3.28.2009

it's been a while...

and i have a lot to catch up on most likely, but i think i'll proceed with my 2008 year-in-review that will then ultimately bring us up to date.

january 2008
  • first year as a doctor
  • enjoyed a very long break in between semesters, which included some time in albuquerque to do research and visit.
  • spent a weekend in dubuque with my niece amanda
  • remembered that the sun does exist in winter time (just not often in iowa.)
  • stopped working part-time at pier 1
  • moved out of my apartment that i loved into a gorgeous house with roommates brad and christine.

february 2008
  • started my second semester at loras which involved teaching stats for the first time, as well as covering my colleagues stats class as she was out for maternity leave.
  • went to ABQ for mike's going away party.
  • broke driver's side car window in snow-related incident.
  • start the best part-time job ever at the diamond jo

march 2o08
  • difficult time for students when one of our students sadly passed away from meningitis :(
  • went to las vegas for a conference with mom and had a great time!
  • spring break in TX

april 2o08
  • got to see sara who was back from hong kong for a conference in chicago! woo!
  • went to st. louis for yet another conference and got to see my fam.
  • teaching of 5th class ends and relief of only having 4 ensues
  • two quick/weird trip to TX in one week
  • i think it finally stopped snowing sometime this month. it was a record breaking winter.

may 2008
  • went to may commencement as a faculty member and then realized that it had been 10 years since my own graduation.
  • moved for the third time this year into my current apartment which i love
  • discovered that couches can defy gravity
  • start of heart-breaking romance end begins.
  • family weekend during memorial day to hang out with mom and dad on their 34th anniversary. (we weren't sure if it was 34 or 35 and i had to use some good detective skills.)
  • scary F-5 tornado in iowa!
june 2008
  • first summer class taught at loras.
  • visited my friend jody in her new hometown of charlotte, nc. we got to go to the beach and get wicked sunburns.
  • crazy iowa floods!
  • relationship break ends in not the way i had hoped..
july 2008
  • july 4th with the doyles!
  • went to my cousin ashley's wedding and discovered what being a reader really involved.
  • found out break-up was even yuckier than expected
  • took a much needed trip to new orleans to plan january-term class and to do some serious soul-searching. met ray nagin at mass there.
  • went to texas and las vegas to visit friends and get some closure.

august 2008
  • realized i should have done more work over the summer
  • made some new friends
  • started dating again...kinda sorta.
  • jack-up knee dancing after an irish hooley
  • year two as a faculty member begins
  • went to erin and brent's wedding and made some new friends in WI.
  • started teaching at the community college
september 2008
  • made a few more new friends including a locally famous dog
  • started watching Six Feet Under series because it's awesome
  • visit my brother and his family in st. louis
  • miss the last of six weddings i was invited to over the summer. only was able to go to two and was sad to miss the others. but congrats!
  • get some debts consolidated
october 2008
  • went to a surprise 40th birthday party for my brother
  • caught up with some duhawks at homecoming! 10 years?!
  • job interview at a school i thought i wanted to work at. found out that i didn't and that staying put is a good plan.
  • went to see the aggies beat iowa state. whoop!
november 2008
  • OBAMA IS ELECTED!!! WOO!!!
  • slight set-back on the "moving on" front
  • girl weekend with mom, aunt deb, and cousin kelli
  • JUMBIES and mom and dad in the same weekend. woo!
  • jocelyn came to visit and gave talks about new orleans and hurricane katrina
  • fun Milwaukee weekend
  • visited jeremy in rock island and discovered the genious that is Flight of the Conchords
  • two family thanksgivings! yum!
december 2008
  • finished a very busy fall semester with the stress of getting ready for january term
  • start an earring side business for fun and no-profits yet
  • had fun at the christmas gala
  • new Diamond Jo opens!
  • said good-bye to Grandma Parks :(
january 2009
  • rang in the new year in milwaukee after some fun in chicago. viva the year of kate!
  • turned 33...what the?
  • J-term class to New Orleans and back
  • took a mini-break to TX
february 2009
  • spring semester starts and i'm not at all prepared for two new courses and stats. (lemented 8 a.m. classes)
  • exhaustion from j-term lingers
  • started the match.com thing again
  • fundraiser for new orleans. the students did a good job though i still have a lot of beads and some coffee for sale if anyone is interested. ;)
  • signed up for a gym membership
march 2009
  • awesome spring break! spend a few days in dubuque with dennis and then the rest of the break in albuquerque catching up with friends i haven't seen in too long. this included some high quality time with my friend haley and baby kate (and dan too of course.)
  • discover how cool park farm winery is
  • happy to get a contract for next year even if it didn't have a raise on it
  • finished watching Six Feet Under series. wow!
april 2009
  • conference in des moines. caught up with old friends, made some new friends, and had a great time connecting with my colleague
  • good times with dennis, erin, and brent at the casino on a random monday night
  • fun easter weekend with mom that involved sushi, wine, shopping, and a champagne easter brunch
okay, so that brings me up to date. this is definitely not an all-inclusive list and there are undoubtedly many things that i forgot. hopefully i will keep things more up to date from now on. 2008 was unforgettable for a lot of reasons. thanks to everyone who made it a great year. 2009 looks to be even better and we're not even halfway through yet. :D

peace friends!