It's back

By "it" I mean school. I know, you're thinking of course it's back, you've been in it for 5 weeks. But, for the first time this week nursing school has again reared it's ugly head. 2 papers, 2 tests, 2 weeks + reading & quizzes and the normal stuff. C'est la vie.

On the positive side of this I'm learning about balance. I realized at certain points in life it's okay to not have a perfectly balanced life. Different aspects of your life will have more priority for specific periods of time. Right now, obviously, school is priority. I spent a significant amount of my time reading about psych disorders and studying EKG rhythms rather than volunteering or making dinner with friends. This is definitely not how I'd like my life to be but it's what is necessary for life right now. So essentially the unbalance is balance. Eventually, my life will change and so will the balance, but for now I'm working on accepting it.

Art Class

I'm very proud of myself right now. And this is why:


I went to a free drawing class at the The Drawing Studio, this amazing little place in downtown Tucson. We went from 4:30 to 9 and by the end I learned so much. A former professor from the UA started the studio years ago, and now they offer classes all over on anything from drawing to sculpture work. Our class started with drawing from our mind (i.e. a cat - which was awful) then moved on to drawing the form and adding value (aka shading). Then we got a motivational speech about how drawing helps you see your world more fully. By the end I was so into it. I loved it. Can't wait to do more!

MIA

Over the last several weeks of moving home from Vancouver, spending several days with my parents, moving into my new house in Tucson and starting my senior year of college my blogging habits have declined. And for that, I apologize. To all 3 of you that read the blog. Although, you may not have noticed. But anyways, I'm sorry.

I want to rehash some lessons I learned over the summer:
1) I enjoy alone time and independence. I'm still extroverted but not being accountable to anyone else is kind of nice.
2) I love coffee. Seriously. After 20 different coffee shops in Vancouver I definitely confirmed this.
3) I love meeting new people. I enjoy getting to know people I am similar to and those I am different from. Either way, it's great.
4) I am still interested in research as a career! woo!
5) I really really love the Northwest. I don't mind rain (when I am prepared for it). I love the cooler weather and the vibe of it.

All of the "I statements" in that above list really indicate that I was very "me focused" this summer. Which, I think was okay for those few months. Now that I'm back in school it's not as okay for me - but I'm okay with it and ready to get back in the swing of things and move on with life.This was in Gastown, a really cool area of Vancouver.

My last night in Van - with a great group of girls I met.

My last cup of coffee :(

Where The Wild Things Are

I was admittedly a little skeptical when I first heard that a movie was being made of one of my favorite childhood books. It could have been very poorly done or very stupid. But, now that I have seen the trailer I am beyond excited for October 16th.

quote

I just noticed a sticker that has been stuck to the side of my shelf for who knows how long. I kind of like it...it says:

"I have learned that to be with those I like is enough"

It has begun

...that new "stage of life" where you have married friends.

That is my best friend and her husband during their first dance. Their day was perfect. I bustled, I toasted, I smiled, a danced. I was so blessed and honored to be her maid of honor on the most important day of her life.

This was the first of many weddings I'll attend, over the next year especially. While it's all very exciting and I'm immensely happy for all of them, its weird. Life moves on. We move into new places, new jobs, new relationships. All the while trying to figure out where we fit. What we're doing. Even with the ultimate purpose of serving God, we still have to figure out what the heck we're doing and how to do that best.

Like I've said before, I've only got a year left of "fake life" also known as college. And after that its on to bigger and better things. While I'm excited for it all, I can only hope that I end up in community that I love as much, surrounded by people I love the most. Until then I've got to embrace my life now and while it changes around me, or rather as I change with the rest of the world.

Victoria

I spent about 6 hours on Saturday in transit (3 buses to get to the ferry, a 1.5 hour ferry ride and then several bus rides on the island) to get to Vancouver Island, specifically Butchart Gardens and Victoria. It was a gorgeous day for travel - warm, sunny...you get the idea.

The gardens are incredible! A huge area with different types of gardens in different sections. The tickets are a bit pricey, so only go if you have awhile to spend there. and pack your own lunch because the food in the park is way overpriced. seriously...$6 for gelato. ridiculous.

Another 40 minute bus ride to Victoria was next on the agenda. I didn't know where to go at this point, so I rode the bus until it stopped at the last place and got off...I ended up in the right place. Right in front of Parliment. Victoria is very touristy and very beautiful. It has a lot of British influence which is really visible. I spent a lot of time walking in by the water and in various shops. If you get a chance to go head into Rogers Chocolates for a caramel winter apple truffle. it was a-ma-zing. I tried a little hippie coffee store and relaxed. I also splurged and ate at The Empress for dinner. All in all, I wish I could have been with a travel buddy and stayed overnight to have a chance to do a few more things. Guess I'll have to go back :)

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words I leave you with these...