Updates

So, there are a few things I should update everyone one. I got accepted into the Ignatian Faculty Scholars Program here at Regis and I am excited. We meet one Friday a month all day and learn about Jesuit education in depth for the first year; the second year we apply it to the classroom. I hope I will have a classroom next year...I was invited to the November assessment to teach a class. So this is what my fall looks like...
-One Friday a month-Scholars meeting
-Train the Trainer at the Conflict Center Sept 12, 13 and 14
-Nov 6th assessment
-Nov 10-14 AAACE conference and presentation
-Morey Rec computer classes
And...I am facilitating an online Democracy Lab through the Institute on the Common Good starting Sept 15th for 9 weeks.
Yikes! What about my day job? I have learned that to really enjoy being at Regis I need to get involved outside of my department. I have met so many cool people and I can stay on the surface, not getting bogged down into any one drama. It will be a great fall and I will gain so much experience. A shout out to my friend Beth who connected me with The Conflict Center and the Institute. You rock, girlfriend.

Retreat

I had a chance yesterday and today to stay at Camp St. Malo in Allenspark for the new faculty retreat with Regis. We read the book The Courage To Teach by Parker Palmer which led most of our conversations. Yesterday we had small group discussions and then quiet time throughout the afternoon. After dinner, Fr. Mike came up and discussed the nature of Jesuit education-to be open to all people, to use discernment, and to always think critically and not be dogmatic. We capped off the evening with wine and snacks at an evening social. Hey, it's the Jesuits! This morning we met with the Deans of our respective colleges (Regis U has 3 colleges and this was a cross-college retreat). Having one on one time with my dean was awesome and I am so glad to have gotten to know him better. There was about an hour and a half today where I got to hike around-I walked, I journaled, and I just spent some much needed quiet time before returning to work and the needs of my students. All in all, it was a great weekend and I hope to do another in the next year.

Leroy

I want to dedicate this blog to Leroy Sievers.

Leroy...you inspired both Mike and I by your NPR commentaries on your battle with cancer. We saw you on Nightline and got to see what you looked like. Sitting in your chemo chair, Mike was able to really relate to you and your struggle with cancer.

Your My Cancer blog on NPR.com inspired both of us. For Mike, it gave him the permission to be angry, contemplative, sad, hopeful, and humorous. For me, it gave me insight into what Mike (and other people) are going through.

I cried when I heard you died.

Thanks for being an inspiration and thanks for giving a voice to the cancer battle.

Giving busy a new name

Whew! When I haven't blogged in almost two weeks I know things have gotten too busy! Likewise, I know when I haven't talked to Meg in almost a week that things are way out of control. I don't know what is happening but my weeks, days and evenings are just flying by. It is the fall start at Regis and so I am just slammed with student calls, appointments and the like. I am one of the few ready and willing of my group and so I am also training our newest advisor this week and next. I am trying to finish part of my presentation for the November conference, and I have a book to read for a retreat I am going on this weekend. Yikes!

Mike, too, has been busy. You know when you are burned out by Tuesday that you are in it for the long haul. Good news for me is that I do get to go on a retreat Sunday and Monday in Allenspark for new faculty. I want the mountains, crisp air, and a balcony-all I will find at the St. Malo's retreat center. Sept 6, 7 and 8 Mike will also get to have a reprieve-we are going to Durango to ride the Durango-Silverton train, check out a Melodrama, and hang out in this funky little mountain town for a few days. Give me a mountain town!

So, please excuse us if we are M-I-A lately...fall just is a busy time in both our work worlds. Good thing we both like the work we do or else we would be miserable to boot.

Birthday Pics

Dad's birthday was Saturday and these are pictures from our celebration on Sunday. We hope you had a great weekend, Dad, one that you deserve!

Growth and reflection

I am feeling a deep affinity for this picture today. There I am, looking at a mountain...This is where I was maybe 6 months ago, looking at the mountain of teaching, trying to wrap my arms around what class to teach, the assessment process, when will I feel ready, etc. I wish I had a picture walking up the mountain, because that is how I am feeling today. I met with Fran, the lead faculty for the class I want to teach, and she invited me to assessment this fall. This was a huge step for me. I have also reflected on the other opportunities that have come up to teach:
--The PC classes at Morey Rec Center
--Conflict Management at the Conflict Center
--Most recently, a Post Secondary prep class at Kennedy High School through Goodwill

I am also applying to be an Ignatian Faculty Scholar, a two year scholarly experience with the goal of continuing the mission of Jesuit education into the future by learning in depth about Jesuit education and how it applies to the classroom. I just feel so blessed and am excited that things are finally taking off in the direction I want. My only hope is that I can find the time to fit it all in! (I know I will).

Thanks to Liz and Lance

I wanted to shout out a Thanks to our good friends Liz and Lance. They hosted a beautiful evening for Mike and I, as well as some old friends Chris and Paul. Not only do they have a lovely home and great balcony view, I think they put on my version of the perfect summer party. We had chips, salsa and dip; beer and sangria; chicken enchiladas; and ice cream for dessert. It was a wonderful night and we are truly blessed to have them as friends.

The rest of the weekend was great. Mike painted the basement-our goal is to get this room finished so that we can store kitchen appliances downstairs that won't fit in our kitchen. Sunday we had Jason and Jessica over for brunch. Mike and I bought a "griddler" last weekend and so he made french toast and scrambled eggs. We drank mimosas and talked about their recent trip to Germany. After they left, Mike and I took a well deserved nap and then ran some errands. It was a great weekend!

Baby steps

I am taking baby steps toward my goal of teaching. I have been procrastinating because of the assessment process. I have to be assessed by my peers and I have been so freaked out that I have been digging in my heels. Thanks to Kristi, though, I have taken the first steps to going this direction! I have put in my resume to Fran who is the lead faculty for this class, and I am interviewing with her on Tuesday. So, wish me luck! Things are coming together. There was a leadership shift in our department which was somewhat controversial, but I think that it will be in my favor for career development. I just need to not let other people influence me in my work. I think the future looks bright!