Countdown

It is now the official countdown to the end of my internship at Children's Hospital.

I can't believe it's already been 3 semesters there and that this Wednesday is my last day.

Being a medical social work intern has had its ups and downs; emotionally and physically, but has been an amazing experience.

Here are some things I have most enjoyed about the internship:

1.  Learning about medical diagnoses, terms, procedures, medications, and life in the hospital.
2.  Spending time with my field supervisor, Anissa, almost daily and getting to know her better.
3.  Practicing my skills as a social worker and being viewed as a professional by families and staff in the hospital.
4.  Laughing with coworkers daily.
5.  Playing with the kids and developing bonds with them over the past year.
6.  Carrying around a pager, which made me feel *important*.
7.  Showing up to the internship and knowing each day would be different.
8.  Dealing with crises and situations that most people run from (i.e. talking to a family about code-status or working with a child who is intubated).

The internship has been one-of-a-kind and I have really enjoyed my time at Children's Hospital.  It hasn't quite hit me yet that I'll be done in 2 days...

Maybe after prayer, God will open an opportunity to continue there with a full-time social work position.  Either way, I feel so blessed to have gotten the chance to spend time at the hospital and learn all that I did.  I know that my time there was not wasted and that it served a purpose in my life.  :)

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State Fair 2010

Katie and I at State Fair

Tony Rocker and the Comeback Special

Part of the Comeback Special, including Tom (Katie's boyfriend) playing Saxophone

Oh baby! 

Another picture of Tony Rocker ;)

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Courtney&Nick

Saturday, August 7th 2010 marks the (new) wedding anniversary of my friends, Nick and Courtney.

I met both of them at UW-Whitewater while going through undergrad.

I have been blessed to know Courtney throughout the years.

Nick and Courtney are a beautiful couple, who I know will serve the Lord and be faithful both to God and to each other.

It was wonderful celebrating with them on their big day. 

I wish them the best in all the years to come.

I pray that their lives together are filled with love, happiness, laughter, life experiences, and good memories yet to be created.

Love you both!

Courtney and her father walking down the aisle

During the ceremony

I now pronounce you husband and wife! :)

(P.S. Notice the three-fold cord around their wrists from the passage in Ecclesiastes 4:12)

It was great to see friends from college after so long! 

Here are (from left to right):  Rosie, Jen, myself, and Kelly

Me with the beautiful bride.

It was so great to spend the day with everyone. 

God bless your marriage, Courtney and Nick!

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Craft Day

At my mom's work, during State Fair time, the employees get to have "pig races" like they do at the fair.

Each employee in my mom's department gets a pig to name and decorate.

Here is what I came up with:

Little Orphan Hammie

Ham-ibal Lecter

Elvis Pigsley

Abra-Ham Lincoln

Which do you like best?

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Movie Monday

Tonight, I walked over to my friend Kelly's house and we decided to watch a movie.  Kelly's family has Netflix, so we took about half an hour just looking through the different genres and options.  Did you know that under "comedy", there is an option to watch an "African American Comedy"?  Or a "Latino Comedy"?  There are also the options for "Slapstick" and "Screwball" comedies?  I didn't even know that comedies could be broken down into ethnic/racial categories and also two adjectives that, to me, mean the same thing...

Ultimately, Kelly and I decided to watch Paper Heart, which has now made it to my top 5 movies.

It is a super cute, romantic mockumentary about love.  It left me in a romantic and happy mood.  :)  If you haven't seen the movie and you happen to like, 1) Michael Cera as an actor, 2) The movie "Juno", and 3) Feel-good romantic movies....Paper Heart could be for you!

So, after what felt like a very long, tiring, and slow-moving Monday, the day ended on a positive note.  Now, it's almost time to change into my pjs and go do my quiet-time with God before bed.  Hope all your Mondays were wonderful!

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Visions of the Weekend

Here are a few pics from the weekend:

Crepes from the Pancake House.  I went to breakfast with my friend, Dan, on Friday.   It was delicious!

Friday night, I celebrated my friend Meghan's soon-to-be wedding with a bridal shower.  It was a night of fellowship, desserts, laughter, and heart-to-hearts.

On Saturday, I went apartment hunting...but was left disappointed.  It was fun to look, though!  And ultimately, I'm fairly certain of where I will live in May 2011 (which is NOT in the apartments I looked at this weekend).

After apartment hunting, I went to a late lunch with my friend, Trevor.  It was great to catch up and spend some time with him.

Saturday night, I went to Andy's apartment to celebrate his birthday.  Andy and my friend, Kelly, have been dating for the past several years.  They are a really cute couple and I'm so happy they are together.  In Andy's party invite, it was requested that we wear our lederhosen.

Lisa actually did:

(This is Lisa and Andy, the birthday boy)

Andy and Kelly at the birthday celebration.  :)

Oh, and I brought a Skinnygirl Margarita to Andy's apartment.  This drink is only 100 calories per serving.  And in case you don't watch 'Bravo' on Thursday nights, Bethenny (Frankel) Hoppy, the creator of Skinnygirl Margaritas, has a show called "Bethenny Getting Married?"  It is a fantastic show and Bethenny is wonderfully entertaining.

Yes, I did seatbelt the Skinnygirl Margarita in my car...and took a picture of it.

Keepin' it classy with plastic cups!

Sunday, I did the announcements at church for 1st service.  I always get nervous before speaking in front of 100+ people, but it always goes pretty well-with God's help.

After church, I came home...ate leftovers...watched an ABC Family movie...and then took a 2-hour  nap.  When I woke up, I ran a few errands and came home for the night.

I had a wonderful, busy, friend-filled weekend.  It was great!  :)  

Also, Friday was my parents' 27th wedding anniversary and today is Alana and Jordan's 1st wedding  anniversary!  It was also, obviously, a weekend filled with L.O.V.E.

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Love.Laughter.Marriage

A year ago today, one of my longest and greatest friends, Alana, got married to a wonderful man, Jordan!  Since Alana and I have lived in different states since the end of middle school, I had only heard of Jordan when we caught up on the phone.  I feel so blessed to be able to meet Jordan before he and Alana were engaged when I came to visit them in California a while back.  It was so apparent to me that God had brought them together as a couple.  Seeing them together was only more proof that they were meant for each other.  :)

I was honored to be a part of their wedding last year.  The ceremony was beautiful, but what struck me most was the amazing love that Jordan and Alana have for each other and for God.  It has been hard being away from Alana for the past 9 years, but somehow we have been able to stay in touch throughout this time apart.  She continues to be a huge encouragement to me and I love the moments we do get to spend together, in person or talking on the phone.

I am so happy for Alana and Jordan and want to congratulate them on their first year of marriage!  I pray that God blesses them as they continue to experience life together.

I miss you and love you both!  God bless!

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