A Masterful Celebration!

Last night, around 9 p.m., I turned in my final paper, drank some champagne with classmates, and walked out of my LAST class, marking the conclusion of my masters program. As I breathed in the brisk night air, I was flooded with a mix of emotions. I was happy to be done, relieved to not have papers and reading hanging over my head anymore, sad to say goodbye to my cohort, excited to be starting a new chapter (as a non-student), and nostalgic about all that I have experienced and learned in the past few years. I am so thankful for my time as a grad student! I am thankful for new friends, new perspectives, new questions, and a new passion!

Below is a note from one of my favorite professors to our graduating class, along with his famous sunflower brownie!



My wonderful cohort-- we climbed the mountain together!!



As happy as I am to be done, I know I will miss this season in my life and look back fondly on this time that I had to learn, grow, and be stretched.

wow. I am really done.

Savory Santa Barbara Summer



A picture is worth 1,000 words, so here are some snapshots of recent summer happenings...



I LOVE summer, and...


The beach



Playing volleyball with friends



BBQ's



Surfing



Playing



Laughing



This weekend I am taking a required seminar class for my master's program that is all about counseling "older adults" (a nice term for the elderly), and learning how to help them process "end of life issues". Tonight I was sitting near the window in the classroom, looking outside at the setting sun from time to time-- thinking about what it would feel like to know that I was nearing the "sunset" of my life. Being young, I rarely stop to think about this, but tonight it was hard to not think about. In class we watched a video of older people (all of whom were over 100 years old!) sharing about their lives. The essence of what they all shared was, "Savor each moment" because it "goes by so fast". We have all heard this before, but tonight it really hit me! I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment! Throughout the duration of the class I found myself so thankful for my youth, and for my health. I felt this new urgency to really grab life by the horns. While I should have been taking notes on the professors lecture (detailing the "issues" older people face-- the loss of loved ones, failing health, depression, incontinence, dementia...) I was busy writing down all of the things that I want to do and see in the coming months. I made a list of all of the things that I love, and vowed to spend more time soaking up life's precious moments. Below is what filled my page of "notes" after I had already written the heading "Helping The Elderly Deal with End-of-Life Issues"--

SAVOR EVERYTHING!!!!

Surfing, the wind in my hair, children, service, the beach, trader joes, tennis, driving with the windows down and sunroof open, laughter, sunshine, music, iced coffee, beach volleyball, my pink beach cruiser, cozy rainy days, fruit, free time, playing, teaching, listening, relating, family, travel, roommates, books, friends, meat, fun hats, DANCING, running in the rain, chocolate, jumping in the ocean, weekends, weekdays... Yes... SAVOR EVERYTHING, and enjoy each moment!


I know there are many great things about getting old-- I just don't want to experience them quite yet!

FUN IN WASHINGTON-- and other updates...



It has been a long time since my last post! So much has happened since then that it really seems silly to try to recap. I will hit some highlights from these past 9 months!
1) A fun trip with close girl friends to Washington! In November we traveled to the Northwest to visit a close friend living in Olympia. We enjoyed rain (of course!) as well as crisp fall weather and colorful leaves falling to the ground. We had quality time catching up in coffee shops, and even paid a visit to the very first Starbucks. The highlight of the trip was connecting with girls that I cherish and being able to reminisce about the past, enjoy the present, and dream about what the future might hold. All of the pictures below are from our time in Washington.
2) I started graduate school in the fall, and embarked on the first steps of my journey in becoming an M.F.T. (Marriage and Family Therapist-- which is admittedly a bit funny since I am not married and definitely don't have children! haha!)
3) I moved to a house on the mesa! I am living with two friends from Westmont and enjoying a more spacious living situation (I have my own room!) and closer proximity to my favorite surfing spot! My new address is 409 Flora Vista Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. 93109.
4) I am continuing to enjoy my job, tennis, surfing, beach volleyball, hanging out with friends, and walking on the beach. I love what I am learning in school about humans -- our brain functioning-- which influences thoughts, feelings, tendencies, and behaviors. So interesting! I also really enjoy being a part of Ocean Hills Church.

A little of this, a little of that!


Above is a picture of my ideal morning scene. I got an espresso machine a while back and have really been enjoying a nice latte in the mornings (in my Starbucks mug, of course) and some quiet moments to just be still and think, pray, question, read, and dream. Sometimes we get fresh flowers from the local farmers market that really brighten up our apartment. I am really enjoying living in Santa Barbara. I appreciate the beauty of this city and all there is to see and do. Even more, however, I enjoy the people here-- old friends, new friends, families, and co-workers. I have loved the chance to get outside for a tennis match, a morning surf, a beach volleyball game, or the weekly, organized, 5-k run at the beach that draws over 100 people (last week a man running with a stroller full of three hefty triplets breezed past me mid-race! Needless to say, that was motivation enough to pick up the pace!! Giddy-up cowgirl!!)

The Bahamas! A few months ago a family that I know invited me to join them on a trip to the Bahamas to help watch their two little girls (ages 2 and 5). Above is a picture of the little 2 year old, Lucy. It was a business trip for the parents and so they needed someone to be with the girls while they were at meetings and corporate dinners. They twisted and twisted my arm until I finally agreed go (okay, okay I guess that is not how it actually happened-- I really didn't need that much convincing!) It was a week full of beach time, warm tropical weather, palm trees, fruity drinks, great food AND a crying 2-year-old, poopy diapers, more spills than I could have dreamed of, handfuls of spaghetti thrown at me, and morning wake-up calls at 6 a.m. (not from the hotel front desk, mind you, but from the cutie in the bed next to me yelling "potty time, Jen!!! I have to go potty!!!" :-) I am so glad that I went on the "vacation", but at the end of the week concluded that I am not quite ready for this whole "mom" thing. It's hard work!! I called my mom as soon as I got off the the plane in Santa Barbara and THANKED her profusely for raising me loving me in spite of the messes, crying, spills, and...did I mention MESSES?! Thanks Mom! :-)

Above is a photo of me with two of my co-workers at a recent "girls night out". I really love my job! Not only do I have many co-workers who I like, but I also have three clients (ages 5, 11, and 14) who I enjoy spending time with. Every day is different and has it's own set of drama and challenges. I like it that way-- keeps me on my toes! Most of my client's are working on goals revolving around anger management, school-attendance, and household compliance. My job is to meet with them daily and provide tools to help them reach their goals. We provide sticker tracking charts and incentives for good behavior as well as lots of praise and encouragement for making good choices. Many of my days are filled with conversations about coping skills, self-soothing techniques, triggers, and feeling identification. I have come to really value the relationships that are developing and am encouraged by the change and growth that I see (however slow and gradual it may be sometimes).
So, that is a little snipit about what I have been up to and how I have been doing. I want to hear from YOU soon! :-)
* Here are some thoughts/subjects that have been on my mind that I hope to write about in upcoming entrees (and get your feedback on)

1) living in community
2) what it means to thirst for "living water"
3) grad school?
4) our global responsibility

What's Happening Now?!

Well, I have been back in the States for a good three months now and have yet to update my blog with what is going on in my life post-Africa!! A friend asked, "Jen, are you a retired blogger?" and though I was considering hanging up the blogger hat I decided against it and opted for a post with a few updates!
First and foremost-- soon after I arrived home my brother got ENGAGED!! He proposed to his girlfriend at 12:01 on January 1st and they are getting married this summer! The picture you see above is of Amy (his fiancee) and I. It was taken in mid-February when she and her sister drove from their home in Arizona out to Santa Barbara to come and spend time with me. I think my brother is making a great choice and I am excited to have Amy in my life. Yeah!

Other updates... I am now living in Santa Barbara (for those of you who didn't know) and working at a non-profit organization called Casa Pacifica. My job is kinda hard to explain, but I like to try to sum it up by saying that I work with kids who are in crisis situations. I work with a staff of people doing what is called "Therapeutic Behavioral Services" which means that we go to kids homes and try to help them by equipping them with tools. we hope to modify behavior so they can succeed at school and in the home with their families. All of the kids on my caseload have pretty severe "issues" (bad family situations, behavior problems, developmental difficulties, or emotional disturbances) and my job is to meet with them frequently (close to every day) for a period of 6 months to counsel, befriend, guide, and coach them. I am LOVING it and am so thankful for a job in my field of interest (counseling/social work). I am definitely learning a lot an appreciate the experience I am gaining.
I am enjoying living in Santa Barbara (you can see a picture of a sunset above that I took a few weeks ago)! I am getting plugged back in at Ocean Hills Church and have enjoyed reconnecting with friends who are still living in the area. I am living with my awesome friend Michelle who I have known since our freshman year at Westmont and we have been having a lot of fun rollerblading, going to the beach, and having people over to our apartment.
Overall, I am feeling much more settled and stable than I was when I wrote my last entree (thank you, Lord!) I still miss South Africa SO, SO much but the longing and pain is far less intense. I am glad to be back and am thankful for all of the many, many, ways that God has taken care of me and provided for me!