Finally an update...

Since Chicago, I began school and a couple of jobs.  First Semester went well, and I am officially a Justice and Peace Studies major...this one isn't changing!  I will graduate in Dec. 2006.  Yes!...a semester early. 

I am a Resident Advisor, as well, and it's wonderful.  My floor is large (biggest on campus) at over 50 residents.  They are great - I love all the different personalities on the floor and trying to get them to all come together as a community.  Personally, I like putting residents in charge of programs - their excitement really comes through.  We've had a floor dinner, guitar jams, coloring nights...and I find each person so interesting.

Also, I work in a homeless shelter in Minneapolis.  Again, a wonderful job.  So many personalities in one space!  The residents are very interesting people, and the real reward of the job is in hearing people's ups.  I don't think I've gone to work more than a handful of times where I don't talk to a resident who just found either housing or a job.  Despite the difficulties of this work, it is well worth it.  

Without writing another 50 pages...I think I've reached an easy stopping point.  But, as an RA and Shelter Worker, I always have a story!

Looking forward...seems like I'll have an easy semester.  Only Tuesday/Thursday classes...so it's always a four day weekend for me!  Free time can mean only one thing for me...add activities.  I'm looking for a(nother) job...wish me luck.

Now pictures...what we all really care about:

Keith and I back to school...

Murray Hall Staff, clockwise from me (is that self-centered?) myself, Nadine (operation manager), Katie (hall director), Dani (resident advisor)

Some residents, myself, and the Lucky the Ducky - our mascot

Scott marching, he's in there somewhere.  So good to see he's following in his sisters' marching steps :)

Fall Break - Keith and I met at Fort Robinson State Park.  In Nebraska.  Yes, Nebraska.  Random, but really fun.  We spent most of our time hiking...that rock wall in the back?  yeah, we climbed it.

Thanksgiving at home...mom doesn't look too pleased with something she's made...

let's take a closer look...aaahahaha....is it the turkey?  the pie?  I love you, mom.  You owe me one.

*Christmas Pictures to come*

New Year's Eve - ask about kissy pictures if you can stomach it (ewwww!)

And in January, Keith and I hit the one year dating mark, really just another excuse to add a picture of Keith and I to the website :)

Kelly

CHICAGO!

Strait to the pics...starting with my favorite - Wrigley...apartments w/ bleachers...skyscrapers...lake Michigan *ahhh*

Scott and I after eating 20 jalapeno pieces -

planes trains and automobiles (during the weekend trip I walked, rode busses, sat on trains, flew in planes and caught the subway - I'm a mass transit fanatic) - Erica and Mom on a train

And - atop the Hancock building - Scott, Erica, and I washing the windows...

And...the whole city -

And - we also went to body world at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industy (no photos allowed) - but if you're interested here's the link: http://www.msichicago.org/bodyworlds/index.html

It was awesome - all dead bodies donated to a man to be preserved and put on display - you could see many different systems (skeletal, muscular, digestive, etc.)  It was facinating (for me, at least).

And I saw Frank Lloyd Wright's home and studio.  The man is an architectual genius.  And I bought this poster:

It's for my new room - and it's beautiful.

That's all of chicago -

Kelly

Currently Watching Garden State By Zach Braff, Peter Sarsgaard, Natalie Portman see related

Well...

Busy busy I have been - I'm not even sure where to start.

Colorado would be a good place.  I went there with St. Francis of Assisi Youth Ministry and the team of us (5 youth, 2 college students, 1 adult) met youth from all over the country and did active service in Florence, Co. - about 45min. south of Colorado Springs. 

My 'crew' (assigned to work together on a project in Colorado), was comprised of people from Oklahoma, Minnesota, Alaska, and myself.  Together we painted a bathroom, hallway, living room, kitchen, and outside siding of a community member's house - Millie.   She was a warm and welcoming individual who went out of her way to ensure that we all had plenty to eat and drink each day.  She touched us with her stories and the care and concern she had for us having plenty of water and treats while we were in her home.

During our time in Colorado, the St. Francis group also fit in some sight-seeing.  We reached the top of Pike's Peak and went white-water rafting.  I unfortunately don't have any photos of us rafting, but it was a blast, I have to tell you.  I really enjoyed it!  And here's Pike's Peak:

When we were at the top is was snowing - which makes it every month since, like, November that I've seen snow...I can't escape it.

Back in Minnesota - I've been having a summer of 'firsts':

-first time being a pet owner (fishies are difficult - no really, I'm serious.  They don't let you know if they need anything - EVER.  I forget about them often...good think I have vigilant housemates :) )

-first time kayaking - second time will be in 2 days!

-first time camping (as in actual camping, where there is no running water and you hike a mile to your campsite and a mile to get clean water - it was fun, I'll do it again) Keith and I hiked, canoed and swam...picture...

And there are more firsts to come...

-first Twins game of the season - tomorrow night

-first time to Chicago - end of July

In addition...I've been reading.  The latest two books have been excellent.  One on women and stress - it's become a house book, I think it's been through 4 housemates already. 

The second is called 'Saving Milly' - and I highly recommend it.  It's quoted and being about "Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Desiese."  It's a beautiful story told from the perspective of a husband who is learning to work with his wife's Parkinson's desiese both at home and in the political arena. 

And - as I look to round out my first full year in Minnesota - I've noticed one true sign that I'm truely adjusting to life up north - my accent is definetely turning Minnesotan.  Yup - the funny 'o' and 'a' is in everything now.  I don't even notice it until it's pointed out to me by a non-Minnesotan.  And I use phrases like 'oh geez' - again, a Minnesotan influence. 

Well, that's all -

Kelly

Currently Playing Fashion Nugget By Cake see related

It's been so long since I've updated - the review of events should explain it!

I admit, I started summer off in quite a lazy fashion...me, a book, a hammock, a guitar, some new pet fishies - ahhh!

The hammock is convieniently located in my new front yard:

Granted, the leaves are currently on the trees and not the ground, but that's still my house.  My 'summer home' I'm calling it.  Hahaha - I kind of sound rich, but we all know 'rich' and 'college student' don't go together.

Scott was confirmed the day classes ended for me.  It was a beautiful service - Scott recieved all gifts of the Holy Spirit except knowledge (ask him about it) slurrp slurrp slurrp :)

Scott Mathew Andrew Fitzpatrick and sponsor

the coolest and the awesomeness at their finest (our self-proclaimed nicknames)

at Church

with 'the Bish' - Bishop Charron

Mom and Dad with their favorite son

Erica also graduated Dowling!  Woohoo!  And in the top 3% academically of her class.  Hmmm....I would have done that, but it would have taken all the fun out of her accomplishment.  Right.

Congrats!

What a family

Angels.  All of us.

Love you, Erica! 

Off to UNI!

And I have begun chem. research - this is my work home:

Also, I'm house/dog sitting for the rest of this week - pictures will have to come later, though.

Whew!

-Kelly / the awesomeness

Currently Playing Mirrorball By Sarah McLachlan, Sarah McLachlan see related

What are Shannon and I up to?

Shooting candy kisses with nerf darts in the hallway at 10PM Thursday night.  We're both tired of school and something needed to be shot.

(sorry, not so great of a picture)

yeah, that's all