I was accepted into Denver Seminary!!! I think I finally decided on July 1st as my departure date from the windy city. I will arrive in the lovely mountains to begin what will most likely be a 3 year program. I will be working toward my MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. For those of you who have been around me for the last 4 years know that this had been a long time coming. I first had my interest piqued in '06, visited in '07, put plans on hold for the last two years just to live and be and grow. I am so pleased that I have been accepted, am going and for all that this next season holds!!
Visited my sweet sister and her wonderful husband in OKC. I thank God that I can say with all sincerity that my sister is my very dearest friend! I am so grateful for how close we have become. The time at home was spent lounging, playing games, seeing the cute areas of OKC and mostly just being family together. I got to bond with Drew over some Arrested Development while Amanda was napping from exhaustion due to the prengancy. Felt my sweet niece move all around inside Amanda's tummy. I am so eager for her to come out and meet her favorite auntie!!
Participated in the Biggest Loser competition sponsored by my work. 30 competitors over 4 months (November - February). I signed up for this because I thought it might be that little extra push to get to the gym each day. I am very pleased to say that at McTigue Financial I was the Biggest Loser!! The cash prize was wonderful, but the feeling of being healthier and stronger is even more rewarding.
After much encouragement from Rachel, I signed up for an 8K - the Shamrock Shuffle. It's one of Chicago's oldest races. I am still wondering how I am going to do it in just 1 month!! I am not a stellar runner. 3 miles and I am beat. I hope that the crowd, the free T shirt and this last month of training will be all I need.
I have been going to trivia nights with my book club girls and their beau's recently. They're real low key and take place at a pub nearby. I don't know that I can necessarily contribute too much as far as providing correct answers, but it's always a fun time.
I got to drive home one weekend to help my brother Brevin write and prepare his essays for college. It was so fun to just go to a coffee shop and have some one on one time with him. I could not be more proud of my brother! I am praying that God provides a way for him to attend Colorado Christian!! He would be just down the road from me.
It was also on this visit home that I lost my voice at a double overtime basketball game in which Brevin scored 31 points!!! You can check out one of the write ups about him here. How clever is McVictorious?! Also, did I mention her is the captain of the varsity team? I know, shameless bragging.
Some other events going on include...
Game Nights - pictionary telephone is one of the funniest games to get the party started. Laughter is so good for you - especially in the midst of a Chicago winter!
Pot Lucks - a low key way to invite new friends over.
Documentaries - the best way to unwind after a long, stressful day at work, while still learning :)
Brunch at Lula - I am at this place just about every Saturday that I am in Chicago.
Baking- I love to bake!! Sarah recently bought me a cupcake
carrier, so I can now transport 24 cupcakes on the El at any time! It's fantastic. I have noticed that all of the commuters want to be BFF when they see pink frosting and sprinkles. Today's specialty was my first try at red velvet cupcakes. This made me dream of the day when I might have the pleasure of owning a retro red Kitchen Aid Mixer. Motivation to get married and put this on the registry, I suppose.Occasionally, I entertain the thought of moving to St Louis and opening up a coffee shop and organic bakery. In my mind it would be very Anthropologie/Shabby Chic and would make people very happy. I would hope to think that I could possibly pull this off swimmingly... Baristas would be trained to the highest degree, every latte would have a heart on it, people could come in and just relax and be at ease. Perhaps if Denver is a major flop, this will be my next pursuit. I can't whisper this too loud to my mom - she is all on board for me to do just this!! Who knows. Perhaps one day...
Tyring new recipes - my most recent favorite was a Moroccan Chicken served with a tomato cucumber salad with yogurt cumin dressing. I stuffed this in pita bread and paired with pinot grigio. Anything that can be stuffed in pita bread is a WIN in my book - it's fun to have with friends, served family style. The whole concept of breaking bread and putting together what you're eating all around the table.
Another good recipe that Sarah and I made the other night (and makes stellar leftovers) are Apple Chicken Quesadillas. I would revise the original recipe by lightly seasoning the chicken with taco seasoning, and adding more cumin and cilantro in with the other ingredients. I recommend serving with a medium to hot salsa.
Books - read the Great Gatsby for book club. Reading Little Women for my personal enjoyment. Reasing In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan and Bringing It To The Table: On Farming and Food by Wendell Berry. Both of these books compounded with the recent viewing of Food Inc have really challenged me. I will have many more thoughts on this in the future. Right now I am just trying to figure out the implications of all I have been made aware of and what it looks like to live responsibly and ethically... If you have not yet seen Food Inc, it's a great starting point!
PODCASTS!!! My commute has improved tenfold as I have discovered the riches of NPR podcasts! I currently listen to
Talk of the Nation,
Wait Wait Don't Tell Me,
Radio Diaries,
Stuff You Should Know,
and This American Life.
Anyone observing me on my commute probably thinks I am mildly insane as I can't help but burst out laughing when listening to Wait Wait Don't Tell Me. It's like what Who's Line Is It Anyway would be if their goal was to deliver what happened in the news that week.
I am heading home to StL tonight to cheer my heart out at Brevin's last home game of his senior year! And tomorrow I am throwing Amanda a baby shower to celebrate the soon arrival of sweet Cosette "Cosi" Mae! Then plenty of quality time with the whole McVicar clan under one roof! I am also thrilled to get to see Melissa (best friend since birth) who lives in Washington and her sweet baby Haylee Ann!!
Well, have a wonderful Valentines Day Weekend!! I'll try to update more soon about the last remaining months in this grand city and more on my transition to the mountains - hallelujah!!
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