proposals and research and coffee, oh my.

This morning has consisted of me dragging myself out of bed, using approximately 25 tissues, attempting to dress myself presentably, and marching off to work on a proposal, without coffee.

All that said, it really hasn't been a bad morning. There's something really exciting about coming to work and having the opportunity to work on a proposal for a national conference that you will *hopefully* get a chance to present at. I feel so honored in my position here. We are in such a time of transition with First Year Experience here at Taylor, and I get to be on the *almost* front end of it, at least I get to see it implemented, and learn how to assess  that implementation. Whew. Talk about professional development right off the bat!

Along those lines, I am incredibly excited about the research I get to be doing in the next few months. First, there's my thesis. I'm meeting with my professor Monday to see if this works, but I'm thinking about researching the impact of campus programming on student engagement, especially in light of the 'over-programming' that seems to happen on many college campuses. We'll see.

Second, I get to research Leonard Oakland. Yep, that's right. We have to do archival research on a significant historical figure, and it doesn't have to be at Taylor. So, LAO it is. :)

Third, I get to choose a current trend in student development, and research that trend (if any of you have thoughts, I would REALLY appreciate it!). Basically, I can choose anything that is a 'trend' amongst students that can be connected to student development in some way. I'm really excited about this...I just need to figure out what I'm doing!

That's not all the research I'll be doing this semester, but I don't want to bore you all with everything I've got going...suffice it to say, I am incredibly excited about the push this program is giving me professionally and academically.

In a completely different direction, I found a new coffee shop! It's about fifteen minutes away in Hartford City, and it's called Common Grounds. It's this cute little place, right across the street from this incredible medieval looking courthouse, and it has all sorts of antiques on the walls, and different patterned table cloths, and decent coffee. It's not spectacular, but it feels a little more like home.

So, while I'm sitting here immensely enjoying the Indiana fall, know that I miss you all too. A lot. I'm buying my ticket home for Christmas today. So excited to finally have that definitely set.

Love,
nat

a morning at starbucks

Yes, I am in fact spending my time studying at Starbucks. In my defence, there are two options in Upland, and neither of them are even in Upland: Payne's, and Starbucks. Payne's is too much a restaurant for my taste, so Starbucks it is.

This year has thus far been one of serious ups and downs, but also so many blessings. First, can I just say, I am already passionately in love with Higher Education? I knew when I came here that I was in some ways gambling, trusting that this was where God wanted me. I had no idea I would so quickly fall so deeply in love with this subject and this pursuit. This morning I am reading from one of my two history books, all about the development of Women's colleges, and Black colleges. It is so fascinating reading about the factors that influenced colleges two hundred years ago, and to think about how that affects colleges today. I love it. So much.

My assistantship has been another blessing in many ways. It has definitely been a challenge, as much of what I have done so far is more administrative. Don't get me wrong, I love organizing things, and putting programs together, but I also love people, and one of the main reasons I'm here doing this is for the chance to love people. I have had a hard time figuring exactly where I can jump in relationally, and where it's not really my place. But this week, as I have started attending different leadership meetings, I realized that I can jump in wherever and whenever I am called. So, this week is week one of Natalie the relational administrator!

In other news, it's officially fall in Indiana. Or at least, I think it is. The weather 'shifted' yesterday, and now we have clear, windy days with brisk air and it's so much like fall in Washington (we have also had some rain, which is a blessing). Fall is definitely my favorite time of year for so many reasons, and as crazy as it sounds, the weather lifts my spirits and brings me so much joy. It eases my homesickness and makes me more motivated to be here doing what I am doing.

I am getting ready to start working on my thesis. While I am incredibly excited to start, I am having trouble pinning down a topic I really want to research. For those of you in Higher Education, or who are working at/attending Universities, if you think of anything that you find compelling, or think I might find compelling, don't hesitate to send it my way (i.e. is there anything I'm passionate about that I can't remember right now?).

You guys are such a blessing, knowing that you are supporting me and loving me and reading this from afar and sending good thoughts and prayers my way.

Love,

nat

Old friends and new...

Goodness, this has been quite the week of blessings and love.

As you may know, Monday was my birthday. I LOVE birthdays. A lot. I love other people's birthdays. I love my own birthday. It's great. I also LOVE surprises. A lot. However, when you're living halfway across the country from most people you know really well, a surprise birthday is not going to happen. Right? WRONG.

My two beautiful roommates (see below) set out to give me a beautiful birthday celebration. Now let me tell you this story. We were planning on having a 'roommate meeting.' We wanted to go over living together, just to make sure we were all on the same page. We tried for Friday night, but that was no good. Saturday I was gone (more on that later). So Sunday night it was! Then, Megan comes along and reminds me, telling me that Sarah really wanted to get out, that it would be a good way to start/end the week if we went to Payne's (local restaurant/coffee/ice cream shop - I mean custard).

Of course, since we all live together, it made sense to me that we would go together. Then, 40 minutes before 8 (our meeting time), Sarah comes upstairs and tells me she has to run by the James' house, so she'll just meet us there. Ok. That's fine. I figure that gives me a little more time to get my College Student Development reading done. Originally hoping to power through BOTH chapters, I know I'm only going to finish one. But that's ten pages in 40 minutes. No problem.

Until your crazy roommate starts 'doing homework' on the couch nearby, and can't stop singing and making noises and talking to you, and responding to your exclamations and distracting you to no end. Now, I LOVE Megan. Dearly. Yet, we are similar in that sometimes we just get these bursts of energy that HAVE to come out in bugging someone else (Aubrey knows this is true...as does Maddison). So, Megan distracts me, and I barely finish on time.

Upon completing my homework, I run around putting real pants on (I was wearing my study sweats). Meanwhile, Megan is dinking around, looking for a book to take to a friend after the meeting, losing her keys, and generally taking forever. When we finally leave, it's in separate cars, due to her book.

I arrive at Payne's to see two MAHE people walking inside. Thinking nothing of it (of course MAHE people are out studying on a Sunday night). I walk inside. Then, I realize there are a BUNCH of people from my program, and they have birthday hats on, and they're giving me this look. What goes through me head? "Oh no, I'm walking in on a party I wasn't invited to! How awkward for them. I hope they don't feel bad." Yep. That's what I thought. I almost walked right back outside till I saw Sarah, and thought "It's ok, my roommate is here so they'll see I wasn't trying to crash their party" when suddenly they yell "Happy birthday!" and I see the signs saying Happy Birthday Natalie. Suffice it to say, it's hard to surprise me, and these ladies did a fabulous job.

I feel so blessed to be in this place, with all these people who barely know me, yet come out for an epic birthday celebration.

In other news, I also got a chance to see some old friends this weekend. I drove to Lafayette (got lost on the way. Here's a note: When driving in Indiana, follow your gut. Don't trust the detour signs to exist when you need them). It was so great to see TAMMY AND CHRIS in Lafayette. It was also great to be in a legitimate city. :)

I feel like this is an incredibly long post, so I'll leave it at that. More to come very soon (probably tomorrow, when I'm not procrastinating insanity...). Speaking of which: FOUR MORE DAYS OF INSANITY. WOOT WOOT! Ha. I feel super accomplished.

Thanks for your love and support.

natalie

My roommates and I, at surprise celebration:



Pictures of the Tammy and Chris adventure to come...

learning curve

A few things I have learned in my short time in the midwest:

1. Veggie Straws are a thing. 

Legitimately. They're the healthy chip out here. And they are exactly what they're called. Veggies. In the shape of a straw. In the way that you can blow air through them, and drink through them (haven't actually tried this). The most common variety is the potato, tomato, spinach variety. And, surprisingly, they are GOOD. They also come in GIANT bags. Like, industrial size and then some. So that's great.

2. Starbucks has cornered the market of the midwest.

Not only are they everywhere (a relative term, one or two per town...nothing like home). BUT THERE IS NO ESCAPE. You want coffee? Go to Starbucks. You want to study at a coffee shop? Go to Starbucks. You want some sort of good coffee? Go to Starbucks. There are no alternatives.

3. Spiders.

Bobby the spider has been growing a web right outside our door for...ever. We continually try to break down his defenses and take his life, but we also continually fail. It has gotten to the point where we *almost* feel affection for our little buddy. Almost.

4. Polar Pops are IT.

What is a polar pop you might ask? It's a GIANT soda for a convenient 85 cents at the local Circle K. This is such a big deal, that when the Circle K/Handy Andy's in Upland threatened to close, hundreds, HUNDREDS of Taylor students and Upland people showed up for an epic polar pop run, attempting to show support for local business, but also selfishly desiring to maintain the ability to walk two blocks to get a polar pop, instead of driving four more blocks to get a similarly priced but so not the same soda. Yes, I subscribe to the polar pop fanaticism. Yes, they have Dr. Pepper. Look here for more info on this epic adventure.

5. It DOES rain in Indiana!

They told me there was a drought. I wouldn't believe them except the corn is so short. It's rained here at least once, if not three times a week since I arrived. Either I am that awesome, or Jesus knew I needed the rain. Badly. It has been soo good to absorb the downpours here, and bask in the rain. And thunder. I love it.

I think that's all for now. Although I'm sure there's more I'm missing. At some point I will likely devote an entire post to grocery stores. And not how awesome they are.

Love.

natalie

Due to the urging of several friends (Heidi, LeAnne, etc), I have decided to create this blog. I remember when I was younger and I got into 'blogging.' Oh man, it was awful. All these posts filled with my 'deep' spiritual and life thoughts. I am hoping that this blog will be a place where I can reflect, and share what I am doing in this crazy small town in Indiana. I appreciate feedback, responses, thoughts, being made fun of, etc. I will attempt to keep this from being a place to chronicle my daily activities (although you know you want to know exactly what I do every day). 

So, here's hoping this can be a great way for all you west coasters to keep in touch and see what's going on in my life. Love you!

natalie