One Week

That's right folks! If you've been keeping up with my countdown to graduation you know that I am now only one week away from getting my Master's in Library and Information Science. It's been a long hard road, especially here at the end when all motivation went out the window, but I'm starting to feel like I can breathe again. I only have a couple of little things left to do and turn in, but I know I can get it all done. Of course, then I have to get things ready for family and one of my best friends from high school coming into town for the ceremony... not to mention the ever daunting job search. We'll see where things go from here...

...and, yes the title of this post is a reference to one of my favorite bands - Barenaked Ladies :-)

Weekend Road Trip and Camping

This past weekend I took the opportunity to get out of the big city with some friends (Julia LeBaron, Lisa Anderson, and Jason Baldwin) and go camping in the mountains. What an awesome experience!!! We met up Friday morning, packed the car, squeezed ourselves in, and went on our merry way to Ouray, CO, about 6 hours drive from Lone Tree. We had such a good time cooking over a fire, hiking to 2 waterfalls, driving in the mountains, soaking in the hot springs, shopping, and laughing. I took tons of pictures (before my camera died) of the scenery and fun poses. This is just a sampling.

Watch the road, Jewels!

Having fun being a backseat driver!

Can I help you, Jason?

There you are, Lisa!

After unloading the car but before setting up camp. That's a lot of stuff!

Breakfast in bed!?! Thanks, Jason!

Lower Cascade Falls... BEAUTIFUL!!!

Overlooking Ouray

Box Canyon Falls... AMAZING!!!

Overlooking Silverton

Christ of the Mines Shrine

Why I Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Today has a special meaning for me. For most people it is a celebration of all things Latino and a time to party. I also hold it as a time to celebrate and party, but for different reasons. You see, three years ago today I finished my Student Teaching while at the University of Louisiana - Monroe, the last thing I had to do before graduating with my Bachelor's degree. I spent 14 weeks teaching kids at 2 different schools: 6 weeks teaching math at Good Hope Middle School and 8 weeks teaching Spanish at west Monroe High School (both in West Monroe, LA). It was one of the most stressful and trying times in my life. Many times I felt like I wasn't doing good enough, but I made it through. And now I have completed my Library Practicum hours. These went by much faster (100 hours verses 180 hours) and was much more enjoyable. I was able to work with many wonderful people at the Philip S. Miller Public Library in Castle Rock, CO. When I started I never even thought how much I'd miss working with them and seeing them through out the week. My field mentor, Linda Rose, was so helpful and supportive through everything. I hope I can get a job working with as nice a group of people as they are.

To celebrate all of this as well as Cinco de Mayo I went to a friend's place in my apartment complex where we had good company, delicious food, and a pinata (provided by me!). It was a lot of fun. Now to finish all my papers and assignments so I can graduate.

31 days...