Lately

I have been completely lacking in the "blog update" department lately. Sorry... Life is crazy, and yes, that seems to always be my excuse but it is true. Even though I am not doing nearly as much as I was doing when I was at Whitworth, for some reason now things are just more overwhelming and take more energy.

Here are some updates on recent things:

Practicum-... is going well. It is kind of hard to sum up into a nice little box. Each day is emotional and overwhelming and intense. It is difficult to see so much hurt and pain and poverty, and yet be charged with attempting to building relationships with people who are hurting. Exposing myself to their pain, and recognizing my own privilege is a daily struggle for me. Knowing I am going to be done there in a mere 3 1/2 months is starting to get more apparent. There are people I have really grown to like and care for, in a "helping professional" way of course but also in a very genuine personal way. Homelessness is such a pervasive, toxic cycle, that seems a bit hopeless. I keep realizing how BIG it is. It's bigger than Nativity House. There are homeless families, homeless babies, homeless youth... Homeless women with family that lives 10 minutes from where she is staying in the shelter, who refuse to offer any assistance. Homeless veterans, homeless felons. Yet they are all still people, still human, and have the same hopes and fears as me. I have come to have a respect for many of the people I am serving, for their strength and perseverence. Even though I do not agree with many of their choices, it amazes me how I am learning that they are no different than you or I. We are all a few paychecks away from being homeless. When I drive down the streets of Tacoma I often see people who come in to Nativity House. It's hard for me to drive past a certain parking lot at night, because I know there are people I know living in their cars, huddled under blankets I gave them for warmth. After I leave Nativity House I get to go home to my warm apartment, where I have heat and TV and my own bathroom. Each day I realize this privilege, and sometimes feel slightly ashamed for being dissatisfied with the "stuff" I don't have. I could go on and on and on about my experiences there, and what I am learning...

Work- is good. Muddy, cold, windy. I got some winter breeches (yay!), so that helped. I also am a master at layering, and do lunges when I am teaching at night to try and stay warm. But I love the horses and love (*most*) of my students. I am excited for this week because we have a week off of lessons for Thanksgiving. It will be a nice break from the intensity of lesson days, and get to be more relaxed and spend time riding some project horses.

School- oh what to say, what to say... I am enjoying my class this quarter, and feel like it is a bit more stimulating than past quarters. We have a fun group project (develop an agency through a grant proposal), and a good large paper (organizational analysis of our practicum agency). I like my professor, who is the director of the Social Work program. I am excited for Winter Quarter because we are starting our Research sequence, so I am really hoping for some challenge. I realized last week, that even though I have not been entirely thrilled with the program this far, I have learned a lot. I think like a social worker in many different situations, I know the theory and how to apply it. I am using techniques I have learned in classes at Nativity House in REAL situations. So those are all good things.

Other-
-- My mom got her first "call" as a pastor! She will be moving to Hoquiam, WA (about 1.5 hours away from Tacoma), to be a temporary 6-month stated supply at First Presbyterian Church of Hoquiam. I am so thrilled for her! What a huge journey for her, and our family. I will miss her, but luckily it is just a short drive away, and it's on the way to the ocean, and I DO LOVE the ocean!
-- Thanksgiving is this week! YAAY! Which means the holidays are here, and I love this season!
-- Kelsey is coming home on Tuesday and we are hanging out Wednesday. And the new hot tub is in. So exciting!
-- Lexi and I have started doing a Zumba class at the YMCA. Tomorrow we are trying Aerobic Dance! Stay tuned to see how that goes. It is great to have a friend to work out with, makes it so much easier to get up early on a Monday morning!


Okay, off to work on a paper that's due Tuesday and potentially go to bed early!