100 Degrees and Cool

Yesterday was a scorcher. I think it hit 100 degrees. Mike and I were so busy running errands and preparing for my mom's birthday on Saturday that Sunday came around and we had little energy to do much. Which was fine with me...Harry Potter Book 7 arrived in our mailbox on Saturday so I was able to take the little energy I had and put it into starting the book. So far, it is very good.

The best purchase we have made is the window AC unit in the main part of the house. As it was 100 degrees outside, I curled up in the bedroom, with the ceiling fan going, reading the book. I was actually chilly. What a blessing to be cold in such heat. I remember the days when we did not have AC, just window fans. I remember cooking dinner and sweating. Life is much more enjoyable with the AC unit.

I can't believe July is almost over. My flowers are starting to look a little bit crunchy. Our grass actually held up very well all summer and looks very lush and green. I hope August goes by slow, slow. I love fall, and even the beginning of winter. I just hate the January through April stretch. Football is wrapping up, the holidays are over, it is cold and gets dark early. It feels like just yesterday it was February and I was just itching for summer. Now, it is halfway over. I think it is time we take a vow to enjoy these aspects of summer before they go away:

1. Sitting on the back patio drinking coffee and eating breakfast.
2. Sunday morning walks to the farmer's market.
3. Walking to get ice cream on Gaylord Street or in Bonnie Brae.
4. Baseball.
5. Hiking.
6. Escaping to the movie theater to sit in air conditioning for a few hours.

The list goes on.

A busy week

I am wrapping up a pretty busy week. Mike was out of town for most of it. To keep myself occupied, I did a ton of stuff. I watered the lawn, cleaned my closet, did laundry, went grocery shopping, mowed, gardened, walked the boys. I had Mentoring on Wednesday and my final dress fitting for the wedding on Tuesday. Whew. Mike got home and I proudly told him of all I did. He was very impressed.

Onto the weekend. Not much planned. We are meeting Robert at Wazee for some pizza tonight and having the fam over tomorrow for dinner for Mom's 30th (wink, wink) birthday. We have a special present for her. Can't say here! I don't know what else we will do.

Job update: I was unofficially offered the position as Faculty Advisor. I have one more interview and then the job is mine. I was told I was the most dynamic candidate, and the answers I gave to the questions were brilliant. Wow. I really like my soon to be new boss, Barry. A real straight shooter. Plays the political game well (and at Regis there is plenty of games to play) but also leads well. I am too excited for words. I will have a beer for all of you to celebrate tonight (unofficially, of course).

Onto #3!

I find it funny how processes work in a University setting. In the hallway, I was walking by one of the people who interviewed me last week, and she asked if I were free next Wednesday at 4pm for the 3rd interview. Of course I was excited, but I couldn't be too excited because we were in the middle of the hall.

But I am excited! Wednesday at 4pm...What should I wear? My suit of course. I am thinking a maroon shirt this time. I hope this works out. The girls here want to know if I am the only one going to the 3rd interview, and I don't know! It's killing me! I really want this job, so let's hope I am the final candidate.

Wish me luck!

It Had Been Awhile

Ahhhh...it has been awhile since I was out and about downtown Denver into the later hours in the evening. Saturday night was Jen's bachelorette party. Going into it, we both said how we would probably call it a night after a long dinner at Maggianos with her friends and family. Or, maybe one drink at a martini bar? Well, it turned into a little more than that. For any good bachelorette party, one must have The List...a list of silly things the bride-to-be must do to have fun and make a bit of a fool out of herself and others. Jen's list was pretty tame...get a kiss...be serenaded by a stranger...have a stranger take the garter off with his teeth...so on and so forth. I made The List with no intentions of making her complete it. However, we were with two very extraverted ladies who helped make sure she could at least mark off a few things. At Double Daughters, Jen danced on the table. A waitress outside of a bar sang to Jen the song "Reunited". At Martini Ranch, a good sport pulled off Jen's garter with his teeth. She got a picture with a cop, who has made this type of thing almost like a part time job. We called it a night at 11pm (ooohhh, late!) and I was snuggled into bed next to my hubby at 11:30. It had been awhile since I had been wild and crazy downtown...and to be honest, once a year is good for me!

Good Hearts at Goodwill

I always thought of Goodwill Industries as catering to the needs of older people. I also associated it with any place where I would drop off donations-"Let's do a Goodwill run" when it is really the ARC I am headed to. So, I was surprised to learn all the different facets of Goodwill Industries. Yes, you can donate your used items to them. They also have programs to help adults get jobs, and they have a huge youth program, serving at-risk kids in the community. The array of programs and support Goodwill offers to youth and adults in need is very admirable (http://www.goodwilldenver.org/).

I started volunteering for the Goodwill program with their Mock Interviews. A group would go to North High School and help students with interviewing skills. I heard about the Summer Mentoring Program, where I could mentor a first-generation college bound student. The program lasts most of the summer, but the mentor and mentee are to keep in touch throughout the first year of college, just to make sure things are going okay. Through the summer, Goodwill provides classes that the mentor and mentee attend to deal with a variety of issues: time mangement, money management, relationships, peer pressure, study skills, etc. I met my mentee for the first time last night. She is a beautiful girl, originally from Bosnia but her family has been here over 8 years. She has that innocence of an 18 year old, ready to embark on her college experience. She is attending CU-Denver, my alma mater, so I can certainly help her navigate through that campus. She is very close to her family and her family is very supportive of her, so I don't know how "at-risk" she is. I do remember my first year of college, though, and if I had a mentor to get me through I would have been delighted! So, whatever her social or financial situation, she will be a great person to mentor. I am excited to start working with youth. My current job has me focused on working with adults, but working with someone young will be refreshing.

Moments to Breathe

I love working at Regis. Only at Regis can I go to an evening dedicated to reflection and spriritual renewal. Last night, I spent the evening with around 10 other women looking to take time out of our busy lives and...breathe, pray, be silent...whatever each of us needs to find some time of quiet. Our host is the Director of Ministry here at Regis-a vibrant woman who finds the right words for every situation. We had a nice, simple dinner together and then discussed ways that we can take some time just to be quiet. We went on a Sabbath Walk, and I took off my shoes and walked in the grass. We meditated and discussed patience, forgiveness, and how we each deal with stress. It was just a nice evening and I am so glad I work in a place that offers such opportunities.

Winding Down

I got to spend almost the whole week with these fabulous guys. I am on the eve of wrapping up a pretty good week. It was nice to be away from work and be refreshed on other things in life. I had my interview Friday and was nervous pretty much all day Wednesday and all day Thursday. Wednesday we went to a nice BBQ at my parent's house, and Thursday we ran errands and Mike helped me practice for my interview. Friday rolled around and I faced the interview head on. I was interviewed by about 7 people, most in the academic advising department. It was a relief when it was over! I came home and Mike and I saw Ratatouille-I would certainly recommend it, it was very cute! When we got home, there was a message from one of the people I interviewed with...The committee recommended that I move to the next level of interviews! Yay! I am not sure with whom, but it should happen within the next week or so. I had a great day today, and tomorrow we will go for a hike which will wrap up a great week.