Lots of Nothing

There's not a lot of excitement going on in my Michigan world these days.

I had my last day of working at the CDS day program yesterday.  Now I'll only be working Saturday and Sunday night direct care.  The day program was fun and all, but also hectic and stressful, and I'm glad to be switching over to direct care.  On my last day, the boss brought in bagels and cream cheese for breakfast.  And it was also Todd's birthday, so his parent's brought cake.  I love bagels and cake.  

Kalamazoo is turning into fall.  I'm wearing a sweater today.  I went a little crazy, and bought pumpkin spice air freshener for my car, and pumpkin patch wall flowers for my apartment.  I love the smell of pumpkin.  And I'm excited for the return of Autumn.

Nathan is turning 23 on Monday.  I had fun assembling his birthday package, although it wasn't as elaborate as last year.  It's weird how my feelings as an MG have changed over the past 17 months.  For the time being, I am super proud of all the hard work he is doing, and how on fire he is as an obedient missionary.  And that somehow curbs my desperate need for all things HIM.  I know that his mission is a temporary thing, and time is quickly dwindling before he comes home.  

School starts so soon, and I'm excited.  My friends will come back to Kalamazoo!!  And I'll be busy doing what I love.  Sometimes I forget how much I love playing and practicing cello, but I remembered this week as I have been breaking down sections of Dvorak's New World Symphony.  It's like a puzzle, a mystery, a game- figuring out passages and making them work and sound good.  And this is why I'm a geek.  

Family and Friends, I MISS you!  

Hugs to all.  

Yankee Springs

I've been seriously missing my Utah Mountains lately.  And the smell of pine trees.  Michigan is beautiful and all, but this Utah girl's mountain soul craves the Wasatch Front.  

I was expressing this crave to my good friend Nick.  I told him that I miss mountains and pine trees and hobo dinners and banana boats by the campfire.  And hiking and camping and forests.  

So what did he do?  He found a little piece of home for me here in Michigan.  Swap out the mountains and replace them with a few cute hills, add about nine beautiful lakes, and a glacial crater, and we were at Yankee Springs State Park!  There were even Pine Trees!  We didn't have tons of time, but this made for a wonderful Saturday morning of mountain soul restoration.  

This is a picture that I snapped on my phone as we drove past one of the lake shores.  Look at those beautiful clouds!

And this is Nick and me, up in the "mountains."  We were going to bike some of the trails, but I'm not hard core enough for that yet.  Instead we just hiked around.  And with our amazing navigational skills, we got so incredibly lost.  Thank heaven for the wood-dwelling family that pointed us back in the right direction.  

I like this picture, and I'm not exactly sure why.

Yankee springs was a great idea.  I can't wait to go back.  

AND Dear A.L.K.-- One of our famous 2009 predictions actually came true this week.  Call or email for the story.  :) 

(500) Days of Summer

(500) Days of Summer

(506) Days without Nathan

(18) Days till school starts

Okay.

I LOVE this movie.

And it's a CRAZY lot like my life has been since November 2008.

Weird to watch bits of your own life on screen.  With the person you've shared those same bits of your life with sitting next to you in the theater.

I had no idea it would be more like (500) days of Jamilyn.

I would like to own this movie.

And the soundtrack.

Simplicity??

Is it something to make fun of now?  

Yikes, TAMN!  

I didn't realize that I was being overly Utah Mormon in making this my 2009 goal.  

:)

[365] days of Kalamazoo

I have officially lived in Kalamazoo for an entire year.  Which kind of seems unreal to me.  I'm repeatedly fascinated by the concept of time.  Sometimes deadly slow, and other times on fast forward- usually when  looking back. Bizarre.   

And what did I do to celebrate my 365 days of MI?  I let myself sleep in till 9:00, gave Gloria a bath and cleaned my cute little house.  Then, I put on my favorite skirt and went to the farmers market- an adventure I have been meaning to do (since I first moved here!  Yikes!)  I bought a pint of blueberries and an onion.  

*Side note:  I recently heard on NPR that lentils are one of the most nutritious things you can eat, and I've never ventured into the world of cooking with them before.  But last night, I was at Meijer, and thought... why not?  So I bought some, and now I plan on making curry lentils and onions over rice.  And that's why I needed an onion.  

And I always need more blueberries!  

As I was leaving the farmers market, I stopped to admire some very cheerful looking sunflowers for sale.  I only had $2 dollars left.  Just as I was thinking that, the young (and attractive) guy selling the flowers said "I'll give ya anything ya want for $2."  Wow.  My lucky day.  So I chose some long stem sunflowers, and he threw in some unique fuzzy red blooms that I've never seen before- FOR FREE!  I feel so happily surrounded by beautiful and fresh bursts of color.  How wonderfully summer!    God bless the generous flower man.  

Then I decided to make use of another free movie pass, and have a Saturday afternoon at the movies.  Ashley Tolman has taught me that going to the movies alone is ok.  And even more ok as an MG, because alone is often what we do.  I was planning on seeing [500] Days of Summer, but because of movie times, I chose Julie & Julia instead.  (I still plan on seeing Summer soon though, don't worry.)  I remember watching the preview for J&J when my mom was here visiting, and we both knew that we had to see it.  Today was the perfect day.  

Let me tell you some things about me and movie theaters.  I really like being on time to movies because I really like watching the previews.  I always bring a sweater, even in the middle of August, because I know the theater will be freezing cold.  I usually don't get a drink or popcorn, but I DO like Jr. Mints.  And if I have the choice, I like sitting on the back row very best.    

This movie is adorable.  Seriously.  But my favorite part was the elderly couple sitting in front of me, sharing a sweet kiss during one of the sweetest scenes.  Aw, I'm sappy.  But I give this a big Saturday-Afternoon-alone-in-your-favorite-skirt thumbs up.  I was so inspired that I immediately came home and put on my favorite pearls.  And I will wear them as I cook my lentils over rice.  :)  

And then maybe I'll go to the beach.  Or Arcadia park.  Or any number of favorite Kalamazoo favorite outside places.  The weather is completely gorgeous!  

It's been a great day to celebrate an emotion-filled year.  And as far as Kalamazoo goes, I've still got another 8 months to go!  

Woke up

Refreshed.

August Thunder Storm

with all the windows

and back door

open.

Cinnamon chip french toast

with Bread 

from Katie

and home made syrup.

Joshua Radin's

Star Mile

on the loud speakers:

"life comes to those that will choose

Regular News

over playing the blues

with the lights off."

The smell of 

Rain

Breakfast

Pinesol

A clean house.

Perfect

Saturday Morning.

My goings-on

Good evening, blog readers!  How are ya? 

It always feels like not much has been going on in my little insignificant life here in Kzoo, but I start writing a blog, and suddenly I realize all that's on my mind.  So here we go... my recent goings-on:

It seems like SO MANY MGs have had their boys come home in the past little bit, and are now happily getting married and living lives of reunited bliss.  And a big handful of them will be reunited in the next few months too.  Which is awesome, right?  But reading their homecoming stories and engagement stories, and seeing their exciting pictures has had me in a majorly TRUNKY funky!  Instead of being happy and excited for these girls, I am embarrassed to admit that I have been extra lonely and grumpy and bitter that it's STILL not my turn!  

LUCKILY I think I'm out of the funk now.  Tomorrow will mark the day that is exactly 8 months from the day that Nathan will come home.  And that's NOT a long time!  It's totally selfish of me to want him to come home now, because he is so into missionary work and loving what he is doing.  This mission isn't about me at all, it's about him.  And the gospel.  And the people who need the message he has to share.  So I'm geared up and ready for the last 1/3 of waiting!  And in the mean time, maybe I'll steer clear of the trunky engagement stories. :)

Also in this last 1/3 of waiting, I need to stop eating like a cow.  I've become rather addicted to donuts, and LARGE servings, and frequent snacks.  Time.  To.  Stop.  

As of today, I am the proud new owner of a solid oak entertainment center, by way of craigslist.com!  Seriously, for the poor and furniture-less, craigslist is SUCH a Godsend!  From Mr. Craig and his list, I have now acquired a lovely recliner chair, a virtually silent and rather futuristic looking microwave, and now this grand entertainment center that fits oh so perfectly into it's designated space!  And I've barely spent over $100.  Woo hoo! Putting together a home from scratch is so much fun.  

I work full time at the campus center for disabilities now.  Which is really really nice.  I spend my days reading stories, bowling with bumpers and ramps, rockin' to Richard Simmons workouts, making healthy snacks, and dancing around with beach balls and bandanas in my favorite class- "music and movement."  I almost don't even mind changing adult diapers 3x a day, feeding and re-feeding lunch to people who just spit it back out again, and hugging people with soaking drool bibs all day long.  I think I'm getting the hang of it.  

I still haven't finished reading Walden, but I'm working on it, and I'm constantly inspired.  I've also been listening to Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince on my ipod as I do mundane things like sweep the kitchen floor. I'm excited to read The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, as recommended by Cassee, and Fast Food Nation, as recommended by cello pal Zach.  I'm also still plugging away at the Book of Mormon challenge.  Indeed my life is full of good books.  

It's been really good to catch up with old friends lately.  Shout out to elementary school BFF Kristin Krogue, who's getting married next weekend!!  I wish I could be there!  Cello Zach descended from Traverse City, land of the cherries, and stopped by Yellow House to visit.  I almost forgot how fantastic he is!  Also good to hear from music pals Rebekah B. and Staci A.  And as always, good conversations with Lynsie and Ashley.  I've been so much more of a phone talker than usual, and it has seriously enhanced my life. Also, the "traveling notebook" that I got this week from my girls across the country, came with 2 loaves of my favorite Great Harvest bread from sweet Katie.   Girl, you made my day!  I have the best friends ever.  My cup runneth over!  

I (FINALLY) have another appointment with the eye doctor on Tuesday.  Maybe they can get some contacts ordered for me this time?  Lets keep our fingers crossed.  I'm sick of being super geek.  

I got my first Michigan speeding ticket.  40 in a 25.  Luckily the officer lowered the ticket to 5 over.  I tried a new tactic- playing dumb... and it worked.  Bizarre Michigan law- if you have an out of state license and you get a ticket, they confiscate your license and hold it at the police station until the fine is payed.  I'm currently without a license.  Which makes cashing checks rather difficult.  

I have a new cello student.  A newly graduated bio-chemist from Lansing.  She's brand new at the cello and lots of fun.  I really love teaching.  

I think that's all of my current goings-on.  School starts in about a month.  My last year of school ever maybe?  Weird.  I don't think that's possibly true.  

Thanks for reading my blog.