Welcome to the Midwest

When the pastor held up his parking ticket this morning I knew exactly where he was going. I don't remember exactly what he was illustrating, but I'd seen the ticket before.

After I quit my first job this summer, and was unemployed for a while, I had a lot on my mind. I was running around and doing a lot of work around my house, but always thinking about other things. One hot, sticky July day I decided to go downtown to look for a gift for my nephew's birthday. I ran into the 10,000 villages store for just a few minutes, and by the time I returned I realized I'd forgotten about the parking meters. I was cursing myself as I grabbed the yellow ticket envelope, thinking I really didn't need to be spending 15 or 20 dollars on a parking ticket while I didn't have a job. It turned out the ticket was only 5 dollars, a welcome surprise.

So when my new colleague and I ran overtime at the library, I told her not to worry too much, that the parking ticket was only 5 bucks. But, as she opened it up, it turned out it was free, and included a note that said something like this...Welcome to our city. Since you're a visitor, we extend a cordial welcome, and we're waiving the parking fee. We hope you enjoy your time here...and then on the back there's a list of places to visit here.

And that was the same ticket the pastor had this morning, since he's a recent transplant too. Only in Sioux Falls are we so nice that we encourage visitors to park illegally for a short amount of time. I guess I just changed my plates too quickly.

Do you Netflix? Wanna be my friend?

Christmas Eve 2007

So none of ya'll are online to play Scrabulous with me. I don't blame you--it seems like all over the neighborhood people are partying with the fams. The neighbors across the street even scooped their front walk to set up flickering candles in paper bags, just to make it look more festive.

But my family has never really been one to do anything on the real holidays except get bored with one another. We usually have a Christmas party the week before, and then often take a vacation over the real holiday. This year that vacation will be in January, and the rents are gone, so it's me and the kitty parade for the holiday.

With a whole day and a half off, I've been trying to think about what to do. I feel like I need a project. If I don't have something that I'm doing or accomplishing on a break, I usually waste time on the internet or watching tv or something. I haven't found a project yet for this break, though laundry is sort of a need.

Anyway, lately I've been thinking about trying to write more, so maybe that can be a project. To be honest, I'm not really sure where to start. I really like to write, and some friends have been encouraging me to do it more, but other than this blog I'm not sure how/where to start. My friends who encouraged it would probably say just do it, and don't worry about what it's for. That's tough for me. But if I put myself in teacher mode, just doing it sounds like a good idea. We shall see. I'm not really looking for any results, just maybe enjoyment.

So that's random, but it's Christmas Eve. There's not really anything open, and the only movie I want to see, Juno, is not yet playing here, surprise, surprise. So maybe some reading tonight (I'm getting into the Poisonwood Bible again), maybe some laundry, and if I think of something to do, a project. If I don't think of anything, the project may be finishing off the leftover alcohol from last night. Mmmmm, Christmas Eve.

Bull

I don't buy it. There was an article in the paper this morning about how South Dakotans are having fewer children, and waiting longer to have the ones they do want. In my experience, that's bull. Actually, my experience has been quite the opposite. I can't go anywhere without being surrounded by other people's children. And being asked why I'm not married and don't have babies of my own, as if being 28 and single is spinster city.

I've got nothing against other people having babies. Go for it, reproduce with great happiness. But don't try to tell me that Sioux Falls is a city lacking children. You can't go out for dinner or to a store without some ankle biter (not your child of course, dear readers) pushing you out of their way while they run to pull a dog's tail or something.

There is also an abundance of what I've started to call circus families at church. You know who I mean. It's the family whose children are free to roll around on the pews, smoosh fruit snacks into the padded seats, and generally cause unfettered chaos. Just last week I sat next to one such family whose children had to leave the pew no fewer than four times to get toys, go to the bathroom, and do any number of other things.

So basically, the paper is wrong. There is not a lack of children, only a lack of children on leashes.

PS--To all of my friends who have babies, your children are and always will be perfect, along with my nephews, and I will always love them unconditionally. :)

Saturday Morning

I love Saturday mornings. Here's how it usually goes. Sleep in, make coffee, maybe heat up the oven to make cinnamon rolls, and then watch The Soup. Today's episode was a countdown, the best clips of 2007, and I believe this video of Nathaniel is the best ever.

What!?!?!?!?

If you live in Iowa, and don't go to the caucuses, shame on you. I'm listening to an NPR story right now about how many people actually go to the caucuses, and it's around six or seven percent.

Six or seven percent? And you are the first, and get to really matter in the voting process?????? What's going on?

(Can I go to the caucus for you?)

I take it back...

I have been bitching and moaning to anyone who will listen about how disappointing it is to not be able to vote and make a difference in the primaries, being the last state in the nation to hold primaries. I take it back. It looks like we may be voting on abortion again next year...

I just found these

It's Saturday night, which means...well, nothing, really. It's kind of like any other night for me, but maybe with more wine or gin and tonics. Oh, and more free time which means more blog posting. So if you're spending your Saturday night on the internet too, read on!

I was checking out Dave's photos of Thanksgiving, and came across a couple that made me laugh.In this photo John must have just said something that made me and David laugh so hard our eyes are closed and we're posed in completely symmetrical positions...
And Donna had this look on her face. I'll bet he was talking about Guns and Ammo.

Love ya John and Donna!

Thanks, but who are you?

Is it bad to say that to me all 60ish, white-haired ladies look the same?

This 60ish white-haired lady, driven in a minivan by her husband, just pulled up on the driveway, waved at me through the window, and when I opened the door handed me homemade chocolates and said "Merry Christmas!" I said "Thank you!" and closed the door.

I have no idea who she was.

I kept watching, thinking maybe it was a neighbor from across the street. I just joined the church they belong to, and thought maybe it was a welcome to the fold Christmas gift. I had it all figured out when the van pulled into their driveway.

Then it pulled out again, after probably dropping off a similar present. So, probably she was from church?

sermonless

I went to Covenant last night, a place that gives me such a sense of peace. They've been doing a series of topical worship services, at least the last few times I've been there at night. The last time I was there was agriculture, which I didn't really get into. I've had enough Wendell Berry.

Last night was work. Since I am newly employed, it had me thinking a lot. It wasn't like there was anything new said, but the presentation caught me. There were some thoughts read by congregation members on the topic of business, a slide show of some people and their businesses, and a couple of professors talking about what Christian business is.

Then Pastor Herm got up there, and didn't give a sermon. That's one of the things I appreciate about him--knowing when to be silent. He said he didn't think we needed a sermon, and I agreed.

I'd been thinking about my work a lot lately. Not just in the sense of being busy with it, but somewhat broader. The parent company I work for is a government contractor, probably involved in things I would strongly disagree with. But, the clientele I work with desperately needs someone to believe in them. It's a strange tension for me. But, if I've really heard anything from Pastor Herm, it's that doubt and tension are ok, good even. So I'm okay with it.

'Tis Winter

It is most definitely winter here in South Dakota. I was thrilled to have the grey everything covered by the white, until the white became gray with exhaust and general nastiness.

The picture is of last Saturday's snow storm, the first of the season. I was hunkered down all day, taking notes from the neighbors on how to scoop the driveway.

It seems simple, scooping the driveway. Except if you're mechanically challenged as I am. Anything that involves machines, even simples ones like levers and pullies generally baffles me, warranting a phone call to my mom that starts with "Okay, I've got another dumb question."

I really didn't think snow shoveling would be on this list. The day before the storm in the picture, we had received about 2 inches or so of snow. I was so excited that I wanted to try shoveling the drive. I got out there before work and used my new shovel to make long rows, up and down the driveway. It was easier than I thought, and went relatively quickly.

During Saturday's storm I watched some of the neighbors scoop their drives, even before the storm was over. I realized I'd been doing it all wrong. Instead of scooping up and down the long way, and hauling the snow the whole length of the drive, you're supposed to start in the middle, and shove it to the side. Lesson 1 learned.

A few of the neighbors were shoveling as it snowed, which I found utterly ridiculous. Wouldn't it be more efficient to wait until it was all over? No. Not if you value your back and muscles that won't hate you. I waited until Sunday morning when all was over and there was a thin layer of frozen rain on the top of the snow. Let's just say snow shoveling has been placed on the list of household chores I do not enjoy. Even so, it's still better than cleaning the gutters.

So winter is here, and for a few brief moments when the new snow has fallen and before the chores begin, I love it.

Thanksgiving

I've been thinking about what to say about Thanksgiving ever since I got on the plane to leave San Jose. The best I've come up with is that it felt like home.

First, everyone surprised me by coming to the airport and bringing a sign and balloons. It was the first time anyone had done that for me, and that was awesome. Here's an imitation picture of my reaction, since I was so shocked when it happened I think I put my hand up in front of my face.


Of course there was the big Thanksgiving meal, cooked beautifully by everyone, and hosted by Donna and John. It was hands down the best Thanksgiving meal so far, undoubtedly due to John and Donna's status as the best cooks/bakers/drinkmakers ever.
The day after Thanksgiving was spent with the amazing Jen and Brian. Jen was gracious enough to go to the mall with me, against her better judgment. Then we met up with Jen B. and took the light rail downtown to Christmas in the park. Here are a few light rail smiles:I got to wear baby Camille all the way to Christmas in the park. I totally "get" baby-wearing now. It was so cozy, and she's not even my baby. If I ever have a baby, I'm totally wearing it.

Camille had quite a few photo shoots at Christmas in the park, this one with mommy Jen.The day after Christmas in the park (I didn't really pay attention to the days of the week during vacation) I hung out with Donna and John. We stopped at the Salvation Army on our way to the wine store, and Donna found an animal (cat?) that might compete with Heather's crazy pilgrim squirrels as creepy animal for the Thanksgiving table.


Later we went to Bodyworlds at The Tech. Bodyworlds was cool, but not quite as shocking as I thought it would be. I do wonder how belly-buttons are attached now though... Since it was my first time (gasp!) at the Tech, we also partook of the other exhibits. Here is our model, John, sporting the lovely drunk goggles:

While you're wearing the drunk goggles you're supposed to try to walk a straight tape line on the floor. The trick, at least at the Tech, is to walk about 1 1/2 feet to the right. Keep that in mind if you're ever pulled over.

The night of the Tech visit we went to a wine-tasting party at Dave and Becky's. Here's a picture of them, though it's not from the wine party. We were far too busy tasting and rating cabernets to bother with pictures.


Then, sadly, I had to leave. It was hard to leave, but a policeman on a Segway in the San Jose airport made it somewhat better. It's hard to take a policeman seriously when he's riding a scooter, especially one as silly as a Segway.

You'll have to forgive the poor picture, but I thought it might look a wee bit suspect for me to be photographing law enforcement at the airport.

And that, my friends, was Thanksgiving 2007.

Evil Master Plan Committee Nominations

It looks like Ryan has decided to officially join the Evil Master Plan Committee. I'm going to go ahead and say that makes us co-chairs.

And I'm also going to take the liberty of creating a mission/vision statement:

The Midwest is Best: Get All Your Friends to Move Back Home!

Now it's time to elect more committee members. Since Ang and Ryan and I are the only ones back home so far (that I know of), I nominate Ang. I know she has experience on nominating committees before, and I think she'll do a great job.

Ryan, having passed the bar, can write our by-laws.

Anyone else want to join? All you have to do is move within 1 hour of me, Ryan, or Ang. Well, hopefully they'll be in the same place. :)

The Evil Thanksgiving Master Plan

Some of you have been asking if I'll be around for T-giving, and no, I will not. I'll be loving every minute of a trip to CA, hanging out with everyone and doing just a little shopping at stores I'd have to drive 4 hours to get to here.

Which brings me to my master plan, and one I think Ang and Ryan will soon be in on since they are moving home. (Thrilled, by the way!) The evil plan is this: to get all of our friends with roots here in the homeland to move back in the next 5 years or less. Then, we can all spend so much time together during the regular weeks that we can disperse and do fabulous trips out of the snow during the holidays. Wah hah hah haaaaaa! (evil laugh)

So, if you're one of those people with roots in the homeland, and Donna, you're now included due to your family's recent relocation, start planning!

a-dren-a-line

This week has been nuts! In a good way! Awesome but crazy!

I'm done with the exclamation points, but seriously, that's how I've felt all week. I've been LOVING the new job, with a few spots of overwhelmtion (my own word), but life has been moving about 150mph all week long. Of course then it's been hard to sleep, but yeah, I'm starting to get on top of it all.

Here's how much I like my job and feel like I'm accomplishing stuff--I don't want to take a lunch break. If I could magically ingest food while still typing and doing my work, I totally would.

I'm even working at night and liking it. Mostly cause I'm working on my work blog...it's fun.

Anyway, this is just SO different from teaching. The tasks maybe aren't night and day different, but the feeling of it is. I can do this job, and do it well. Rock on.

This is Weird

Today was my first real day in the office. Okay, so yeah, I was physically there before we left for training, but I wasn't doing any real work. Today was the first day of real work, which I was confident I knew how to do until I started doing it. It was a day of organizing and returning phone calls, scheduling appointments and outreach, and putting together chairs. Yes, putting together chairs.

Our work environment is interesting...we're in the building with the people whose jobs we took. We're just renting space, and that makes life, well, interesting is a diplomatic word for it. We did have chairs before we left for training, and today we didn't. So, the first task was to put together a chair from Staples. Despite my colleague and I wrestling it to screw the arms on, we couldn't make it work. This did not bode well for the rest of the day. Instead of spending an hour screwing an arm on a chair, then another hour or two assembling the second one, we wrestled them into the car and to Staples where for a mere $5 they put them together for us, AND deliver them back to the office. Whoo-hoo Staples!

Chair debacle behind us, I dug into work. And freaked out. Suddenly I was paralyzed by not knowing how to go about the tasks I thought I knew how to do. I called someone, messed it up big time, and desperately asked my colleague for help. She was amazing. She walked me through some processes, and even role-played. It was fun, and totally educational.

Then I got a phone call. It seems that some people and groups believe our program is a great dumping ground for kids. They make it mandatory for the kids to apply, despite their interest in the program or lack thereof. And boy, did I get a dumper on the phone. She was tough, and I wasn't sure how to deal with it.

I went home for lunch, feeling defeated. I ate my leftover naked chicken burrito and petted the kitties. As I got in the car to drive back, I started thinking about Schmells Bargo, and wondering if I shouldn't have just kept the easy job. I knew, even as I was thinking it that I would've hated being there long-term, and that the challenge was good for me. And here's where the title of this post comes in--As I was having those thoughts, pondering what work is for and my purpose in it, lo and behold I drive past a Dordt billboard. I know it's there, on my route to work, but my eye caught it and I had this vision of Gen 300 and task and calling.

Then I laughed out loud at myself. By the end of the work day, 5pm sharp according to the building manager, and no I'm not allowed to stay longer even if I have more work to do, I was feeling a little better organized and a little less overwhelmed. Then I went to the gym, turned the iPod up so loud the guy next to me probably had to listen to Eye of the Tiger too (it's motivating), and worked off the day's stress.

Did I mention how I won a bunch of things at training due to some knowledge and my unrelenting spirit of competition? There is a teamwork Successories mug on my desk to prove it.

Tomorrow is another day, and damn it I'm going to kick ass.

Photo/Word Help?

I have a question, and I'm wondering if any of my reader(s) can help. I have about 170 photos I'd like to put into a Word document, and later add text captions. I'm trying to figure out a way to automatically get 4 pictures on a page.

Is there a way to do it automatically, without having to insert each photo individually? I know I can just print them from iPhoto, but it's important that I can add text. I also have Photoshop Elements, if that helps.

Any ideas??

Learning

I'm back, after a very good, but tiring week in Rapid City. We had training every day, visited a JC center on Wed., and just generally crammed a lot of knowledge into our heads in a short period of time. I have to say that this training is the first job training where I've come out of it feeling like I know exactly how to do my job.

I also learned a lot this week. One of our goals is to recruit more Native Americans to JC. I don't have a good reason, but I never realized exactly how many reservations there are in SD. I was also completely unaware of the living conditions on them, and of the fact that the lowest income counties in the nation are right here in SD--on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

So I googled it, and found this photo essay. It's haunting.

I reserved some library books about Pine Ridge, hoping to understand better, and picked them up yesterday. I started reading the first, Keeping Heart on Pine Ridge, and
this is a paragraph from the first page:

People out there in the American world don't know how pitiful America's First Citizens really are. It's amazing how many of the alert, intelligent, open-minded, forward-thinking, well-intentioned, fortunate sons and daughters just two states away have no idea we're here.

It's true. I had no idea they were there. But now I do, and I'm learning.

I also found myself thinking for the first time ever the the military might be a good option for some students. When we were visiting the JC center we had the opportunity to talk with some kids, and I found myself wanting so badly for them to succeed. Looking at their situations, and for some of them their aptitude, the military started to look like hope. I had no idea I would ever feel that way. Now I do, and I'm learning.

This week was also the first week of the new members class at the church I'm attending (my church?). It's a Presbyterian church (PCUSA), not somewhere I thought I would be. I really didn't have any intention to leave the CRC, and I still love it, but it doesn't seem like a fit for me here. I don't want to go to church angry, and both of the CRCs here so far have made me feel pretty angry.

So the church I'm attending isn't where I thought I would be, but I like it. They just got a new pastor, and are going through a time of articulating (re-articulating?) their mission and purpose in the community. It's an encouraging place, and a place where I feel like I can get involved. And I like their worship service...it leaves me encouraged, not angry.

But I'm curious, and maybe my readers can help...are there big differences between the CRC and the PCUSA? I've tried to research it a bit, and it seems so far like mostly their positions on social issues, but I'd like to learn more. There's maybe less of a focus on sin in the PCUSA...

They did give me the Presbyterian Handbook, a tongue-in-cheek explanation of Presbyterianism. It gives three questions to ask of a salad you are bringing to a Presbyterian function. They are: 1) Is this dish mostly meat-free? 2) Can this dish be served with a spoon or salad tongs? 3) Can it be served chilled? If the answer is yes, it's a salad. :)

Does anyone know more about differences between the CRC and PCUSA denominations?

Training

Training so far has been great. It's amazing how really liking your job can make you feel like a different person.

So far we've learned all about the application process for JC, and since I'm nerdy and like the little things, I'm psyched about my new business cards. I also loved showing everyone the blog my officemate and I created for our team. I'd post a link, but I really don't want to have any sort of connection between that and my personal blog.

Today we're getting our laptops, my first Windows venture in a few years. Hopefully the learning curve isn't that high.

I'm not sure I'll get any Mt. Rushmore pics, but there is a giant waterpark in our hotel called WaTiki, whatever that means.

I'm off to more learning!

A Day in the Worklife

So far, after about a day and a half, I love my new job! I'm an Admissions Counselor for JobCorps, recruiting young people who are a good fit for the JC program.

I met the colleague who will be working with me in the office, and she's great. She even has experience working with the organization, so I think that'll be a big help. I'm actually surprised at what we've accomplished in the day and a half we've been on the job. Our office situation is touchy since we're leasing space from the people who lost the contract to run the program, but even so, we've already finished the HR paperwork, got all of our student files transferred over, and worked out an area marketing plan. It was exhausting, but really fun.

I'm so relieved to have the first few days out of the way, and to find out that I really like it. You just never can tell before you start something what it'll really be like. I haven't actually spoken with any kids yet, but I think that part will go well too. Maybe I'll even get some funny kid stories to share.

Next week we're off to Rapid City for training all week, near the JC center. I'm sure I'll post more there, maybe even some Mt. Rushmore pics if we're lucky. Right now I need to find a suit to wear Monday...teacher clothes are NOT equivalent to business clothes. Not that I own any jumpers....anymore...