Postcard: Chicago

Hal writes:

Two weekends ago we were in Chicago for the wedding of Anna's cousin. When we returned I had Senior Assistant training all last week. Than this past weekend was another wedding (see below). Hm, I feel like I need to justify my long absence from blogging.

Anna and I got to look around Chicago a little bit. We ate dinner with some family at the Grand Lux and I rode on the "El" and took my first taxi cab ride in the United States. I've taken taxis in foreign countries, but have never taken one in the US until now. Below is a picture of Anna while we walked along Navy Pier.

Anna helping Kristine get her hair ready before the wedding.

As exciting as the wedding was, I was given a VERY fun present. My first XC-ski boots! They are size 50 (European size, but yes, I have big feet). I still need to get bindings, skis, poles, and spandex, but that's what Christmas is for, right? Dale found a great deal for me. The batteries in my camera are charging, but I will have to include a photo some time soon. This winter Dale is going to take me out on the ski trails and teach me how to ski. Anna is afraid that he will leave me in the woods, but I have a pretty good sense of direction and can most likely find my way home hitchhiking if not skiing.

This past week was SA (Senior Assistant) training. Each RD has one SA for the building. My SA, Casey, is a good balance for me. She takes a logical and direct approach to problem solving whereas I am more emotion-based and brainstorming in my approach. If you know about personality styles, we're opposite in some areas, but it provides a good balance for working with the RAs and the students.

This weekend Anna and I went up to Kelly (Bangstad) Wilz's wedding. She and Mike were married a year ago prior to him serving overseas in the military. At that time, they wrote everyone about their decision and said that they would have a Blessing Ceremony of their marriage when her returned. Anna and I went to Steven's Point for the festivities. At first, there were no other Gusties (Kelly and I went to college together) but then Mitch and Meg, two other Gusties were there as well. So I spent time talking past and present GAC with them while Anna listened and allowed us to continue in our reminiscing.

Tonight was the first night of RA (Resident Assistant) training. In addition to myself and my SA, I have the largest staff on campus with 12 RAs. 9 of them are new, so there will be a lot of reliance on my returning RAs to assist in the training. Tonight's opening activities included a cook out and then I lead an hour of name games. Tomorrow is the first full day of training. I am responsible for presenting the "Training 101" session (an overview of training and how to get the most out of it) and "The W Curve" session (talking about the ups and downs of new students adjusting to life on campus).

I have a good share of presentations that I am taking the lead on, but I'm OK with that. Since I am a returning RD, I do have responsibilities to help out, but it also keeps me attentive during the day. I'd rather be presenting than listening.

Other news:
* Mookie and Leslie had a son, Owen... CONGRATS!
* Anna started work back at the coffee shop.
* My sister Lindsay took a position as Assistant Swim Coach at Gustavus and will be moving to St. Peter very shortly.
* Good luck to all other housing people as they start their training.

Fall Training

Hal writes:

RD Training has begun. The month of August will be busy with training all month (when you add in Senior Assistant Training and Resident Assistant Training) up until Orientation Weekend in September. It would be nice to have the weekends free, but Anna and I have a wedding to go to every weekend this month. (Don't my friends and family know not to get married in August or May?) ;)

Here is a photo this year's RD group.

Clockwise starting in the top left-hand corner: Hal, Nolan, Jen, Trapper, Artanya, Anna, Andrea, Coree, John, and Matt.

On Vacation: Minnesota

Hal writes:

The final installment of our two week adventure. But before we get to Minnesota, we went to stop at see Kat at Luther Park Bible Camp. Pictured below is the Cardwell family.

Hal and Kat enjoy an ice cream cone. (Hal looks like he is enjoying his a little bit more...)

OK, on to Minnesota. I don't have very many pictures from the cabin. Kevin and Amber (our resident photograph taker) came up and I was content knowing that I would eventually get some photos from our time at the cabin from her. My mom, Anna and I did take a trip up the north shore in the middle of the week. The photo below is Lake Superior as viewed from a friend's house that we visited. I grew up going to this place a lot, so it was nice to see to visit on a beautiful day.

One of the last events in Minnesota before we came home was a family reunion on my dad's side. I didn't spend much time socializing with the adults as my parents and I amused a bulk of the children. The first event was the pop bottle launch. Starting with empty two liter bottles, the kids added wings, nose cones, and decorated them. Then we put them on a launcher, compressed air in the bottles, and sent them flying across the baseball field. Pictured below is myself and my dad (the resident "Rocket Scientist") helping design some rockets.

That kept them busy for a couple of hours. Then it was time for the pinata my mom made. She wanted the pinata to withstand a few of the kids so everyone would get a swing. She did so well that the pinata was knocked off the rope without breaking. Below is my dad and I fixing it with the Handyman's handyman: duct tape.

Nick (my sister Beth's boyfriend from Boston) and Haily (my brother Jay's stepdaughter) trade in ping pong balls that fell out of the pinata for prizes.

The final game was the ever popular water balloon toss. Here is Nick sizing up the distance before he tosses the balloon.

Beth is ready to catch a balloon. Look at the aquatically correct stance; she must have played this game before.

A picture of the DeLaRosby family.

Thus ends the adventures. RD Training started yesterday. That business, coupled with a wedding to attend every weekend in August, may lead to some more gaps in time between posts. But if you miss hearing for us, Anna is bored at home with nothing to do until school starts for her, so you can certainly give us a call.