School, Work, Volunteering, Baby-sitting, oh my!

I feel like today was a beautiful depiction of what my life is going to be like the next few months. I woke up and didn't go to class (hopefully this won't be a depiction, I just needed a break), went to work, went to an orientation at Good Samaritan for working with the Alzheimer's patients, and I ended my day by baby-sitting (oh and some homework after that.) So, had I gone to class this morning I would have gone to school, gone to work, volunteered at Good Sam, baby-sat, and done homework. Which is pretty much a day full of the five activities that shall consume my life these next few months.

My evening was really lovely. I spent two and a half hours learning about elderly care and then spent two and a half hours baby-sitting. The differences between the two are striking, but even more so are the similarities. I haven't really been around older people very much. Obviously I have grandparents, but they don't seem that old. And of course I have been in the customer service industry since I was 16 so I've served many elderly folk in my day. And there are all those years that I used to go trick-or-treating at the nursing home my grandma used to work in. It's just that I've never had too much experience being around, and especially not working long-term with them. I know I sound absolutely ridiculous and ignorant, but please know that my heart is in the right place. I purposely decided to work at Good Sam with the Alzheimer's patients because I wanted to be stretched and experience working with a population I haven't yet. I could have easily worked with children or teenagers or the homeless, all three of which I've spent much interaction with... but I wanted to learn something new.

Tomorrow I will have my first real day at Good Sam, working directly with the patients. I think I will be doing activities with them that are intended to improve memory, fine motor skills, social skills, etc. I am somewhat nervous, but honestly? I'm just really excited. I was so impressed with my orientation tonight. The volunteer coordinator and everyone else I met had a heart of gold, the facilities are fantastic, and the place emanated with Christ's love. I think this semester is going to teach me a lot about the love of God... something I'm going to enjoy.

Today was a day that had the potential to be exhausting, draining, soul-shattering. But it was none of the above. Instead, I felt alive today for the first time in awhile. And relaxed. Skipping class today and starting my day with a bath and a time to just breath was the best plan I've had in a long time. I think there's something to be said about Sabbath. I'm going to be insanely busy for quite awhile, and I want to remember the importance, the vitality of rest.

I'm writing again, and it feels good (:

Hmm (:

It's been awhile.

I really want to blog again, let the words flow forth from the tapping of my fingers on these black and white keys. It seems an elusive endeavor. So much to write about, where is the time?

Quick update and perhaps I will make time at a later date for something real and substantial. I think my soul needs real and substantial. But at the current moment exhaustion has kicked in and a quick update is all I can put forth.

-I got a job at Red Lobster as a hostess.
-This semester is turning out to be a really good one as far as classes go.
-My service-learning this semester will be spent working with Alzheimer's patients... please pray for me.
-I'm likely to transfer schools in the fall of 2010... thus this semester is my last few months in Boise. Bittersweet.
-I like to color lately :) and draw. I'm not good at either, but reveling in it all the same.
-I'm too busy. As usual. (:
-I'm really loved.
-I really love.
-I miss writing.

And the world, spins madly on.