"Man, you girls can eat!"

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...

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?

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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!

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

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

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

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!

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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