Well-- it finally happened. We broke down this weekend and turned on the heat. Granted, it isn't very high, it is better than the 54 degrees that it was for a while. We are hoping that we weatherproofed enough to save some money! This week is the first of November. Holy cow where did that come from? There are so many things that happen in November that I don't even know what to do with... Thanksgiving, Our VIP dinner at UP, Laura's Marathon, Weddings galore at work, plus life in the house. I love being busy and having things to do, but I can't believe that it is already November.
Its almost time to break out the Christmas movies and decorations-- lord help me when that time comes.
Have a happy November!!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
I carry my Heart...
I knew it would happen. October was over before I saw it coming. Things are flying by in the PULSE house. From the chore wheels spinning, the change of temperature, the creamy soups being made for dinner more often-- we can feel the change of winter coming upon us. We have been weatherproofing and gearing up for some chilly months ahead. Seriously-- Beth has been wearing a scarf and hat since September-- I don't know how the girl will survive winter. :)
Life has been going by quickly. So quickly that sometimes I can't catch up. Whether its phone calls with people not in Pittsburgh or paperwork that should have been done yesterday, I can't seem to get my barrings. I was struggling like that for the past 2 weeks, but something and someone reminded me to slow down for a little bit.
On Wednesday morning I walked into the office and was greeted by Carol and Jeffrey. Two of my favorite people. They were chatting about how Jeffrey's wife is exhausted at work and has been for a long time. "She just isn't happy" was his exact quote. He then said, you need to be able to walk into work daily and find a reason to be there. Find a reason why you are excited to go into work, or a reason you are excited to take on a new activity. You don't have to love the job all the time, but you can love the things you are doing.
After that interaction our Seminar for the day was at the Pittsburgh Project. What an incredible place that is. My awesome God is at work in that ministry and in this city. We walked along paths where gangs still meet, but have slowed down. We heard stories from the hurt that has been caused because of violence and drugs, and listened while Mark took us through his stories of students he mentored that were affected. After the stories, we walked up the road to a baseball field that is now fenced in and is a community garden that is flourishing. Through all the frustration, hurt, hatred, a garden is blooming to help this community. To bring people together and to revitalize the North Side.
So-- my hope for this coming week, not to get frustrated with myself and the work around me, not to let things just become another task. Learn to love my community and become a servant leader...
peace-
Life has been going by quickly. So quickly that sometimes I can't catch up. Whether its phone calls with people not in Pittsburgh or paperwork that should have been done yesterday, I can't seem to get my barrings. I was struggling like that for the past 2 weeks, but something and someone reminded me to slow down for a little bit.
On Wednesday morning I walked into the office and was greeted by Carol and Jeffrey. Two of my favorite people. They were chatting about how Jeffrey's wife is exhausted at work and has been for a long time. "She just isn't happy" was his exact quote. He then said, you need to be able to walk into work daily and find a reason to be there. Find a reason why you are excited to go into work, or a reason you are excited to take on a new activity. You don't have to love the job all the time, but you can love the things you are doing.
After that interaction our Seminar for the day was at the Pittsburgh Project. What an incredible place that is. My awesome God is at work in that ministry and in this city. We walked along paths where gangs still meet, but have slowed down. We heard stories from the hurt that has been caused because of violence and drugs, and listened while Mark took us through his stories of students he mentored that were affected. After the stories, we walked up the road to a baseball field that is now fenced in and is a community garden that is flourishing. Through all the frustration, hurt, hatred, a garden is blooming to help this community. To bring people together and to revitalize the North Side.
So-- my hope for this coming week, not to get frustrated with myself and the work around me, not to let things just become another task. Learn to love my community and become a servant leader...
peace-
Monday, October 11, 2010
I feel blessed....
To be here.
To be drinking hot cinnamon tea.
To have a great place at Union Project.
To be so loved
To laugh daily.
To come home from a weekend away and find friends... and not just housemates.
I AM blessed.
To be drinking hot cinnamon tea.
To have a great place at Union Project.
To be so loved
To laugh daily.
To come home from a weekend away and find friends... and not just housemates.
I AM blessed.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mighty, Minnie, and maybe a Mickey
What do these three words have in common... a mouse at the end of it. Yes friends, we here at the PULSE house have had some new friends.... or whatever you might call them. Mice. But don't be nervous because we've actually already caught two of them. Even a house full of 8 women can find a way to buy some traps and set them! :) Even if we did have to call our fathers to ask which traps we wanted. We have a chalkboard on the wall and every morning I turn to check if another one was caught.
It's been a pretty uneventful week so far. Work at Union Project is really great and the community that I've surrounded myself with is even better. We eat dinner every night together-- kind of like when I was little!! We talk about our days, our highs and lows, what we have to do this week, when we will be leaving for a PULSE fair at a college or when visitors are coming over. A lot of things-- but one thing we love happens to be those dinners. It's a time of love, of sharing, of community. What we've all come to realized as what PULSE is for many of us.
It's been a pretty uneventful week so far. Work at Union Project is really great and the community that I've surrounded myself with is even better. We eat dinner every night together-- kind of like when I was little!! We talk about our days, our highs and lows, what we have to do this week, when we will be leaving for a PULSE fair at a college or when visitors are coming over. A lot of things-- but one thing we love happens to be those dinners. It's a time of love, of sharing, of community. What we've all come to realized as what PULSE is for many of us.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Weekend full of love, laughter and stronger friendships...
I think as I sit in the living room with my cup of tea and blanket wrapped around me, I feel the fall weather upon me. I know this because I can turn the tv on at any time during the weekend and Football is on, I can walk out the house with a mug of coffee and feel content, I can wear a few layers and not sweat or freeze to death! It is definitely fall weather. I love fall weather. I love everything that comes with it, but I am struggling a little bit because for the past few years, I was blessed to experience fall weather at Bluffton. A place that I love. A place where at moments notice I could find someone to laugh, hug, cry, sing, smile, and walk about the campus with. It was home. I'm adjusting to Bluffton not being "home" anymore. It's more of a challenge than I expected because I not only left Bluffton, but I left people I love.
This weekend was one that was filled with laughter. On Saturday, Laura, Abbi and I ventured out to Southside to register Laura for the "Great Race" which was happening this weekend. We needed to make sure she got her number for the race, but we also just wanted to explore the city. Sometimes... its a bit difficult to catch the buses on the weekend because they only run every few hours. So.. we ran to the bus stop because we didn't want to miss the bus, only to have to sit for 20 minutes for the next one! We made it to our destination and started to pinpoint places that we have already been, but didn't realize where they were. After we made it home with some delicious Rita's (which I will take everyone i know who comes to Pitt there for dessert) we had some friends over for game night!!! :) Friends, talks, food and the Game of Life! What a great weekend!
This morning was Laura's race and 5 housemates took to the bus and early morning with a sign for Laura! We barely made it downtown because of the detours, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. When we saw her run by we were screaming with excitement and come to find out she was the 11th woman to cross the finish line. Dang Laura!! She was rocking!! With a 10k down... we took our shot at walking a few miles to the "favorite restaurant" in Pitt called Pamela's. Our lovely President raves about these pancakes! Food was delicious.
A few things I love about the city..
1. Free things.
2. Delicious food
3. Transportation--even though it can be frustrating.
4. The PULSE house and "family"
I miss home frequently... but I love that I'm learning a lot about myself and the people I'm with!
Keep Peace.
This weekend was one that was filled with laughter. On Saturday, Laura, Abbi and I ventured out to Southside to register Laura for the "Great Race" which was happening this weekend. We needed to make sure she got her number for the race, but we also just wanted to explore the city. Sometimes... its a bit difficult to catch the buses on the weekend because they only run every few hours. So.. we ran to the bus stop because we didn't want to miss the bus, only to have to sit for 20 minutes for the next one! We made it to our destination and started to pinpoint places that we have already been, but didn't realize where they were. After we made it home with some delicious Rita's (which I will take everyone i know who comes to Pitt there for dessert) we had some friends over for game night!!! :) Friends, talks, food and the Game of Life! What a great weekend!
This morning was Laura's race and 5 housemates took to the bus and early morning with a sign for Laura! We barely made it downtown because of the detours, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. When we saw her run by we were screaming with excitement and come to find out she was the 11th woman to cross the finish line. Dang Laura!! She was rocking!! With a 10k down... we took our shot at walking a few miles to the "favorite restaurant" in Pitt called Pamela's. Our lovely President raves about these pancakes! Food was delicious.
A few things I love about the city..
1. Free things.
2. Delicious food
3. Transportation--even though it can be frustrating.
4. The PULSE house and "family"
I miss home frequently... but I love that I'm learning a lot about myself and the people I'm with!
Keep Peace.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Weekly post...
I'm afraid that this is going to be what happens when life gets busy... posts might begin to slow down. This past week has been a good one and a testing one. It is about that point in time when I start to miss home, when I start to miss people I love alot, but also the point in time when I've started to fit in! I really do love Pittsburgh! I love the excitement of my placement, the spirit that my house mates have about change, the love that I get from people all around me. So, it's been a good week but also one that has tested why I'm here.
This weekend half of the house got to go on a church retreat (I wanted to go, but needed to work at Union Project) anyway, it was a test of keeping myself busy! Maggie and I had most of the house to ourselves so we spent a lot of the time together!! From going to Penguins Practices, to grocery shopping, it was an Anna and Maggie sort of weekend! Maggie is a Pittsburgh sports fan born and bred, but I am one that tries to stick it to her every chance i get, esp. with the Steelers.... so it was actually fun watching Maggie at a Pens game... she was crazy-- but I can easily see why, the Pens are fun to watch!! :)
I would love to have visitors if you are ever in Pittsburgh!! :) I have a lot to show people because I really love this city!!
Sending lots and lots of love!
This weekend half of the house got to go on a church retreat (I wanted to go, but needed to work at Union Project) anyway, it was a test of keeping myself busy! Maggie and I had most of the house to ourselves so we spent a lot of the time together!! From going to Penguins Practices, to grocery shopping, it was an Anna and Maggie sort of weekend! Maggie is a Pittsburgh sports fan born and bred, but I am one that tries to stick it to her every chance i get, esp. with the Steelers.... so it was actually fun watching Maggie at a Pens game... she was crazy-- but I can easily see why, the Pens are fun to watch!! :)
I would love to have visitors if you are ever in Pittsburgh!! :) I have a lot to show people because I really love this city!!
Sending lots and lots of love!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
A fake reality....
A phrase my sister (whom I've yet to talk to while being in Pittsburgh--come on Pawsey, is does Illinois not have phones.) Just kidding. I guess they go both ways...
but anyway-- a fake reality. What in the world is that? A place in life where you might have a job, place to stay and food, but also a place where you don't have to pay for bills, heating, water, etc... well, sister- i think we both live in a "fake reality" now. Beth and I are on grocery duty this week and we just returned from Giant Eagle with bags of food and only a little worry of what we spent. Sure we have a budget as a house, but that budget is just for food, stipend, and transportation. A pretty sweet deal. I think that this reality for me is a pretty good decision.
Today is Wednesday- which means we have seminar this afternoon... we are (i think) going over communication and what it means for each individual. It has been a lot of small things that we've been going over, but is also something that is quite important for a house full of women.
:) Something that i've realized within the past few days... we all like to spend time together, but we also like to spend time together in the Kitchen sitting at the table. It's one of my favorite things so far. Whether we are entertaining the people that are on dish duty for the evening, or if we are just sitting drinking, milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, we are laughing and talking.
Community Living-- I could get use to this! :)
Seek out Peace-
Anna
but anyway-- a fake reality. What in the world is that? A place in life where you might have a job, place to stay and food, but also a place where you don't have to pay for bills, heating, water, etc... well, sister- i think we both live in a "fake reality" now. Beth and I are on grocery duty this week and we just returned from Giant Eagle with bags of food and only a little worry of what we spent. Sure we have a budget as a house, but that budget is just for food, stipend, and transportation. A pretty sweet deal. I think that this reality for me is a pretty good decision.
Today is Wednesday- which means we have seminar this afternoon... we are (i think) going over communication and what it means for each individual. It has been a lot of small things that we've been going over, but is also something that is quite important for a house full of women.
:) Something that i've realized within the past few days... we all like to spend time together, but we also like to spend time together in the Kitchen sitting at the table. It's one of my favorite things so far. Whether we are entertaining the people that are on dish duty for the evening, or if we are just sitting drinking, milk, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, we are laughing and talking.
Community Living-- I could get use to this! :)
Seek out Peace-
Anna
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