Happy Easter!

Happy Easter (almost) Everyone!
It is certainly weird to be elsewhere for a holiday. I am trying to make the most of my Easter here Houghton, though nothing will be like Easter at home. Thank you to all of you who sent me Easter goodies! The Easter Bunny even delivered my "Easter Box"! I am blessed to have you all thinking of me!
Going back a few days, last weekend was pretty low-key, though there was lots to do. I have been working on a group project for Natural Resource Policy that requires a lot of group collaboration. That has been a big focus lately. Last Sunday was Palm Sunday and I made sure to take a few palms, now behind the cross in my room.

On Tuesday I had Staff Training for my PA job. It went from 7:30-10pm. We covered the official contract, specific duties, got to meet the rest of our small staff, had our pictures taken, and had a session on cultural competency.

Wednesday was an extremely busy day. I had classes and USG office hours as normal in the morning. That afternoon I had a spanish oral exam, where I had to go in and talk with my professor and one other student for 10 minutes on a topic she chose. I think I surprised myself and I think it went pretty well. Afterward, I ran off to a meeting with my supervisor for next year. After that I went to do some last minute studying before my calculus exam. Once I finished the exam I went to the USG meeting. After the long and exhausting day I finally felt relaxed. Special note: Wednesday was my Grandma Widenstrom's birthday...Happy Birthday Grandma!
Thursday morning I went for a nice walk. It felt good to just get outside (something that I have been missing in my routine lately). I had a class and lab and then I went to church at St. Ignatius of Loyola for Holy Thursday. I went with some friends and afterward we went to Walmart. My friends were buying some items for a club they are a part of and we had fun picking out stuff for the club. I picked up some Easter goodies for my friends too! 
On Friday I only had chemistry (because the other classes were cancelled due to the exams earlier in the week). It felt good to sleep in and take the day slowly. I went to Veneration of the Cross at 3pm at St. Al's. After church my friends Anna and Justin and I went birding. We drove north and went to Eagle River, Eagle Harbor, Brockway Mountain, and Copper Harbor. We had a great time birding...clarification...they had a great time birding and I enjoyed some great photography moments :) I, too, enjoyed seeing and hearing some cool birds. I had been everywhere we went except for Brockway Mtn. This was my first time up there and it was pretty cool! Look for some pics!

Last night there was a coffee house downstairs put on by WHSA. There are always some great performers. Another great evening with friends.
I slept in this morning and have had a pretty relaxed day. The USG end of the year banquet was this afternoon downtown at the Ambassador Restaurant. Another good time with friends. I received the "rookie of the year" award. This evening my friends and I dyed some Easter eggs. Tonight there is the Easter Vigil at 9:30pm and then Mass tomorrow at 11am. Tomorrow afternoon my Treehouse friends and I are making an Easter dinner of our own. Everything from the ham to pie. It should be good, though nothing like Grandma and Grandpa's cooking :)

Another special note: Happy early 16th birthday to my sister Rachel!

It is hard to believe that I will be done with a whole year of college and all my current finals and classes in less than three weeks! 20 days and I'll be home!