Thursday, June 11, 2009
Time to Move
Greetings! With all the upheaval in my life I've decided to include my blog in the process. So I've moved to a new site http://mfpettit.wordpress.com/. Can't wait to see ya there!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Bzzzzz
On my way home from work, I noticed a HUGE bumblebee drunkenly swerving around the grass on the side of the road. He was covered head to...stinger (?) in pollen. I thought to myself, "What a great example! I will be that bumblebee this summer--covered in joyous, glorious pollen-- drunk off of life." I think we could all take a cue from the bumblebee and totally immerse ourselves in something, whether it be food or travel or love...roll in it. Cover yourself. I dare you. Peace and love
Monday, April 20, 2009
You Oughta Know
No, I'm not in angry Alanis mode, but I figured it was time I told you where the heck I'm going this fall. You oughta know. I'm pleased to announce that I will become a Virginian in a few short months. Matt matched at North Carolina and I ended up keeping my spot at EVMS. It was tough, though. I liked Seattle and was not a little surprised/shocked that Matt matched at UNC considering he ranked so many Seattle programs. But that’s apparently not how the match works. It’s kind of scary, leaving a computerized system to decide your fate. Luckily it worked out for the best.The great roommate search has actually been completed. I found some lovely people on the school’s website who were looking for a roommate. It was rather effortless. Now I’m figuring out what to hang onto and what to sell. It’s a weird feeling. I’ve spent the greater part of the past five years on my own, building a little household. Now I’m disassembling my life again to take off to another state. I sometimes wonder if I will ever be a permanently settled person, or if my nomadic tendencies will persist for the rest of my life. I’m already considering pursuing a year or two of art therapy experience in Scotland or Britain. How cool would that be?
In the meantime, back in the States, Matt, Melissa and I took a mini-holiday up to Spencer for Easter. It was a lovely weekend. We went up to the Lakes for tacos at the Taco House and rock skipping at Gull Point. Then we looped around to Lost Island for more sandy beach time. While we were there, we saw this fabulous turtle. Then it was back home for a nice dinner and singing with Mom and Dad. I am so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful friends. 
Work is going well. We’ve been very busy with lots of new kiddos which always makes the boss man happy. I much prefer to be this busy rather than slow like last fall. My class is going well, too, although I must admit I have a slight case of senioritis (can you have senioritis with one independent study class?) and am not devoting myself 100% to this particular course. But as long as I get a decent grade, I’ll be happy. Independent study has never been my forte. I need interaction and feedback from classmates and instructors.Well, there’s a little update on my world. I’ve had a very nice spring and look forward to May and June before I move. I need to make a list of all the “Iowa City” things I should do before I leave. I know Riverfest and Jazz Fest will be on there…as well as the farmer’s market…definitely Atlas and Hamburg at least a couple of times…let me know if you have any suggestions!
Peace and Love
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Drive, Drive, Drive
I have returned from my travels, and to my surprise have found that it is now spring in Iowa. When I left, it was 10 degrees and cloudy. This morning, it was 55 and sunny. Go figure. So I guess I should tell you about my interviews. All right. If you insist!
Chicago was a blur. My GPS and I disagreed on several occasions as to which exit I should take and which direction I should go. Disagreeing with your GPS in downtown Chicago is not something I would recommend you do. I finally managed to find Adler and parked in a hotel ramp next door. My interview was brief and scattered. I don't know if it was a result of my frustrating drive, but I did not want to be in that office building. Plus...who wants to go to school in an office building? It was definitely not for me.
After the interview, my situation changed for the better. I went to a sandwich shop a few blocks away called Pastorale. It. Was. Delicious. I had this amazing turkey sandwich with mango chutney, field greens, spicy mustard and frommager cheese. (I think I spelled that right...) That sandwich was by far the best part of my day in Chicago. Hands down.
My flight left around 6:30 from Midway and I got to spend some quality time with my pysch book in the waiting area and on the plane. My friends Ben and Kelly had graciously agreed to let me stay with them in Seattle and Kelly was kind enough to come to the airport to get me. Ben is actually in Ecuador right now, so I didn't get to see him. (Shucks) I did however get to use his Jeep to get myself around town. The GPS and I got along well in Seattle, which I took as a good omen. I also learned of this wonder called Costco...yet another reason to move away from Iowa City.
My meeting with Antioch was also brief, but so much more rewarding. I met with two fabulous ladies who gave me a lot of info about the program and asked insightful and stimulation questions. I got a short tour of the studio and offices and was back on the road. I left Antioch feeling good. I feel that interview went well.
My drive to Oregon was neither brief nor very rewarding. The countryside was quite beautiful. What struck me most about the Pacific Northwest was the smell. I could smell the trees and vegetation and damp earth. It was not an unpleasant smell. Just one I'm not quite used to. Anyways, Marylhurst was tucked back in a wooded area off the highway. I could tell just from driving through Lake Oswego that it was kind of a ritzier area. I met with two more ladies who were very nice. I did feel a bit as though I was in a counseling session...as the patient. At the end of the interview I was asked to draw my experience of the interview that day...By that point I was running mostly on fumes and honestly couldn't even tell you what I drew!
After the hour and twenty minutes of interviewing in Oregon, I turned back onto I-5 and drove the 3 and a half hours back to Seattle. Needless to say I was rather tired when I got back. Yesterday morning, Kelly and I went and saw some of the sights of Seattle. She took me down to the Locks and we watched a tugboat slowly enter the lock. It was taking a long time and was somewhat boring, so we left. Kelly then drove me around Ballard, a neat area of Seattle where I might think about living if I end up at Antioch. (no decisions or promises made yet!) We drove by the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. We went and walked around a beach. It was a little breezy and chilly, but not raining. I like Seattle weather.
After the sights, Kelly dropped me off at the airport and I flew back in to Chicago. After my four hour flight, I got in my car and drove back to Iowa City.
So, to sum up--drive, drive, drive...interview...yummy sandwich, drive, fly, fly, fly...sleep...drive, interview, drive, drive, drive, interview, drive, drive, drive...sleep...drive, see sights, fly, fly, fly...gas break!...drive, drive, drive...home.
Peace and Love
Chicago was a blur. My GPS and I disagreed on several occasions as to which exit I should take and which direction I should go. Disagreeing with your GPS in downtown Chicago is not something I would recommend you do. I finally managed to find Adler and parked in a hotel ramp next door. My interview was brief and scattered. I don't know if it was a result of my frustrating drive, but I did not want to be in that office building. Plus...who wants to go to school in an office building? It was definitely not for me.
After the interview, my situation changed for the better. I went to a sandwich shop a few blocks away called Pastorale. It. Was. Delicious. I had this amazing turkey sandwich with mango chutney, field greens, spicy mustard and frommager cheese. (I think I spelled that right...) That sandwich was by far the best part of my day in Chicago. Hands down.
My flight left around 6:30 from Midway and I got to spend some quality time with my pysch book in the waiting area and on the plane. My friends Ben and Kelly had graciously agreed to let me stay with them in Seattle and Kelly was kind enough to come to the airport to get me. Ben is actually in Ecuador right now, so I didn't get to see him. (Shucks) I did however get to use his Jeep to get myself around town. The GPS and I got along well in Seattle, which I took as a good omen. I also learned of this wonder called Costco...yet another reason to move away from Iowa City.
My meeting with Antioch was also brief, but so much more rewarding. I met with two fabulous ladies who gave me a lot of info about the program and asked insightful and stimulation questions. I got a short tour of the studio and offices and was back on the road. I left Antioch feeling good. I feel that interview went well.
My drive to Oregon was neither brief nor very rewarding. The countryside was quite beautiful. What struck me most about the Pacific Northwest was the smell. I could smell the trees and vegetation and damp earth. It was not an unpleasant smell. Just one I'm not quite used to. Anyways, Marylhurst was tucked back in a wooded area off the highway. I could tell just from driving through Lake Oswego that it was kind of a ritzier area. I met with two more ladies who were very nice. I did feel a bit as though I was in a counseling session...as the patient. At the end of the interview I was asked to draw my experience of the interview that day...By that point I was running mostly on fumes and honestly couldn't even tell you what I drew!
After the hour and twenty minutes of interviewing in Oregon, I turned back onto I-5 and drove the 3 and a half hours back to Seattle. Needless to say I was rather tired when I got back. Yesterday morning, Kelly and I went and saw some of the sights of Seattle. She took me down to the Locks and we watched a tugboat slowly enter the lock. It was taking a long time and was somewhat boring, so we left. Kelly then drove me around Ballard, a neat area of Seattle where I might think about living if I end up at Antioch. (no decisions or promises made yet!) We drove by the Puget Sound and Lake Washington. We went and walked around a beach. It was a little breezy and chilly, but not raining. I like Seattle weather.
After the sights, Kelly dropped me off at the airport and I flew back in to Chicago. After my four hour flight, I got in my car and drove back to Iowa City.
So, to sum up--drive, drive, drive...interview...yummy sandwich, drive, fly, fly, fly...sleep...drive, interview, drive, drive, drive, interview, drive, drive, drive...sleep...drive, see sights, fly, fly, fly...gas break!...drive, drive, drive...home.
Peace and Love
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Quick and Dirty Update
I got an interview in Seattle (yay!) while I'm in the Pacific Northwest for my interview in Portland (yay!). Sigh. Everything seems to be falling into place...finally.
Peace and Love.
Peace and Love.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Here's the Haps
So here’s a quick hits list of what’s going on in Mo-world these days…
1. I accepted the position at EVMS in Virginia.
2. I’m still going to go interview in Portland and Chicago, just in case.
3. I haven’t heard from Seattle yet. Grr.
4. I’m teaching myself how to crochet. So far, so good. I haven’t lost a limb or an eye.
5. This season of Lost is awesome! (Although someone lost a limb there…)
6. I found a fabulous recipe for ginger cookies.
7. My boyfriend rocks!
8. I’m kicking butt at the gym.
9. The Wig and Pen is open again and I am a very happy girl.
10. I’m too busy for my own good!
Soon I’ll have more news, but for now I’m stuck in a bit of a holding pattern. That’s okay. God, Buddha, and/or Fate will help me figure this out soon enough…
Peace and Love
1. I accepted the position at EVMS in Virginia.
2. I’m still going to go interview in Portland and Chicago, just in case.
3. I haven’t heard from Seattle yet. Grr.
4. I’m teaching myself how to crochet. So far, so good. I haven’t lost a limb or an eye.
5. This season of Lost is awesome! (Although someone lost a limb there…)
6. I found a fabulous recipe for ginger cookies.
7. My boyfriend rocks!
8. I’m kicking butt at the gym.
9. The Wig and Pen is open again and I am a very happy girl.
10. I’m too busy for my own good!
Soon I’ll have more news, but for now I’m stuck in a bit of a holding pattern. That’s okay. God, Buddha, and/or Fate will help me figure this out soon enough…
Peace and Love
Friday, January 23, 2009
Virginia Bound?
Here I am, sitting in a coffee house in Virginia, waiting for Matt to return from his UNC interview. So I thought I would kill some time and reflect upon our marvelous trip across the Eastern half of the USA. We journeyed to Champaign, IL to spend Monday evening with Matt's sister, Beth and her husband, Jordan. We went to a delightful Mexican restaurant and gorged ourselves on chips and salsa, taco salads, enchiladas and margaritas. It was splendid. We hit the road early on Tuesday and made the long haul over to the Baltimore area. Traffic wasn't too bad (considering the inauguration) and we made good time, rolling into Columbia, MD around 10:00 p.m. to stay at the home of Ginny's sister. We actually listened to the inaugural address on the radio, an AM station no less. The crackling integrity of the signal combined with the historic nature of the event gave the whole situation a sense of nostalgia. It will be fun to some day tell my children or grandchildren that I witness Obama's speech not on CNN or Facebook, but on a crummy AM radio station that cut out when we went under highway overpasses.
Wednesday was our leisure day. We took our time driving from Maryland down to Norfolk, stopping at Williamsburg and Jamestown to see the sights. (I think it's the off-season right now, though. Not much was going on...) We had an interesting time navigating the streets of Norfolk and encountered a ridiculous amount of construction. This area will be gorgeous when everything is said and done. Our hotel was right by the water and looked out over the city. We didn't spend much time sightseeing, though. We had dinner plans with residents from the program Matt is applying to. Dinner went pretty late, so we called it a night as soon as we got back.
The next day (Thursday), I dropped Matt off for his interview and proceeded to get completely and totally lost in Norfolk for a good 30 minutes. I'm slowly but surely acquainting myself with the unique layout of the town. It's mostly a grid, but streets seem to suddenly change names and directions without much indication. It's confusing for sure. I did manage to find the Chrysler Art Museum, named for the auto heir who donated his art collection to the institution back in the early 1900s. Luckily they are featuring a Norman Rockwell exhibit and I was in illustrator heaven for a good three hours. I was mildly obsessed with NR back in high school and to see his paintings in person was an unexpected treat. After Matt's interview, we relocated to the hotel room I had reserved and took some down time. Matt headed for North Carolina last night and I spent the evening watching HBO and eating fast food on my hotel bed. It was fantastic!
Today, I cabbed it to EVMS for my interview. I spent most of the morning talking to the program director and getting a feel for how this particular art therapy program is set up. I also met the other faculty and ate lunch with three of the four faculty members. I gave a short slide presentation my art work and answered a few somewhat interesting questions. I really liked everyone I met and am very interested in coming here. In general this whole city has been so warm and welcoming. I have no doubts that I would soon adjust and feel right at home. Near the school is a lovely little area of shops and homes known as Ghent. I've wandered around a bit and looked in some of the stores. It reminds me a little of Iowa City.
So apparently I'm an ideal candidate for art therapy. That's encouraging. I have a few interviews yet to complete, but I'm feeling more confident by the minute about this career choice. I just hope that it all works out for the best. Matt should be here in three hours or so. I guess I'll dig into one of my books until then...
Peace and love
Wednesday was our leisure day. We took our time driving from Maryland down to Norfolk, stopping at Williamsburg and Jamestown to see the sights. (I think it's the off-season right now, though. Not much was going on...) We had an interesting time navigating the streets of Norfolk and encountered a ridiculous amount of construction. This area will be gorgeous when everything is said and done. Our hotel was right by the water and looked out over the city. We didn't spend much time sightseeing, though. We had dinner plans with residents from the program Matt is applying to. Dinner went pretty late, so we called it a night as soon as we got back.
The next day (Thursday), I dropped Matt off for his interview and proceeded to get completely and totally lost in Norfolk for a good 30 minutes. I'm slowly but surely acquainting myself with the unique layout of the town. It's mostly a grid, but streets seem to suddenly change names and directions without much indication. It's confusing for sure. I did manage to find the Chrysler Art Museum, named for the auto heir who donated his art collection to the institution back in the early 1900s. Luckily they are featuring a Norman Rockwell exhibit and I was in illustrator heaven for a good three hours. I was mildly obsessed with NR back in high school and to see his paintings in person was an unexpected treat. After Matt's interview, we relocated to the hotel room I had reserved and took some down time. Matt headed for North Carolina last night and I spent the evening watching HBO and eating fast food on my hotel bed. It was fantastic!
Today, I cabbed it to EVMS for my interview. I spent most of the morning talking to the program director and getting a feel for how this particular art therapy program is set up. I also met the other faculty and ate lunch with three of the four faculty members. I gave a short slide presentation my art work and answered a few somewhat interesting questions. I really liked everyone I met and am very interested in coming here. In general this whole city has been so warm and welcoming. I have no doubts that I would soon adjust and feel right at home. Near the school is a lovely little area of shops and homes known as Ghent. I've wandered around a bit and looked in some of the stores. It reminds me a little of Iowa City.
So apparently I'm an ideal candidate for art therapy. That's encouraging. I have a few interviews yet to complete, but I'm feeling more confident by the minute about this career choice. I just hope that it all works out for the best. Matt should be here in three hours or so. I guess I'll dig into one of my books until then...
Peace and love
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