DAY thirty

Spotify has changed my work life. That's all. Let's just hope I don't start singing out loud without realizing. That would be embarrassing. Not that I haven't already let my freak flag fly.

DAYS twenty-seven -- twenty-nine

*Disclaimer: I promise to make a rare occurrence of mashing several days into one blog post. I’m still learning how to make blogging part of my daily routine, especially when it comes to the jam-packed weekend days of summer fun. That being said, sometimes I will have to do weekend wrap-ups, and you are just going to have to be okay with that.
Weekend Wrap-Up:
Irresponsible? Maybe. Wreckless? Possible. Completely amazing and totally worth it? HELL YES. Of what do I speak, you ask? This weekend I had the completely unexpected and unplanned opportunity to cross something off of my bucket list, and by God if I didn’t jump at the chance before I could talk myself out of it. I rode on a motorcycle! This may not seem like such a big thing to some of you daredevil types. I, however, have always wanted to throw caution to the wind and hop on the back of a bike but have never been given the chance. My uncle may own a BMW mid-life crisis motorcycle, and my mom’s cousin in Illinois might have been a Hell’s Angel back in the day, but I’ve never been offered a ride. How shocked am I that it happened on a first date? Yes, you read that right, a first date. I barely know this human and he says “Wanna ride my motorcycle?” and I don’t stop to think about anything but the answer “Yes.”
When I told my mom about this experience she first said “Isn’t it so much fun!” and then quickly followed it up with, “Wait, you did this the first time you met him? I’m so glad you told me after it’s over, I don’t think I could have handled that.” Sure, hopping on his bike was essentially giving him free reign to kidnap me, but luckily he didn’t. He did take me on the freeway, though, which I have to say was exhilarating. It’s also quite possible that I gave a really great show to onlookers on the street considering I was wearing a very first date appropriate short dress that was certainly not chosen for straddling a motorcycle and traveling at high speeds. We rode all over Saint Paul, saw some gorgeous views of the Mississippi, and I took some not so great pictures of the skyline. Which, in person, was incredible. It was a great adventure, a fun and unexpected evening and a super first date. And this was only Friday!
Saturday I went to brunch with Alex and then wandered around in Highland Park for a bit. After coming home to watch some Olympic coverage I was surprised to be asked to dinner and a movie by the motorcycle man, who I will further refer to as MT (which are not his initials, and are something only he will understand). That’s right, two dates in a row! MT brought me to a steakhouse that I can only describe as transcendental. Serious NOMS. Instead of a movie, I opted to watch Sons of Anarchy at his place and become best friends with his adorable dog.
Sunday started with an uncomfortably full-feeling afternoon of Panera and froyo with Ki, followed by some unnecessary shopping and iPhone tracking of our friend on his journey to Minnesota. Next I boldly invited myself over to MT’s house for more SoA (I can’t help it…I’m addicted to the show and his dog, and he’s not so bad, either). The day ended with a phone convo with my dearest Rachel, in which we made a super exciting plan for my visit this upcoming weekend. I’m not going to give it away…that would cheapen my picture for that day! Suffice it to say I’m seriously excited to see her and spend a weekend in the city with some not so long lost friends.

DAY twenty-six

My office may not have what I've affectionately dubbed "a lid," and may be a glorified cubicle, but it's got a door that locks, and a window with a view. That's all I could ask for, really. I've got plans to do some more decorating and really make this space more me, but it's still early. At least I've got some of my favorite people to look at! You ladies are a reminder of the amazing friends I have and some of the best memories a girl could make.

DAY twenty-five

I like making people laugh. Sometimes I even do it on purpose. Today I spent some time not working with coworkers, and did some serious giggling. I also talked about Myers-Briggs and color psychology so it wasn't all folly. Working at a university is the best of both worlds: you can work in an office full of silly RA-type people who are also intelligent. This is my tribe, no question. Other highlight of the day: I found a Spanish language version of Monopoly for Susan.

DAY twenty-four

I love books for so many reasons, but one of the defining features of my favorite books is that they can move me - take me to another time or place, show me a completely new world, make me believe in and feel love and wonder and sadness and truth. The books that can make me laugh out loud without realizing, or bring tears to my eyes, or those which boil my blood, the stories that I become part of in my imagination and feel in my own heart. The fact that words on a page can have this kind of visceral effect on a person astounds me.
There are many books that I have read over the years that have done this, and I am forever changed by the stories they tell, the people they have introduced me to, and the places they have taken me. While I love to write, I'm not a writer of fiction. I prefer to dive in to the worlds created by others; I choose to write about what I know, what I think, and what I feel. I like having a voice and hope that someday my writing can touch at least one someone the way I have been touched by the words I have read. It's honestly enough for me to just write it down and put the words out there. Sometimes all you need is a way to let what's inside out.

All of this to say, I had forgotten how incredible The Perks of Being a Wallflower is. A little heavier of a post, but honest and real nonetheless. That's another bucket list item of mine for this year: always be honest with myself and with those I care about, because being real is most important. I'll take Sam's advice, too. I'm going to "do things" and "really be there."

DAY twenty-three

Why is it that as adults we insist on making every work related thing into an acronym? And how come some get pronounced like weird made-up words and others just strings of letters? Who decides these things?

DAY twenty-two

#teamJef

*no picture for today, kids. lo siento.

DAY twenty-one

Let's just say I spent the day on the struggle bus. Lots of cleaning, organizing, bill-paying, and watching an eclectic mix of tv shows/movies. Highlight of the day: finding both Dirty Dancing movies on back to back. BOOM.

DAY twenty

I finally made it to the Como Zoo! Alex and I had an entire day date, starting with animals, wax figures, people watching, and lots of pictures. After Zooing we headed down to Cottage Grove so I could meet the Hendersons, seeing as how I've been adopted as an older sister. Mama and Papa Henderson are delightful, as expected, and Alex and I spent the day listening to the constant chatter of 10 year old girls while we made 106 grad caps. We may have eaten a significant number of peanut butter cups. And some corn on the cob. Good day!

DAY nineteen

Office Olympics! Not only did we wear matching shirts, buttons, and shades, we arrived fashionably late in flying v formation with lit sparklers and the Olympics anthem blaring. Go team! Sometimes working in Student Affairs is the most amazing thing ever, if only because I'm not the only freak getting jazzed about stuff like this.
After work I met up with Ki for happy hour drinks and the most unhealthy dinner ever. Then we went back to the '60s to see a movie for $3. Coolest random theater ever!

DAY eighteen

After another great day at work, I decided to spend some time chatting up the bartender at Boca Chica, while catching a few minutes here and there with Alex. After her $2 tip on a $70 tab from the too cool for everything teens, she lovingly paid the tab for my Coronas. She's a keeper.

DAY sixteen/seventeen

Yeah, so I kinda forgot to do this whole blogging thing for a couple days. Here's what happened, first I was trapped in a black hole of meth and cartel murder madness (watching Breaking Bad, not irl). Then I got sucked into the Men Tell All episode of Bachelorette last night, which had far too little Jef Holm for my liking. Then today was just a normal Tuesday at work...not too much to report on. After work I ran some errands, put my brand spanking new license plates on my man Reginald, then sat down for a double dose of reality television crazy - Dance Moms followed by Teen Mom. None of these things really warranted a picture, although I suppose Reg and his new accessories could have been something share-worthy. I've got to get better about finding things to take pictures of!

Here's the problem, having 4 day weekends basically means I do nothing for the better part of a week. NOT OKAY. Starting next week I'm settling into my regular schedule (that I will have through the first semester) where I work Monday through Thursday. Once that happens, my plan is to capitalize on my 3 day weekends by doing fun Minnesota adventure things. I want to see the sights, and I want to share the sights with my fans (please read that in a very humble tone). So let's just scrap these last couple days. And while we're at it, if you could forgive the sorry excuse for photographic evidence of my "awesome new life" in Minnesota that I've provided so far, I would greatly appreciate it. MUCH BETTER STUFF IS FORTHCOMING. Or maybe I'll just start taking pictures of trees and lame shit on my way to work. Either way, you will love me.

xoxo from the land of 10,000 lakes!

DAY fifteen

Because I am an adult and had cake for breakfast yesterday, I felt it was only appropriate to have a brunch of froyo with Ki. After consuming $5 worth of chocolate, red velvet cupcake, and cinnamon bun flavored deliciousness (plus toppings), I came home to spend the rest of the day watching Breaking Bad. Thank God Netflix finally added season 4, but crafty of them for waiting until the DAY OF THE SEASON 5 PREMIERE. Boo on you. I don't think it's mathematically possible for me to watch 13 episodes in 8 hours, but I sure as hell am gonna try.
Here we go.

DAY fourteen

Ki, Ryan and I decided to have a classy afternoon at Treasure Island casino, because that's clearly where normal adults go on a Saturday at 2:30pm. This was a seriously fantastic idea for many reasons: I love and have missed spending time with K and R, it gave me an excuse to drive to a different part of my new home state, I was able to gamble for several hours on the same $5 (neither losing nor making any money at the end of the day), the people watching was unbelievable, K and I found our favorite slot machine (pictured below), and R discovered and played a new poker game (which it's always interesting to watch). The ONLY negative: smelling like a casino for the rest of the day...I don't know how smokers don't realize how gross they smell.

DAY thirteen

I am not one of those people who are afraid of Friday the Thirteenth thanks to my spectacular Grandpa and his lucky 13. I enjoy them, and even look forward to when they come around. So in honor of Donald and his love of chocolate (and because I wanted to) I baked a devil's food cake. I got impatient and frosted early, so it's kind of a melty gooey mess. But, damn, was it delicious. I love and miss you, DC. I ate an extra big piece for you. :)

DAY twelve

After finishing my fist week of my Assistantship today I can say without a doubt that this whole crazy grad school adventure is exactly what I needed in my life. It's tough to be so far from friends and family sometimes, but when I get lonely I just think about how awesome my new life is and will continue I be. Luckily I have a few good friends here to keep me sane, and I know that as I get settled I will meet lots of great new Minnesotan friends. My job is everything I hoped for and more and I can't wait to truly get started. It makes me even more pumped to start classes in the fall (nerdy, I know). So for today I just have a picture of the sunset through the tree outside my window. It doesn't do it justice, but it's for Susan...she loves this effing tree.

DAY eleven

My second day at work was spent entirely in meetings. Good thing I like the people I work with and am excited about my projects, otherwise it would have been rough. Oh, and the free Jimmy John's lunch didn't hurt. And knowing what movie Kiandra and I were headed to at the end of it all really helped me get through the day (and gave me some super daydreams). No shame, people. This shit was golden.

DAY ten

First day as a Graduate Assistant! YIKES. I have an office, keys, and meetings on my calendar. This is for real! I'm so excited for this job and the experience it will give me in Student Affairs...not to mention the swag I scored today (and will keep getting) and the sweet deal on tuition. :) Now it all begins!

DAY eight/nine

Right, well I said this might happen when I started this blog. I definitely forgot to post yesterday. I started the day with Beth's bridal shower, and then lost the rest of it and all of today to reading Catching Fire and Mockingjay. OOPS. Tomorrow is my first day at my Assistantship at the U, though, so I should certainly have something to post then.

DAY seven

I spent a delightful day with my long lost friend Alex exploring Minneapolis. We started at the farmers market and got some sick deals on baskets. Check it out...5 for $1!

Next we had a bloody mary lunch at The Cafeteria in Uptown, and then wandered around MOA (many surprises were in store there...). I can't wait to have more great days with my dearest Alex!

DAY six

I took an accidental 5 hour nap today, so I have relatively nothing to share. I did however receive a heartbreaking ESPN update (which was also texted to me by a Chicago friend sharing my misery). I'm not sure how to feel...

DAY five

Today was Susan's last day in the Twin Cities, so we played tourist. First campus, then we cooled off in a movie for a bit, before going to the Capitol building, the Cathedral of St.Paul, and a short stroll along the mighty Mississippi. After I drop Susan off at the airport tomorrow at the crack of dawn I will be alone in my new life for the first time. Weird.
I promise my pictures will improve... I'm still getting the hang of this whole thing.

DAY four(th of July)

Happy Amurcuh, everybody! Today I celebrated the birth of our nation by getting my cable and internet up and running so I could watch this week's episode of the Bachelorette. Oh, and then my mom and I went to Woodbury to see some sweet fireworks.

DAY three

I have Internet! Cable...not so much. After 4 very frustrating and unsuccessful calls to Comcast to get picture and sound to go along with the channel guide and information I'm giving up on tv for the night. I apologize for my not so thrilling posts in these first days, I promise better pictures are to come.

Damn you, Comcast.

DAY two

I am officially an adult now. I spent my second day in Minnesota making a gigantic and terrifying purchase, but I am happy to report I've got wheels, y'all!

It's hard for me to look like a serious adult, as demonstrated below. He still doesn't have a name...any suggestions?

UPDATE: he's got a name now! Reginald Mercer Goldberg. learn it and love it, folks.

DAY one

I have arrived! Thanks to Kiandra and Ryan and their extreme muscle, my entire UHaul was unloaded and carried up 2 flights of stairs in 90 degree weather in under 2 hours. We are superhuman. And now that it is technically almost day two in the great state of Minnesota, I'm finally getting around to posting. My pictures aren't all that exciting because my brain and body are exhausted from the chaos of the past 36 hours.

First: an injury sustained early in the unloading process, followed by many bruises.
Second: the St. Croix river welcoming me to MN.