Much Ado About Mitzi

for good...

2011-09-30T15:26:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, Wendy Kopp was in town for some meetings...and given the day's schedule and number of people that need to be at each of the meetings - the most convenient and cost-effective way of transporting everyone was to get a mini-van...and given that while I wouldn't be in the meetings, it made the most sense for me to be the driver of said mini-van.

Let's just say that driving a mini-van of some of the top people in TFA --- including its CEO and founder --- is kind of crazy. However, if there is one thing that I took away from my time driving around the greater Milwaukee area was what a truly amazing woman Wendy Kopp is.

Sure - she started this organization and is the reason I have a job...but for me, it was overhearing her checking-in with her 4 kids back in New York. The ones of school-age were had the day off from school...so she called them in-between every meeting to make sure they were doing what they needed to be doing for the day even though a full-time nanny was with them. My favorite line from Wendy --- as she was discussing a project of some sort due the next day --- was "Is it your best work, Benjamin?" which was followed by another conversation about the day's upcoming piano lesson: "Have you practiced the piano today? You need to practice...there is about 30 minutes before your lesson...why don't you go and practice now....I'm going to call later and you should have practiced by then."

There was just something about those quick conversations that really struck me and made me realize that the 10-page document I had to follow to set up the day for Wendy was worth it...for someone who has given so much of her life to this organization, I can surely take the time to make things run smoothly in order to give her even just 5 minutes on the phone with her kids because I know that no matter how big this movement gets...she will do anything to make sure she supports the children she and her husband have brought into this world.

I am blessed to work for an organization led by a genuinely good person.

See you in September??

2011-09-03T13:14:00.004-05:00

I'm pretty sure the month of August just disappeared...completely. However, looking back --- it was quite a month:

Our corps members came back to Milwaukee to begin their teaching here, here, or here
I enjoyed at least two outings here (God Bless Wisconsin and it's frozen custard)
Drove to Lawrence to celebrate the Weekend of Amy
Saw this family's new house
Made a visit to my favorite restaurant with Mom and Dad!
Attended a party here
Enjoyed a nice brunch here
Found out a little bit more about motorcycles here
And I'm still jealous of these people

However, the other night...right before the calendar flipped over to September, I met up with a friend of mine and former corps members here in Milwaukee. He taught for two years and now he is living in Madison working to get a ed policy advocacy group off the ground for Wisconsin (believe me, we need it!).

Anyhow, the reason he was back in Milwaukee was because he called the mom of one of his former students, Dion, to see what school Dion would be attending this coming school year. Dion had been attending a low-performing school and in all honesty, was on the track to drop out of school before graduating from high school even though he was only going to be a 6th grader this year. If that's hard to believe, but I can send you the stats on Milwaukee's high school drop out rates...if you want.

Dion is a good kid, works hard, and has a mom who wants what is best for him. However, for whatever reason all the work that my friend had done last spring to make sure Dion and his mom had the information to get him enrolled in one of the great schools here in Milwaukee just landed Dion on a wait list and he was not technically enrolled in the 6th grade at any school.

My friend got in his car and headed east towards Milwaukee. He called one our 2010 corps members who works at this school. She didn't have any openings for 6th grade, but the new campus opening up this year might. My friend made the call - they had 2 openings for 6th grade and 1 opening in 3rd grade (perfect for Dion's little sister). He called Dion's mom and told her he was on the way to pick her up and take, Dion and his sister to the school and enroll them for the school year.

They made it in time and officially filled out the forms to make sure Dion and his sister had a great school to go to for the next few years. My friend picked up the school supply list asked Dion's mom if she had bought any school supplies yet...she hadn't. He drove them to Target and bought the supplies that Dion and his sister would need. I know my friend doesn't have a job right now and so I asked how he paid for it - he just said, "It's been an expensive evening, but Dion needs to be in that school. I'll be fine."

Now, there's a lot you can take from this...and there are a lot of people who can question my friend and/or Dion's mom's decisions or even why Dion hadn't been placed in the open spots of the other campus when he was on the wait list at the original school...but honestly, does it really matter?

What it makes me think is that it really shouldn't be the luck of someone calling to see where a former student is going to school and then be able to make the trip to make sure that student is enrolled in a great school. Shouldn't we just have great schools for our students to attend no matter who their parents are or where they live?

Anyhow, school has officially started and Dion is already loving his new school and teacher who happens to be a 2011 corps member - I can't wait to visit that 6th grade classroom and meet him.

year 2...or 6?

2011-07-31T19:05:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow will be my 1 year anniversary of moving to Milwaukee. A year ago tonight, I was in West Allis, WI with the majority of my family...falling asleep way too early for my sister, Liesel, and actually not sleeping well - at all...thinking that I was not quite sure why I had moved to this city or why I was going to start a brand new job. I also remember being just incredibly tired.

So here begins Year 2 in Milwaukee and Year 6 with Teach For America - at least I don't have to do any unpacking! I'm pretty excited about this coming year...there is just so much to do and explore still here in the MKE and given all the transitions going on in my office - it has to be a pretty transformational year ahead of us.

To Milwaukee, living the dream, and not forgetting to be awesome.

Fry, Pray, Love

2011-03-12T20:38:00.001-06:00

For Lent - I'm taking a fish fry tour...check it out:

Fry, Pray, Love!!

27 and rolling...

2011-01-31T09:53:00.003-06:00

Here are a few pics from my birthday weekend w/ the Reddig family. Thanks for making the trip and for celebrating with me!

Enjoying the KU victory!!

From Birthday Weekend 2011

A trip to the Milwaukee Public Museum and the awesome butterfly room!

From Birthday Weekend 2011

And birthday cake!!

From Birthday Weekend 2011

not exactly 'the phog'...

2011-01-29T13:29:00.003-06:00

This past Wednesday, I got to go to a Milwaukee Bucks game here - "we" won...although I don't know if I'm a fan enough to say "we" just yet...It was a great time - one of our donors gave us their tickets in a suite - so we got to enjoy the game in style! It wasn't quite Allen Fieldhouse, but it is a little unfair to compare the two.

One of the exciting things is that Drew Gooden plays for the Bucks - he didn't play during this game, but I did get a pick.

Go Bucks!

From Milwaukee Bucks - January 2011

one week...

2011-01-24T08:54:00.007-06:00

Well - actually it's 6 days until I turn 27.

27. It hasn't quite hit me that I'm in my "late 20s" - but I guess it was bound to happen. I will say - I have a better feeling about turning 27 rather than turning 26. I'm ready for a new year. A new start.

In other news - I made my second trip to San Francisco (thank you, Southwest rewards!). I know that I have no desire to live on the West Coast, but the weather is pretty hard to beat...particularly when there is a constant negative degree windchill in Milwaukee.

Two of my friends from working on the Chicago institute and I reunited for the weekend - enjoying dinner at Maverick (incredible fried chicken, disgusting carrot cake), frozen yogurt at L'Amour in Palo Alto, brunch at Cafe Borrone (James Franco's favorite place), and a bike ride along the bay and across the Golden Gate Bridge. And well...it was in the mid-60s the whole time...sun shine and good times had by all.

From San Francisco - January 2011

Eric, I'm sorry I didn't know...

2010-12-06T19:50:00.001-06:00

Having a brother-in-law in the USAF - you would think I would have known this...but I didn't. Now, I know and so do the corps members here in Milwaukee.

During the month of November, I unfortunately only spent about 1 full week in Milwaukee due to travel for work, family, and the holiday - so a good portion of my "Milwaukee time" was spent at the General Mitchell International Airport. I was flying to places like the San Antonio International Airport and the Kansas City International Airport which made me question why Milwaukee was trumped by this General Mitchell guy when it came time to name its airport.

General William "Billy" Mitchell grew up in Milwaukee during the late 19^thcentury as the son of a Wisconsin Senator and enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in 1898. While he did take a break from his education through the end of World War I, Mitchell ultimately completed his college degree at Columbian University (now George Washington University). He was first introduced to aeronautics during his appointment with the U.S. General Staff, but he was told that he was too old to be a pilot. Forecasting that airpower would be the future of the military, Mitchell used his own personal funds and time to take lessons at a civilian school and then went to France to observe their airpower. Mitchell was eventually licensed as U.S. Army pilot and made a name for himself by advocating for better air tactics like he had seen in France as well as a separate air force like the one in Britain. While the end of Mitchell's career in the military is still debated - a heavily publicized court-martial due to Mitchell's critiques of his commanding officers' decision, Mitchell is still known today as the "Father of the Air Force" for his unceasing promotion of a separate branch in the U.S. military. Mitchell, unfortunately, passed away 11 years before the birth of the U.S. Air Force in 1947.

Some biographers have noted that the posthumous honors General Mitchell has received, including being our airport's namesake, is not just his service to our country, but because of his ability to intelligently forecast the future, and his willingness to sacrifice his career for his beliefs.

cream city...

2010-11-09T11:17:00.002-06:00

My legal name is not Mitzi. Since birth, I have responded to my nickname and only respond to my legal name when it is legally necessary. It is probably because of my nickname-ness that I'm interested in the various nicknames that are attached to Milwaukee. Most of them make sense to me about their origins - and one in particular, "Cream City", seemed pretty self-explanatory until I decided to do some research.

I foolishly assumed "Cream City" had something to do with being a big city in Wisconsin which is often referred to as "The Dairy State", "Americas Dairyland", or "The Cheese State". After all, the number of comments made about required custard and cheese curd consumption from my non-Wisconsin friends would lead one (or maybe just me) to believe this. Upon further research however, Milwaukee's "Cream City" title came from the cream-colored bricks that make up many of the buildings in the city. The bricks were made from the local red clay that had high amounts of lime and sulfur and when fired became a cream color (aha!). They are known for being durable - structures are still standing after 125 years. Back in the 1860s, the Milwaukee Cream Citys, a club in the National Baseball League, took on the city's nickname. The Cream Citys did not exactly have the durability of the namesake brick - the team lasted about 16 years before dissolving.

Unfortunately, the brilliance of "Cream City" has deteriorated throughout the years since the porous bricks have absorbed dirt and other city pollutants. If you want to see the natural cream color beauty - the bricks of Trimborn Farm (in Glendale) have been cleaned and preserved to still show the original color.

So there's a little Milwaukee nickname history for you - and for those of you wondering about my own nickname, I will tell you one thing - it has nothing to do with bricks or baseball.

Milwaukee...According To Mitzi...

2010-10-14T13:21:00.003-05:00

My colleagues here in Milwaukee have asked me to submit a weekly "Milwaukee...According To Mitzi" column that will be sent in the Wisconsin Avenue Chronicle to the corps members here in Milwaukee.

Here's this week's:

Walk Signals
Before I moved to Milwaukee officially on August 1, I had spent only 8 hours total in the city. During the 5^th hour – I signed my lease on my apartment and the other time was spent on a walking tour of my new neighborhood and a celebratory lunch with friends. So needless to say – I don’t know that much about Milwaukee and so I hope to bring my discoveries (little and big) of this city to you through this weekly column.

It may be weird, but I’m going to say it – the first “city feature” that impressed me the most about Milwaukee is the walk signal. Have you ever noticed that the walk signal flashes on a few seconds before the traffic light turns green? I cannot lie – I’ve done my fair share of jay-walking or walking against the light or running while the orange “don’t walk” hand is flashing, but all in all I try my best to not die while living the life a pedestrian and walk with the walk signal. So when I saw the walk signal flash on before drivers could technically lift up on their break pedal – I thought it was maybe just a glitch in the wiring. However, it kept happening at different intersections and the more I think about this tiny extra amount of time pedestrians get before right- or left-hand turns commence – it seems incredibly smart.

So thank you – City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works – for the extra crossing time, but just so you know I’m still going to look both ways.

make a little birdhouse in your soul...

2010-10-05T20:16:00.004-05:00

For some reason the above lyrics from a song by They Might Be Giants came into my head this evening...I know I've thought about the song before - but here by myself, I tend to start think about things in a more philosophical sense...probably more so than anybody really should.

My current take on the lyrics is to let your soul be open (as birdhouse is). I know - pretty deep stuff. But then look at a birdhouse...humans put it up and then some bird claims it in the spring time...and then has to line w/ twigs, leaves, or whatever they line it with...and then they live there, laying and hatching little baby birds...and the and they just take off - no attachment to the house whatsoever...leaving the twigs, leaves, and who knows what behind.

In all honesty - I don't know where I'm going with this...but given recent events in my life - that one line of lyrics seems to make sense. Right now I feel like I just have a lot of twigs, leaves, and who knows what inside me and I think it's time to clean house to make another little birdhouse in my soul.

I'm sure folks with They Might Be Giants are shaking their heads at this post...and I should probably get out more.

July 3rd.

2010-07-03T09:16:00.003-05:00

If you haven't heard Jerry Seinfeld's bit on the expiration date for milk - then the title of this post will mean nothing to you...but for those of you who have, I hope you 1) get it and 2) thank me for reminding you of this oh, so important date.

In other news - Le Tour de France starts to day...and yes, I am routing for Lance amid all of his life troubles - I just can't turn my back on him and his cycling talent. I'm a little bummed though because while I'm here at institute I do get some cable channels - but no Versus. So it will be the online live updates for me this tour... Go LANCE!!!!

As mentioned - I'm at institute and well, institute is the reason that I'm actually posting to this blog (shout out to the lovely and talented 2010 OCs!!). Institute kicked off w/ 4 straight 7-day weeks of work for me until last weekend when I had my first day off since Memorial Day. Looking back, it seems like a blur - but amid that blur we built an institute and welcomed 575 brand new teachers who have now completed their first week of teaching (P.S. don't ask me about anything that happened outside of the 5 mile radius surrounding the Illinois Institute of Technology - because I won't have a clue!)

Right now I'm battling this want to have institute end asap and not wanting it to ever end because 3 days after I move out of institute - I'm moving to Milwaukee. And while I know in my heart, mind, and gut that moving to MKE is the best thing for me to do in my life right now - it is hard to think about leaving the city I started my "life" in and the people that have been a huge part of me becoming "me" these past four years. However, this is what life is and if there is anything I have learned in my past4 years here in Chicago is that nothing is permanent except for my faith, my family, and my friends (yeah, definitely not linking that considering I don't have a picture of ALL of my friends and me)- and those are the 3 things that matter to me the most.

My faith will always be with me wherever I go, my family while there maybe some distance between us - they know I'll always jump in my car or on a plane to come and see them, and my friends - well, it may be a facebook post, e-mail, or phone call...but I know we are always connected no matter where we go or live.

Hopefully it won't be another 5 months before I post again...

GO LANCE!

~mitzi

P.S. OCs - this is for you:

Procrastination

2010-02-28T15:31:00.003-06:00

After getting a bunch of pictures from the holidays, I decided to make this to keep me from doing work...washing dishes...cleaning my apartment...doing laundry...etc.

26 and rolling...

2010-02-26T19:40:00.005-06:00

You know you missed me.

After seeing that the Büschelmännerhaus had posted 3 times in the past week, I realized that it was time to update the old blog. Lots of thing have happened since my last post, but I'll try to keep this short and focus on the highlights - and what the heck, I'll just skip forward to January 2010.

I got back from spending the holidays in Kansas and then jetted off to San Francisco to see my friend and former teammate, Ashley, who is in law school at Stanford. It was a quick trip, but it was just what I needed to get refreshed after being back at work for only 4 days. It was my first time in the Bay Area and I have to say, I loved seeing the Golden Gate Bridge...there's something about seeing landmarks in person that you have seen millions of times in pictures. We also visited Alcatraz and ate plenty of good food - including the West Coast trend: frozen yogurt. I didn't know that TCBY could be out done.

After getting back from San Fran - it was back to work. As my family knows, this is the "busy time"...and well, it lasts until August where I'll have my four weeks off...so I know it is worth it. In the past month and a half, I have schedule nearly 200 interviews to select the staff that will training the 550 new corps members at the Chicago institute. This year, certainly went much better than last year - so I do feel good about that!

In late January, I was in Tulsa for a quick team retreat - it was nice to get away from the Chicago winter for 48 hours....but then I headed back to Chicago and then to Madison for my 26th birthday. It was a great day - including free Einstein's bagels, balloons picked out by my nieces, pumpkin cheesecake, ice skating, BWWs, and a great KU basketball victory.

My boss gave birth to the newest member of the Chicago institute management team on Groundhog Day - so I (we) have been without an official boss...and will be so for the next couple of weeks. It has certainly been a test for our team - to make sure we are getting things done and holding each other accountable as we continue to shape what this year's Chicago institute will look like. It's been a learning experience and I will definitely be glad when my boss gets back!

My team getting ready for our first conference in Houston - our boss sent us a cookie bouquet!
L-R: Abigail, me, Demi, Nikki, and MaryAnn

I was able to spend a weekend in Madison and take part in the 4 annual Feuerzangenbowle there as well as have a girls (and boy) night w/ the Reddig kids as their parents headed off to winter ball. I'm currently considering a switch in careers having done a decent job with Katie's hair.

Aren't they cute?

I was then off to Houston for the first training conference for our institute staff...it was the first time we would meet the leaders of our institute - and it was a success! Looks like we are in the right place for a great summer, but there's a bunch of work that has to get done between now and my vacation in August!

Our institute's motto

This is how I decorated our tables - the "table tents" have our institute's goals listed on them...
and a shout out to the Madison party store that still had 2010 confetti!

The 2010 Chicago institute leadership team
aka my family during the months of June and July!

Fundamental rights...

2009-10-18T15:04:00.002-05:00

I just looked at the calendar and thought to myself - Where is October going??? It's almost gone! Oh no! (a la Seinfeld's "Milk"). It has been a pretty busy time since my last post. 2 days after my last post - my car was hit by a drunk driver (no injuries - except for the car)...so for about 5 weeks, I was paying for a car that I couldn't drive. Luckily, the Lawrence police found the guilty driver and so his insurance paid for the repairs which ended up being close to $7000...which basically means that my car was totaled - except it wasn't. Either way, it was pain and I had to drive a non-cruise control PT Cruiser for 4 weeks including a trip back to Chicago from Lawrence, a trip to-and-from Dayton, and then back to Lawrence...thankfully, I have my car back and life is somewhat normal.

Work has been fairly slow so far since this is our "down season". I'm doing a lot of strategic planning for the coming year as well as reflecting on how to make the Chicago institute in 2010 even better (or at least not worse!). This past week we had our official kick-off conference for all the institutes here in Chicago. We got to discuss this report during the beginning of the conference and while it was pretty incredible to read where the United States' educational achievement gap is in comparison to other countries...one person at the conference started discussing how education should be a "fundamental right of humans". This comment made me stop in my thoughts during the discussion because I couldn't get away from that phrase and where I had only heard it before - within the Right to Life movement...I wanted to stand up and say, "How can we grant education has a fundamental right when we can't even grant life as one?"...but I held back - for now. Anyway, the conference was long and there's a lot of work ahead again this year as another 600 corps members will be coming to Chicago next summer to be trained.

Amid the slow period of work - I've been able to take advantage of some vacation time and have been able to visit the Buschelmans and Lawrence in the past few weeks. I headed to Fairborn, OH earlier this month to hang out and enjoy fall with Liesel, Eric, Dom, and Will...it's always great to see them and see what new things are going on in the new house! I'm pretty sure the thing that Dom and Will (and Liesel for that matter) enjoyed the most about my visit was that I brought Dunkin' Donuts.

Then just last weekend, I drove back to Lawrence for Homecoming. It was a planned trip from the summer - to see the KU game with friends from college and be at the Oktoberfest...but I added on picking up my car from the collision repair shop to the list! It was an extremely quick weekend home, but it was great to be there for the Oktoberfest and Homecoming! Who knows - maybe this will become a tradition minus the 8 hour drive both ways.

-mitzi

see you in september...

2009-09-02T10:11:00.010-05:00

I'm having a hard time understanding that September is really here already, but there's nothing you can do to stop time from continuing to plug along. I know that I've been able to visit with many of you - but I figured I could do some sort of post here to give you an update on my summer since my last post. I had planned on posting in a more frequent fashion, but as work consumed my existence this summer - this is the way that I'm going to have update on what was a 'ado about Mitzi' in the past 3 months.

I'll start from the very beginning...

My 5th nephew came into the world on May 29 - luckily, I was able to see him the day he was born - just as I was able to do with his 2 older sisters...before I had to head back to Chicago to gear up for institute.

with Peter just a few hours after he was born

The excitement prior to moving into institute was that I purchase my first pair of TOMS (well, actually I purchased 2 pairs). I knew that I would be walking (and running) across campus during institute - in some cases carrying boxes...so I wanted something that was light-weight and as convenient as a pair of flip-flops and TOMS were the answer - and they do good things too. Overall, I have been very happy with my TOMS and would recommend them to anyone looking for a close-toe flip-flop alternative.

June 8th - I moved into my apartment on the campus of the Illinois of Institute Technology. For some reason, I never took a picture of my apartment - but it would be my home for the next 7.5 weeks. June 8-June 14 is "Week -1" in TFA-institute-speak. Basically a TFA institute runs for 5 weeks - so the weeks prior to corps members arriving for training are called "Week -1 and Week 0". Only myself, the full-time team I work with throughout the year, and the leadership team of the summer staff we hired, trained, and would be managing moved lived on campus Week -1, then the rest of the summer staff moved in at the beginning of Week 0, and as you can assume Week 1 is when corps members move in for their 5 weeks of training.

I'm having a hard time trying to explain exactly all that happens before corps members arrive in those few short days - but the only thing that I can think of it as is what a campaign's advance team does before the candidate they are working for arrives. Only in TFA's case, we were planning for about 615 corps members to arrive while maintaining the support for the 150 staff members who just arrived in a new city for the summer. Needless to say - I was working about 120 hours/week the first 2 weeks on campus to set up this small city for our staff and corps members to function in.

One of our larger tasks was our supply delivery - since the Chicago institute was brand new - that means we didn't have anything...so in 2 semi-trucks were 700 boxes that we unloaded, sorted, and organized - at the end of institute we would collect everything, pack it up, and store it for next summer. This is a picture of the 180 crates we stacked and lined in one hallway.

Checking in with Taylor (school operations manager coordinator) during Week -1

I set up this "Reimbursement Station" for my staff to work at if they wanted to be reimbursed for their travel to institute. It was a HUGE success!!

My operations coordinators and I are working to sort the materials that were used to train our staff during Week 0.

Our staff...well most of it - and their ID pictures!

June 21 - The inaugural Chicago institute starts. 14 days after I moved to IIT - corps members arrived and institute life truly began. One of the staff members and I would joke about how each day was really about 4 days when you think about everything that would go on even before you had breakfast. Here's a day in the life of my life this summer for example:

"Day 1"
4:30am - Alarm clock goes off
4:39am - Snooze alarm goes off
4:48am - Snooz alarm goes off again and I finally get up
5:00am - Leave my apartment and head over to the main campus building for lunch pick-up
5:10am - Make sure all the operations staff are there for lunch pick-up, take my position to make sure corps members and staff are following the flow of traffic to get their lunch and head to breakfast
5:15am - Corps members and instructional staff start arriving to pick-up their lunch. The only words that I say for about the next two hours are "Good morning!","Have a great day at school!", "No, you can only have 1 drink with your lunch." "Please, go up these stairs so that we can keep traffic moving." "No, please go this way instead." "I understand that way looks quicker, but we are trying to move 700 people through this line right now, please go this way instead."
7:00am - Head out to the busline and check on the staff there, greet the bus drivers, and make sure the buses leave on time.
7:30am - Get breakfast with bus duty and lunch pick-up staff

Checking in on bus duty - you can see one of the 20+ buses on the left-hand side of the picture

"Day 2"
8:00am - Catch-up on any e-mails that came in over night
9:00am - Meet with staff to make sure they know what needs to happen that day
9:30am - Meet with Director of Institute Operations to plan meeting with operations director meeting.
10am - Operations Director meeting
11:15am - Check-in phone call with my school operations manager coordinator
12:00pm - Lunch
1:00pm - Shower

"Day 3"
2:00pm - Prepare for meeting with school directors, meet with operations coordinators
3:00pm - Individual meetings with operations directors about institute close-out
4:00pm - Greet corps members with the rest of the operations staff when they arrive back at campus.
4:30pm - Check-in with school operations manager coordinator
5:00pm - Dinner

"Day 4"
6:00pm - School Operations Manager meeting
7:00pm - School Director meeting
8:00pm - Check-in with operations across campus
9:00pm - Check e-mail from the afternoon and respond to staff needs
10:00pm - Check on copy center and resouce center
11:00pm - Final e-mail check
11:30pm - Bed

Granted, this was typical day - but throw in a case of the swine flu, departing corps members, a car accident, an unhappy staff member, a frustrated corps member, a 45 minute wait at the copy center, and my personal favorite - bacon on the vegetarian sandwiches - the day becomes much more than 'typical'.

But I survived...and so did our staff...and most importantly, so did our corps members - who are now beginning their first year of teaching in either Chicago, Milwaukee, Kansas City, South Dakota, Boston, Charlotte, or Eastern North Carolina.

So for about 7.5 weeks - institute was life. We did have fun though and TFA always knows how to celebrate. I made some great friends who I hope will return next summer! Also, probably the best part is that as a full-time institute staff member, I am required to take 3 weeks of comp time following institute...and tack on a week of vacation I've acculmulated - you get 4 weeks of work-free life. Now that my final days of vacation are approaching - I'm anxious about heading back to Chicago to beginning planning the 2010 Chicago institute...but also renewed and ready to do things even better this year.

The operations team!

The four operations coordinators I managed - they are completing college this year and all 4 plan to apply for the corps.

Taylor and I - the school operations power force!! We exceeded our goals for school operations - which is exactly why I decided to join full-time institute staff!

The operations team enjoyed the open-bar Happy Hour w/ Karaoke one Friday afternoon!!

The full-time Chicago institute management team - our last night in Chicago after 7.5 weeks together!

2 months later...

2009-05-10T16:48:00.003-05:00

Considering that it has been almost 2 months since my last post, it's probably time to post at least something.

First up - this is currently my favorite song.

Secondly - since May 15 (last posting) it's been just a little bit busy in the Teach For America - Chicago Institute world. My team and I hosted "Leadership Conference 2" here in Chicago in March - I co-managed the logistics for this conference w/ the Phoenix MIS and her crew - so about 50 people to house/feed/guide. We were able to use the new TFA office and overall the conference was a success. I was able to present to the leadership team of the Chicago institute (school directors - SD) about how the school operations manager (SOM) functions in their lives. This has been one of the things driving me in my work this year - to make sure that SDs and SOMs have a good working relationship and that they understand their roles. The other exciting part of LC2 was that I acquired a membership here.

LC2 definitely wiped me out - but I was back at work the next day gearing up for the "Operations Director Conference" in Houston and the big-one: "All Staff Conference" in Chicago both of which happened in April. ODC was nice - just hanging w/ the ops folks of institute - my kind of people :)! And then - I got a vacation!!

And vacation was wonderful - just enjoying the life of the Reddigs and Holy Week. Some highlights of that trip: not working, Katie's Zumba class, Samba de Amigo, the annual Seder Meal - which the Beiers joined us for, discovering a new restaurant with a friend, a new scarf from the Easter Bunny, watching The Masters for the first time ever, and of course having Mary Ann update me on things coming up - i.e. "Mitzi, didn't you know that tomorrow is Easter?"

And then it was back to work...let's just say that coming back from vacation was a little rough, and the 2 weeks that I had to prepare for the All Staff Conference were just a little stressful - but it was all worth it. We had an incredible conference and with the survey results back now - it seems as though all 110 people that I logistically brought together were pretty happy about their time in Chicago. I had been working on this conference in particular since last August - so it was really great to see it all happen...and to meet everyone that I have been e-mailing since December. That's just one of the things that I truly enjoy about this job - I get to see the results of my planning and organization.

A week later - the Buschelmans came to visit me - first time since my move to the Ukrainian Village. It was a relaxing weekend of wandering around the city, the zoo, and the brewery. And we were able to get the kitchen curtains hung! It's incredible to see how Dom and Will are growing...and more incredible to realize how small my apartment can become with 4 extra bodies.

And now we are up to this past week - well, work picked up quite a bit with the announcement of a new region attending the Chicago institute. This means that not only will the corps members from Chicago, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Eastnern NC, Charlotte, and Boston be trained here in Chicago this summer - but now also the South Dakota corps members. It'll be quite an group of people (over 600) descending on Chicago and the public schools this summer - so now is the time to get ready for it all.

A future corps member (who has worked at institute before) wrote a letter - and well, this small excerpt gives me a little inspiration to continue to work hard:

I am excited to return to institute, this time as a corps member, to know the other side of the experience, to earn my place in this cycle, and to prove myself worthy of the children I will teach – and worthy of the time you spend at conferences like this preparing to lead me and my fellow corps members. I look forward to having my own stories of the ways “my kids” changed my life – and hopefully, the ways I changed theirs – and I’m grateful for the role you have already begun to play in moving me there.

genius...

2009-03-15T22:17:00.004-05:00

I know I need to give an update here on what is much ado about me, but as a tease - I saw this quote tonight and thought it was pertinent to the "hard-times" that we are all going through...

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -Thomas Edison

valentine's day(s)...

2009-02-14T09:04:00.003-06:00

For some reason - I can remember random events that happened on particular day for sometimes several years back...I think I got this from Liesel and Katie because I can remember one evening when we spent about an hour thinking back through the years of what happened on a particular day in June. All I can remember now from that was that we couldn't believe so many things had happened on that particular day.

So...as I sit here thinking about Valentine's day - I think about how I have spent my last few V-days:

2008: I flew to Philadelphia for work on Southwest Airlines. I remember the flight attendants handing out Valentine's day candy and the plane being decorated for the special day. Once arriving in Philly - my manager, Mike, and I took a walk around the city, saw the Liberty Bell and Constitutional Hall and we at an Irish pub.

2007: I was home in Lawrence recruiting for TFA w/ my manager, Casey - and we had dinner at Mom and Dad's - ahhh, the seafood pilaf!!

2006: I remember this one the most because the night before my car door broke and Mom and Dad had been watching "24" and didn't answer the phone when I called for help (no hard feelings!). On V-day...I sent out an e-mail to my siblings about the previous night's happenings and I remember Liesel calling me after one of my classes to tell me it was the funniest e-mail that she ever read. I know for dinner - Blair, Amy, and I went to Chipotle and I can specifically remember Blair telling me to apply for Teach For America's corps - and I actually started an application that night (the deadline was in 2 days)...but I got distracted because Liesel called me again to tell me she and Eric were expecting their first child.

2005: Can't remember...

2004: My roommates and I decided that we were going to spend Valentine's day alone and so we decided to round up our guy-friends from the schol-halls and go get dinner some place. We ended up going McDonald's and then came back to schol-hall land to watch 'Bend It Like Beckam'.

2003: I remember that I received a handmade Valentine from Katie this year...I wonder if I still have it in one of my boxes at home...it was so pretty!!

Hmmm...6 years back and only missing one isn't that bad. If anyone can remember what happened in 2005 - let me know.

Happy St. Valentine's Day!!

Love,
Mitzi

Chances?

2009-01-20T11:37:00.003-06:00

"The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness."

-President Barack H. Obama

I must ask, then, when is the exact moment that someone is given the chance to be equal - the chance to be free - and the chance to pursue their full measure of happiness?

I think conception would be a pretty sweet moment to have that chance be given...let's go with that, Mr. President.

obama cookies...

2009-01-19T10:46:00.006-06:00

As I was grocery shopping in my local Dominick's my eyes caught a section of tables decorated in red, white, and blue at the front entrance of the store. There were cakes, cupcakes, cake-top decorations, confetti, party hats, and other party paraphernalia for tomorrow's inauguration. I guess people are still celebrating among these economic hard times. However, as I tried to ignore the display and keep my head held high - I noticed "Obama Cookies" - Obama's face had been imprinted on several sugar cookies. I guess that's a level of fame that I certainly do not want to reach.

In other news - today is Martin* Luther King Jr. Day (observed) and it made me think of one of his quotes that is often not associated with him on this day - but is still incredibly powerful.

"Many people fear nothing more terribly than to take a position which stands out sharply and clearly from the prevailing opinion. The tendency of most is to adopt a view that it is so ambiguous that it will include every thing, and so popular that it will include everybody. Not a few men who cherish lofty and noble ideals hide them under a bushel for fear of being called different."

Now, there are many ways that I have read this quote and considering what tomorrow will be for our country - I truly hope and pray that our new president - who campaigned on bringing change to this nation...will not fear of being called different. That he will not fear of being the first democrat to look to his opposing side and see the good that it stands for and the good that it can bring to our country. I wonder what our world would be like if we could take the good parts from each side of the aisle and work to make those things happen instead of debating them.

Yesterday, I joined about 100 other Chicago pro-lifers on Michigan Avenue for a rally for life. While it was small it was nice to have that feeling of camaraderie here in Chicago even though many were strangers. Fox News - Chicago covered it here.

Tomorrow will be about change...I just hope that change includes some warmer weather here in the Windy City.

-mitzi

*Thank you to my editor...

living the moment...

2009-01-02T11:12:00.006-06:00

Happy 2009! I'm currently enjoying my last day of vacation until April (minus 2 federal holidays) and I am still enjoying life in Kansas and the benefits of being at home to wake up to the two things that I enjoyed about being home: coffee already made and a licking dog.

As I (and the family) get older and families continue to grow - you learn to enjoy the little moments a bit more and savor the memories of being together for another time - not quite knowing when another time will come.

I arrived a week prior to Christmas to help Mom and Dad prepare the house. Dad and I made a trip to Mrs. Baker's farm once again to find the perfect cedar for our living room - we managed to get it to stand straight after 2 failures and it's still standing to this day.

I had better luck with the fudge production - producing 3 near-perfect batches:

Christmas Eve and Day were chaotically wonderful as my whole family came to Lawrence for a traditional "Keel" Christmas...we even all made it to church on time and were able to snap a family photo - the first since the Buschelman wedding...

Christmas morning was filled with excitement as my niece, Mary Ann, exclaimed that Santa shops at Costco...she's quite smart and loves the spirit of Christmas and her god-mother:

A trip to Free State Brewery was a highlight for the entire family on the 26th...the Buschelmans posed for another family shot courtesy of 'Hund Photography':

Then it was off to the Hickory Grove to celebrate with Oma and the St. Louis Keels. Oma got to meet her 5th and 6th great-grandchildren. Here she is with William:
I was able to meet up with my high school friends, "The Clarinets", for our annual get-together. We've being reuniting every year for 8 years now. This year, Laura could not make it but we called her to catch up!
And finally as 2008 closed - I celebrated with some dear friends from St. Lawrence:

2009 will be busy as soon as I head back to Chicago...we have just 5 months to get an institute ready to open!

May the new year bring you many blessings!

Much love,
Mitzi

okay, okay...

2008-11-18T11:14:00.002-06:00

So I realized that my last two posts have been more of me venting and I think I just need to get past it all. Here's a real post of what's "Much Ado About Mitzi"...

Last Friday was my first concert with the DePaul Community Chorus...I think my last 'official' choral concert would have been back in May of 2002 - so it was nice to revisit that experience and test my musical intellect once again. The concert went really well and hopefully there will be a DVD (Family - don't worry, I pre-ordered one for every niece and nephew for Christmas!). 4 of my Teach For America colleagues (both past and present) came to listen and then afterwards we all went to this place to listen to these ladies. All and all - a very musically stimulating evening.

At my concert - I was a part of small chorale that sang in a call/response (or cantor/chorus) piece. Which introduced me to a new favorite Bible verse: (Philippians 4:6-7) "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ, our Lord." The musical tune that was set to these words was very powerful - if you're friends with (or parents/grandparents of) my nieces or nephews...just maybe you'll get to hear it!

Last night I had an amazing experience at The Counter - Custom Built Burgers here in Chicago. It is a chain restaurant that just open here and there's been quite a bit of talk about it. Some friends and I decided to take it in for a Monday evening out and well, let's just say - the diet was definitely off for the 2 hours I was there. I highly recommend going with an appetite and friends to share the fries :)!

"only uneducated women voted for mccain"...

2008-11-17T22:33:00.002-06:00

I don't know how many times I heard that line during this last election season...but now I really wonder how educated Obama supporters are...this clip is from this website

report from nobamaland...

2008-11-11T18:26:00.003-06:00

Well, thank goodness I don't live in Hyde Park because I don't think anyone would be able to come and visit me due to the serious amount of secret service security that exists in that area of Chicago now. Election night here in Chicago was pretty crazy for the folks that headed to Grant Park - included all of my co-workers. However, for me - I headed to choir rehearsal and came home to the news that we have a new president-elect Obama. Yes, it is historical...but just because some is "historical" does not mean that you must agree with it. While I've been called 'uneducated' and/or 'close-minded' for my political preference in this particular election - I hope that those who will be steering this country for the next 4 years will continue to educate themselves in the truth and facts about all issues and will be open-minded to the thoughts, opinions, etc of those that they might agree with at first. There are my two cents.

The weekend before the election - two of my best friends came into town for a few days. Sarah and I were able to make a quick trip to Mundelein Seminary and see our friends Greg and Daniel who have just started their first year there. It was a gorgeous fall day - so we had to take some pictures. Here's my favorite:

Amy joined us and we hit the town on Saturday night with some delicious deep-dished pizza at Gino's and then a few hours at the Red Head Piano Bar:
Work is starting to pick-up...though things won't really get started until January. I'm still doing a lot of planning and some hiring - that's right, I'm going to actually be managing people. I've also been able to help recruit our staff for next summer which is probably the best part of the job right now - just getting to talk about why institute life is so great. Last week, I had the privilege of speaking on the "Big Pic" call for the recruitment associates at Teach For America (my first position right out of college). The purpose of the call is connect RAs to the mission of TFA and help them realize that the little things they do have a huge impact. I got to talk about how I went from e-mailing hundreds of college seniors to helping start up a brand new institute that will train over 600 new teachers. It's pretty incredible to think how far I've come in just a few years of really hard work. I know there's still more hard work ahead, but knowing that it is making a difference is the best part.

I attended an encyclical study last Wednesday on 'Humane Vitae' and 'Evangelium Vitae' - which was incredible! While I've been connect to the pro-life movement since college - I haven't been as active as my time at St. L's. Well, it just so happens that the Archdiocese of Chicago is starting a junior board for the Respect Life office - and well, guess who was asked to join?? :)! We had our first meeting last night and we are just trying to get the structure and purpose set - but I'm excited to be connected to pro-life people here in Chicago...that's something that I've been lacking since I moved here.

Until next time...

next stop - vegas, please...

2008-10-25T12:04:00.005-05:00

Well, if you don't know what song my 'post title' came from - listen here.

Yep, I'm back from my conference in Las Vegas - a very productive time as we discuss our 2015 goals for the organization as a whole and the Chicago's team goals for next summer. So far everything is looking good - just a lot of planning and preparation before everything really kicks-off in January.

Here I am with my winnings - I put in $10 and won $12.25...my heart was racing the whole time until I cashed out. I don't think I'll ever gamble again. And here is the "Venetian" inside...not quite like the pictures from Liesel and Eric's trip to Venice.
Outside the Venetian (Treasure Island).
And here is 4/5 of my team - (L-R) Abigail (from NYC), Ashley (from DC), me, and Tiffany (from Houston).

And fall is here

2008-10-04T08:15:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe that it is already October, but here we are. I don't have any new pictures to post - because they've been posted here instead. No hard feelings, Eric! :)! I had a great time in Dayton and I'm looking forward to an upcoming weekend in Madison.

Life in Chicago is going fairly well - I'm enjoying the fall weather now that it has fully set-in...wearing scarves and jackets as I walk to my bus stop. I know that winter will be here soon where I'll be complaining about the fact that I have to wear Cuddle Duds every day, but for now I'll imagine that I'm Anne Shirley (only with dark brown hair and no Gilbert Blythe) and enjoy the crisp fall air.

Work is going really well amid the economic crisis (DRINK!). I heard a bit on NPR about how non-profits are beginning to worry about the year's 'giving drive' as well as major funders dropping out of their pledges, but so far - I'm still getting my pay check - so I guess we're okay - for now! I am still excited about my job. I have much more autonomy because I'm not reporting directly to a manager everyday. Instead, I'm the member of a 5 person team...so we kind of just work in our own worlds and then come together once a week. It reminds me of my work with the March for Life leadership team back in the day - and Veritas. So I feel prepared, but there is also this very large weight on my shoulders about being a part of the first institute management team (IMT) to open the Chicago institute. For instance, if you've read any of the books/articles about Teach For America - you usually hear about an institute's 'first' year. So basically all the Chicago IMT's work this year will help to complete the sentence, "Well, remember that first institute in Chicago??? Man, we had (fill in the blank)."

Soooo, no pressure.

Outside of work, I've join the DePaul Community Chorus (DCC). It's just a group of about 150 people who want to sing together. We practice once a week and then have about 4 concerts during the year. The first on is November 15th - if anybody wants to come :)! There will be one in December for "Christmas at DePaul" - and then 2 in Spring 2009. The choir is actually very good...a cross between the Matins choir back when Chris Berry directed us and we sang "O Healing River" and my senior year in "A Cappella Choir" at LHS.

I'm also trying to make it to the weekly Bible study at Holy Name Cathedral. This month is on St. Paul - so last week we received the basic introduction of where St. Paul came from and the background he brought to the faith. It's pretty incredible the amount of people St. Paul reached in the short life he had post-conversion. And it makes me wonder what if people who already have a great following were to convert (cough-Obama-cough).

A week from today is not only this guy's birthday, but also the 6th anniversary of my broken leg. I have a friend from work running the Chicago marathon next Sunday - I'm planning to cheer her on there, so hopefully there won't be a repeat broken tibia.

And lastly - McCain-Palin '08, Darn RIGHT!

-mitzi

A call to serve...

2008-09-13T09:57:00.002-05:00

When my dad called me to tell me that McCain had just spoken about Teach For America during the "Presidential Service Forum" on September 11th - I have to say, I was surprised...this was the second time that I would hear of the senator from Arizona speaking about education in the way that the organization that I work for sees it. The first time was during McCain's acceptance speech that he actually proclaimed "Education is this generation's civil rights issue" - something that Teach For America has been saying since its beginning in 1990.

Obviously, McCain has learned about what Teach For America is providing for our country - and especially our students. I can only guess that McCain has known about Teach For America because of its presence in Phoenix, AZ - where 288 corps members where placed just last year and where Teach For America's 6th summer training institute opened just this past summer. I know there are critics out there who talk about the "teach for awhile" idea that Teach For America is often linked to since the commitment to teach is only 2 years - however, if you look at the studies and what Teach For America's theory of change is - you will see that by having Teach For America be talked about in a national setting, by a presidential candidate shows that the movement is growing and may truly change the course of public education in this country.

I'm surprised as any to hear a conservative Republican speak about education they way McCain has...and I think this really does show that he is willing to do what is good and right for this country - even if it means working with those that most likely will not vote for him.

I am not saying that the organization that I work for aligns itself to a certain party - but I will say that I am the minority in my working environment and the people I work with are often surprised when they first learn about my political views.

Here's part (full) of the transcript from the "Presidential Service Forum" :

JUDY WOODRUFF (PBS): Senator, do you — what are there — what are the obligations of citizenship, other than paying taxes? Should there be — do you see service connected to what you’re talking about in Washington and should there be something compulsory?

JOHN MCCAIN: I don’t think so, Judy. I don’t think — because I think when you compel someone to do something, then you basically are in contradictions to the fundamental principle of having people wanting to serve and willing and eager to serve.

Americans are still eager to serve. Americans, when we look at all of the programs that we made available, almost all of them, in fact, all of them are oversubscribed by people who are volunteering. What’s the most — probably one of the lead organizations in America today?

It’s Teach for America. Where vastly — thousands more are seeking to be part of that program, to go in the inner cities of America and teach children.

McCain is right there were over 20,000 applications to the Teach For America program last recruitment season - only 4,100 of those applications turned into first year teachers this fall. So, there are about 16,000 recent college-grads and young professionals who at least when they applied - wanted to be a part of something bigger than themselves...I often wonder what happens to those 16,000 or so. My hope is that they do go and do some sort of service in whatever field they choose.

I would have to correct McCain on one point that he makes - particularly relating to Teach For America's generation of applications. Having been a part of the recruitment team - I can tell you that yes - in some cases you do have to compel people to serve (or to at least apply). There is quite a bit of blood, sweat, and tears that goes into getting those 20,000 applications to Teach For America...but knowing that this program is finally being talked about by leaders of our country, maybe - just maybe we will have a nation of people wanting to serve and to make a difference in some capacity that is fitting to their own skills, knowledge, and mindset.

Maybe if we have a president who works for the service of others we can make progress in this nation. Maybe we will finally get to point where instead of seeking justification of why we are sacrificing for others --- we will only ask ourselves "How can we justify not sacrificing for those that need us the most?"

Maybe I'm idealistic, but if we don't strive for the ideal...then what's the point.

you decide...

2008-09-12T10:26:00.001-05:00

new living/guest room...

2008-08-27T09:48:00.007-05:00

I still remember the day that I purchased the old burnt orange love seat from the Lawrence Salvation Army the summer after my freshman year of college. That love seat was a great piece of furniture...but at some point in one's life - you have to depart from that college lifestyle and upgrade (in my case) to furniture that will support your ever-growing family...in hopes that they will come and visit you in Chicago (Reddigs, don't worry - you're winning in that point count!).

So here is the new living/guest room in my 1 bedroom apartment:

The "Beddinge" IKEA sofa bed - yes, it folds out to a full-size bed. Also included in this picture - Opa's coffee table (the former childhood kitchen counter), Grandma and Grandpa's living room chair, Dan Paulette-Chapman's bookshelf (made by his father), and (hidden) a small end table donated to me by the former Douthart SHD, Gina Lopez-Ferguson.

Another shot (as you walk out of my bedroom)...here you can see that I still have not placed the work order to fix the right window blind. Tux is also there on the window still keeping watch and Christian still lights the way in the corner under his plant home making sure no schnottgurgels attack my guests.

And here is the new placement of the television (I know, Liesel...I don't have the angles any more...).

breaking news...

2008-08-02T11:23:00.007-05:00

I don't know why I feel the need to "blog" about this, but let's just say that when you live by yourself, "blogging" acts in place of say a roommate that you could yell to in another room in your nice two bedroom apartment when something goes crazy in your life.

Well, as you all know I just made it back to Chicago and probably my greatest fear was that my apartment would have just disappeared. I don't know how exactly - but I did have nightmares of freak explosions and all my worldly possessions turning to ash. Anyhow - everything turned out okay and all is well in apartment land. Little did I know that I should have been worried about something else.

I was going through my 2 months of mail...and found a note from my gym, Crunch. Those who know me - know that I'm not the most avid worker-outer, but for the past year and a half, I have been a member of this gym that is conveniently located in my office building - I've come to enjoy Crunch and the people that work there. I had my routine there and felt comfortable with my surroundings there. Now, the Chicago TFA office is going to be moving locations...but I was planning on keeping my membership since it is fairly close to me - I would just have to switch my routine a little.

BUT!

The note in the mail from my beloved Crunch was to tell me that the corporate Crunch offices our closing my location and that my membership has been transferred to another location. To say the least - I feel crushed (or maybe crunched).

many the mile...

2008-07-31T17:42:00.005-05:00

66 days and 3, 171 miles later - I'm back here in the Windy (and somewhat rainy) City. There's been much ado in the past month especially so I'll break it down a little:

New Job: During the 4 week that I was in Houston, I was officially recruited to apply for a full-time position on Teach For America's institute staff. I decided to apply the following week, interviewed the next week, and just 2 weeks ago - received the offer for Manager of Institute Support for the charter Chicago institute. So, just like there is an institute in Houston - next year Chicago will become the 7th Teach For America institute. We'll be training about 530 new corps members here next June and July - and it's my job to make sure that Chicago is ready for all of them!

Travels: So since I got the new job, my travels back to Chicago from Houston took a few detours. After moving out of Moody Towers - I spent 3 days with the Keels in Lawton and enjoyed the days with Kelly and Jesse at the Ft. Sill Pool and the Comanche Nation Waterpark and spent the evenings with some great food, even better drinks, and of course - catching up with the Major.

Token "aunt/nephew" picture - #1

Then...On my way back to Lawrence, I received word that I needed to return to Houston to be trained for my new job - so I spent the weekend in Lawrence/KC and then flew back to Houston for a week of training...came back to Lawrence for another weekend and decided that it was finally time for a vacation.

Meanwhile, my "middle" sister gave birth to my newest relative: William Thomas Buschelman - so that meant I needed to make a trip to Dayton. To save on gas/miles/time driving - I decided to head to Dayton for a few days before coming back here to Chicago. Again, it was a great few days of hanging with Liesel, Dom, and Will - and then some great food, even better drinks and of course - catching up with the Lieutenant.

Will

Will (in color)

Dom and Eric enjoying the Greene

Dom - obviously paying attention to something much more important.

Token "aunt/nephew" picture - #2

So now, I'm back to the normal life and will truly start my new job up on Monday - just in time to head towards Madison next week to complete my sibling tour.

Phew...now it's time to unpack.

-mitzi

P.S. Say what you will about Fox News...this bit definitely rivals Saturday Night Live:

le tour preview...

2008-06-29T19:43:00.003-05:00

2008 le Tour de France: July 5th -July 27th

Should be an interesting 3 weeks in July considering that none of the genuine Tour favorites are participating...

Read this

Happy Father's Day!

2008-06-14T17:25:00.001-05:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Oh, the HUMIDITY!!!

2008-06-08T10:40:00.002-05:00

Today is the day that all the new 2008 corps members move into Moody Towers and descend upon all the Targets and Wal-marts in the general vicinity. My job for registration is "IAH Greeter" - yes, I get to go to Bush International and greet any of our CMs flying in for institute.

Considering the stress/excitement that these folks are probably going through - I find it very nice of Teach For America to have us meet/greet/help the new arrivals as they launch themselves into five weeks of TFA-Teacher Boot Camp.

My school is on its way to being ready for these corps members...I've got one more day to put on the final touches! YIKES!

Yesterday, I joined the gym here at UH - pretty nice facility and probably bigger than KU's. However, have you ever been running knowing full well that you're giving yourself a blister? Well, I had that feeling as I was in the middle of my run yesterday morning and so when I stopped, I turned around to see the damage only to find: the back of ankle/foot and shoe covered in blood. Quite a sight. And I really wish there was maybe a different signal sent to your brain (Dr. Reddig do you know anything about this??) that would let you know that you are indeed bleeding and not just some pain.

-mitzi

a busy month

2008-06-01T17:32:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe that it is already June 1st - the last month seemed to just fly by with all the travels here and there. I'm currently in Houston, TX and will be here until July 15th working at the institute held here for the incoming 2008 corps members. However, perhaps I should recap the last 31 days:

May 1-4/Houston, TX/Half-Staff Conference: I flew to Houston to meet some of the team that I will be working with here in Houston and also to find out what exactly I will be doing here the next six weeks. To briefly explain - I will be in charge of all operations and logistics at Wainwright Elementary School. About 60 corps member will be teaching about 300 students this summer and it's my job to make sure they are able to due so by organizing and implementing any systems needed. Yes, I get paid to be organized. It's a good gig.

May 9-11/Ames, IA/Amy's Graduation: I celebrated Amy's Masters graduation from Iowa State University with Blair, Nate, Joe, and Amy's parents - it was a quick weekend...but I'm so glad I got to go and see my friend achieve the next level of academics! Congrats, Amy!

May 16-18/Kalamazoo, MI/Road trip with Betsy: My friend (and former co-worker), Betsy, has family that lives in Kalamazoo and since it has always been a place that I've wanted to go - we decided to take a weekend and visit my dad's old college stomping grounds. We stayed with Betsy's grandmother - who is an excellent pianist and played for 2 hours while I sang showtunes! Betsy and I also enjoy a meal and a beer at Kalamazoo's own "Bell's Brewery" - it doesn't compare to Free State - but what does? We finished the trip with a walk around K College - a beautiful campus!

May 23-25/Chicago, IL/RA Reunion: Four of us recruitment associates from the 2006-07 Big Midwest Recruitment Team gathered in Chicago to enjoy each other's company - indeed it was great to see all of them!!

May 26/Jefferson City, MO/Hickory Grove Visit: For the first time, I went to the Hickory Grove by myself - it was so nice to visit with Oma and hear all the stories that she has from when she first met Opa and how he was such a romantic! The Keel men certainly set the bar high!

May 27-May31/Lawrence, KS/Home: I love being home and in Lawrence. It was so exciting to finally meet Tux II and to be taken care of by Mom and Dad. With 2 trips to Free State, a visit with Grandpa Mac, and meals out on the screened-in porch, I have my 'home-fix' for at least a few weeks.

May 31/Dallas, TX/2 Beiers, 2 Davises, 1 Keel: Thankfully the Davis/Beier clan graciously hosted me on my trip to Houston. We had a lovely evening at a wine bar and then back at Katie's place. It is so nice to have friends all over!

June 1/Houston, TX/Institute: Well, here I am at Moody Towers - my residence for the next 6 weeks. It is pretty incredibly how fast I was able to set up my room - I guess living in Douthart for 4 years helped develop that skill. So far everything is pretty relaxed, but tomorrow everything will kick into gear to get our corps members ready to start teaching in just 2 weeks!

~mitzi

back in chicago...

2008-04-13T11:29:00.003-05:00

I turned my heat off before I left for KS a little over week ago thinking that I wouldn't have to turn it back on until maybe October...ha. The wintry weather that has been hanging around the past three days has made me once again click the little switch to 'on'. What's sad is that I only have it on 60 - and it still comes on to heat this apartment. Come on, Chicago - it's the middle of April. At least today, the sun is out - so hopefully I can take a stroll to a coffee shop and do some Sunday reading. Gotta soak up this sun before it goes away again.

My week in KS was really great. Mom and Dad's new "BBB&B" (formerly known as 'The Girls' Room', you all can take a guess at what those 4 B's stand for) is a really nice addition to home...I still marvel at the fact that there were 3 of us living in that room until Katie headed up the Hill. I took quite a trip down memory lane as I went through Sterlite container after Sterlite container filled with the remnants of what used to be in that old room...and of course kept some of those precious keepsakes that I'll soon forget about until we have to clean out the garage someday.

Although, I was planning to go home no matter what happened with the NCAA tournament, it was sure nice to be there for the 2 big wins over UNC and Memphis - and then heading to Mass. St. to celebrate. I'm still in shock that we actually claimed the championship - it's unreal how basketball can give you so much pride in your alma mater. What a game! What a season! What a team!

In case you want to relive the moment that had all of us screaming - check out these videos from a few choice locations.

In NYC:

In Brooklyn:

The Granada (Lawrence, KS):

Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, KS):

And of course, the Alamodome (some profanity):

brings a tear to the eye...

2008-04-08T16:09:00.003-05:00

Flight home using Southwest Rewards: $5
2 beers at Free State: $6.50
Being in Lawrence when KU won the 2008 Men's Basketball NCAA Tournament: Priceless

much later...

2008-03-18T19:58:00.004-05:00

When I went to look to see if I had any new comments on my blog - I realized that it had been a month since I last blogged. So here's an update of sorts...

Towards the end of February, my friend and former co-worker, Casey, decided it was time for a visit in Chicago. So for 2 weeks, I kind of lived a "vacation" by reliving some of our past times here. It was a great two weeks that included a trip to Goose Island Brewery on a Sunday afternoon. Thinking that we would enjoy a brew that is not found in stores - we ordered the reserved Imperial I.P.A. - only to find out that it was served in a tulip glass at $10/glass. I definitely had a "I guess we're not in KS anymore" moment thinking that I was at the 'local' brewery - where all the beers cost the same (Freestate!!). Needless to say, we enjoyed the $10 beer...and then switch to the traditional I.P.A. for the rest of our time at the brewery.

Also, I found a new place near my apartment that's great for watching games and grabbing a veggie (or of meat variety) burger...and I actually have already been there by myself for dinner and a game. I was pretty proud of myself for taking that step in my life...I never thought I would eat dinner out by myself, but this place is welcoming enough to let me do so. Thank you, High Dive!

During all of this, I also made a quick trip down to Ames, IA to visit Amy and see her apartment...and a KU basketball game! Although it was cold...it was great to see Amy and her life in Iowa.

I just got back from a little over a week in Dayton - it was quite the whirlwind week looking back...realizing how much my life has changed since the Buschelmans introduced me to the show "Lost". I've resisted for several seasons (3.5) but little did I know about the power of "Lost". You can watch all the episodes online for free...so just give it a shot and see if you're intrigued by the lives of Oceanic Flight 815.

Other events from Dayton: Caught a 24-hour stomach flu from either Liesel/Dom, received some excellent gifts from Eric's trip to the New Belgium Brewery, introduced Dom to his new favorite game: Finger Buzzing, enjoyed a thin and crispy cheese pizza with my sister, and of course - enjoyed the Jayhawks' victories in this year's Big XII tourney (as well as a few others here)!! I'll be back there in July...but I certainly enjoy my traditional trips to Ohio in October and March!

And in other news: I was offered a position on the Houston institute staff and decided to accept the offer. So I'll be in TX for about 7 weeks this summer working as a school operations manager...and then will take some time off before I start up again here in Chicago. I don't know for sure what position I'll be in this coming year...I might stay with talent recruitment or I may do something else within the organization.

~mitzi

politician or public servant

2008-02-18T20:30:00.001-06:00

People Always Hate Politicians Until They Need One

I got into the legislation business only in order to tirelessly serve the good people of Kansas's 3rd District. But what do I get in return? ...

back home...

2008-02-17T19:32:00.005-06:00

After a whirlwind week of traveling to and from Los Angeles and Philadelphia...it is good to be back in the Central timezone. I'm a little exhausted from the several hours spent in airports, airplanes, and taxi cabs - but it was great to go to both of these places and see some sites that I might have never thought to go see on my own. From the famed cement hand and foot prints along Hollywood Blvd. to the historical home of the Declaration of Independence...the cities of angels and brotherly love were certainly intriguing - and definitely warmer than the frigid temperatures of this windy city.

In other news, I have an interview for a position on the staff that supports the summer institute in Houston for this coming June/July. It's the school operations manager role - which means, you run all the logistics/operations for one of the schools that incoming corps members teach at during their 5 weeks of training. This is just part-time/summer job - so I would live in Houston for 6-7 weeks during the summer and then return back to my regular job. If I get it - it will be a really great experience to have within the organization...so if you have a moment to think of me at 4:30pm CST this Tuesday - I'd appreciate it!

And since I have tomorrow off for President's Day - check this out:

PRESIDENT’S DAY

Back in Seventeen ninety-six
Is when this Holiday began
For the birthday of ol’ George
At least that was the plan.
It was his last full year
Of his Presidency
Born February twenty-second
Or the Eleventh, ‘cause you see
The old calendar was different
Than the one we use today
And some celebrated one
Some people on the other day.
By the early Nineteenth Century
Celebrated every year
Birthnight Balls were held
Taverns reveled in good cheer.
Public figures gave their speeches
And Receptions given by a few
Then along came ol’ Abe Lincoln
His Birthday in February too.
In Eighteen and sixty-five
The year after Booth’s fatal shot
Both House’s of Congress gathered
For a Memorial and solemn thought.
Not a Federal Holiday like George’s
But legal in more than one State
And then a Resolution was enacted
Back in Nineteen sixty-eight.
They made the third Monday of the month
To make for a three day weekend
To honor Washington and Lincoln
And this story comes to it’s end.

~Del "Abe" Jones~
01-28-2005

top 10 in football, basketball, and...

2008-02-09T10:13:00.000-06:00

Once again - Lawrence, KS has proven itself.

some talent...

2008-02-07T13:09:00.001-06:00

I randomly saw this video and was impressed...so I thought I would share.

getting started...

2008-02-03T11:13:00.000-06:00

As I begin this next year of my life, I sit thinking about the last several birthdays I've celebrated with friends and family. While I didn't do much on my actual birthday besides watch KU lose in Manhattan, KS for the first time in my lifetime...I did have a wonderful birthday celebration over the past month - visits with Blair and the Reddigs; packages coming from Kansas, Ohio, and Iowa; the flowers that technically came from both the east and west coasts; and all the e-mails the phone calls wishing me a happy day. Thank you to everyone! While my family and friends don't live right down the street - I know that I'm still close with all of them and well, that's something I can always hold on to when I'm feeling lonely.

This weekend, I finally got started on my new year's resolution list. I planned that my first Chicago site would be the Chicago History Museum. It seemed like a good starting place. My plans were almost scratched due to the admission price ($14)...which seemed steep for a general museum. However, I found out that you can check-out passes at the public library - so that's just what I did! Technically, another adult and 2 children could have come along with me for free, but when the museum employee asked me, "How many are with you?" - I just said, "Oh, it's just me!" I checked my coat, took my audio tour iPod, and headed off to learned how this Windy City came to be.

This museum certainly has some great exhibits - a Lincoln gallery brought back memories of the family trip to D.C. and our tour of Ford's Theatre. The exhibits with the founding "Checaugo" and the establishment of Fort Dearborn helped me figure out that the reason for all the crazy diagonal streets was that they were old Indian trails that the city planners kept in place as the grid-system was being laid out. Learning how this 'Second City' is really second to none ibecause it is the birthplace of so many things that we often take for granted...the retail department stores like Marshal Field, Macy's, Sears, Crate and Barrel; and other companies like Schwinn bicycles and the Playboy Bunny. Sadly, one of these things that its start in Chicago is the Pill - which was not included on the audio tour. Interesting...

Learning more about the Great Fire, the Haymarket riots, Race riots - brought back a lot of Mr. Ortmann's U.S. history class discussions. I find it interesting that the two cities I've live in have dealt with such turmoil and have both burned to the ground, but rose from the ashes. Of course, my favorite area was the Jazz section - even though it was pretty small in comparison to the rest of the exhibits. And yes, there was the Chicago's sports exhibits - including a pair of Michael Jordan's shoes. I only wish there was some interactive exhibit were you leaned the 'Super Bowl Shuffle'.

Overall, a interesting visit for the historian in me. I feel that with all these outings I'll be making - I should probably have some sort of rating.

Taking time, price, accessibility, and overall enjoyment into account, on a scale of 1-5. 1 being don't waste your time and 5 being a must see in Chicago.

Chicago History Museum: 4

Until next time...

-mitzi

Kansas Day...

2008-01-29T09:41:00.000-06:00

Who doesn't love a sunflower?

I was born in Texas
I was bred in Kansas
When I get married I'll be wed in Kansas
There's a true blue gal who promised she would wait
She's a sunflower from the Sunflower State

She's a sunflower, she's my sunflower
And I know we'll never part
She's my sunflower, she's my one flower
She's a flower of my heart

I was fair in Kansas, clouds are rare in Kansas
Never saw a place that could compare with Kansas
So I'm going home to keep a wedding date
With a sunflower from the Sunflower State

She's a sunflower, she's my sunflower
And I know we'll never part
She's a sunflower, she's my one flower
She's a flower of my heart

Can't keep waiting...

2007-12-29T11:52:00.000-06:00

It's been a wonderful Christmas here in Kansas and I'm glad to be home. The past year has had its ups and downs and here I am again thinking about the new year and what is in store for me. I think in past years (including this one) I've always thought that things would come to me - you don't have to go out and find them. So, yes - I've spent several days/nights waiting for something - and finally in the past couple of days...after talks with my closest friends and family - I am now committed to stop waiting for things. I need to generate my own life and not wait for someone else to catch up - if that makes sense.

I think that in my homesickness and missing of friends - I've let myself off the hook as far as being the "independent woman". I've counted on those two things to reason with myself that I don't need to be doing anything. I can't just remain idle until something pops up. I guess I'm tired of waiting and have decided to resolve that I need to embrace my independence and take on whatever is out there to see and do (in moderation, of course!). So with my new digital camera in hand and a new spirit to enjoy the life and situation I'm in...here's to 2008 and my to do list...whether the items are completed by me with my friends/family - or just me. And I'm asking my loyal readers to keep my honest...as my postings should be more about my explorations than my eyebrows. :)

Prosit Neu Jahr!!

-mitzi

I will ALWAYS cheer against Missouri...

2007-11-13T19:09:00.000-06:00

MU Shirt: http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/12/we-burned-your-town-to-the-ground/

KU Response: http://www.jayhawkertees.com/

A month later...

2007-11-10T14:15:00.001-06:00

The last month has been pretty good with trips here and there...and with the Chicago weather settling into the pre-winter chill. My winter coat is finally out and I'm never without my scarf. I'll never forget walking to my December finals in flip-flops back in Kansas, but I doubt that we'll have that kind of weather again anytime before late March up here.

Last month I headed to St. Louis to see one of my good friends with Teach For America get married. I was lucky to be able to spend some time with the St. Louis Keels and work out of the St. Louis regional office for a week. I received a private tour of the Arch from my cousin who now works there- and I have to say that in a competition of the Arch vs. the Sears Tower - the Arch will always win. We also went to the Body Worlds exhibit at the Science Center. It was pretty incredible and if it comes to a city near you - I highly recommend it...the human development section was so revealing and who knows, maybe the people that see this exhibit will think twice about what the human life really is inside the womb.

At Jackie's bachelorette party

The Keel Girls - at the Botanical Gardens

I also took my annual fall trip to Dayton, OH to just relax and enjoy some Kansas football with my family! It still blows my mind what this football team has done. I mean, I'm sitting here in my living room and the KU/OSU game is going to be on television to say the least - but on ABC - so I don't even have to go to a bar to watch it...mind-blowing!! ROCK CHALK!! Some non-football highlights from Dayton: Liesel's Falafel w/ avocado spread, Eric's espresso and cappuccino, inheriting some old VHS-formatted movies...and well Dominic just being so cute!

I'm trying to get more involved with the young adult group at the cathedral here in Chicago and I'm trying decide if I should just register at that church instead of St. Helen's...I talked to a few people last night and I learned that there is a church fairly close to me that uses the Latin Rite - I've never been to a Latin Mass, so I think I'll check it out just to see what it's all about.

I'm headed to Madison next weekend - to spend Thanksgiving week preparing for the arrival of the rest of the family....I can only hope that I'll be able to play Wii all week long!!!!

My odyssey years?

2007-10-10T15:11:00.000-05:00

This article was sent to me...enjoy and ponder....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/opinion/09brooks.html

"Man, you girls can eat!"

2007-09-30T20:37:00.000-05:00

Time is a monster that cannot be reasoned with.
It responds like a snail to our impatience,
then it races like a gazelle when you can't catch a breath.

-from the movie, Simon Birch

It was such a beautiful weekend in Chicago. The weather, the scenery, and the company. From the Thursday evening to this afternoon - every moment was wonderful. A late night meal on Division, A trip to IKEA, the man on the sidewalk who exclaimed to Sarah, "You are stunning.", an evening in Wicker Park with a bottle of wine, a few tears, and tons of laughter, a morning nap, a waiter who tried to compliment us as we finished our deep dish pizza, the lady with the hat in the Confession line, the Bean at night, a walk along the Chicago River, the Green Door, Margie's ice cream to-go, an endearing movie, having someone to go to Mass with, chocolate mousse, and raspberry cheesecake...

Every time I get to spend time with people I love in this city - I enjoy it all the more and realize that with all the traffic and crowded sidewalks - it is truly a wonderful place to live at this point in my life.

~mitzi

nothing in particular...

2007-09-22T12:37:00.000-05:00

Since it has been almost 3 weeks since my last post, I figure I should probably post another post. Although, compared to my siblings' blogs - I don't have that much excitement to report. Nothing like a child taken his/her first steps or saying their first words. But for those of you who like just see what is much ado about Mitzi, here you go:

Yesterday, I headed back to "Milano" - a hair salon that reminds me of "Babette". I think about how much I'm paying to get my eyebrows fixed up, but then I realize that Sheri (an eyebrow specialist) spends over 30 minutes re-shaping, plucking, trimming, and waxing...and well, that makes feel better about myself and the money I've spent. Plus, I found out that my eyebrows have been waxed incorrectly for past several years...so now I'm actually trying to grow them back in. I know crazy, crazy stuff going on here for the Chicago girl. Anyhow, the homework that I receive from Sheri is to simply do nothing. Yeah, she's that awesome. Plus, she is totally excited that my sisters might be coming in for a "girl's weekend". :)! Also, in Sheri's 4+ years of eyebrow grooming, she has never seen eyebrows like mine...apparently the don't grow the same way that most eyebrows grow --- maybe I should tell her that I burned one completely off due to a daytime firework mishap when I was a kid. Hmmm.

Work is going really well. As many of you already know...Teach For America is looking to open a site in Kansas City starting next fall. So that's something on the table...while I do enjoy my current job, I know that I probably won't stay in it for that long. I'm not making any decisions...just really looking at the options and gathering them. Then come, February/March/April...I'll have to figure out something or another. Right now, I'm "leaning" towards staying in Chicago, mainly because I don't want to deal with the effort and cost of moving. I really like my apartment and my neighborhood too. And it's nice to be a weekend trip away from Madison and Dayton.

I'm going to be making a trip to St. Louis next month for a friend's wedding and also some over-due time w/ the St. Louis Keels. I'm hoping to do some sight-seeing...actually, just checking out the Brewery.

Until next time... :)

-mitzi

is it really football season already?

2007-09-09T16:03:00.000-05:00

Now, I realized that we are now almost a week past Labor Day - but I don't think I'm ready for football season. Not that I don't enjoy football...I guess I'm just not ready for it to be September. I think I now understand how people forget the years that certain things happen because once you begin a job that has no specific "season" like a school year...everything just runs together. Hmmm.

Probably another reason that I'm not looking forward to September taking over and October coming in from behind is that I know that I'm going to have to give up my sandals/flip flops. Yes, weird thing to be emotionally upset about, but I like the freedom of sandals. Then again, I should look at this change as a chance to get rid of a bunch of flip flops that I've purchased over the years and are now simply a thin layer of foamy plastic separating my foot from the evils of Chicago's streets and sidewalks.

I do look forward to wearing sweaters...and hooded sweatshirts on Saturday mornings - there's something about those two things that make the fall and winter wonderful!

Anyhow, in other news - life is going pretty well. I got back from Los Angeles on Friday and I have to say that LA is pretty nice and I definitely like it much better than NYC. The conference that I planned all the logistics for went really well and people seemed to be happy with my work. I'm glad to have the position that I do...definitely less stressful than last year...and I'm definitely sleeping better - but that could be the new mattress :).

The apartment is still good besides the lack of cell phone service. I decided to forget the hanging-pot contraption for this stage in my life and went with some simple hooks to hang-up Grandma's copper-bottom pots. I'm really impressed with my apartment and I'm glad that it is such a conglomerate of my family's items that have been passed along.

I'm making Acorn Pie tonight...definitely a "fall" dish and hopefully it will get me more in the mood for September. I also feel like I should eat a vegetable other than lettuce and carrots. Sorry, Mom - no green beans ;)!

sunday evening...

2007-08-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here watching 'Extreme Home Make-over"...it was something that Amy and I would usually watched on Sunday evenings - both us in tears by the end because it is just incredible what they can build in a week and you also realize that no matter how "rough" some things seem to be - you realize how good you actually have it compared to others in our country.

I just got back from a conference in NYC...all around a good time, minus the delayed flights. I think I'm going to really enjoy my new job, mainly because I feel like after this past year - I can handle just about anything...I'm sure there will be some curve ball thrown my way, but at least I'll have everything else under control (or so I seem to think!). I'm excited to get to know the regions that I'll be working with - LA, the Bay, Las Vegas, St. Louis, and Philly - hopefully I'll be able to make some site visits this year :)!! I think I was really worried about leaving my "family" w/ the recruitment team, but considering how welcoming and caring my new team has been especially with all things that have happened these past couple of weeks with the death of my Opa - I know that I'm in the right spot. I'm really lucky to be a part of talent recruitment now.

I think my apartment is just about complete - I'm looking for a pot-hanging mechanism for my grandmother's copper-bottom pans and I really want to frame some of my posters that I intend to keep for a while. It's time to step up to framing instead of the double-sided tape squares. I do have two new chairs for the living room, a new desk for my computer, and a new bed (and mattress)...thanks to the visit from the folks :).

I have decided that my dad can basically swing a free beer anywhere he goes. At first, I thought it was only at Free State Brewing Company, but sitting in the patio area of restaurant off of Division Street, the Kaiser somehow got a "stereo-typical" frat boy to give him his extra Goose Island 312...only my dad could make something like this happen.

Since Eric posted some of his artistic "still" pictures...I decided to do some work w/ some pictures from Blair's visit to Chicago last month...

By Lake Michigan

At "The Bean" in Millennium Park

At Navy Pier

moving right along...

2007-08-06T12:22:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the help of the Reddigs and Buschelmans - I am officially living and working in Chicago. It was quite a weekend and for the most part things went smoothly - and only a few picture frames broke. So I'd say it was a success.

Now for the stream of consciousness on the weekend. Mainly this goes out to the folks that were here for the move, but for the rest of you - enjoy it in your confusion :).

The Ford dealership in Glenview has possibly the best service even if they don't think to mention that your insurance might cover a cracked windshield. Baking/Cooking is definitely my stress - reliever. Always remember to have "NeeeeMO" on hand. A Chipotle that does not give you an extra tortilla when the first one breaks as they are rolling it up is not a true Chipotle. Secret Shot Game makes me more nervous than walking alone at night. Never have 2 viewing screens on (ie computer and TV) when you are trying to convince a 2-year-old that you are not watching anything. Be careful of what events you allow Robert to bring his video camera to. Sharing a full bed with a 2-year-old can be comfortable when the 2-year-old willingly sleeps on the floor. Dunkin' Donuts and a Box o' Joe can make any morning better. It's a toss up which song won this weekend "Part of Your World" sung by the whole crew minus (Prince) Eric w/ donuts in hand or "Torn" Karaoke-ed by a "deaf" person. Sharp rights can sometimes (secretly) actually mean "left". "I love the way it smells here." - Liesel. U-haul may be cheap, but service friendly? Not so much. Stoplights where the oncoming traffic has a longer green light are basically asking for accidents to happen. Always trust Katie to know how to set up a kitchen - who knew there was such a thing as an "appliance garage". Always trust Liesel to know how to set up a living room - it's all about using the corners. Always trust Eric to make your air clean and make a fine margarita. Always trust Robert to have a shot of tequila ready for you at a moment's notice and to create a family/friend tree out of picture frames. Always trust Mary Ann to be happy with a "mooooovie" - even if the viewing location is on the bathroom floor. I will be doing my Christmas shopping at the Ukrainian Village Grocery - please send your lists to me. 2 extra pinches of cayenne pepper is painful. Margaritas are not. Neither is Sangria w/ Vodka. Cayenne pepper, a shot of tequila, Sierra Nevada at dinner, 2 Margarita's, Sangria w/ Vodka - followed by Sunkist and Vodka...definitely painful. Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake on a Sunday afternoon - best feeling ever.

Thank you for an awesome weekend full of sisterly and brotherly love...and well, I can finally say that I live in Chicago...:)!

packing or the art of letting go...

2007-07-22T20:56:00.000-05:00

So I started my packing this weekend. I feel like I've made a significant dent - mainly in the fact that I've either sold, donated, or thrown away several things that for some reason made the move from Lawrence to Evanston - but will not make the move from Evanston to Chicago. Why do I have flashback to Toy Story 2 and The Brave Little Toaster in my head now...

Anyhow...

Most of these possessions have been pretty easy to part with - the chairs that didn't fit in my car, so I just placed them by my trashcans and viola! they were gone in less than an hour. Then there was the computer desk that was sold to a NW student...which was little hard to get rid of, but I think that was because I thought that Robert had more of personal connection than I did. Then there were my old text books and notebooks from college - who knows why I still had them...most likely because the KU bookstores wouldn't give me any money back for them.

Then there was my Lance Armstrong magazines...now, let me tell you - most of these are at least 2 maybe 3 years old. One might have even been 4 years old. Again, why I still had these magazines. I don't know. Maybe it was proof that I am a truly Lance Armstrong and le Tour fan...but then it's not like I have 3 books, a poster, and a framed picture involving Lance. However, these magazines were the last items left on my bookshelf, I stood there looking at them - should I thrown them away? When was the last time I read them? Why do I have these? I still have these? Look at this one - it's falling a part...in fact wasn't it falling a part when I got from Liesel after a trip to see Eric at Philmont? Well, to make the story short - they made it to the trash...and maybe it was all for the best because after I threw them away I headed to downtown Evanston to find myself in the midst of a crowd observing a cycling race - incredible...and so much better than just a few old magazines.

~mitzi

P.S. My newest niece and nephew are now crawling!!! Go check out their sites!! :)

on location in...

2007-07-17T20:35:00.000-05:00

It has now been a year (officially, a year and 2 days) since I moved into my apartment here in Evanston and in less than a month I will be moving to Chicago with the help of the Reddelman-Buschig Movers. It has been quite a year and now things are beginning to really set in that this is a new chapter in my life. Last year's chapter: "Mitzi Moves to Chicago and Works" is finished....and I have no clue what this year's chapter will be - but I'm staying optimistic for the most part. A good friend of mine was talking about those moments when you think "How the heck did I get here? What decisions did I make that led me to this particular moment?" and so it makes you think and your emotions could go either way across the spectrum, but then you call a family member or friend, eat some ice cream, blog a little - and soon the day is over and tomorrow comes to begin anew.

I think one of the things about moving from Kansas to Chicago is that I never really thought of Chicago as a "famous" place. Maybe it is my love of Kansas and it's history...but Chicago never really stood out to me besides the melodies of Frank Sinatra's "My Kind of Town (Chicago Is)" or the Broadway's "Chicago". Perhaps, I just saw it as more of a set for these sort of things - or a fantasy...but the more I think about some of my favorite movies and shows - the more I realize how truly popular Chicago is as a real place. TV shows have been set in Chicago - ER, Chicago Hope, According to Jim...Films - While Your Were Sleeping, Return to Me, Stranger than Fiction...and well, I've already discussed the music...

Okay, now that I'm looking at my list it doesn't seem that large of chunk in America's popular culture, but I will say this: it is interesting to live in a city that is a "destination" ...because of the city itself and not because of a family member or friend. Not that this doesn't help when going to a place (by all means, you are all welcome!). It's just something that I've pondered in the past couple of days...and so I share this with you since you've wondered over to see what is "the" much ado about Mitzi.

In other news - yes, I've updated the template of my blog to a hue of blue. I like blue - it's my favorite color and always makes me happy...or maybe it is just because I was assigned that color by my parents to keep my pillow, cup, and plate separate from the green, red, and yellow items my siblings had. It could have been worse...

speaking of cycling...

2007-07-07T16:59:00.000-05:00

I wouldn't say that I love my bike - but I have several memories with my 21 speed Schwinn. I delivered my paper route on that bike, I rode several miles on the Katy Trail with that bike, I fell off that bike and broke my leg, and I plan to ride that bike to work while weather is nice once I move into the city. Granted I haven't taken my bike out for a ride in a while, but that still doesn't mean I neglect it - it has been safely locked in the basement of my house.

However, when some new housemates moved in I noticed that my bike had been moved to the outdoors next to one of their bikes...so thinking that it was in the way as they were moving things into the basement, I moved it back to it's place in the basement. This was three days ago.

This morning, I was headed down to the basement to do some laundry and I see my bike is back outside. Confused again, I deal with my laundry and when I go to move it back to the basement...both bikes are gone.

Now, about 7 hours later - my bike is back...I don't where it went...but I have now locked the wheels to the frame with my U-lock and have locked it once again in my basement.

Sometimes I just don't understand people.

le tour...

2007-07-06T14:14:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that tomorrow is the start of the 94th Tour de France...and I won't be getting up at 4am to watch OLN - or "Versus" as it is now named to get a glimpse of the riders in their first ride of the most grueling cycling race in the world.

After last year's debacle with drugs and such - including two of my favorites - Floyd Landis and Ivan Basso...well, I guess I lost touch of the cycling world. But now after taking a peek at the website and seeing that Team Discovery is still in the game - my "Tour de France" excitement is back...and I might just get up early to see who claims the first yellow, green, and polka-dot jerseys of the Tour.

Just FYI: American, Levi Leipheimer is leading Team Discovery this year ... at least that's what their website says...however the Tour's site says another teammate is leading so I'm not quite sure what's going on there...but if it is Levi - he's got a good chance to place in Paris. If you all remember back in 2004 - the year of the crashes...it was Levi who went down in Day 2 in the massive pile-up at the finish. Those of you who saw it - you KNOW what I'm talking about. Hundreds of cyclists crashing over one another...anyhow, Levi was a favorite that year to give Lance a run - but he was out. The past two years, Levi has worked his way up in the rankings - placing in the top ten...which is good sign that he could make it to Paris and be on the podium. Maybe not first place, but why not? He's got Team Discovery working for him including the ever loyal George Hincapie, who pulled Lance to 7 victories.

So there you go.

~mitzi

good coffee...free wi-fi...

2007-06-29T16:44:00.000-05:00

To celebrate my last day as recruitment associate, I enjoyed a shrimp po' boy from my new favorite place near work called Bar Louie. I guess it is actually a chain bar/grill - but my friend Ann, introduced it to me and we had lunch there last week...shrimp po' boy...delicious - and on special today!! Bonus! Then after heading out of the office, I made contact with my reality management company to deposit the rest of the security deposit - I also explained the situation of the 31st/1st being a Tuesday/Wednesday this year and they're going to work with me to make my move easier. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

After that I decided that I should check out this "Ukrainian Village" that I will be calling my home for the next year. Of course, the first thing that I see is this massive church - Ukrainian Catholic...which I need to research more. I figured I would stop in and check out the chapel - but the doors were locked....so I walk away from the doors and looked across and see these huge steeples maybe a block away - yep, another Ukrainian Catholic Church. This one was St. Nicholas'...apparently 100 years old...and under construction. No luck on the churches...but I can't wait until my dad comes because he'll love this sort of stuff, right Dad? :)

So now I'm sitting in Cafe Ballou - a Ukrainian coffee shop...with good coffee and free wi-fi. I'm actually going to be living above this cafe in my new apartment. And from where I'm sitting now I can see the stairs that lead up to my apartment. The barista's name is Christine - or may Kristine...or some Ukrainian spelling of either. She was speaking what I assume was Ukrainian to an older gentleman - so I'm excited to maybe learn a little of that...and be able to come here and enjoy a beverage (and the free wi-fi). Wait!! I just looked and saw their menu - they have croissants...toasted, buttered w/ jam - this place is awesome!!! I CANNOT wait to live here :)! Plus, from where I seated I can see this fresh apple pie and I think I should probably move before I spend money I don't have on calories that I don't need.

Maybe I'm just incredibly excited about this place because I have fresh caffeine running through me - or it could be because as I was driving home last night there was quite a commotion just 2 or so blocks from where I live. A teenager had been shot and killed earlier in the day while I was at work...honors student, football player. It just really made me think about things. Honestly, I have never been worried about my safety - I feel pretty confident that I could kick the crap out anyone who was trying to do something to me. And I have a baseball bat thanks to Robert and Eric...and Mace - thanks to Mom. So I'm set in whatever neighborhood I'll be. But in thinking about all of this, I guess I'm just frustrated by people who think that their personal problems are solved by killing somebody. I just want to go find whoever thinks this and say, "What is going on in your life that would be better if somebody else were dead?"

Which makes me think of Jerry Seinfeld's comedic genius - when he discusses NY cab drivers "What is going on in your life to make you drive like this??"

Anyhow, I'll sign off and go check out Ukrainian church #3 that is just around the block (yes, that makes 3 churches w/in walking distance from my apartment. Hopefully, this one won't be locked :)!

~mitzi

new apartment...found!

2007-06-24T13:30:00.000-05:00

I found an apartment this week and I have to say it basically exactly what I was looking for...so now I just have to figure out how exactly the move is going to work. August 1st is in the middle of the week...so a weekend move could be tricksy - which makes me think -

Why don't leases just begin/end on the last weekend of a particular month. It would make moving in/out so much easier so a tenant doesn't have to worry about whether he/she needs put his/her stuff in storage for a week and spend his/her nights in a hotel - or hopefully a friend's house. It's just stressful to think about...but it is just one of those things that we have to deal with - "offer it up" - right?

Anyhow - in other news I'm transistioning at the beginning of July instead of the middle of the month to my new position with Teach For America...it'll be a good start, I hope. I'm in a new suite now in our office building so things are definitely different in this new TFA world, but I'm sure things will pick up once our "season" starts.

And now for the game we all love to watch: Robert vs. Liesel --- GO!

~mitzi

hail mary, full of grace! help me find a parking space

2007-06-19T10:17:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many times I said that prayer back in the schol-hall days...and I'm sure it will come to mind again as I make my move into the city where parking and driving for that matter are a little difficult. It looks like the Vatican has taken a step towards making the roads safe...check it out: Ten Commandments for Motorists

~mitzi

another start

2007-06-04T19:41:00.000-05:00

I'm back from vacation! Not that I have been on vacation since my last post, but I guess it seemed that there was so much stuff up in the air about where I was going to be ending up - I just decided to wait until things were a bit more certain. I was in Lawrence, KS for about a week and a half - enjoying time with the family and my friends from college and high school. I attended 3 weddings - yes, 3. It is that time of my life when suddenly everyone is getting married. One was my high school friend, Justin; the second - two friends from my schol-hall days; and lastly - my cousin. All in all it was good time and relaxing to not be in the office. I actually left my laptop in Chicago...so I only had "webmail" access...meaning, I couldn't really "do" work - even if they needed me :)! Speaking of work...a job...an income...my survival for the next year:

I'm staying with Teach For America...however, mid-July I will be transitioning to the Talent Recruitment team to be an assistant to 2 Directors of Talent Recruitment (DTR). The team is much smaller than the Recruitment Team that I was a member of this past year. There are 10 DTRs and 5 of us assistants. It will be a smaller network to work with - but Talent Recruitment works across the entire organization finding good matches for staff positions. The position will be much better for me since it will not have the 70+ hour work week that I had during the recruitment season this past year. And this position pays overtime!!! So if I have to work over 50 hours...I'll get it back in a paycheck. Granted, this doesn't mean I'll be rolling in the cash...but hopefully my personal/professional alignment will be a little better this year.

I'm also moving! I don't know where yet, but I want to be close to my office and closer to my friends that are in the city (Chicago). Right now, I'm looking in the Lakeview/Ravenswood/Lincoln Square/Lincoln Park areas...and luckily, Robert is spending next weekend with me to hopefully find a place that has a neighborhood that doesn't support illegal dealings...not that something like that happens on current street at all...

So basically, I'm starting over...granted I have a small network of friends in the city, but my two closest friends are headed to other states and jobs...so that has made things a little sad in these parts, but I'm still lucky to have the Reddigs so close in Madison and the Buschlemans in Dayton and staying in Chicago is definitely worth it for another year.

I guess you should probably know that I've become a "vegetarian"...so no meat - except I do eat fish. I gave meat up for Lent and well, I've just kept it going...it really weird because I don't really notice that I'm not eating/buying/ordering something that doesn't have meat in it - I've just learned to enjoy other foods more so. I will say - that on a random occasion I'll get this huge craving for Arby's Beef 'n Cheddar...but fortunately, I do not work/live by an Arby's...so the temptation leaves pretty quickly.

I guess that's it for an update. If anything changes - I'll be sure to let you know. :)

~mitzi

chicago 2016

2007-04-14T15:16:00.001-05:00

Chicago was just selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee to be the United States' applicant on the world stage for the 2016 olympics!!! Pretty exciting, I'd say!! Check it out here!

the Lord is risen indeed!

2007-04-10T18:41:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it is already April and it seems like Lent flew by...probably because I was mourning the Jayhawks loss and failed to realized that March Madness came and went in just a few short 31 days. However, March was also pretty busy as I had visitors here in Chicagoland! And now I have pictures to actually prove that I do live in Chicago - unfortunately, no pictures of the apartment still. I definitely need to put "digital camera" on my wish list...but for now, here's a little taste of me in Chicago. Photography credits to Emily and Hannah...thank you for having technology ;)!

In other news, I have not come to a decision of whether to stay with Teach For America or not. So as soon as I know - of course I will let all of you know. Work is definitely calmer nowadays and I'm evening getting home in time to make dinner, enjoy it, watch a good show on television, update my blog, and then read my book for an hour before heading to bed. This is quite the life...now I just have to figure out how I can get paid to just do those things. Hmmm.

Oh well...now for the pictures!!

This is me at "Howard" - this the station that I drive to every morning to catch the Purple Line Express into the city!

Emily was here for St. Patrick's Day...we went into the city so that I could "show" her Chicago. I don't know that much about the buildings or the city...but I do my best. Every March 17th the Chicago River is dyed green...pretty vivid as you can see!The KU men's basketball team was playing Chicago for the first round. Unfortunately, no tickets for me - but the Alumni Association "Uhaul" was in a random parking lot.out by Navy Pier. Any little bit of KU that I can find here in Chicago makes me feel like I'm back in Lawrence!!

And of course!! I had to leave my own mark in Gino's East Pizzeria where they encourage graffiti!

On day two of Emily's visit, I showed her around Evanston. Northwestern's campus juts out a bit into Lake Michigan where you can see most of the Chicago skyline...it is pretty incredible at nighttime - but here's the day version! The Sears Tower is on the far right.

The St. Louis Keels came for a visit and took me out to dinner in Greek Town - it is always nice to have visitors to help me explore the city!!

new thoughts and go 'hawks...

2007-03-14T18:52:00.000-05:00

In my last post, I know I made a "decision"...but I realize now that a "decision" doesn't always mean "final decision" - so in other words...who knows where I'll be working next year. I have my days of leaning towards staying with Teach For America and days leaning elsewhere. Right now, I'm keeping my options open and applying to jobs here in Chicago...I need to see what's out there and maybe find something better than what I have at TFA. We'll see - and I'll keep you posted. It's really weird to look for a job when you already have one. Last year, as I was preparing to graduate - I knew that I HAD to find a job...I couldn't work at EGARC all of my life...so this job search is different - still stressful, but different. It is also nice to know that I want to stay in Chicago whereas last year, I had no idea where I was going. It's crazy, but thankfully I've got quite a support network of family and friends helping me and cheering me on in my search/discernment of what I'm doing to make car payments after the month of July!

This past weekend was the Recruitment Team's long weekend - so I got both Friday and Monday off. I headed east towards Dayton to spend some time w/ the Buschelmans and watch KU claim another conference championship. It was so nice to be able to be with family and not have worry about work. I had a weekend like this with the Reddigs in Madison right after our final deadline here at TFA - and there is something about having the weekend to truly relax and regain balance from a busy work week. So this, in a way, leans me towards finding a M-F type job ...but who knows. Somehow, everything will land the way it is supposed to...it always does.

I'm pretty pumped about March Madness this year...I've got a good feeling about our Jayhawks and I just hope they can make it to the end! I'm always loyal no matter what...even if it means losing a pool here and there. Rock Chalk!!

~mitzi

a decision...

2007-02-24T10:02:00.000-06:00

First off, I need to clarify my last post (I should have done this sooner, but better late than never, right?). When I said I'm "jealous" of my sisters and need to "gear up" when I visit them...this doesn't mean that they are not wonderful sisters. While I played (and still play) the role of the "little sister" pretty well, my sisters are always there for me.

52 weeks ago today, I realized that a "hope" of mine on the "love scene" was hopeless. I was pretty bummed and the Reddigs had come into town to take me out and tell me that they were expecting their second child. I was elated and then utterly depressed because now both of my sisters were pregnant...and I was alone. I remember Katie saying something like, "This has to really suck for you...so we decided to get you something!" They had picked up 2 new karoake CDs for me...including "Comin' to America" by the one and only Neil Diamond (TODAY!!). Anyhow, I then remember going back to the Keel homestead and Katie calling Liesel to tell her the news...I then got on the phone to tell Liesel my "news"...and even though I knew how excited she was...she knew I was hurting big time and allowed me to cry to her about the whole situation. So my sisters are basically the best when it comes to sisters. Sure we had our fights and cases of extreme honesty (Guess, what I'm thinking right now?)...but they're my sisters and always will be my best friends. And I'm lucky to have them, their husbands and now children in my life!

And now for the decision. I have decided that I will not be returning to Teach For America as a Recruitment Associate. The recruitment team is an incredible group of people, but I cannot join them for another year of working into the evening and over the weekends for 7 months out of the year. The position has been an experience that has taught me more about myself and people than anything else I've done - and I am thankful for that. Teach For America is quite an organization with a great mission, but I cannot deny the things that I denied these past 7 months again. I'm looking at positions in the Chicago area and perhaps also in Madison depending on where my prayers tell me to go. So the job search is on.

In other news: I won a free trip to an exotic island...no joke! However, it order to claim the prize I have to show proof that I make over $40,000/year. Ha!! No exotic island for this girl :).

~mitzi

do, do, do....

2007-02-06T21:06:00.000-06:00

So it's been a while and since I now realize the vast following of blog readers that I have (my family) - I figure, I should probably update this once again. And seeing as how I still don't have a digital camera - I can only entertain you with my oh-so witty posts!

Life has been much better this past month. I just got home from the double baptism of Dom and Rose in Dayton - as always , it's great to see the family (3 sets of grandparents there for the two new Catholics plus the parents!!). Seeing family, also, makes me re-evaluate where I am in my life. I really have to gear myself up for visits to my sisters - mainly because I get so jealous of their lives and what they are doing with their lives - they're raising their children and taking care of their husbands and households...and well, I'm sitting at a desk trying to make a difference here at Teach For America...so while it is all in my own head and a friend of mine always tells me to "not be jealous of my sisters" - I am. It's my weakness and I have to work through it with every visit.

But in this past month, I've started to feel much better about where I am...now this doesn't mean I know where I'm going - just where I am right now. I've realized that right now, I need to focus on what I am doing ... and for me, that's my job. I've really started to enjoy my job. Yes, it is stressful. Yes, it is still long hours. But now it's exciting. We're approaching our 4th and final deadline for applicants which means recruitment is in full-force. It reminds of an election in so many ways...except instead of bringing out the votes - we're bringing out the applicants. Each day I have to figure out what I can do for our team to some how motivate someone to take the chance and apply.

I think the best part of the stress - is that I know what I'm doing now. Back in October, I was really bitter about the long hours and little pay because I didn't feel like I was really equipped with the right training/skills to do what was being asked of me. Now, I do...and I'm trying figure out the whole long hours/little pay deal still...but I feel like this is where I'm suppose to be.

I also celebrated a birthday last month...my 23rd. It's weird how 23 seems so much older than 22, but I know that is because I'm just another step farther away from the "college life"...and taking yet another leap towards independence. Ha! Anyhow, my birthday this year was one of the best ever due to some awesome folks from throughout the Midwest. Calls from TFA friends on campus from Iowa City to Louisiana to Notre Dame to Wisconsin, Amy in Ames, Blair in Houston, several from the Lawrence/KC area, Buschelmans in Dayton, Reddigs in Madison, and the Keels in Oklahoma.I'm truly blessed to have friends and family near and far that remember me on my birthday.

In other news, it's freezing cold here in Chicago...it was -14 yesterday on my way into work. Cuddle Duds are now a necessity to head outdoors! My kitchen sink pipes are frozen...so unfortunately I can't do dishes...luckily, my bathroom pipes are still running!

That's the update for now...just trying to live life and stay warm.

~mitzi

new job...

2007-01-07T13:06:00.000-06:00

So now that the holidays are over it is time to start thinking about what the heck I'm doing with my life...which at this point really means my job. My position with Teach For America will end in July and then who knows where I'll go. There's a part of me that wants to find something else...see what else is out there. And then there's a part of me that wants to stay on in my current position. I know that after this year, I could make some serious changes to make the position so much better and livable. I would apply for the Senior Recruitment Associate position which would also put me in the "mentor"-type position...helping train the new RA's coming in. I feel that this is what I've done in the past in my four years at EGARC, two years at Douthart, and the two leadership positions w/ the March for Life at St. L's. So I guess that could be good...I just have to figure out what would be best for me..

I guess I'm just confused.

One thing I do know is that I am finally "okay" with moving here to Chicago/Evanston. While things haven't been perfect, I know now that it was the right decision. I was basically just on God's ride for this move and trusting that He would help me through it all - give me friends and family that would keep me alive. And He came through. I'm so close to the Reddigs in Madison and just a bit of a drive to Dayton to see the Buschelmans. Plus, after deciding to fly to Kansas City...I realized just how it easy it is to get back home when I need to. And the friends that I have made at work have truly been life-savers! So Chicago is my kind of town - at least for another year. I think I'm going to look for an apartment in the city...depending on where my "potential" job is at. If there is one thing that I've learned, commuting time is certainly important.

So I've finally updated my resume (imagine the accents over the e's) and I'm ready to see where I'm headed and who I'll meet along the way. Here's to a blessed 2007!

-mitzi

because i knew you...

2006-12-03T10:48:00.000-06:00

My aunt, Vicki, is in town this weekend for a conference and so I'm lucky enough to share her cozy hotel room here at the Drake Hotel. The Drake is certainly out of the norm of my previous hotel/motel stays...as I got out my car on the very busy side street off the Magnificent Mile...I had to think to myself, "You're not in Kansas anymore"...or at least "You're not at a Holiday Inn Express anymore". So after the stress of valet parking (I have no idea where my car is right now) and the stress of trying to figure out how to not get them to take my bags to my room...I made it to my aunt basically without any injuries.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the city and it made me come to love it. Although it was very cold and windy...and the crowds were definitely in full force at Macy's, there's something about being in a beautiful town with people you know...or even just one person. My countdown to my arrival to Lawrence has been in my head since July, but each time someone comes to visit...I almost forget about Lawrence. I just love being with the people that know me. Is that selfish? Egotisitical? Or maybe just human.

Vicki and I had a lovely lunch at a little Italian place (a little more upscale than Cupini's that I remember enjoying w/ the Reddigs). Anyhow, Vicki order a glass of wine...so I followed with the "I'll have the same" line...and we toasted to a fun weekend with eachother. Little did we know that when you say "I'd like just a nice red wine" and the server responds "Yes, I can fine you a perfect fit"...it means that the glass of wine will end up costing you more than food on your plate. Lesson learned: Always, always look at a price list. :) But, it was a very nice red wine.

After an afternoon along Michigan Avenue, we went to Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. I think I might start going to this parish instead of St. A's in Evanston. It would be a drive every Sunday, but it might be worth it. They have a 20/30 somethings group there and I felt during the liturgy that same feeling that I would get at St. Lawrence...home. The priest's homily was also very inspiring...as he discussed living a balanced life through the advise of his aunt, "God made the day 24 hours. 8 for sleeping. 8 for working. And 8 for diversion." I wish I could say that I lived this way, but I don't...but it made me wonder what the world would be like if we all lived this way. He also discuss CPR---Courtesty, Politeness, and Respect. It is crazy how something so simple can make such a impact and and make you say "Oh wow" (like my niece, Mary Ann). Anyhow, CPR is how we should live our lives...Courteous in what we say, Polite in how we act, and Respectful in our attitude. I don't know...it's cheesy, but sometimes cheese is profound (and yes, you can quote me on that).

Next up was "Wicked"...for those of your Broadway musical fans out there...go see this show...NOW!! It is such an amazing storyline and I must read the book now. The music was beautiful...and one song in particular just centered me on the CPR priniciple. I remember learning at Mass or in one of St. Lawrence's classes that each new day, each new person you meet...you can have truly affect them. Maybe not right away...and maybe not for several years after you have lost complete connection with them...but even a little simple thing can make them remember you and you may never ever know. I know there are so many people in my life that have imprinted something in me...whether it was faith, confidence, humor, love...anyhow, I know I'm just reflecting here, but I guess in these past few months here "on my own", I just need to reflect so that I can figure out where I'm suppose to go next. So in the meantime, I'll leave you with this...a few lyrics from "Wicked"

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you

~mitzi

correction...

2006-11-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

Okay, so I'm an idiot...it's Rose Therese Reddig and not whatever I put earlier...sorry Rose (and thanks Robert for correcting me)!! I think there might be accents on the Therese as well...hmmm.

Some pictures here: with Dominic (in Dayton) and with Mary Ann and Rose (in Madison)

~mitzi

still here...

2006-11-01T22:31:00.000-06:00

Yeah, yeah...I know it has been quite a long time since my last post...but lots of things have been going on. Both of my sisters gave birth to their children...Dominic Joseph Buschelman on October 11th and Rose Terese Reddig on October 28th. It really is amazing seeing these little ones. It makes me realize what is truly important in my life and no job can take me away from my family.

I'm not going to lie...the job has been a little rough this past month. I've been pulling some pretty long hours, but all I can say is that I hope everything comes through for my team on Sunday...our next deadline. We really worked hard this month and I just want something to show for all of the hours we have put in...we'll see.

I'll post again soon. I just wanted you to know that I'm still here....just a little busy with new babies and work...

~mitzi

parking lot...

2006-09-30T19:16:00.000-05:00

Do you ever look at pictures of yourself from when you were little and wonder how you ended up where you are today? I guess I keep thinking...what happened? I use to be this kid w/ a tri-cycle trying to keep up with my older siblings as we made our way to the "parking lot" about 2 blocks away from our house. To me, the "parking lot" was freedom and independence...as we would just around in circles on our bikes. Yeah, circles...that was it. Sometimes there was a gigantic puddle that made it a little more interesting as we splashed through it. I can't believe how many hours we would spend there...going around in circles.

And now that freedom/independence is real and not just a trip to the parking lot. Sure, I still owe my parents big time in the financial sense...but for the most part, I'm making my own decisions...when did I grow up?

Anyhow, to "update: Work is going well...the hours are still long...but there's nothing I can really do about it. Hindsight is 20/20 and if I had known that working these long hours would be a part of the deal, I know I would have made some different decisions. However, I made a commitment and I don't quit. I didn't take this job, for the job...but for the experience in a new city away from everything that I have basically ever known my entire life. I'm certainly experiencing something new...it just that my experience is really only my job. Every once and a while there's something else, but mainly it's the job. Oh well. It is not the best situation...but I'm trying to make the best out of the situation I'm in. If that makes sense. I guess the thing that bothers me is that I am usually involved with so many different things as I was in college...but now it's just the job. I don't really have time for much else...but I guess this year will help me figure out more about what I want "to do" in my life and trying to figure out who I become. I'm starting to get the "what are you doing next year" question more and more...so it is probably time to actually start something in that area...I just don't know right now and I'm trying to get through each day...but "next year" will show up soon.

In other thoughts: is anyone else perplexed by the fact that the new show "Friday Night Lights" is going to air on Tuesdays? Yeah, I am.

~mitzi

an update...

2006-09-10T17:58:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah...I know it has been a long time. I was just realizing that since my last post, I've been to Dayton for Liesel's baby shower and to Madison twice for Fritz's visit and the tradition Labor Day Weekend w/ the Reddigs. It looks like I'm in for a few weeks of non-family time...but I guess this is the time where I need to figure out if I can actually live by myself on the weekends.

Since I've moved here to Evanston my weekends have been as such: In NYC for training (two weekends), parents in town, conference in Chicago, to Madison w/ Fritz, to Dayton, to Madison...and now I'm here. I wish I could lie and say I'm not lonely, but I am...maybe not during the week, but definitely each time someone comes and visits...and then leaves. I get so used to someone being in the apartment with me, even if it is just for one night...oh well. Something to deal with.

Anyhow, work is going pretty well. My schedule has changed since the last post...I now work at least 12 hours a day. Those 12 hours are in the office, but then I do about an hour of work or so when I get home depending on which campus my Recruitment Director is on or has coming up. I've got a schedule now for what I need to get done for each of his visits, so that makes my life a little more organized, but then there's the extra projects on the side that end up taking more time than I have...but what can you do.

People keep asking me what I'm doing next year and I just want to say that I really haven't had time to think about it. I could be offered a second year in the position that I have now, but I think it would be hard to do especially if I'm paired w/ a different Recruitment Director. People have also asked me if I'm going to apply for Teach For America's teaching corps...honestly, I don't know. It really is quite an amazing program, but I don't know if it is the best thing for me. I'm also looking at the ACE (Alliance for Catholic Education) program through Notre Dame...basically it looks like the "Catholic" version of Teach For America...which I think could be more my area.

I guess I need to figure out if I really feel like I could teach. I mean, I decided awhile back that I didn't want to teach and switched my major...and I really like the "planning/coordinating" aspect of my job. So either I decide to go w/ this teaching thing or try to find something else. 'Course, I could always go back to school and become a nurse...I know Robert is still holding out for that one.

I'll try to keep this more up to date, but you'll just have to be patient.

-mitzi

a month later...

2006-08-15T19:04:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it was only a month ago that I move here to Evanston? Me neither. Some days I feel like I've been here forever and then other days not so much... It's crazy to think that things are getting started back up at KU now. Move-In Day, the first hall meeting, temp-shift sign-up, Traditions Night, Hawk Week, the Opening Mass at St. L's...and of course the first day of classes.

As much stress as the first week is...I miss it so much. I miss Lawrence and more importantly the people in it. Besides work, I don't really know anyone. I haven't been "out"...but then again, who would I go out with? And frankly, when do I have time to go out? My schedule during the week goes about like this:
4:45am-Alarm get up and get breakfast, make lunch for the day
5:00am-Shower, dress, get ready for work
5:51am/6:03am-Catch Bus to nearest 'L' stop
5:56am/6:12am-Take the 'L' to my office
7:00am-5:30pm-Work
6:45pm-Get back home, eat dinner, catch up on e-mail and snail mail (aka bills).
9:30pm-Go to bed.
Yeah, so my life is a little anti-social for the most part during the week, but the weekends are what drive me to get through Monday-Friday. However, I won't be in-town for a weekend until probably after Labor Day...which is fine. I'm so excited to see my siblings, niece, and nephew this weekend...and then head to Dayton the next weekend. But I still feel like I haven't made any friends here.

I miss my friends at Douthart, the 'Garc, and St. L's...they were always there and would be there w/ a hug no matter what. The thing about living alone is that there is no one there to ask how your day was...I miss that the most. Strangely, I miss the 47 other women that I lived with who would always greet me as I walked in the door...even if it was a just a note on my tag saying that the 2nd floor bathroom needed to be fixed (again). I miss seeing Amy at her desk working on her honor's thesis. I miss walking into church and seeing all my friends praying in the front pews. I miss it all...

...but yet, I know I'm suppose to be here. I don't know why...but I am. I am happy w/ my job and where I live...I just wish there was someone here to share it with...

~mitzi

long hours...

2006-08-06T13:30:00.000-05:00

My parents just left after a little visit w/ me here in Evanston. We were able to go up in the Sears Tower and ride the CTA system for probably about 4 hours total...but it was nice...and the Sears Tower is pretty tall...no lie.

Work is going really well. My RD is really great to work with and my work is what I'm good at...so that helps things. I work long hours, but I think here at the beginning that's expected. I hope that maybe once we get past the first application deadline things will be a little less crazy. Although, I feel on top of things. I think it comes from the fact that I have 10 hours a day to get things done. Shoot, back during the March and Veritas planning...I was trying to find one hour to get things done for both of them, plus I had work and school to deal with as well.

I feel like my RD and I are pretty efficient...and it seems like were ahead of many of the other teams.

The thing that sucks about the long hours is that I don't have that much time during the week to "do things"...but I certainly have to make use of my weekends!

~mitzi

P.S. Don't even get me started on le Tour...what the heck is going on, Floyd?? I really don't know who to believe...Greg LeMond (3-time Tour champion) has come out saying that Floyd just needs to own up for the good of the sport...and for the good of American athletes who compete on foriegn soil. Interesting fact: Floyd is the second former Lance teammate to be suspended ...Tyler Hamilton has also failed a drug test...crazy times.

long time, no post...

2006-07-29T15:07:00.000-05:00

Yeah, yeah, it has been a while since my last post...but seeing as how I was without internet service for about a week...it really hasn't been that long. So to update y'all...

I'm in Evanston, IL now...it was pretty stressful getting everything ready to go and then driving up here for the move, but thankfully I had the help of my mom and siblings in the moving process. The apartment is set up and if I had a digital camera, I would post pictures...but you'll just have to come and visit me if you want to see it all! After the Buschelmans and Reddigs headed back to their homes, it was just me and my mom here for about four days. We got everything unpacked and purchased a couple of new things to make my apartment a little more home-y. I'm looking forward to coming home from the office and having a nice place to relax.

After my mom left, I started in on the pages and pages of reading for my pre-conference work for Teach For America...pretty intense. I left a week ago for NYC and just got back today. The training conference was intense (can't think of another word...sorry). They created a simulation for the entire week so that we learned everything we would need to get started in our recruitment at the universities that we are in charge of.

To explain my position a little better...I work as a Recruitment Associate (RA) for my Recruitment Director (RD) making up the Great Plains Recruitment Team (GPRT). My RD travels to the six universities that our team has and, to put it simply, recruits. He'll talk to potential applicants and help them learn more about the opportunities that the TFA experience has to offer. I plan all of his appointments and travel, while helping drive the campaign strategy that he has laid out for the different universities. I will also maintain the data for the GPRT concerning the e-mail correspondence, university events, and the success of these things...etc...

The thing about Teach For America is that it runs with a definite corporate mind-set...however, the objective or end goal is not money, but putting exceptional leaders in the classrooms that need it the most. So while the conference felt like a corporate business conference...there was always the constant reminder that TFA is non-profit and simply wanting to provide all children that chance to have an excellent education.

I'm really excited about my job...it will be challenging, but my RD seems like a really great person...as do all the people that will be in the Chicago office with me.

Get this, TFA originally wanted my RD to have his headquarters in Lawrence, KS...since KU is one of our schools...if only... :)

I keep telling myself that this (Chicago/Evanston) is where I'm suppose to be...it is going to be hard as I continue to adjust to living alone and paying bills, but I think I can do it...I just have to stay open to whatever comes my way.

~mitzi

P.S. Yeah, I can't comment that much on le Tour because I didn't have cable/internet until the last day...I'm happy for Floyd, even though he wasn't my favorite to win...I just hope this drug thing isn't true...

packing...

2006-07-10T12:25:00.000-05:00

I'm headed to Chicago/Evanston in two days...48 hours from now, I should be in Iowa driving along w/ my mom in a Penske truck behind me...I can't believe it.

Last Friday, my friends gave me a surprise send-off---complete w/ the traditional St. Lawrence skit. It wasn't exactly a surprise because my mom is not as sneaky...but it was pretty great and I'm so blessed to have such wonderful friends. Since then, I've been doing some examining of my past years here in Kansas...well, mainly this past year. I'm not really sleeping anymore at night because of anxiety and nervousness...so I generally just start to think about my existence.

I know I'm suppose to go to Chicago. I read through my prayer journal last night and from reading the entries that a wrote during finals week two months ago...I know that I made the right decision. I just wish I could let go and let whatever is suppose to happen to me in Chicago happen (my mom is convinced now that I'll be on the El when it catches fire again). Maybe this examination is coming from the fact that I'm going to be alone. I'm not moving there with anybody...I'll have to make new friends. And as silly as that sounds...it is so hard...especially when I have friends already...maybe that sounds bad.

I guess I'm just ready for something new, I need to be tested (as Liesel said). Chicago is my test. Hopefully, I'll survive somehow...and maybe find a couple of study-buddies along the way. All I know is that the people that I'm leaving have mean so much to me that I don't even know how to thank them. I've tried to with some, but I know it still not enough.

Back to packing...

~mitzi

P.S. in other news...what the heck is up w/ the Tour?? Would somebody please show some guts and make a move?? At least we're finally in the mountains now. But what was w/ that time trial last Saturday?...ugh.

setting in...

2006-07-03T21:25:00.000-05:00

So it is finally coming down to the wire as far as my moving is concerned and I'm starting to realized that while I have so many things to get done...I keep thinking to myself...I'm leaving...for real. I don't know if Chicago will be my home for the next several years. The position that I have is only 12 months...but I could find a job in Chicago if I didn't want to continue for another round with Teach For America. I guess I'm just nervous and therefore not sleeping very much. It is so weird because I know that I'm suppose to be going to Chicago. I struggle with so many things about my future these past 6 months. At the beginning of the year, I seriously thought that I would be staying in Lawrence...then in March, I wanted to go to D.C....and then it was Kansas City for awhile, back to Lawrence...then maybe NYC...and now finally Chicago. For the first time, I had to do something for myself and not because I thought that what somebody wanted me to do. Ask and you shall receive. I certainly believe in this now. I know God answers prayers in three ways: Yes, Not Right Now, and I Have Something Better For You. As far as my job search is concerned...I went through all three of these answers. So to my friends looking for jobs or looking for anything...patience always wins. I just wish I could remember this all the time. :) On a friend's blog she had this activity...so since, I'm no where near sleeping time...I thought this could be a good reflection for me.

1. Choose 15 people from your friends at random.
2. Write something about/to each of them.
3. Don't tell anyone whom the statements are about. Good or bad. No matter how they beg!

I know that the reason you annoy me so much is because I am just like you.
You know "me" the best of anyone I've known
Whenever I see your smiling face, I have to smile myself...
You have a gentle soul.
For some reason you are always on my side...I don't know why...but you are...
You give the best advice
I really miss you
You are the most considerate and courageous person I know
You were the first person to tell me I could make things happen
I will never be able to thank you enough for what you have done for me
I love how you worry about me
See you on Oprah!
How I miss our high-fives and morning gossip...I hope you are well!
I miss our friendship
You are the reason I am where I am...thank you.

some general thoughts for the day...

2006-07-02T20:02:00.000-05:00

1. Hincapie is in yellow for the first time ever. Pretty sweet. Although, the winner from yesterday got cut up pretty badly during the final sprint by a specator waving a cardboard hand. Yeah, just try riding 45 mph and then getting sliced by a piece of promotional cardboard...at least it hit his arm and not his neck. Ouch. And the blood loss? Just think about it...you've been riding for a long time, you're in the middle of a full-out sprint, adrenaline is going to win the race, etc...pretty scary. And what the heck was w/ Floyd Landis yesterday showing up 8 seconds late for his start time...whoa...Lance would never have done that.

2. Today at Mass, my priest talked about the fear of death and he totally used Jerry Seinfeld's routine from "I'm Telling You for the Last Time." You know the part where he says that death is the second greatest fear and public speaking is the first...so you would rather be in the casket than speaking in front of the casket. I don't know if Seinfeld was the first to say this...but my priest would totally be plagarizing if this were true...oh well.

3. The past couple of times I've been at the restaurant, First Watch, it has been hit or miss...but this morning I had their fresh fruit crepes and they were the best I had since sometime ago.

4. Yesterday, my roommate brought me Dunkin' Donuts and a coffee coolatta to watch the Tour...However, I had gone earlier to get my tradition Dunkin' Donuts before settling in for the 3 hour prologue. No problem. Why? Tour + 2(coolatta) = fan-flippin-tastic.

5. Google now has a thingy for your computer so that you can get World Cup updates automatically...now if they had this for the Tour...my life just may be [ ] much better :)

6. Go George.

7. Go Germany.

~mitzi

13 days...

2006-07-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

Well, 13 days until I move...but in other news: Le Tour!

Whoa, scandal...scandal...scandal. And I have know idea what is going on. Apparently there was this doping investigation in Spain and the reports were just released yesterday including the names of 2006 Tour front-runners, Basso and Ullrich. All the team managers at the Tour came together and decided not to let anyone race who was associated w/ the reports. So there ya go.

Innocent/Guilty? Well, I've never been a fan of Ullrich because he was Lance's nemesis...but I still know that he was/is quite a rider. He won the Tour back in 1997 when he was just 23...whoa. That's saying a lot since the Tour that takes so much maturity in riding/emotions/mental focus. But I just don't know. I want to believe that they are all innocent, but I'm surprise that the teams didn't back these guys up who are saying that they are innocent. It seems fishy. But there is a lesson: you gotta be smart who you associate with especially when the stakes are as high as they are for the Tour in the world of cycling.

I think if one of the riders on Team Discovery had been on the list, the team would have backed him up...they always did for Lance (the most tested athlete...ever).

Oh well. This just what happens with the Tour...the unexpected, the tragedy, the lost dreams...

and the dreams----MADE!!!

Who would have expected the "1st lieutenant" of Lance for the past 7 years to place 2nd in today's prologue. Nice. And how cool was it that he rode last...to replace Lance's spot from the past 6 years. Very fitting.

Well, it is on to the somewhat boring flat stages...but just wait for that TTT (team time trial) and the 1st day in the mountains.

~mitzi

2006 tour de france preview...

2006-06-28T15:22:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it has been a year since the beginning of Lance Armstrong's final ride in the Tour...but here we are and the who is ready for a historical race? I am.

With the last "news" of Lance being revolving around his break-up from rockstar singer, Sheryl Crow...there is no chance that 7-time champion will return for another trip around France. :(

And now for the preview:

'Course, I'll most likely be rooting for Team Discovery due to my allegiance from previous years...but as for a podium finish...it could be tricky.

The team is definitely in top shape with several returners from last year including stage winners, George Hincapie and Yaroslav "Popo" Popovych. "Popo" was also last year's white jersey winner for the best young rider. There is also Jose "Ace" Azevedo who was seen drafting Lance up the mountains the past two years. Paolo Salvodelli looks to also contribute, but he had a hard effort in the Giro d'Italia...so probably won't look for a podium spot this year. A couple of newcomers are on board, but I have not seen that much from them. The old stand-bys, Benjamin Noval and "Eki" will be back for another Tour.

In my opinion after reading the team report from the director, Johan Bruyneel, it seems that this year's team is much like the USPS team of '99 (Lance's first win)...so it is just a matter of who shows up to ride on July 1st.

Including...

Jan Ullrich, the German who since 1998 has yet to claim a second title at the Tour...although some of those finishes have been close! Who could forget the 61 second time difference between Ullrich and Armstrong at entry into Paris? He'll be ready, don't worry.

Ivan Basso...one of my favorites. He's the Italian that ended up in third last year...he's quite a time-trialer...but suffers in the mountains. Remember Lance passing him along L'alp d'Huez? Anyhow, last year he did have a great run and I fully expected him to come to this year's Tour rested and ready...but his win at the Giro d'Italia...could have cost him the top spot.

and then some Others:

Floyd Landis, Levi Leipheimer, and Alexandre Vinokourov

Basically...

Here's the deal. As we learned the past 7 years of watching one man win the Tour over and over...it comes down to the team. Who's team will fight for the title? Who's team is loyal enough to draft their leader up a mountain allowing themselves to spend all their energy and ultimately fall in the general classification? Who's team has a leader that can do their job in the time-trials so that the efforts of his teammates isn't lost? Team USPS and Discovery have crafted the perfect model...can they do it again or is time for a new team to emerge as the Tour de France champion? As the poster shows...the Malliot Jaune is up for grabs...

Details:

Watch on OLN beginning live on Saturday, July 1st at 7:30am CST.

~mitzi

fiddle dee-dee...

2006-06-21T17:21:00.000-05:00

I believe since the beginning of electronic e-mail there has been the "chain e-mail" to compensate for the breakdown of "chain-mail". For whatever reason, we fill out these questionnaires and then forward them onto all of the addresses in our Contacts and then sit and wait for one of our friends to be just as bored as we are to fill it out and send it back. So instead of clogging your inbox...here it is in my blog with some nice sacarastic rhetoric to go along.

1. FIRST NAME? Mitzi (legally, Christa)
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Yes...Christ and Mary...beat that ;)
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST LAUGH? in church this morning when my friend surprised me and I figure out the whole surprise plan that she and my roommate put together to guilt me into going to church...
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes.
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham, hands down.
6. KIDS? Is this question suppose to ask if I like kids? then yes. Do have kids? no. Do I want kids? in the future.
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? What kind of question is this? I'm not going to answer it.
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I guess you could consider this blog my journal...but I also have a spiritual journal that took the place of my "secular" journal.
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? No, of course not...who uses sarcasm anymore...seriously, that was so last season.
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Only if it were into a very deep body of water...oh wait, I've already gone face first into a body of water...that hurt. Nevermind, not bungee for me.
12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Golden Grahams or Frosted Flakes
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Not usually
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I think that I think I'm strong and usually give off that sort of characteristic...but I have a lot of weak parts as well.
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Brand? Murray's in Westport. Flavor? Chocolate chip
16. WHAT IS YOR SHOE SIZE? 7.5-8
17. RED OR PINK? Red
18. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I'm constently looking for approval.
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? my family and friends who have moved away...
20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, I just thought I would waste their time in reading this...no need to waste more time. Are you kidding me?
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES Are YOU WEARING? Jeans ...no shoes.
22. LAST THING YOU ATE? A maraschino cherry in a homemade Sherry Temple...so refreshing!!
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? A window fan and in the background the news.
24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? I always like red-violet
25. FAVORITE SMELL? Baby lotion and lilacs...but not together.
26.WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Amy
27. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? a dog.
28. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Do they need this question?
29. FAVORITE DRINK? right now? SunTea
30. FAVORITE SPORT? Cycling
31. HAIR COLOR? dark brown
32. EYE COLOR? see #31
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? unfortunately, yes
34. FAVORITE FOOD? spaghetti w/ my mom's homemade sauce
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? sad...oh wait, I mean happy endings? Again, who picks scary over happy?
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? A Mighty Wind
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Gray
38 . HUGS OR KISSES? Never been kissed...so hugs, I guess.
39. FAVORITE DESSERT? During the summer: Mississippi Mud
40. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Robert...you'll leave a comment. I know...
41. WHO IS LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Liesel because she always checks my blog...but has yet to leave a comment.
42. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? One Day All Children... by Wendy Kopp
43. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Army ROTCH logo
44. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? My Life on the D-List
45. FAVORITE SOUNDS? singing...
46. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles
47. THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Der Vaterland
48. DO YOU HAVE ANY TALENT? singing...and I lead people. :)
49. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? January 30, 1984 in Lawrence, KS

~mitzi

P.S. next blog: Tour de France preview!!! Get ready only 11 days until it begins!!!!

back "home"...

2006-06-19T17:35:00.000-05:00

I'm back "home" for a little while. I'll move July 14th...which is pretty soon. There are so many things to think about and change...I just hope that everything goes somewhat smoothly. This past weekend, I drove up to Chicago to find an apartment. The 10 hour drive turned into 12.5 hours because of road constrution and an accident ... and then the destination hotel ended up being just a little more than a shack w/ a bed and toilet---but I really shouldn't complain. I did find an apartment that will hopefully work in my budget once the paychecks start coming on a regular basis.

The apartment is the upstairs of a house in Evanston (a northern suburb of Chicago) and it has a small screen-in porch along the back w/ a back yard. It's pretty cute and I'm excited to have my own space after being in a hall w/ 48 other women the past 4 years.

Anyhow, after finding the apartment, I head downtown to find my new office. It was pretty cool because they are moving offices so everything will be brand new. I'll even get my own desk by the window!! NO CUBICLES!!! It looks really nice too...and so close to my El stop!!

After that, I headed up to Madison for trip #3 in the past month so that my mom could see the Reddigs' new house. It's looking good and the air mattress was certainly a friend of mine compared to my nemesis at the Travelodge. Also, the Dr. and the Mrs. provided me w/ the long-awaited croissant that I had requested during a breakfast run by the Buschelmans back during trip #2 to Madison...oh well. I guess the Reddigs won that small "favorite sibling" contest :)!

Other than that...I'm just going through everything I need to get done. I reserved a moving truck today which was pretty exciting because I saved about $100 by wanting to drop off my truck in Illinois. So if you are ever moving, ask the company if they have deals depending on where you are dropping off your truck...it just might save you a bit of cash!

Also, I wanted to clear up that I do not hate my sisters because of their "movie" from the last post. It is not their fault that I wanted to be just like them...that's my own fault. I'm just glad that I've figured out that I have to be me...because that's all I can be. I just wish my mom would figure this out.

~mitzi

p.s. shout out to Robert finding me a bank!!!

new song...

2006-06-10T09:48:00.000-05:00

There are a bunch of things going on right now in my life as I try to figure how exactly I'm going to survive in Chi-town...I have a new car now...pretty nice and next week I'm going to go look for an apartment...I still can't believe this is all happening to me. For those of you who know me pretty well, I have always compared myself with my sisters so much so that I tried to do everything they do. Somethings have turned out really well and some were just not me. Anyhow, when doing things that they had done previously...for me to do them was like being in a movie that had already been made. Weird.

Anyhow, this whole moving to Chicago is completely my own "movie" so to speak. I have no idea how it ends and that is pretty scary and exciting.

On another note, I have a new favorite song. "Always on Your Side" by Sheryl Crow...the version w/ Sting is also good...here are the lyrics, enjoy!

My yesterdays are all boxed up and neatly put away
But every now and then you come to mind
Cause you were always waiting to be picked to play the game
But when your name was called, you found a place to hide
When you knew that I was always on your side

Well everything was easy then, so sweet and innocent
But your demons and your angels reappeared
Leavin' all the traces of the man you thought you'd be
Leavin' me with no place left to go from here
Leavin' me so many questions all these years

But is there someplace far away, someplace where all is clear
Easy to start over with the ones you hold so dear
Or are you left to wonder, all alone, eternally
This isn't how it's really meant to be
No it isn't how it's really meant to be

Well they say that love is in the air, but never is it clear,
How to pull it close and make it stay
Butterflies are free to fly, and so they fly away
And I'm left to carry on and wonder why
Even through it all, I'm always on your side

But is there someplace far away, someplace where all is clear
Easy to start over with the ones you hold so dear
Or are we left to wonder, all alone, eternally
But is this how it's really meant to be
No is it how it's really meant to be

Well if they say that love is in the air, never is it clear
How to pull it close and make it stay
If butterflies are free to fly, why do they fly away
Leavin' me to carry on and wonder why
Was it you that kept me wondering through this life
When you know that I was always on your side

moving fast...

2006-05-31T11:38:00.000-05:00

Whoa!! Now that graduation is over and trip #1 to Madison is past...I can't believe that June is TOMORROW!!! Anyhow, today I'm going to go look at new cars...crazy. I can't believe I'm going to buy a car (and then have car payments...yuck). Oh well. At least it will get me to Chicago and back.

Then I need to find a place to live in Chicago...or a suburb of Chicago...except I know very little about Chicago...How many times can I say Chicago.

Anyhow, Saturday will begin the #2 trip to Madison for the BIG move w/ the Reddigs...good times. Plus, the Buschelmans are coming in as well for a "little move-move"...or more like a lot of move-move. I can only hope that I can mow the Reddigs lawn twice in four days again!! *sarcasm*...

So life is moving pretty fast...but I guess that's how it rolls.

~mitzi

JOB!!!

2006-05-19T16:03:00.000-05:00

I accepted the Teach for America position in Chicago. I'll be moving there in July!!

More to come later...I'm trying to move, check-out, and graduate w/ in 48 hours...yikes!!!

~mitzi

too comfortable...

2006-05-15T19:42:00.000-05:00

Well, I didn't get a second interview with Zillner...not enough experience for them. And the Archdiocese is still taking its time. They don't even have a time line for filling the position I applied for and seeing as how I applied for it back in March...things don't too promising.

So I'm leaning towards TFA. I was sitting in church today praying and in my conversation with God, I came to the conclusion that I'm too comfortable where I'm at right now. In this past year, I have done many things that are "who I am"...Proctoring, March for Life, Veritas, etc... And staying here in Lawrence (or in the KC area) would definitely keep my comfortability level at a nice confident level. So I feel, at this particular moment, that maybe it is time for me to shake things up a bit. Maybe the fact that both Zillner and the Archdiocese aren't giving me anything to go with is a sign from God to get out of here..."spread my wings"...or whatever.

I just don't know and I have T-4 days to figure out how I'm going to respond to TFA. Money is always an issue...and moving is definitely not cheap, especially if you've been in student housing for the past four years. At least I've got a loveseat...

~mitzi

decisions to make...

2006-05-13T21:15:00.000-05:00

Teach for America has offered me a position on their Recruitment Team for the coming year...and I just don't know what to do. 80% of the Recruitment Team is in New York City and the other 20% is between Atlanta and Chicago. Obviously, I would want the Chicago position because it is still in the mid-west, it is close to where the Reddigs will be, and cheap flights between here and there!!

But there's no guarantee that I would get Chicago if I were to accept. I can accept on the condition that I get Chicago...but then if I didn't I'm out a job.

I'm trying to think up the pros and cons of this position:

Pros:
Chance to be apart of something way bigger than myself
Chance to move away and see if I can make it on my own
Job security for 12 months
All insurance taken care of
Chicago? How cool would that be

Cons:
Leaving the only place I've ever known
Leaving my parents
Leaving my friends
Living alone

I'm sure there are others...but that's what is going through my head right now. I just finally got to a point where I'm comfortable and happy...but if I don't take this "chance" what else is there. I'm looking for a sign from God...I need something from HIM to let me know this is where I should be going.

I have to make a decision by next Friday, the 19th...should be fun finals week!

~mitzi

cure for senioritis...found!

2006-05-10T09:27:00.000-05:00

So my brother, Robert, is graduating from KU Medical School in 11 days, just like I'm graduating from KU...so having been through the undergraduate senioritis, Dr. Robert has given me these prescriptions for final semester papers and finals:

For papers:

no matter what the required length is...make it 6 pages, only spend 10 minutes per page (including research, typing, editing), you're done in a hour.

For finals:
[direct quote]

"Uh...final? Hello! This is your last year, if you aren't ready for this final yet, don't worry about it! You can stay up all night partying and still be ok for the test. Here's the rule for finals in your last semester: for every credit hour the class is, that's how many half hours TOTAL you should study for it. So, if it's a 3 hour class, just 1.5 hours studying. and, that includes any time you spend in a review class if they offer it. A corolary to that rule is if you want to raise your grade 1 letter grade, go up to 1 hour studying per hour of class. If you afford to lower your grade 1 letter grade, you can reduce studying to 10 minutes per class hour. Of course, you have to run the math to see how you have to do on the test to raise/lower/keep the same grade. So, this isn't a hard and fast rule like the paper rule is, but it's a good rule of thumb."

Thanks, Dr. Robert...you're the best.

~mitzi

ho humm...

2006-05-08T22:47:00.000-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my grandmother's death. We also had a tornado in Lawrence on that day three years ago. That was my freshman year. Crazy.

Well, I had the third and final Teach for America interview today and now they're checking my references. I'm not trying to get "my hopes up"...but if they were to offer me a position, I would definitely be moving away...to New York or D.C. or Chicago. And I haven't really come to see that in my future...Oh well, I guess we'll see how these next few weeks play out. Gotta keep trusting in the Guy that knows it all. He'll take care of me no matter what.

I'm currently reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. It is very interesting, but I don't think it is really effective if not all people (namely non-married people) read it. I just hate that as a woman, I can do so much work to "get over" a guy and then in a moment, he'll say something and it will occupy my mind for the rest of the evening. Call me an optimist, but I'm always hopeful. And for that split second, I forget all the crud I went through to get back to the happy self I am now, and start focusing on him. Maybe by writing this, I'll start rethinking about how far I've come in the past month especially...but really since February. I just wish I could stay "over" this person...and the silly thing is that he doesn't even know.

Oh well, back to the last paper I'll have to write in my college career! WOOHOO!!!

~mitzi

new focus...

2006-05-04T14:50:00.000-05:00

Okay, so before when I was talking about my new focus, I wasn't quite sure what the big G had in mind. Obviously it wasn't memorizing the lyrics to "Lazy Sunday"..although, I still might. For some reason, God decided to have my mother fractured her right hip the day before my dad was to leave for the rest of the week and a day before my mother was suppose to begin caring for my niece as her parents travelled to WI for a house closing.

That being said in the shortest way possible, I'm at home caring for both my niece and my mom until Sunday. I'm think that maybe medical practice is the way for me. Or maybe not. Anyhow, for those of you worried...my mom is going to be okay. No surgery needed, thank goodness. She just needs to stay off her feet for a while and rest (something my mom has never done in the 22 years I've known her). My niece is doing well. She is just too cute for words, but she is also screaming her head off because some new teeth just broke through her gums. Yeah, just thinking about it makes me cringe just a little. Plus, it's her molars, which I think are the worst. Oh well.

The best part is that I've missed two days of class and work. I was a little worried about the class thing since one of my classes was doing the final review today. However! The class was cancelled for some reason, so I won't miss the review after all! That's God looking out for my grades.

I will miss Coyote's tonight w/ the St. L's crowd and the new additions of Amy, Blair, and Nate...but I don't think Jack or Coke will solve my problems.

I'll also miss Relay for Life tomorrow, which really sucks. It means a lot to my roommate and friend, Amy. So for anyone of you out there who will be at the Relay tomorrow night...give Amy a hug for me. She's done a lot for this cause and deserves a hug! Hugs are great. Hopefully, I'll be able to be there for the luminary vigil...we'll see.

The job thing has new life. My application is on the Archbishop's desk at the Archdiocese, I have an interview w/ Zillner Marketing Communications next week, and now I'm in the final stage of interviews for the Teach for America Recruitment Associate position. Nothing like a new focus to bring other things along. Thanks God! and thanks to Sr. E for making me try to find a new focus...God provides...like always.

I don't mean to get too religious, but for those of you who know me...you probably saw this coming. I started this 30 day prayer to St. Joseph on May Day (his feast day)...and I think that my life is a little like St. Joe's back in the day. Can you imagine caring for Mary and the infant Jesus? Whoa. I'm not saying that my mom and Mary Ann are either of these two...and I am certainly not as patient as Joseph...but looking out for both of them just got me thinking. What a special man Joseph was and what an awesome saint he is today!

~mitzi

fall back plan...

2006-05-01T09:10:00.000-05:00

So it is looking more and more likely that I won't have a job come graduation, but I have a fall back plan. I'm not quite sure how it will work out exactly...funding and such, but it just might work!

The other night at a rainy "bonfire", my friend Blair and I were discussing what seems to be the problem with us...we are good people, great personality, intelligent...but somehow are still not noticed by the opposite sex for whatever reason. We are sure there are other women out there who feel the same way and therefore, we have decided that if our career plans fall through we will begin "Project Sabrina". The company name came from the famed Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart movie, where the main character "Sabrina" who is smitten with a man (played by William Holden) who "doesn't even know I exist" -- until she goes away to Paris for two years, and returns an elegant, sophisticated, beautiful woman.

Okay, so the company would arrange for this hiatus of two years to a foreign country for women who should be noticed, but are not...make sense? Probably not and even as I'm writing this I am seeing several issues with the whole thing. In the movie, Bogart's character always treats Sabrina with respect even before she goes to Paris and so at least "notices" her...but it isn't until he sees that she is smited by his younger brother (Holden) that he realizes that there might be something else there...

Okay, so maybe I should just plan on a career elsewhere...we'll see. But come on "Project Sabrina"...the title at least is genius! hmmm.

~mitzi

passion...

2006-04-28T13:13:00.000-05:00

After a little spiritual d w/ Sister E, I suppose find something to focus on...since neither the job thing nor the relationship thing are doing anything in my life...so I need to focus on a new passion or an old one...something that will occupy my mind, my body, my soul so that I stop comparing myself to others (people who have jobs or relationships...or both). So here's what I got:

I really enjoy memorizing lyrics, I guess you could say it's my thing...any song really...I'll look up the lyrics on line and memorize them so that I can sing along correctly. Raps are always fun...not the trashy ones, but ones like "Ice, Ice Baby". Not that it is not "trashy"...but at least the language is permissable. So what is the new song/rap/diddy that I would like to master?

Lazy Sunday: Chronic(WHAT)cles of Narnia

Yep, so if you would like to join me: here's the lyrics...

Lazy Sunday, wake up in the late afternoon.
Call Parnell just to see how he’s doin’.
Hello?
What up, Parns?
Yo Samberg, what’s crackin’?
You thinking what I’m thinkin?
NARNIA.
Man, it’s happenin’.
But first my hunger pains are stickin’ like duct tape.
Let’s hit up Magnolia and mack on some cupcakes.
No doubt that bakery’s got all da bomb frostins.
I love those cupcakes like McAdams loves Gosling.
Two, no six, no twelve, BAKERS DOZEN.
I told you that I’m crazy for these cupcakes, cousin.
Yo, where’s the movie playin’?
Upper west side, dude.
Well, let’s hit up Yahoo Maps to find the dopest route.
I prefer Map Quest.
That’s a good one, too.
Google Maps is the best.
True that.
DOUBLE TRUE.
68th and Broadway.
Step on it, sucka.
What you wanna do, Chris?
SNACK ATTACK, ************
It’s the Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
Yes, the Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
We love that Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
Pass that Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
Yo, stop at the deli.
The theater’s over-priced.
You’ve got the backpack?
Gonna pack it up nice.
Don’t want security to get suspicious.
Mr. Pibb and Red Vines equals CRAZY DELICIOUS!
I’ll reach in my pocket, pull out some dough.
Girl actin’ like she never seen a $10 before.
It’s all about the Hamiltons, baby.
Throw the snacks in a bag and I’m ghost like Swayze.
Roll up to the theater.
Ticket buying, what we’re handlin’.
You can call us Aaron Burr.
From the way we’re droppin’ Hamiltons.
Now parked in our seats.
Movie trivias the illest.
Which Friends alum starred in films with Bruce Willis?
We answered so fast it was scary.
Everyone stared in awe when we screamed Matthew Perry.
Now quiet in the theater or it’s gonna get tragic.
We’re bout to get taken to a dream world of magic with…
the Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
Yes, the Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
We love that Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia
Pass that Chronic (what?)
Cles of Narnia

~mitzi

entering the final stretch...

2006-04-27T11:35:00.000-05:00

Basically, I have one 6 pager, 1 quiz, and 3 finals...and I'm done. That's it...college career is finished!! And I still have no job. But I'm trying to stay positive.

The deal w/ the Teach for America position is that they want me to revised the Project Plan that I turned into them before my second interview. Apparently, they didn't think it was my "best" effort...which is probably true. The "pretend" Project Plan was a itinerary for a two-day recruitment event for an alumna of UT who is now a corps member. Fine, I can do this...I've done itineraries before. The thing is that they wanted specific students and professors that this person should meet with during the visit. And when I say "specific", I mean actually people...w/ actual names. Sounds easy? Well, not exactly. I basically used the UT website to find people, so maybe this wasn't the "best" effort that I could have put forward, but it was all I had at the time...while going to class, work, writing papers, and giving 2 presentations. So they want me to revise it and make it more specific than it already is...their advise to me: use the UT website. Oh, thanks...it's not like we didn't talk about the website for the good amount of the 2nd interview. Oh well.

In other news, I'm pretty excited about this weekend...tomorrow is the Maifest at my parents house and then Saturday is my roommate's family's annual bonfire...good times.

So while I try and discern exactly what to do w/ my career...I'll enjoy some good beer, delicious desserts, and s'mores!!

~mitzi

blisters...

2006-04-15T17:37:00.000-05:00

How is it that after mowing my yard for who knows how many summers without ever getting blisters on my hands...today I get them while helping do some of the spring cleaning chores around my parents' house, including mowing the yard? Weird. I guess my hands have gotten a bit weak since last summer. Go figure.

Anyhow, I'm getting ready to go to the Easter Vigil at St. L's and I have to say I'm pretty pumped about the renewal of my faith tonight. Once again, I get to hear the story of Salvation History as we wait in the darkness for Christ's Resurrection! How Glorious It Will Be!!

Christus Vincit! Christus Regnat! Christus Imperat!

The Triduum ends tonight and how beautiful it is.

A blessed Easter to you.

~mitzi

positive attitude...

2006-04-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

I realize that I have been kind of down lately in my posts and perhaps it is because I'm just really nervous about the next two months of my life with graduation, finding a job, and possibly moving away (pending whatever job I get). However, with the spring season coming early bringing sunshine and 80 degree weather...it is not hard to find the positive in life.

Nature is so beautiful this time of year. Spring and Fall are definitely my favorite seasons just because of the changes in colors! All the flower blossoms are so pretty!! Plus, I love driving down the streets here in Lawrence when the trees are just starting to get the beginnings of leaves. Tennessee Street is especially beautiful. So driving with the window down and the radio playing a good song...nothing can touch me.

And it's Holy Week! My favorite time of year...spiritual gifts that come from this week are truly special and I just hope that I can put everything that is bothering me behind me for the time being and be able to really live these next seven days.

Behold the Bridegroom comes at midnight, and blessed is the servant whom He shall find watching, and again, unworthy is the servant whom He shall find heedless. Beware, therefore, O my soul, do not be weighed down with sleep, lest you be given up to death and lest you be shut out of the kingdom. But rouse yourself, crying: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY art Thou, O our God!

Through the Theotokos, have mercy on us!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Have a blessed Holy Week!

~mitzi

you're wrong and you know it...

2006-04-05T09:01:00.000-05:00

In my Constitutional History class we are currently discussing the Warren Court that decided such cases as Griswold v. Connecticut and Roe v. Wade. Now I'm going to say that I have quite a bit of bias to these two cases due to my activities involving the LIFE movement...because I believe that from the moment of conception...a human is there...not just an embryo...not just dividing cells...he/she IS a human...there is no doubt. Check you biology book.

Anyhow, the point of the matter is that while we are "discussing" these two particular cases...we never get to the truth of the matter. We discuss "privacy rights" and the 14th Amendment, but never mention why contraception or abortion was illegal in the first place. Hmmm...let's think about that one, shall we? I guess I am just sick and tired of professors and students claiming that they are open-minded because they are "discussing" these controversial cases. They think that will please us close-minded folks. Ha! I'll tell you what would please me...Let's have a debate, let's get all the facts out there, and hey...how about you all listen for once.

I once asked a pro-abortion advocate when she thought that life began:
Me: When do you think life begins?
Her: I don't have to answer that.
Me: Yes, you do.
Her: Well, it means nothing to me.
Me: Well, it does to me.

At this point our "discussion" was cut off by our teacher. But this absurd remark made me wonder...if when life begins means nothing to her...then surely when life ends also is meaningless. No wonder we have so many cases of child and spousal abuse, rape, murder, suicide, etc.

If we cannot show respect for life at the most innocent of stages (in the womb) then when can we show respect for life?

Seriously.

~mitzi

my life is a sitcom...

2006-04-03T15:20:00.000-05:00

I'm sure many people think this as well...but sometimes I think my life is a sitcom. And now it is...

Last night as I was watching "Grey's Anatomy", I saw a preview for the pilot episode for "What About Brian"...here's the tagline:

What about Brian? Of his close-knit group of friends, everyone else has paired off, while Brian has emerged as the last bachelor standing. At 34, regardless of his run of bad luck in matters of the heart, Brian still holds out hope that one day he'll open the door and be blinded by love. However questions about his fate have been popping up more frequently in his head. The most pressing question is – and it's one that only he can answer -- could all of his problems stem from the fact that he is harboring a crush on the picture-perfect Marjorie, his best friend's girl?

Granted it is a male and his name is Brian...but come on!! Okay...so maybe not my life entirely, because of my "paired-off" friends...I'm not harboring any crushes on my best friends' guys (because they are my brothers-in-law...and while I love them...I don't love them like that). Okay...so maybe it is not exactly my life...but close? right? hmmm...just a thought.

I'm still waiting on interviews...applications are out and I've made the calls that I can...I'm really in limbo and I almost want to start a group for us limbo folks to come together and discuss our limboness...although when one of us finally is out of limbo then the rest of us will just be bitter and reject the non-limbo person. I don't think my purpose in life is to breed bitterness, so I'll just keep it to myself.

The only thing that is helping me through all of this is a litany that a friend of mine was talking about a few weeks ago. I'll post it here in case any of you need a little prayer to kick you in the butt. It was written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930) who was the Secretary of State for Pope Saint Pius X.

Litany of Humilty

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
From the fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Amen.

~mitzi

one a penny, two a penny, oh wait...

2006-03-30T09:05:00.000-06:00

So now even food can be offensive:

http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48700

Better get rid of pretzels, beer, wine, fish...because they all have religious connotations...

Funny thing...I used to make hot cross buns for my scholarship hall...opps!

~mitzi

no maryland for me...

2006-03-29T16:29:00.000-06:00

Well, maybe it was the name or maybe it was the fact that I couldn't start until June...but I wasn't hired by the Maryland folks. I had to chuckle because they told me that I had some really great "skills" and I flashed to Napolean Dynamite.

"You know, like nunchuck skills, bowhunting skills, computer hacking skills...girls only want boyfriends who have great skills."

And I have to share this picture.

Anyhow, I guess there is something better out there for me as far as a job is concerned...I just wish I could find it!

~mitzi