So I figured I should probably give a little bit of a life update... where to begin?

The job...
I think I'm going to like it. I love the organization - more everytime I think about it. And I'm starting to get a hang of the job. I think the best part of it is going to be what I learn. I've already sat in on some meetings with some very smart people solving very large problems and I love soaking it all in. It's been great food for thought with my grad school program as well...

Speaking of grad school...
I'm almost done with my first year!!! I spent a great deal of time at Panera the last two days working on my final couple of assignments which are due next week. It will be nice to have them done. Of course, I already have my books for next year's classes so there's not a ton of down time but any break will be nice.

The apartment...
Funny story about that. Yesterday it was 82 degrees here (don't worry I won't rub in to much the fact that it was snowing at home - that's just sad for the end of April, even for MN). I can never concentrate on homework in the apartment so I took a blanket, my Ipod, and my computer out to the front lawn and plopped myself on a grassy area in front of the building. Apparently, my neighbors found my little picnic hysterical. I'm not sure why this was so funny to people but they kept coming up and talking to me about how they "liked my style" or "thought that was a great idea." Little kids kept walking over too - apparently sitting on the front lawn makes you very approachable. It was a great way to meet the neighbors - I'll have to do it again.

Friends...
Well, most of my social time has been spent with Joey as of late but I'm starting to make friends at work. There are some great people there and I've started going to lunch with some or to coffee with others. A group of ladies invited me to a play (The Screwtape Letters) in a couple weeks with some friends from outside of IJM so that will be fun too. I've decided that I also no longer want to be someone with only Christian friends so I have to find a way to meet people outside of work and church. Haven't figured out where yet... I'll keep you all posted.

Church...
No luck yet. Visited a few places. The last one was promising until the pastor told us to turn around and "high five" someone else before we sat down. Little too high school youth group for me. And the pastor was a nice guy but a little less than inspiring. Oh well... on to the next one.

Homesickness...
It's actually not as bad as I thought it would be. I ache to hold Alex and to meet the newest Bonnett kid and it was very sad I missed my parents' birthday dinner last weekend. And Mother's Day will be rough to miss. Generally, though, I'm not feeling sad and depressed or anything. I'm trying to keep busy, get out of the apartment a lot, and spend a lot of time on the phone. I miss everyone but it hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be.

Other stuff...
Went running on the treadmill for the first time since moving yesterday and then again today. I'm really sore... it's very sad. That's what I get for being a slacker the last couple months.

New tenants moved into my Mpls apartment yesterday. We'll see how that goes - thanks Hol & Joe for getting them moved in for me.

I'm coming home Memorial weekend!!! Woo hoo! I'm actually staying until Wednesday morning because the IJM Minneapolis banquet is Tuesday night and my bosses thought I should stay. Of course I have to work Tuesday helping with the banquet so it's not a ton of extra time at home but it'll help. If anyone wants to join me for the banquet, shoot me an email and I'll send you the info.

Here are a couple pictures my mom took of my apartment building - doesn't the lobby look like a hotel? It's getting an exterior paint job at the moment which it needs badly but otherwise it's in good shape.