It is Labor Day weekend, and I am already a solid week into this new semester at Seminary. Getting here was an adventure, and I had to hit the ground running, but I'm beginning to finally feel settled.
I finished out CPE stongly, I believe, growing to love the job more and more every day. There were crazy days and easy days, and on my last day of actual work, I was given both the regular on-call pager and the trauma pager for a couple of hours during the Resident's graduation celebration, and of course that would be when two traumas, one death, and one family conflict would come in all at once. I loved it. I feel like I was really able to grow into my pastoral identity over the course of the summer, and I am so glad for how I spent it. I was excited by how much I felt that I could be a minister, and by how much I learned over the summer.
Outside of CPE, I had a minor hiccup just at the end of the summer. I was driving home from my last visit with Silas one Sunday evening, when my car started to make a funny clicking noise. I mentioned this to my parents, and my mom drove me to work in the morning so she could take my car into our mechanic and get it checked out. We assumed it wouldn't be a big deal, until the car died before it made the two mile trip to the mechanic. Something or other happened, which led to what was deemed by the people working on it "catastrophic engine failure." The good news was that my car was still under warranty and now she has a shiny new engine. The bad news is she wasn't going to be ready in time to get my mom and I back to Ohio so she could catch her flight out of town. So, we got the idea to take my dad's car and then trade halfway between after awhile. My mom and I made our long drive back to Ohio, and we'll be meeting somewhere in Tennessee later on in order to trade cars back. We're also hoping this is the end of my bad luck with cars.
When I got back to Ohio, I hit the ground running. I began my job as Sacristan by showing up and being asked to be a crucifer for the first service of the term. Then there were long meetings with Karen and Kristen, the worship life coordinator and my fellow sacristan to begin to figure out how we would work things over the upcoming year. I'm enjoying the job immensely already, and I've already begun to write a worship service for the upcoming week.
I've also already gotten started on classes, even before I was able to get all my school supplies organized for them. This semester I'm taking Systematic Theology, Old Testament 2, Preaching, Lutheran Confessions, and Christian Perspectives on Other Religions. I'm pretty excited about all of them already, especially Systematic Theology, which surprised me a little bit. I think that I am really beginning to get into the interesting stuff of seminary this year, and I think it will be a good year.
I'm glad to be back here, as much as I enjoyed being in Texas over the summer. I'm beginning to get to know the new people at the seminary, and reconnecting with my friends. I'm already feeling back into the swing of things and George is even well settled. He had an adventure his first day back by getting out when my mom and I were going to be gone awhile, but he got to stay in one of my friends apartments until we got back. Today George helped me to put together a bookcase, which I can't wait to fill up with my overflowing books. I'm still working on getting my apartment reorganized, and keeping up with my dishes (I already miss having a dishwasher again) but I've got one more holiday day of the weekend to get to it.
I'll be blogging more regularly now that I'm back on a normal schedule, so keep an eye here for updates on my Middler year at Trinity!
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Beginning of the Summer
I have had a busy beginning of the summer, with a couple of bumps in the road and a few nice surprises.
My mom came up to Columbus after I finished my classes, and we had a good time while I helped sacristan for the commencement worship. It was great to go to commencement, since I had several friends who were graduating, and altogether Saturday was a lovely day. Then my mom and I packed up and got ready for a long drive on Sunday.
Sunday morning we were packing up and taking things to my car, and George noticed and wanted to make sure he would not be left behind. He ran out the door and down a flight of stairs. He may have regretted that wish later, but he was actually a wonderful traveler. He sat quietly in his crate all day, and enjoyed exploring the pet friendly hotel room we stayed in for the night. The next morning he was a little less excited about getting into his crate, knowing what would come next, but he never uttered a peep, and the drive home was easy enough. It was nice to be able to share the driving with my Mom, and we had a great time.
Once I was home, I went and got poked and prodded to ensure my health to work at Parkland. I did my first drug screening and got fitted for a face mask, in case I need one, which was rather entertaining. Good news, I don't have TB. I also don't have a Hepatitis B immunity, despite having the vaccine, so I get to get it again! Yay! Unfortunately, I got all of this testing done too late to start on my official first day of CPE, so instead I got an extra week off. This was a bit annoying, but I chose to take the opportunity to go to Tulsa with my mom and see my Grandma and help go through the house we're getting ready to sell.
We decided to take George with us to Tulsa, and he was once again a good traveler. It was nice to have him around so we could take George Breaks from clearing out the house and petting a cat is the best kind of break. Going through the house was hard work, but it was interesting. I went through all of my Grandpa's theological books, and took basically all of them. It makes me happy that a large chunk of my early theological library comes from him, and my Grandma said he would be so pleased I had them. I also took boatloads of thread from my Grandma's sewing stash, and I won't have to buy colored thread for years. I love that I'll have some of her things, including beautiful fabric bought in China, to work with and create out of. I like that she and I have that in common. Altogether, it was a busy, but worthwhile week, and a good way to spend my accidental week off.
We came home on Thursday, so that I could jump on a plane to Orlando the next morning. I went to Orlando to attend Silas' sister's wedding. It was the first time I saw Silas since early this Feburary, so I was thoroughly excited about the trip. I had a bit of a confusing time getting out of the Orlando airport, but I made it. Silas and I, as well as his family, had a good but full weekend. We had a large rehersal dinner the night I got in, full of people I didn't know. They were all nice, though, and it was an enjoyable evening. The day of the Wedding, Silas and I went out on a trip to pick up the flowers, which was some nice time together, and then the wedding was in a garden in the afternoon. It was quite hot, and I did not envy the men in suits, but the wedding was beautiful. The reception was also lovely, and there were a couple of songs Silas and I could dance to. After the whirlwind two days, we got up the next morning and Silas' parents took me to one airport and Silas to another to head to our respective homes. It was a great visit, but I'll be heading to Oklahoma City for a less rushed visit as soon as I can.
Finally today, I began my summer of CPE. Today was just general orientation, so it was actually a bit boring, but there was another student who had to start late, so we sat together and got to know each other, and we had lunch with the whole group and Leo, our supervisor. My CPE class is made up of five women, and I am the youngest one. We got along together well at lunch, and I think it'll be a good group to work with over the summer. I'm especially looking forward to tomorrow, when I'll find out more about what I'm going to be doing specifically.
Tonight I made sure to take care of myself by taking myself to a yoga class at the studio I have a membership at for the summer. It was wonderful, and I have a feeling I'll really appreciate those as I get more into the fullness of CPE. It's nice to have a studio to practice at so I actually do it, and so I have good teachers to correct my form.
After some interesting trips, my summer is finally really starting, and I think it will be wonderful and full of learning. I'll probably be more sporadic here than I am in the school year, but I'll keep writing when I can.
My mom came up to Columbus after I finished my classes, and we had a good time while I helped sacristan for the commencement worship. It was great to go to commencement, since I had several friends who were graduating, and altogether Saturday was a lovely day. Then my mom and I packed up and got ready for a long drive on Sunday.
Sunday morning we were packing up and taking things to my car, and George noticed and wanted to make sure he would not be left behind. He ran out the door and down a flight of stairs. He may have regretted that wish later, but he was actually a wonderful traveler. He sat quietly in his crate all day, and enjoyed exploring the pet friendly hotel room we stayed in for the night. The next morning he was a little less excited about getting into his crate, knowing what would come next, but he never uttered a peep, and the drive home was easy enough. It was nice to be able to share the driving with my Mom, and we had a great time.
Once I was home, I went and got poked and prodded to ensure my health to work at Parkland. I did my first drug screening and got fitted for a face mask, in case I need one, which was rather entertaining. Good news, I don't have TB. I also don't have a Hepatitis B immunity, despite having the vaccine, so I get to get it again! Yay! Unfortunately, I got all of this testing done too late to start on my official first day of CPE, so instead I got an extra week off. This was a bit annoying, but I chose to take the opportunity to go to Tulsa with my mom and see my Grandma and help go through the house we're getting ready to sell.
We decided to take George with us to Tulsa, and he was once again a good traveler. It was nice to have him around so we could take George Breaks from clearing out the house and petting a cat is the best kind of break. Going through the house was hard work, but it was interesting. I went through all of my Grandpa's theological books, and took basically all of them. It makes me happy that a large chunk of my early theological library comes from him, and my Grandma said he would be so pleased I had them. I also took boatloads of thread from my Grandma's sewing stash, and I won't have to buy colored thread for years. I love that I'll have some of her things, including beautiful fabric bought in China, to work with and create out of. I like that she and I have that in common. Altogether, it was a busy, but worthwhile week, and a good way to spend my accidental week off.
We came home on Thursday, so that I could jump on a plane to Orlando the next morning. I went to Orlando to attend Silas' sister's wedding. It was the first time I saw Silas since early this Feburary, so I was thoroughly excited about the trip. I had a bit of a confusing time getting out of the Orlando airport, but I made it. Silas and I, as well as his family, had a good but full weekend. We had a large rehersal dinner the night I got in, full of people I didn't know. They were all nice, though, and it was an enjoyable evening. The day of the Wedding, Silas and I went out on a trip to pick up the flowers, which was some nice time together, and then the wedding was in a garden in the afternoon. It was quite hot, and I did not envy the men in suits, but the wedding was beautiful. The reception was also lovely, and there were a couple of songs Silas and I could dance to. After the whirlwind two days, we got up the next morning and Silas' parents took me to one airport and Silas to another to head to our respective homes. It was a great visit, but I'll be heading to Oklahoma City for a less rushed visit as soon as I can.
Finally today, I began my summer of CPE. Today was just general orientation, so it was actually a bit boring, but there was another student who had to start late, so we sat together and got to know each other, and we had lunch with the whole group and Leo, our supervisor. My CPE class is made up of five women, and I am the youngest one. We got along together well at lunch, and I think it'll be a good group to work with over the summer. I'm especially looking forward to tomorrow, when I'll find out more about what I'm going to be doing specifically.
Tonight I made sure to take care of myself by taking myself to a yoga class at the studio I have a membership at for the summer. It was wonderful, and I have a feeling I'll really appreciate those as I get more into the fullness of CPE. It's nice to have a studio to practice at so I actually do it, and so I have good teachers to correct my form.
After some interesting trips, my summer is finally really starting, and I think it will be wonderful and full of learning. I'll probably be more sporadic here than I am in the school year, but I'll keep writing when I can.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Half Here Half There
It is almost the very end of the semester today. I have two classes left to attend and two finals to take. One is two 3-page papers and the other is a test with a few short answers on it, so it should be pretty doable, and I expect I'll be done tomorrow afternoon.
It is exciting to be nearly done, as I'm looking forward to a break from academia. I love school, but there's a reason we get two weeks off every semester here, and it's so we don't go crazy. I'm really looking forward to this summer with all that being home and doing CPE will bring me. I know it will be hard at times, but I will be encountering different challenges there than I do here, and I am sure I will grow in new ways and new directions. And it will be really great to get to spend some time at home. I love Ohio, especially our winters here, but I will always love Texas as my home and I'm looking forward to being back.
This week has been full of finishing things up and getting ready for commencement. It's kind of funny to be as involved in commencement as I am, since I'm only finishing my first year, but I am excited to be a part of it. I made a practice loaf of gluten free bread, which is what we'll use at commencement worship, and it turned out great. I love baking, and it's interesting to see what goes into baking gluten free. I'll be making the bread for actual commencement later this week and I'll be helping to lead a worship walk-through on Friday. I'm really looking forward to that, as this will be the beginning of my job as sacristan. I'm still really excited about doing that next year full-time.
I assisted at my last service for this semester at All Saints yesterday, and it was a really great service. I'm really feeling settled in there and I'm looking forward to being a little more involved over the whole school year next year. I'm starting to get to know people there and they're starting to recognize me as their MIC student as they see me assisting more often. I'm glad I ended up there, even if my first month or so was a bit difficult since things kept happening to keep me away or make me late for church (crashing my car was definitely one of those things)
Last Thursday, Kaeleigh, Ben, and I drove down to Cincinnati (Ben drove, which is good, because I slept) and we watched our friend Paul profess his vows and become a professed member of his monastic order. It was really great to be able to be there for that and to see Paul take this big step in his own spiritual life. We had dinner with them before heading back home, and it was a really great time. We also spent the drive down there listening to themes from Bond movies and the way back listening to ABBA, so it was certainly an interesting car trip.
Now that I am so close to going home, I'm getting everything ready to go as well as finishing my finals. I bought a crate for George and it's sitting out in my bedroom so he can get used to it. He's already spent a bit of time inside it, which is a good sign. I'm hoping he's a good travel passenger. I'm still working on packing, mostly in my head, and hopefully I'll get everything together in the next couple of days. I might still be packing a bit when my mom gets here on Thursday.
I'm definitely looking forward to having my mom here for the weekend and driving back with her. I'm going to take her to common meal, which is a weird food potluck this week, and then she'll have to hang around with me while I work on commencement stuff. Then we'll pack up and ship out on Sunday and take two days to get home. It will be a fun drive, even if it is long, because my mom and I get on well together and make road trips fun.
Now I am off to finish my finals while I'm working at the library, so I can finish packing while I'm home. To all my Abiding Grace family - I'll see you soon.
Kathryn
It is exciting to be nearly done, as I'm looking forward to a break from academia. I love school, but there's a reason we get two weeks off every semester here, and it's so we don't go crazy. I'm really looking forward to this summer with all that being home and doing CPE will bring me. I know it will be hard at times, but I will be encountering different challenges there than I do here, and I am sure I will grow in new ways and new directions. And it will be really great to get to spend some time at home. I love Ohio, especially our winters here, but I will always love Texas as my home and I'm looking forward to being back.
This week has been full of finishing things up and getting ready for commencement. It's kind of funny to be as involved in commencement as I am, since I'm only finishing my first year, but I am excited to be a part of it. I made a practice loaf of gluten free bread, which is what we'll use at commencement worship, and it turned out great. I love baking, and it's interesting to see what goes into baking gluten free. I'll be making the bread for actual commencement later this week and I'll be helping to lead a worship walk-through on Friday. I'm really looking forward to that, as this will be the beginning of my job as sacristan. I'm still really excited about doing that next year full-time.
I assisted at my last service for this semester at All Saints yesterday, and it was a really great service. I'm really feeling settled in there and I'm looking forward to being a little more involved over the whole school year next year. I'm starting to get to know people there and they're starting to recognize me as their MIC student as they see me assisting more often. I'm glad I ended up there, even if my first month or so was a bit difficult since things kept happening to keep me away or make me late for church (crashing my car was definitely one of those things)
Last Thursday, Kaeleigh, Ben, and I drove down to Cincinnati (Ben drove, which is good, because I slept) and we watched our friend Paul profess his vows and become a professed member of his monastic order. It was really great to be able to be there for that and to see Paul take this big step in his own spiritual life. We had dinner with them before heading back home, and it was a really great time. We also spent the drive down there listening to themes from Bond movies and the way back listening to ABBA, so it was certainly an interesting car trip.
Now that I am so close to going home, I'm getting everything ready to go as well as finishing my finals. I bought a crate for George and it's sitting out in my bedroom so he can get used to it. He's already spent a bit of time inside it, which is a good sign. I'm hoping he's a good travel passenger. I'm still working on packing, mostly in my head, and hopefully I'll get everything together in the next couple of days. I might still be packing a bit when my mom gets here on Thursday.
I'm definitely looking forward to having my mom here for the weekend and driving back with her. I'm going to take her to common meal, which is a weird food potluck this week, and then she'll have to hang around with me while I work on commencement stuff. Then we'll pack up and ship out on Sunday and take two days to get home. It will be a fun drive, even if it is long, because my mom and I get on well together and make road trips fun.
Now I am off to finish my finals while I'm working at the library, so I can finish packing while I'm home. To all my Abiding Grace family - I'll see you soon.
Kathryn
Monday, February 17, 2014
The Middle of February Already?
So this past week and a half has seriously thrown me for a loop, and I'm just now starting to get myself re-settled.
Silas came in as expected, and after learning what it truly means to dig your car out of a parking spot, I picked him up at the airport. We had a fantastic weekend, celebrating Valentines day a week early and running around Columbus. We went to a distillery and an art museum, which were both fantastic.
Unfortunately, that same weekend, I was getting news from my mom that my grandfather was not doing well at all. On Sunday I was sitting with Silas and I got the phone call from my mom saying that he was in heaven. It was very sad, and I was very glad I had someone with me at the time to hug. After I sent Silas back to Oklahoma on Monday, I had to immediately start getting ready to get myself to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
I flew out Tuesday, spending all my time reading and trying to keep up with my schoolwork, since I was basically going to miss an entire week of school, and made it to Tulsa with no issues. It was wonderful to be with all my family, despite the sad occasion. I was asked to speak at Grandpa's funeral, and I felt quite honored to be able to share some memories with all those who came to honor my Grandpa. Silas was able to come up Wednesday evening and spend some time with my family too, which was wonderful.
Thursday I spent most of the day heading back, and then I spent the weekend getting myself and my schedule sorted out and dealing with my new cold. I'm feeling pretty well caught up and settled in, but we'll see how tomorrow goes (Tuesdays are my marathon days where I have class literally all day). I am truly enjoying all my classes so far, but there are a couple that I haven't been to and will get a feel for tomorrow. The reading level this semester is bordering on ridiculous, so I'm working on my speed reading as well as my triaging. Grad school will keep me busy, but I'm learning fantastic stuff, that I hope to keep using the rest of my life.
That's about all I have going on at the moment, but that's probably enough, right? My birthday is coming up, and I think I'll be hanging out with a couple of friends to celebrate my 23rd. It should be lovely. I can't believe how far I am into the month already - I've been off on my time all this past week. Hopefully a relatively normal week will get me re-sorted.
Rather than snowing, today we got ice here, so we'll see how walking to school goes tomorrow. I hope the weather is better wherever you are.
Peace,
Kathryn
Silas came in as expected, and after learning what it truly means to dig your car out of a parking spot, I picked him up at the airport. We had a fantastic weekend, celebrating Valentines day a week early and running around Columbus. We went to a distillery and an art museum, which were both fantastic.
Unfortunately, that same weekend, I was getting news from my mom that my grandfather was not doing well at all. On Sunday I was sitting with Silas and I got the phone call from my mom saying that he was in heaven. It was very sad, and I was very glad I had someone with me at the time to hug. After I sent Silas back to Oklahoma on Monday, I had to immediately start getting ready to get myself to Oklahoma on Tuesday.
I flew out Tuesday, spending all my time reading and trying to keep up with my schoolwork, since I was basically going to miss an entire week of school, and made it to Tulsa with no issues. It was wonderful to be with all my family, despite the sad occasion. I was asked to speak at Grandpa's funeral, and I felt quite honored to be able to share some memories with all those who came to honor my Grandpa. Silas was able to come up Wednesday evening and spend some time with my family too, which was wonderful.
Thursday I spent most of the day heading back, and then I spent the weekend getting myself and my schedule sorted out and dealing with my new cold. I'm feeling pretty well caught up and settled in, but we'll see how tomorrow goes (Tuesdays are my marathon days where I have class literally all day). I am truly enjoying all my classes so far, but there are a couple that I haven't been to and will get a feel for tomorrow. The reading level this semester is bordering on ridiculous, so I'm working on my speed reading as well as my triaging. Grad school will keep me busy, but I'm learning fantastic stuff, that I hope to keep using the rest of my life.
That's about all I have going on at the moment, but that's probably enough, right? My birthday is coming up, and I think I'll be hanging out with a couple of friends to celebrate my 23rd. It should be lovely. I can't believe how far I am into the month already - I've been off on my time all this past week. Hopefully a relatively normal week will get me re-sorted.
Rather than snowing, today we got ice here, so we'll see how walking to school goes tomorrow. I hope the weather is better wherever you are.
Peace,
Kathryn
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