The past few days have been a big blur, which was good, in some ways, as it gave me less time to actually think about what's been going on. It's been hectic and sad and happy, kind of all at once.
On Thursday I babysat for 15 hours (!!!), and two of those hours were spent with not only my usual two kids, but two others that live nearby. That's right, I spent two hours watching a 2, 3, 4, and 5-year old, and I did not go too crazy. Not any more crazy than I already was, anyway. It was easier with four kids, surprisingly, but it was a looooong day, and I didn't really get to crash once I got home... because then Aurora arrived at my house and I took her over to Chelsea's where she spent the night. The next day Aurora, Chelsea, her parents, and I went to the funeral. It was sad but Kelly sat and talked with us after the funeral and laughed and seemed to be doing okay, given everything. It was another long day, an emotionally draining one, but despite the reason for it, it was nice to see Aurora and it was so good that everyone could come together for Kelly and her family.
Then today and yesterday I was busy trying to finish Christmas shopping, wrapping presents, bringing gifts to people I won't see until after the New Year, getting together with people, etc. Last night was supposed to be Rachel's bachelorette party, but it was cancelled, and instead, Amanda and I went out on the town. We had a good time... there were laughs, and then some crazy people dressed up like Santa, Mrs. Claus, elves, and reindeer came into the bar... they handed out candy canes to everyone, and they said they did it every year, just for fun. We also got hit on by some older men, so woo-hoo.
Now I have to go pack and get ready to leave for Florida tomorrow. I'm excited to go someplace warm and sunny, and to recover from this past week. I'll be gone until Jan. 1 (2006!) so if I don't get a chance to write, I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!!
December 18, 2005
December 14, 2005
This week was promising to be a really good one, what with the new eye and getting back to work for a couple days, all before going to Florida for Christmas (and sunshine). Now I'm ending my week with a funeral. My friend Kelly's dad went into the hospital this past Saturday after having a stroke, and he passed away yesterday. I don't even know what to say or do. I'm so sad for her and her family. It feels weird to write about this in such a public way, but all I've really been able to think about today is Kelly and wonder how she's doing. I haven't been able to talk to her yet, but I spent a lot of time talking to other friends about it, and there's been a general outpouring of shock and sadness. We're all sad for our friend... and it's like we can't imagine losing our own dads and moms, but here's our friend, whose father is the same age as our own parents, and it just happened, so suddenly. I only met him a few times, but I liked Kelly's dad a lot. I can't imagine what she's going through.
December 11, 2005
The eye surgery went just fine. I'm alive, aren't I? That's the important part. And not blind any more. Though I am kind of blurry, still, but that will go away in a few days, hopefully. My vision was really good right after the whole thing; I walked out and could read the headlines on a newspaper in the waiting room. It's blurrier right now, which is sort of making me freak out a little... but I did get something in my eye while taking a shower earlier today, and it was very angry with me, and that might have something to do with it.
The whole surgery was sort of an odd experience. First, a nurse took my blood pressure and temperature, and then she gave me a nice little pre-op valium to relax me. And boy, did it ever. I was talking to Chelsea's mom after taking it (she took me to the surgery) and started to notice a strange, heavy feeling in all my appendages and eyelids and then realized that I was not at all worried about the whole surgery thing! It was kind of nice, in a this-is-a-drug-induced-state-
and-completely-unnatural-but-I'll-enjoy-it-just-the-same kind of way. Now I know why it was once such a popular drug. Everything that happened after the taking of the magic pill was kind of a blur.
They took me away and made me put on a surgical hat thing and lie down, where my whole being wanted to stay for eternity and take what promised to be a most wonderful nap, but instead my doctor stuck this instrument in my eye to make it stay open and taped the other one shut, completely cutting off the possibility of said nap. He then proceeded to make my eye completely numb. And squirted water in it that ran down my face and into my ear. I didn't really care though... again, with the valium.
Then I had to stare up at this blazing circle with a red light in the middle for sometime while the doctor and his nurses did more things to my eye, things including but not limited to: the peeling back of the topmost layer of my cornea, which I could see happening, because my eye was wide open. So, so fun. Then the circle with the red light emitted an even brighter, white light for about 30 seconds (therein lies the laser part), doc put my epithelium back in place (aforementioned topmost layer of cornea), put a soft contact lens on top of that, and I was free to go! Whee! Seriously. No pain or anything.
In the car on the way home, I could not keep my eyes open, thanks to the valium. Once I got home around 4 pm, I crawled into bed and took a long-awaited 3 and a half hour valium-induced nap, which everyone from the nurses to my doctor to the receptionist to my mom suggested and condoned. "Go home! Take a nap! You'll wake up feeling much better!" And I DID.
On that note, I need to go to sleep. I'm getting delirious.
The whole surgery was sort of an odd experience. First, a nurse took my blood pressure and temperature, and then she gave me a nice little pre-op valium to relax me. And boy, did it ever. I was talking to Chelsea's mom after taking it (she took me to the surgery) and started to notice a strange, heavy feeling in all my appendages and eyelids and then realized that I was not at all worried about the whole surgery thing! It was kind of nice, in a this-is-a-drug-induced-state-
and-completely-unnatural-but-I'll-enjoy-it-just-the-same kind of way. Now I know why it was once such a popular drug. Everything that happened after the taking of the magic pill was kind of a blur.
They took me away and made me put on a surgical hat thing and lie down, where my whole being wanted to stay for eternity and take what promised to be a most wonderful nap, but instead my doctor stuck this instrument in my eye to make it stay open and taped the other one shut, completely cutting off the possibility of said nap. He then proceeded to make my eye completely numb. And squirted water in it that ran down my face and into my ear. I didn't really care though... again, with the valium.
Then I had to stare up at this blazing circle with a red light in the middle for sometime while the doctor and his nurses did more things to my eye, things including but not limited to: the peeling back of the topmost layer of my cornea, which I could see happening, because my eye was wide open. So, so fun. Then the circle with the red light emitted an even brighter, white light for about 30 seconds (therein lies the laser part), doc put my epithelium back in place (aforementioned topmost layer of cornea), put a soft contact lens on top of that, and I was free to go! Whee! Seriously. No pain or anything.
In the car on the way home, I could not keep my eyes open, thanks to the valium. Once I got home around 4 pm, I crawled into bed and took a long-awaited 3 and a half hour valium-induced nap, which everyone from the nurses to my doctor to the receptionist to my mom suggested and condoned. "Go home! Take a nap! You'll wake up feeling much better!" And I DID.
On that note, I need to go to sleep. I'm getting delirious.
November 30, 2005
Where'd you get those peepers?
I was in second grade when I first got glasses. My mom was at parent-teacher conferences and my teacher told her that I was having a hard time seeing the board. I was sitting out in the hall, waiting for my mom, and they called me in. Mrs. Savage, who I loved despite the intimidating name, had written something on the board for me to read. She had me sit at a table in the back of the classroom and asked me to read it. I remember sitting there, squinting, thinking about how that wasn't where I normally sat and that the writing on the board was a big messy blur. Mrs. Savage asked gently if I could tell her any part of what was written. I don't know if I made something up or if I just said no, but it was clear. The time had come.
I was pretty miserable about getting glasses. I thought everyone was going to call me four-eyes (which some people did) and that people would stop being my friends (which they did not). But with glasses, I stopped squinting and stopped getting headaches, and after a while I must have gotten used to them. It wasn't until 11th grade that I started wearing contacts. Without any form of corrective lenses, I am legally blind - I have been since late elementary school. Without glasses or contacts, I would not be able to drive a car, or recognize friends even at a distance of a few feet, or read without holding the book inches from my face. Incidentally, my vision is better than 20/20 those few inches in front of my face.
Well, a week from today I'm going to have eye surgery to fix all that - LASEK wavefront to correct my vision, hopefully to near as perfect as it can get. On the 7th, my right eye will be corrected and my left eye'll have to wait until mid-January to get fixed. I know having terrible vision is nothing life-threatening, and I really could go the rest of my life wearing contacts and/or glasses and be okay with that. Indeed, I may need glasses again eventually anyway or another corrective surgery, but hopefully way later in life. But to just wake up one morning and be able to see? It kind of seems too good to be true. I'm pretty excited about it, with only the slightest bit of apprehension. I mean, my cornea is going to be sliced open and then a laser is going to go in there, right? That's a little scary, and then of course, there's the 1% chance that my vision won't be any better, but hey, let's not think about that. Anyway, eye surgery! Next week!
On a sidenote, I can't believe tomorrow is the first of December. That's kind of crazy to me. Where has the time gone? What have I been doing that I hardly noticed that November was rapidly coming to an end?
I was pretty miserable about getting glasses. I thought everyone was going to call me four-eyes (which some people did) and that people would stop being my friends (which they did not). But with glasses, I stopped squinting and stopped getting headaches, and after a while I must have gotten used to them. It wasn't until 11th grade that I started wearing contacts. Without any form of corrective lenses, I am legally blind - I have been since late elementary school. Without glasses or contacts, I would not be able to drive a car, or recognize friends even at a distance of a few feet, or read without holding the book inches from my face. Incidentally, my vision is better than 20/20 those few inches in front of my face.
Well, a week from today I'm going to have eye surgery to fix all that - LASEK wavefront to correct my vision, hopefully to near as perfect as it can get. On the 7th, my right eye will be corrected and my left eye'll have to wait until mid-January to get fixed. I know having terrible vision is nothing life-threatening, and I really could go the rest of my life wearing contacts and/or glasses and be okay with that. Indeed, I may need glasses again eventually anyway or another corrective surgery, but hopefully way later in life. But to just wake up one morning and be able to see? It kind of seems too good to be true. I'm pretty excited about it, with only the slightest bit of apprehension. I mean, my cornea is going to be sliced open and then a laser is going to go in there, right? That's a little scary, and then of course, there's the 1% chance that my vision won't be any better, but hey, let's not think about that. Anyway, eye surgery! Next week!
On a sidenote, I can't believe tomorrow is the first of December. That's kind of crazy to me. Where has the time gone? What have I been doing that I hardly noticed that November was rapidly coming to an end?
November 15, 2005
The past week and a half or so has been really busy. I've been babysitting a lot more and then was sick for all of last week, first with some weird "mystery" illness (hot/cold spells, fever, exhaustion... but strangely, not the flu? anyone have any ideas what it might be?) and then with a cold. Also, my grandma arrived on Saturday so we were all in a tizzy trying to get the house clean and ready for that. Grandma is sleeping in my room so she doesn't have to go up and down the stairs to the basement all the time - so I'm sleeping in the scary basement bedroom, right next to the furnace that roars on several times a night! It's fun.
We were also busy getting the house "mom-proofed," as I like to call it. My mom had hip replacement surgery yesterday morning (hence the grandma being here to help take care of her). It was a little bit scary even though there wasn't a huge risk factor involved, not like open heart surgery or anything, and my mom is relatively young for a hip replacement patient. But even so, if you know nothing about the procedure, the incision they make at the hip, well... it's like they practically cut your whole leg off. I tried really hard not to think about that happening to my mom when I was sitting in a waiting room in the hospital all day yesterday. Bleck. Anyway, my mom is doing great - she's on morphine, ain't nothing wrong when you're on morphine - and she's going to be in the hospital for a few more days. Then she's coming home!
Also,the job I interviewed for, oh so long ago.. it was a bilingual administrative assistant position with a law firm downtown. And I did not get the job, but I was only a little disappointed. The prospect of having a job was more exciting to me than the job itself, so it was probably for the best. Anywho, my grandma and I are off to visit my mom now!
We were also busy getting the house "mom-proofed," as I like to call it. My mom had hip replacement surgery yesterday morning (hence the grandma being here to help take care of her). It was a little bit scary even though there wasn't a huge risk factor involved, not like open heart surgery or anything, and my mom is relatively young for a hip replacement patient. But even so, if you know nothing about the procedure, the incision they make at the hip, well... it's like they practically cut your whole leg off. I tried really hard not to think about that happening to my mom when I was sitting in a waiting room in the hospital all day yesterday. Bleck. Anyway, my mom is doing great - she's on morphine, ain't nothing wrong when you're on morphine - and she's going to be in the hospital for a few more days. Then she's coming home!
Also,the job I interviewed for, oh so long ago.. it was a bilingual administrative assistant position with a law firm downtown. And I did not get the job, but I was only a little disappointed. The prospect of having a job was more exciting to me than the job itself, so it was probably for the best. Anywho, my grandma and I are off to visit my mom now!
October 31, 2005
Happy Halloween!
I carved pumpkins today and now I'm toasting the seeds, and I really, REALLY want to go trick-or-treating. It's not just for the candy, people! If it were just the candy, I could go down the road to the grocery store and buy pounds and pounds of it, Snickers and Reese's and Blow Pops, etc. But all the candy in the world could never quite recreate the magic, the experience of trick-or-treating: pretending to be someone else, stumbling around in dried-up leaves, on darkened streets that seemed so ordinary during the day, clutching a pillowcase full of sugar, guided by luminous pumpkins, protected from the other goblins roaming the streets by only your mom or dad holding a flashlight.
In lieu of that, I went on a walk around my neighborhood (with Buddy) to see some of the jack o' lanterns and decorations. Neighbors out trick-or-treating with their kids probably thought I was a pedophile. But I don't care - Halloween is my favorite howl-iday!
Cheesy Halloween humor aside, I hope you boys and ghouls have a Happy Halloween!!
October 26, 2005
mum's the word
For pretty much the first time in my entire life, I have completely lost my voice. Oh, I've had assorted frogs in the throat and sometimes had a little bit of a husky, cigarette-fueled scratchy voice-thing going (despite that I've never smoked). But never really had my voice disappear entirely, retreating somewhere into the upper reaches of my vocal box, berating me with an occasional squeaky emergence. I think it has something to do with babysitting for nearly 12 hours today, which was fun, except yeah... a 3-year old who just didn't want to listen to anything I said today? Imagine all the sentences beginning with "No!..." that came out of my mouth today between the hours of 6:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
And just a few minutes ago, Dobey started barking his head off randomly, for no apparent reason, other than he likes to annoy the crap out of everyone in the house. (Not even kidding, this happens several times a week - the unceasing, completely unprovoked and unwarranted barking!! Why, Dobey? Why do you hate us so?!?) He had food, went out 10 minutes previous to the onset of the barking, is warm and safe, got a good tummy rub earlier this evening. What more could a dog want? No, he had to start barking and would not stop, so I let him outside again, where he was fine for about 2 minutes, until he started barking AGAIN. Which, you know, normally wouldn't be a problem, him barking OUTSIDE as opposed to ten feet away INSIDE, except it's nighttime and the neighbors probably want to shoot him as much as we do when he does that outside at 10 at night. So I went to the door, and he seemed like he wanted to come in, and I opened the door and he ran away and kept barking! Then I told him that that kind of assholery is not okay in the backyard, and that, my friends, really used up the last of my voice.
Which wouldn't be a problem, either, except I have to be back up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow, for another 12-hour babysitting stint! No voice and an obstinate 3-year old? Sounds like a party! I can't wait 'til tomorrow is over.
P.S. Thank God I have a job interview (yes, a real honest-to-God job interview) on Friday!
And just a few minutes ago, Dobey started barking his head off randomly, for no apparent reason, other than he likes to annoy the crap out of everyone in the house. (Not even kidding, this happens several times a week - the unceasing, completely unprovoked and unwarranted barking!! Why, Dobey? Why do you hate us so?!?) He had food, went out 10 minutes previous to the onset of the barking, is warm and safe, got a good tummy rub earlier this evening. What more could a dog want? No, he had to start barking and would not stop, so I let him outside again, where he was fine for about 2 minutes, until he started barking AGAIN. Which, you know, normally wouldn't be a problem, him barking OUTSIDE as opposed to ten feet away INSIDE, except it's nighttime and the neighbors probably want to shoot him as much as we do when he does that outside at 10 at night. So I went to the door, and he seemed like he wanted to come in, and I opened the door and he ran away and kept barking! Then I told him that that kind of assholery is not okay in the backyard, and that, my friends, really used up the last of my voice.
Which wouldn't be a problem, either, except I have to be back up at the crack of dawn again tomorrow, for another 12-hour babysitting stint! No voice and an obstinate 3-year old? Sounds like a party! I can't wait 'til tomorrow is over.
P.S. Thank God I have a job interview (yes, a real honest-to-God job interview) on Friday!
October 12, 2005
The Big 2... oh
In honor of my blog's 2nd anniversary, a meme about blogging.
From DM's blog.
1. Do you try to look hot when you go to the grocery store just in case someone recognizes you from your blog?
Hahaa. I’ll go to the grocery store looking however I want. Besides, I doubt my fellow shoppers or the person stocking the shelves is going to be like, “Hey, I love your blog!” If they did recognize me, it’d be more like, “Hey, you write that blog. Get a job, ya hippy!” Or maybe “You’re a lot shorter than I thought.”
2. Are the photos you post Photoshopped or otherwise altered?
No. It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me, I guess. Most of the people who read my blog see me in real life, anyway, so they would just laugh if I majorly altered my photos.
3. Do you like it when creeps or dorks email you?
Um. No? Creeps, no, certainly. Dorks, well, I am kind of a dork, so I guess it just depends on what they want. But neither creeps nor dorks have e-mailed me.
4. Do you lie in your blog?
No, not really, despite the “mostly true” thing. Hey, there's the lie - they're not mostly true stories, they're completely true stories!
5. Are you passive-aggressive in your blog?
I don’t…think…so. What does that even mean? I don’t even know how one would be passive-aggressive in their blog, so I don’t think I am.
6. Do you ever threaten to quit writing so people will tell you not to stop?
No. Sometimes I think about stopping but then I think I’d miss it too much.
7. Are you in therapy? If not, should you be? If so, is it helping?
No. No. And no. Clearly I'm in denial, and should be in therapy for that.
8. Do you delete mean comments? Do you fake nice ones?
Not that many people leave comments on my blog. And I don’t think I’ve ever had a mean comment. Unless someone pretending to be God counts, which wasn’t mean, it was just confusing. Sneaky Voice of God.
9. What should a "good blog" have?
A voice. A little humor.
10. If your readers knew you in person, would they like you more or like you less?
The people who read my blog know me, for the most part, I think. I hope they like me more in real life than on the internets. Is there anyone out there reading who doesn’t know me? Please show yourselves!
11. Do you have a job?
Gah.
12. If someone offered you a decent salary to blog full-time without restrictions, would you do it?
Yes!
13. Which blogger do you want to meet in real life?
Erm, I don’t know. I guess I’m not that into the blogosphere. If I had to pick, I’d say finslippy or dooce.
14. Which bloggers have you made out with? (a)In real life? (b)In fantasy?
Ha, what? I don’t make out with anyone in real life, what are you talking about? But I totally fantasize about making out with Anne. And Amanda. And Aurora. Every blogger in my links, basically. That’s right, now it’s out there on the table and you all know my dirty little secret.
15. Do you usually act like you have more money or less money than you really have?
Yeah, I'm pretty out there in the open about my sad lack of money.
16. Does your family read your blog?
My sister-in-law does sometimes, I think. Hi Jennie!
17. How old is your blog?
Two years old today!
18. Do you get more than 1000 page views per day? Do you care?
I get excited if I get more than 20. And no, I don’t care.
19. Do you have another secret blog in which you write about being depressed, slutty, or a liar?
No, but maybe I should, for all the slutty things I do that I don’t want to talk about here.
20. Have you ever given another blogger money for his/her writing?
No, and I should since I do enjoy reading certain ones regularly.
21. Do you report the money you earn from your blog on your taxes?
No. And not just because I don’t make any from my blog. Because… oh, I don’t know. Never mind.
22. Is blogging narcissistic?
Yeah, probably, but who cares? It’s fun, it’s not hurting anyone (usually), and it’s a good way for people to keep in touch in a creative medium.
23. Do you feel guilty when you don't post for a long time?
Sometimes, even though that’s kind of unproductive.
24. Do you like John Mayer?
Yes. Why is this question in here?
25. Do you have enemies?
Probably, but none that have come forward recently. Hope no one out there is stewing over something I've done and not challenging me to fisticuffs.
26. Are you lonely?
No. Sometimes a little lonely, romantically. But no.
27. Why bother?
Because it’s so easy to bother!
From DM's blog.
1. Do you try to look hot when you go to the grocery store just in case someone recognizes you from your blog?
Hahaa. I’ll go to the grocery store looking however I want. Besides, I doubt my fellow shoppers or the person stocking the shelves is going to be like, “Hey, I love your blog!” If they did recognize me, it’d be more like, “Hey, you write that blog. Get a job, ya hippy!” Or maybe “You’re a lot shorter than I thought.”
2. Are the photos you post Photoshopped or otherwise altered?
No. It doesn’t seem like that big of a deal to me, I guess. Most of the people who read my blog see me in real life, anyway, so they would just laugh if I majorly altered my photos.
3. Do you like it when creeps or dorks email you?
Um. No? Creeps, no, certainly. Dorks, well, I am kind of a dork, so I guess it just depends on what they want. But neither creeps nor dorks have e-mailed me.
4. Do you lie in your blog?
No, not really, despite the “mostly true” thing. Hey, there's the lie - they're not mostly true stories, they're completely true stories!
5. Are you passive-aggressive in your blog?
I don’t…think…so. What does that even mean? I don’t even know how one would be passive-aggressive in their blog, so I don’t think I am.
6. Do you ever threaten to quit writing so people will tell you not to stop?
No. Sometimes I think about stopping but then I think I’d miss it too much.
7. Are you in therapy? If not, should you be? If so, is it helping?
No. No. And no. Clearly I'm in denial, and should be in therapy for that.
8. Do you delete mean comments? Do you fake nice ones?
Not that many people leave comments on my blog. And I don’t think I’ve ever had a mean comment. Unless someone pretending to be God counts, which wasn’t mean, it was just confusing. Sneaky Voice of God.
9. What should a "good blog" have?
A voice. A little humor.
10. If your readers knew you in person, would they like you more or like you less?
The people who read my blog know me, for the most part, I think. I hope they like me more in real life than on the internets. Is there anyone out there reading who doesn’t know me? Please show yourselves!
11. Do you have a job?
Gah.
12. If someone offered you a decent salary to blog full-time without restrictions, would you do it?
Yes!
13. Which blogger do you want to meet in real life?
Erm, I don’t know. I guess I’m not that into the blogosphere. If I had to pick, I’d say finslippy or dooce.
14. Which bloggers have you made out with? (a)In real life? (b)In fantasy?
Ha, what? I don’t make out with anyone in real life, what are you talking about? But I totally fantasize about making out with Anne. And Amanda. And Aurora. Every blogger in my links, basically. That’s right, now it’s out there on the table and you all know my dirty little secret.
15. Do you usually act like you have more money or less money than you really have?
Yeah, I'm pretty out there in the open about my sad lack of money.
16. Does your family read your blog?
My sister-in-law does sometimes, I think. Hi Jennie!
17. How old is your blog?
Two years old today!
18. Do you get more than 1000 page views per day? Do you care?
I get excited if I get more than 20. And no, I don’t care.
19. Do you have another secret blog in which you write about being depressed, slutty, or a liar?
No, but maybe I should, for all the slutty things I do that I don’t want to talk about here.
20. Have you ever given another blogger money for his/her writing?
No, and I should since I do enjoy reading certain ones regularly.
21. Do you report the money you earn from your blog on your taxes?
No. And not just because I don’t make any from my blog. Because… oh, I don’t know. Never mind.
22. Is blogging narcissistic?
Yeah, probably, but who cares? It’s fun, it’s not hurting anyone (usually), and it’s a good way for people to keep in touch in a creative medium.
23. Do you feel guilty when you don't post for a long time?
Sometimes, even though that’s kind of unproductive.
24. Do you like John Mayer?
Yes. Why is this question in here?
25. Do you have enemies?
Probably, but none that have come forward recently. Hope no one out there is stewing over something I've done and not challenging me to fisticuffs.
26. Are you lonely?
No. Sometimes a little lonely, romantically. But no.
27. Why bother?
Because it’s so easy to bother!
October 09, 2005
So lately, my time, it has been all about the babysitting. I've been babysitting a few days every week for two different families who live right down the street from each other in Plymouth, very nice families with very nice kids (excepting the occasional tantrums).
On Thursday I took care of two kids for a mom who is a nurse and works 10-hour shifts four or five times a month. I had to be there at 6:45 am and left at 6:30 pm, which is kind of a crazy long time to babysit... though I realize that their mom spends longer periods with her children, when they're not at school and whatnot. Anyway, despite the early start and the long day, it was really pretty fun. The girl is 5 and goes to kindergarten in the morning, and I helped her get ready and walked her to the bus stop with her brother, who is 3. She goes to the same elementary school that I went to, and it kind of made me miss getting on the bus and heading off to school where I melted crayons on the radiator, ate snacks, and colored. And then I remembered that - oh yeah - I'm an adult now, which means I can tie my own shoes, stay up way past my bedtime, and eat ice cream any time I want! Forget elementary school, I can drive a car!
Anyway, after she went off to school, the rest of the day was devoted to playing some incarnation of a game where the little boy was an animal, be it Rudolph the Reindeer, the whale from Finding Nemo (why the whale and not Nemo or his dad, I don't know), or Spirit the horse. This kid cracks me up; he is just so goofy. First of all, when he says, "Yeah" it comes out sounding a lot like how Lil Jon says "yeah" in that Usher song - you know, something like "YAAAAY-YUH!" Preschoolers are pretty krunk these days, I guess. Second of all, he is always dressing up. And I mean, DRESSing up. They have a whole box of the Disney Princess costumes, which would belong ostensibly to his sister. However, he always wants to wear them, and as I see no problem with it and am rather tickled by this, I help him put them on over his clothes. Maybe he thinks we're going to a ball, I don't know, but it takes a man secure in his masculinity to wear a dress of tulle and shimmering brocade.
As much fun as it is hanging out with the five and under set, I'm still on the hunt for a job, which, you know, is great and all but oh, why can't I get a job? (Insert whiny rant here.) At least babysitting gives me something to do, and some money to pay the bills. And at least my parents love me and don't mind letting me leech off of them for a while, though I mind and feel kind of bad about it, like I'm a defective college grad because I can't get a job and am still living at home. If college were a factory, I'd be one of the products they'd have to recall, like a faulty toy that has the parts kids choke on. I'm a faulty toy. Sigh, sorry, I only spared you half of a whiny rant.
Maybe elementary school would be more fun than being an adult.
On Thursday I took care of two kids for a mom who is a nurse and works 10-hour shifts four or five times a month. I had to be there at 6:45 am and left at 6:30 pm, which is kind of a crazy long time to babysit... though I realize that their mom spends longer periods with her children, when they're not at school and whatnot. Anyway, despite the early start and the long day, it was really pretty fun. The girl is 5 and goes to kindergarten in the morning, and I helped her get ready and walked her to the bus stop with her brother, who is 3. She goes to the same elementary school that I went to, and it kind of made me miss getting on the bus and heading off to school where I melted crayons on the radiator, ate snacks, and colored. And then I remembered that - oh yeah - I'm an adult now, which means I can tie my own shoes, stay up way past my bedtime, and eat ice cream any time I want! Forget elementary school, I can drive a car!
Anyway, after she went off to school, the rest of the day was devoted to playing some incarnation of a game where the little boy was an animal, be it Rudolph the Reindeer, the whale from Finding Nemo (why the whale and not Nemo or his dad, I don't know), or Spirit the horse. This kid cracks me up; he is just so goofy. First of all, when he says, "Yeah" it comes out sounding a lot like how Lil Jon says "yeah" in that Usher song - you know, something like "YAAAAY-YUH!" Preschoolers are pretty krunk these days, I guess. Second of all, he is always dressing up. And I mean, DRESSing up. They have a whole box of the Disney Princess costumes, which would belong ostensibly to his sister. However, he always wants to wear them, and as I see no problem with it and am rather tickled by this, I help him put them on over his clothes. Maybe he thinks we're going to a ball, I don't know, but it takes a man secure in his masculinity to wear a dress of tulle and shimmering brocade.
As much fun as it is hanging out with the five and under set, I'm still on the hunt for a job, which, you know, is great and all but oh, why can't I get a job? (Insert whiny rant here.) At least babysitting gives me something to do, and some money to pay the bills. And at least my parents love me and don't mind letting me leech off of them for a while, though I mind and feel kind of bad about it, like I'm a defective college grad because I can't get a job and am still living at home. If college were a factory, I'd be one of the products they'd have to recall, like a faulty toy that has the parts kids choke on. I'm a faulty toy. Sigh, sorry, I only spared you half of a whiny rant.
Maybe elementary school would be more fun than being an adult.
October 04, 2005
camp shack redux
Whoa, okay, so I've been a little busy lately (yes, busy, despite having no job! Take that, unemployment!) and still have not written about the Camp Shack Experience 2005... though it would seem that everyone else has.
So what do I say about spending a night in a shack in the woods with a few of my nicest friends (and believe me, I have some of the nicest friends a girl could have!)? Well, since a picture is worth a thousand words and Amanda took some damn fine photos of the blessed event, I'm not going to say too much - I'm going to show you! And by "show you," I mean, I'm going to make you click on a whole bunch of links. For your own good, y'all are far too lazy, heh.
There was hot dog eating and the requisite stick making to cook the hot dogs - wherein Nicole made the dinner and dessert stick, with my knife, I might add. I think Amanda's dad was impressed that this city girl carries a knife on her keychain. Amanda and I also had a chubby bunny contest, which turned yucky (cause eating eight marshamallows at a time isn't yucky, noooo) when Amanda unknowingly ate the marshmallows I had just gagged into my hand. This was followed by the Kelly one-woman marshmallow eating show. Lovely Amanda fell down many, many times on the aborted trip to the salt lick, and Aurora looked hot and Chelsea's body looked hot while I looked deranged. Meanwhile, Angie opened her mouth. But really, everyone looked hot and had fun.
All in all, it was a great night, and not nearly long enough. Looking forward to next year's reconvening of Camp Shack, for a whole weekend, perhaps?
So what do I say about spending a night in a shack in the woods with a few of my nicest friends (and believe me, I have some of the nicest friends a girl could have!)? Well, since a picture is worth a thousand words and Amanda took some damn fine photos of the blessed event, I'm not going to say too much - I'm going to show you! And by "show you," I mean, I'm going to make you click on a whole bunch of links. For your own good, y'all are far too lazy, heh.
There was hot dog eating and the requisite stick making to cook the hot dogs - wherein Nicole made the dinner and dessert stick, with my knife, I might add. I think Amanda's dad was impressed that this city girl carries a knife on her keychain. Amanda and I also had a chubby bunny contest, which turned yucky (cause eating eight marshamallows at a time isn't yucky, noooo) when Amanda unknowingly ate the marshmallows I had just gagged into my hand. This was followed by the Kelly one-woman marshmallow eating show. Lovely Amanda fell down many, many times on the aborted trip to the salt lick, and Aurora looked hot and Chelsea's body looked hot while I looked deranged. Meanwhile, Angie opened her mouth. But really, everyone looked hot and had fun.
All in all, it was a great night, and not nearly long enough. Looking forward to next year's reconvening of Camp Shack, for a whole weekend, perhaps?
September 23, 2005
Camp Shack!
Another road trip is in my future for the weekend, though not another 12-hour drive to Arkansas, thank god. I'm headed up to Tower, Minnesota tomorrow morning. I'm going to a lovely little spot, hidden among the mighty pines and the stately poplars, who are now exchanging their summer foliage for something more festive for fall. I'm looking for the place with the firepit where too many hot dogs to count have sizzled over hot flames, and some have even perished tragically among the ashes. I'm looking for the porch where the shadows of campers past lose their footing and sometimes the contents of their stomachs, and the outhouse where some have feared to enter. I'm yearning for that good ol' shack, where there's an ancient army radio calling me to dance, a beer with my name on it, and my friends are all waiting. It's time for Camp Shack, and I cannot wait!
September 21, 2005
it's raining, it's pouring
The metro area just got spanked by a cranky mass of thunderstorms, winds up to 70 mph, and hail the size of golf balls, with some possible tornadoes lurking around for good measure.
I ran outside when the brunt of the storm was on us here in Wayzata (ha, yes, I'm pretty dumb), and was kind of afraid that the stop sign on the corner was going to be whipped right out of its spot and come flying toward me. Instead of going back inside and into the basement like any sane person would do, I got in my car so I could stay outside and watch it without having all the dust blown into my eyes. Not only did I see some green scary-looking clouds and insane amounts of debris in the air, I saw about 13 people flagrantly breaking the law by blowing through the stop sign right by my house! After that, I fled to the basement where I alternated between WCCO and CNN - which was actually covering the storm, to some extent. Of course it wasn't as big a deal as Hurricane Rita, understandably.
Last week's brief trip to Arkansas was pretty exhausting. My step-dad and I woke up at 5 on Thursday morning to drive down there, and once we arrived (around 7 pm), we moved furniture in and out of a U-Haul. We did the same the next day. All for these rental houses my parents have there. Then we got back in the car around 5 pm on Friday and headed back home.
Anyway, being in Arkansas was sort of like being in another world. Though we were in the northern part of the state, it was really pretty rural. Everyone had a drawl, everything was fried, stores and restaurants closed up around 7 (except the Wal-Mart Supercenter, of course), and everybody and their brother drove a truck, many of them with the Confederate flag slapped on the back. It's the South! It was a little weird being there; I kind of felt like people knew I was a foreigner, even without opening my mouth. That I was a - gasp - Yankee! Okay, I keed, it really wasn't bad, and the people I actually talked to in the brief time we were there were nothing but very friendly and welcoming. Even the woman who didn't even realize Minnesota was a state.
I ran outside when the brunt of the storm was on us here in Wayzata (ha, yes, I'm pretty dumb), and was kind of afraid that the stop sign on the corner was going to be whipped right out of its spot and come flying toward me. Instead of going back inside and into the basement like any sane person would do, I got in my car so I could stay outside and watch it without having all the dust blown into my eyes. Not only did I see some green scary-looking clouds and insane amounts of debris in the air, I saw about 13 people flagrantly breaking the law by blowing through the stop sign right by my house! After that, I fled to the basement where I alternated between WCCO and CNN - which was actually covering the storm, to some extent. Of course it wasn't as big a deal as Hurricane Rita, understandably.
Last week's brief trip to Arkansas was pretty exhausting. My step-dad and I woke up at 5 on Thursday morning to drive down there, and once we arrived (around 7 pm), we moved furniture in and out of a U-Haul. We did the same the next day. All for these rental houses my parents have there. Then we got back in the car around 5 pm on Friday and headed back home.
Anyway, being in Arkansas was sort of like being in another world. Though we were in the northern part of the state, it was really pretty rural. Everyone had a drawl, everything was fried, stores and restaurants closed up around 7 (except the Wal-Mart Supercenter, of course), and everybody and their brother drove a truck, many of them with the Confederate flag slapped on the back. It's the South! It was a little weird being there; I kind of felt like people knew I was a foreigner, even without opening my mouth. That I was a - gasp - Yankee! Okay, I keed, it really wasn't bad, and the people I actually talked to in the brief time we were there were nothing but very friendly and welcoming. Even the woman who didn't even realize Minnesota was a state.
September 14, 2005
road trip!
Um, so, I'm whisking off to exotic Arkansas tonight, for a day and night of fun, adventure, and furniture moving! It's going to be great.
When I get back, I'll tell stories galore of the wonders of Arkansas. And maybe a story about my 83-year old grandmother pushing a car. Or how I got a call from Barry White, from beyond the grave.
In the meantime, enjoy this photo of an authentic, historic sod house in Nebraska. Also, note on the left the scary fake Native American, riding a fake horse, hunting a rather small and sad fake buffalo. All next to a Shell gas station! Oh Nebraska.
When I get back, I'll tell stories galore of the wonders of Arkansas. And maybe a story about my 83-year old grandmother pushing a car. Or how I got a call from Barry White, from beyond the grave.
In the meantime, enjoy this photo of an authentic, historic sod house in Nebraska. Also, note on the left the scary fake Native American, riding a fake horse, hunting a rather small and sad fake buffalo. All next to a Shell gas station! Oh Nebraska.
September 11, 2005
Three things
First of all, I have Flickr now and I loooooove it. It's kind of addicting, for some reason. My feet get a little tingly when I think about it, but maybe they're just falling asleep. There's a link to my Flickr photos down there on the left, beneath all the other links. The photos aren't really that recent, but it's nice to share.
Second of all, we all know how painful it can be shelling out tons of moolah for the gas it takes to haul our lazy butts places. Well, Twin Cities Gas Prices and Minnesota Gas Prices list where to find the cheapest gas prices in the area, which might help ease that pain a little. The parent site is Gas Buddy and it looks like they list similar sites for each state (for those not residing in the Twin Cities or Minnesota).
Lastly, I had a headache all day yesterday and most of today. It felt like blacksmith elves set up shop in my head. And made horseshoes enough for an entire cavalry.
Second of all, we all know how painful it can be shelling out tons of moolah for the gas it takes to haul our lazy butts places. Well, Twin Cities Gas Prices and Minnesota Gas Prices list where to find the cheapest gas prices in the area, which might help ease that pain a little. The parent site is Gas Buddy and it looks like they list similar sites for each state (for those not residing in the Twin Cities or Minnesota).
Lastly, I had a headache all day yesterday and most of today. It felt like blacksmith elves set up shop in my head. And made horseshoes enough for an entire cavalry.
September 06, 2005
Be nice to me.
Today I went and gave blood to the Red Cross. Last time I donated was when I was 17 and the Bloodmobile came to visit my high school. Those were exciting times for me. 17 is the legal age when you can start donating in MN, and I was pretty excited that I was of LEGAL AGE to do anything, even if it was getting poked by needles and then filling a plastic bag with a pint of my own blood. Woo-hoo, what a wild child!
Today I was no less excited about giving blood than I was at 17. The Red Cross was sucking people dry at a church in Maple Grove, and my appointment was for 5:30. I was pretty eager and I got there around 5:15. Then sat there, with like 15 other people, all waiting to give blood. Waiting. Got pretty well acquainted with some real nice old ladies. Waited some more. Went to the bathroom. Had a snack. Waited. For two hours. Blood did not actually leave my body until 7:30. And then, after all that waiting, all it took was 6 minutes for them to get their pint from me. Vampires.
Sorry, that's not much of a post, but that was my day. Oh, I went to the State Fair on Sunday with my parents! I forgot about that. We saw my step-aunt's art, saw a really cool jazz band, stuffed ourselves (mm, roasted corn, pronto pup, cheese curds, brownie, milk, beer, and coffee... on a stick, natch), and saw Gary Puckett play! Awesome, Gary Puckett! Who is Gary Puckett, you might wonder as you scratch your head in bewilderment, much as I did when my parents practically yippee'd with delight when they found out he was playing the Fair Bandshell. I guess he's some old fogey rocker who had some hits back in the day, including:
Anyway, that was my Fair experience in a nutshell. Oh, and I got to push my mom around a lot. In a wheelchair, sillies - she has a very bad hip and is having hip replacement surgery in November.
Hope everyone had a nice first day of school.
Today I was no less excited about giving blood than I was at 17. The Red Cross was sucking people dry at a church in Maple Grove, and my appointment was for 5:30. I was pretty eager and I got there around 5:15. Then sat there, with like 15 other people, all waiting to give blood. Waiting. Got pretty well acquainted with some real nice old ladies. Waited some more. Went to the bathroom. Had a snack. Waited. For two hours. Blood did not actually leave my body until 7:30. And then, after all that waiting, all it took was 6 minutes for them to get their pint from me. Vampires.
Sorry, that's not much of a post, but that was my day. Oh, I went to the State Fair on Sunday with my parents! I forgot about that. We saw my step-aunt's art, saw a really cool jazz band, stuffed ourselves (mm, roasted corn, pronto pup, cheese curds, brownie, milk, beer, and coffee... on a stick, natch), and saw Gary Puckett play! Awesome, Gary Puckett! Who is Gary Puckett, you might wonder as you scratch your head in bewilderment, much as I did when my parents practically yippee'd with delight when they found out he was playing the Fair Bandshell. I guess he's some old fogey rocker who had some hits back in the day, including:
-"Young Girl" ("Young girl, get outta my mind! My love for you is way outta line, better run girl! You're much too young, girl!" This song = Dirty Old Man anthem. It's just so wrong, and yet, so much fun to sing.)
-"Woman, Woman" ("Woman, whoooooa, wooooman, have you got cheating on your mind?" but, you know, I always thought it was "Have you got Jeannie on your mind?" and that never made sense because either he was singing to a lesbian, which, why bother man? or else it was "Have you got GENIE on your mind?" and, assuming it's the Genie from Aladdin on her mind, the Genie will win every time!)
-These, and many, many other CLASSICS!
Anyway, that was my Fair experience in a nutshell. Oh, and I got to push my mom around a lot. In a wheelchair, sillies - she has a very bad hip and is having hip replacement surgery in November.
Hope everyone had a nice first day of school.
September 01, 2005
I can't even begin to wrap my head around the devastation that the City of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are facing -- the flooding, the sheer loss of lives. Now they face waterborne disease, looting, and chaos. The hundreds of thousands who have been displaced from their homes, seeking refuge as far as 400 miles to the north, in Memphis, TN - where will they go? Some of them have nothing to go home to. It's so, so sad:
Here's a link to the Network for Good, with numerous organizations working on disaster relief, in case you're looking for some way to help. My heart is with them.
"At least in San Francisco [after the earthquake and fire of 1906], people were able to begin rebuilding immediately, sometimes using the rubble left behind after the fire. In New Orleans, rebuilding can't begin until the levees are repaired; the water has been pumped out of the city; and sufficient electricity, communications and sewage disposal have been restored. This may take weeks or even months. Even then it is possible that some parts of this nearly 300-year-old, below-sea-level, at-risk city may never be rebuilt at all...." (from a Washington Post Editorial)
Here's a link to the Network for Good, with numerous organizations working on disaster relief, in case you're looking for some way to help. My heart is with them.
August 28, 2005
back to school
The past few days have been truly lovely - the kind of end of summer days with enough of a hint of autumn creeping into them that make part of me yearn to go back-to-school shopping and plan my class schedule. It seems that my body is getting ready for school, even though my brain knows that I'm not.
I can already sense my internal clock changing, somehow clearly delineating the line between the weekdays and the weekends. During the majority of the summer, unless I had a reason to pay attention to the date, all my days blended into one another, and it didn't matter if it were a Tuesday morning or a Saturday morning... it was just another morning. Now Sundays have become tainted again by the lurking presence of Monday, ugh. Even though I have nothing to do tomorrow, nowhere to be, I'm uneasily enjoying the peace of Sunday while simultaneously dreading Monday morning.
It's weird that the onset of autumn can trick me like this, but September has marked the beginning of school every year since I was 4. And September is right around the corner, both on the calendar and in the air. I won't be headed off to school this year, and I think I'm going to miss it.
I can already sense my internal clock changing, somehow clearly delineating the line between the weekdays and the weekends. During the majority of the summer, unless I had a reason to pay attention to the date, all my days blended into one another, and it didn't matter if it were a Tuesday morning or a Saturday morning... it was just another morning. Now Sundays have become tainted again by the lurking presence of Monday, ugh. Even though I have nothing to do tomorrow, nowhere to be, I'm uneasily enjoying the peace of Sunday while simultaneously dreading Monday morning.
It's weird that the onset of autumn can trick me like this, but September has marked the beginning of school every year since I was 4. And September is right around the corner, both on the calendar and in the air. I won't be headed off to school this year, and I think I'm going to miss it.
August 21, 2005
So, to recap...
The end of August has kind of picked up speed for me as it rushes toward September. This past week I've been busy(!), despite the ever-present specter of unemployment looming over me.
Over a week ago, I went to Anne's lake house with Chelsea, Kelly, and Anne, of course. It was quite possibly the best two days of my summer - relaxing, laughing, watching a meteor shower, swimming, and talking. Anne has a picture of Chelsea, Kelly and I on her blog; you can see it here. Last weekend, we all went to the Minnesota History Center, where we recorded Funkytown and got married, among other things, and to the Irish Fair, where we watched little Irish dancers, saw a sheepherding demonstration right in the middle of the crowd, and ate lots of lovely soda bread and other Irish-y fare. (Picture credit goes to Anne.)
During the week, I painted the Homans' garage some more with Kelly, and everyone celebrated her birthday on Wednesday with a trip to the Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale, some tremendous cupcakes, and some napping. Oh, and some more Irish food. On Friday night, Kelly and I went out on the town with Brian and some of his friends to see Citizen Cope at the Fine Line. It was a really good show, and we rode in a limo! Like we were rockstars or something.
Yesterday I attended a barbeque for Rachel and Chris's impending nuptials (in January). It was fun - Chris's folks sure know how to throw a good party. Today it's off to the stepgrandparent's lake house for the day, and next weekend, off to a bridal shower. And then soon, far too soon in my opinion, Annie leaves for Germany!
Over a week ago, I went to Anne's lake house with Chelsea, Kelly, and Anne, of course. It was quite possibly the best two days of my summer - relaxing, laughing, watching a meteor shower, swimming, and talking. Anne has a picture of Chelsea, Kelly and I on her blog; you can see it here. Last weekend, we all went to the Minnesota History Center, where we recorded Funkytown and got married, among other things, and to the Irish Fair, where we watched little Irish dancers, saw a sheepherding demonstration right in the middle of the crowd, and ate lots of lovely soda bread and other Irish-y fare. (Picture credit goes to Anne.)
During the week, I painted the Homans' garage some more with Kelly, and everyone celebrated her birthday on Wednesday with a trip to the Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale, some tremendous cupcakes, and some napping. Oh, and some more Irish food. On Friday night, Kelly and I went out on the town with Brian and some of his friends to see Citizen Cope at the Fine Line. It was a really good show, and we rode in a limo! Like we were rockstars or something.
Yesterday I attended a barbeque for Rachel and Chris's impending nuptials (in January). It was fun - Chris's folks sure know how to throw a good party. Today it's off to the stepgrandparent's lake house for the day, and next weekend, off to a bridal shower. And then soon, far too soon in my opinion, Annie leaves for Germany!
August 10, 2005
Howdy Do
Lately, I've found myself so very tired at the end of every "work" day and every evening I want to crawl into bed around 6 and not get up til the following morning. Right now is one of those tired moments. I feel glued to my bed or like there's an enormous weight pressing me down.
It may not be a real job I have, but man, it is exhausting. I've been doing landscaping/remodeling over at the Homan homestead these past couple weeks. Basically, I'm their mule, their workhorse, their plodding Clydesdale. While I certainly don't dislike the work, and sometimes even enjoy it a little bit, I can only wonder how someone who makes this type of work his or her career continues to do it for months and years at a time. Today I spent nearly four hours on a ladder, scraping the last vestiges of paint off the eaves of the garage, getting dust in my nose, eyes, and mouth, and can't even begin to imagine doing something like this for the rest of my life.
In other news, I still don't have a job, but in the past few weeks, I flew in a four passenger airplane over the western suburbs, went to Lake Tahoe with my parents and grandmother to visit my oldest brother and his family (including the cutest nephews in the world), had one job interview for a position I don't necessarily want, got stung by a bee on my eyebrow, saw the Twins play the Red Sox, saw JoDee Messina play at RibFest, and went inside the Basilica of St. Mary's for the first time ever.
It may not be a real job I have, but man, it is exhausting. I've been doing landscaping/remodeling over at the Homan homestead these past couple weeks. Basically, I'm their mule, their workhorse, their plodding Clydesdale. While I certainly don't dislike the work, and sometimes even enjoy it a little bit, I can only wonder how someone who makes this type of work his or her career continues to do it for months and years at a time. Today I spent nearly four hours on a ladder, scraping the last vestiges of paint off the eaves of the garage, getting dust in my nose, eyes, and mouth, and can't even begin to imagine doing something like this for the rest of my life.
In other news, I still don't have a job, but in the past few weeks, I flew in a four passenger airplane over the western suburbs, went to Lake Tahoe with my parents and grandmother to visit my oldest brother and his family (including the cutest nephews in the world), had one job interview for a position I don't necessarily want, got stung by a bee on my eyebrow, saw the Twins play the Red Sox, saw JoDee Messina play at RibFest, and went inside the Basilica of St. Mary's for the first time ever.
July 02, 2005
MIT Survey
Hey, blogging friends! Go make some science too.
I'm off to Anne's lake house on the morrow to celebrate the Fourth. Hope everyone has a great holiday!
June 30, 2005
Donating
Here's a list of the weird stuff I have been pulling out of my closets the last couple days in an attempt to get rid of exactly this kind of randomness.
Ah, the memories. Memories that I will now DESTROY FOREVER as I drop off this overabundance of randomness at the Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale. Unless anyone wants to take this stuff off my hands... the light-up globe? Pretty sure that's a high quality collector's item.
Happy Birthday, Amanda!
-590 piece, 3-D puzzle of the Tower Bridge of London
-Crayola clothes decorating kit: when I pulled it out, Kelly said I must have had a lot of fun with it back in the day, but given the fact that the bag of rhinestone "jewels" is unopened, and the fact that I don't recall ever having a collection of puffy painted clothes, apparently I never participated in the joys of t-shirt making, Crayola-style.
-Untouched "Artist Touch" Oil Paint by Numbers kit: the scene is a covered bridge over what I assume must be a bubbling stream, replete with paddling mallards. Ah, what pastoral loveliness I missed out on.
-Whole reams of wide-rule notebook paper.
-Chip/dip combo plastic tupperware container: why was this in my dirty laundry basket? Why?
-Large light-up globe: dating from the 1980s sometime; the northern part of Eurasia is labeled "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" and Germany is still divided. I kid you not.
Ah, the memories. Memories that I will now DESTROY FOREVER as I drop off this overabundance of randomness at the Wayzata Community Church Rummage Sale. Unless anyone wants to take this stuff off my hands... the light-up globe? Pretty sure that's a high quality collector's item.
Happy Birthday, Amanda!
June 28, 2005
P.S.
Sweet Yoses, Amanda, I'm sorry I keep having so many reasons to call you and get you all worked up thinking that I have a job. From now on, all communication between us will be conducted by carrier pigeon, and then I won't have to hear that disappointed sigh in your voice when I have to tell you for the eightieth time that, no, I do not have a job, nor will I ever.
Craziness subsiding
Wow, it was quite the weekend here in the Land of the Humidity that Will Never End, enough with the humidity already!
My dear friend Melissa, one of the seven Lonely Ladies, is now married! It's a little strange to think about, even though one of our number has been married for two years already. There were wedding things galore on Friday and Saturday, and as I was a bridesmaid, along with Chelsea and Katy, I took part in most of them.
The actual wedding day was possibly one of the longest days of my life - I was up at 6:30 a.m. and didn't get to bed til 1:30 a.m. But it was a fun day. Melissa was beautiful, the ceremony was beautiful, the flowers were beautiful. There was dinner and... DANCING! Anne is right, those Catholics sure do know how to party. Everybody shook their groove thangs for hours - grandparents, parents, kids, etc.
Unfortunately, Sunday morning I was violently ill and while a tremendous hangover would have been the obvious explanation after attending a wedding, I drank only one glass of champagne the night before... so I think it might have been a case of food poisoning. Felt a lot better by the later part of the afternoon, which was kind of irritating because I didn't go to Anne's lake house because of the ickiness. But it turned out okay, because I got to see Aurora when she was on her way out of town! She called me from McDonald's right down the street, and I met up with her and Kelly there.
And last night I went to the Twins' game... for free! With Kelly and Frank Li, who I graduated from high school with but haven't seen or talked to since, well, high school, practically. After the Twins beat the Royals, Frank, Kelly and I went to the Homan's, where we made Pina Coladas and chatted with Chelsea's parents. Good times.
My dear friend Melissa, one of the seven Lonely Ladies, is now married! It's a little strange to think about, even though one of our number has been married for two years already. There were wedding things galore on Friday and Saturday, and as I was a bridesmaid, along with Chelsea and Katy, I took part in most of them.
The actual wedding day was possibly one of the longest days of my life - I was up at 6:30 a.m. and didn't get to bed til 1:30 a.m. But it was a fun day. Melissa was beautiful, the ceremony was beautiful, the flowers were beautiful. There was dinner and... DANCING! Anne is right, those Catholics sure do know how to party. Everybody shook their groove thangs for hours - grandparents, parents, kids, etc.
Unfortunately, Sunday morning I was violently ill and while a tremendous hangover would have been the obvious explanation after attending a wedding, I drank only one glass of champagne the night before... so I think it might have been a case of food poisoning. Felt a lot better by the later part of the afternoon, which was kind of irritating because I didn't go to Anne's lake house because of the ickiness. But it turned out okay, because I got to see Aurora when she was on her way out of town! She called me from McDonald's right down the street, and I met up with her and Kelly there.
And last night I went to the Twins' game... for free! With Kelly and Frank Li, who I graduated from high school with but haven't seen or talked to since, well, high school, practically. After the Twins beat the Royals, Frank, Kelly and I went to the Homan's, where we made Pina Coladas and chatted with Chelsea's parents. Good times.
June 24, 2005
Perfect Duluth Day
Chelsea and I made a trip to Duluth yesterday, pretty much for the express purpose of disconnecting my Charter internet service. Why would I have to go all the way to Duluth to do that?*
I haven't been missing Duluth much since I moved back home. In fact, I was pretty excited to get away from it. I miss the people there, but not the city itself. A trip to Duluth solely to cancel internet service was not appealing. However, it's been freakishly hot here in the Cities that are Twin, at least, freakishly hot for the month of June. It's been up in the mid-80s, sometimes low 90s, which is like August weather here. I hate it. That's right. Hate it.
So, when we arrived in Duluth, and I stepped out of the car onto Superior Street, it was so magically wonderful, I almost started crying. It was probably in the low 80s, but down by the lake, there was none of that oppressively sodden humidity nonsense. It was dry. And cool. And there was a delightful breeze that tickled my senses! Magical.
Chelsea and I also had lunch with Brian, and then shopped a bit, and then met with Corey and his girlfriend Amanda for ice cream at the Portland Malt Shoppe. Though Amanda ranted a bit about how she hates people (watch for her on the news, I fear she may take out the Duluth P.D.), it didn't spoil what turned out to be a nearly perfect Duluth day.
I'm a bridesmaid in my friend Melissa's wedding tomorrow, so today it's off to set up for the reception, then to the rehearsal at the church, then to the dinner, and then possibly to hang out with Amanda and Angie! Oh, weddingness. And... Happy Birthday, Katy!
-----------------------------------
*Because Charter is dumb, okay? Apparently I could not disconnect over their customer service line, though I found that out after seven minutes on two separate customer service help lines, both of which had automated menus with an option of: "For Disconnection/Cancellation Services, Press 5." Turns out, the only way to disconnect was to go to their office in Duluth! For a process that took all of two minutes!
I haven't been missing Duluth much since I moved back home. In fact, I was pretty excited to get away from it. I miss the people there, but not the city itself. A trip to Duluth solely to cancel internet service was not appealing. However, it's been freakishly hot here in the Cities that are Twin, at least, freakishly hot for the month of June. It's been up in the mid-80s, sometimes low 90s, which is like August weather here. I hate it. That's right. Hate it.
So, when we arrived in Duluth, and I stepped out of the car onto Superior Street, it was so magically wonderful, I almost started crying. It was probably in the low 80s, but down by the lake, there was none of that oppressively sodden humidity nonsense. It was dry. And cool. And there was a delightful breeze that tickled my senses! Magical.
Chelsea and I also had lunch with Brian, and then shopped a bit, and then met with Corey and his girlfriend Amanda for ice cream at the Portland Malt Shoppe. Though Amanda ranted a bit about how she hates people (watch for her on the news, I fear she may take out the Duluth P.D.), it didn't spoil what turned out to be a nearly perfect Duluth day.
I'm a bridesmaid in my friend Melissa's wedding tomorrow, so today it's off to set up for the reception, then to the rehearsal at the church, then to the dinner, and then possibly to hang out with Amanda and Angie! Oh, weddingness. And... Happy Birthday, Katy!
-----------------------------------
*Because Charter is dumb, okay? Apparently I could not disconnect over their customer service line, though I found that out after seven minutes on two separate customer service help lines, both of which had automated menus with an option of: "For Disconnection/Cancellation Services, Press 5." Turns out, the only way to disconnect was to go to their office in Duluth! For a process that took all of two minutes!
June 22, 2005
"I. Am. Job."
I had my first-ever telephone interview today for an Internal Communications Intern at Amanda's sister Angie's place of employment. It was relatively painless, except for the part when I had verbal diarrhea FOR THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW. So it was probably on par with a happy trip to the dentist. It lasted 10 minutes, roughly, and I was asked four questions. Is that a normal length for a phone interview? Was that too few questions? They hate me, don't they. Maybe it was because I was drunk. I'll do better next time.
Actually, it was pretty much the first interview I've had all summer, not counting the "Facility Tour" I was scheduled to go on at UPS in Maple Grove. My mom, for whatever reason, thought I would make a good part-time package handler, so I applied. However, UPS requires handling of packages up to 70 LBS. on a regular basis. While package handling could have been fun and I think I could have proved myself a decent handler of packages of lesser size, I just don't think I'm capable of handling such enormous packages.
This is the longest period of unemployment for me since I graduated from high school. (Not counting when I went to Venezuela, I suppose, and that really doesn't count because A.) legally, I couldn't have a job there and B.) and this point is fully hitting me over the head only now - I was a millionaire there! Why didn't I roll around naked in a big pile of Bolivares?)
This time should be relaxing and nice and lovely and I should relish this not having of the jobs and the work to do, but it's kind of stressing me out. Looking for a job is practically a full-time job in itself, and on weekdays I feel like I can't go out and do the sort of relaxing summery things that my very soul is yearning for. Instead, I have to hide myself away inside from 9-5, writing cover letters and sending resumes and searching for jobs. If I'm going to slack off, I have to do it at my house, just in case a job falls out of the sky and I have to be there with my arms open, ready to wrestle it to the ground so it doesn't get away. And it kills me that I've been looking and applying and calling and writing. And... nothing.
Won't someone give me a job?
*Extra credit if anyone can tell me what movie the title of this post is from.
Actually, it was pretty much the first interview I've had all summer, not counting the "Facility Tour" I was scheduled to go on at UPS in Maple Grove. My mom, for whatever reason, thought I would make a good part-time package handler, so I applied. However, UPS requires handling of packages up to 70 LBS. on a regular basis. While package handling could have been fun and I think I could have proved myself a decent handler of packages of lesser size, I just don't think I'm capable of handling such enormous packages.
This is the longest period of unemployment for me since I graduated from high school. (Not counting when I went to Venezuela, I suppose, and that really doesn't count because A.) legally, I couldn't have a job there and B.) and this point is fully hitting me over the head only now - I was a millionaire there! Why didn't I roll around naked in a big pile of Bolivares?)
This time should be relaxing and nice and lovely and I should relish this not having of the jobs and the work to do, but it's kind of stressing me out. Looking for a job is practically a full-time job in itself, and on weekdays I feel like I can't go out and do the sort of relaxing summery things that my very soul is yearning for. Instead, I have to hide myself away inside from 9-5, writing cover letters and sending resumes and searching for jobs. If I'm going to slack off, I have to do it at my house, just in case a job falls out of the sky and I have to be there with my arms open, ready to wrestle it to the ground so it doesn't get away. And it kills me that I've been looking and applying and calling and writing. And... nothing.
Won't someone give me a job?
*Extra credit if anyone can tell me what movie the title of this post is from.
May 08, 2005
Happy Mother's Day
Oh my, this is so funny, I have to share it with the world. Enjoy, and treat your mothers right!
P.S. Maybe I'll return to real blogging someday.
P.S. Maybe I'll return to real blogging someday.
April 04, 2005
This is Kelly flaunting her enormous chicken trophy. This baby won her first prize in the Two Harbors Chicken Hunting Classic '05. How could she not win, with such a fine specimen of gallus domesticus? See how proud she is, and note the look of pure terror and numb shock captured for all time with the chicken's death mask. That Kelly is a menace to chickens the world over. Actually, that is a rooster, so I suppose Kelly is a menace to roosters the world over. Chickens, too, probably. 
March 16, 2005
Sheer craziness!
For those of you with nothing better to do, you should pretend to be a dictator/sitcom character and answer a bunch of questions and someone will guess who you're thinking of. Pretty neat, huh?
Notice how it's dictators and sitcom characters grouped together, like they're the same thing?
Notice how it's dictators and sitcom characters grouped together, like they're the same thing?
March 12, 2005
victory!
Last night, for my Intercultural Communication class, we went bowling at the Skyline Lanes. I was in a group with all guys and I think I caught some of their testosterone-y competitiveness. (Hmm, testosterone-y...the San Francisco treat!) Just decided that I wasn't going to let those macho men beat me because I whooped 'em all, and how, in the first game, with a 155! And, for the second time in my life, I got a turkey!
Then I did a little dance. Which was just gravy for my turkey.
Then I did a little dance. Which was just gravy for my turkey.
March 01, 2005
one-hundred things
I'm feeling far too lazy to be creative right now, so instead I'm going to follow the lead of gazillions of other bloggers. 100 things about me.
1. I am 22 years old.
2. Of course, I always get carded buying alcohol but I was carded for `curfew purposes' at a Perkin's when I was 19. Who gets carded for curfew?
3. I don't think I look any younger or older than I really am.
4. I am a full-time student.
5. I am also a student advisor, an overnight “babysitter” and a writing tutor.
6. But I think the student job is far more important.
7. I have three parents - Mom, step-dad (Mike), and Dad.
8. I think I'm pretty lucky to have three parents.
9. My brothers are pretty old, at least compared to me.
10. They are 36 and 29, respectively.
11. No, I was not an accident.
12. The 29-year old tortured me mercilessly when we were younger.
13. He did things like fart ON MY PILLOW and once locked me outside in the winter.
14. I wasn't wearing any shoes.
15. Despite the torture, he was my best friend for a long time.
16. Despite the physical distance between us, I still consider him a close friend.
17. Now I have many other close friends who don't torture me.
18. My friend Chelsea knows more about me than any other person on the planet.
19. Some people might find that scary but it's a nice thing, usually.
20. I know a lot about Chelsea, too.
21. Though sometimes I can be quite perky in the AM, I'm not really a morning person.
22. But I'm not much of a night person, either.
23. I'm more of late afternoon/evening person.
24. It sounds silly but my theory for why I'm an evening person is because I was born at 7:05 PM.
25. I like to make up theories on just about everything.
26. My birthday is February 1st.
27. I'm an Aquarius.
28. I like both dogs and cats.
29. But I'm really just a dog person.
30. I am not, however, a snake or spider person… especially not a spider person.
31. I was born in the year of the Dog (in the Chinese zodiac).
32. I have a thing for shoes.
33. And hats.
34. And clothes.
35. I like to shop.
36. But I don't like trying things on.
37. Not because I think I'm fat or anything.
38. Just because I hate taking off my clothes and then putting on other clothes only to have to take them off again and put my own clothes back on. There has GOT to be an easier way.
39. I wouldn't say that I'm lazy, though.
40. I love traveling.
41. Outside the U.S., I've been to Canada, Mexico, London, Paris, Italy, and Venezuela, where I lived for 3 ½ months.
42. I have been to 40 states and hope to make it to all 50 someday.
43. But at heart, I'm a Minnesota girl.
44. There are few things I like more than summer in Minnesota.
45. I am the only person in my family (immediate and extended) who was not born and/or did not grow up in Colorado.
46. My step-dad is a Minnesotan, born and raised. We may not share anything biologically but the Minnesota thing is pretty close.
47. Someday I would like to get married and have kids.
48. But currently I'm enjoying my singlehood and childlessness.
49. I'm willing to try anything once.
50. I love doing laundry - the smell, the warm clothes out of the dryer, even folding...
51. …which is funny, because I've had to do my own laundry since I was 10 because I never used to fold my clothes when my parents washed them and they got sick of seeing my clean clothes end up on the floor in a wrinkly pile.
52. I like beer but I never really used to.
53. My favorite non-alcoholic beverage is iced tea with a little lemonade mixed in.
54. I never used to like tea, either.
55. I love ice cream, especially in its chocolate incarnations.
56. I just love chocolate in general.
57. Though I wear contacts now, I started wearing glasses when I was in second grade and wore them, true nerd-style, until my junior year of high school.
58. If I had to pick, I'd say my favorite color is blue.
59. But I like purple a lot, too. And brown. And green. And pink. And all the other colors. Except maybe orange.
60. The Apartment is one of my all-time favorite movies.
61. I love to sing and I used to be pretty good at it.
62. I like to dance a lot but I know I look silly when I dance.
63. I don't mind looking silly.
64. I love foggy nights.
65. I like hammocks, especially the hammock at Anne's house.
66. I like singing in the car, especially with Chelsea or my mom.
67. I like flying and I like planes, but stranger than that is I like airports.
68. Sometimes I get worked up about things but mostly it's just for show.
69. It actually takes a lot to make me mad.
70. I think people get too easily worked up about things that just don't matter.
71. Like food, for instance. I think people take food and ordering in restaurants way too seriously.
72. I think my parents are some of the smartest people I know.
73. I beat my dad at Trivial Pursuit once and I don't think he has forgiven me.
74. But I have truckloads of useless knowledge with no outlet.
75. My fingers are long but I have small hands.
76. Both my parents have brown eyes and so do one of my brothers.
77. I would say I have blue eyes but some people think they're green.
78. Either way, it's a recessive gene - blue from my dad's dad, green from my mom's mom.
79. I try to listen.
80. But sometimes I talk way more than I listen.
81. My memory is very good, though.
82. But not perfect, I'm the first to admit.
83. Sometimes I'm really good at keeping things to myself, especially problems.
84. I don't try to do it; it just seems to happen.
85. I'm trying to be better about it.
86. When I was little bit younger I used to wish I were taller. But not so much anymore.
87. Gala apples are the best.
88. I'm addicted to the internet.
89. I'm trying to be better about that too.
90. Someday I would like to go sky diving.
91. I think it would be fun to be a jazz singer.
92. I forgive others way more easily than I forgive myself.
93. I’m a sucker for considerate boys with nice smiles and facial hair.
94. Unlike many young children, my incorrect pronunciation of “spaghetti” was not “pasghetti,” but “pageetee.”
95. I wish mechanical objects (cars and computers, specifically) could work the way they are supposed to work ALL THE TIME without ever needing repair or maintenance.
96. When in a big group, or with those I don’t know at all, I can be very quiet.
97. I like to observe before speaking.
98. I don’t quite know where my life is going yet… sometimes this scares me, but at the same time, it seems like a really big adventure.
99. My good friends and my family are my touchstones.
100. I think the best we can do in our lives is to love one another and be compassionate and forgiving.
1. I am 22 years old.
2. Of course, I always get carded buying alcohol but I was carded for `curfew purposes' at a Perkin's when I was 19. Who gets carded for curfew?
3. I don't think I look any younger or older than I really am.
4. I am a full-time student.
5. I am also a student advisor, an overnight “babysitter” and a writing tutor.
6. But I think the student job is far more important.
7. I have three parents - Mom, step-dad (Mike), and Dad.
8. I think I'm pretty lucky to have three parents.
9. My brothers are pretty old, at least compared to me.
10. They are 36 and 29, respectively.
11. No, I was not an accident.
12. The 29-year old tortured me mercilessly when we were younger.
13. He did things like fart ON MY PILLOW and once locked me outside in the winter.
14. I wasn't wearing any shoes.
15. Despite the torture, he was my best friend for a long time.
16. Despite the physical distance between us, I still consider him a close friend.
17. Now I have many other close friends who don't torture me.
18. My friend Chelsea knows more about me than any other person on the planet.
19. Some people might find that scary but it's a nice thing, usually.
20. I know a lot about Chelsea, too.
21. Though sometimes I can be quite perky in the AM, I'm not really a morning person.
22. But I'm not much of a night person, either.
23. I'm more of late afternoon/evening person.
24. It sounds silly but my theory for why I'm an evening person is because I was born at 7:05 PM.
25. I like to make up theories on just about everything.
26. My birthday is February 1st.
27. I'm an Aquarius.
28. I like both dogs and cats.
29. But I'm really just a dog person.
30. I am not, however, a snake or spider person… especially not a spider person.
31. I was born in the year of the Dog (in the Chinese zodiac).
32. I have a thing for shoes.
33. And hats.
34. And clothes.
35. I like to shop.
36. But I don't like trying things on.
37. Not because I think I'm fat or anything.
38. Just because I hate taking off my clothes and then putting on other clothes only to have to take them off again and put my own clothes back on. There has GOT to be an easier way.
39. I wouldn't say that I'm lazy, though.
40. I love traveling.
41. Outside the U.S., I've been to Canada, Mexico, London, Paris, Italy, and Venezuela, where I lived for 3 ½ months.
42. I have been to 40 states and hope to make it to all 50 someday.
43. But at heart, I'm a Minnesota girl.
44. There are few things I like more than summer in Minnesota.
45. I am the only person in my family (immediate and extended) who was not born and/or did not grow up in Colorado.
46. My step-dad is a Minnesotan, born and raised. We may not share anything biologically but the Minnesota thing is pretty close.
47. Someday I would like to get married and have kids.
48. But currently I'm enjoying my singlehood and childlessness.
49. I'm willing to try anything once.
50. I love doing laundry - the smell, the warm clothes out of the dryer, even folding...
51. …which is funny, because I've had to do my own laundry since I was 10 because I never used to fold my clothes when my parents washed them and they got sick of seeing my clean clothes end up on the floor in a wrinkly pile.
52. I like beer but I never really used to.
53. My favorite non-alcoholic beverage is iced tea with a little lemonade mixed in.
54. I never used to like tea, either.
55. I love ice cream, especially in its chocolate incarnations.
56. I just love chocolate in general.
57. Though I wear contacts now, I started wearing glasses when I was in second grade and wore them, true nerd-style, until my junior year of high school.
58. If I had to pick, I'd say my favorite color is blue.
59. But I like purple a lot, too. And brown. And green. And pink. And all the other colors. Except maybe orange.
60. The Apartment is one of my all-time favorite movies.
61. I love to sing and I used to be pretty good at it.
62. I like to dance a lot but I know I look silly when I dance.
63. I don't mind looking silly.
64. I love foggy nights.
65. I like hammocks, especially the hammock at Anne's house.
66. I like singing in the car, especially with Chelsea or my mom.
67. I like flying and I like planes, but stranger than that is I like airports.
68. Sometimes I get worked up about things but mostly it's just for show.
69. It actually takes a lot to make me mad.
70. I think people get too easily worked up about things that just don't matter.
71. Like food, for instance. I think people take food and ordering in restaurants way too seriously.
72. I think my parents are some of the smartest people I know.
73. I beat my dad at Trivial Pursuit once and I don't think he has forgiven me.
74. But I have truckloads of useless knowledge with no outlet.
75. My fingers are long but I have small hands.
76. Both my parents have brown eyes and so do one of my brothers.
77. I would say I have blue eyes but some people think they're green.
78. Either way, it's a recessive gene - blue from my dad's dad, green from my mom's mom.
79. I try to listen.
80. But sometimes I talk way more than I listen.
81. My memory is very good, though.
82. But not perfect, I'm the first to admit.
83. Sometimes I'm really good at keeping things to myself, especially problems.
84. I don't try to do it; it just seems to happen.
85. I'm trying to be better about it.
86. When I was little bit younger I used to wish I were taller. But not so much anymore.
87. Gala apples are the best.
88. I'm addicted to the internet.
89. I'm trying to be better about that too.
90. Someday I would like to go sky diving.
91. I think it would be fun to be a jazz singer.
92. I forgive others way more easily than I forgive myself.
93. I’m a sucker for considerate boys with nice smiles and facial hair.
94. Unlike many young children, my incorrect pronunciation of “spaghetti” was not “pasghetti,” but “pageetee.”
95. I wish mechanical objects (cars and computers, specifically) could work the way they are supposed to work ALL THE TIME without ever needing repair or maintenance.
96. When in a big group, or with those I don’t know at all, I can be very quiet.
97. I like to observe before speaking.
98. I don’t quite know where my life is going yet… sometimes this scares me, but at the same time, it seems like a really big adventure.
99. My good friends and my family are my touchstones.
100. I think the best we can do in our lives is to love one another and be compassionate and forgiving.
February 11, 2005
weather
Look at the 10-day forecast for Duluth, Minnesota. Now look at the 10-day forecast for Merida, Venezuela. Contrast and compare.
Now, remind me again why I came back here.
Now, remind me again why I came back here.
February 10, 2005
just a thought
I love it that so many people stumble across my blog while searching for "true dirty stories." Just imagine their disappointment.
February 07, 2005
Shhh...
I'll be back someday. Problem is, I don't have the internet at my house, which means that my days of wasting hours on the internet are over. Hopefully this problem will be fixed within a week. Because I need another means of escape from papers and projects, clearly. Also, some things 'round here have been going utterly wrong in completely unwarranted and unexpected ways. It's unfunny, I might add. Maybe I'll lighten up in a week or so. In the meantime, I haven't felt much like writing. So, maybe next month will see me returning to this blog.
January 06, 2005
Welcome to 2005!
Happy New Year! It's a little late, admittedly, but no one is perfect and if you didn't notice, my blog took a little hiatus. Well, I took a vacation from the blog. Don't give me that look. It's like I'm not supposed to have a life so I can write all the time, but I'll have you know I've been busy, like a little squirrel storing away nut after nut before hibernation.
Well, truth be told, I haven't been all that busy. The first three weeks or so I was home I was pretty busy, what with visiting friends in Duluth (a wonderful time), recovering from Ruben, the parasite (I finally had one and the symptoms started the very day I got back to MN!), Christmas shopping (I'm certainly glad the Hallowgivingmas season is over), and laundry-doing. And, oh, the laundry-doing! What with months of a washing machine with no spin cycle and wringing out the clothes and hanging them to dry in a backyard which resembled a grassy savannah with rotten avocados strewn about, the clothes were in sad shape. That was number one on my list of "First Things I'll Do When Home" list, alternately known as the "There Are Really Some Great Things About the U.S. because Apparently Latin Americans Just Don't Like Peanut Butter" list. I don't remember the other things on that list but I'm pretty sure I've done all of them. Definitely eaten enough peanut butter to kill a small cat.
Also, my parents are safe and sound. Whew, quite the cliffhanger, I know. Their plane was diverted, after being delayed several hours, and they didn't realize when they arrived to the other city that they were not where they were supposed to be. They were expecting me to pick them up and they waited awhile. Finally, the parents gave up waiting for me and since they had the address of their hotel, they grabbed a taxi. When they pulled out onto the highway, they saw a sign that said "Merida, 63 km." They knew their hotel was only 4 km. from the airport, so they were a little confused but figured it out pretty quickly and got to their hotel safely.
Meanwhile, I was running around like a chipmunk on speed, trying to figure out where they were. I decided to go to VEN-USA's going-away party as Astrid was supposed to hear from this other airport if the parents ever showed up there. By the time the going-away party was nearly over and my friends wanted to go out, Astrid had called the airport again and there was still no sign. Even though, if my parents' memories are correct, at the point of that phone call they would have been there, probably for around an hour or so.
Now, if this were a movie, we would cut to a scene of my parents, very American and looking very lost, sitting in that very airport, waiting patiently, with some Venezuelan airline person in the background telling Astrid that she hadn't seen anyone fitting the description I gave them. Ha. It'd be a comedy, really. That's how Venezuela worked. Or didn't work. I had to laugh when I found out my parents had been there but no one saw them, or bothered to call. I laughed at all the random things that went bizarrely wrong while I was there. There was no way I would have had half as much fun if I hadn't been able to laugh at all of it.
Anyway, my friends calmed me down and I realized that though my parents don't speak the language, they are adults (surprise!) and figured that they could take care of themselves, and went out to celebrate one of my last nights with my friends. Shameless, I know. Out having a good time while my parents were valiantly trying to make their way in a foreign place.
Actually, I was worried the whole time and went home around 1, and one of my homestay sisters came out on the balcony as my roommate and I walked up the drive and told me that my parents had called! and were in Merida! in their hotel! and would call me in the morning! The next day I went to their hotel, and Mike was waiting for me on a rock outside and he hugged me and then I saw my mom and she had tears in her eyes and gave me a long hug and I felt like I was home before I even set foot in the States.
Okay, okay, don't get too choked up with the cheesiness, because after a week or so playing tour guide to my parents, I was slightly less-than-thrilled to be there with them. Well, I was still having fun but man, it was taxing. Like babysitting. Except with adults, who can be way more needy than children. And seem to ask just as many unanswerable questions. Like, "Why would they not announce if the flight was going to be delayed four hours?" And "Why is there no toilet paper in public bathrooms in this damn country?" Trying not to roll my eyes, I would smile and say, "Welcome to Venezuela!" It was really Mike who had more questions, as my mom seemed much better at adjusting and picking up on Spanish. However, mostly I was really glad they could come and get a taste of my life there.
Since then, after another overnight stop in Miami, I returned to Minnesota, where, may I say, it's bloody cold. There were some major holidays in there, where I got some gifts and did some celebrating. I've seen a lot of friends, some that I hadn't seen for years, and some that I've seen more recently but still thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of them. After Christmas and all the nut-gathering, I've been content just hibernating. Tonight I'm leaving the den to go to Reno, NV and California, to see my dad and my oldest brother, Ian, and his fam. Then it's back to Duluth in a week and a half for my last semester of college. Pretty scary.
All in all, it's been nice to get back into the ebb and flow of my life here. There are certainly things I miss about Venezuela, mostly friends and the weather, sometimes even the crazy buses or having rice every day, but I can't really say how good it feels to be home. Especially saying or thinking the words. Or typing them. I'm home!
Well, truth be told, I haven't been all that busy. The first three weeks or so I was home I was pretty busy, what with visiting friends in Duluth (a wonderful time), recovering from Ruben, the parasite (I finally had one and the symptoms started the very day I got back to MN!), Christmas shopping (I'm certainly glad the Hallowgivingmas season is over), and laundry-doing. And, oh, the laundry-doing! What with months of a washing machine with no spin cycle and wringing out the clothes and hanging them to dry in a backyard which resembled a grassy savannah with rotten avocados strewn about, the clothes were in sad shape. That was number one on my list of "First Things I'll Do When Home" list, alternately known as the "There Are Really Some Great Things About the U.S. because Apparently Latin Americans Just Don't Like Peanut Butter" list. I don't remember the other things on that list but I'm pretty sure I've done all of them. Definitely eaten enough peanut butter to kill a small cat.
Also, my parents are safe and sound. Whew, quite the cliffhanger, I know. Their plane was diverted, after being delayed several hours, and they didn't realize when they arrived to the other city that they were not where they were supposed to be. They were expecting me to pick them up and they waited awhile. Finally, the parents gave up waiting for me and since they had the address of their hotel, they grabbed a taxi. When they pulled out onto the highway, they saw a sign that said "Merida, 63 km." They knew their hotel was only 4 km. from the airport, so they were a little confused but figured it out pretty quickly and got to their hotel safely.
Meanwhile, I was running around like a chipmunk on speed, trying to figure out where they were. I decided to go to VEN-USA's going-away party as Astrid was supposed to hear from this other airport if the parents ever showed up there. By the time the going-away party was nearly over and my friends wanted to go out, Astrid had called the airport again and there was still no sign. Even though, if my parents' memories are correct, at the point of that phone call they would have been there, probably for around an hour or so.
Now, if this were a movie, we would cut to a scene of my parents, very American and looking very lost, sitting in that very airport, waiting patiently, with some Venezuelan airline person in the background telling Astrid that she hadn't seen anyone fitting the description I gave them. Ha. It'd be a comedy, really. That's how Venezuela worked. Or didn't work. I had to laugh when I found out my parents had been there but no one saw them, or bothered to call. I laughed at all the random things that went bizarrely wrong while I was there. There was no way I would have had half as much fun if I hadn't been able to laugh at all of it.
Anyway, my friends calmed me down and I realized that though my parents don't speak the language, they are adults (surprise!) and figured that they could take care of themselves, and went out to celebrate one of my last nights with my friends. Shameless, I know. Out having a good time while my parents were valiantly trying to make their way in a foreign place.
Actually, I was worried the whole time and went home around 1, and one of my homestay sisters came out on the balcony as my roommate and I walked up the drive and told me that my parents had called! and were in Merida! in their hotel! and would call me in the morning! The next day I went to their hotel, and Mike was waiting for me on a rock outside and he hugged me and then I saw my mom and she had tears in her eyes and gave me a long hug and I felt like I was home before I even set foot in the States.
Okay, okay, don't get too choked up with the cheesiness, because after a week or so playing tour guide to my parents, I was slightly less-than-thrilled to be there with them. Well, I was still having fun but man, it was taxing. Like babysitting. Except with adults, who can be way more needy than children. And seem to ask just as many unanswerable questions. Like, "Why would they not announce if the flight was going to be delayed four hours?" And "Why is there no toilet paper in public bathrooms in this damn country?" Trying not to roll my eyes, I would smile and say, "Welcome to Venezuela!" It was really Mike who had more questions, as my mom seemed much better at adjusting and picking up on Spanish. However, mostly I was really glad they could come and get a taste of my life there.
Since then, after another overnight stop in Miami, I returned to Minnesota, where, may I say, it's bloody cold. There were some major holidays in there, where I got some gifts and did some celebrating. I've seen a lot of friends, some that I hadn't seen for years, and some that I've seen more recently but still thoroughly enjoyed spending time with all of them. After Christmas and all the nut-gathering, I've been content just hibernating. Tonight I'm leaving the den to go to Reno, NV and California, to see my dad and my oldest brother, Ian, and his fam. Then it's back to Duluth in a week and a half for my last semester of college. Pretty scary.
All in all, it's been nice to get back into the ebb and flow of my life here. There are certainly things I miss about Venezuela, mostly friends and the weather, sometimes even the crazy buses or having rice every day, but I can't really say how good it feels to be home. Especially saying or thinking the words. Or typing them. I'm home!
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