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.