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Update

2008-12-30T01:03:00.000-08:00

Relief. I am so glad that this semester is over. These past few months have definitely been a test of my intelligence, time management, and sanity. It’s a miracle that I came out alive but it’s also a miracle that I often found time to procrastinate.

So much has happened and yet so little of it feels noteworthy.
----I’m done at NIC
----I passed my ICLAs, which means I’m one step closer to teaching.
----I realized that I could potentially be teaching in a classroom before I turn 23. That is amazing yet ridiculously scary to me at the same time.
----I found a job that I truly love. I’m working at Atlas Elementary in an after-school program. It’s so entertaining and the kids are amazing.

Boston for Thanksgiving was amazing. I wish I could have had more time there. We did so much and yet nothing at the same time. It was nice to spend time with just Rachel and Peter without the hovering craziness of our mothers (which we couldn’t escape over Christmas break). We cheated and pre-ordered a dinner from Whole Foods. It was nice to not have to worry about food poisoning for our first Thanksgiving dinner on our own. Shopping on Newbury Street was amazing but what I really loved was seeing some of the rich history that Boston holds. The Nutcracker put on by the Boston Ballet was absolutely phenomenal. We walked around for an entire day and saw downtown Boston, Faneuil Hall, the Holocaust Memorial, and had dinner at a tiny Italian Restaurant on the North end. We then braved the crowd at Mike’s Pastries so I could get some delicious tiramisu. I’ll post some pictures from my trip at the end of this blog.
Some highlights: Cabo Wabo and revisiting Spring Break, The Nutcracker, Hunting Peter, Crab Cakes, Mike’s Pastries, Newbury Street, Disney Charades, and movie nights.

I am so excited to start 2009. Fresh and new. Fresh and new. That’s what I keep telling myself. I feel like my life and who I am and the direction I’m heading is so different and so much better than what I could have imagined a year ago. I’m still working on myself everyday and working on being a better person for myself. And knowing that I’m doing this for myself is empowering.
I promise that I’ll be updating more. Because this semester I’ll actually have time to breathe.

Boston:

Thanksgiving Dinner

Boston Ballet

Faneuil Hall

mmmm…the best Tiramisu I’ve ever had.

Downtown Boston

Spring Break revisited.

He Blends right in.

Hysterics.

2008-12-08T22:22:00.000-08:00

I am probably clinically insane right now. This is by far the most stressful end to a semester I've ever experienced. I promise that after this dies down next week I will write a proper blog to update all of you on Boston/my life/everything that is going on in my brain. But for now I'll leave you with this:

"I feel like I could write a eulogy for a paper clip".

I just texted that to Kaleigh.

Anyone have a good number for a shrink?

This just heard....

2008-11-18T14:59:00.000-08:00

"Yeah, well I've thought about moving to Canada ever since Osama Bin Laden was elected President."

Wow. I am kind of crying I'm laughing so hard.....Really?

Blogworthy

2008-11-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

So I haven't written anything for a while, mostly because I've been busy and also because I've felt that there hasn't been anything that I've felt the need to write down. But this...this is amazing.

Blessed

2008-10-14T21:05:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months I have been truly blessed with new people coming into my life. Linda and George are two of the nicest, caring, and kindest people I have met and lucky for me they entrust me with the care of their 21 month old son, Kyle. Being able to care and play with him has been a Godsend and I enjoy every minute I get to spend with this adorable little boy. So because I enjoy bragging I thought I'd show off Kyle and what a great kid he really is.

This is Kyle

Besides being the most adorable little boy in the world he is actively involved in many things

Such as:

Being a friend to animals (of the stuffed variety)

Pulling weeds that creep up on the Enos' beach

Reading chapter books

and last but not least, rocking the shades.

He truly is a wonderful little boy and I'm so excited because I get to watch him ALL weekend. I'm very excited.

Short Rant...

2008-10-02T18:08:00.000-07:00

Someone told me today that they're not voting for Obama because "Obama hates America."

WHAT?

Seriously? If he hated America, why would he waste his time running for President of the United States?

I don't want an "Average Joe Six Pack" in the White House as VP.

Fear, Manifested?

2008-09-23T20:33:00.000-07:00

I’m utterly and uselessly afraid.

Of being alone.

Even though I joke about it I don’t find it funny.

Ridiculous, I know. But that’s not it. I fear being alone, misused, misjudged, misguided, misunderstood and miserable.

Don’t get me wrong. I cherish my alone time. Time to lounge and curl up with a good book, or just sit and clear my head.

It’s more the fear of truly being alone, forgotten and deserted. Where the heck did this come from? It strikes me though that all these fears that come from within are affected by the people around me. Which is just crazy. I’m constantly and consistently surrounded by the most amazing and inspiring people. So where the heck did this come from?

It’s not you it’s me.

Confidence. That’s what I need to have. I feel it slowly trickling back to me. Day by day it’s getting stronger and these crazy thoughts are getting pushed back in my mind further and further. But I can’t help the nagging feeling that they’re still there.

Anyone want to help me pay for psychiatric help?

I miss it. I miss that little girl I once knew. She was confident and slightly cocky. She didn’t care what other people thought. She was just she. She was me.

Irrational. The only word I can think of to describe my current state of mind. Why can’t I just let things BE? Be happy. Know that things will change. Remember that life is amazing, beautiful. A gift. Live it to its fulfillment. LET GO. The best is yet to come.

Now.

I had all these thoughts built up in my head. Then I decided to brush my teeth and they all fell out. Come back. Please?

I’ve been straying lately. Making excuses. Saying I don’t have the time. Why not? Really? I just read an entire novel. More ridiculousness. Make time. Make room. There’s always time. He’s always there to listen.

Pray.

“Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love us in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.”
Those are some big shoes to fill. Love like that and learn to let go.

Live. Laugh. Love.

Erika

Exhaustion

2008-09-02T23:09:00.000-07:00

Really. What am I doing posting when I should be sleeping? Or reading for Ed. Or homework for Chem. Or posting for one of my three online classes [I already have GREAT stories about crazies].

This semester is already getting hard and the worst is yet to come. I just have to keep telling myself that if I get through these 21 credits I can have more time off next semester.

Is student teaching here yet?

Besides the stress of school I am completely and utterly happy and content. I have the most amazing friends and family a girl could ask for. I have a job [that is boring but easy] and I have the privilege of babysitting an adorable 20 month old little boy named Kyle. I don't think life could get any better right now.

I feel like Charlotte in the Sex and the City movie. Waiting for something bad to happen. Except for the fact that I haven't crapped my pants in Mexico this year.

If you haven't seen that movie you probably think I'm crazy.

Or you probably do anyways.

Live. Laugh. Love.
Erika

I figured...

2008-08-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

...That it was probably time for me to post another blog. At least while I have a lull between reading for class, going to class, working, cleaning, and arguing with anti-feminists in my online sociology class.

Actually this is me pretending that I don't have massive amounts of unpacking, homework, reading and probably more important things I could be doing. Oh well.

Speaking of unpacking I'm proud to say that my parents are now officially homeowners. That's right I now am fulfilling the prophecy that I made about dying alone in my parents' basement (the room is a lovely color though so that's not too bad). Oh well it's rent free and only temporary. However it is a perfect house and everything that they were looking and hoping for. Pretty much a dream come true. All it's missing is the cherries and whipped cream on top. MMMM whipped cream.

I am now currently a full time student at NIC. While the campus is less than ideal I just always have to tell myself that it's only for one semester and at least I'm not stuck living in Moscow. NIC really isn't all that different from your University campus setting and I'll give you a few reasons to prove that point:

1) There are still those people who think that it's a good idea to stop walking in the middle of a doorway. Or even better, the stairs. Don't worry your pretty little head. The rest of the world will wait while you have a conversation with your significant other about who left the toilet seat up.

2) You know that douchbaggy guy who drives around a campus filled with pedestrians at breakneck speeds while listening to music so loud that you know his ears just HAVE to be bleeding? Yeah, he's here too.

3) There's still that one professor that reminds you of someone crazy. In my case my Chemistry professor reminds me of what would happen if Rainman and the Joker had a baby. Picture that one.

4) Those annoying people who talk in class when they don't have anything valid or important to say. They're multiplying and getting dumber every semester. It's a worldwide phenomenon.

5) I have yet to see a girl named Kaleigh Marie Enos roaming around this new campus which still makes me sad. I miss her lots.

6) How about the creepy van that rolls around campus every day? You know, the one that is being driven by the Grizzy Adams looking guy wearing a fake leather jacket that makes you want to tell all the kids in the neighborhood to "GET OUT". I bet there's one on your campus.

Other than those few things that I expected to happen with my transition I just have to say that I absolutely love the area I live in now. I think it's perfect and really fits the saying "there's no place like home."

Live. Laugh. Love.
Erika

One of the many reasons why I love Starbucks

2008-08-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

I love love love coffee. I drink it like it's going out of style. It's bad. I was probably meant to be a six foot five basketball star but coffee has stunted my growth. Oh no.

Anyways, I look forward to getting a hot coffee at Starbucks not only for the delicious taste of coffee but for their "The Way I See It" prints on the back of their cups.

So I found this one. It's amazing. Read it.

It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.
-- Bill MillikenFounder and vice chairman of Communities in Schools, author of Tough Love and The Last Dropout.

That's all.

Love.
Erika

Craigslist

2008-08-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

I find Craigslist to be one of the most hilarious and innovative websites on the internet. It pretty much sucks you in and monopolizes your time if you're just surfing the web (yeah it's 11pm and I MEANT to go to bed an hour ago). So after looking at it for over an hour I just felt compelled to make some obvious (I guess not obvious for those who actually post this stuff) observations about what people are trying to "sell".

1. Personal ads. Oh boy. These are by far the most hilarious to look at. Just a small piece of advice. You're probably not going to find "the one" if you post multiple pictures of yourself flipping the camera off and saying "I'm in collage right now....looking to go out for the night when I'm done studing." Seriously? I think that I would suggest just taking the night off and learning the basics of spelling. Or going out with a 3rd grade teacher.

2. No. I do not want to buy your 20 year old sectional couch that has been puked on, peed on, and has an ominous looking stain on every couch cushion and is selling for a "mere $200"

3. Swearing actually doesn't get your point across better. However it does effectively make you look like a HUGE tool.

4. I'm pretty sure that selling something for more than people buy it when it's brand new isn't going to get you far. Just a thought.

5. I don't think people are desperate enough to ride in the back of your creepy van just so they can get a free ride and $10.00 discount on Silverwood tickets. Sorry.

6. WRITING EVERYTHING IN CAPS hurts the eyes and makes me feel like you're shouting. I don't need to be yelled today.

7. Uatnoupiagi = Using acronyms that no one understands probably isn't a good idea.

8. The title "food specialist" should not be used to describe a full time job as a drive-through clerk at the local Taco Bell.

9. It's probably a pretty good idea to write down your phone number or e-mail address if you post something that says "contact me if interested."

10. If you're posting a house ad that says "All I need is a fresh coat of paint" and yet your pictures show giant holes in the walls I don't think that's a very good sign.

Wow. I've wasted way too much time. I've actually turned into one of those people who ENJOY blogging. Yuck.

God bless,
Erika

Insanity

2008-08-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

So after 754 pages, 10 hours and 2 energy drinks later I've finally finished Breaking Dawn.

As Kaleigh so eloquently stated, "Are you freaking kidding me?! You're ridiculous. Have you even slept?"

Nope.

So goodnight.

Hello world, it's me

2008-07-29T22:29:00.000-07:00

The purpose of this blog for me was connect to my friends (yes I have them) write down thoughts, feelings, ideas and everyday happenings in my life. It seems since I typed my tiny e-mail address into the computer a brick wall went up in my brain and all my words started to fail me.

I really don't have much to say except that yes, I am alive and no, I did not create this blog just to be creepy and stalk people's pages (really makes you think about where all those profile views came from now right?).

Amazing changes, growths and experiences have been happening this summer all from the little town of Post Falls. Hopefully I will eventually be able to find somewhat eloquent words to express exactly what is going on.

One thing I can find the words for is a huge change that happened just last week. My parents bought a house. It all happened so fast. One day they had a Realtor, the next day (literally) they looked at houses, put in an offer and signed on the dotted line. I can't even begin to express how happy I am for my parents. All that they've struggled through and sacrificed throughout the past three years seems like it has an end (more about that later). This house truly is a Godsend and could not have come at a better time. 17 days until we move in.

Our new home.

Take care and God Bless.
Erika

P.S. I am so excited for my Moscow visit and to see little Olivia, Kathleen, Ashley, Brad and Joel!