remember me?

As I write this, I'm sitting at the bar that I've been working at for the last year. Working here WAY more than drinking here, which is a nice change.

Speaking of changes, I also start my PhD program tomorrow. I have an assistantship, I have a classload, I have the beginnings of a Capstone project. Because I did my masters here, most of my classes will roll over and I should only have 3 semesters of classes and then I'm giving myself a year of writing. So in theory, two and half years from now, I will be Dr. Kris Olds.

CRAZY!

But it does have a nice ring to it....

edit:
this is my horoscope for today. Quite fitting, if I do say so.

You're about to embark on an extraordinary opportunity or relationship. Be receptive and open to the influences that are intent on presenting you with experiences that will shape your mind, body and soul if only you are willing to relax your sense of control and deal with what comes your way. There's no need to decide one way or the other what your course of action will be. Instead, watch, wait and listen for your golden chance.



Post in the next few days will probably tackle the "relax your sens of control" thing. Been thinking a lot about that lately...

I took 532 pictures in the last week

Here are some of the highlights from the annual trip home to Wisconsin. In the last nine days, I saw an amazing concert, attended a professional sporting event, caught up with a friend I hadn't seen in a few years, spent two days in Madison, spent three days in Stevens Point, ate at supper clubs, had a fish fry, attended two baby showers and saw my brother and sister-in-law from Seattle. It was a busy nine days. And then we came home and Kim and Jared made us dinner and I got to catch up with Ben, who is now learning to drive. Ok...not really. But he is smiling for real and his strength is growing.

Here are some of the photo highlights.


Willy with the windblown look...


Robyn and I enjoyed beer and cherries before the Coldplay concert at Alpine Valley.


Robyn at the soccer game.


Robyn, her dad and Willy on the Gator for a tour of the farm.


Joe and Robyn enjoying some backyard time before the Fish Fry.


Baby shower #1. Lots of women celebrating Crystal's baby-to-be.


The Smits family gathering for Matthew and Heather's shower. You can almost tell that Heather is expecting.


Tommy wanting to get in on the fun, being squirmy in Matthew's arms.

I think I feel this way everytime I return home from a trip to Wisconsin. I like my life here. I'm excited for what the future brings but I really wish I was closer to my family. I wish we could do dinner once a month and have that be the norm, not the exception. I wish that I lived where there are rolling hills and lots of pine trees.

*sigh*

It is good to be home...really it is. But I think this trip, more than most, really hit home that I want to be where family is. And ultimately, that's what "home" means to me.