I'm on a roll

After spending 10 days at home, I came back to Chicago with a few reservations. Getting back into the swing of my job I had heard could be a bit interesting, just getting back on track with families and actually having something to do/having visits the first week back. I shouldn't have worried, this week was the best I've ever had at work. See my previous post for a rockin' tuesday, then Thursday I helped put a crib together. Not what I expected to be doing at 22 years old, but it was really gratifying. I had a woman donate these beautiful cribs, and after I got it into my family's house I could see the mom eyeing the crib. I asked her if she wanted help putting the crib together, and she asked if I was sure I wouldn't mind. The woman is 8 months pregnant with twins, so it was nice to be able to make sure she didn't need to bend down and fiddle with things as much. It took two hours, but she was so excited to have it together. It was something simple, but it made me feel like I was able to do something small that actually mattered, something that made her just the smallest bit more comfortable and prepared to have these babies.

Then Friday was just wonderful. Had a great visit with one of my Spanish-speaking moms, and Kate, one of my closest friends from Grinnell and my housemate last year, was coming through on her way to DC. She talked Sarah, another of the closest friends/housemates, into driving with her from Iowa City and then taking the Greyhound back. So I got to have a Friday night with Grinnellians. Maggie, also from Grinnell, hosted in the southwest suburbs, and Emily R. Grinnell fellow LVCer came too. It was so great to be with old, new and future friends all at once. All together. Just happy and giggling. My sense of home, apart from being wrapped up still at home in Minnesota with my parents, is wrapped up in those women (and Mary Pat and Phoebe, the obvious missing pieces). It was happy, and I am so excited to spend some more time with Maggie who will be around Chicago!

I didn't get much sleep by the time we got to Maggie's house and woke up pretty early, so I lounged on Saturday. Then went to Dhiren's for a delicious dinner with some more Grinnellians. This morning, went to church and my housemate Kate helped me dig the car out so I can actually get out tomorrow. There was an empty spot, so we dug that one out and dug my car out just enough to move it. Then grocery shopping, dinner out in the neighborhood with most of my housemates (delicious gordita), and now I'm going to try for a bit of productivity.
Basically, I am on a roll. This week was just fantastic. I finally feel like I can do my job for the most part. I saw a lot of wonderful people. I did some really fun things, and had some down time. Now about that studying...