Pleasant Peninuslas

Today is my last day in Michigan

My little focus will be seriously packed to the gills when I leave tomorrow morning for New York. As I was putting all my boxes and things into a pile I found myself wondering if it could all actually fit. Dear God I hope it does. I don't want to choose what clothes to bring and which to leave.

I have my last day at the museum today. I'm expecting some people to cry (there are three of us going at once, all old-timers) but I don't plan on crying. I'm pretty glad I will never have to facilitate there ever again.

The hardest part will be saying goodbye to my parents. As glad as I am to be moving out, I know I will miss them from time to time.

Keep cool

Packing/moving is taking up most of my thoughts lately. I've packed away most of my clothes in the last couple days. I've always hung up all my clothes, so it was strange to see all the space they took up when folded together in boxes. I may have to downsize my wardrobe even further. In the past its been difficult for me to get ride of clothes (I never outgrown them, they always fit) but in the last year or so I put things in the give-away pile without much remorse.

I've been saying a lot of goodbyes. There is a general feeling in all of them that I am falling off the face of the earth. I guess I kind of am. A 11+ hour drive between place is nothing to scoff at, and Michigan and New York have Canada in between. Its had to say I'll visit when I don't know when. But I will visit eventually.

Our new place will not have cable. Heartbreaking really, I've become pretty addicted to the television this summer. Living in my parent's house hasn't proved very stimulating. I turn to the TV for company most of the time. Luckily my summer favorite Big Brother is on CBS so I can still watch it. I'm sure I'll miss MTV and VH1 the most. I love that crap a little too much.

So Soon

So I'm moving very soon.

I feel some mixed feelings about the change. But mostly I am very excited and hopeful for the future. Myuneasiness comes from the fact that I don't know how I'm making any money once I get there. That's a big deal but I'm trying to be calm about it. I'm sure something/anything will come my way.

I am very sad to be leaving my friends at work. Buuuttttt I am pretty glad to be leaving work otherwise. Yesterday (while I was working) I came up with a new game - "Things I won't miss!".

Things I won't miss!
-Facilitators not picking up crap
-Facilitators messing up on desk
-LeAnne
-Todd
-Teaching people the same thing over and over again
-Small office politics
-Overflowing toilets
-Cleaning puke
-Cleaning
-Cleaning days
-Exhibit load in days
-Exhibit load out days
-The people in charge of loading days
-Stupid volunteers that come to loading days
-Giving volunteers tours
-Doing busy work at my internship
-Doing nothing at my internship (I'm doing that right now)
-Dusting
-Broken exhibits
-Cloud Soaring
-Come on Over! songs
-Guests complaining
-Guests yelling
-Kids screaming
-Witnessing spanking
-Birthday parities
-Birthday party moms
-Spoiled children
-Snotty noses
-Field trip intros
-Field trips coats
-Peed pants
-Wearing clothes that you can't care about (Old Navy)

I know I will miss (most of) the staff, but I am very ready to move on. Five years on the floor of the Children's Museum is enough for me.


On a different note I was a counselor for AAA week at Fowler a couple weeks ago. It was a wonderful experience. I had a great cabin of girls who had a lot of fun together. Being a counselor was really different than being a staff member. I enjoyed it very much and will try to volunteer in the future. I was also able to see that not returning for another year as staff was the right decision. All those people in Pine, I would have gone crazy :) But mostly it was great to see old friends and be at camp again.

Almost there

Saying bye to a great old friend is hard. But not so hard when you will be a couple hours away in a months time. Considering you both are moving far away from home. It will be a comfort and a blessing to have Anna and Rachel within visiting distance when I move.

Anna and I saw No Reservations. It was pretty good.

For anyone who doesn't know (and if you know me you probably do) I am moving to NY labor day weekend. I was looking forward to change and it looks like I'll be getting it soon.

The Birthday Bash was great. We had over 1,500 people show up just for the evening event. It was 97 degrees that day and I was grouchy in the heat, but through the humidity it was really cool to see the party go so well. We had free food, dancing (I kinda went into Aunt Sandy mode with hand motions), parachute play, obstacle courses, face and banner painting, drawings, etc. I feel really proud to work at the museum some days, and this was one of them.

I have to pack everything tonight to drive out tomorrow morning. Nothing like a 11+ hour drive ahead of you.

Oh boy!

Should be a very busy night. There is nothing West Michigan dutch people like more than something free. I will be taking pictures in the 90 degree heat the whole time. At the moment the tent guys are setting up the tents and all the women in the office are watching out the window.

Bigonzo

Today is the tenth anniversary of the Grand Rapids Children's Museum's first day open to the public. We are having $1 dollar admission all day and then a huge party in the park with free admission from 5-8 p.m. Unfortunately I am interning all day and the woman I work for is freaking out about the event. Our event person, who is always calm, cool and collected is off on maternity leave, so Lindsey had to take this one over. Hopefully all will go smoothly, I really have no doubt that it will, it's only three hours.

On a horrible note: my dad has to shave his beard. I might actually have to post some pictures. His job is becoming more service oriented and they are really pushing image, which is not a bad idea, but damn. Everyone has to lose their facial hair. My dad has been bearded my whole life. I cannot imagine how bad this will look. He is going to have a sad half-tan face. He won't look like Dad anymore.

I'm leaving for Fowler on Friday. I'm pretty excited to go out again. Seeing everyone will be great, I've definitely missed their company this summer. Being in a cabin with high school girls will be different, but I look forward to the experience. Plus I get to see Brian, not a bad deal.

Before I leave I have to say goodbye to my good friend Anna. She have left for Seton Hall by the time I get back. Both of us are starting new times in our lives, but the changes are for the best.

Tell me about it

So Harry Potter 7 is at my house now. My dad pre-ordered it. I have to work all weekend so my assigned day of reading will be Monday (which is my day off this summer). I plan to go to the beach and read in the sun. I read a lot of HP 6 at camp on the beach. Not a bad combo a good book + beach times.

I saw the 5th movie with my family last weekend. I really enjoyed the film. What I did not enjoy was my brother's groaning and moaning about the accuracy of every scene and detail in relation to the book. If he had his way the movie would be 9 hours long and slow as hell.

I've been walking/running my dog Bailey almost every night. I say "my dog", because I think I'm the only one that really cares about his health. If it wasn't for me he would get maybe 3 walks a month. Bailey is a springer spaniel which means you get the added bonus of compliments when you take him out. People think he's beautiful. I do too.