Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Going Home.

I'm nine hours from being home. In N Out. Sushi. Sleeping in my own bed. Buggy. Mom's breakfast. 70 degrees warmer than it is here. I'm excited...but I'm kind of sad. Who thought I would ever miss this frozen tundra. I already do and I'm not even gone yet.

Crap. This is totally not fair.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Wnter is Here.

Alright...it's been a few weeks. I survived Thanksgiving in the Midwest. I made some of mom's stuffing and hashbrown casserole to remind me of home. I think I single-handedly finished off the hashbrowns. They were good. You shouldn't waste that stuff.

Chad and I went Christmas Tree Hunting after Thanksgiving. My favorite family tradition is cutting down the Christmas Tree and I'm pretty bummed about missing it this year, but I think I'll make it. Chad and I didn't cut down the tree, but he was smart enough to know a fake tree wouldn't cut it. So we have a Home Depot tree. I'm sure my mom was horrified, but we won't make a habit of it. I couldn't deal with that.

So, Thanksgiving, trees, lots of Christmas candy, oh, and the snow is here. And I'm pretty sure it's here to stay for a while. It's been COLD the last few days. The lakes are frozen. The roads are slick. And I've learned a few things about snow (and COLD) that I didn't know before. Here's the list:
  • Eric Craine told me that when driving in the snow the one thing I need to know is to NOT drive like his wife. So, don't drive like Kara. Check.
  • You can't leave mascara in the car over night because the tube will freeze and frozen mascara doesn't work.
  • Don't brake going downhill, you'll end up in a ditch. Check. Don't drive like Kara. Check.
  • A lake has to be frozen at least two inches to walk on it, but most people won't go on it until it's been frozen for at least a week or two and they know it's a good four or five inches thick. Why didn't I know this? Because I hang out with the Katzenbergers and as soon as there is ice. They risk it. Sometimes with a four-wheeler.
  • While TOMS are great shoes, they don't have any traction.
  • Ice skating makes you sore like skiing makes you sore. Thing car accident pain.
  • Running in the snow isn't so bad. It's actually kind of nice. Until you reach a hill.
I'm sure as I drive off the roads and fall through lakes there will be more lessons to learn. I'll keep you posted. And seriously...I keep hearing myself saying really Minnesotan things. This morning I said "spose". Not good.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Hotdish vs. Hot Dish

In my last post I mentioned a "Hot Dish". It's what the rest of the world refers to as a casserole. Since I'm new to using Minnesota lingo, I feel like I deserve some leniency in my word usage. Regardless, as it turns out "Hot Dish" and "hot dish" are two very different things.

hot dish







Hot Dish









hot dish








Hot Dish








hot dish







Hot Dish






hot dish








Hot Dish







Get the picture? Thanks for correcting me, dear friend. I don't know what I would do without you. Seriously...that could have been awkward.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Pumping Iron.

The only person I ever talk to when I am working out is Heather and that is because she was my running partner for like three years. Under no circumstances do I ever make conversation with someone working out at the gym. I'm sweaty and angry and often in pain. My ability to think clearly is not optimal so avoiding conversation is probably the best option.
That's what I thought anyways...apparently we do things differently in California. We don't really talk to strangers unless it's necessary. I'm not saying it's right...it's just what we do. I am on a mission. Stopping for conversation is not a good use of my time. That's how we treat the gym too.

So today I'm on the elliptical and in walks Bob. I'd been going for about 40 minutes, so past the halfway mark, but not far enough to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I was hot. Thirsty. Sweaty. You know- the usual. And Bob gets on the machine next to me....there was no one else in the gym...he had his choice of a dozen other machines and he picks the one by me. He throws his towel in what I can only assume was his way of marking his territory and proceeds to change the station on the TV I was watching. There's six TVs, friends, six TVs.

I have no poker face, as I am often reminded, so I know my dismay was written all over my face. So Bob gets on his machine and proceeds to launch into a typical midwest conversation. Weather. Snow. Hot Dishes. Agriculture. Hunting Fleet Farm. Weather. Snow. Repeat.

Are you kidding me? I just want to achieve cardiovascular health in peace. No sirry, Bob. Not today. Today I get to share my workout with Bob.

I finished my workout and proceeded to the the mats to build my core that has suffered at the hands of cheap food and lack of access to ample running locations. And Bob follows. Really?

I can appreciate the effort. He was trying to be nice. I get that. I just don't want to talk while I'm working out. Is that so wrong?

Monday, November 9, 2009

Happy Birthday to me.

Just celebrated my 27th birthday...only my third one away from home. I don't really consider myself a big birthday person...parties freak me out a little. I am not a fan of surprises AT ALL.

I'm a closet control freak. What can I say?

Anyways...it's totally weird not celebrating your birthday with your family and the people you've always celebrated with. When you're not there people forget...which is kinda lame, but not that big of a deal...I think it's just one of those things where life keeps going whether you're there or not. Strange reality of a move, I guess.

My birthday is within 10 days of two of my best friends, Katie and Jodi, and we've been celebrating our bithdays together our entire lives, minus a few years we were living in other states or away at school. But it feels odd to miss that and turn a year older without them.

BUT...my amazing boyfriend and my amazing Kara made it a really great day. There was some initial talk of a party, which I would have been fine with because I know they were trying to make it a cool day, but last week they surprised me with a change of plans.

Kara made me crepes for breakfast...complete with Nutella and whipped cream. Yum. Then we piled in the car and road tripped down to a college soccer game- yes, they sat through all 90 minutes with only one goal scored. I was impressed with both of their ability to sit still. ESPECIALLY, Kara. I think that's the longest she's sat in one place for that long...maybe ever. So soccer, of course, was an amazing thing to do. I love it and miss playing so much. So good choice, guys.

Then we went to dinner in the cities- Melting Pot. Totally fun restaurant. You can't really beat melted cheese and melted chocolate. So, in all, it was a great day.

I'm 27 and that feels kind of strange.I know, I know...it's not that old. I'm far from old. But getting older just feels weird. It feels not that long ago that I was that 18 year old little girl getting with a backpack and a passport traveling the world. Now, I find myself saying things like "I haven't talked to them in years"...and that feels weird. My friends have kids that are getting kind of old. I've been out of college for what feels like a long time. It's like time goes by faster as you get old. Chad has a theory on that, but you'll have to ask him.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Hunting Opener


It's like a freaking holiday. Camo at the grocery store. Rifles in the bank. What is this? I thinking the opening weekend of Hunting Season is like the biggest day of the year in Minnesota. People stop working. They stop shopping. They stop buying food because they have plans to eat venison until the snow melts. Not exactly the time of year to take up vegetarianism.

I don't eat deer. I don't shoot things. I'm going to quietly celebrate my 27th birthday this weekend while everyone else in the state goes off to the woods to try and take down Bambi and his mama. Poor thing.

Did I mention that Chad is NOT a hunter? Thank you, Lord.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Blog For Change.



I DID. Topic of the Day: Climate Change. Visit Change.org. Link Your Blog.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

It's snowing in October.

Well, looks like tornado season is over. It's snowing. Like white powdery snow. They said it might snow on the news last night, but I kind of thought is was like a Y2K ploy to scare people into stocking up on groceries...you know...instant economy booster.

Nope.

I woke up this morning to about an inch of pow outside. Kara said it would melt in a couple of hours. Wrong. It's still there. 6 hours later. Well summer flew by. Fall barely registered. But Winter...I think winter will probably stay awhile. Like a messy high maintenance house guest with piles of laundry and no cooking skills. Awesome.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

WARNING: THIS MAY KILL YOU.

Okay. Not Really. BUT...I wish that would be broadcasted across the airwaves on the first Wednesday of every month at 12:58 PM CST. Because what happens at 1 PM deserves fair warning.

I was driving in my car today on a long straight highway with no where to turn but into the woods and suddenly I hear a LOUD screaming siren. I am from California. If there are screaming sirens at anytime it means that the Cold War has turned into a Hot War and the Superpowers across the Pacific have come to blow us off the face of the Earth.

Naturally, sirens instill panic.

Knowing that, if the Russians were in fact attacking, I would have heard the news hours earlier (that's the one great things about living in the middle of the country- should we be attacked we are at least 6 hours from the action) and had plenty of time to prepare. Trying my hardest not to panic and drive into a ditch, I called Chad and calmly said, "I hear sirens. Should I be concerned?"

His reply: "Uh...no. It's Wednesday."

Right. Wednesday. That makes sense. He proceeds to tell me with very little fluctuation in his voice that they test the TORNADO SIRENS every first Wednesday of the month and it's nothing to be concerned about. So of course, I ask, just for my own assurance, what happens if there is an actual tornado on the first Wednesday of the month- then what?

Never thought of that did you, tornado siren testers.

Monday, October 5, 2009

It's Go Time.

I remember exactly where I was when President Bush announced that we were going to war in Iraq...it was March 19, 2003 and I was in the Dallas Fort-Worth Airport crowded around one of those hanging TVs with hundreds of other Americans. I watched as people reacted. Some with tears. Some with cheers. Some with anger. Some expressing betrayal. Some expressing hope. It was a moment. I remember it well.

Today, feels like that day. Except totally different...if that's possible. Today the Vikings play the Packers. Even if it's only in Minnesota and Wisconsin- people are getting ready for war. I could care less about football. I'm a soccer player. I prefer the beautiful game to the one with pads and helmets. But...I'm not exactly in a soccer loving community...the first time I told someone in Minnesota that I played soccer the response I got was, "On a table?" Yeah.

Anyway, as you may or may not have heard, depending on where you live this is either interrupt regularly scheduled programming breaking news or not news at all....Bret Favre is now a Viking. It's the ultimate betrayal. A Packer becomes a Viking. Wisconsin is pissed. Minnesota couldn't be happier. Everyone is anxious. Tonight will be telling- can the Vikings beat the Packers with Favre? Will the Packers fans be able to keep it together for 4 quarters without starting a drunken brawl of 60,000 angry midwesterners? Does it matter and do I care? No. Will I be watching? Heck yes. This is the best entertainment I've had since living in Minnesota. I'm watching the game with about 10 Minnesotans and 1 Sconi. That in itself will provide hours of excitement. So. Go Vikes? Ya, whatever. How many days until the World Cup? Too many.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Twins.

I've never lived anywhere that had a great baseball team...well, that's not entirely true. I lived in South Florida...but the Marlins weren't good until I left. In fact while I lived there, the Marlins had the lowest selling game in MLB history. Then I moved and they won the World Series. Go figure.

So now, I'm in Minnesota and the Twins are actually pretty good. Plus, my boyfriend is obsessed with baseball. I have watched (on TV AND in real life) more baseball games in the last 3 months that I have in my entire life. Don't tell Chad, but I'm kind of into it.

The Twins are playing their last few games in the Metro Dome...new ballpark next year. They are a half a game behind Detroit going into the playoffs. I'm kind of ready for baseball season to be over...but kind of a fan. Kind of want to see them go on. Crap. What's happening to me. Baseball!?!? Really!?!?

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Layers Deep

Yep...I'm typing with mittens on. That takes talent. I am wearing a parka indoors. That takes guts. And I have three articles waiting to upload. Causecast's production site has gone rogue on me . So...this is the result of me waiting. In my layers. I need a haircut. And a tan. Yikes. HEY...Happy October 1. Only nine more months til summer returns.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Houston, we have a problem.

I don't feel good.

I need my mom.

She's 2000 miles away.

Sniffle. Cough. Ugh.

I need some drugs.

But it's cold outside.

Chad will go to the store.

He's sleeping.

Crap.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Sweatas.

The weather has taken a major shift here in middle Minnesota. When I left for church Sunday morning at 10 AM it was 70 degrees outside. I was actually a little warm sitting in church...granted I was suffering from a bit of sensory overload and that always makes me sweat...that's a story for another day.

Anyway, by the time Laney was born at 3:10 CST it was 48 degrees outside. AT THREE IN THE AFTERNOON! I have never lived anywhere where it actually gets colder as the day carries on. I was wishing for my brief hot flash from Sunday morning service to return.

So I went to the gym this morning at about...8 or so. So the sun was up. I walked outside. 39 degrees. It's 42 right now. Need I remind you- IT'S STILL SEPTEMBER.

Okay, I can deal with the weather. It's cold, but whatever. There are fires, soup, blankets, snuggies...I don't have a snuggie. What I realized today is that I have exactly 31 sweaters. With the way winter goes- I could be wearing winter clothes for like 7 or 8 months. And on REALLY cold days- I'll probably be wearing several sweaters at one time. That means I am going to run out of clothes very quickly and by the time it's all over- I'm going to want to throw every one of my sweaters in a bonfire. Which will be convenient because when summer comes that's what we do in Minnesota. We have bonfires. To keep the mosquitoes away.

So...I'm looking at my wardrobe (we won't even talk about my lack of pants and appropriate shoes and socks) and I'm thinking...I may have to wear shorts until it gets below freezing just to make sure my "winter" clothes actually last. Or...I may need to go shopping. That might be the answer to all of my problems.

So long summer wardrobe. See you sometime in July.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Missing Life.

Something happens when you move away from home. You start to miss things. Family. Weather. Friends. Food. Your local news. For me it's sushi. Holy crap I miss sushi. I think about it. I dream about it. I read about it. I make people talk about it. I have even considered braving sushi at a chinese buffet in Brainerd. I didn't, don't worry.

There's other things I miss too- not just sushi. Moments. I miss a lot of moments.

Awkward moments. I missed my brother's new girlfriend meeting my parents last week.

Precious moments. I missed Lorna's first day of preschool.

Proud moments. I missed Siah coming in 57th place in his first cross country meet.

Nostalgic Moments. I missed Maddie's first day of junior high.

Surreal moments. I missed Ryan's baby shower.

Meaningful moments. I missed Pastor Rick's apology.


Today was the worst. Just as Bret Favre threw a HUGE touchdown pass to win the first home game in the very last seconds, my best friend gave birth to her second child. And I missed it. I got to be there on the phone and hear little Laney's first cry, but I missed seeing her face and being part of her entrance into the world. She's perfect. 5 lbs. 11 oz. 18 1/2 inches long. Round little face. Long fingers and toes. Peach fuzz hair. She's healthy, but there was a scary minute right when she was born and we couldn't hear her crying. I held my breath and tears rolled down my face. Then she cried. I exhaled.

These are moments I never dreamed I would miss. I think this is the first big moment I haven't been apart of since Ryan and I were little girls. I want nothing more to be home right now. But I know I can't be. In a few weeks I will get to hold baby Laney and I can't wait for that moment. It's the moment that I missed today that makes me think about the gazillion moments I'll miss ahead. So it's not the sushi I'm sacrificing...it's life as I knew it.

Auntie Nels loves you, Laney. See you soon.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Good Tea, Bad News


I was at the Cocoa Moon today...writing. And the really nice lady at the counter was really excited about the rain outside. She talked about it for a long time. I asked if I could trade my iced tea for a hot tea. It's hard to drink something on ice when your toes are frozen. So it begins...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Adult ADHD


I've been accused of hyper activity since I was a kid. It's true- I don't sit still real well. Even worse, when I am sitting still it just gives me a chance to scheme about all of the mischievious things I could be doing. This is how I, at nearly 27 years old, often find myself in trouble. This is why the idea of a desk job in a cube farm scares the crap out of me. 9-5 might as well be a death sentence. It's not that I'm opposed to work...I'm just opposed to...boring work. HOWEVER...living in the great north where unemployment is nearing 20-percent...I would work just about anywhere. I even considered McDonalds for a couple of days. At least it would give me something to write about. .

I'm not working under the Golden Arches. Not yet. But I did find a "job" that works well with my attention deficit issues. Well...it's a couple of jobs. I started writing a few months ago for Causecast which is s GREAT organization that is geared toward creating practical ways to get people involved with the causes they believe in. I write on everything...seriously. EVERYTHING. From Bob Dylan to Nanosolar Power to Michael Moore. It's a real treat. Shameless plug for Causecast? Yes.

So the OTHER things I'm doing that I'm calling a job because it fills my day and gives me money is a Marketing Solutions gig...sounds like a load of crap. No, I'm not selling knives. It's actually a pretty cool deal. I work with Architectural firms and Construction companies to help them fulfill or recreate their mission and better market their services to their target audience. It's a real job. I swear. Crazy enough...I am actually using my degree. Not many people can say that.

So, it's a good deal. My days are full, my pockets are...filling up...sort of and I don't have to sit behind a desk all day. Life in the Middle is pretty good.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

New In Town


Okay so I saw this movie like...last Christmas and then again right when I moved. I laughed and cried at the same time because...let's face it- this is my life. I was at the Mall of America the other day (I don't hang out there often- I had family in town) and witnessed the beginnings of a scrapbooking fair. Yeah...I don't really know what else to say about that. Anyways...here's the trailer...it's a pretty funny movie and totally captures Minnesota culture. Listen for the "so"s and the "hot dishes" and "oh, poor thing"s.

And the bone chilling cold...it's very real and very cold. Thankfully not yet. By the way...summer decided to make a reappearance...but I think it's gone now for good. 10 day forecast: slight chance of snow. Brace yourselves.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

10,000 Lakes and counting


Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes. Literally if you look at a map...there are lakes everywhere. Growing up I remember going to three lakes. Just three. Lake Tahoe. Folsom Lake. Pine Crest Lake. Well...and some other small lakes in the Tahoe Basin, but nothing memorable. This summer (which decided to show up sometime in the middle of September) I have gotten to see the lakes of Minnesota. I think I am well on my way to seeing all 10,000 of them. At some point I think they run out of names for the lakes and they get names like "Round Lake" and "Boy Lake"...Long Lake...Big Lake. Super original. What's great is when you're trying to get directions and the response you get is..."Just take a right at the lake".

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Fall is Coming.

I'm sitting on the sun porch of my Minnesota home (one of my favorite places in the entire state). The leaves are starting to change. The mornings are getting cooler each day. I'm pulling out my warmer clothes and getting ready for Autumn. I went for a great run this morning and wore long sleeves. I barely broke a sweat because the air was crisp and clean. No humidity...no heat. Lots of sunshine, but definitely not heat. Fall is in the air. WAIT A MINUTE...

It's September 1st. That's one day past August! The kids aren't even back in school yet. What the heck is fall doing here already? I know...it's gorgeous. I totally get that. It is! The leaves, the feel of the air...but summer just got here. Seriously...if winter comes as quickly as fall....well, I'm protesting.

I now live in a place that is full of people who endure 11 months of winter in hopes that they might survive long enough to see if summer maybe shows up...if even for a day or two.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Minnesota Nice.


There is something strange happening in Minnesota. A situation arises that would normally evoke retaliation...something that would justify anger...a snide comment...maybe even a right hook to the jaw...but what actually occurs is like nothing I've ever seen before. Pleasantries are exchanged...often times a polite smile followed by some highly encoded nice words. It's passive aggressiveness at its finest. It's called "Minnesota Nice" and it's what Minnesotans use to avoid outright conflict...and it makes me crazy.

Minnesota Nice allows Minnesotans talk about people behind their backs and hold a lengthy grudge all the while maintaining the fascade that nothing ever happened. There's nothing wrong. You would never even get to a conversation about the possibility of there being something wrong because no one would ever bring it up. Or someone makes a cutting remark but you don't know at first because when they say it they are smiling and saying things like, "Well dontcha know." with that cute Norweigan Fargo-esque accent...and it takes a few minutes for it to process...then you go "Wait a minute...what was that!?!?"


Allow me to translate...

"Well, I 'spose..." really means "I'm done talking to you about this so shut your face."

"So..." really means "This is totally awkward and I don't want to sit here silently because I don't
like you enough to endure the silence with you."

"Well here we like to call that a hotdish." really means "Quit calling it a freaking casserole."

"So...have you ever seen anything like a winter in Minnesota?" really means
"You realize you are crazy for
moving here and as soon as
it
starts snowing- you are
going
to die."

Just say it. I'm good with it. I prefer direct contact. In fact...my new goal in Minnesota is to piss a Minnesotan off so bad they lose their Norwegian cool and punch me in the face. I'm going for the shiner. I know it's not very Minnesota Nice...but I'm not that nice period. Dontcha know.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

I Don't Camp.

I have a confession. I grew up in Northern California and I’ve never camped. I have slept in a tent before. It was more for survival however...not as a means of leisure. I know. It’s disgraceful. It’s amazing that I am still allowed to call myself a Californian. It’s not my fault though. My mom grew up camping every summer with my grandparents and was so traumatized that she vigilantly shielded my brother and I from sharing her experiences. However, in mom’s defense- I have gotten to experience countless other methods of enculturalization and am not too damaged from my lack of camping.

So, two weekends ago I was taken to the southeastern corner of Minnesota for my first camping excursion. I would like to think it was because my boyfriend and very few friends here in the middle genuinely wanted me to experience all the things they love about "roughing it" and spending a few days in the great outdoors enjoying God's country. BUT...something tells me it was more for their sinister enjoyment...getting to watch me camp... than my new life experience. Regardless...we went.


1- VARIETIES OF CAMPING:
First of all...I had no idea that there was more than one style of camping. There is "Camper Camping" ...which I think in California we just call "RVing" ...then there is "Tent Camping".

And then there is regular camping or I don't know what they call it...backwoods camping?....super camping? extreme camping?- it's the kind of camping where you don't stay at a campground- you just drive into total desolation until your vehicle can go no further and then you walk with all of your gear to the most remote spot you can find. Bears, snakes, pine cone toilet paper...it's rugged. We opted for the regular tent camping...so there were bathrooms, showers, but we still cooked outside and slept in tents.

It's a real vacation.

2- PACKING:
My friend, Kara, is a camping nazi. She had a four page list of all the supplies we would need for two days of camping. TWO DAYS. I was totally planning to bring a sleeping bag...some shorts...and my flip flops. Maybe some cheetos. I wasn't even thinking about bringing a pillow until I saw her list. Dishsoap, pots, pans, paper towels, hand sanitizer, hot dogs, cheese, playing cards, milk, camping chairs (which are apparently different than regular chairs?), spices, wireless internet routers, canopies, kleenex, footballs, golf clubs, ziplock bags, passports, pitch forks, small unloaded fire arms, band-aids, futons, cookie dough, bicycles...let's just say that had there been a natural disaster or an international security crisis we could have survived for WEEKS on hot dogs alone.

And...at least we would have had a futon to sleep on.

3- TENTING:
So we spent two nights sleeping under the stars...well, in tents under the stars. I have to say putting up a tent was a lot easier than I anticipated. I mean it looked easier. I helped...Okay, I observed, but next time I know I'll be ready. The first night was perfect. It was a little chilly out but not too cold so I slept great...until about 3 in the morning when I realized that the air mattress camping nazi Kara and I were sleeping on had morphed into a chalupa and, while it was still retaining some air, most of the air was only supporting random parts of my body. So...we spend the night in a taco shell. But we slept (sort of).

Then night 2...it was even cooler outside, which I was quite pleased with... I like to sleep cold. We gave up on the chalupa mattress and decided to brave it on the ground. Just us... a tent floor and our sleeping bags... and the fifteen sheets Kara packed. So we get to sleep (exhausted from the night before) and about two hours later...the storm moves in. Like a freaking midwest monsoon. Our tent shook violently and leaked...or rather gushed... all through the night. Only our tent. Chad slept just fine. Eric...slept like a rock. Matt and Wendy...well they had a double air mattress so they practically slept like they were at the Hyatt. But...Kara and I...we collectively occupied the space of a small child in our 8-10 man tent just trying to avoid the Chinese water torture leaking through our roof. Awesome. We woke up to wet pillows...wet clothes...and really sore joints. Thank the good Lord for the automatic hand dryer in the fully equipped camping bathroom.

So..for approximately 48 hours (actually it was more like 36) I camped. I think Bear Grylls would have been proud. I did not bite the head off of a small reptile, but I did eat pizza cooked on a camp fire (AMAZING). Drifted down a river in a large non-life saving floatation device. Had absolutely no cell phone coverage. Brushed my teeth outdoors. Swam across a large flooded rock quarry. Rode my bike in the dark with my toiletries hanging on the handle. Slept outdoors (sort of). Dried my clothes on a clothesline (right up until it rained). And ate a taco in a bag.
I come home and share my camping war stories and people just smile and share their camping stories...all of which involved leaking tents, packing too much food and mediocre air mattresses. Go figure. I still don't understand, but at least I survived.

I'm still not sure about the backwoods camping stuff. Not really my thing. I'm pretty attached to toilets and running water.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Heads or Tails.

I feel like I probably need to explain how the heck I, a girl from Northern California, ended up moving to North Central Minnesota. Let me first preface by saying:

I am EXTREMELY independent...maybe too independent...maybe borderline feminist.

I am educated...two degrees in three years- thank you very much.

I have BIG goals.

I vote. I recycle. I think for myself...again...maybe too much.

So when I say, I moved to Minnesota for a BOY...don't judge me. I did. It's true. I moved for love. I like to tell people we flipped a coin and I lost, but the truth is- we didn't. We just decided someone had to do it and it might as well be me.

It makes me neither weak nor mindless (I say that more for my own reassurance than yours...whoever you are). It was strategy. I am going somewhere with this crazy move. I'm almost positive.

Here's the story:

My best friend, Ryan 's sister had a kid from Illinois living at her house who had a friend from Minnesota that they decided the wanted to set up with Ryan. You may want to read that again. It gets tricky...I maybe draw up a flow chart. So they did. Like...two months later (maybe it was a year) they get married and then Ryan, meets Chad (my boyfriend) while she is visiting her husband's family in Minnesota.

Ryan thinks Chad is wonderful... comes home to California and decides she is going to play match maker. Chad and I eventually meet but don't date. Six months later Chad contacts me...we become friends....three months later he decides he can't live without me and we decide to date long distance until I can eventually convince him to move to California and... two years later here I am living in Brainerd, Minnesota. Have you seen Fargo? Yeah.

So Ryan's plan may have backfired slightly...but at least it gives me something to write about. I'm not a supporter of cyber-PDA so I'll spare the details of how wonderful Chad is (he is), but let's just say I moved because...he's just that great and I didn't want to spend another minute away from him. I know...blah, blah, blah. So now I brave sub-zero winters and Mosquito infested summers...for love.

BUT...I'm not THAT girl. I swear. It's all about strategy.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Upgrade

I bought a new car last night. I have had my little Volkswagen Beetle since college and, while I do like it...mostly because of the blue interior lights, it was time for a change. My car is a stick and from what I hear, driving a stick shift in the snow can be...challenging. So I did what any Volkswagen owner would do...I bought a Jetta. I'm telling you...it's the lights. Who doesn't want blue interior lights?

This is what I learned in the process...
1- All cars must be either all wheel drive or have the capacity to wear snow tires in the winter
2- You have to check any vehicle considered for purchase for rust damage. Apparently salt on the roads in the winter creates rust issues in the summer? I'm not totally sure.
3- No matter how much you LOVE driving a stick shift...it's just not worth it.
4- Air conditioning is optional
5- Practical, fuel efficient, economically sized vehicles are EASY to come by because if it doesn't haul, tow or blend in with the woods...most Minnesotans don't want it. Go figure.

So my new car (with no rust damage) and my old car (with no rust damage) are sitting in front of my house. It's quite symbolic. Maybe with this little Volksie I will get less speeding tickets? We'll see.