home sweet home

Well I am finally back in Btown to stay.  I had a truly wonderful summer in Iowa.  The work was really enjoyable and I made so many great friends!  Going down to Iowa City reminded me a lot of Btown so that was awesome.  I was able to make a couple treks to Alpine Valley to see a night of Phish and 2 nights of DMB.  I also saw DMB twice at Deer Creek bring my total shows to 21.  I may be slightly obsessed.

I just spent a week at Cape Cod hanging with my relatives and had a blast.  There was way too much drinking and delicious food, but it was well worth it.  The highlight may have been the drunken Canadian ladies my uncle, brother, and I entertained one night.  Lets just say they like to party haha.

Well, it had been a while, but thats what I have for now.  A few weeks to relax before classes start is just what I need.....

Iowa's not too shabby

Well its been 3 weeks and I have to say that I am really enjoying myself.  I am doing a ton of manual labor, which I love.  The people I get to work with are awesome and I have definitely made a lot of friends.  We hang out a lot outside of work which is really cool.  

The weather here reminds me so much of Indiana.  Hot, humid, and T-storms are common as can be.  I do miss Btown and all my friends a lot, but this is definitely good for me.

I went to see Phish last weekend in Wisconsin which was awesome!  I had seen them twice before and they truly know how to perform.  Looking forward to some Dave shows later in the summer.

Well, I'm at the laundromat and its time to put things in the dryer.  Peace.

new beginnings

Well, I just arrived in Cedar Rapids a few hours ago.  Things have already been a bit interesting.  I was stuck outside my apartment for nearly 2 hours trying to get a hold my landlord to let me in.  He finally showed up and was a bit confused as to who I was.  I explained to him that he had cashed my $300 security deposit check a few days earlier and that he should know exactly who I am.  Upon entry to the apartment, I was shocked to find out that it was unfurnished.  I guess that explains the $200/month rent.  So needless to say I have made a few Walmart runs and will undoubtedly be back for more.  I picked myself up a blow-up mattress and its pretty comfy so no complaints.  I will definitely be living modestly these next 8 weeks, but it should be good.

Almost forgot, I was under the impression that I was living in a 4 bedroom place, but with 2 of the rooms being empty.  Well, I have 2 other roommates I wasn't anticipating having but I think its gonna be great.  One of the guys is doing a similar program to me and also loves to cook so I may actually live somewhat healthy this summer.  With there not being a lot to do around here I think I'm gonna try to get in decent shape, but we'll see about that....

I can't forget to mention that I just had a great time in Chicago prior to making it to Iowa.  Went to a Sox game and got to hang with my good buddy Foster.  Came home yesterday to play one final 11v11 soccer match which was fun.  Then, of course, I made it to the Bluebird one final time (well, until august).  The bartenders there will miss me the next 8 weeks.

Ok, I'm tired.... 

time for a break...

Well, the semester ended a lot better than I was anticipating.  Still pulled a 3.5 which I was relieved about.  I was really stressed out the last few weeks of class so it was nice to end strongly.

In addition to everything school related, I was also having to deal with planning the summer Y'ALL trip.  We took a small group (by our standards) of 26 people down to Long Beach, MS for 4 full days of work and fun.  We stayed at a place called Camp Coast Care, and things ran pretty smoothly.  We often have to deal with the issue of religion on these trips because generally speaking the organizations that house volunteers tend to be churches.  Y'ALL is a secular organization and most places we stay are totally understanding.  However, they still will often do prayers and the lot, but its really not a huge deal.  I just sit there respectfully because its not something that really offends me even if I don't believe in what is being preached.  Regardless, the trip was a success and I met a lot of great people and I think the future of Y'ALL is promising.

So I officially accepted the AmeriCorps position in Iowa.  I start in less than 3 weeks and am starting to get pretty excited about it.  Also, the Red Cross position in DC that I had interviewed for over a month ago finally told me they hired someone else.  I'm not bitter about not getting the position, but the time it took them to get back to me kinda pisses me off.

Anyways, the next few week I'm gonna have some fun.  My only real responsibility is coaching my soccer team.  I'm gonna make a trip to Indy and probably Chicago as well.  Hopefully I'll find time for a show or two as well....

busy busy busy

It has been an intense couple of weeks.  The next 7 days aren't any easier, but I'm glad the finish line is in sight.  It will be nice to have a break for a few weeks before I start summer work.

More than likely I will be in Iowa, however, there is still a chance I could be in DC.  Either way I'll be happy to get out of Btown for a little bit.

Well, I just wanted to write a little bit because its been a while.  I need to have a productive weekend of studying so I'm gonna get to that......

almost there...

I am so ready for this semester to be over.  I just feel drained and want a break.  Just a couple more weeks though.

I'm sitting in the Union collecting trip fees and forms for the Summer Y'ALL trip.  So far numbers aren't looking good, but I think we'll get there.  We just might need to do a little more promotion I suppose.

I am still trying to finalize my summer plans.  I am still waiting to hear back from both the Red Cross in D.C. and the AmeriCorps position in Iowa.  Hopefully one of those will pan out.  

So I had an awesome birthday last week.  I think.  Well thats what people are telling me who were there.  I got to see my buddy's bluegrass band so that was really fun.  Speaking of music, I am going to see Wilco tonight at the Auditorium.  It should be a good show so I am looking forward to it.

Well, I'm gonna go.  I'm so sleepy and I don't know when I'll have time to catch up on sleep.  Actually, I am probably going to take one of my world famous naps this afternoon before coaching.  Ok, I'm out.......

quarter-life crisis...

As I've mentioned previously, I haven't been very good about the whole internship search. However, the past week has been pretty good to me.  I had a preliminary interview last Friday with the American Red Cross in DC.  Today I had my second interview and was told that I was one of 5 people being considered (There were initially like 20-25 people).  I thought the interview went well so I should know by the end of the week.  Additionally, I was contacted about a summer AmeriCorps position in Iowa.  I still need to set up an official interview time.  I feel a lot more confident about being selected for that position, and it certainly wouldn't be a bad backup by any means.  I'm still holding out on FEMA to post their summer positions, but is it really a surprise that they're a little slow....

So I seriously can't believe that I turn 25 this week.  I don't feel that old.  I don't even really want to talk about it.  I'll just hang out with older people to remind myself that it could be worse....

Ok, time for bed.  I need to meet with my advisors tomorrow (today now) about my schedule for next semester....