Sigh . . .

As some of you may know, I was able to take a fairly impromptu trip home!!  My classes are held on Wednesday, Thursday and every other Monday.  With a Monday off approaching I figured I could skip out of town for the long weekend without doing any harm to my studies.  I was right!

I left on Thursday (Sept. 11) after my night class.  I drove from 8:00 p.m. straight through the night and morning to arrive at my parent's house around noon on Friday.  My family then drove me to SLC to have lunch with Phil.  I was so happy, and I think my family and Phil enjoyed making fun of my delirious, sleep deprived state.  I saw no one but Phil, his family, and my family . . . and it was just what I needed.  I miss Phil terribly and living in Iowa makes me feel a bit trapped and a bit unconnected.  I know there are lots of people who will be upset when they get this news, but I only had 3 1/2 days to soak up my boyfriend.  I am so lucky to have so many people that love me . . . and I will insist on seeing you all in my month home during winter break!  (Including Nikki Barkume, who is due to arrive Thanksgiving week!!!)

After my trip home, I became less bitter with Iowa.  I think I may even actually like it. ;)  Iowa City has a charming feel, and it's nice to be surrounded by so many green and growing things.  Fall weather has set in, but the trees are still very green.  It's a bit strange.  I'm used to more fall colors by this time.  And, it's chilly.

I certainly love my little singles branch.  I feel so happy with all the people.  The are all very quirky, but they are also very loving and accepting and not afraid to do the Lord's work in all its variety.  It is refreshing to be among them.  If the Lord has brought me here for a purpose, it may very well be this love-filled Iowa City 3rd Branch.

I am learning quickly that all I need to learn in this diverse field of librarianship will never entirely reach me through my course work.  It is a dually frustrating and invigorating discovery.  I wish my instructors were giving me more, but there is also an under lying challenge for me to find the information and opportunities I need on my own.  And, as a Library and Information specialist the skill is a must.  So, I guess in a way, this program's lack is providing the impetus I need to develop necessary skills that may have gone under nourished.  You never know, I may just conquer the world yet.

PS  My roommate, Amy, and a friend Kendra went on a Tuesday's in Iowa trip to see the Field of Dreams movie site.  How funny is that?!?!  It's still there, looking creepily the same as it did in the movie.  Ah, Iowa.