making the decision you have. Jenn, your email about this was very helpful and inspiring...thank you so much for your prayers!
Well, it's time for me to actually catch up on some of the work I've been neglecting in favor of spending much-needed time with Adrienne. Goodbye!
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
New laptops rock
I just have a few minutes, so I want to say that my new laptop from Alma rocks. I love that it's equipped for wireless because most of my hotels have wireless connections. Very nice, very nice.
I have tons to look forward to this weekend. I'm going to a Jars of Clay concert on Friday with Mitch, Marc, Sarah and Ryan, and then Saturday afternoon - after Mitch gets off work - we're going up to Jon's for the remainder of the weekend.
But for now, it's off to another series of high schools. Maybe the sun will come out today and show the fall colors in a better light than this grey, foggy weather.
I have tons to look forward to this weekend. I'm going to a Jars of Clay concert on Friday with Mitch, Marc, Sarah and Ryan, and then Saturday afternoon - after Mitch gets off work - we're going up to Jon's for the remainder of the weekend.
But for now, it's off to another series of high schools. Maybe the sun will come out today and show the fall colors in a better light than this grey, foggy weather.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Missin' him
I'm on the road again...the completion of today's high school visits marks the "over half-way" point in this travel season and I can't be happier. Being away from home so much didn't really bother me until I left yesterday. What kind of a girl cries in the Dairy Queen parking lot after just having one of her new favorite Blizzards (mint Oreo)? I'll tell you what kind of girl: one who has already been away from her husband more than she's seen him for the past three weeks and one who spent the busy Homecoming weekend doing everything but cuddling with him. It's not so bad now that I'm here but I'm afraid it might be a long, lonely week.
On a brighter note, I have a great hotel room today. It overlooks Lake Huron and I laid out on the beach, reading, for two hours this afternoon. Adrienne lent me "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson and I'm hooked. It's about his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail and he does a good job of mixing comic ancedotes with history. I highly recommend it for the "outdoor inclined." Also on my list of book recommendations is "The Turtle Warrior" by an author I can't remember at the moment, but this is her debut novel. It's an incredibly emotional book, dealing with abuse, alcoholism, the Vietnam War, rural life...Bruce, I think you'd really like this one. I'll be on the lookout for the book you recommended as well.
Well, I've been trying to wait until the sun goes down before I walk over to dinner, because it's HOT. I should NOT be able to lay around in my bathing suit in October, that's for sure. I walked downtown (I'm in Mackinaw City, by the way) and thought I was going to sweat to death in jeans and a t-shirt. The sun is not down, but my stomach is grumbling. And I got a deposit today. That means one of the students in my area (one I actuall saw this afternoon) sent in a commitment deposit and is coming to Alma in the fall. That's reason to celebrate right there. That's a reason for spinach-artichoke dip right there. Mmmm.
On a brighter note, I have a great hotel room today. It overlooks Lake Huron and I laid out on the beach, reading, for two hours this afternoon. Adrienne lent me "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson and I'm hooked. It's about his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail and he does a good job of mixing comic ancedotes with history. I highly recommend it for the "outdoor inclined." Also on my list of book recommendations is "The Turtle Warrior" by an author I can't remember at the moment, but this is her debut novel. It's an incredibly emotional book, dealing with abuse, alcoholism, the Vietnam War, rural life...Bruce, I think you'd really like this one. I'll be on the lookout for the book you recommended as well.
Well, I've been trying to wait until the sun goes down before I walk over to dinner, because it's HOT. I should NOT be able to lay around in my bathing suit in October, that's for sure. I walked downtown (I'm in Mackinaw City, by the way) and thought I was going to sweat to death in jeans and a t-shirt. The sun is not down, but my stomach is grumbling. And I got a deposit today. That means one of the students in my area (one I actuall saw this afternoon) sent in a commitment deposit and is coming to Alma in the fall. That's reason to celebrate right there. That's a reason for spinach-artichoke dip right there. Mmmm.
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