new RAs

So, we've had a busy week of training and classes started today! This means a bit more relaxing schedule for me, and more time to plan events and spend with my RAs. Tonight we are having spicy peanut noodles and key lime popsicles for dinner after our team meeting. Here are some pictures to introduce them to you. Thanks to Josh, a fellow RD for the pictures.

Viktoriya, a fourth year business major from Ukraine

Dmitrii, a second year business major from Russia

Nastassia, a third year business major from Belarus

Kirill, a fourth year business major from Russia

(probably you recognize him from last year, too!)

Here is a picture of all the RAs and RDs for Neumann and Enns,

taken at the end of training week.

teaching

This past week I had the opportunity to teach English to a group of students that came to LCC for a week. There were students from Ukraine and Russia, and I was team-teaching a class along with one other teacher. During my part of the morning lessons, we played grammar and communication games and did some short essay writing. I enjoyed getting to know the students a little bit, even though they were here for only 5 days. One assignment they had was to make a 2-3 minute presentation about their hero. The presentations were on the last day, and I took a picture of a student during his presentation. You can't tell it from the picture, but he was one of the friendliest and most energetic students in the class! 

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!

RA Murder Mystery Party

As a "thank you" gift to our RAs from this year, we planned a 1920's murder mystery party for them, which turned out to be really fun! We bought a kit online, and planned out all the details, food, locations and outfits. The RDs and Susie even went to a costume shop in Klaipeda to rent costumes! I think everyone enjoyed the evening - talking to each other, trying to figure out who the murderer was (one of our own!), and eating delicious food. Here's a photo tour of the evening... thanks to Mark Gingerich for all the awesome photos!

First we went to Susie's place for appetizers and drinks...

We had a chance to talk to everyone and figure out their characters.

More socializing...

Oh no!!!! A murder has happened! Carrying away the dead body.

We transitioned to Josh and Alisha's apartment for pulled pork sandwiches, and tried to figure out who was the guilty person!

The inspector (Ira, who is in the middle of the picture) talks to everyone

and tries to figure out the true story.

The inspector presents the evidence...

Then we were all given clues, and the answers/weapon cards for another chance at murder were hidden in my apartment. Here they are searching my bathroom for cards!

cutting the chocolate cake with chocolate ganache - YUM!

We guessed the murderer, voted for best actor and best costume while eating cake.

afterwards... Susie and me

group picture

silly group picture

i just love this one! My character was "secretly" in love with Ira's character (a guy) which is why I'm giving such a look. and Toms - crazy!!!

the RDs and Susie - we will miss her next year!!!

all the guys

and gals...

and my favorite - me and my team!!!

RA pictures

A few weeks ago, my RAs and I went and did a small photo shoot with a student photographer - thank you Angelina!!! (She also did the photos of my RAs and I last year). We went out to the sea, and had a fun time choosing different poses and laughing together. Based on these pictures, I think you can see how crazy and weird we are!

can you find at least 10 differences between the two pictures?

oh, Kirill!

and again, silly guy!

trying to balance...

finally, we are all smiling nicely!

twilight series

twilight series #2 - this one makes me laugh out loud every time!