I was Born a Ramblin (Wo)Man

Not really...

I was told I don't blog enough. Know why? Because I'm not witty enough to make these very interesting but I thought today I would give it a shot. I've picked up the tendency to write in bullet point from Stub, plus it's so much easier.

• The summer of 2009 is almost over and it's hard to believe. When I came home May 14th, I thought the next three and a half months were going to go by soooooo slow! In about three and a half weeks, I have to drive back to Massachusetts. I have been able to relax, spend time with family and friends, and recharge for the craziness that is to come this fall. Unfortunately, it's also been a lazy summer. I received my proposal at the end of May from my prof. in order to edit format and content. I have yet to read anything that my prof. suggested editing, my paper has actually collected dust! Oddly enough, I'm not stressed out about this one bit....yet.
  
• September 8th begins, what I'm praying for, my last year of graduate school. Even though it was tough to leave the good job I had in Chicago and the relative short drive to my friends, I believe that relocating to Massachusetts is one of the best decisions I have made. I have to work harder than others in my program because I have undergrad classes to make up, I have to learn how to balance my social life and school work (again), and I have had to learn where to draw the line. I love my school. I love my friends. But I will work my butt off to complete my thesis in order to graduate next May and rejoin the real world.
  
• I have spent every weekend traveling since I've returned to Michigan but this next one is for me. Tomorrow I leave for Palm Springs, California to spend a week with my uncle and aunt. Even though I saw my aunt for two days last month, the last time I had any significant time with them was two and a half years ago when my brother got married. I'm looking forward to seeing the mountains, seeing the ocean in Marina Del Ray (maybe a celebrity, too!), and attempting to beat both of them in Wii bowling. I think I may have trashed talked my uncle too much before realizing how good he really is...he really may send me home crying :-(
  
• After 9 years and committing never to return, I did just that summer when I agreed to be part of the coaching staff for the Finesse 10U team. I loved it!! I never thought I could coach, let alone 10 year olds, but helping developing such young talent and hopefully deepening their love for softball was a lot of fun. Of course there were the moments of stress and frustration, that will come no matter the age or organization. But I hope I have given these girls unforgettable moments, because I know they gave some to me.
  
• CONFESSION OF THE DAY:
  I love planning my wedding...even though I'm years off!! One great thing about being able to attend friends' weddings is that I can get ideas of what to do, what not to do, how to act, and definitely how NOT to act! I enjoying wedding websites where I can look at dresses, colors, and tuxes. I drive by churches and think, "That parking lot would be big enough for all the cars" or "I wonder if that church has a center aisle". Crazy? Maybe. But I've always been taught to be prepared ;-)

I allowed some of my Finesse players to do my hair. Um...that may or may not have been a good idea. It was very painful taking out the hair ties, braids, and brushing out the spots were hairspray was shot at my from point blank range.

At the team pool party, the head coach had gotten some treats for everyone. Each player finally got a personalized trophy after being jipped all summer long, the coaches got personalized plaques that say we are state champsions, and even blankets with everyones name listed. But this was the best gift. I received a framed team photo that all the girls and coaches signed :-)

Emily and I after a rainy wedding. Despite the torrential downpoar, thunder, lighting, and rearranging of chairs and tents, Emily and Michael had a beautiful ceremony.