Growing up & Baking

As I march firmly in adulthood, I aim to be more of an "everyday" person instead of all at once.  Meaning, cleaning 15 minutes a day instead of saving it for entire day. 

One of Amber's friends had mentioned she cooks all of their meals on Sunday for the ENTIRE WEEK.  I was quite amazed by that.  While I think it may be a bit too much for me, I do intend to start a habit of baking a loaf of bread every Sunday/Monday for the rest of the week.  We shall see how that goes....

P.S. Challah is still my favorite

An End of an Era

I've been putting off writing this post for a few days now.  But I know some of the sharper feelings and memories are starting to slip. 

A picture of me on the last day of class.

My view of the school of social work (large pointy building on left side) on my last day of class from the parking garage I parked at everyday for class.

A picture of me walking across the stage after being hooded.

This is the first time in my life that I'm not a student since I was an infant.  I've spent the past 19 years being a student.  I love being a student!  I love the thrill of the start of a new school year, of learning a new concept for the first time, to the payback of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone (my computer programming class in undergrad).  With this graduation, it is also the closing of the more carefree, whimsical years of my life.

The one of having a cherished community of like minded people, of late nights studying with friends, to the random student schedule that often lead to Mondays off and mandatory tea breaks during 3 hour classes.  The general freedom to be selfish in your pursuit of knowledge and personal growth.  With the campus being all in bloom, it keeps bringing me back to my days at orientation, when the world was so new and uncertain.  My book was yet to be written as Natasha Bendingfield would say.  I still can feel those feelings of mixed mystery and excitement that I felt as a freshman, stepping on to the campus for the very first time.  The nostalgia of my dorm room, my first big crush who would later become my husband, of figuring out my path of social work.

Me, freshman year.

I think though as much as I love being a student, I love Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan equally as much.  And with that, I also feel so fortunate to have a degree which has given me the opportunity to serve people in need.  Which is a bigger passion of mine at this time than continuing my path as a student.  Which I think is the beauty of life, trusting the process, being in tune with yourself to know that your life and career grows with you as a person.  Maybe one day I will be a student again, maybe I wont.  All I know is that the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor has given me so much in these past 5 years: internships and research opportunities, 2 degrees, multitude of friends, a husband, a path.  So with all of that said I am leaving this chapter of my life with affirmation from one of my favorite professors "With any transition in life, its okay to feel a mix of every emotion.  Something that brought you comfort and growth is hard to leave.  It is important to feel and honor all of these emotions, but then to let go into the next stage of life". 

A few pictures of my family.  Thank you for supporting me on this journey.

Alicia and I with our grandparents.  With Buddy in the background :)

A few pictures of friends I've made along the way:

And to my fellow graduate, can't wait to see you take on the world.

For now goodbye, for tomorrow good luck, and forever GO BLUE!

50th Surprise Party

This weekend, my sister in laws successfully threw a surprise party for my mother-in-law.  She turned 50 this year, and they wanted to celebrate this birthday in an extra special way.  Family and friends came over for the event, which was somehow kept a secret.  We ate food, cake, goofed around, and celebrated.

Joseph is Julie's "birthday buddy"- born on the same day, only forty five years apart.

Joseph and his beloved Michael Oher figurine box.  This kid is a definition of a character.

Playing "spiderman".

  Goofin' around with Uncle Bill.

The host herself.  A bit tired from all of that mostaccioli preparations the night before.

On our way out, we stopped and said goodbye to the vibe.  Mike's parents recently traded the vibe in to get Mike's dad a new truck.  I have to admit, I'll be sad to see this thing go.  This was Mike's car all through out college- we spent many a adventure in the vibe including numerous camping trips and our trip to St. Louis when we got engaged.  I will also never forget all of the couches that were brought home on the top of the vibe. 

One last look.

Goodbye vibe!

Coach Mike

Recently, Mike has been hired on by a local high school to coach a sport he played in high school.  I've never seen anything more natural for him.  It's his thing/his flow/ an intersection of interests and talent.  I'm excited to see what this season brings for his team and his personal growth. 

*Picture copyright Emily Patterson

On the future and photography

“My business is to create. It doesn’t even matter what you do.”

This quote has been stuck in my mind a lot recently.  The quote comes from a scene in the movie P.S. I Love You when Gerry first meets Holly.  In this scene, she is explaining her passion to create things, art, anything.  

Lately, all I want to do is create too.  In classes that I am supposed to be interested in, I find myself playing with photoshop or looking up photography things.  For a class project, I felt that I could contribute by making the brochure much more than creating the business plan.  My dad always told me (including in my college and career) to never forget or deny my creative side.  Going into college and since being in college, I never have given much thought to art as anything more than a hobby.  Jobs are not sustainable with an art degree.  I told myself that I have to do something practical with my life.  Recently, I've been very fulfilled with photography.  Actually, I've always got much joy from photography.  However, I am not sure of it's role in my life.  I am a interested, passionate amateur with much to learn and understand.  I know this for sure.  Also, this is the first time that I don't feel a) totally mediocre at something (I usually am) and b) something I can spend hours and hours learning more about and so driven and passionate about becoming better.  Sure,  a lot of times I have things I am interested in, but usually the interest comes and goes in spurts or only lasts for a small duration.  Actually, its a great experience for me, because I  never could understand how my sister could be so excited about running 12 miles or about buying a new pair of running shoes.  To me, buying a slave flash brings the same giddy and obsessive feelings.  This is when I knew it wasn't a run of the mill type of interest.  


Anyways, here is what I do know:
1) Creating/making/art is a true passion.  Not just something I say I am passionate about on a B.S. admissions essay.  Something I can't let go of.  Something I believe in.  
2) Keeping it as a hobby is comfortable. Getting paid for it brings a whole other element that I'm not sure I want (ie responsibility, business aspect).  Am I meant to only be a mom who takes excellent pictures of her children? 
3) I am such a amateur, novice, inexperienced enthusiast.  
4) I am leaving this up to God to show me the way, even if I am not ready for the answer...but am willing.  Lately, new jobs have been presenting themselves.  I don't know if that's God already showing me.  
Any thoughts, guidance?  I am willing and open.  

On Life, Future & Recent Events

As of late, I have been a really lazy blogger.  I'm not quite sure why, probably because laziness goes hand in hand with summer for me.  Anyways, today is the first day of classes and I intend to do a quick catch up.
1) Food Intolerance-  Recently, I went to the doctors office for a check up.  I left with being diagnosed with a food intolerance. It gives you a new perspective on what you're putting in your body, that the food you are putting in is really actually harming your body.  To me it is also a challenge to eat right now that I am an adult who must cook for themselves.  


2) Something incredible happened in August in the realm of friendships.  I've had a blogger friend become a "real" friend.  I put "real" in quotations because the legitimacy of our friendship wasn't decreased simply because our friendship started online.  It's really something having someone you met online become someone you can talk to for hours like you do only with your best friend or sister or fiance.  It also gives you a new perspective on the whole "meeting online" deal.  Never will I judge a couple again for telling me that they meant online.  Ultimately, I believe God puts people in your life for a reason and I am looking forward to learn and grow from my friendship with Leslie.  Anyways, that night Cortny, Leslie and I all went to see this little indie band called the Civil Wars.  They are also incredible and also worth checking out, here.


3) I went shopping with Cortny and got out of my comfort zone.  It was one of those tiny victories for me.  I told her to help me pick out stuff that isn't the automatic buy that I usually go for (anything with blue and white stripes!).  It's amazing how much your closet can start to hold the same repeats and how we will only be drawn to one thing while something else in a different color or style will look much better for you.  Anyways the turning point was this button down blouse that I had wanted for awhile (well the style at least, not the particular blouse).  I instinctively went for the pastel pink while Cortny told me to go for the hunter green.  I went with her and ended up loving it.  Huzzah! That's to getting out of your comfort zone and the great friends that help you do it!


4) Tis the season of back to school!  I can't believe it's already my senior year of college.  Where has it all gone?  Nevertheless, I am enjoying the fall atmosphere and the scarf wearing temperatures.  It is almost if mother nature knew that back to school is perfect when the temperatures are in the 60s instead of 90s.  More importantly, I am really trying to prioritize my time and not over commit to things.  I am trying to balance my time between spending time at Mike's house and my apartment.  I have also quit Barnes & Nobles to keep my free time open for more studying.  

Picture copyright Peter Draugalis Photography.

5) The last thing to update on is my sister, the big ten athlete.  All my sisters past six years of running everyday, not eating partially hydrogenated oil and weight lifting has paid off.  About three weeks ago she became apart of the University of Michigan's women's Cross Country team.  The picture above is at the finish line stretch of her first race this past Friday with her coach yelling at her in the background.  The reason she is not in a uniform is because she is red-shirted for season.  
Way to go sis, I only have happiness and proud sister affection for you.  

On Changes

The arboretum at the University of Michigan is what inspired Robert Frost to write his poem The Road Less Taken. 

.....For some reason my sister's graduation hit me harder than my own. I think it's for a few reasons:  First deals with the most important thing in my life, my family.  Now with two of us in college, our family is no longer the same it's always been for twenty years.  Even before, I could always drive home and the family dynamic would be normal.  Now 2/5th of us are Ann Arbor residents.  So weird.  My family has always been a close and caring family so I think not being right next to each together is going to bring some tears and heart break.  For pete sake's, I feel like such a bad sister for abandoning Lauren in her high school years! It's not fair that I got my whole family's attention and support while going through high school where she only has my parents on a day to day basis.


.....This also means changes with my relationships with my parents.  I no longer need their permission, but I do like to hear their thoughts.  Where does the balance come along?

......Then this spring, I graduate college and move off into the real world taking me even further (possible states) away from my family.  I will  no longer be exlusively apart of their family, but of my own little family and an additional family. 


.....I've also seen changes in my extended family.  I remember asking my dad when I was younger how families switch.  Like when you're younger and you meet with all of your cousins and uncle and aunts for holidays then as your family grows up you see them less and start getting together with only your siblings and their children.  How does this happen exactly and why?? I feel that it is unfair to all of my little cousins who wont get the same experience I had.  And I find that as this transition within in my family happens, I've been becoming more and more involved with Mike's family.  Maybe you "drop" your extended family and pick up another family? 


.....Knowing I only have a year left of "childhood" I'm going through a sort of wondering/mouring. My last football and hockey seasons await me.  In one year, I wont be able to see my family and closest friends with the ease that I do now.  I am worried about my friendships with my closest friends as they too go on different life paths.  There are some people from college I wont ever see again.  I'm going to miss so many things that go along with that like seeing Mike's Dad's new chickens or doing crafting with Lauren. I will be financially independent and officially an adult with worries about marriage, families, money, houses, children and graduate school.  It is really weird to think I literally have one year left. 


.....I get excited at the prospect of buying furniture and doing decorating.  My old shopping haunts consisted of the likes of American Eagle and Forever 21.  Now I am planning visits to Pier One Imports and Ikea? When I was younger, I never thought I would be interested in "boring furniture". 


.....With all the change coming my way, I often think of the quote from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken:...."Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".  As I will be an adult, I hope that I always take this road even if it's less glamourized, harder and more difficult to see...and I especially hope that I know where to find that road in the first place. 

*Picture taken from google

Dad's Graduation

Cue "Pomp and Circumstance"..

Five reasons my dad got another Masters:

1) He likes degrees.

2) He's graduated from both Michigan State University and Notre Dame University.  All he needs to do is get his PhD from Ohio State University and he's attended every single one of my schools' rivals.

3) To get a gold alumni coin made from Notre Dame's famous golden dome.

4) To be able to look like a wizard for a day with a robe with wings and a hood.

5) To get an education that is applicable to his current job that will help him further save the world (he runs a non profit agency called VOA.)

Love you dad!  Maybe one day I'll have more degrees than you!

An 8th Grade Farewell

Every year it is tradition for the 8th graders in DeWitt to have an Eighth Grade Farewell Dance.  This dance marks the beginnings of high school years and "becoming a big kid".  

For me, it's just another reminder that our family is changing.  We're no longer the traditional family with all of us kids at home, bugging Mom and hanging out in the weekends.  Now, were the "two kids in college and one in high school family", a growing up family.

Another thought about this whole growing up thing is that I'm going to be missing out in Lauren's precious high school years.  I wont be there to bug her and stay up late sitting in the bathroom giving her advice like I did Alicia.  I'll be missing out on sports games, learning to drive and your first experience with mom calling boys the spawn of the devil (good luck with that one).

Anyways, I leave you with this Lauren:

I hope mom gets you a dog to take the place of Alicia and I.  

Make sure to get good grades from the very start.  

Don't be afraid to be weird.  You'll have more fun that way.

I love you.

If you ever need me, I'm an hour away (for now).  

And seriously, mom is right about boys.  Have fun in high school with your friends..worry about boys later!