Monday, September 30, 2013

coffee, chicago, volcanoes



Ohmygoodness!
Look how beautiful Milwaukee is getting!
I am in an exceptionally good mood because I just got back from class where I turned my first big grad school paper in.
I was also the FIRST person (out of 15) to give their 5 minute presentations to the class.
I am realizing that I can definitely be a "let me do something first so there's nothing to compare it to" kind of person. 
Not all of the time, but definitely today.
It went really well. 
I wowed the class by using my Spanish abilities, and people said I set the bar high. 
Good to hear. 

Now THAT'S over and I can move on with my life (and other homework).
October will be a busy month. 
- PTSD/Veterans Issues workshop this weekend
- Laurie's wedding in Michigan next weekend
- Color Run on Oct. 19 (why yes I did convince Ben to run it with me. His FIRST OFFICIAL 5-K EVER!!!)
- Halloween, I guess? 
- Volunteer work at Islands of Brilliance starts
- Illinois AT Conference in Chicago
- and homework all over the place


So I finished my paper up on Friday morning and then we drove down to Chicago to pick up Brad from Union Station.
Ben drove down (he's a hero) and I drove back (when traffic was not as insane).
Meredith and Matt met us there and we all hung out for the evening.
Got coffee, wandered around a park, ate at a POUTINE restaurant (fries with gravy and cheese curds on top. SO GOOD!) and then checked out one of their favorite bars.

On Saturday morning we took Brad to Colectivo and then out to the watchtower at Lapham Peak. 
Afterwards we drove around MKE a little and then ate lunch at McBob's, where we of course got the best ruebens in town. 
Went back to the house to relax and watch TV (while I worked on homework).


For supper we went to Espana Tapas House, only 2 blocks from the Pabst Theatre where the Volcano Choir concert was (the real reason Brad came to visit us). 
Food was fabulous. 
The concert was fabulous.


By the way, Pabst Theatre is GORGEOUS.

Sunday morning we walked the few simple blocks to Rocket Baby Bakery for coffee and pasteries.
Then we took Brad to the train station (in MKE) so he could catch the train down to Chicago (for his other train ride).

And then I realized I had more homework to do.
I'm doing a 7 Day Art Experiment with coffee.
We can choose whatever we want, but I chose coffee.
Because of course I would choose coffee.
And we just have to use it in a different way every day for 7 days, and write about it from a "phenomenological perspective."
Lots of fun. (Not even sarcastic. Seriously)


So I'm a little tired, 
but I'm going to make some coffee (to drink),
do some homework,
go for a run (because exercise actually wakes me up even better than coffee),
and just enjoy my beautiful Wisconsin fall day. 




Thursday, September 26, 2013

bruce's paper



Paula called me today because she said she "hadn't heard from me in awhile".
She asked me what I had been up to. 
I tried to think of things besides class, homework, and my research paper for Bruce, but I couldn't think of anything.

That is until I saw the picture above on my Instagram. 
Last Saturday Ben peeled me away from paper writing long enough to go check out this park about 30 minutes from Milwaukee. 
Very beautiful and always nice to get out of the city. 

But other than that, the picture below is what I've been looking at for the past 2 weeks.


The paper is essentially done. 
Just some small revisions and a little APA citing and formatting to take care of. 
I turn it in on Monday and move on with my life (and the rest of my homework)!
I already feel better about it.
I made a bunch of art for other assignments today, exercised, made granola, cleaned out our new coffee grinder, and cooked some coconut chicken tenders.

And fun surprise: Brad is coming to visit for the weekend!
I mean, it's not a surprise to us. Just you.
We're going to take him to McBob's for the best rueben in the city, Colectivo for the best coffee, and a Volcano Choir concert on Saturday night. 
Picking him up from the train in Chicago tomorrow afternoon.

I just remembered that I'm exhausted.
I'll do my best to keep you all updated now that the paper is done, but there is plenty more work ahead...

Friday, September 20, 2013

efficiency



Haircut!
I must have been feeling the pressure of my 10-15 pg. paper and THAT must have made me realize that I no longer want to deal with my long, summer sun-destroyed hair.
I scheduled an appointment on Wednesday afternoon and by Thursday at 1:30 pm the hair was off!

I'm still trying to acclimate to my school workload.
Writing this paper and trying to keep up with all of my reading has been...interesting.
Hopefully my reading and writing will become more efficient in the weeks to come. 


We made our first visit over to Riverwest Public House to see Rachel Ries perform last night.
Unfortunately, we didn't get to see the whole show because Ben had to work and I had class until 9 pm, but we did catch her for a bit and got to say hi.
Via http://www.inspiredtoshare.com/

Also, a pretty exciting and rather uncommon thing happened to me.
I went on a run around the neighborhood last Tuesday and when I was only a block from home I recognized this cute lady (pictured above) and her husband walking towards me on the sidewalk.

I recognized her 
BECAUSE I FOLLOW HER BLOG!

I started following INSPIRED TO SHARE back when I was still in Tallahassee, looking for Milwaukee blogs that could tell me a little bit more about the area.
So here I am running, all sweaty, wearing my glasses and no make up, I see her and don't really have much time to think....

so I stop running and explain to her that I follow her blog, I'm a grad student at MMU, I live down the block, etc....
all while breathing in huge gusts of air because I just stopped running....

and thankfully she doesn't think I'm crazy 

and INSTEAD she is SO nice, tells me that she and her husband JUST moved to Tosa and thanked me for letting her know. 

We parted ways and I felt good about not being shy and not letting such a fun opportunity pass me up, 
but I was feeling like I didn't quite explain everything (because I didn't want to be overbearing and I could barely breath) so I sent her a Facebook message to further explain myself....

And she responded with a lovely note and invitation to coffee at Rocket Baby Bakery in the near future... when she's all moved in and I don't have a huge paper looming over my head.

But how awesome is that and aren't there some friendly people out in the world?
(and hopefully she doesn't read this and think I'm creepy). 

So check out her blog because she's a genuinely nice person and my Tosa neighbor! 
(links and address above)

Off to more read some more...(nope, it just doesn't stop).
Have a nice weekend!

Monday, September 16, 2013

art therapy retreat



All of a sudden time is of the essence, so this will be brief.
My 10-15 page research paper is due in 2 weeks and I have a thousand other things to do in between now and then. 
Here are a few pictures from the Camp Edwards AT retreat.
We had a very good, important, meaningful time.
It was much, much more than just "art-making in the woods".
A lot more goes on in art therapy than one might realize...
and I'm going to just leave it at that because I've got a pot of tea and some journal articles calling my name. 


Friday, September 13, 2013

metaphors


It's been a peculiar week.
We've been talking a lot about "metaphor" recently, because as you might guess, metaphors are a huge part of the art therapist's life.
I was digging through some of my pictures yesterday and this one is probably a pretty good depiction of the week.
I've been a little stressed out about completing papers and reading because I'll be gone this weekend.

On Monday mom let me know that my great uncle had a heart-attack.
Wasn't expecting to hear that.

On Tuesday morning I received a phone call from Social Security saying that I couldn't change my social security card again without additional documents.
(brief meltdown. called them back.)
I explained my DMV dilemma and they assured me that the DMV had to change my license.
Take that, DMV.
A few hours later I received an e-mail from the Wisconsin DOT responding to an e-mail I wrote them WEEKS AGO when this whole ordeal occurred.
They said they would be sending me a NEW LICENSE (no charge) with 'Harder' as my designated last name.
Thank Allah.
My super-nice social security lady must have notified them of my situation.

Immediately after I got off the phone with the social security lady Ben brought me a package that the mailman dropped off from a dear friend who sent early grey tea and chocolate as a late birthday gift.
I immediately made a cup.

And then a few hours later mom called to notify me that Great Uncle DeLayne had passed away.
Kind of a shock.
I wasn't really expecting that.
I'm sad to say I won't be making it back for the funeral taking place tomorrow morning.
I am very much thinking of my family and extended family back home though.

Instead I will be at "opening colloquium," which will actually be the bright spot of the week.
Our entire AT program (70 of us plus our professors) are meeting at a camp in Troy, Wisconsin tonight for a weekend of art making lead by an art therapist coming all the way from New York.
We keep hearing that "everything we've been confused about up until now will make sense after colloquium." My AT friend from Newton, Ian, said that colloquium was his favorite part of the AT program at MMU. I really shouldn't miss it if I can help it because it's a team-building opportunity and just the basis for everything we learn in the program.
So really this is a very important weekend for me and I'm really looking forward to the experience.
My career counseling paper is almost written, despite some stress from my partner (the joy of group projects), and really I have to remind myself that it won't be a big deal if I don't get all of my reading done.

Ben and I also had a little homework/reading date at Colectivo on Tuesday because it was about 95 degrees outside, making the house near unbearable.
And then I ended Tuesday evening with a meaningful and stabilizing Skype date with Taylor (who's just over in Madison, but it still costs money and time to get there.)

This week I also found out that another one of my dear modmates is engaged and getting married this winter!
Cari and Dani (who's from Madrid, Spain)!
(I hope it's ok that I start telling via the blog, Cari???!!! Just tell me if it isn't. I honestly have no idea who reads my blog.)
I'm very happy and excited.
Don't put any congratulations on Cari's Facebook wall in case she hasn't told everyone yet.
Thanks.

It's now Friday it is 65 degrees in the house because the temps dropped into the 40's last night and I'm sitting at the dining room table wrapped in a blanket and drinking my early grey tea.
I slept great for the first time this week, but it was hard to get out from under the covers this morning.

And now you see how my week has been up, down and all over the place.
But like I said, this weekend is going to be a great break for all of us.

So now I have to go pack, run to the art supplies store and a few others errands.
And I guess do a little homework.

Hope you have a lovely weekend.

Monday, September 9, 2013

diving in



Just a quick note before I get down to business (aka reading everything in sight).
I'm at Colectivo because it's hot again today....so the house was hot.

I've had a good Monday.
A little sleepy, despite getting plenty of sleep.
I'm gearing up for my AT retreat weekend in Troy, WI.
Should be a lot of fun, and I am SO excited that we're staying at a camp.
They recommended that we not bring our homework with us because we probably won't do it...so I'm just trying to stay caught up before we leave.
I finished my 6-page reflection paper and now I'm gearing up for a 3-page career counseling paper due next week and a 10-15 page research paper that's due at the end of the month.
It has to be about a philosophic art therapy question.
I've chosen to research how art therapy is a "universal language" or if there are cultural barriers to work against.
I didn't write that question myself.
It was an example and I identified with it. 
Since I'm a world traveler, I thought that would be a good topic to focus on.

After Theory/History this morning I met with a tutor to look over my reflection paper and she was really helpful.
She said that I write well, but made a few helpful pointers that I can be aware of for future papers.
It was nice to get a little feedback and a little perspective of where I stand.
Not as bad as I thought.

Got some wedding photos back, but not all of them so you'll have to wait for my favorites.

ALSO, I might get to volunteer as a paraprofessional at this great program for kids with Austism Spectrum Disorder.
It would only be once a week (and maybe not even that).
It's called Islands of Brilliance.
They pair up Mentors/computer professionals with the kids to make art on Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
The paras help out and do traditional art project breaks during the session.
So we'll see if they need me, but it sounds like a great program.


Friday, September 6, 2013

friday & new opportunity


 
Another picture from the night of the Mumford & Sons concert. Beautiful, underrated Milwaukee.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
What a week.
I have my first writing assignment to do this weekend.
I've been nervous to start writing and to find out what "graduate level" writing should be.
We were told to make appointments with the writing tutors at the writing center so I already have one scheduled for Monday with my 6-page reflection paper that's due on Wednesday.
Just because.
I don't know if I'll really "need" the appointment because the paper isn't even required to have APA format, but I thought it would be good to get some pointers early on.
AND I get to meet with a tutor.
A nun.
Because I'm going to a Catholic school after all.
I hear the other tutor is a lawyer, but that they're both fabulous writers and they'll TELL you how to write.

But homework is NOT the exciting thing about this Friday.
Yesterday afternoon Ben had an interview for the equipment manager position for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra. It's a part-time gig, but would hopefully lead to some really great connections.
And not 2 hours after he got home they called him and told him he got the job!!!
So proud of him!
He also dropped his resume off at a couple music stores, like where they sell music, instruments, do repair, etc.
So we'll see if we can fill in some of the gaps...maybe get him some health insurance sometime. :)
SO yeah.
We're excited!
Ben is currently installing windows today.
His boss is actually going out of town next week, so he's planning to help out with windows for the next week or two, and then hopefully he can get one of the music store jobs.
He's working his way into the music scene here.

I'm going to get some reading done!

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

mumford



So I went to the Mumford & Sons concert with some new AT friends last night.
Had a great time getting out and doing fun Milwaukee things.
The concert was really good, even though you can tell that our seats were pretty bad.
It was ok though.
I paid $20 for the ticket and we got to sit on a blanket on the grass, drink Blue Moon and watch the sunset with the beautiful city skyline to our right.
I'm also not a die-hard Mumford & Sons fan.
They have some good singles, but most of it sounds the same to me.
Glad I went though.
Not to mention that it was a GORGEOUS night.
I dressed perfectly.
Not too hot or cold.

Of course I was thrown back into reality today.
I didn't do too bad despite going to bed at 12:30 am and then waking at 7:00 am.
(It's a little after 10 pm right now and I think I'm ready for bed.)
Anyway...
I hadn't had class since last Thursday night (because of Labor Day)!
Materials was great this morning.
We got to go roam the campus for 20 minutes looking for natural materials to use in our artwork.
Career Counseling was a little boring.

Here's the hard truth about graduate school.
You read your butt off and absorb as much as you can all week just so you can speak intelligently in class, and then you repeat that process.
Every week.
For 5 semesters.
:)

I actually made friends with a 2nd year AT student today and she said that the reading and writing workload varies from semester to semester, but she promises we'll get through it.
She even gave me her e-mail address and told me to let her know if I needed help with anything or just had questions about assignments.

I cannot emphasize how much people care about you at Mount Mary.

They're the nicest people in the world.

It's like I never left Bethel.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

labor day activities


Kara Walker's paper cut-out installation. 

Just a quick blog.
Things to do!

Our actual Labor Day was pretty uneventful. 
We watched a lot of United States of Tara on Netflix. 
I read a lot.
We both went on runs.
My body is still not used to runs, but I gotta get ready because Ben has agreed to run the Color Vibe 5k color run with me on October 19. 
His very first 5k.
Even after running several marathons and half-marathons.

The weather is BEAUTIFUL today.
Feel's like fall. 

I've been sketching, pasting and collaging in my new art journal everyday.
It's actually an ongoing assignment for Counseling/Art Psychotherapy, but I love it.

This morning I went to borrow a textbook from an art therapy friend who's in my Psychotherapy class because my book hasn't come in yet.
She casually mentioned that she has an extra Mumford and Sons tickets for this evening that's only $20 and invited me to the concert. 
Yay for new art therapy friends that hook you up. 

So that's the real reason why I have to go get my reading done. :)

I also went to explore the library a little. 
One of the librarians showed me how to use the academic journal and research computer program they have. They have several, including EBSCOHost, which just fondly reminds me of Bethel. 

They have a writing center that our professors REALLY want us to use for help on our papers because it's graduate school and they don't want to read crap. 
I stopped to talk to the guy at the desk about making appointments and how it all worked.
He was super nice as I explained to him that I can be a pretty anxious paper-writer AND I'm still acclimating to graduate school writing so he might see me a lot. 
He assured me that that was a good thing and to definitely take advantage of the writing services because the tutors are top-notch. 

It actually makes me look forward to getting back in the swing of school.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

MAM


I'm in love with the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Doesn't this picture look amazing? 
We visited the MAM (Milwaukee Art Museum) for the first time yesterday afternoon.
What an AMAZING collection they have.
They have this current show called "30 Americans" and it was AWESOME. 
It included a piece by Kara Walker, who I wrote a 6 page paper on for Women in Art History at Bethel, which I then used for my graduate school application.
I attribute my acceptance to Kara Walker. (Not really.)
I kind of want to go back and take it all in again.
That's the problem with art museums. 
So much visual stimulation.
It's exhausting. 

There's also a Harley-Davidson festival/celebration going on in MKE this weekend, so they were expecting about 100,000 people to show up for that.
The Harley-Davidson Museum is in MKE, if you didn't know. 
It's like Sturgis right now...only in a large city.
Lots of cycles running around.

This morning we packed up some potato salad and some pork (for grilling) to take to our church's end of summer worship service and picnic at Pike Lake State Park. 
It was gorgeous out there.
I would have taken my camera, but I realized that the charger is at home (in SD). 
We'll have to go back to camp sometime.
They had Starbucks coffee and breakfast pastries waiting for us (they're the best). 
I don't think I've mentioned how cool our church is. 
Mostly couples with small-ish children.
A lot of children.
Like half of our church is children. 
And did you know we don't have a pastor?
We're self-led and worship services tend to involve a lot of congregational participation.
It's been pretty interesting to see how it works.
And we meet at 4 pm at a Lutheran Church on Sundays because our church isn't quite big enough to have their own building, but the sanctuary is beautiful. :)
So we had a good time getting to know our church a little more this morning.
Still working on names.

So now we're back home and I'm taking a break from reading.
Lots of reading, but some really great stuff.
I went through all of my syllabi and wrote important dates in my planner (a beloved habit of mine ever since I've been given syllabi and a planner) and it looks like I will be reading, writing and making art A LOT this semester...I guess for the next 2 years. 
No finals, one mid-term exam, a lot of papers and projects. 

So if I don't have time for blogging, please understand.