Long Weekend

This was a long weekend and I don't me long in the restful, relaxing sort of way. Friday night was Bob's grandpa's birthday, Saturday was a big study day for me followed by soccer and going out with other grad students. Sunday involved more studying, regular household tasks, and a visit from Kris, Heidi, and Hunter on their way to Disneyland. The evening ended with a potluck at a professor's house. And then Monday came and I took my first exam. Ahhh I can breath now. Although I do feel energized and ready to tackle the next couple before I might get any discouraging news!

Here are pictures of Hunter with our animals, the soccer group taking a break, and then the wearing of the Canadian top hat after the potluck.

Lots on my Mind

So today I am moving offices, same job, new space, and seeing my empty desk with only my computer sitting on it has caused me to reflect on several things. First of all, what a week. My friend Jeanne was here visiting until Monday and left us with a lot to think about as she decides what to do and where to live next. The office move has been hectic and will continue on through next week. Family is in town for the weekend and I am taking a test on Monday. It will be my first one and I keep telling myself it is ok to fail, I probably will stress myself out and forget everything, but at the same time I keep saying to myself, "you can do this" and I know I can, but will I?

On a larger note, I have two friends involved in the Invisible Children/Displacement Camps/Child Soldier issues in Uganda. This weekend there is an event to make people more aware of what is happening. It is yet another part of our world that leaves me feeling small and helpless. It is another cause I should be involved in, but cannot seem to find time for. Mother Teresa was a very wise woman and said several things we should all pay more attention to, but one thing in particular struck me, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love." So if you too feel pressured to be more involved, but can't seem to pick the right cause or at least use that as your excuse, we no longer have an excuse. We don't have to be 'the great movement', we just have to do our small part with all of our heart and we can make a difference.

Here is the event I mentioned and there is more information, just look, it is easy to find.

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceMe/
http://www.invisiblechildren.com/theMission/Bracelet_Campaign
http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/wvususfo.nsf/stable/globalissues_uganda

Doxie Derby 2007

For those of you wondering what a Doxie Derby is, here is a short video. If you want to see more, just go to youtube and type it into the search area.

Picnic Day

Many of you know how much I was looking forward to this day and what happened? It looked just like a day in Oregon! Infact here are some of my friends, the ducks who were quite at home in the puddles and the Beaver Marching band (or at least part of it). Then here is the Study Abroad Group, whom we have gotten to know through Rosana. Jordan is driving the truck and Rosana is in the last picture waving at me. We were near the beginning of the parade and as you can tell, they are already soaked. We rode our bikes down to campus later in the afternoon to watch the Doxie Derby, which was AWESOME and I can't wait for next year. It poured on our ride back home, but it was worth it.

Don't wish for more exciting things

So this morning I was thinking it was a pretty boring week with the exception of our PRD (home made Tivo) not wanting to upgrade and so I was forced to watch TV live without fast forwarding through commercials or pausing, scary I know, when I get to work and find a surprise. My window is broken! So I've now spent the last 45 minutes vacuuming and picking up glass pieces. Not exactly the type of excitement I was looking for.
Beautiful building next door isn't it? I didn't notice it until I sat down and felt cold air and thought, "It isn't the heater, we had that replaced in December, where is that coming from?" Luckily, no rock or bullet was to be found and nothing is missing.

Happy Easter

This last week we had a great time celebrating Passover with 23 grad students at a Seder dinner. The maztah ball soup was the best. I tried the homemade gefilte fish and we'll just leave it at that. It was fun and educational at the same time and I hope to be invited again next year.
It was a little strange not to be with our immediate families for Easter Sunday, but it was great to be with Bob's grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. We had yummy food followed by an Easter egg hunt and ended the day with kickball and dessert. I had my camera with me, but there was so much going on that I didn't take any pictures.
On Saturday we had our second pick-up game of soccer. I am no where near as sore as I was last weekend, but I now have bruises on top of bruises. I guess it is time to find the shin guards! This next weekend is Picnic Day and I will definitely have pictures for that post. I am really looking forward to the wiener dog races. We've had great weather and I hope it stays for next weekend. This month holds lots of exciting things for us including a visit from Jeanne, a trip to Napa, and gasp -- I am going to schedule an exam this month!!