I've been holding off...

to post until I uploaded my photos from San Francisco. But, I still have yet to upload those photos and it is now nearly two weeks later. I will do my best to get those darn photos uploaded soon... they really are fun :) A lot has happened since I last updated. I quit my job... I suppose that's the biggie. While in San Francisco, I had a revelation that made me realize that I needed to get back on track with my academics and ultimately, my thesis. My last day was August 14th. Since then, I have enjoyed doing a lot of reading, cleaning, and getting things back-on-track. I also have been putting in a few hours at NDSU to get prepped to start my assistantship again. I can't believe that we start school in only 4 days... where on Earth did this summer go? It's been nothing short of crazy. Beyond that though, we have had some recent visitors to the F-M that have been very nice! Michael's parents were here, as were his sister Serena and her husband Mike and their 5 little kids... :) And tonight, Jason (another of Michael's siblings) is coming with his family. We are really excited to see them... as it's been since their devastating fire in early November since I've seen them. I have been lax on taking photos to document all of these great visits... but, I will do my best to take some photos today/tonight when Jason and the fam. get here.
I also must pay homage to my day of substitue sitting for the owner of the Najmania blog. If you are a parent and want some laughs... you should check out this blog.. http://najmania.blogspot.com/ or, in my case if you just love reading about what it's really like to parent... you should check out this blog.. http://najmania.blogspot.com/ I am always laughing when I read it... But, the day with those boys was great. I really enjoyed them thoroughly and even though the youngest little guy got in trouble for not being nice to me, I really think he was just doing what was natural, testing his waters with the new authority figure. I enjoyed myself completely and am excited to make a return appearnace to their household.

Michael and I are currently enjoying the luxuries of heaven... yes, that's right.. we have discovered heaven on Earth. We haven't had much time to spend together due to my long hours working with the campaign and with trying to get things back in order before all the family came to town, so we decided to check ourselves into the Staybrdige Suites hotel last night. Little did we know, that we were entering heaven on Earth. You see, this isn't your average hotel; this is something much, much more. They serve dinner. Yes, you read that right... They serve dinner, and all-you-can-drink free beer and wine... Yup, you read that right again. They also have unlimited fountain soda, milk, coffee, and juice. As if that's not enough, they have a swimming pool, jaccuzzi, sauna, in-room kitchenette, down comforter and pillows, tv on a swivel stand (so it can be turned in all sorts of directions), a breakfast BUFFET that included bacon, and of course, WIFI internet. Oh, and did I mention that we were thoroughly blown away by all of this? Well, we were and still are. We have really enjoyed spending some time together and it is allowing us to recharge our symbolic batteries before school gets up and going again... in four days.... !!!

But, Michael is watching animal planet and pleaing that we make a return appearance to the pool... so, with that, I hope you're doing well and I will work on getting those photos up soon!

No Stopping... Anytime

This sign's content seems to relay how I've felt since returning from my adventure in Guatemala. Actually, this is how I've felt for months now to be quite honest. There never seems to be quite enough minutes in an hour or hours in a day to fully accomplish things. Yes, I may complete things, but completing them doesn't necessarily mean that I am finished with them. Since returning from Guatemala, my life has done anything but allow me to stop and reflect. To sit and stare off into the clouds and process that which I saw, felt, and experienced. I have desperately tried to make time to do such activities, but I feel as if I've failed miserably. The brief moments that I've taken to update this blog and a few conversations with other service participants are the extent to which I've been able to reflect on my experiences. I know that many people may never feel the need to process vacations, trips, or service experiences, but for me, an academic at heart, this is one of the only ways I know how to survive. Connecting theoretical dots and expanding perspectives and paradigms is what keeps me intrigued by the world. It's never just a "walk in the park." That walk in the park is always an observation, a critique, an examination of the world around me. It's something that I've always loved, but I now have the resources and tools to begin to analyze that which surrounds me. Anyway, the point of this introduction is to say that I need to do a better job of providing myself with adequate time to nourish my creative, theoretical, mind-enriching side. . . While my mental state has been somewhat stalled; my physical life has moved forward quite immensely.

For starters, I got a new job. I say "a" new job because it is one of many jobs that I have currently committed myself to. How many jobs you ask?... well, let me tell you...

Job A. Updating University Websites.

• This involves transferring everything from one web page over to another newer model that is consistent with the rest of our University. It's tons of fun... let me tell you!

Job B. (The NEW Job) Community Organizer

• This, I am VERY excited for. I will be working with SEIU's (service employees international union) Change that Works Campaign. Basically, our charge is to achieve comprehensive health care for all Americans as well as revamp the current worker's union system to allow for better worker's rights. I am really eager to get under way with this and get a move on some progressive change! I am also VERY excited that with this job, comes FULL benefits. This may not sound that great to you... but because I've been uninsured since we got married 5 years ago... I am VERY eager to go to the dentist :)
  

Job C. Research

• My Advisor, Dr. Christina Weber, and I are writing a research paper based on the service trip in Guatemala. We are analyzing student journals and using critical consciousness models to better understand their learning process.

Job D. Student

• It's that time.... THESIS! I'm actually really excited about this. It's been a long time in the making, but I am finally embarking on my thesis for my Master's. I have a general topic area and am working to establish a foundation for moving this all along!

Job E. Graduate Assistant for Equity and Diversity Center

• This one technically is only during the academic year, but due to the Change that Works Campaign running a bit into August, I am trying to get some of the hours and responsibilities taken care of and started prior to that time. So, this is more conceptual, organizing and planning that is taking place.

Job F. Transcriber

• My BFF Erienne's transcriber fell through.... so, I am going to make a bit of extra bank and rock the transcribing!

I think that's it. Needless to say.... I am really busy. With all of these endeavors comes prep time and planning. I usually have my nose buried in a book with a cup of coffee within an arm's reach. I'm not even sure how I accomplish it all, now that I look at the list, but I guess this is the life of a graduate student/community activist. So, as I continue to integrate my every-day life back in the states with the memories and experiences from Guatemala I will continue to post. I find it intriguing and rewarding to know that people find something to relate to with my posts. I hope you've enjoyed!