This is the fastest description I could ever have for my first term with PULSE. It all started 11 months ago and ended too soon. This week we've already watches a lot of boxes filled with belongings walk out of our house and find residence in different locations. These boxes were obviously moved by their owners, but still, it was sad to watch the rooms filled with clutter return to what they were 11 short months ago, empty.
My journey with this program has been one of best decisions I've made. The next step in the near future for me, includes watching my own boxes walk out of the Stanton Avenue House and into my own on Black Street. Not too far from the house that brought comfort, laughter and love over this past year, but far enough away to continue to find who I am as a person.
So here's to 11 months, 7 housemates, 1 large house budget, 1700 hours of service, and a million baby tomatoes.
well... maybe it's not actually the longest, but it feels like it's the longest. Dear July 18th-22nd, I have really great plans this weekend that I'd like to enjoy sooner than later.
I'm going back to Clyde this weekend. I miss my best friends, nieces, sisters, parents (and adopted parents) so much that this weekend is going to be the best. Girl's nights, wedding talk, hair cuts, wine, tears, laughter... the list goes on and on.
Something that isn't making it any easier... the Pioneer Woman posted today about the Cuppa Cuppa Cake from Steel Magnolias, and Lucy posted about how much she can't wait for this weekend to get here. NOT Cool, world around me. Not Cool. I'm anxiously awaiting Friday morning, anxiously awaiting that initial hug from the people that watched me grow up, anxiously awaiting the ice cream, wine, Mexican food, seeing my sisters, and most of all my mom. I'm anxiously awaiting that moment.
So I'm leaving you with... a clip from the movie that will wrap up our girls night on Saturday night. The movie that my 2 best friends and I have been watching since we were in high school (at least) on VHS. The movie that we quote back and forth to each other when we're sad or lonely. The movie that has us all laughing so hard because we know it backwards and forwards.
Thank you Steel Magnolias for giving me these memories of my best friends, or thank you best friends for giving me Steel Magnolias.
I met Carina at Union Project. She is a co-op member in our ceramics studio. She's a little quiet at first but will make you laugh the second time you meet her. Carina and I took Wood-firing Ceramics together this past spring. She is an amazing artist and an incredibly caring individual.
On Friday of this past week, Carina's house caught on fire. Everyone is ok, but she was living there with her husband, and 5 of their friends. They were investing their lives into this home where they were rebuilding.
I have this incredible friend named Beth. Yes, she is also a housemate of mine. Yes, she is getting married. Yes, she is from Goshen and went to Goshen. Yes, I will miss living with her dearly, but I'm super excited for her new journey next year!
One of the coolest things about Beth...(she is pretty dang cool!) is that she is an artist.
An AH-mazing artist.
Back in October she started this 26 day project. To doodle an alphabet animal every day. She obviously succeed (minus the day her pen ran out of ink)and now she is a doodling machine.
Recently Beth did a doodle that I will forever be grateful for. I'm not going to post it just yet, but I'm including some pictures from her etsy page.
I've been struggling lately on deciding what to chat about. Something funny? How freaking hot it is going to get this week? My trip to WVa? the fact that I"m literally 2 weeks from being done with my first year of PULSE. Did you get that.... first year?!?! So here's the news....
As of August 8th, I will no longer be working in the Union Project office, but I will be moving upstairs to the PULSE office. I am continuing on with this program in Pittsburgh for another year. There will be many new experiences and also a lot of changes. Just to describe a few.... I will no longer be living in the PULSE house with the newbies, but will be sharing a house down the road with some friends. However, I will be getting the same stipend from the PULSE program. Insurance, food money, housing paid for, etc. I will be working with Chris to give him a little more time to focus on the new group, and his role as an ED. It's really great and exciting news because to be honest, I don't think I was done with this program yet. I don't think I could have left this city yet, however now I'm a little nervous that it's stolen my heart and will keep it for a long time.
So here's to exciting news, a new start, and another year in Pittsburgh!
