Friday, December 30, 2005

st. paul

Going to St. Paul today to meet some friends for lunch and do a little shopping! I can't wait!!!

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

ache with

The feeling of being home and thinking of nothing else than just being home...yeah, that is where I am right now.

Since last Thursday I have met with friends and family, carried out traditions and new experiences, and have celebrated non-stop. It has been all too wonderful to even begin to explain. Just being present and with all of them...well, there have been moments where I could feel my heart ache with happiness.

Life begins to make more sense when you least expect it.

Sunday, December 25, 2005

happy holidays

The...holiday-2005-update-on-my-life-letter:

Dear friends and family,

-After a year of waking up to velvet foam cappuccinos and caramel lattes I decided to move out of my cozy little corner of downtown St. Paul called Starbucks Coffee Company.

-I had a summer like we did in second grade, well sort of...I blogged. I took a rode trip with my Mom to Montana. I hung out with friends all day and all night. I shopped. And I decided to move to Iowa.

-It was tough to leave my friends in St. Paul but I knew that it was time to finally be in the same state as Jake.

-As far as the job search goes I didn't have a back up plan. So with but one call and one five-hour interview I now have a salary, paid vacation and a retirement plan!

-Now that Jake and I live in our respected apartments just a three-minute drive apart we go on walks, dates and are adjusting to what a "non-long distance" relationship feels like. We just celebrated our six-year anniversary and are enjoying this new stage of our partnership.

-My Mom retired this October, my Dad is still working at the college and my brother Peter and his girlfriend Cassie are both graduating from college this December. We are all adjusting to the sad lose of our dog, Patches. After a long life we had to put her to sleep this past month.

-I continue to be healthy and happy and look forward to what life has to bring. Optimism and enthusiasm will take you anywhere! Know that I think of you all often and hope that you are well. Call or write anytime.

The blogger addition:

-After only 10 months of blogging I can honestly say that my life would not be the same without the people I have come to appreciate through this crazy blogging world. I never would have imagined how much reading thousands of words, hundreds of stories and thoughts could mean to me. Thank you all for your inspiration!

Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

eyes aching

I worked at my computer all day today until my eyes started aching.

Tonight Jake and I saw Pride and Prejudice, it was so good.

Then we carried a futon mattress down to Jake's car so he could bring it back to his apartment.

It had been on my floor for over a month.

Right now I am sitting on the floor where the mattress used to be.

Tomorrow I think my eyes aching again will be inevitable.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

between now

I have only two days of work between now and my return on January 3rd.

Until then I wait.

My holiday cards have been sealed and sent.

My packages have been picked and packed.

I am ready.

For my days to be filled with friends, family and food!

Monday, December 19, 2005

graduates

We ran in the bitter cold from the parking lot that was closed. I didn't care where we parked because we were in a hurry. I didn't want to miss anything. Mankato has more snow than Ames. And it is much colder too. Jake forgot his mittens and hat in Iowa. My grandma Adeline had slept over the night before and I had just had morning coffee with her. She is hilarious. While she was putting her coat on she realized that her pants were blue instead of black. She wants us to tell her from now on if she doesn't match. As we arrived and ran inside, we saw that the stage was set, the graduates were ready, and the music was about to begin. I caught Peters eye as he marched into his seat. He smiled and gave us a little wave. I finally found were Cassie sat and caught her eye. They were both graduating from college. They started together four and a half years ago...and now they are quite a pair! Congratulations Peter and Cassie!

Thursday, December 15, 2005

warm lefsa

Geez.

My Dad sent me a package from Norsland Lefsa. Which was delivered by Speedy Delivery. I missed it on Tuesday so I gave them a call and they said it would be here on Wednesday. It didn't arrive on Wednesday. I gave them a call again today and they said it would be here by 3 pm. Well, it is not here and I am starting to get really perturbed. I am really in the mood for some warm sugary lefsa. I guess they are not so speedy.

I bet they opened my package and ate it all.

I wouldn't blame them.

Lefsa is gooood.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

as snowflakes

While driving to work yesterday I was reminded of the surprising beauty of winter.

The sky was blue with a few wispy clouds and everything was wrapped in sparkling frost.

I called Jake and told him to look outside before it all melted!

Indeed, when I left for lunch it had started to melt.

But that night Jake and I watched as snowflakes the size of footballs fell from the sky!

Monday, December 12, 2005

a line

I went to the post office today. I bought stamps.

There was a line.

I wondered...how can all these people be here at 10:30 am...don't they work?

And then I remember that I am standing in line too.

Sunday, December 11, 2005

in another

Sometimes I wish I was from another time.

Last night I watched Hoosiers.

As I watched I couldn't help imagine what life would have been like had I been born in another time.

A time when cars were classics. And boys wore letter jackets.

I love the spirit. I love the competition. I love the small town. I love that it is set in the Midwest. I love the time.

My grandfather was a basketball coach and I never met him. I think of him and especially my Dad whenever I watch this movie. I know where I get my competitiveness.

I sometimes wish I was from another time...or maybe just that I could go back in time.

If I could I would go to a basketball game that my Grandfather coached. I would sit in the stands and I would cheer.



Basketball team photo, including my Grandfather.

Saturday, December 10, 2005

one form

I got a new drivers license this afternoon around three o'clock.

After taking my information I watched as she tossed my MN license on top of the pile into a tupperware container next to her computer.

I looked at the pile, I looked back at her and said, "Don't I get to keep that?" She informed me that in Iowa you are only allowed one form of identification. She didn't give it back.

I smiled for my new picture and wrote a check for twenty three dollars. A few minutes later I walked out the door with my new Iowa drivers license and a little different.