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!