Why if it isn't my lovely friends, reading this photo-filled post...

I have included some pictures of my past few weeks... which I will summarize by saying I have celebrated all the events (a successful prom- complete with abundant dancing!, a dear friend's wedding, and a junior day of service), without being excessively pleased with my own health. However, I have joined the recovery group called "32 days is 32 days too long to be sick." It seems to be helping, as my symptoms have improved immensely! :)

Oh, and I must say- I went to the doctor. Yep- four weeks was long enough time to self-justify a medical opinion (other than webmd) which is why I'm now smelling the flowers...

Hmm, that just gave me the idea to narrate my past week underneath photos, because past experience reveals that my typing gets all jumbled together at the end, anyway, when pictures are present...

Junior Day of Service: Although I was slightly reluctant to attend this day-event with the junior class, I ended up chaperoning the group to a local church in town- and I must say, what a silly idea to NOT want to go- it was GREAT! The students pitched in with extra effort, and I had a marvelous time organizing the food pantry. (if anyone knows me, you know that's my kinda work!)

This picture of Henry and Anita reveals the varying degrees of excitement my group maintained about picking up trash! :) Ha, actually Anita was wonderful to work with, she just got a whiff of something nasty, I think. :) Henry couldn't have been a bigger help that day... what a guy!

Delia, Tess, Blaine, and Amber- posing during a break in our service to Sacred Heart Church. Again, I was very impressed with their maturity level during the day- okay, and I let them eat at Taco Johns, plus I cleaned up the mouse poop in the pantry... so that probably made them happy!

Delia and Tess sporting the rakes we used to clean up the yard where kids play during the weekends... all the yard work reminded me of my childhood, and I even started picking up sticks! (Mom- some things really stick with you- no pun intended)

So this picture is perhaps a little disturbing for you- don't worry, it was for me as well. However, Kelso, Henry, and Anita really enjoyed that we moved this coffin from the old church into the garage (I really don't have a good explanation why)...so they tried to fit into it- and found it to be a fun- albeit slightly dismal- photo op!

Ah, my great friend Denise!!! AJ and I were able to visit her at her current place of work (and residence) at a boy's ranch called Rawhide in WI- enroute to my friend Jody's wedding. It was wonderful catching up with her and seeing where she's spent the last 1 1/2 years of her life! Oh, to put her in context- she's my 1/2 marathon running partner- and she recently completed another one...I, however, could hardly run a mile with the shape my lungs are currently in!

This is my wonderful, charming, and thoughtful boyfriend AJ. He good-naturedly mingled with my NWC crowd during the weekend- but don't worry, I shall repay the kindness by attending his friend's wedding this weekend! What's with all the commitment lately, gosh! :) (btw- I do have a dress on in this picture, if anyone was wondering. :) I guess my arms were not-so-strategically placed, so you wouldn't actually know this)

And THIS is the fabulous wedding party of Jody's (the bride)...several of the girls are my friends and roomates from college. So, needless to say I had an amazing time catching up with everyone and getting to share in this beautiful day of love and joy.


Unfortunately I DON'T have pictures from prom, although I do have a link to my co-worker Peter's online photo album- so feel free to check out the "Above the City Lights" prom- which, according to all accounts, was fabulous, often called "The best prom ever!" because "Everyone danced, it was great!!" This, although I couldn't be physically present, makes me infinitely happy!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=6io3ymi.3or5nfdu&x=0&y=eyu7zf&localeid=en_US&cm_mmc=site_email-_-site_share-_-core-_-view_photos_button

I hope the above link works! That's all for now, my beautiful friends. If I can get a bit corny for a minute, I'd like to give a little shout out to the good Lord of all, who has carried me through this sickness- and has now led me to a place of immense joy in health. I can't really contain my smiles, since I haven't felt this good in a month! Yeah, God. That's right.

Until the next fateful time my blogging persona hits the airwaves of the internet (did that even make sense?) I shall leave you with a grateful farewell and many smiles- even a kiss blown your way!

Love, Emily

Sickness and Emotions

Why Hello Brilliant Audience!!!

You may have wondered if I forgot about this ongoing story of Pine Ridge which I have been creating for nearly two years now.... but in fact- I haven't forgot at all! And to prove it, I'm posting pictures for you of our Senior Retreat!!! *Warning- the pictures make all the following text scrunched together. This was definitely not on purpose! :)

Senior Guys taking seriously the prayer walk at Devil's Tower

The whole senior class posing in front of a half-hazy Devil's Tower

Ryan and Richard showing off their rapid 'cup' skills at the retreat center

Mike devising a new plan to win a snow ball fight

The class working hard on the 'chair' competition: result? 40 students on 11 chairs!

Alright, those are a few of the great memories I will hold from our senior retreat. Ultimately it was a beautiful time (despite my undying wish for sunshine on each rainy day)... and the class really bonded, in addition to finding means of reconciliation and sharing gratitude amongst one another. I absolutely love retreats with the kids, and I realized that this will be my final retreat experience here at Red Cloud. I will miss this group of student terribly; I feel particularly close to them, since I've seen them grow in the last two years, and we will be leaving Red Cloud together. But, alas, despite the many emotions of sadness, I am mostly grateful for the opportunity to have interacted with this amazing group of 43 students. Oh, and I cannot forget how much I've enjoyed being with the faculty of Red Cloud as well! What a humor-filled work environment I've been blessed with!

I have to let you know that a part of the reason it's been awhile since I've posted is because I was gone for Easter, but also I have continued to fight this crazy illness that I've had for over 3 weeks now! I am self-diagnosing as having the flu for a week, and now the past two weeks I've had bronchitis. I seem to fit the descriptions and likelihood as described on webmd. Please don't tell me I need to go to the doctor, either, because I've heard that a million times, and really, I think it's most likely a virus, especially since it came after I had the flu. In any case, every day I wake up assuming I'll be better- so my spirits haven't broken yet!

Easter vacation was absolutely wonderful! I won't go into detail, since I realize it has not much to do with Pine Ridge (except for my prom shopping and making the sashes for prom royalty). :) But my time spent with family and friends and AJ was beautiful! :)

Now, after a chill weekend of trying to kick this bronchitis (drinking plenty of liquids, sleeping, cough drops, taking expectorants, ect.), I am trying my best to get everything ready for prom- but see, it's a bit tricky, since everything around here works 'last minute'- and I won't be around for 'last minute'- which means I have to rely on things getting done by Wednesday, since I'm leaving for my friend's wedding in Wisconsin in two days! First of all, that's incredibly exciting- to be able to meet up with my college friends again and such, but also I'm sad to be leaving for prom- moreso since I will be missing all the fun- (I'm not entirely sad to be missing the stress of the event). I do have people in place to cover my responsibilities, but the decorations are in question, since so many people are busy after-school. We shall see, it is the Junior's prom, after all, and we will see how they pull it off! :)

It's nearly lunch-time now, and I have to say... I am ready for this day to be done... especially since I'm getting antzy just waiting around for people to turn in permission slips for post-prom, to sign up their dates for the grand march, and getting nervous about all the decorations. But I cannot allow my concerns to override my sincere delight in being with these students. After all, I only have a little over a month left, and that's all that's left of this treasured experience.

Until the next tear-filled time I write (perhaps I'll include pictures people send me of prom)...

Pilamaya!

Emily

April Hopes

Hello Dear Souls...

I am writing you now as I struggle to overcome this silly (actually, serious) influenza I've had the past 6 days. Today I am on an up swing, except for the light-headed feelings and severe cough. All in all it has been a miserable week... yet Monday and Tuesday, Mother Nature came through and gave us two more snow days. And since I wouldn't have been in school anyway, do to the flu, I was thankful for the recovery time. I also didn't come into school Wednesday, but Thursday I did- even though it was terribly overwhelming, with such little energy. Today I am still lacking the energy I need... but I'm beginning to see through the fog of the flu... which is the hope I need.

Today is a pretty exciting event- the Cardinal from Washington D. C. is coming to visit Red Cloud. Now, if you're a little unsure who a Cardinal actually is, don't be dismayed... I had to think for awhile before I could recall what position a Cardinal held. Basically, there is a council of just over 100 Cardinals in the world who elect the Pope...so in terms of Catholic hierarchy, the Cardinal is a pretty big deal! And he's having pizza with the Student Council today. That's right, represent! :):) I will be there to mediate their presence, but overall the Cardinal seems like a pretty cool guy who will be interested in the students.

I had intentions of attending a silent retreat with a few friends this weekend, but that is not happening now- since they left yesterday and I had to be in school today. In addition to the Cardinal's visit... I need to meet with students about prom ordering, etc. Gosh, I am so excited for prom, but as one of the coordinators, I also cannot wait for it to be over! :):) I'm sure you'll hear more about that as the month progresses... I think we're only 3 weeks out from Prom though, which means I need to get on this ordering business asap!

The Prom invites are in, and I'm busy assembling them. Why did I order ones which require work? Not too sure, but let me know if you're in the business of stuffing envelopes, since that's the next step in the process. :)

Easter break is soon upon us! I'm not sure if I will write again before then... I should, but you know- sometimes time simply flies by! I am ending this post early, since my foggy head hasn't allowed for too great of writing, and I'm guessing there's no further hope of it today.

My April hope is that you all are doing well, enjoying the spring (we are suppose to get another blizzard this weekend, FYI :):), and living life to its fullest!

Em