Apparently I love reading everybody's blog and not writing in my own . . . I guess it's time for an update!
I can't believe how fast the summer is going. When the weather is nice it feels like time moves at warp speeds. It is hard to accept that we are in the second week of July already!
MAY
I started working with a new company called Small Talk for Kids. It is a small business that provides language curriculum and classes for young children. I am having a blast working on new lessons and fun activities for young language-learners. Check us out at www.smalltalkforkids.com
Sean graduated from Grand Valley State University with a BA in psychology and also turned 27. We celebrated by going out to eat at the Piper overlooking the lake and slamming some homers in the batting cages.
We were accepted into two programs to teach English in China for the upcoming fall and are excited to get ready to spend a year abroad with CIEE.
To practice teaching English, I started working with two Spanish-speaking ladies twice a week who want to learn English. It has been challenging to find new ways to make English understandable and entertaining.
Sean and I signed up to do our first sprint triathlon in Grand Haven on Sunday, July 12. Since signing up we have been busy running, swimming, biking and weight-lifting. It feels like a full-time commitment!
JUNE
The month of June has been fun because we have had a lot of time to hang out with friends going to baseball games, country line-dancing, birthday parties, bachelorette parties, weddings, baby showers, softball games, cookouts and barbecues and movie nights.
I turned 28! Ah!
A few friends and I started a yoga class that lasts for six weeks. I really like it because it combines pilates and yoga together for a tough workout.
Sean and I are in the visa application process and are knee deep in HIV tests, doctor's visits, forms, EKGs, vaccinations and lots of paperwork. We bought our ticket to Shanghai and leave August 22. Our placement is in a university an hour and half north of Shanghai teaching conversational English to college students ages 19-22.
Our basement flooded with three feet of water. During a huge and surprising rainstorm for the little town of Holland roads were washed out and we all almost floated. It has been a lot of work and frustration cleaning out the basement and throwing old treasures away.
JULY
Sean and I spent the 4th going to his grandma's 90th birthday party in Detroit and visiting with lots of friends and relatives. We also were able to visit a friend's cottage in Newaygo and had fun swimming across Croton lake in preparation for our triathlon, kayaking and eating lots of good food.
My sister-in-law and nieces are here for 10 days and it is a lot of fun having a two-year-old and six-year-old running around. The biggest hits at this house for them include Uno the dog and the trampoline.
Upcoming events in July include:
A visit to Columbus
Triathlon
Susie (my sister) comes to visit
I wish the summer would slow down! But I am so happy to be here in Holland where I can enjoy my family, the beach, the farmer's market, the downtown and all the little events that make West Michigan so special.
