There’s No Dollar Sign on a Piece of Mind

Have a safe and merry Christmas!

Open Your Heart, Catch My Disease

The Great Plague of 2008.

Almost 500 students and faculty of Hope College were stricken with a noro-like virus which forced the school to close its doors for four days. Students everywhere fled and I among them. I went with some friends to Chelsea, MI (right outside of Ann Arbor) for some unexpected fun and relaxation. School re-opened today and we are praying for no more outbreaks of this highly contagious virus!

AuSable and I went on a hike.

A group of us went dancing in Ann Arbor.

The Survivors.

Let Them Be Thirsty No More

Last year on the day of Relay for Life I found out that my Grandpa Gil was diagnosed with cancer. I live in Gilmore Hall and it just happened that I was on Team Gil! I think Team Gil really meant a lot to my Grandpa in the last few months of his fight. Grandpa Gil lost his battle with cancer but Team Gil walked again this year with 41 members!

The grand total was over $40,600 raised!!!

Over 700 students and faculty participated!

This years Team Gil t-shirt

All at Once the World Can't Overwhelm Me

Moms always know where misplaced items are and exactly when you need to come home so my Mom and Chickey surprised me with a trip to Florida for my fall break!

We ate at one of my favorite places, Two Senoritas. Laura even drove there, scary but we survived!
Gift time for Mom and Chickey!
Cook out, a nice break from Phelps food!

Spending the morning at Mom's school and meeting some of her students.

I'll Thank God for Every Moment

20 years old.

Does this mean I have to be a responsible adult now? Hope College also likes to celebrate my birthday by having homecoming and a dance the same weekend!
We were so happy for my birthday.
Tante Wilma and Uncle Jim made so much good food that we had to take a long nap.

I think it was pretty good way to start off this decade!

They Haven't Seen Me Crazy Yet

I am class of 2011, odd year and legendary.

Last year the 2011 Pull Team was the first team in over 20 years to win as freshmen.

This year they easily won again by 67 feet in just 71 minutes!

Pull Fun Facts:
Each team has 36 members: 18 "pullers" on the rope, and 18 "moralers" who relay directions and help keep the pullers focused.

There are four cancellations on record: in 1918, 1943 and 1944 because of World Wars I and II, and in 1957 because of a campus-wide flu epidemic.

Keri Law '99 became the first woman to compete as a puller in 1995.

This year was the shortest pull since the modern rules were implemented in 1978.

Eres mi sol

Dutch can Samba too...

This semester I'm taking a World Music class as part of general education requirements. It's been an amazing opportunity to learn about foreign cultures through their music. Today we had a Brazilian dance teacher give a group of very nervous and stiff college students some dancing lessons. We learned the basics in Samba and Belly Dancing. Some very funny and self-conscious dancing ensued!

This is Samba dancing from the Brazilian Carnival national festival. We didn't exactly look like this...
Our instructor explained that belly dancing was done in ancient Egypt to help ease labor pains for pregnant women. I would believe it, my abs got a full work out!

You Can't Waste the Day Wishing It'd Slow Down

The fall at Hope college feels like a triathlon as I make my way from class, work, and friends. I'm taking plenty of exciting classes this semester including a literature class, Spanish VI, Political Science, World Music and Cultural Heritage II. We have also had our first Team Gil Relay for Life meetings, new t-shirt designs should be coming soon! The weekends have been busy with friends and I even went to visit Michael at the University of Michigan where he took me to my first Big House game.

I've Got To Step Outside These Walls

Orientation 2008

Explore the Possibilities

I can't believe it's been one year since I moved to Michigan!!

Now it's my time to show my little sister around, teach her the ways of the Dutchmen, and help her adjust to the phenomenon of seasons.

We moved 200 freshmen boys into Kollen Hall... my arms still hurt.
Emma's roommate and me, we'll help Emma learn how to do laundry.

I'm not sure Hope is ready for both of us.

Family!!!

When You're Gone There Will Be No Tears To Cry, Only Memories Of Our Lives

Recently, I've been adopted by my friend Ryan's family. It's been so amazing how various friends in Holland have shared their family with me while I've been so far away from mine!
This past week I spent a lot of time at the Welling's cottage on Lake Michigan, these are a few of the highlights.

Don't Be Surprised If I Love You For All That You Are

This past weekend I went to Chicago and Naperville with my friend Brittany to visit Lisa. We took the train, which was its own adventure, and then we spent time getting to know Naperville and Lisa's friends from home. It's so much fun to see college friends in their element and get a glimpse into their routine.

It's the Simple Thing in Life, Like When and Where

Nice Michigan summer walk with Michael and Buddy

No shoes, No shirt, No problems

Walhalla Weekend

This past weekend I went up to a friend's cabin with a big group of people. We had a ton of fun grilling, playing in the water and going to the local karaoke bar for some singing and dancing.

We've Been Having Fun All Summer Long

The Fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays because of the time I get to spend with my family at our cottage, our Hukilau.

The 2008 reunion was full of little kid fun and soaking up summer.

Roll the Windows Down, Turn the Radio Up

Last week one of my best friends, Lisa, took the train from Illinois to spend the week with me. Our friend Brittany also made the trip over to Holland for a day so we could celebrate her 20th birthday. Lisa and I spent the week staying up late with friends, sleeping in, and going to the beach. It was a mini vacation for us both! This summer I continue to meet a lot of new people who have decided to stay at Hope this summer or are just from Holland, which has been exciting, but it was also great to have time with close friends again. Now I'm just getting ready for my family to visit! ONE more day!!

Lisa and Me

Brittany and me after her birthday brunch and cake

Time of Your Life

You can pretty much sum up my best freshman year memory with one word:

Friends.

The friendships I developed this year made every experience better and the whole year so much fun.

These are the highlights:

First winter FULL of snow and high school friends visit.

Me, Jackie, and Ella

Winter Fantasia Dance with old and new friends

Niki, Brittany, Me, Ella, Jackie, and Dani

Spring Break at Sieasta Beach

Brittany, Lisa, Dani, Niki, and Me

One of many ice cream trips.

Niki, Dani, Captain Sundae, Lisa, Brittany, and Me

Trip to Canada with Brittany's family and first Red Wings game

Brittany and Me

Hope football games and even a trip to Lansing to cheer on the Spartans.

Lisa, Me, and Dani (my roommate)

Homecoming Dance

Roomies

Relay for Life- all night cancer walk

Dani, Lisa, Niki, Me, and Brittany

Girls weekend at the cottage- my favorite place with some of my favorite people