Happy New Year!

2 months have passed since my last update...that's funny because one of my goals for my Christmas "break" was to write on this blog when I had "spare time" and fewer responsibilities.  However, the urge to write seems to hit me more often when I have other things that I really should be doing..and don't want to.  It is as the they say..."my room is never cleaner than when I have a paper to write or an exam to study for." 

 


Turkey Trot in the snow...so cold, my sweat became frost on my headband!

 



After the Reindeer Run with my medal, it was chilly.



In the last couple of months I have...done a few things.  Mainly, I finished up my fall quarter at SPU...it was by far the toughest quarter I've had yet.  I enjoyed my break...although, I must say it feels significantly less like a break when you still have to go to work, but it was nice.  I did a 5k Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving with my dad...I had a bit of a rough time in that race because it was snowy and I also forgot to tape up my arm beforehand.  I did a 10k Reindeer Run right before Christmas and performed much better - even taking 3rd place for my age group!

*An update on my shoulder problems - for those of you who haven't heard, I won't be going for shoulder surgery, as I was originally worried about, for now.  I may have to go in for it in the future, but for now, I am simply trying to do some arm strengthening exercises.  Apparently, my shoulder bones are too close to my nerves....go figure...Here's something that may make you laugh...my physical therapist recommended that I use the ShakeWeight....yes, you heard me right, that rather obscene-looking device...I now own and use one...laugh away*

Christmas around my house was pretty quiet this year.  Fortunately my brother was able to traverse the snow-covered roads and visit from Idaho. That was a blessing...although it turned out I am allergic to his dog and broke out in a terrible rash :( I think I will be more careful before petting unfamiliar dogs in the future - I grew up with a dog that never caused me any allergies, so I must only have trouble with certain breeds.

The biggest news is really that I STILL don't have my student-teaching placement....I will begin my internship in a little less than 2 months and I don't know where I am going! Although I am somewhat comforted to know that about half my cohort is in the same boat as myself...it is still frustrating...especially for a Type A person such as myself.  I keep reminding myself that God is trying to teach me patience...something I desperately need to learn...but it's hard! haha.

I have given my notice at my job though...knowing that God WILL provide somewhere for me to student-teach, starting on March 1st.  My last day at the church will be...February 14th! Yes that's right, the all-exciting Valentine's day.  I figured that would be a good note to go out on...lots of love...or whatever that holiday is really all about.  I will be sad to leave this job, I adore the kids here...however, I am ready to move forward in my pursuit of a teaching career and it's really time...They are conducting interviews for my position...and that is a little weird...but I'm sure there's a great person out there to fill my shoes.

If any of you out there are praying people, pray for me in my patience as I wait to find out about my student-teaching placement and along with that, that when I do find out where I'm going, that God would provide somewhere for me to live.  Because the internship is 4 months, and I will have no income during that time, it would be virtually impossible to sign a year lease on an apartment...again, I'm trusting that God will provide...but it is definitely more in my nature to worry....

One thing I am sincerely hoping is that if I get placed in the Seattle area (which is highly likely) I will be able to reconnect with Seattle friends...if any of you out there still read this, that means YOU! :) I am also hoping that I will finally be able to actually GO to a church again without working on Sundays...working for a church has been great in many regards, but I miss being in a service and not working a service for sure...

That's all for now...probably until the next time I have a looming deadline....haha.  Happy 2011 everyone!