Thursday, June 30, 2005

im blogging this

The invite asked, "What could be better than Sex and the City??? Knitting in the Country (while watching Sex and the City of course)."

Last night Allisa, Paige (and Luke), Chanda (and Bryan) and myself all traveled to Northfield Minnesota for knitting club (the boys went away when we all arrived at Amanda and Matt's house). We all gathered around fresh strawberries from the farm, basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella and of course some minty mohitto's. The night really was fabulous and I feel more lucky than ever to call these women my friends. I always feel inspired and silly when we are together!

To toast my last days at Starbucks and our friendship, Paige made me a gift. A t-shirt with, IM BLOGGING THIS, on the front. Is that not perfect or what?! (I am wearing it right now!)

After getting home at midnight and getting up at 5:30 am for work...I was excited to come home to relax the afternoon away.

Then my phone rang.

It was my friend Meghan from Mankato, she was downtown looking for my Starbucks to surprise me! I told her I was done with work and I gave her directions to my apartment. I knew she was only like 8 minutes away.

These are the panicked thoughts running through my head:

OH MY GOSH. My apartment is a disaster. I have been using those big soup spoons for cereal...because I have been too lazy to wash the regular spoons...I think every bowl I own is scattered around my apartment...there are clothes all over the place. YIKES. I have eight minutes...okay, I CAN DO THIS.

I picked up all my clothes and threw them into the hamper. I straighten my towels on my towel rack. I picked up every random piece of paper and miscellaneous item and threw them all in my closet. Then I surveyed the dishes situation. There was no way l could wash them all...I then had a truly brilliant idea.

I stuffed as many bowls, spoons, glasses, and mugs as I could into my oven and shut the door.

With sweat dripping off my forehead I hear my phone ring...it is Meghan, she is just around the corner.

As I am telling her to make a left, then a right hand turn...my vacuum is being plugged in and as we hang up I am already vacuuming my rug...I shake out my down comforter and I am done.

I greet her at the door with my new t-shirt on and she thinks my place is perfect!

The whole time I was thinking, IM BLOGGING THIS.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

take the cannoli


take the cannoli
Originally uploaded by akl.
Last night I stayed up late reading Take the Cannoli, Stories from the New World by Sarah Vowel. This is a fantastic book, extremely hilarious and refreshing!

And for some reason I have the day off today (even though it is my last week of work and I need all the money I can get...my manager still gives me a day off! Gee, thanks!).

Anyway, I of course want to be productive on my day off...but as of yet, this has not occurred. I have however, slept all morning, checked my e-mail and blogged, ate some Grape Nuts, and now I am thinking about reading my book...or maybe not.

Monday, June 27, 2005

radishes

I went to work at 6 am this morning and rang up customers all day...it was very mundane. I am okay with it though because this is my last week of work at Starbucks. I will be officially unemployed next week.

Steve (a very regular customer) came in to say good-bye today. He gave me a very nice card.

After work I caught the bus up the hill to my apartment and watched Wimbledon for a bit (Did Davenport eventually win?). Turned the TV off and caught up on some blog reading and commenting.

I am now eating Blue Chips and drinking Iced Green Tea.

I was inspired today by some fellow bloggers (Thanks Still Figuring Out and Marissa!) to add some fun tidbits (is that a word?) about myself; here are three to get you started!

1. I would rather get up super early than stay up real late.

2. I collect foreign coins (all from our "Tip Jars" at work) and keep them in a little circular box next to my bed.

3. I bought radishes at the Co-op the other day because I thought they looked beautiful. I don't even like radishes.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

pillsbury flour


pillsbury flour
Originally uploaded by akl.
Casey and I spent this day together. We had lunch at my apartment and then headed out for some ice cream at Izzy's (famous for their Izzy scoop, which is an extra mini scoop of any flavor). Casey had a cup of salted carmel ice cream with peace coffee as his Izzy and I had my favorite chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate almond as my Izzy.

After enjoying our Izzy's we went for a walk around the campus of St. Thomas College in St. Paul. We sat and talked for a long time and eventually headed back to my apartment. We decided for dinner Nia's Pizza in Minneapolis. We sat outside and I pretended we were at some cafe in Europe or at some bistro in New York (I love to pretend), we laughed and imagined where life would take us.

As we were heading out we stopped to take photographs of the old Pillsbury Flour mill. It was beautiful with the sun setting around the abandoned mill and over-grown train tracks. We goofed around and took some silly shots on the train tracks and then explored closer to the mill, after we noticed the No Trespassing sign we headed out!

When Casey and I met the summer before 10th grade we were only 15 years old. We both had crushes on each other and eventually started "going out." More importantly we became best friends.

I remember sitting up late at night writing him silly letters that I would give him the next day at school. (To this day he has a box full of notes, letters, and small treasures I gave him that 10th grade year). Even though we didn't go out forever...we have remained the greatest of friends. It doesn't matter how long we have not spoken, we always just pick up where we left off. No one can take away our summer of biking everywhere, swimming at Luke's pool, Mr. Halstead's art classes, skiing at Mt. Kato, CARL, or even Ping Pong in the basement.

Friday, June 24, 2005

do you want to see my apartment?


apartment
Originally uploaded by akl.
This is where I live. This is what it looked like when I first moved my stuff in...it looks different now, not that different I guess, just more "put together." I will post a more updated picture when I have a digital camera in my hands...but it probably won't really look that different. How much different can 225 square feet look? Anyway, those are Jake's Chacos by the red chair.

a little bored

I have been overwhelmed with the interesting people I have discovered these past few days...overwhelmed in the sense that it is so exciting!!! I have been reading and commenting on other blogs (I think I might have needed a break from my own blog for a bit). I really have appreciated and enjoyed all the new people I have "met" this week. Thank you so much for all your kind words.

I am in a strange mood tonight...a little lazy, a little indifferent, and a little bored. It is sometimes hard living alone, not living in the same state as my partner, having friends that are all married...

Is there enough satisfaction in knowing that the people I care about are thinking about me and I thinking about them?

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

next blog

Right now I feel really really small. I feel alone. Not sad alone, not really lonely, just small.

I was just surfing Blogger blogs. I read posts and comments and witnessed as cyber relationships formed, people sharing their lives with individuals from another place.

The comments I receive from people make me happy. To know that someone randomly living in this world actually took the time...well, it just amazes and astounds me to no end.

Chance. Choice. Randomness. Who are we all and what are we doing?

I have tears of pure emotion. I am real.

kicking out heat


rolling green pastures
Originally uploaded by akl.
On Sunday the drive back from Dubuque, Iowa was really great. We started out the day wonderful with breakfast at a local cafe, Cafe Manna Java. It was delicious.

When we got home to Mankato we made brushetta and watched Six Feet Under all night! Jake and I were exhausted from the long weekend.

I got home to St. Paul last night and installed a window air conditioner in my kitchen. (It doesn't take much to cool my little place except that I realized my radiator was still kicking out heat! I called up Jon, the maintenance guy in my building and he came up to my room. By gosh it really was (and has been...) heating my apartment! whoops!). The problem was fixed and it is cooling down in here.

The picture is from this weekend...somewhere between Shullsburg, Wisconsin and Dubuque, Iowa. Aren't those rolling green pastures?!

Sunday, June 19, 2005

shullsburg, wisconsin


brookecasey
Originally uploaded by akl.
Jake was in his friends Casey and Brooke's wedding this weekend. The wedding was in Shullsburg Wisconsin (population 1200) and the reception was in Dubuque, Iowa. The drive from Mankato took 6 hours.

Eastern Iowa is really beautiful. Rolling green pastures dotted with family farms. The reception was set right on the Mississippi River, which runs through Dubuque.

We ate delicious food and danced all night!

Thursday, June 16, 2005

recyclables

Paige asks, "What did you throw at it?"

"My recyclables," I say.

Last night at 3:30 am I hear some rumbling from the dumpster two stories down from my west window (I think that it is the regular "divers" who collect the aluminum in the dead of the night...). I am surprised to see instead the biggest raccoon I have ever seen!

I am naturally annoyed and open my kitchen window to yell at it (remember it is 3 am and I am still half asleep). My yelling, clapping and knocking on my window does not phase this giant raccoon. I grab a pot and bowl and bang them together, still nothing.

I turn and look around my tiny kitchen...I grab a tin can from my recyclables and chuck it out my window!

I completely miss. The raccoon just looks at where it landed and then up at me and then carries on....

I shut my window and go back to sleep.

"I would have paid money to see that!" Paige says.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

high points


jake and me
Originally uploaded by akl.
Jake and I have been leaving messages to eachother for three days now...never being able to actually talk. He has been to the east coast with his friends (their mission is to climb all the high points in each of the fifty states).

Anyway, I miss you Jake!

This picture was taken last summer in Alaska...and yes those clouds from the ocean are rolling in and over us on the top of this mountain.

3 out of 23, 000

Last night I went to a Minnesota Twins baseball game with Miriam and Allisa. We got the cheap seats (which is actually says on the ticket) for only six bucks. Our seats were on the first base line in upper deck (I sound like I know what I am talking about, don't I?!). Allisa had on Delips' old 1987 World Series T-shirt. Miriam is a big Twins fan and goes to most of the games, it was great to be there with her.

Top of the 5th we all got hot dogs. They were delicious.

All night I watched the big TV screen...there is such simple happiness in watching others be surprised when they recognize their face on a huge TV screen! The Kiss Cam is one of my favorites. The best couple was a brother and sister...they didn't kiss but they tried to explain in two seconds that they were siblings, it was hilarious!

So finally at the very end of the game...top of the 9th let's say...I glance up and recognize Miriam's purple tank top and then I recognize Allisa and then myself!!!! We made it!!! What are the chances? There were over 23 thousand fans at this game and some camera person choose the three of us...It makes me so happy!

Oh yeah, the Twins won at exactly 10:18 pm, it was just perfect.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

cookie cutter

I have been trying to post this entry for two days! My "free internet" has not been working! ha!

I worked all day yesterday, 10-6:30 pm. It was raining when I got done and had to bike home in the pouring rain. I was soaked to the bone when I got home, absolutely dripping wet. It was sorta fun though!

My Mom called and as we were talking the city siren went off and we were in a tornado warning or watch, I can never remember which is which. Anyway, the weather was going crazy, rain, hail, wind, black skies, etc.

When the rain cleared I got on my workout clothes and ran a few blocks to Box Office Video (didn't want to return my movies late because of a tornado!) and then headed to the Y. I had a good workout and when I ran home it was raining again. Twice in one day I got caught in the rain.

I watched the end of a PBS program last night; it was about some New England community supported farms and also about the landscape of our neighborhoods, towns and cities. It was extremely interesting. It focused on one particular New England town that was trying to pass a "development plan." Their plan involved curved streets (to slow traffic), sidewalks, parks, post offices, markets, and businesses in scale with the streets and houses surrounding them.

They said that we all know what these neighborhoods feel like, they exist and we don't want to leave them...unfortunately "developments" today do not feel the same. (More like cookie cutter monopoly rows with no sense of a real community).

Every minute two acres of farmland go to new development.

At the very end of the program this was said, "One day someone is going to ask why didn't we stop this?"

Saturday, June 11, 2005

nachos

This morning I met my friends at the Farmer's Market downtown. Amanda and Matt even came up from Northfield! They all purchased some herbs and I bought some flowers for my Grandma. We headed back to Paige and Luke's loft which is only a few blocks away. Luke had been cooking all morning! We had the most delicious breakfast, omelets with fresh vegetables, roasted potatoes, muffins, scones, and fresh squeezed grapefruit (Luke thought he was buying oranges!!). The morning was fantastic! Chit Chat Club was out in full force!

At one o'clock I met my family at the Old Country Buffet to celebrate my Grandma's 91st Birthday! After lunch we headed back to my Adeline's apartment for cheetos, cookies, and lemonade. She is the sweetest most generous woman! I got to catch up with my aunt and uncles, cousins and all their children. The kids (my Grandma's great grandchildren) always put on a "program" for us all and today was no exception. The play today involved three pigs! It was great!

I am now making some nachos and going to relax watching a little Six Feet Under.

Friday, June 10, 2005

fat and sassy

It is absolutely pouring right now! I am sitting in my red chair trying to typing this post but I am mesmerized by the rain...oh, I hear a little thunder! I love a good storm.

I have had a pretty good week. On Wednesday I worked early, went shopping, and then exercised at the YWCA. Lately I have been having some trouble going to the Y on a regular basis. I fall out of my routine and it is hard to get back into it. When I walked into the mall I happened to be in the "fitness attire" area...well, I guess all I need is a new outfit to motivate me to go exercise!

Wednesday was also my Grandmother Adeline's 91st birthday! I called her and asked her how she felt, she replied, "fat and sassy!" We had a good conversation because she had her hearing aids in and I didn't have to scream into the phone!! My family is meeting her for lunch on Saturday; she is treating us to an afternoon at the OCB (Old Country Buffet, of course)!

Later that night I picked up my friend Casey from Minneapolis and we headed back to my apartment. We sat at my table and ate a little fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil (from my garden) on crackers. It was delicious. Casey just got back from his first year of graduate school in Boston. We have been friends for over ten years and can't stop talking when we get together! We were meeting some of my other friends (actually members of the Chit Chat Club, have I mentioned Chit Chat Club before?) at WA Frost, which is an amazing restaurant two blocks from my apartment. It was a fantastic night and we all had such a good time!

Yesterday I had the most horrible experience at the dentist. When I walked into the office building I almost turned around and left. The place was dirty, old and rusty.

Everything was rusty.

My dentist was an older woman and she did all the cleaning herself. She pulled and poked and my mouth really hurt. I just closed my eyes and kept thinking I am almost done...it is almost over...It was an experience!

Well, since I have been typing this post the rain has stopped. Maybe the sun will come out later!?

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

tips

Humidity has arrived in Minnesota. It was hot today but I was inside for most of it...working. I only have three more weeks left at Starbucks. I know that it will go fast.

Tonight I biked over to the Grand Avenue store to pick up my tips from last Tuesday (at Starbucks if you need some extra hours or another store needs some help, any partner can work at that store). I then biked over to Snelling and Selby store to pick up some more tips. The ride was good, I was on Summit Avenue for most of it, which is this beautiful street in St. Paul with absolutely amazing houses. It is a busy street but thankfully there is a separate bike lane! The people are out and about moving their bodies tonight!

[At this moment I feel like I had one too many pieces of cinnamon toast...I am feeling guilty for over indulging in this treat of mine. Sometimes bread makes you feel bloated. Anyway.]

I am sitting at my table with my windows open and feeling the breeze. It is going to rain. The cool air feels good after the humidity of the day.

Monday, June 06, 2005

open house


katie
Originally uploaded by akl.
Jake and I took over 200 hundred pictures of Katie last Thursday. For her Open House on Saturday we made a slide show of her graduation day (we eventually narrowed it down to four minutes!).

The graduation ceremony was great. The two student speakers were awesome. The first guy talked about his future..."in a dark college dorm room eating ramon noodles"...!!! His speech was hilarious and I was practically crying laughing so hard.

My parents came to Katie's Open House and my Dad met Jakes Grandfather, Bill. Both of them could be possibly --the greatest Minnesota Gopher Sports fan ever--! To actually have them in the same room for the first time was so fun to watch! They really hit it off.

The weekend was a blast and a blur. The graduation, preparing for the party, the actually party, and then the party after the party...as always it was wonderful to be home, to be with my family, and to be with Jakes family. I feel so lucky.

On Sunday I headed over (along with my family and Jake) to Rochester for my cousin Stacy's Open House. It was so fun to see all my cousins and my Grandma! Congratulations Stacy!

Isn't Katie beautiful?! I am so grateful for our friendship.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

crap

I just typed a great post and lost it. I hate that!!! Save, Save, Save!!!!

Today Katie, Jake's sister, graduates for Mankato West High School! We are home for the event and for the weekend!

Today was also my Moms last "last day of school" as a teacher, she is retiring early next fall!

I am so proud of both of them!! I will have to post more later.