You Can Find Me Here

Today I was able to reflect on the weekend's festivities. I enjoyed a fun night that included a murder mystery where I got to bring the ultimate sass to the scene, dutch-blitz, and a chance to hang out and relax with special people.

I took a somewhat unexpected study break after endless hours studying today. Every Sunday night is Sunday night Skype with my family back home. I love getting to see and talk to them as they inform me of the latest happenings of life at Double S Dairy, CWC, Christiano's, and beyond. So that part was expected. After ending my call with them, Grandma Smits called. I spent a good time on the phone with her-she always encourages me to keep working hard as my pieces of college pie keep diminishing. She keeps me up to date about what Landon and Addie do at her house and who stops by after school to talk and grab a cookie-or five. Finally, I got to Skype with Nathanael. Since he is in school full time this semester and also works a good amount of time, it's a rare occasion that we get to talk and laugh together.

I about died when he popped on my screen in an airplane.

However, this weekend was not all about fun and games. I have tests in both of my core science classes this week. They are not until Wednesday and Friday, but those of you who know the rigor of the nursing program and are experiencing the ultimate torture each Anatomy lecture this semester presents itself as-you will know that beginning to study this early was only essential to a passing grade. I'm so thankful that I get to go home after this week full of Biology tests.

Until then, you can find me here-studying.

Spring? Is In the Air

Today was surprisingly warm and the sun shone on my face as I walked to and from my classes today.

On Tuesdays I have class from 8-2:20, straight. So I don't really have time for lunch. I enjoyed this day-I feel well rested and that I am actually taking some steps forward in conquering my final semester as a sophomore. I was able to do yoga in my Honors class, collect some nasty bacteria during Microbiology lab, and now am looking forward to my first Psychopharmacology class tonight.

It seems as if spring is in the air. This warm weather was the inspiration for a new blog background. I also came across this picture on pinterest (a latest obsession I have).

Hot air balloons never cease to remind me of the red, white, and blue one that seems to go up almost every night over Green Lake. I remember kneeboarding and tubing behind the boat while watching in awe as the balloon would rise, drift, and fall again.

It's my dream to go up in one of these big balloons and mayyyyybe even have someone propose to me while we are up there. (take note of that-people!) Okay, maybe that's unrealistic but a girl CAN dream.

Now if only spring were here to stay... 

PS-shout out to my sister Elizabeth-Beth-Beef-Beefy, as she begins her CNA class today. You'll make it to the big leagues someday, Beefy!

Know This, I've Noticed

Know This..
As many as you know, the second semester of my sophomore year has begun! When summer rolls around, I'll be halfway done with college.

Before I tell you about the latest and greatest at the Trin, I'll give you a few real brief details of my last days at home.

My mom has been wanting a wall decal with this verse from Joshua on it for quite some time, and I had just the place for it. Before I left home we put this up together. It is happily hanging on a wall in our basement, meaning I am the only one that gets to see it daily. Nonetheless, it's still something that stands for a lot.

On my last night at home I got to see Rachel play basketball one last time and then Nathanael took me out to Benvenutos. It was our first time going there together-it's fun to think that after 3 years we still find new places to try. It was hard to say goodbye after a whole month away from school. However, it helps to know that both of us are taking a credit overload this semester so we will each be extremely busy. I also know I can come home whenever I work my butt off during the week and can relax at home, which is a comfort. Wednesday morning Ben and I packed up my car and headed to Trinity after lunch. It only took us two and a half hours to get here. I unpacked and noticed that more than ever I was not ready for classes to begin.

Now, about those classes...here's a few thoughts thus far:
Statistics-I hate Math. I've already told Nathanael he can do my stats homework when I come home...it will be a privilege for him. :) haha. Dr. Klanderman seems very knowledgeable.
Microbiolgy-ho.ly. cow. gonna have to work to pass  this one, folks. Dr. Carlson will make learning this subject matter more interesting, but he can't make it less difficult.
Honors Psych-definitely looking forward to this class! Dr. Colosimo is planning to do yoga everyday in this class-SCORE!
Anatomy & Physiology-My prof showed up in green pants, and English is not her first language. She wants to be called Jelena, and I can't hear anything she says. Let's just say, I may need both a tutor and a translator for this one. Missing Dr. Boomsma already!
Nutrition- on Tuesdays...hopefully an easy A?
Behavioral Pharmacology-begins on Tuesday as well, looking forward to my first 300 level class!

I've Noticed...
So many things are changing since I've moved back in. We moved all of our furniture around. And then a roommate got moved around. Tibstra 34 is missing Kirsten's ever-present joy and laughter already. She is only a quick visit across the hall away, but I'm scared I won't get to share enough memories with her anymore.

I'm also noticing what a great network of friends I have. Sometimes I question why I chose a college that is such a weird distance from home and my best friend, the friends God has given me make it a lot easier to be here. Today Justine invited a bunch of girls to spend the afternoon at her house and in her hot tub. She lives very close and SO many of us were blessed to enjoy the company of her family and the environment of her house today.

The stack of books beside me can't help but catch my attention now, homework is literally calling me.

My daily calender is always so timely-as it proved itself again to me today.

January 22-God is with you-- all the time!

Pride

As the saying goes, pride goes before the fall. Really? Is that really so?

Today I watched Landon and Addie for the last time before I go back to school. (Okay, maybe that's a lie because Grandma Smits is taking us out for breakfast at Helen's tomorrow...but that's beside the point.)
We played and played all day, not one single show was watched on Noggin. One exciting thing we did was play Chutes and Ladders. This was acceptable for an almost four year old, but Addie didn't really grasp the entire counting concept, which is not surprising seeing she is only two. However, we each took turns spinning and counting up the board enduring chutes and ladders along the way. Addie landed on the hugest ladder and was wayyyy ahead of Landon and I. She finally spun a big enough number to land on the 100 with the blue ribbon. She won! Landon was no sour-puss at all and exclaimed, "Addie! You WON! I'm SO PROUD of you!" I thought for sure he would have thrown a fit and wished he would have won, be he even gave Addie a hug because he was so happy she got to the top! :)

So yeah, maybe you can be too proud, but there are may incidents in which being proud is a very acceptable action. What are you proud of?


I'm proud of Nathanael and I for braving the slopes of Cascade and going snowboarding on Saturday!

I'm proud of my school. And of myself for going there. I'm proud of my family and friends-what awesome people! I'm proud to call myself a child of God. Be proud of your blessings!

Ready for Freddy

One of my old ladies at the home used to say that all the time when I had her strapped into her lift. "Ready?" I would ask, "Ready for Freddy!", she would reply. I don't really know her story behind that but I'll always remember her saying that.

I'm getting ready for a few things...

Tonight is the final season premiere of my favorite show, One Tree Hill. Okay, so I'm addicted, but it was a good show while it lasted. 9 seasons? Pretty impressive. I get to watch it with Nathanael tonight at his house.

Tomorrow is my final day of work before I will head back to Trinity next week Wednesday. I hate that I miss the changes that happen at the home when I am gone, especially saying goodbye to some of my residents that have special places in my heart. If I've learned one thing from my work there its that saying goodbye is always unexpected, you are never ready for it, and it never gets any easier. (With all this talk about the old folks at my job you probably think I live there. Trust me, I don't, I have a life outside that place. :) )

I'm also ready for my Grandpa Hoffmann to be on the road to recovery. My mom just texted me saying that he was diagnosed with pneumonia today, the poor guy can't catch a break!

The final thing I am getting ready for is some snow, or I'm at least trying to get ready for this one. When I walked out of work today it was 47 degrees, beautiful and bizarre for a Wisconsin January. However, the weathermen are predicting a terrible winter storm that will produce a hefty 5-8 inches of white. While I am used to the kind of weather that usually accompanies winter breaks, I am enjoying warmer temperatures. I am doubting the roads that take me from my house in the boonies to my work in the boonies will be very clear tomorrow morning at 5am when I head to work.

I'm also starting to mentally prepare myself for my 19 credit hours that I'm taking next semester. But the only think I find myself thinking is, "What was I thinking? What did I get myself into?"

As my sister Beefy dances to Just Dance downstairs I can hear some fab music, reminding me of Zumba. DEFINITELY  ready for that to be a regular part of my routine again! Beefy and I are going dress shopping on Saturday to get a head start on the search for her jrsr banquet dress. Seems like that was just me! :) Let's be real-that was NOT just me, I'm 20 now! Cripes!

Well, here I go, getting ready for a few more things in life.

Chimmy

Today mark's my dear friend Chimmy's birthday.
She is off celebrating in the foreign lands of Austria and Germany, as she is there for her interim trip.
Me and Chim are very alike and very different all at the same time.
We are both the oldest and like to play sports and be outside and play games/cards.
However, she never sleeps, is still an all star athlete, and isn't afraid of anything, and shaves her feet.

I have had the best memories with this girl. Thank goodness we are friends.

Here's a few of my favs, Chim.
-establishing the nickname Chimera
-Peru, 5 foot 2 looking like a ten, we all love peruvian men.
-3 in a twin bed

-stories about swim team and mcflurries
-your visit to wisco
-a calf eating you (they are herbivores, duhhhh)
-you learning to wakeboard in the pouring rain
-hand and foot
-making puzzles...haha
-playing in the snow on our snowday last year.
-mcdicks ice cream cones
&& endless others!

HAPPY 20TH, CHIM!

This is break?

I have been so busy lately that I'm wondering that if this is what break is like, is this what my life will be like when I graduate and have a degree and a job? (Hopefully not, because I'll have a more organized life.) I haven't blogged about life for a long time, so I figured I need to update you all about what I've been doing.

I am working at the Markesan Resident Home, where all the old ladies comment on how light my hair got over vacation. I see these people all summer, but never during the school year and yet they still recognize my hair color when I come back-weird. On my days off I am improving my mothers household. I was stuffing our "belated"? Christmas cards for her yesterday and told my dad to start calling me Nelle Cinderellie, because I've been cleaning out her closets and doing odd jobs for her. I did like one job in particular. My dad bought a new TV last March so he could thoroughly enjoy March Madness, so I made my parents buy an entertainment center stand thingy I had my eyes on. Nathanael and I assembled it together and my brother David hooked all the wires back up. Here's how it looks!

It fits all those big players and recievers and Wii games, etc. I like it!

I have also been able to watch Landon and Addie on my days off from the home. Those kids always have something funny to say. Those of you who know Addie know that she is a little whippersnapper. Yesterday I told her to share or not to hit or something and said, "okay?", her response was, "okay, hunny." I couldn't help but smile. Alaina joined us yesterday too. Addie really liked playing with her, but her expressive voice scared Alaina. :)

I'm enjoying being home, instead of at school for interim. I get to fulfill big sister duties and watch Rudith play basketball. She isn't motivated all the time, but gets fiesty when she needs to.

Go #20!

I am looking forward to more shopping time, working hours, clean spaces, and time with loved ones before I head back to Palos in a few weeks.