Christmas In July

Today's picture is the back of my dad's truck. He actually drives a Ford Escape. He borrowed this truck from his work. It was used for my older sister's bridal shower which was today. As you can see from the picture, it's purpose was to transport the gifts home. There were two other cars with gifts in them as well.

Needless to say, I need to get married.

A Trip With Nothing To Show For It

My intention for going to NY was to get done the things I would have done today in Philadelphia. Since graduating and moving back home I have realized that there are several things I need. My dress shoes are ripping, my black sneakers have a hole in the toe, my headphones are dying, etc. I have had money issues (ehem, Drexel). Because these have recently been solved, I decided to use this weekend where I had nothing planned to pick up a few things.

I ultimately went to NY because I miss the city and could accomplish all of the things I needed to there and spend a day walking around outside in the sunshine in Manahattan. I came home with no shoes and no new clothes for work. I did get headphones, although that one was very low on my list of necessities.

Instead I spent 2 hours in a coffee shop talking to a friend and saw a movie. It, however, was far from a wasted trip. The movie was spontaneous and due to my friend dropping me off in the city about 2 hours earlier than expected (different friend than the coffee friend.) And the coffee pit stop was really really great. As for the clothes/shoes - it is not as if I did not try. I went to three H&Ms and was not interested in anything useful. I went to two shoe stores and both were out of stock of the one shoe I really wanted.

In the end, I am glad I made the trip. I was able to buy the headphones I wanted in the store instead of having to order them, wait, and pay shipping. I was also able to catch up with a friend. Side note, while catching up I was interrupted by a staff member at the coffee house. You see, I was wearing my DriveShaft t-shirt. I have been asked and approached about it before. Here, it was so well appreciated by the staff that they offered me a free coffee. It was a small glimpse at stardom. I loved it. Note to self: where this shirt more often, consider buying a replacement for good measure.

Decision: NY

A NY Weekend, Maybe

Currently battling my own mind on whether I should take a trip to NY this weekend and if so, when should I leave. I won't bore anyone with details. Picture post tomorrow should indicate my decision.

Our Last Set

From our most enjoyable show.

Because I Didn't Learn My Lesson The First Time (Nor The Second)

When I volunteered at the daycare there was a day where we were supposed to go on a field trip to see How To Train Your Dragon. I wrote about this day a while back. In the end I walked 30 minutes through an incredible downpour only to be told the field trip was canceled. I sat indoors in the air conditioning, dripping wet for the next few hours. I had to distance myself from the kids because I didn't want any of them getting wet from leaning on me or anything.

Today the Philadelphia area awoke to a similar storm. I was considering, on my drive to the train station, to drive in. The walk through the train station parking lot takes a good 5-7 minutes. Then its another 10 or so from Suburban Station to the office. In this kind of rain, it only takes a minute to have you soaked through.

Ultimately, I stuck with my normal routine. The rain was coming down so hard while I was driving that visibility was almost 0. I was literally following brake lights to stay on the road. I realized that driving in those conditions was far too dangerous. It made more sense to take the train and brave the rain.

When I got to the station the rain slowed enough that I was barely wet from my walk. The same went for my walk from the train station to work. I was definitely wet, and wished I had an umbrella, but I had made it to work. Then, looking at the calendar, I realized that we had a birthday. I was told when I was hired that we celebrate birthdays by bringing in bagels to the nearest lab meeting. Two days ago one of the grad students had a birthday. I felt way too guilty about using the rain as my excuse for not getting them. I could have picked them up in Suburban. The fact was, I forgot to check.

I, with an RA, headed back out into the rain to get the bagels. As if the lesson from the field trip of "know when to call it quits" / "sometimes its not worth it" was not enough and the fact that I had gotten lucky that just as I got out of my car, and off the train, the rain slowed, I opened the doors and trudged out into the rain. Guess what - the skies opened up about a block away. I spent the rest of the day cold and wet. My jacket was still wet when I got home from work as were my shoes and socks. My shirt was soaked through despite having had a coat on.

I think that will be the last time I try fighting mother nature, especially for something that is probably not worth it. Either that or I should bring a change of clothes with me on bad weather days, just in case.

Hearing From A Friend

I had said two days ago that I wanted to tell you about a package a received over the weekend. Typically at home I get one or two things addressed to me in a month. Most of these things that come to me are junk or bills. Every once in a while, however, I get something worth hanging on to.

On Saturday, there was a large manilla envelope waiting for me. It almost looked like it might have an acceptance letter in it from some university. Having not applied to any graduate schools, there was no way that could be it. The letter was from Pontotoc, Missisissippi. It was from Father Tim. Glenmary Camp's Father Tim.

I jumped a bit inside. If you have read this blog or talked to me recently you know exactly how much this camp meant and how much I was affected by the people there. To receive something from them is so exciting. Father Tim and I got to talk one on one several times during the week and at the end of camp he approached me about the future. He told me that he was impressed with how I handled a bunch of things that week and how I was with the kids. He told me of someone he knows in Texas who has become quite the name in play therapy for kids.

In the package was a magazine advertisement for the National Play Therapy conference in Kentucky listing all of the speakers and dates and times. Next were two other journals including the latest published articles regarding play therapy. Finally, a letter from Father Tim. He told me to register for the conference in Kentucky. He also reminded me about coming back to the camp next year and finished by asking me to pass along his regards to the rest of my group.

The magnitude of this gesture is so great that its hard to describe. I knew I had made a friend in Father Tim, and I felt his invitation and discussion about my future in psychology were sincere. But, to go to this extent was both unexpected and incredibly humbling. Even more than ever I am so thankful for getting the opportunity for this trip and so grateful that I had the time to get to know it's director. The inclusion of the last line about sending his regards to the rest of my team made me realize that this is not just a kind gesture he does for everyone who helps at his camp. This was something he did for me. I am still in disbelief and excited about the whole thing days later.

I hope to be able to go to the conference and eventually make it back to Mississippi. Father Tim is a big part of why that camp exists as it does and has the heart it does, leading people like myself to feel incredibly connected to it and everyone involved. He proved that his kindness to those who come to his camp does not stay at the camp but extends past it. He is a very inspiring person.