2008 - Highlights and then some

Friends,

This year has been full of blessings. A long holiday vacation has been one of the many. It has afforded me the time to ponder the moments of impact, good and bad decisions, and fun times of 2008. Here are just a few... Top 10 of 2008 in no particular order.

Mount Fuji, Japan: Visiting a new land was fascinating. Spending time with my brother and family was even better. The trek was a physical challenge...which I love. The weather was brutal. I already forget how high we climbed, what we ate, how we hurt. The only thing that really mattered was the entire day spent with my brother from 4:00 AM - 9:00 PM.


New England in the fall: A whole new appreciation for nature. A whole new appreciation for the USA. A whole new relationship with my parents....my travel buddies for the trip!

Life as a vegetarian: On July 13, 2008, I read Skinny Bitch. Nope, this isn't a joke. Due to both health and environmental concerns, I gave up meat. It is actually rather easy. Mom and Dad didn't even notice the lifestyle shift during our 10 day vacation together.

UofI football games: The three UofI football games in and of themselves weren't really all that monumental. However, the company of Jeff Hoerr was quite special. Jeff and I hit it off on the trek to and from Champaign on Sept 6, and have been falling in love ever since.

Weeping Willow Cards: Bored on Saturday mornings during the summer in Peoria? Head to downtown Peoria to find me at the Farmer's Market selling greeting cards. Profits are low, business is slow, and repeat customers are few and far between. The people at the market are friendly, sharing a craft with others is fun, and you get the freshest produce early in the morning. I give the proceeds from the cards to one of five causes: -Sharing of the Gospel to all - Care and nurture for children - Provisions for those in hunger - Science education for women - Preservation of the earth Approx. $40 bucks in donations this year...gotta start somewhere! Special thanks to my sister and Crystal for the support early on with the card business!

Economic downturn in the 4th qtr: I don't have profound explanations on the global economy and what will cure the current recession we are facing. I do know that I have grown in many positive ways as I have considered my own spending and lifestyle over the past months. Couldn't we and shouldn't we all get by with just a little bit less? Well, lets be honest, a lot less!

The B - I - B - L - E: I have started reading my Bible daily, with the encouragement and support of the previously mentioned boyfriend. Hmmm...pretty amazing what you will find inside the text when you read it with consistency and an open heart.

H2O: I know, I know, seems silly to mention water as a significant event in 2008. But, I started drinking more this year. I am never without a water bottle and often turn down soda in preference for water. Save money, feel better, simple. Confession: I still take in quite a bit of coffee on a daily basis too!

Maid of Honor: July 19, 2008. What a day! I had the honor of standing next to my best friend, Jennifer Mellon, as she married Jason Keffeler. I laughed, I cried, I danced all night long. It was an honor to stand in support of the woman who encourages me on a daily basis.

Friday night fun: Every Friday night I host a Bible study at my house. Not exactly the happy hour most fun single girls opt for these days. It is great fun and fantastic spiritual feeding after a week at work. Many kudos to my two roommates who often help me pull together the event each week.

Photo of the Week - Christmas, 2008

Friends,

I am just back from celebrating Christmas in Bluffton with my family. It was a white knuckle drive across the state last Tuesday, but the weather has turned much brighter and is actually sunny. I'm off this week and am taking the time to clean my house, reflect on the year past and anticipate the year ahead. Stay tuned for the 2008 Summary posting on New Year's Day.

You can see some of the holiday gift giving fun in the photos. Jill and I got pajamas from John's family. And Jeff came to celebrate Christmas in Bluffton too arriving on Christmas Day. Yes, I actually asked for the cookie sheet! No need to worry...he is a sensative fellow!

This year I gave many environmentally friendly gifts...recycling services, reusable grocery bags, energy efficient light bulbs. Luckily, my friends and family were good sports and received it all with a grin.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Jada

Photo of the Week - December 21, 2008

Friends,

Tomorrow at noon I officially start the Christmas vacation. While I am very very thankful for my work, the time away with family and friends will be a blessing.

This weekend was a ton of holiday fun. Friday night we had a fun gift exchange with my friends from church. This was the gift exchange with the 2nd hand store theme mentioned in last week's POTW. We sang the 12 days of Christmas, we stole gifts (in good fun, of course!), we laughed, we did balancing acts on the top of exercise balls...Yep, see the picture to prove it! All in all, it was a great evening, and I love my new ice cream maker.

More holiday photos to come soon!

Rejoice!

Jada

Photo of the Week - December 14, 2008

Friends,

This past weekend was filled with holiday prep...parties to celebrate the season and gift giving. Becki, my little sister, and I had fun at the Big Brothers Big Sisters holiday event. Decorated cookies, picture with santa...fun at any age. Jeff and I also went to a holiday party and had a great time enjoying the festive mood.

My shopping (although not anywhere near complete) went well. This week's photo isn't so much about what I bought, but the experience of finding a hidden treasure. My Friday night church group exchanges 2nd hand gifts. I headed out to two outlets of the Salvation Army to find 10 dollars worth of gifts. Sure, there was a ton of junk to sort through, but I was amazed by both the great buys I found and the fun I had along the way. I'm a huge fan of the 2nd hand experience. Great break from the somewhat overwhelming commercial glamour of Christmas at the mall.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Reduce, REUSE, Recycle!

Jada

Photo of the Week - December 7, 2008

Friends,

This past Saturday, I had a blast at a Girl Scout Badge Day. The event was facilitated by the Society of Women Engineers. We helped the 60+ girls get their "Making it Matter" badge. I helped at the Civil Engineering Station and instructed the girls to build a structure out of newspaper and tape. My oh my was I amazed at their creativity and logic. Not only did I have a great time, but I stoked my passion for science education for girls and women. It made me thankful for the opportunities I have had for easy access to education.

Go Metric!

Jada

Photo of th Week - Thanksgiving, 2008

e
(thăngks-gĭv'ĭng) - An act of giving thanks; an expression of gratitude, especially to God: a hymn of thanksgiving.

What an amazing weekend! I enjoyed the time with my sister (Mom and Dad are in Japan visiting my brother) and our extended family. Coming back to Peoria early made for a great end to the weekend. Yes, I could certainly sing a hymn or two of thanksgiving this week.

See the photo of my sister, Jill, and me with some friends on Saturday AM.

May our expressions of gratitude endure! Amen!

Jada

Photo of the Week - November 23, 2008

Friends,

This weekend was full of great experiences...Dinners with friends, Saturday afternoon at home with nowhere to go, and a powerful Sunday full of meaningful ministry and worship. This week's picture is Jeff and me (all smiles) after a Thanksgiving Lunch at Church. We had a nice time today helping with the event and enjoying the company of the people. Jeff is the fellow I've been dating for awhile now...which helps to explain my trips to football games this fall.

After such a lovely weekend, my heart is already preparing for the Thanksgiving Holiday next week. May you feel the same sense of thanksgiving in the week ahead.

Jada

Photo of the Week - November 16, 2008

Friends,

"Girls just wanna have fun!", was the theme of the weekend! 7 women, 3 days, 2 shopping malls...too many laughes and bargains to even keep track of our priceless experience. What a great time we had laughing and shopping! These friends are so dear to me and I am blessed to have their support and love in my life. And their support with picking out black heels is also quite valuable!

Here we are this weekend out for lunch...thanks for taking the picture Jill!

I love you Shannon, Beth, Amy, Steph, Terra, and Jill.

Jada

Photo of the Week - November 9, 2008

Friends,

I have just returned from a Society of Women Engineering (SWE) National Conference in Baltimore. What a fun and inspiring trip. Nearly 6,000 women engineers and students full of energy and ready to problem solve. It was a great experience to go with old friends and meet new ones too. This week's picture shows me with other young women in the engineering profession with the president of the SWE organization. We received a recognition for young leaders in the various fields of engineering. Many times this weekend I thought back to the days of thermodynamics, finite element analysis, and senior design. Eleven years later, and it all seems worth it! I'm thankful for the chances I have had in life for education and employment.

Enjoy the week ahead.

Jada

Photo of the Week - Halloween Edition, 2008

Trick or Treat and Happy Halloween,

This Weekend has been full of fun and adventure and has left me quite giddy. This weeks photo shows just a glimpse of my joy. I'm holding my favorite trick or treater, the Lion King. (aka Caden Lane).

Chocolate and kids in costume made for a excellent Friday night. On Saturday I went to a fun football game with U of Illinois vs. Iowa. After the Illini win, I then headed home to Bluffton for the night. Am back in Illinois ready for the week ahead.

Cheers,
Jada

Photo of the Week - October 26, 2008

Friends,

Is there anything more peaceful than holding a newborn as they are sleeping? Is there anything so cute playing with a little girl in her Cinderella costume? I'm a fortunate gal who had the pleasure of both on Saturday afternoon when visiting new born Aiden and big sister Ella. These little ones mother is my friend, Trish.

Enjoy,
Jada

Photo of the Week - October 19, 2008

Friends,

This weekend was simply fantastic. It was time spent with friends enjoying the fall season. Some friends from church came over on Friday night to make caramel apples, drink apple cider, and eat pumpkin pie. It was especially sweet food and even sweeter company.

On Saturday, I had a date that took me to University of Illinois for a football game against Indiana University. I had the chance to tour the campus and see friends from work at a tailgate before the Fighting Illini beat the Hoosiers 55 - 13. I wore orange (despite being a proud Indiana native) for the game. This week's photo shows me on campus during the tour as I stood in front of the Alma Mater.

Enjoy the sweetness of the season.

Jada

Photo of the Week - October 12, 2008

Friends,

I've returned from the vacation in New England. WOW...what beauty, what fun, what great parents. The photos speak much more than I could ever compose. Enjoy!

"Rise free from care before dawn, and seek adventures." - Henry David Thoreau This quote was found on a display in the White Mountain National Forest. So true! Enjoy the mercies found each new day!

Jada

Photo of the Week - October 5, 2008

Friends,

I am fully embracing my love of travel and family this week. Mom, Dad, and I flew into Boston on Friday afternoon for a 9 day excursion through Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. We are quite the friendly leaf peepers touring around in our rental car and greeting the locals and tourists alike along the way. The beauty of the landscape is almost overwhelming at times as we drive along the scenic coast and through highways lined with shades of red, yellow, and orange. We are enjoying the architecture, food, and color...and not to mention the wonderful people we have met. Here are just a few of the sites we have seen. The local 3rd grade boy with the lobster is one of our new friends. We ate dinner at Thurston's Lobster Pound (http://thurstonslobster.com/). This was Mom's dinner. May you enjoy the beauty of the season.

Cheers,
Jada


ps. Happy 13th B-day Meg! We are all proud of you and love you dearly!

Bonus photos - September 30, 2008

Friends,

Just got these photos in from my friends in Mexico. Yes, I was actually working last week and here are a few photos to show it. You can also see that I was having fun catching up with friends too! The picture of Sofia and me shows how we were practicing yoga to destress after a day of recruiting!

Jada

Photo of the Week - September 28, 2008

Hola Amigos!

This week work took me to Mexico for a few days. I represented Caterpillar at a career fair at Monterrey Tech. The quality of the students was quite astounding! The fun I had hanging out with the Caterpillar district office was quite impressive too. I had the chance to catch up with old friends from my previous days of working in our Latin American office. What a fabulous crew! Photos to come soon!

See the photo of my teammates at the Bowl for Kids sake supporting Big Brothers, Big Sisters. My "little sister" was at home getting ready for the homecoming dance...How exciting! Her brother and sister came with me for the fun at the fundraiser. Thanks to all who supported the event!

Have a great week and Viva Mexico!

Jada

Photo of the Week - September 21, 2008

Friends and Family,

It was a weekend of Compost Piles and Soccer Games. With a week of no travel, I was able to spend to spend time with friends and catch up on life. For a year I have been wanting to buy a compost pile bin and with a free Saturday I finally pulled the trigger. After a few phone calls it was off to Menards in a friend's truck and wallet in hand. I now have my own science experiment brewing in my back yard complete with grass clippings, banana peels, and various yard waste. Will it work? Stay tuned!

I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon when attending Becki's soccer game. My "little sister" is coaching her brother's team of 5th - 8th graders, and her leadership on the field with the kids was astounding. She offered 1 dose of encouragement, 1 dose of firm instruction, and 1 dose of fun. Yet again, I wonder who is learning more from this big sister / little sister relationship.

Have a blessed week.

Jada

Photo of the Week - Sept 14, 2008

"No more adventure sports, ever again...Ever!"

This was my proclamation to John as we were descending Mt. Fuji in the hail turned to rain. The physical challenge of the climb down Mt. Fuji wasn't soo bad, but I did find myself unable to maintain much joy in the cold and wet weather. Well, some lessons are harder to learn than others...this weekend, I finished the Chicago 1/2 marathon along side friend, Veronica. It rained the entire race, but we finished with smiles...until we crossed the finish line, stopped running, and cooled down. Our smiles quickly turned to shivers. Luckily, I'm warm now and almost forget the challenge of the cold. Perhaps it isn't all outdoor physical adventures I need to abstain from, but rather those occurring on rainy days!

It was a special weekend in Chicago. After returning from a week at Purdue, I was hesitant to head out of town again. But as I drove into the city on Saturday AM, I knew it was going to be a much enjoyed two days. We stayed with Veronica's brother and sister-in-law, Omar and Cindy. This lovely couple have a warm home and the gift of hospitality. It was great to be in the city and appreciate the architecture, the diversity of people, the restaurants, and yes, even the race! Enjoy the photo of us at a charming Italian restaurant on Saturday night.

Today amidst our shivers, Veronica reminded me of our good fortune to live lives in which our cold was only temporary. Many in the world live their lives suffering from inadequate shelter. Amen, my friend. We are blessed!

Cheers,
Jada

Photo of the Week - September 7, 2008

Friends and Family,

What a gorgeous weekend! Blue skies, temps in the 70's, September at its best! I had the chance to go to the Fighting Illini home opener on Saturday. The perfect game day weather and the great company made for a fun afternoon. I was amazed at the sea of Orange in U of Illinois stadium. The game, the band, the crazy fans....all made for a good time.

Big Ten mania is the theme for the weekend. Early Sunday morning I headed out of town on my way to Purdue for a week of recruiting for Caterpillar. Coming back to campus and meeting with students is the best part of my job and very rewarding...long hours, but worth every minute!

Enjoy the sunshine!

Jada

Hail Purdue!

Photo of the Week - August 31, 2008

Friends,

This week allowed for a sweet reunion for Becki (my little sister through Big Brothers, Big Sisters) and me. She spent the summer with her father and returned this month to start her 10th grade year at Washington High School.

On Saturday we went hiking at Forest Park in Peoria Heights. During the two hour trek, we not only saw five deer, but also discussed the importance of Spanish homework, and talked about boys. (I learned all about the Freshman boy on the bus!) Becki and I have been paired through Big Brothers, Big Sisters for over a year. We spend time together on the weekends and chat during the week. I'm finding myself a more capable as a role model each time we are together. You can see from the pictures that she always keeps me laughing...and no doubt she is a big impact on keeping me "hip."

This month I'll be participating in Bowl for Kids Sake, a fund raiser for the local Big Brother, Big Sisters. If you are able, please support my effort so that more kids like Becki can have a chance to be paired with a Big Brother or a Big Sister. You can contribute at the link attached. http://www.firstgiving.com/jadaphillabaum

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Have a blessed week.

Jada

Photo of the Week - August 24, 2008

Friends,

I returned safely from the trip to Japan and have finally recovered from jet lag. This weekend I traveled to the great Hoosier state. Both Saturday and Sunday were simply gorgeous days with bright blue skies, big fluffy clouds, and green fields lining highway 24 all the way from Peoria to Fort Wayne and back. It was the perfect weather for a drive across the states with plenty of time to just think and sing a few country ballads with the radio. Those that know my singing voice will be glad to know I traveled alone! I had a short but very sweet visit with Mom, Dad, and Jill.

On Saturday afternoon, friends Paul and Amanda were married. It was a joyous occasion and a day worthy of celebration. I don't know that I have ever seen Amanda look happier. Cheers to the couple!

Don't be afraid to sing out loud this week!

Jada

Photo of the Week - Special Edition - Week 2 Highlights

Photo of the Week - August 16, 2008

Friends and Family,

Today is bitter sweet as I prepare for my return trip to Peoria. I'm downloading the final pictures and chatting with Megan and Nathan as I pack my suitcase and gather up my souvenirs.

Yesterday we traveled by train to Hakone. It is a tourist resort in the mountains with natural hot springs. We visited a site that had the absolute most horrendous smell I have ever experienced...it was sulphuric steam of some sort. You can see the steam behind us in this week's photo. There were multiple warning signs that the gases were dangerous to your respiratory system, but we charged on anyway. The typical attraction was the eggs boiled in the natural hot springs. The water was so sulphuric that the eggs turned black. For five bucks the tourists (myself included) could eat these black oddities. Tasted just like a normal boiled egg. Once at home, we all laughed about the fun we had at the awful smelling mountain.

See you state side soon.

Jada

Photo of the Week - Special Edition: Week One Highlights