Home in Missouri

I stayed in Missouri for a few days after graduation to spend some extra time with my family. Unfortunately, George had to come back to California for school, but in his absence my mom and I had a great time watching girly movies and hanging out. Here we are above with our bloody marys... having them while we made dinner made the process go a little less smoothly, but sure did make it more fun!

Columbia recently opened a hands-on science museum for kids that focused on teaching kids about how their bodies work and how they can make choices, such as eating right and getting plenty of physical activity to help their bodies work better. It's cleverly called the 'Youzeum' and is really neat - makes me proud of my hometown for being so progressive in this area. Anyway, I was curious and Mom has never been so we popped in and acted like kids for a few hours. Here we are in the body works area goofing off...

We also took a day trip to my mom's hometown, Bellflower, Missouri, to visit my grandparents. They live on a farm and so after lunch we spent the afternoon chatting, watching the birds, and picking asparagus. My grandpa just refurbished one of his old John Deere trackers so we also took some great pictures on it, all of which are on my mom's camera, so those will be coming in a bit. We were joined for the afternoon by my aunt Alice and it was so wonderful to be able to spend time catching up with her.

And of course, no visit to Columbia could be complete without my other grandma whooping me in a game of cards. Here I am with my dad's parents.

Then after an always too short visit, it was back to California.

All Grown Up

This past weekend, my younger brother James Cary, graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute with a focus in animation. In the picture above I'm with my two younger brothers, James and Brian. (My older brother wasn't able to come because of his finals in Boston. We missed you Matthew!!!)

The weekend was full of celebration and flavor as we all quickly realized that graduations at an art school are far from the typical boring processionals. The students were given full liberty to do whatever they wanted to their cap and gowns so a few students walked across the stage in tailored, fitted robes that resembled trendy little dresses, others with wacky hats that somehow contained the mortar board, others with cinched, belted waists, and one girl wore a different colored robe entirely. It was such fun to watch each student in their uniqueness receive their diploma. However, James and his adorably cute girlfriend, Maddy, went the more traditional route. Here they are on campus before the ceremony.

Here's the whole gang - my little brother Brian in his ever-present sunglasses and I'm too cool attitude; George; my sweet, sweet grandmother Norma; our graduate James; his girlfriend Maddy; my adoring grandfather Lee; my dad, poking his head in from the back; my mom; and then me. My aunt and uncle, Laura and Keith, were there too, but I think they were taking the picture.

After graduation, James and Maddy are headed off to conquer the world of art in Chicago. It is crazy to me that my little James is all grown up. Being away from home, it sometimes feels like things should just stay the way you left them - James still in high school making masterpieces in his room, ignoring all calls for dinner. But things change and little brothers grow up and become responsible, considerate, talented men and it is all you can do to stand back and be so proud.... and try not to cry. Love you James!

i

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it was too neat to pass up. So I answered it all for myself. Enjoy!

i am: a earth-loving hippy deep down inside.
i think: sometimes too much.
i know: that there is a plan for our lives.
i want: to know that plan.
i have: an amazing husband who loves me unconditionally.
i wish: everyone knew the Lord as their savior and friend.
i hate: being far away from those I love.
i miss: spending summers with my grandparents.
i fear: regret.
i feel: stuck, at times.
i hear: the words, advice, and love of my parents.
i smell: the beautiful roses that grow like weeds around here.
i crave: chocolate after a good meal.
i search: for what the next step will be.
i wonder: what life will be like in five years.
i regret: studying so much in college rather than spending time with friends.
i love: people through my cooking.
i ache: when I think of people going hungry.
i care: about the earth.
i always: cry during Grey’s Anatomy.
i am not: coordinated.
i believe: that Christ died for our sins so that we may live eternally in heaven.
i dance: poorly and without rhythm.
i sing: loudly and off-key in the car by myself or with George.
i don’t always: look both ways before I cross the street.
i fight: always having to follow the rules.
i write: to those I love or to clear my head.
i win: almost all board games I play with George.
i lose: all sense of time when I’m catching up with friends and family on the phone.
i never: was very patient.
i confuse: road names and directions often.
i listen: best in moments of silence.
i can usually be found: in the kitchen.
i am scared: of what the world will be like for our children.
i need: lots of hugs.
i am happy about: going home to see my brother James graduate this weekend.
and you?

Update...

Hey everyone, Johanna's gone to a baby shower tonight so I thought I would hop on Blogger and throw up a quick post. Everything's going well out here. The weather has been gorgeous and my classes are much less strenuous this quarter than they have been in the past. I just finished midterms and am still trying to nail down a summer internship. I'll let you all know when I have something for sure, but the most likely scenario is that we'll stay out here for the summer.
I suppose I should update everyone on Johanna's stuff, but I think I'll let her do that.
I don't really have anything else to say so I'll just post a link to a very funny (but admittedly old) YouTube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYkIJVguCU
Hope everyone's doing well!
-George