The Start of my Adventure

I've been living here in Churchville, New York for one month now. I have finished 3 summer classes and have 8 credit hours of grad classes behind me. I'm settled into my room. I know my way around town without a GPS. I've begun orientation at my internship, with over 30 kids on my caseload. I finally found a church I can call "home" for one year. I've made some wonderful friends.

With Margie & Maria, two of my housemates

Living in New York has taken adjustment. I visited 4 churches before I found "the one" I can call "home" for a year. I get made fun of for my "accent." Words here are pronounced pretty different from at home.Speed limits are way slower (yikes) and prices for things are much higher (yikes again). The towns are small and it takes about 15 minutes to get anywhere. Except this wonderful ice cream shop that is in walking distance (1.2 miles). Between my housemates and I, we've already utilized 2 emergency services - the emergency room and the police department. We'd like to not have to use any more :) There's tons of huge, old and colorful houses. When my housemates and I are bored we go on walks. Our landlord also has a pool, which was nice during the ridiculous heat wave.

With Caren at Darian Lake Theme Park

I finished my summer classes today, whew. I took a class about integrating religion and social work, which was interesting and I learned a lot. We studied different faiths and it makes me so thankful I was born and raised in a Christian family. The world "Christian" has come to mean a lot more to me. Evidentially religions like Mormonism and Christian Science are considered denominations of Christianity, because they "believe in Jesus", which blows me away, because they don't believe in Jesus the way I believe in Jesus. This has become a real "hot button" issue for me, which I'll refrain from posting any more about, unless I get fired up again ;) The other class was Research, Practice, and Statistics. Eh, it was ok.

What's next semester look like? Busy. 6 classes with 17 credits hours and 13 text books, and a 21 hour-a-week internship. That's a full-time job, plus hours of homework, taking care of myself, Church, and my friends. I'm debating getting a part-time job so I can make some money, however I honestly don't think that's a good idea... eeek, what to do? :/

Craig Hill Elementary School, where I'm doing my social work internship

Anyways, I have 12 days before the semester starts (Aug 29). I plan on sleeping in, starting Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (when my dvd comes), scrapbooking my time in the Philippines with my handsome boyfriend, and going to the Museum of Play (a children's museum on steroids!!!) with my girls. I also have a full day of training at my internship. Should be fun and relaxing, that's the goal at least.