summer has begun

It's been a somewhat busy summer so far, but I have a few pictures to share... I have a new group of RAs for the summer - three girls - Radvile, Renata and Victoriya. They are very helpful and involved in their duties, and we've had two events so far already! Last night we hosted a movie outdoors - like at a drive-in theater! We made kepta duona (a Lithuanian specialty of fried bread with cheese, garlic and mayo), hot cocoa and lemonade, and all were wrapped up in blankets because it was pretty cold!

Viktoriya with our HUGE pan of kepta duona!!!

She will also be my RA next year, so I'm especially excited to work with her this summer and get to know her better before the next school year begins.

I've also tried to make treats for my RAs for our weekly meetings... Last week I learned that they all like animals (especially cats) very much, so I spent the evening tonight making "cat cupcakes" for us to eat tomorrow! Hopefully they will be pleasantly surprised!

the cupcakes are carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. (my favorite, because i don't really care for cats so much...) :)

graduation

Yesterday was LCC's 2013 graduation. Two of my RAs graduated, as well as some other students I have enjoyed getting to know over the past two years. It was thankfully a beautiful day outside - sunny and even warm! Today my RAs and I are busy with cleaning the dorm and getting ready for everyone's departures by tomorrow morning at 10am. No time for tears - only packing!

Susie and I before the ceremony.

Thanks for the photo, Susie!

My RA, Natallia from Belarus

She just found out the other day that she was accepted into a graduate school in Germany starting this fall, and she is super excited. Congratulations, Natallia!

My RA, Ira from Ukraine

I have truly enjoyed getting to know Ira this year - she has become a great friend!

Congratulations, everyone!

the last week...

A story in pictures...

Thanks to Susie and the LCC website for many of the photos.

Last Friday, we had the traditional LCC barbeque... Here we are getting ready to light the coals (L-R: Bethany, Alisha and I).

Alisha, Josh and I played music while students we waiting in line for hot dogs

That same weekend, we had "Finals Coffee Nights" in both Neumann and Enns dorms. These are all the toppings and cookies ready for the Enns Coffee Night. Cocoa, syrups, sugar, cinnamon sugar and whipped cream!

On Tuesday I went out with my RAs for our last dinner at an Italian restaurant called "Nutty Snacks". Despite the weird name, it was really delicious.

Look at that MASSIVE plate of pasta!

Wednesday was our last Student Life gathering of the year.

We'll miss you, Susie, Elena and Mark!

On Thursday the RDs and Susie went out for dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. The logo is so weird, and I guess we are too!

And last but not least, some friends of mine organized a surprise party for me at a restaurant last night. My birthday is this week, so we had cake and played Dutch Blitz to celebrate, and of course laughed a lot! It was a birthday evening to remember!