Banana Bread, Round Two

Less than a week after my first banana bread endeavor, I made a second loaf! I was looking forward to trying a different recipe shortly after making my first loaf, but was disappointed that it was a result of my first loaf growing mold after I had been gone a few days. Just as I was going to pull up Pinterest to look up a different recipe, my mom suggested I try one that had only a few ingredients that she had in one of her cookbooks. She couldn't find the exact recipe she was looking for, but we found another one and I started gathering the supplies.

This loaf felt very different from the start because of its use of Bisquick. Then, when I checked on it a few times while baking, I saw that it was huge, definitely bigger than the previous loaf, the bread starting to go over the sides of the pan, whereas the previous batch barely reached the top of the pan. Then, before even cutting into it, the removal of the bread showed how crumbly it was. This batch was definitely more dry than the previous one, which was disappointed because the moistness of the first batch was my favorite part. All in all, I don't think I'll be making this recipe again.

Today I am watching Building off the Grid: Big Sky Ranch and about to head into work for the first time in three weeks. I took the last two weeks of the semester off to finish up homework and get packed without that added stress, then the first week of summer so I could get some cleaning (and apparently an impromptu trip!!) out of the way. Now, however, it's back to work, which will be good for me. Having so much time off has been weird, but good.

- rl

Summer Plans

Steamed buns I tried last week with one of the girls on my floor! They were fascinating. If you're ever in Chicago and curious, just let me know and I can give you details. (:

I FINISH MY FRESHMAN YEAR OF COLLEGE IN LESS THAN A WEEK. Crazy, I know. With this, I will be heading home soon. I'LL BE HOME FOR THREE MONTHS. It's going to be so great, aside from the fact that my cat died last night,..yeah.

Anyway, my summer plans are not currently set in stone. While the obvious thing is just to work a lot at Chick-fil-A, I need more than that. My hope is to make as much money possible for next semester, and I think that means it's time for me to move a little bit past Chick-fil-A. I still want to work there, but I would like my main job to be in the form of babysitting/nannying. And that is why I am posting about it: connections. I registered for care.com last night, but I'd like to get personal recommendations first from those I know. If you know of anyone (or are that someone) who needs childcare for your children this summer (like children who are in school but now you need someone to hang out with them while you're at work), then I'm your girl. Some info for you or for whoever you know: three children is probably my maximum, and I would like consistent hours every week. I will have transportation to and from, but to travel with the children would possibly be a different story (we would need to work that out). In total, I am looking for at least 50 hours a week, excluding Sundays. I don't want all of those hours to come from babysitting/nannying, but that's just a heads up that I am looking for as many hours as possible.

I do already have a few summer plans in place (housesitting one week, some potential errands that vary, and maybe a trip or two.) If someone was interested in considering me for hire, we could talk those things through and figure it out prior. Let me know soon, though! I'll be home soon. I'm already spending time looking up jobs, and I would hate to agree to one from someone I don't know when there was someone I did know that was interested.

Something to also note is that none of this is set in stone. I very well could end up working at Chick-fil-A all summer, but I am hoping to expand out a little bit and broaden my field. 

- rl

Thoughtful Gifts

This picture shows some pretty thoughtful gifts from loved ones! On top is the care package that came in the mail today from one of my managers at my store in Dallas. We had a girl's night at her house the week before I left. Jenna and I just made bookmarks, but she asked me to make a list of sewn goods for her to make for me. A few weeks later and I have a few flannel pillowcases, a set of hats and gloves, and animal crackers to enjoy! I'm not sure Diane will ever end up reading this post, but thank you!! I can't wait to learn to sew from you this summer!

In the background is the blanket Ally, my roommate, crocheted for me!! Yes, really. She started it last semester in front of me, but she told me it was a purse. I didn't think it would end up as a purse, but I didn't expect it would be for me either! She had it on my bed when I came back, and it's pretty much been here ever since. I love it so much, Ally! I'm so thankful we're roommates!

Founder's Week started here at Moody tonight. I wasn't able to go because of work, but I'm looking forward to attending as the week goes on! The part I'm looking forward to the most, however, comes Friday morning when my mom's boss, Dr. Ramesh Richard, is speaking. I've known this evangelist for the 15 years my mom has worked for him, and I'm looking forward to hearing him speak in this place I now call home. I'll be assisting at his book table after his message, which should be fun as well.

Here's to a week of sermons, knitting, and trying to get motivated to work on this New Testament Reading Report due next week!

- rl

Back At It

356/365

Today began a (mostly) full week of work at my store here. I'm so thankful for a team of managers who are more than willing to bring me back on despite my short amount of time here. It's weird to be back after having worked at a different location, but it's fun to compare the two. For now, I'm enjoying being with the people I've come to know and love over the last year!!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Late Night Games

314/365

Tonight I came back from work to find Leslie asleep on my floor. She was working on her Romans paper, so after she woke up an I showered we played Monopoly Deal, a current obsession for the both of us. College, man. Who knew it involved card games?

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Saturday Off(ish)

312/365

I didn't work until this evening, so it was almost like I actually had a Saturday! Very surreal. I went to my first Saturday lunch AND dinner in the SDR for the first time in weeks. Between those, though, I played Monopoly Deal with Marika (SO FUN) and worked on my Old Testament paper. And look at that sky! So pretty.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

20-Hour Day

305/365

The city at 7am is kinda beautiful. Almost makes me want to wake up that early every morning! My phone read 5:45 when I woke up this morning. There were cinnamon rolls and pigs in a blanket involved, though, which was a nice motivator. It's been a long day, rounding up with a trip to Taco Burrito King with some coworkers. Now would probably be a good time to go to bed, however, so I can actually utilize that extra hour of sleep!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

What I Read This Month

303/365

Hey-o! I finished a book this month! Crazy, I know! I made it a point this month to read more, which worked. How? Attempting to read at least a chapter before bed, as well as leaving for work a little early to read a little, and read when I finish my break food but still have time in my break. They're just little things, and I can probably add even more time if I really try!

 So, without further ado, the books I read this month:

46. A Royal Match by Tyne O'Connell
I think I gave this book four stars, but I'm not sure why. It's a lot more YA than I thought. Very childish, really. It was quite disappointing when I got into and saw how young she is (14), but I wanted to know what happened! I would not read it again, however, so I should probably change the rating to a three star.

And the book I'm reading going into November:
- A Royal Mess by Tyne O'Connell
Yup, the sequel. I considered picking up another book instead, but then decided it will probably be best to just get it all over with at once. Hopefully I can finish it this month, though, and move onto some other books.

- rl

Previous What I Read This Month posts:

January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014

June 2014

July 2014

August 2014

September 2014

WIP Wednesday

My main progress this week: the backpack! I can't believe it, but it appears that I finished four rows this week. That's about two hours of work. Not too shabby. My college writing professor thinks I'm crazy, but what better time to work on it than while we discuss each other's essays?

Other than that, not much work done over here. I haven't really been in the mood to knit. I'm still working on finding my groove. The last few weeks were jumbled, but now it's the second half of the semester, which means things are starting to be due, on time of Christmas crafting! I need to create an excel sheet or something to keep track of it all so it will stop clogging my brain.

The first two pictures are old, because I didn't work on either this week. Whoops. The bottom two pictures, which I just took, look a little fuzzy, though, which makes me think it's time to clean Margo (my camera). I got a camera cleaning kit for Christmas last year and have been scared to use it, but maybe I can find some people on campus that know what to do.

Now if you'l excuse me, I'm (finally!!) about 20 pages from finishing the book shown in the first picture, and I've got work soon. I can't believe October is almost over!!

- rl

J&E in Chicago: Day 1

298/365

Just a few pictures from the first day Jenna and Emily are here in Chicago! We only got to hang out in the morning before I had to go to work, but it worked out well.

Marika went with me to meet Jenna and Emily at the Chicago blue line stop, then we had breakfast at Windy City Cafe, which was pretty great. The pancakes I got were massive, and I ate maybe 1/3 of them. I hate wasting food. Then we hoped on the bus back to campus, where they brought up their stuff, then I took them on a tour of the campus.

Then we decided to walk to the beach, which ended up in us just walking all around the Water Tower area. American Girl store, the beach, Fourth Presbyterian Church, and then "my" Chick-fil-A. We went back to the dorm, and then I had to work. They napped then went on a boat tour, and then they picked me up from work.

The plan for tomorrow? Nothing set. Sleep is a top priority, especially considering they both woke up early, early this morning after closing at work last night! So we may end up having a late start tomorrow, but we're going to do our best to fit in some fun Chicago things before they leave Monday!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

WIP Wednesday

While it doesn't look like I made a lot of progress on anything this week, I actually completed three different projects! Yes, really. One has already been blogged, then the next two will come Thursday and Friday. I pulled my backpack out again (it didn't hibernate very long...) and have decided I will attempt to work on it while doing my reading for Old Testament. Read one chapter, crochet a little, repeat. The shrug has been ignored because it is very annoying to pull the yarn. I put A Royal Match on hold, then realized it will be a good book to read on the go (during breaks at work, on the el to Target, etc), while my Jane Austen bind up can sit in my room and get a little bit read each day. The thing is huge and has all seven books, and I suspect it will take me a year to get through it all, which is fine with me.

I hate really large paragraphs, but I've got a lot to do, so this will have to be fine! (:

- rl

Wow, Really?!

256/365

You may ask, Gee, Rachel, can you believe that you live in Chicago? and I would say No way, Jose! I still can't believe it, and tonight was one of those nights where it hit me again! After biking three miles at the gym this morning, then working all afternoon, I went straight to my room in the dorm and changed into clothes to go take a walk to Navy Pier with a few hall sisters. My feet are absolutely killing me now, but it was so worth it!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Puente's Piñata

Tonight was all about heading up to the Dryer roof for Puente, a student group on campus. Ally and Cassidy picked me up from work (my first day at the new location! lots to learn!), just a few blocks away from school, then, after changing and chatting in the hall, we headed up to the roof. 

Puente is about, well, bridging the gap between Latin culture and the Moody bubble. Or at least that's how I look at it. We went because the president is on our floor and she used the "let's taco about it" line during the student group chapel last week...or was it two weeks ago?

Anyhow, there we were, four floors up and surrounded by people just hanging out. I'm not positive I'll be able to make it to all Puente meetings, but it's probably something I'll keep in mind. Tonight they smashed last year's mascot/piñata. We left shortly after, not really in the mood to try anymore authentic candy. We headed back to the dorm and room hopped, then stayed up too late watching hilarious YouTube videos.

Now it's time to sleep. Oh, parents? I think my phone has officially bit the dust. I'm not positive I'm receiving text messages...so there's that. TGIAAD (Thank God it's Apple announcement day) because it's definitely time for an upgrade.

- rl

The Little Green Slip

249/365

Since FaceTiming with my family last week I have been eagerly anticipating this package - for multiple reasons! I joined the flock of people after lunch to CPO (Campus Post Office), got annoyed with my combination (had I known, I would have prayed for a key!), grabbed that little green slip and received my package! Yippee! I carried it back to my room, past the filming for some web series that was going on in a room off the tunnels.

I definitely cried when I opened it. I love my mom's handwriting, so it made me cry! She's the most thoughtful person I know and I think she has a sixth sense because I was just telling Ally in Walmart the other day about how I'd like some beef jerky. She sent me things I had at home but needed to start work this week, the NLT study Bible I forgot to bring with me, as well lots of little things that were just such a mom thing. Not just things that any mom would send, but the things my mom knows to send because she's just really stinkin' thoughtful.

Getting this was probably the first time I really felt homesick. Maybe it's crazy that it took this long, but it didn't feel real. Now it does. I think I've finally comprehended that I go to school at Moody and live in Chicago. It's a lot to take in. I'm very happy to be here, but of course I miss my family and dog. While it'd be nice to be able to go home a few times each semester. it will make it all the sweeter when I am finally able to get back.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Self Portrait (35/52)

This is about the position I was in tonight while on FaceTime with my family. It was the first time the five of us were "together" since we left two weeks ago! Clearly I am not on FaceTime in this picture, but posed for how I looked when I called my older sister Jenna after the FaceTime to ask her questions about paperwork because, yes, I am going to be working at the Chick-fil-A here in Chicago! I'll start sometime in the next week, so it will be fun to learn how another store works, especially such a unique location!

Today I walked with a group to The Moody Church. We went to the regular service and then the college Bible study. Am I really in college? After lunch in the SDR (student dining room...obvs), I watched August Rush with my friend Ally, who is on the same floor as me, while showing her how to finish off her first knit hat in the round. Then we had a Wal-Mart trip and walked to Papa John's to pick up dinner. We ate in my room while watching Listen to Your Heart, so now my room smells like pizza. No complaints from me, though.

It's time for bed now since tomorrow I have a lot of Old Testament summarizing to do, but if you're interested in a little bit reading, check out my friend Ally's blog post from tonight!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Last Day At Work (For a While)

Last week I ordered a DSLR insert for my purse that will keep my camera safe. I got it in the mail this morning, so I decided to take it to work to document my last day (for a while!). It is as followed:

I drove myself to work, so I stopped at another Chick-fil-A first for breakfast (we don't serve breakfast). I always get to work early, so I ate my breakfast and read before I had to clock on.

227/365

My view for the last 10.5 months. Oh, man, I'm going to miss it. 

The cookie cake they got for the three people that were leaving today!

And my view looking back on the mall as I was leaving. 

So what are my thoughts on my time at Chick-fil-A? Every place has it's flaws, but I love this place. It was my first job, and I did not think I would do well. I ended up learning a ton. Everything from interaction with guests, learning to manage people, and just common social skills that, honestly, I don't feel like I had before. I definitely plan on returning during Christmas break in December, but for now I'm going to miss all the friends and general antics not only with my coworkers, but the mall employees.

What next? I can't recall if I've already mentioned it, but I applied for an on-campus job a few days ago, and my Operator at "my" Chick-fil-A has already told me multiple times that he will help me get a position at the Chick-fil-A in Chicago when I'm ready. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I have to work while I go to school, it's just a matter of where.

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

A Farewell to My Purse

Is this weird? Maybe just the title? "Tours" of purses and bags are pretty common in the blogging world, I think, so I wanted to do one before I switched to my new purse.

The history of my purse:
I bought it...three years ago about this time! I think I had busted my previous purse, so I was contemplating getting a new one, but didn't actually do anything about it until my mom was saying how she would need a crossbody for my parent's trip to NYC. So I went on Vera Bradley's website and ordered myself this purse (Hipster in Versailles). It has served me well these last three years. It expands to hold a couple books, if need be, as well as all the other little things I keep on me. These days, my purse contains:
- receipts, which are organized into a little notecard organizer at the end of the day
- my wallet, which contains coins, cash, and any and all cards, including my business cards
- car key, which totally looks like Batman
- work keys/name badge/my box cutter, Hercules
- gum
- hand sanitizer
- house key
- book I'm currently reading

I'm a simple gal. I moved everything over to my new purse after I took these pictures, and will hopefully add a few more things tomorrow. Things have been switched around a little bit, so tomorrow is my last day of working at (my) Chick-fil-A for a while. I'm not going to lie, I am pretty sad. But more on that tomorrow...maybe.

- rl

The Current Situation: One Year Later

It has been a year since this blog post, which is my most viewed post so far. It's been 364 days and eight hours (give or take) since I wrote that post, so here's what this year's situation is:

I am going to college this fall! While I have not technically paid my school bill yet, I have the money for it. I haven't paid it because I have to change my insurance plan or something on it, and I'm honestly just too tired to deal with that right now. I'm fairly certain we can do that when we get there, so that's when it will happen.

So am I glad I stayed home for a year and just worked? Yes. The introvert in me is about full, I think, so now I'm ready to get moving and see things. There have been so many little things I would not have been able to experience if I had gone to school. I have grown exponentially from working. I've made some fantastic friends through work. I regret not getting a second job, but I can't change that now.

Today I went to REI with one of my mom's coworkers who lived in Chicago during college, and she gave me fantastic tips on layering for the weather. It's going to involve lots of online sale stalking, but I have a few months before I really need the gear. While we were out she also gave me solid tips on using the el and general safety tips.

Regarding a job once I'm there, I have already applied for one on-campus job, and if I don't get that then I'll apply for more once I get there. I have also spoken to the operator of the Chick-fil-A I work out and he is going to help me connect with the store near Moody when I'm ready.

What am I most nervous about? It's not my safety or the cold, but the academics. I did not ever really care about my grades in high school, but I think, after some adjustment time, I should be able to get a good routine down that works for me.

We leave in 4.5 days. It has not sunk in yet. While my closet is packed up and my room is in disarray, it still does not feel real. I have thought about this school every day for a solid three years now - that's over 1,000 days! I have not visited the campus, so I'm eagerly awaiting my first sight of it. I have the maps almost memorized, so I don't think I'll be too confused, at least not regarding which building is which.

Please pray for us during this time. I say "us" because it's an adjustment for a lot of people. First and foremost, the health for everyone. Then for our vehicle, which is our van, nearing the 200,000 mile mark. Stan (our name for the van) will need lots of prayer to make it there and back! And, of course, for my classmates. I believe most international students have either started their journey to Moody, or will be in a few short days. (They move in before the regular new student orientation). Then for everyone else as we flock to the great city of Chicago next week.

- rl

Early August Ramblings

213/365

Watching a commencement address by Neil Gaiman wasn't the most exciting part of the first day of August. I went to see The Fault In Our Stars with my sister tonight, since it's one of a few books the three of us have read. Don't ask me my opinion on it because I don't know. I still don't know what I think of the book and I read that months ago. I do know, however, that we had fun, and I enjoyed sitting between my two sisters whispering sassy comments back and forth. What else are sisters for?

I planned on getting lots of crochet done when we got home, but then I ended up chatting with my mom for a while, hearing about her day. Then I had to watch an episode of Supernatural - if you're a fan you know which one I mean: season five, episode four, which is set on August 1, 2014. I set that reminder months ago, like when I watched the show last fall. It made me miss watching the show a little bit, but...nine seasons. I don't think I will rewatch the whole thing until it's done.

Will I be able to finish this backpack before move-in day, which is only 19 days away? I don't know. While I think I'll have a good chunk of time on Sunday to work on it, I'm not sure I can say the same for the rest of the week. I need to declutter/clean/organize most of my room and my files. I think I have pictures (going back four or so years) on three different computers. I'd like to get them all together soon. Little things like that keep me scatter-brained.

And the reason behind my slight shaking while writing this whole post (because I'm like a chihuahua when I get excited about things): it looks like I may finally have a dorm room! When they announced dorm assignments in June I was placed in overflow, which does not mean that you sleep in the hall or the streets, but rather that a double occupancy room may have to become a triple occupancy one if not enough people drop out, for lack of a better term. I was in this last year, and eventually got moved around, not that it mattered because I wasn't able to go, so it was a bummer to be placed in it again. I remember from last year, however, that they emailed when there was an update, but they haven't emailed me about getting a room, which is why I'm not 100% sure that the one I see online is even correct. I was just checking it, like I do each night, and happened to see that it was different. Regardless, it's nice to be somewhere.

This post is a decent length, and it's getting late, so I should probably head to bed. I'm just feeling a little crazy tonight, I suppose. The Chick-fil-A I work at has had people from our "sister" store (we have the same Operator) at our location all month while their store is being remodeled, and I think today was most people's last day. Their store should be reopening next week, so we will have a lot less people each day. While it was nice to always have things stocked, I'm looking forward to having a purpose again. My job the last few weeks first consisted of cleaning and reorganizing nearly everything in the store, then the last few days I've been training people on the new coffee - both hot and iced - that rolls out Monday. There's another post to write...

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

My Memorial Day

146/365

This is how I spent my Memorial Day. Not pictured: 7.73 hours of mall craziness. After that, though, I was blessed to be able to just stay at home and relax with my family, as well as some friends that my parents have known since long before any of us kids was born. We had ribs, cream corn, mac and cheese, baked beans, and jasmine rice.

Now I'm off to get some reading done. I really want to finish the Harry Potter series before the monthly book update in a few days (I'm about halfway through the fifth book), but I'm just not sure that's possible...

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)