Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

It's been chaotic here lately. I started module 2 and while I love it, it's very challenging and more paper writing than the previous module. The added paper writing means late nights and early mornings for me, making getting into a routine difficult. Luckily the girls in my class are becoming a great group of friends and we push each other to get through each day and we even do stuff together outside of class. Like today we are having a cookout for memorial day which is going to be so much fun.

Overall, life is good can't believe May is already here though, time sure does fly.

Last piece of news is that I received a HP which = a High Pass (100-94) in my first module so I got off on the right foot which is always good.

Module 1 of my 6 week bridge course is complete (for me anyway, we still have class tomorrow but I did my presentation today)! I have successfully survived my first real grad school class, and it feels Amazing. There were times last week when I was having some doubts and wondered if graduate school was something I was going to be able to accomplish. But through the grace of God and an awesome friend, the Lord got me through and here I am at the end of the second week, celebrating that I made it to the finish line.

The advanced standing cohort I am in is totally awesome. There are 17 of us, all girls, and all from VERY different backgrounds and states, bringing a lot of diversity to the classroom. But let me tell you the bridge course caused us to bond real quick. We are even having a party tomorrow night, and we had a birthday party for one of our class members this week as well. It's not anything like the Olivet environment, but because of what I learned at Olivet I'm able to stand my ground and not get swayed by the environment that I am in.

This weekend will be filled with relaxation, preparation for the next module, maybe a visit from my brother and niece and nephew, and working at wendy's (not looking forward to it but hey what can ya do).

Thanks for all the encouraging words and well wishes, I'll try to update as much as possible.

First day of school complete

I finished my first day of graduate school!!!!! It was completely different than I expected, and almost a 180 from what Olivet classes and teaching is like but I know I am learning from some of the best in my field (e.g. my professor now wrote the book we are using and a couple of the articles we are reading from established social work journals). It will be a fast and furious 6 weeks but I can tell I will probably learn more in those 6 weeks than in 6 weeks in undergraduate classes. Updates about my journey will occur when I get the time, so not very often. But I will try my best. Thank you to all my friends and family for your support.

Since I'm stranded

Stranded at the airpot means I truly have time to update this blog so here's the week in review

Saturday (May 1st): Road trip with Dad & Mom from North Carolina to Michigan, nothing much to report that day, though I discovered I'm not a big fan of West Virginia or Virginia, too hilly and country for me.

Sunday: Church/Surprise Gram & Gramps. Gram & Gramps J. didn't know I was coming so I surprised them by showing up at church and sneaking up behind them, definitely gave my grandma a mini heart attack. Church was filled with the usual crazy chaos that ensues when I go home, it's the one place where I wish there were like 5 of me so I could see everyone. After church we took Gram & Gramps to my favorite local restaurant Fenton House and my brother Tim and his family decided to join, without knowing I was there, so I got to surprise them too. Later that day I went over and surprised my cousin Susie and was hoping to see her 3 year old boy Noah but he was sleeping.

Monday: Frankenmuth & Bestie day. My mom & I took my niece Addison to Frankenmuth where we enjoyed scrumptious pieces of fried chicken and buttered noodles. Then traveled over to the general store and got some old fashioned candy, and then went over to the world's LARGEST Christmas store. The World's Largest Christmas store was definitely interesting with a 3 year old especially since a majority of the hundreds of christmas ornaments are GLASS! She did a pretty good job not touching them but sometimes that's just too much temptation for someone that young. After all this excitement I met up with my best friend from Olivet, Katie who I haven't seen for an entire year. We had so much fun I wished time could've stopped. We went to UNO's pizzeria, sat in her car and talked, and then took wacky pictures on my mac camera (which can be seen on facebook)

Tuesday: Had Olive Garden with Aunt Vanessa and Morgan. Just had a ladies day which was nice.

Wednesday: Did my UNC homework, and then saw Letters to God with a few of my mom's friends, which is an amazing movie you must go see. Then we met up with my Uncle and his family at a coney island and just enjoyed some family time.

Thrusday: Brother and nieces and nephew came over to play and then Addy spent the night with me. Oh and we went over to gram & gramps for a while and to to see my aunt tamara and uncle mark and my cousin chase, and also got to see my uncle brian and some of his family again. He played a mean prank on me, by sticking a "kick me" sign to the middle of my back and I had it on for quite some time before someone finally told me about it.

Friday: Babysat Addy, got my hair cut and went to the ambassador concert and saw my best best best best friend in the whole wide world Molly! We had the pleasure of watching Molly's sister Hannah sing her senior solo and laughing throughout the show and just enjoying each other's company.

Today: stuck at the airport, missed my connecting flight, ready to be home, so much TV to catch up on and so much to do before Monday.

I think this blogpost is long enough don't you....