Random Musings

So when I was a kid the first day of school was both very exciting and very sad. Sad because the summer had officially ended, but exciting because I had brand new school supplies. Yep, I love school supplies. Mom and I would always go shopping about two weeks before the first day to get the necessary gear. Every day after that my parents could find me on the living room floor organizing and re-organizing my supplies in my backpack. I would be by far the most organized kid in the class...until the second day of school when my desk looked like a hurricane had hit it.

Tonight was the "first day" of Grad school. Who would have ever thought I would make it this far? I sure didn't. I'm not afraid to say that most of the things that we covered tonight were over my head, but I'm excited about pushing through and figuring everything out. I even made a new friend tonight. He's alright (for a Canadian), and he thinks I'm funny...so we'll keep him around. Mostly I'm excited for the new intellectual stimulation. It's been a while since I've really had that. I'm also looking forward to studying my tushy off in the local coffee shops. There's a Peet's Coffee within walking distance from my new apartment. I have a feeling that they will know me by name and drink order very soon.

Posted by Christi at 8/29/2006 11:42:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

to where you might ask? Good question. When I find out, I'll be sure to let you know. Life is still a bit confusing, but it's slowly unraveling. So for now I will revel in the fact that at 2:00 pm, Monday, August 21...I, Christi,

was accepted to graduate school.

Yay!

It has been an exhausting process which started in February. Exhausting, but more than strenuous the last few days. On Friday of last week I came home at 9:30 pm to see that there was a message on the answering machine. "Amy, is this message for me or for you?" "It's for you, and it's REALLY important." I push play. "Hello Christi, this is Amy from Concordia University. I just wanted to let you know that we still have not received your second letter of recommendation and if you are still interested in the program our final day for interviews is Monday. Give me a call and let me know what you're thinking." BRAIN EXPLOSION! All these thoughts were instantly filled in my head...
1. I'm gonna punch Andy in the nose! He was supposed to RE-send that stinkin' recommendation weeks ago!!! He's on my poop list for sure this time.
2. Interview? What interview? Nowhere in the application process did it say that I needed to have an interview!!!
3. I HAVE TO WORK MONDAY! How am I supposed to go to an interview if I have to work!?!?!
4. Interested? Of course I'm still interested! It's only the thing that I have been my revolving my entire world around for the last few months! It's the only reason that I am moving back to Portland!
5. Oh NO, they're not going to let me in without that second letter...GAHHHHHHHH!!!
*Side Note: I tend to be a bit of a worrier. End side note*

Fast Forward to Monday (which I got off work by the way). I'm sitting in "Jane's" office at Concordia while she looks through my file. "So, Christi, tell me why you want to be a teacher." Crap, this is the question that I had been rehearsing in my head all day. Brain fart. (insert very clever anecdotes as why I would be an amazing teacher). Phew, pulled that one off. "So do you have a second letter of recommendation?" Sheepishly, "No." "Do you plan on having one?" "Well, I had planned on having it here in April when it was written, but the author of said letter is now out of town." "Hmmm...okay. Well, let me read the one you have." Jane reads the letter and then looks up at me over the top of her glasses. "It must be very nice to have someone think so highly of you. This is one of the most personal and genuine letters that I have read in a long time." (Insert silly grin on my face). "Well Christi, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join our Master of Arts in Teaching program. Classes start next week, you'll need to be ready by then. I'm going to make a few exceptions for you so that you can start on time...(she's still talking but it just sounds like ramble to me because my brain is going...)
WHAT? Wait, what just happened here? Classes...next week? I didn't think they started until late September!!! Financial Aid? Moving? Job? Two nights a week for three hours each? Deep breath...deep breath...deep breath.

Several thousand deep breaths later I'm doing okay. So yeah...there you have it. Christi starts school one week from today. She also happens to be moving into her new apartment in P-town on Saturday. So like I said, I'm on my way somewhere. Prayers, please.

Posted by Christi at 8/22/2006 10:30:00 AM | Permalink | Comments

God is faithful! Once again he has managed to provide for me. I now have a housing arrangement for when I move back to Portland. Check that one off the list. The good news is that I will be sharing a two bedroom apartment with two other girls (I get my own room) which means that rent will be split three ways...big YAY for that. The bad news...is that I can't have my puppy at the apartments. If you know me at all, you know how hard she is going to be for me to let go. Just look at that face!!! How could I possibly be parted from one of the only things that has kept my sanity this year? Thankfully, my parents have agreed to doggy-sit for me until I manage to get out of the apartment scene and into a house.

Next on the list...FIND A JOB! And that can wait until all the hustle and bustle of Kelsey's wedding is over.

Posted by Christi at 8/07/2006 12:55:00 PM | Permalink | Comments

I've had the Toys R'Us theme song stuck in my head all morning.

It has been a very long couple of weeks. Two weeks ago we had a very large Hindu group out at camp. Women were not allowed to be around (Hindu priests = Swamis (pronounced Swaw-mees) are not allowed to acknowledge women, especially white women)...so I didn't have to work in the kitchen. Rather, I got to work out on the challenge course with the Hindu girls. It was pretty much amazing. I wish I could do that all of the time. Stories for another time.

Now I'm back in the kitchen (sad face). It's been pretty rough lately, which is just encouraging my decision that it will be time to leave very shortly (horror stories for another time). Please continue to pray for some sort of direction I'm supposed to take. I'm still working on getting into school, I still need a job in Portland (if that's even where I am supposed to be), and I still need a place to live. I know God will take care of me and that I will be provided for...I'm just impatient.

This next week is going to be crazy because everyone will be focused on Kelsey's wedding. So many things to get done and figure out...dress alterations, mani-pedis, bachelorette party, etc.

Lame post, I know...better ones will be coming shortly.

Posted by Christi at 8/06/2006 11:22:00 AM | Permalink | Comments