A little game of Ketchup**

The semester is over, we've sent students home, most of them anyways, and it's time to figure out what happened the last four months of life.  Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever stop living at such a quick pace.  If I'll look back on previous months and think to myself "wow that was pleasantly boring".  In the midst of busyness that would be ideal but when I have mornings like this morning, I am so thankful that I have stories to tell and things to do with people I enjoy so much.

So as I sit, at 11:30 in the morning still drinking my coffee because I've learned to savor it, and think about the last four months I'll share with you all some of my favorite parts.

In March I took a group of students to Washington, D.C. for one of our Quest Trips.  We spent our Spring Break learning abou social justice from a bunch of different organizations that work internationally as well as in the U.S. It was amazing to see these students learn and ask hard questions about how we are engaging in peoples lives.  We have so much fun and have a million stories to tell.  Every night we had tea time at 9pm and talked about our day, conversation I will always love to have with them.  Plus I got everyone home with just a couple bruises...which I felt so thankful for.

After one of our meetings they took us up to the penthouse so we could get a full view of D.C.  and it was an incredible view.  

For Easter Break in March I went to Cape May, New Jersey with a group of my friends.  I finally met the Atlantic Ocean and while it may be warmer, I still think California has better beaches.  I wont complain too much though, living in a land locked state I'll take whatever ocean and beach I can get.  

This is Amy, she is the most wonderful friend that lives right across the parking lot.  She and her husband Nate have become a little piece of home.  

Our home for the week.  Just a block from the ocean and full of fun.  

This is Nate...we work together and he's married to Amy.  We like to call ourselves and effective team.

The morning before we left, one last look at the ocean...little did we know we would get clobbered by waves.  Worth it.  

In April we celebrated birthday's and bridal showers.  One of my RA's is getting married this summer and babies are being born.  One already and a few more to come.  The last full month of school felt like it never stood a chance.  I finished all my classes and papers in a scramble and then started saying goodbye to my first group of residents and RA's. 

May came and brought the summer and adventure.  I've been compiling a summer to do list and it's already begun.  Most everything on it is realistic but some things are a little fr fetched.  But there's no limit to summer fun.  

Unintentionally we started it off with a road trip to Chicago for my friend Amy's birthday.  I love Chicago and the last time I was there winter had taken over so this was the perfect summer start. And my best friend Kati lives in the city so it was a double win for me! 

This was my view for 7.5 hours.  Car rides full of music, naps and great conversation.  

The Bean!  Our first stop on the tourist list for Chicago.  

After sitting in the car for so long we found ourselves wanting to sit more, but with a better view of Lake Michigan

Summer is in full bloom and adventure has just begun.  I'll keep you all posted on my summer fun list and hopefully show you some great pictures!  I'm almost done with my first year in PA and I'm growing pretty fond of it.  We'll say this summer is a toast, to the place I find myself and the adventures to still be had.  

**Also Heinz Ketchup is made in Pittsburgh, and it's on the summer fun list to tour the factory. Hense the reason for the title.