Final Countdown (2 days = done at work, 4 days = leavin')

It hasn't sunk in yet.  I'm almost done here, then what?  Well, home of course.  I have no money to get by.  I've got a whole lot of nothing!  Check!

Tonight was one of the several farewell parties we've had and it began to sink in, I'm saying my goodbyes, and with some it's goodbyes for good and who knows when I"ll ever see them again.  Ugh....I got scared and then I could feel the tears begin to well up but not flow out.  (I was thankful for that, though I'm never ashamed of crying, usually)

It's just so hard to say goodbye to these people who had to become my family in such a short amount of time.  I've done the every two year thing and then I move on but one year is rough, actually really difficult, which sucks and very unexpected for me.

Who knew that the gypsy would find it difficult to move on after a year.  I should have just done another year, stuck around.  Now I play the "Well I could do this..." game.  No one wants to play that, I've made a good, healthy decision.  It was a good choice.  Very needed!

Well here's to my fellow volunteers and new Baltimore friends:
I've had the most wonderful year of meeting great new people, may not have spent enough time with them but now I know how to plan a better year.  I'll miss the co-workers who have shared with me about soooo much (life and social work).  I'll miss my new friends who went through this experience with me and may have experienced similar things, feelings, and thoughts.  And I appreciate the people who were there to listen to me and process life with me in this new year of growth as a true adult no in the college bubble anymore.  Thanks to all of you who loved and cared and laughed when I needed it the most.  You are all a true blessing!

Love

summer is in the air

As of late, life has been pretty busy.  Summer is officially here and now all I can think about is what's the next adventure of the month.  For about a month, I get to house sit for my host family who will be out on the west coast for a while.  I along with my housemates will hang out with 2 cats that shed like none other and a dog that sheds just as much but MORE and looks like a big, fuzzy bear that you just want to cuddle forever.

Like I said, life has been busy.  DC, Honfest, a wedding in middle of nowhere Ohio, NYC, and a fun jam session in the living room of RHHP.  July 4th weekend consists of relaxation and doing a whole lot of nothing except sleeping in and loving life!  And of course cookouts and Fireworks please!!  

My time here is quickly approaching it's end and I'm scared of not having the next step figured out.  It's a little nerve raking but of course it's my fault for slacking in that department, but life has been stressful as a volunteer as well (not just because of not being around, but also when I have the time I'm just pooped from other activities that I just want to kick back, relax, and do something mindless and nothing of importance).  That's the life of a volunteer:  hanging out, blogging, photos, and finding something free to do next.  

Highlights of NYC:  

Seeing The Empire State and Chrysler buildings (not sure why but I love looking at NYC's skyline because of them), walking the Brooklyn Bridge at night, walking around NYC at anytime in the evening because everything is still open, Chinatown and Little Italy, Rockefeller Center, and Central Park.

Next time, I'm in NYC:

Hang out in Central Park for much longer, (depending on when I go) go ice skating, go up the Empire State Building or Top of the Rock, check out Ellis Island, and hang in Coney Island.  Yeah we'll start there.

Welp gotta go get ready for the fireworks.  

Happy 4th!

Love from Baltimore

avoidance

There really isn't a lot to update on. Nothing exciting has really happened to me it seems like or at least nothing that's extremely exciting and news worthy to share. So I guess I'll just give a random quick update because I feel like I HAVE to write something.

-Work is still not the greatest and it almost feels worse. I am really glad that I am almost done.
-I went to Andrew and Erika's wedding last weekend in Ohio. Loved it and loved them. Congrats!
-I've been sooo close to home but yet not home several times in the last few months. BOO!
-I've been watching old episodes of The Office. They bring back good memories.
-I have really enjoyed getting to know some of my co-workers better.
-I wish I didn't feel depressed when I should be happy.
-I wish it wasn't so bloody hot outside or in my room.
-Summertime always makes me think of country music loud and windows rolled down, and maybe some Cowboy Up please. Maybe just more country folks in my life!
-I wish and desire more hugs. The more unexpected, the better! (Even if I'm hot and sweaty)
-Physically ready to be home home, but not mentally prepared yet.
-My new favorite co-worker who I need to write about but don't because of lack of motivation is Antoinese (Toni) Watkins. She listens to me complain. And constantly answers every ridiculous question I have because I don't really know what I'm doing at work.
-I think about home home more often because of Miss Kara Mishler. Love ya chica.
-There are certain events in life that I wish I could replay over and over again and Boulder, CO 2010 would totally be one of them.
-I've been told I get a queen size bed in my room here (for the next 1.5 months, yippee!

Welp, it's past my bedtime. I'm always tired and wake up at the crack of dawn because if I closed my curtains, my room would be even worse than it is now....boo!! Goodnight!
Love from Baltimore

Lawrence Welks SNL Skit

No need to explain, Betty White was great on SNL and this one is probably one of my favorite ones right now.  Throw it on the ground is another good one too.  Gotta love SNL.

"Colorado Sunrise"

Boulder, CO

Me and Lindz

At the Rockies Game

Coors Field

Where I stayed at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp

Edelweiss

A view from the Top, didn't hike it but others did. Photo Credit Lindsey Reinford

My Buddies (Lindz, Ben, and I)

Not quite sure what we're doing

So I may or may not have had a lot of fun with some friends.  Thanks for a great week guys!  You're the greatest.

Safely in BMore

Mountains and Colorado

These 9 days have been the greatest 9 days of my whole year.  Yeah I went home for Christmas Break, but nothing can compare to this week.  I had the greatest time ever.  I met some new people and talked to old friends.  I caught up on life, and I completely ignored others.  I had a grand old time and I was perfectly fine with my decisions.  I didn't care.

We got back from retreat at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp today and I became acclimated to civilization again.  Having no cell phone reception made it difficult to function sometimes but it's ok, most of all my important people were in one place.  We had a great time, fellowshipping, discussing, and even realizing what we truly believe or maybe that was just me.  

This week, a lot opened my eyes.  I've considered having a series of blogs focusing on this one particular event in my life but it felt too overwhelming (or it may still happen).  I've realized so much about the Mennonite community.  FYI people, you can't change this stuff overnight.  And you people who aren't truly Mennonite, I don't think you truly understand, it's going to take a long time to change these people.  It can't happen in a matter of moments/minutes.  It's going to take time, maybe not until our generation becomes that age which sucks to say, but it may be the God's to Honest Truth.  It's a shit life, let's just be honest!!  I would love to change a Mennonite's viewpoint also, but I don't know when that will EVER happen, but I guess it's something that can be worked on.  Anyways, I don't know, I just know, that I wished it would happen but you can't exclude others who don't agree with what you believe in, what kind of Christian are you?  Hypocrite!!!!!!  (I might not have room to talk, but think about what you're talking about/doing, yeah I may be talking to you or I may not be.)

This week, a lot has ran through my mind.  Like even the simple definition that I have to explain a lot, what's a Mennonite? How do I even define it?  I don't know....we're pacifist?  We strive to live simply?  We're frugal?  Yes, all true, but what makes me a Mennonite?  I don't know.....tough question.  I'm not the hippie.  I don't always fit the stereotype of a typical Mennonite child.  But sometimes, I like to believe that I do.  Sometimes, I DO!!  I know, hard to believe but it's true, but I can't go too extreme, I've gone as far as the Chacos but thats it.  And the scariest part is that I know others who haven't gone that far, who haven't gone past the front door in a sense.  Those are the people that I'm scared to be around, will they challenge me to be the person I am?  Will I stick to my grounds of being the person I want to be?  

My challenge for the year I move home is staying true to myself, sticking up for what I believe but the true test will come when I have those discussions....scary!!

Well it's late, I should really sign off.  

And as for the evening,

Love from Boulder, Colorado (my new favorite place and a place I wish I would never have to leave)

"Let the Wild Rumpus Start" --Where The Wild Things Are

well I guess I'm a little late.  But this weekend was the start of my Away from Baltimore month:

April 30-May 1--Baltimore unit retreat, The Poconos
May 4-5--DC for the evening to hang with friends
May 7-8--Flower Mart in Mt. Vernon, come out and join us!
May 14-22--Colorado for Miss Lindsey and National Retreat
May 28-31--Seattle with Miss Courtney

Let the good times roll!  Can't wait!

Love from BMore or where ever I may be

(Pray for safe travels, Thanks!)

A Lost for Words...Sometimes

What to write about....

The ice cream trucks are out and about with their Christmas songs and "Hello!  Woof Woof."  The sirens and buses are as loud as ever now that my windows are open 24/7 now.  It's annoying but nice!  I'm always tired.  I don't really know why.  I go to bed at a decent time, I think.  Who knows, I probably don't!!  I'm in love with the 80's.  Pandora has the best radio station in the world, Best of the 80s Reloaded!

Beth bought a frisbee, last night we played.  It was fun.  It has a blue light so in the darkness, it was a bit trippy, but totally fun!!  We even started making up rules for frisbeeing.  Rule #1 You must always be prepared and ready for the frisbee to return to you.  Rule #2 When the frisbee is heading toward your face, you must use two hands.  Of course for safety precautions.  These rules are being recorded in hopes of more frisbeeing action to come.  Thank you BA!

Also exciting news, we got our bikes.  I got my bike.  Did I mention we were getting free bikes from a guy from church?  How awesome is that?  I got a a free bike.  It's nice too!!  I'm stoked!!  Super excited about it all.  It's black and has a super comfy cushioned seat.  LOVE IT!!  And the best part about it all, we get to keep our bikes too!!  How great is that?  Once again....LOVE IT!!!!

A lot of the time all I can think about are the things I want to do while I'm still here in Baltimore.  So what do I want to do.....
1. I want to be better friends with one person in particular and get to know her more (Mrs. Brenna Beck).
2. I want to hang out with the LVCer's more or as much as possible.
3. Baseball games will be great this summer.  Can't wait!!
4. Keep my head in the game.  I shouldn't get too far ahead of myself.  I'm still in Baltimore, I need to remember that!  I need to focus on my community here.
These are just a few maybe i'll have more to add later, I'll keep you posted.

Well I'm very tired.  Maybe I should head to bed.  Today at work, I didn't do much but this evening my friend, Melissa Sikes, who went with me to China came up from Harrisonburg to visit me for the evening before I drop her off at the airport to go pick up her Baby!  Well I'm exhausted and must get some sleep. Peace for now.

Love from BMore

10 Things About Home

10 things to look forward to going home:

1. Hanging out with Kara and getting to know Erica better.
2. Babysitting Miss Sophia Marie Leaman.  Can't wait!
3. Getting more involved in Emma Mennonite Church
4. Maybe finding me a small group to chill with.
5. Steak and Shake Open Late!
6. Hacienda and ladies night
7. Feeling ok with not doing anything on a weekend or my day off.
8. visiting friends where ever they may be (Montana, Harrisonburg, Baltimore, or Prague
9. Close to Family again
10. I get to drive my own car again!!!!!

I needed another pick me up.  :D

Happy List

I was reading someone's blog, and they had tons of lists from friends and other people who had lists upon lists of things that make them happy.  I need that.

10 things that make Kristin terribly happy:

1. Movies at the movie theater
2. Cherry Coke, it can always cure the pain.
3. old pictures
4. antiques that you know where it came from and has lots of meaning
5. sunshine
6. Volkswagen Beetles, one day I still hope to own one.
7. music because it can describe any mood or feeling
8. Driving around in the country with the windows down and blaring music
9. visiting friends in far distant places
10. flirting with little children, making them laugh, and feeling so young.