The New Year Revisited

I don't think I ever posted pictures from the New Year! How silly. Here are a few.

Michael and I at the Museum of Science and Industry

Friends!

My Love :)

Teaching...?

Every time I think of something fun that I want to share in my blog, I wait until I have completely forgotten about it. What a shame.

Three weeks ago (wow, can't believe it's already been that long), I started student teaching! "Are you sure you're old enough for that?", you're asking? I know, I've already asked myself that a thousand times, and unfortunately it seems that indeed, I am. As my 22nd birthday and *gasp* the end of my last semester in college draw closer, I am seriously beginning to freak out (for lack of a better term). Am I ready for "the real world"? Who the heck knows.

I started my student teaching placement in the Grandville school district, about 25 minutes from Hope's campus. Since my certification will be K-12 music education, I have to spend half day in a secondary class and half day in an elementary class. Therefore, friends, I am at Grandville High School in the morning (from 7:50am-12pm) and at East/West/Grand View Elementary school(s) in the afternoon (12pm-3:40pm). If you took a close look at the times I attend school, you would have noticed that I have a ridiculously long day. Yep. And let's not forget that I go directly to choir after school. Woohoo!

In all seriousness, I'm really excited for the semester regardless of the long time commitment. I'm looking forward to figuring out what class level is my favorite, though I'm sure each will have it's pros and cons. I'm also really looking forward to having fun with my students and investing myself in their lives and in their educational progress. I can't wait to be a real teacher. Ah, so soon!

I'm only going to my schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays for now, but starting February 9th I will go 5 days a week. Once full-time begins, I'm sure I will have some great stories to tell about my adventures in Grandville!

Who loves clothes?

I do.

Compliments of toast.

Jewelry

I have to post this picture of the jewelry I inherited from my Aunt Erna. She passed away fairly recently, and so when her husband (aka Uncle Jack) came to visit for Christmas he gave it all away to the female relatives. I chose each of these pieces on my turn, thinking that some had some serious vintage potential. 

What do you think?

ModCloth

In the search to find some great boots online, I came across ModCloth. They have ridiculously cute dresses. Seriously.

Cute, right?

More soon.

Merry Christmas!

Whew. Long day of post-Christmas shopping done and gone, thank the Lord. My Mom and I decided that 10:30am was soon enough to get to OakBrook mall; good thing, too, since the mall was a complete madhouse when we left at 2:30pm. Moral of story: never go to the mall on the day after Christmas after 2pm. You won't come out alive.

Recap of Christmas Eve/Christmas Day:

--Enjoyed a long day of cleaning and cooking to prepare for dinner with the cousins and Uncle Jack (Dad's uncle).

--Ran random errands for Mom at the last minute.

--Feasted on peppercorn beef tenderloin and mashed potatoes (among many other delicious dishes) for Christmas Eve dinner, served by Mother L. Job well done.

--Went to church with the cousins and Jack.

--Opened presents the next morning with immediate family.

--Ate breakfast: waffles, bacon, fried potatoes. Yurrrrm.

--Took Xmas nap.

--Saw "Marley and Me" with the Jaderholms, cried like a baby.

--Went to sleep happy to have a young and healthy puppy.

Needless to say, it was a great couple of days. I've actually really enjoyed having Uncle Jack around, too--not that I wasn't looking forward to having him, I just wasn't sure how I'd feel about having a guest in our house for two weeks. His jokes and snacks around the house have been quite fun. :) I exchanged some stuff I got yesterday morning for some really great "layering pieces" (as my Mom loves to say), and I'm feeling very lucky that I found so many good deals today. Best deal of the day:

The bridesmaid dress for my roommate Lama's wedding. Ralph Lauren, bought at Macy's. Down almost 60% of the original price. I was seriously wondering if God sent me to find that deal today. It's possible.

Favorite (can I actually choose one?) thing I received on Christmas morning:

Funny thing is, I've been trying to wear my hair like hers for weeks. Can't manage to get it to obey like that. Sweater's cute though, even if my hair has major static issues.

Whatever.

Merry Christmas!

Senior Year: First Semester Highlights

I can't believe that the first semester of my senior year in college is already over! These last couple months brought a lot of fun into the lives of the 24/7 residents (nicknamed because of our address, 247 13th Street): off-campus parties, dressing up in costumes (our favorite pastime), and spending lots of quality time doing crazy things together. 

On the other hand, it was also a very challenging and time consuming semester in regards to schoolwork. All of the roommates seemed to be overwhelmed around Thanksgiving break, especially since we all sat around during the Norovirus epidemic. Whoops. Nevertheless, we all finished the semester with heads held high and with senioritis in our hearts.

Here are just a couple pictures (ok, maybe 8) of my favorite moments from this semester:

The first week of school: classic picture of the roommates in action.

Out at the Curragh with the music kids!

Our first Toga party.

Our first rager (just kidding, only a small *cough* house party).

Homecoming with the couples!

Mmm...coffee at the Intelligentsia roasting tour.

Mom and Dad at Cosley Animal Farm.

Michael, Hank, Brent, Lama and I at Fall Crawl!

24/7 as "Japanimazing"!

This is our great attempt at dressing like Japanese anime characters. Costumes courtesy of the Hope College costume sale.

Michael and I enjoying breakfast and a morning stroll through Saugatuck.

Conducting the Hope College Collegium Musicum at our fall concert.

Woohoo! Gotta love those robes.

Singing with the choir at Vespers (note my solo stance, front left).

Everyone up front.

The music education majors at our professor's house (also notice the tshirt I'm wearing, designed by myself and Mari Jo...we're pretty proud).

More music students at Professor Randel's.

Set up in the music library. Did you laugh? I bet you didn't. It's ok, I only laughed because I'm a music dork and we love that kind of crap.

Hoping that next semester brings just as much fun as this semester did!