pictures

Here are the pictures I tried to attach last post. 

Taras and Alicia battling it out in a jump rope contest. Yay! Alicia won! Girls rule!
Sarah attempting the hula hoop. Andrew actually won the contest! He beat all the college kids!
Professo Dan Valliancourt and me at the BVM symposium. He is one of my favorite professors.
Kaeli, Sister Dorothy, and me at the symposium. Kaeli wrote a poem for Sr. Dorothy. I made the lake collage out of paint, felt, stickers, papers, modge podge, and glitter.
This is the mixed-media collage I made for my BVM as a gift for her sharing her life-story with me. The memoir project inspired me in so many ways. She is a remarkable woman!
The 2008 LaFramboise holiday pose.
My mom and I on the couch with Andrew, Sarah and Simon.
Having lunch at the American Girl Cafe.
Setting up our Charlie Brown tree. Apartment living at its best!

Finally, a break!!!

The semester is over, thank goodness. So far 3 of my grades have been posted and all is looking very good. I had a killer anthropology final exam that (if you can even imagine) was twice as hard as the primatology exams I took last spring. But it is all over with and I can finally start to relax and enjoy the holiday festivities.

Our tree is decorated, I am all done shopping, and I got the ingredients to make enough cookies to feed the entire Rogers Park neighborhood! (Not really, but it is at least enough for 7 different recipes.) Plus, the kids and I are going to make salt dough ornaments and paint them. They will make nice gifts for teachers and aunts.

I will be posting a few pictures from the past 3 weeks of our hectic life! (But right now blogger.com is having issues and won't let me.) My parents visited for Thanksgiving, the anthropology department hosted a holiday party, and my philosophy class held a  symposium culminating the BVM memoir project. 

We will be in Michigan for 11 days over Christmas. We don't get to see our family much since we moved out to Chicago, so we are looking forward to relaxing and spending time with them. 

Enjoy the picture. I will have more to post this weekend after our baking, ornament decorating, and Jamie's work holiday party at Ron of Japan's. (His office has the BEST parties!)

Talk to you soon! 

Final Exams

I have been busy with Thanksgiving, holiday shopping, entertaining my parents on their 4-day visit, and getting the apartment decorated for the holidays. It has been a whirlwind week!

But I had to come down a few octaves and remember that final exams are next week! YIKES!

If you know me at all, you know that whenever I get anxious, stressed, nervous, or worried my jaw locks up, I get physically ill, and fall apart at the seams! I get stage fright. I get cold feet. And with exams, I get stupid. Literally. I forget everything I ever learned and feel like a helpless newborn baby. It is not a pretty sight.

To make matter worse, my phoenix lost a wing on Monday. It fell off 30 seconds before I set it on the shelf to be graded. My instructor pouted with me and said I could fire all the pieces and super-glue them together afterwards. :-(

As I sit and write this post my husband (Jamie) and my best friend (Slavica) are out shopping for my Christmas presents. I can only hope they aren't at Home Depot, Circuit City, Sports Authority, or Jewel Osco! LOL!

Despite the final exam panic and my phoenix mishap, I am feeling confident in my performance this semester. I was happy to get back my last English test and got a 100%! And I got my ANTH 304 research paper back and got an 'A' with very positive and back patting remarks from Breidenbach. And I got my last Globalization test back today with an 'A-.' So I guess I am doing something right for once!

Thanks for hanging in there with me as I discover what all my life is meant to be. I am so fortunate to have such great friends and family! All the notes, calls, and even flowers really mean a lot to me! You all keep me going and make me realize my efforts truely are worth the effort!

Keep warm this week, and sing a Christmas carol for me! 

The Phoenix Rises

Final project for my ceramics class is a phoenix. But I am calling it a "Dinosaur Dragon Goose Phoenix." It still needs to be painted and fired. 

Autumn Cold Season

I am sorry that I haven't updated lately. My household has come down with a cold or the flu. And I had 2 major research papers due this week, plus my largest ceramics project ever needs to be finished by monday. It is supposed to be a phoenix rising out of flames - but it looks more like a goose cooking in a fire. It doesn't have wings or feathers yet, and its head looks a little whacky. It needs major attention.

I am preparing the apartment for my parent's visit next week. So far I have done ... um... well... nothing. In fact I am beginning to panic. My mother is a clean-freak. And I am not.

I haven't even gone grocery shopping for the Thanksgiving meal. I am sure I will get to the store to find every turkey sold and have to settle for turkey hot dogs instead.

I did, however, manage to do ALL of my Christmas shopping online and have it almost taken care of. I still need to shop for the hardest person to shop for in the whole-wide-world: Jamie. I never know what to get him and always manage to fudge it up and get him the tackiest, thoughtless, hideous, most wretched gift ever. This year I enlisted Slavica to go shopping with me to find him some new clothes or a new jacket. (Or both.) Good thing he never reads my blog, huh?

My day today started off horrible. I didn't sleep but 3 hours last night due to my severe procrastination of writing my anthropology theory paper on Edward Bruner. And I had - up to that point - also thought that I was only getting a C+ in my philosophy class. But today when I got to class, my professor handed me a grade sheet that said I was getting an A! Weird! I almost leaped out of my seat and hugged him. By 1:30 I could no longer hold my eyes open, nor could I breathe out of my nose, so I headed home early. And crashed as soon as my head hit the pillow. Jamie found me unconscious at 5:00 and told me dinner was done; he is my angel!

I am heading out to see the new Twilight movie tomorrow with Slavica. We read the book series and fell in love with Edward. Nothing could keep us from seeing that movie tomorrow. Not even a blizzard.

Thanks everyone who has sent their congratulations on the Pine Ridge Project! I am super excited, but have decided to lay low on it until next semester. I have an independent study with Dr. Amick to make all the necessary plans. So I am going to just wait until Jan. 11th to get the ball rolling again. Final exams are lurking and I need to devote my time to studying and preparing to close out this semester.

Cheers! And Happy Thanksgiving!

 

It's official!

I can now start taking names for the Pine Ridge Trip!!!

May 14-31, 2009.

I will email out an application and trip description to anyone interested in going.

Dr. Amick is going to go as well. Therefore I have 3 spots available. (Me and Slavica are already committed.)

Yipee!!! I am so happy I can't even compose a blog entry!

On a more serious note...

This is a video made by the organization I am working with on the Pine Ridge Project.
Ignore some of the "churchy" stuff. They are a non-evangelizing mission. So as volunteers, we won't have to do religious stuff, or hear any preaching. But I like this video because it gives a good idea of what the trip is all about, and why the Oglala need our help. I think I will post new information on the project once a week just to keep everyone up to date with the project and what my purpose is for devoting my life and career to these people.

Aha! Thank you , Robin for showing me how to post a you tube video!

To go along with my previous post, "Happiest Girl in the Whole USA" I found a really old country music video of Donna Fargo singing the song! If you know me at all, you know I don't care for country music. But this song is so perfect for how my life is going right now! Yes, Kip - I do have a shread of self-esteem left inside of me! lol!

you tube?

I'm trying to imbed a you tube video to this blog. I copy the code on you tube; but when I go to paste it on here, it puts the code under the textbox and doesn't post anything on the blog page.

Anybody got a suggestion? 

The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA!

This has been the BEST WEEK EVER!

Monday, Slavica came over and we watched one of my favorite movies, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium." Then yesterday, our great nation made history by electing the first black American into the White House. Might I also remind you that he is the product of anthropology! (His mother was an ethnographer in Indonesia!)

And today I had a meeting with Dr. Amick about the Pine Ridge Project, and we ended up sitting in the office of Lucien Roy, director of the Mission and Ministry department at Loyola. He is quite interested in my little project, and wants to offer funding, staff support, and leadership training to me as I take this project by the horns and see it through to completion! He was very generous, and made quite an impression on me! I have a follow-up meeting next Wednesday with him to see about Loyola sponsorship, using Loyola transportation, holding a fundraiser, and advertising the trip! Can you believe it?!?!?

I don't even know what to say! I am on cloud nine!

Who would have thought that I would be organizing a university-wide service project? Little old me... 

Someone needs to drag me back down to reality so I can remember to do my homework though. I can't let this project cloud my better judgement of doing well in my classes.

So maybe I should get off the internet and stick my nose back in a textbook.

Halloween

Here are some pictures from Halloween.

The kids had a blast! They got way more candy than they need! But it is all in fun spirit, so I guess I will bend the rules a little! :-P

Anthropology Project

I feel like I have been given new life!

I had the most amazing meeting with the director of the anthropology department at Loyola yesterday (Dr. Amick). We were able to tie together my absolute love of the Oglala people of South Dakota and my second most absolute love of writing. 

{Some background info first: I am a published writer. And currently, for my philosophy/civic leadership class, I am writing the memoir of a retired BVM (a nun) about her 6 year term as Superior in Chicago. I was told by my professor that my memoir brought him to tears. He then professed to the class that they "only wish" they could write like me (which was a complete embarrassment but, humbling at the same time).}

So... Dr. Amick and I were able to come up with a great plan for me to work on. I am organizing a department-sponsored work-study trip to Pine Ridge Reservation this summer. The project will be for either one or two weeks, and involve community service for the elderly and the children of the poorest reservation in the US. I was told this could involve a grant of some sort from the anthropology department. (Not guaranteed!) I will sign up for a Directed Readings course in the spring to prepare the group project and will read every known book on Pine Ridge and also work with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity to gain experience in the area of building and what is involved with that type of service. 

Then, I am going to write a memoir of the experience. I hope to compile the stories of all the students that partake in the project, as well as some of the community members that we work with at Pine Ridge. 

On top of all of this - I was contacted by Dr. Kathleen Pickering of Colorado State University (after I emailed her to find out if she had on-going research at Pine Ridge), and she told me she would be very interested in reading the follow-up, as well as see the project "template" before we head to the reservation!

Could this be a possible, future grad school opportunity knocking at my door???

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am! This project has given me wings!!!

Now, I just have to get to work on actually getting the project off the ground!

Pine Ridge

Hey guys!

I am thinking about going to Pine Ridge over the summer. I found a volunteer program that is trusted and actually listed on the official Oglala website. It is called Re-Member. They build bunk beds and fix up people's houses, and just do whatever service work is needed. You sleep in a dorm. Your meals and transportation on the reservation are included. The cost is $350 per week.

If you are interested in going this summer, let me know. A lot of dates are already filled up. August has some weeks still available. A $35 deposit per person is required at booking. Only children ages 13+ are permitted. They DO have family weeks where children ages 6-12 are allowed, but for 2009, they are all booked.

I will be checking on the price of airfare, Amtrak, and Greyhound. But if enough people want to go as a group, maybe we can pool resources and drive out. We could stop to see some of the great landmarks in the area. Maybe camp for a few days in the Black Hills?

I am totally committed to going regardless. Just thought I would ask if you were interested in going too.

Here are some websites you can check out for more info:

www.friendsofpineridgereservation.org (Awesome non-profit group that is 100% trustworthy. I have worked with them several times. PLEASE check them out!!!)

www.re-member.org

home.comcast.net/~zebrec/index (official Oglala website)

What is with these people?

I am shocked to see Obama going down in the polls now. I am really getting nervous. Does the American public REALLY think McCain/Palin can pull us out of the economic slump we are in? Do they REALLY think McCain/Palin will fix the healthcare and social security crisis facing the baby boomers and beyond? 

Seriously. I haven't heard McCain or Palin say one single thing that suggests they will bring change from the dreadful Bush administration. It will simply be more of the same. The same old mistakes. The same old selfishness.

According to CNN, Obama has dropped 2 points in the polls. That scares me. And Palin is over in Ohio preaching to the voters about Obama's lack of proven evidence that he is not Muslim, or affiliated with ACORN. I am not sure I could come up with proof that I am not muslim. What do non-muslims have to do, carry a non-membership card?

I read somewhere online this morning, that Europe's opinion of how close the election has become, is one of complete shock and awe. They cannot believe our country still lets abortion dominate the election. They can't believe how America is stupid enough to think another Republican can take office and create change.

You want change? You want things to get better? You want things to get done?

Then don't let the Republicans continue to have the presidency. We have already had 8 years of Bush. Do we really want 4 more years under someone who supports Bush's ideas and actions?

I know I don't. I know I want change to be real. Change the party that holds the office. Change the color of the man that has always held the office. Change the opinions of the Europeans that are laughing at us. CHANGE AMERICA for the better. Don't pull us down even further.

I voted absentee ballot when I was in Michigan last week. I did my part. 

I hope you will too!

The Grapes of Wrath, and other follies

I took four days to go visit my family in Michigan. I only missed one day of class, and it was Ceramics. I should NOT have fallen behind. But somehow, pumpkin patches, hay-rides, visits with my grandmother and her 90 year-old sister-in-law took up all of my time and I didn't do ANY homework. I was supposed to read The Grapes of Wrath. Instead, I watched the movie. (I still need to read the book. The movie was not at all like what I remember reading in high school.) I didn't write my art paper until 7:30pm last night. And the one paper that I did manage to prepare for while in Michigan, and get written as soon as I got home... only earned a 50%. OUCH! The paper was only worth 4 points, but just knowing I only got 2 hurts a lot!

To top it all off, my teacher dropped my cornucopia. Yes - the one I have been working on for 3 weeks! She broke it. And I cried crocodile tears. But to make matters worse, she had already graded it; I got a B+. I can't even get an A in ceramics anymore.

Hold up a minute. Before you stop and say, "Boy this girl sure complains a lot." I want to tell you that: 

A. I already know I complain too much. 

B. I have decided to suck it up and do what it takes to fix my mistakes and do better next time.

C. I will take antacids to school with me; possibly even some zanax.

D. I will try to find beauty in everything, even the broken things.

E. I will thank God for my husband everyday- because he lets me complain non-stop and still wraps his arms around me and tells me everything will be okay!

I knew school would only get harder. I learned my lesson last semester when I took human evolution, primatology, ice age america, linguistics, and archaeology all at one time. I also knew that my philosophy professor is a hard ass. So I should not be freaking out about this paper. But the guy actually sent me an email saying that unless I have a plan for improving and fixing my errors in this class, I should drop. WTF?!? If he thinks I am going to give up that easy, he's got another thing coming! I don't back down when the going gets tough! I lost 2 points out of the total 880 possible all semester and he thinks I should drop? He obviously doesn't know how stubborn I am and how NOBODY tells me what to do!

The second thing I want to comment about today is my response to some of my family members "being ashamed of me" for not supporting Gov. Palin. She is a woman. She is pursuing a career. She is a mother. She has the interests of all children and real women at heart. Blah, Blah, Blah. 

I think some of my family members seriously think that liberal morals equal poor mothering. 

I tend to disagree. 

I have taught my children that people are people no matter what color their skin in, what religion they practice (or not being religious at all), how much money they have in their bank account, what kind of car they drive, or who they vote for.

And unlike my family, I tell my kids that even Republicans deserve respect. We should consider their opinions. We should respect their choices. We should tolerate their differences. 

Now - show me a Republican who will teach their kids that all humans deserve equal treatment. Show me one who doesn't blame all their troubles on someone else. Show me one who respects people despite their difference in beliefs.

I am a liberal. I am a mother. I am a student at the age of 32. And heaven forbid - I let my children watch PG-13 movies! GASP!

I know that I have made mistakes as a parent. But everyday I take pride in watching my children socialize with a diverse group of friends. I watch them take pity on some of our communities less fortunate by giving the change in their pockets to pan handlers. I hear them comment on Global Warming, the economy, the effects of globalization to local 3rd world cultures, struggles at their school surrounding brands and status, etc...

I know for certain that I have set in place values that will carry my children to taking leadership roles someday that will change our world. I am not raising close-minded, selfish conservatives. 

So with that said: I think I will go watch the debates now!

New Twist

I have decided.

Loyola has a wealth of opportunities and research in the area of classical Roman studies. 

Loyola also has two really good archaeology professors.

Hey. Here's an idea: since I love art, anthropology, Europe, and lasagna - why not try to go to grad school for classical Roman archaeology????!!!!!

There are lots of grad programs in archaeology. And plenty of jobs in the field too, so I could work my way through a PhD. 

This is looking better everyday!

Thanks to everyone who has called me, texted me, emailed me, or even walked up my three flights of stairs and knocked on my door to tell me what they think I should do about grad school! I'll take all the advice I can get!

I thought I had the perfect idea: an applied anthropologist working for Disney. But then I did some research and found out that Disney doesn't really like anthropologists. And I don't want to turn my adoration for the happiest place on earth into a love-hate relationship. I'd much rather keep it a place my family can go to and just be happy, free, and full of laughter.

I feel a great sense of relief and comfort in having a plan for grad school finally. Now I think I can actually enjoy the rest of my time at Loyola instead of constantly worrying about what my next move will be. I never was a good strategist. More like a feather blowing in the wind.

Here's the big news: I have to get a part-time j-o-b! Yikes!

I need to find $5000 so I can go to field school this summer. And unlike fictional storybooks, money doesn't grow on trees. And $5000 is more cash than I have in my pocket at the moment. So a job is in order. I have gotten pretty good at juggling family and school in the past semester. But throw in 20 hours of work, and I might start to crack! So we will just have to take it slow and ease our way into the new lifestyle. It seems there aren't many scholarships for women in their 30's with three kids and a 3.2 GPA. And I am maxed out on student loans to pay for Loyola's ridiculously high tuition. So my only option seems to be to come up with the money myself.

This just reinforces my idea that only the fortunate people in the world are the ones with opportunities to study abroad. Tons of grad programs want the applicant to have the experience of living in a different country, or studying in a foreign institution, but only the wealthy seem to have the means to actually do it. I am by no means wealthy, but I plan to trump the whole system by finding a way to do it without winning the lotto, or robbing a bank.

So there it is. My master plan is in full swing. I even get to register for a bunch of Roman art and history classes next semester! And the best part is - if I work hard enough, I might have a chance to get into U of M's classical archaeology program for grad school! Archaeology and living in Ann Arbor again? It must be a dream!

Update on our life in Chicago

I have finally realized that as quickly as the first year in Chicago has gone by, we still have two years to go. I am terrible at being patient. I want to reach the light at the end of the tunnel without the back-breaking hike to get there. When I want something, I want it NOW! That is why Loyola has been so challenging. I have to work day-by-day, semester-by-semester to one day (hopefully) reach graduation. And I am growing increasingly impatient! I feel like a torpedo. I know I have the potential to soar, but have to wait for someone to release me!

I have also decided to stop stressing about grad school. I will just do my best to get the best grades possible, build my resume, and experience all I can in chicago. Then when the fall of 2009 comes around, I will begin my worrying until I land a spot in a grad program. Somewhere, Anywhere. 

The kids are doing fine. Andrew switched instruments in band; he is playing the French horn now. It is big. And loud. Sarah is trying to join the drama club at her school. She has a new aspiration in life to be an actress, dancer, and marine biologist - all wrapped into one Bohemian princess! Simon has a great teacher this year! She loves him and it shows! He is improving 10-fold! He likes to go to class and always does his homework as soon as he gets home!

We are still having fun and exploring the city. Tomorrow I am going to the Museum of Contemporary Art with a friend. I have a ceramics class this semester. I LOVE IT! It is my favorite class ever! I have to write a paper about a specific piece of artwork at the museum. I have never been to a contemporary art museum before. So I am excited to see what they have. I have renewed my love for art this semester. I remember my senior year in high school when I took painting and sculpture. I wanted to go to art school, move to Greenwich Village in New York, wear Doc Martins and black-rimmed glasses. I wanted to go to poetry readings, drink lattes in quaint coffee shoppes and browse for apartment furnishings in various loft studios in the city. Like Sarah, I had a Bohemian streak in me. And I think it's back.

I'll keep you posted with pictures of my ceramics. As soon as I can figure out how to upload pictures to a blog. Computers are not my forte.

more poems by my kids

Tonight I wait for a star to appear.

I am keeping a wish for the dream maker to hear.

Speak softly and speak kindly and he will grant your request.

I have a special wish; he may think it is the best.

I am waiting for the star to glow in the sky.

There it is!

"Dream maker, please don't let my grandpa die."

-Sarah

Here in the valley between two high mountains

lies a monster sleeping for 100 years.

A plane flies above.

The monster stirs.

Mountains rumble! Crash! Collapse!

A pebble hits the monster in his eye.

And he falls back asleep.

-Andrew

Something is red, Something is blue.

Something smells like a monkey.

I think it is you.

-Simon

Dolls and kitties; ribbons and lace.

Pink and purple make a pretty face.

Boxes of chocolate, and bottles of perfume

Girls and ladies like flowers in bloom.

Girls and ladies wait with an empty vase.

-Sarah

Swords clash and tempers fume.

Armour is brandished and flutes are in tune.

The war drum beats and the battle cries call.

Two sides of the story are both about to fall.

War is a game that nobody will win.

Everyone will hurt, and bleed in the end.

-Andrew

I am five and you are too.

When we grow up we will be twenty-two.

Then we will get married and buy our own shoes.

And instead of cartoons, we will watch the news.

-Simon

Bumpy Roads

Come look in my closet at all the pretty dresses and hats.

If you look in my brother's closet you might see some bats.

I have dolls and tea parties, and dances and shows.

My brothers just have boogers, bad breath, and old dirty clothes.

I have pink and purple bedding, with heats in bloom.

My brother's bed screams of lurking doom!

I have soft silky hair and rosey red cheeks.

I bet my brother hasn't showered in weeks.

I'm gentle and pretty. I'm graceful and cute as can be.

Not like my brother. He is covered in fleas.

-Sarah

Our sister has cooties; she looks like a bug.

When cleaning her room she sweeps it all under her rug.

She has snakes for hair and spiders for eyes.

And every word she speaks is nothing but lies.

She wears pink and yellow dresses, just like a girl.

When I think of her all I want to do is hurl.

She dances and sings and makes lots of drama.

No way that girl is related to our mama.

She reads Judy Blume and listens to Jonas Brothers.

She only thinks of herself and not about others.

Little sisters are gross. They are such a pain.

When I think about her it hurts my poor brain!

-Andrew (in response to the above poem by Sarah!)

My name is Simon. I am a boy.

I'm not a book or a silly little toy.

I have two hands, but only one head.

When I get scared, I hide under my bed.

My teeth are white but my eyes are brown.

When grown-ups talk to me they have to look down.

I like to play. I watch too much TV.

But just about everyone is in love with me!

-Simon

Back-to-School

Loyola is buzzing with fresh faces, summer gossip, frantic schedules, and of course, the never ending cloud of cigarette smoke that encompasses the campus.

I had two embarrassing moments on my first day back.

1. I mistook Dumbach for Damen on my schedule, and went to the wrong classroom. Duh! I felt like a lost freshman.

2. My cell phone went off in my Ethics class. (After I was already late to class because I WENT TO THE WRONG BUILDING!)

So I am hoping today goes better. Or at least with fewer mishaps.

Loyola is both a blessing and a curse for me.

I am very fortunate to attend a Jesuit university. I am not Catholic, but I fully recognize the value of a Jesuit education. I won't go into great detail (you can google Jesuit to get a better understanding for yourself) but I will tell you that having philosophy, religion (not necessarily Catholicism, either) and ethics as requirements, along with 4 requirements in values-based courses really does make a well-rounded individual. I truly believe the Loyola slogan, "Preparing people to lead extraordinary lives".

But... - and there is always a but - Loyola offers too many extracurricular activities and fairs, and shows, and picnics, and retreats... aren't we supposed to be disciplined, and spend our free time studying and exploring our knowledge? How does watching "Baby's Daddy" prepare us for an extraordinary life? And I'm sorry, but having root-beer pong in the student center, totally teaches the underage students how to play the game so they can go to a kegger and know how to play a drinking game - that they leaned from a priest - at our highly esteemed institution. I wonder if the #1 ranked university in America (Harvard) teaches their students how to play beer pong? And I bet their selection of film for "movie night" was something a little more sophisticated.

Haiku Frenzy, written by my kids

Rain, rain go away.
We want to go to the park.
Worms on the sidewalk. - Simon

The third floor window
is blocked by a big elm tree.
We can see nothing. - Sarah

Summer is ending.
Leaves will turn in one more month.
Savor the sunshine. - Andrew

"Clean you room!" said mom.
But I want to play outside.
Catch me if you can. - Simon

Spring babies have grown.
Gardens are in full harvest.
Farmers are busy. - Sarah

I hear the jingle.
The ice cream truck is nearby.
Please, may I have one? - Andrew

Sharing your popcorn
at the movie theater
can lead to hunger. - Sarah

Watch the Olympics.
They are in Beijing, China.
Gold, silver, and bronze. - Andrew

I hate eating fish.
It smells and tastes like garbage.
Tuna is the worst. - Simon

Sing in the shower.
It will help to wake you up.
Try not to forget. - Sarah