Life- a constant transition

Transition is defined as : (Webster's Dictionary) passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change. I have been thinking about this a lot this summer. Starting with leaving college in May 2009, I did graduate. You graduate and leave a place you've known for at least 4 years with friends, second families, work places, school, and 'homes' (whatever you lived in during college, we all have our college house stories). To go out into the 'real world' and do it all over again. Side note: I have also thought it is very interesting the concept of dorm roommates. I mean isn't it funny that if people can't get along in society as far as politics, organizations, companies, families, etc., then why do we expect individuals from all over to be put in the same 12' x 12' room(i have no idea how big they are, but small is good definition), for 9 months. I personally had an ok, first roommate. She wasn't ever there and I had 4 other suite mates to get to know. Also being a pretty positive person (I think) she was really negative. I have heard worse stories, but I just think it's interesting. Back to transition, so with graduating college I feel the higher education system is lacking in helping prepare for the 'real world'. For me, finishing with a Music degree and a minor in business administration, I feel I needed more help in how to search for jobs, in the area of websites, what to look out for, how to really sell your resume, etc. I am not saying I'm not willing to work hard and search myself, because I am and have. However, all your life you go to school, go to school, and then the next you are supposed to get a 'real' job. Besides that May 2009, was probably one of the worst times to graduate college, I felt unprepared to face the job search. But on the other side there is only so much you can teach or be taught before you need to just learn it yourself so, I am partially glad my life has turned out the way it has. I have definitely learned a lot and am constantly learning new things about, well everything. So going from school, to my parents while job searching, then to Grand Forks for a very temporary position, and now in Minneapolis to a new job with TreeHouse.....transition. While working and living in Minneapolis I kept thinking that I will soon feel settled, and not so busy or scattered while living out of boxes, finding a new church, friends, and getting comfortable at work, things change. My internship was over, found a different place to live, was searching for jobs, nothing came through that, except a temporary offer at TreeHouse. I took it. I will be at TreeHouse for the next 2-4 months full-time as a Youth Outreach Specialist. I am so very thankful for this position however it left a lot of questions for me. What am I good at? How can I show that to others? What do I want to do with my life? etc. Almost back to square one of thinking before going off to college. Through all of these transitions and many more, I am learning that life is a constant transition. I don't know if there will ever be a time where something isn't changing. Either I am changing jobs, or new friends, starting new activities, or friends are leaving and moving etc. So, Life = Transition.    

Summer Fun with the Family!

The day I arrived back in the Twin Cities from the Boundary Waters I drove to Park Rapids to spend the Fourth of July with my family! Natalie came home this summer, I don't blame her for not wanting to come home during Christmas time every year. I mean leaving snow and winter for snow and winter. Not a good trade.But I am very thankful she is able to come home! We miss her dearly and if I could I would fly to AK more often. It was a very short but sweet time! Thanks to Marcus, we got to do some tubing behind his jet ski!! We did what you are supposed to do at the lake! We ate, talked, ate, swam and repeat.

There is something about lakes, rivers, or just water in general that is so peaceful and I love being around it! One of my favorite activities in the water is water skiing! Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to do that this summer. Someday I would love to have a boat so I can ski! That is why I am pushing my parents to retire and buy a lake place for the summer time! (I think my sisters would agree!) I have learned to appreciate time with my family. Isn't it interesting to think about why we are born into families and live together and then one day we start separating and beginning new journeys on our own. I mean I love exploring the world, well the states so far. But I wonder who started this idea of how families should work and when kids should go off to college and move away. I'm not worried or disappointed with the set up I'm just curious as to how this idea evolved.

TREEHOUSE in the Boundary Waters!

Our trip began Sunday, lJune 27 leaving TreeHouse at 6:30a.m. Our first stop was at 6:45a.m. so Heather and I could get COFFEE!!!! We then stopped along the way to eat at good old McDonalds and to get necessities of sunscreen, bracelet making materials, coloring books, crayons and a word puzzle book for the remaining 4 hour drive! The van was a constant bracelet making machine, lots of singing, and random questions from the game would you rather. I still wonder how people come up with these questions, such as; Would you rather have elbows the size of basketballs or knees the size of basketballs? We finally arrived at....Grand Marais which meant we had reached the end of all electronic connection...good bye society for one week! yippeee!!!!
We stayed at the Wilderness Canoe Base that night, had chapel, yummy camp food, learned to swamp the canoe, had a swim test and went through our packing items. For me it consisted of 2 pairs of clothes, 1 wet and 1 dry.We used Duluth Packs, super durable and pretty comfortable to carry.

The rest of the week was wonderful! We had an awesome guide who taught us a lot about the 'wilderness', how to hang the packs in trees away from bears, and many other useful safety tips. I was so impressed by our girls, they carried the packs and canoes, they portaged and canoed a lot without many complaints.                   There is something about being in the open wilderness, we took some solitude time during the week and it was so refreshing and peaceful beyond what you can imagine. I love it, to live in the open with what you have, would be a true simple way of living. Through the six days we were there we did a 20 mile round trip I believe. Had a muskrat dig into our food pack and pee in it too:( Super gross by the way. We had great conversations, went rock climbing, shared each others life stories and learned how to live life together in the wilderness. I saw an article about how the attendance of the boundary waters has been decreasing. The reason was described as people are choosing not to come that far away from 'real life' because they can't be away from their communication devices, computers, and work that long. But it is a hurt to the youth because they aren't experiencing nature and they are missing out on learning camping skills. I highly suggest if you have ever wanted to or are thinking about going to the Boundary Waters........DO IT!!!! It is more than worth your time and effort.