september took the tourist

three wishes

2010-04-06T13:27:00.002-05:00

What would you do if a genie showed up and gave you three wishes? I never felt like I had a good answer to that question. Its just hard to be creative, when a new car or huge shopping spree are options. (and I do want that new car!) But the other day I decided what one of my wishes would be - I want to be a morning person. I'm convinced that life would be so much better if I was just one of

brrrrr!

2010-02-01T20:31:00.004-06:00

This is the first winter of my life that I've had serious thoughts about moving to a warmer climate. I don't know what it is, but I've been a huge baby about the cold. And on top of that, the weather is toying with me - since when do we have a week of 35-40 degree days in the middle of January? I let myself think winter was almost over...then last week happened. All I have to say is that

squeaky clean

2010-01-30T10:16:00.004-06:00

I've been more domestic lately. It just kinda happened. I enjoy cleaning and frequently find myself embarking on hugely ambitious projects. Right now its the bathroom. Making this so much cheaper and easier are these wonderful tips from Real Simple magazine. To sum it up, white vinegar is amazing! VinegarThis acidic wonder can wipe out tarnish, soap scum, mineral deposits, and more. Among

fast forward

2010-01-24T16:15:00.001-06:00

I had many great blog ideas to deliver during my Christmas break, but somehow it didn't happen. What you would've heard about is this:1. My new obsession with 30 Rock. I especially like when Liz Lemon uses the phrase "normal sauce". Or when she does anything.2. I had a great realization when contemplating my failure to send Christmas cards. Next year I'll do them in August. That way finals can't

I guess this is Happy Holidays

2009-11-30T21:03:00.006-06:00

Amazon purchase:- 2 books so I can start my 2nd semester reading over break (yes I realize I still have 4 papers to finish for this semester)- 1 sufjan christmas album in attempts to enjoy my "holiday" reading. I just love getting emails with assignments for January from my professor when I haven't written my paper for next week yet!In the mean time, I did get to enjoy one lovely homework free

twilight with a british accent

2009-11-29T17:16:00.003-06:00

So this is the only way I'll probably "read" these books. Not because I think I would hate them. The truth is I would probably love them. But a few years ago I gave into Harry Potter and that is enough of an addiction to youth-novels-turned-movies for me. Anyways, I know just enough about Twilight to think this is hilarious. Plus I have a weakness for British accents. Check out his youtube

survival

2009-11-23T16:56:00.004-06:00

In undergrad I survived off of naps. 20 minute naps, 4 hour naps, you name it...they happened several times a week (maybe even several times a day).I made a conscious decision to not take naps in grad school.** So now I survive off of coffee, and boy do I love coffee! Until today, when even my coffee wasn't enough and I took my first grad school nap. It was just an hour, but when I woke up

I am a grad student.

2009-11-05T21:42:00.002-06:00

I was having trouble owning that statement for awhile. I was getting discouraged by the amount of work I was doing and the little feedback. I also began to feel selfish, because all of my energy is getting focused on my classes and my degree. Then a couple of weeks ago I started missing my job. And yes, I hear you calling me crazy. But I miss working for people everyday and just being a

good morning saturday

2009-10-17T11:26:00.002-05:00

Target has always been a dangerous place for me. For every one thing I need I usually end up with 3 more. Well, this morning I went with the sole purpose of purchasing The Breakfast Club so I can write my paper. (would you believe Blockbuster didn't have it?) Well, on my way in to the store I remembered that I also needed band aids. Needless to say I left Target a half hour later with:The

no more instant cappuchino

2009-10-13T23:24:00.003-05:00

Four years ago I did stuff like this at 2:00 AM and then started my homework. What are we doing you ask? Celebrating Lana's last night in Southview before getting married over spring break. Apparently by taking pictures together. I have about 10 other variations of this.Now, its 11:30 PM and I'm almost done writing a paper. Not even being almost done can motivate me to stay awake! Good

yankee doodle dandy

2009-10-09T19:40:00.003-05:00

I've come to the conclusion that the NY Yankees epitomize America. And not in that good, "American Dream" sort of way. Its that, "we're big and wealthy, therefore we deserve to win everything all the time" sort of way.Its kinda like Chicago's bid for the Olympics. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Olympics just as much as the next person (maybe even more), but Chicago went to Copenhagen with

saturday 'sitting

2009-10-04T17:10:00.003-05:00

On Saturday I was a double booked babysitter - afternoon with Nora, night with Logan. I worked for 9 hours. And for 8 hours, 45 minutes I got paid to do homework, watch TV, surf the internet. Yep, thats right. Both kids were asleep when I arrived at their homes. Nora woke up 15 minutes before her parents got home and we had a nice conversation about wetting her bed and my "cute shoes".

re-discovery

2009-09-28T21:02:00.004-05:00

The adjustment has been harder than I thought it would be. When I was working, I once told my supervisor that I didn't feel like "Rebecca Reed" anymore and that my whole identity had become "Intake Caseworker". That was more true that I even realized when I said it the first time. My job at ECFA became my life, in part because that's the nature of the job and in part because I let it happen.

just a day

2009-09-02T13:51:00.002-05:00

First, I couldn't get out of bed on time this morning. Probably due to the wonderful late night phone convo last night. But, I had reading I really needed to finish. Then I couldn't find my keys and spent 10 minutes looking. I always know where my keys are. They are always in the same spot. I found them in a different spot on the counter.And then I waited a half hour for the bus. THIRTY

unemployed*

2009-08-19T20:42:00.002-05:00

Today was my last day at work. It was very weird. Someday soon I hope to blog about my life that was ECFA. Ash has it all right though. Its like a relationship with an abusive high school boyfriend.Except its not really my last day. I need to finish up some stuff that I will hopefully take care of next week. And I might contract to train my replacement. My first replacement just had to

mjoyo is married!

2009-07-21T20:40:00.003-05:00

Michelle was a beautiful bride.Iowa is beautiful in July.Three years is way too long to go without seeing a friend. An open starry sky is still what I miss most when in the city.Countdowns: 19 days of employment left! (16 if I get my way)5 more days of summer class!1 big paper to write

brain exercises

2009-06-29T23:16:00.002-05:00

goodbye doing my hair in the morning, goodbye hours of facebook stalking, goodbye random picnics in the park, goodbye sleeping in on saturday mornings, goodbye sunday afternoons in the DW backyard...hello two grad school classes in a six-week term while working a full time job. but the DSM-IV might just prove to be my favorite textbook of all time. serious.

LIKE and some other good stuff

2009-06-23T22:48:00.005-05:00

life has been good lately. 1. spring lasted a long time! 2. I went on an amazing vacation with my wonderful housemate.3. Ash and Chris LIKE got married. (and I really was the entire wedding party)4. I gave my notice at work. August 19 will not come soon enough.5. The Pegman Cottage: pontoon driving, swimming, wet wood fire starting, spoiling Sophia, and LOTS of food.

ready or not...

2009-05-19T23:21:00.005-05:00

I am fully excepted to grad school. Just some major scheduling, financial configuring, and motivational self-talking to get me to June 29 when classes start. I probably don't know what I'm getting into. For those who don't know, I'm doing a dual degree program and will get (hopefully) a Master's of Social Work from Loyola University Chicago and a Master's of Science in Child Development from

twenty-six

2009-05-07T23:45:00.003-05:00

Work has gotten extremely crazy. Can we say seven intakes in 10 days? Granted one of them the judge decided not to take (bad decision, but who asked me?). But still, in my world that is crazy. Because each of those six kids come with parents. Ugh. So basically I am booked solid for the rest of the month. Hopefully the adrenaline doesn't run out before then! The extra work has caused me to do a

notes on (new) life

2009-04-18T19:01:00.003-05:00

-Evelyn spent the day outside today and she is looking much perkier. In fact, I think she's going to survive whatever it was that seemed to be causing a slow, painful death. (Evelyn is my 4 year old Peace Lily).-Congrats to Sar and Justin! Sophia Grace was born this afternoon. New babies are my favorite thing ever. Something about them just makes the world stop and feel perfect for a moment. I

bye.

2009-04-09T17:34:00.004-05:00

The car is packed and I'm ready to go. REALLY ready. Court did not go nearly as planned today. Not even a little bit of good happened. And then I think I got one of those red light photo ticket things on my way home. I'm done with Chicago for awhile. After I go to church for Maundy Thursday. Its my favorite service of the year. p.s. I've officially been a Chicago resident for two years.

2009-04-01T19:27:00.004-05:00

Things I love about Chicago today:- complexity and contrast - southside LSD (lakeshore drive)- learning the southeast side- margaritas with coworkers

spring.

2009-03-21T16:21:00.004-05:00

making coffee at 2:30 PM and starting the day.cleaning the apartment with Pegman.putting Evelyn outside for some Sun.picking a neighborhood restaurant for dinner.:)

life, etc.

2009-02-26T21:26:00.005-06:00

I haven't work a Saturday since early January. I realize that probably sounds like a good thing, but I'm not so sure it is. I have scheduled myself to work this Saturday - by myself in a quiet office. My Saturday to-do list is WAY too long. But by working on Saturday I should be helping make my upcoming vacation be free of all work related thoughts, or something like that. Speaking of my vacation