November? Really?

Every week in Omaha goes by so fast! Each day here seems long, but then before I know it it's been a week.

A few weeks ago I had the great opportunity to reconnect with a former Twin Cities' organization I volunteered with, STLF (Students Today Leaders Forever). There were several high school weekend service tours that ended their weekend with a celebration in Omaha. Kelly and I helped to give directions at one of the parks and got to hangout with some of the high schoolers. This particular Saturday was the same day of the U of M  homecoming game against the Nebraska Huskers. The students didn't all know that Kelly and I are not originally from Omaha, so a student yelled out at me "Go Gophers! " I think that he expected a response from me that would go along the lines of supporting the Huskers. Instead, I said "I graduated from the U". That shut him up fast! STLF being here just goes to show that the world gets smaller and smaller for me every day.

One of my BEST FRIENDS came up to visit me and we had a great time! We talk on the phone fairly often and I try to skype (fail) but it was so nice to see her in person. There are so many things that can't be portrayed or explained over the phone, so having her here was so great. I was having one of my 'I don't like Omaha' moments when she was here and she definitely refreshed me in that being here is not a permanent life choice. She came with a game plan of things that she had read about online so I feel like she ended up showing me more parts of Omaha than I showed her! We explored the Old Market area a little more, tried a new pizza/pasta restaurant by my house and went to this gigantic pumpkin patch. We also went to a Halloween party hosted by other AmeriCorps here in Omaha. I'm so glad that she could come down and visit me, it makes me feel a little bit closer to home.

We've recently discovered that there are other recent college grads serving here in Omaha with us other than AmeriCorps! There's a group of people serving with Lutheran Volunteer Corps (something I didn't even know existed until about a month ago) and we had a game night with them. I've gotten together with a few of the girls and love having other people here that I can hangout with.

At First Lutheran on Halloween I helped with a Trunk-or-Treat event. A bunch of people from the church pull their cars into the parking lot and kids come trick or treating to each of the cars. It sounds a little sketchy, but it was so much fun and there were so many kids there! The neighborhood I live in is not your ideal trick or treating area, so having somewhere safe for these kids to go is very important.

Last weekend I went up to the Twin Cities to help with Admission Possible's Make a Difference Day. It was so refreshing to reconnect with all of the coaches there and hear how their experience has been over the past couple of months. Even though our positions have the same title, we're doing such different work in the two cities. Sometimes I get so caught up in my struggles here that I forget that all the work I do is forging a path for the future work here in Omaha. They reminded me of that last weekend. I also got to see a few of my best friends when I was briefly in the cities and my mom and sister. I was really excited to come back to Omaha and get back to my life here, which is probably a good thing.

Although it's only early November still, I put up Christmas decorations this week! After we get back from Thanksgiving break, we are really only in Omaha for about 2 weeks and then we go back to our hometowns. Only 2 weeks of Christmas here? I don't think so.... I got a little tinsel Christmas tree that is adorable. A baby tree! I can't believe how fast the holidays have crept up on me, it seems like yesterday is was gorgeous outside with temps in the high 80s. Not anymore!

Last night my grandparents stopped by on their way down to Phoenix and I got to give them a 10 minute car tour of Omaha. It was so great to see them and have an early Thanksgiving dinner with them, as they will be in Phoenix during our normal chaotic meal and BINGO.

I'm excited for the upcoming weekend because two more of my best friends are coming down to visit me! I have some good things planned for us, so stay posted :)