Depth of Water

Slacking

2007-01-23T11:46:00.000-06:00

After hearing from some avid readers of my blog, who have been disappointed at my lack of writing (yes, I know, it has been months), I've decided that I'll try to get back in the swing of things with this blog.

Here are some good things in my life from the last few months:

Singing the '12 nights of Solstice', especially cheering the rising sun!
X-country skiing with Katie
Playing FIFA World Cup Soccer with Mike on his new XBox 360
Christmas cookies
My office pet Malaay (Malaay='fish' in Somali)
Finishing grad school applications and then getting into one!
Road trips

The best things in life are free...

2006-08-01T22:36:00.000-05:00

I'm working on mastering the art of acquiring free stuff. Here's a partial list of what I've managed to get recently without spending a penny:

-A Queen sized mattress and box spring (Thank you Elise!)

-Fresh-made at the table in front of my eyes Guacamole for two...

-The coziest, well-worn flannel pajama pants

-A heavy-duty metal sauce pan

-Used to be small, but with some water it's now large house plant, which was free with the purchase of a haggard $1.50 coffee table at a garage sale in Minneapolis.

-Plastic floor mats from the car dealer

-1 lb. peanut butter fudge

And now, for the morals of my story:

1) When you need something, tell people. They might have what you need just lying around or know someone else who does. You've heard it before: One person's junk is another one's treasure...

2) If you are an unhappy consumer, write a letter! You just might get some free fudge or an $100 flight voucher.

Good luck and happy savings!

Beach

2006-07-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite photos--A beach in South Africa which we stayed near on our way to Umtata.

World Cup Fever!

2006-06-14T18:57:00.000-05:00

The World Cup has now been going on five days now and has it ever been fantastic! Close games, near upsets, fantastic footwork, and loud drunken fans--could it get any better?

I don't know what you are doing reading my blog--you should be tuned to your nearest television set on ESPN or a foreign network for excellent soccer coverage. If (sadly!) you are like me, and have no TV reception of any kind, you can always tune in over the radio airwaves!

I was listening to AM 1440 in Minneapolis for live World Cup coverage in Spanish. It was Germany v. Costa Rica and the fans and commentator were cheering so loud, I kept having to turn my radio down. When Costa Rica scored their second goal, the commentator yelled: "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..." and then my radio cut out and then cut back in "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL".
It was by far the best radio I've heard in a long time.

AIDS Walk

2006-05-18T12:24:00.000-05:00

Mike and I will be volunteering at the MN AIDS Walk coming up this Saturday May 21st at Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis. We will be marshals wearing shirts that read "Obey Me" so come by and find us on the route as you walk!

Also, if you are not walking but interested in pledging money, let me know!

I'll be walking/volunteering in honor of Pinkie and her ten-year-old daughter Busiswe, two South Africans who are HIV positive and have lost their husband/father to AIDS just months before I lived with them.

Boundin'

2006-04-28T15:17:00.000-05:00

There is a great short film by Pixar called Boundin'. (You can find it on the DVD version of The Incredibles) I was just thinking about this fantastic rhyming story last Monday when I was at the YWCA at a fitness class called Rebound. Basically, each person has their own personal trampoline where you bounce for 45 minutes. Don't laugh--it's great cardio! While I was jumping around with 15 other ladies in the class (including Sarah Wanless!) the whole time I was thinking of part of the short which goes: "Bound, Bound, Bound and Re-bound" It's quite a wonderful jingle. Then of course after the class we had to go borrow the movie and watch the short 5 or 6 times. If you haven't seen it, stop reading, and go watch! It's amazing and only 4:20 minutes long. My new favorite quote though, is from The Great American Jackalope and goes "Pink, pink, well what's wrong with pink? Seems you have a pink kink in your think!" Isn't that just a nice rhyme?

The Dusty Statue

2006-03-03T11:43:00.000-06:00

I've started to notice at work that I sit for such a long time, that dust settles on me. Seriously! My black blazer gets dusty as I sit behind the desk. At first I thought it was dandruff or food crumbs, but it finely covers my entire blazer, and I've even noticed dust all over my the jackets of my coworkers. Thus, it has been determined that I am officially, a fixture at Children's.

Tagged

2006-01-27T12:20:00.000-06:00

So, I've been tagged by Mary, and even though she thought I wouldn't notice nor respond, here goes...

Four Jobs:
Toy Store
I worked at Creative Kidstuff part-time for a few years. I started as a lowly gift wrapper using "foof" (their word for colorful zig-zag cardboard you decorate a package with), ribbons, and beautiful paper. Some of the best things I ever wrapped: a hula hoop, a Beamo, a play horsey, and a guitar. I also would help people pick out gifts for their kids and make recommendations on the "coolest" Lego sets. All in all, a pretty sweet job.

Computer Lab
My student employment at Macalester was a "Lab Monitor" which basically meant I sat in a small room with 6 computers, a hot water pot, and hot chocolate and tea, and made sure nobody stole them. It was nice, since I could get my homework done, except for the one night when a professor's child came into the lab and spilled hot chocolate all over one of the keyboards. Sticky fun...

Hospital
For almost 3 years I've worked at the hospital, answering phone and staffing an information desk. I pretty much interact with hundreds of people each day, which is great. I get to practice my limited Spanish speaking skills, and I'm just waiting for the day that a South African comes in and I can break out the Xhosa. Otherwise, overall and fun, and often times hilarious job.

Youth Program
I spent a summer working with some high school students who were volunteering at various places in Minneapolis. I was their "mentor" and we talked about various topics including: social justice, race, white privilege, etc. The thing was, many of these kids were already very familiar with these issues, most of them public school students, and were actually more in-tune with the topics that some of the adults who wrote the curriculum thought...

Four Movies
I'm a sucker for great "kid friendly" movies so really, Shrek and Finding Nemo are up towards the top of the list. Movies that create discussion are also favorites including Crash and Hotel Rwanda.

Four Places I've Lived
1. Minneapolis
2. Saint Paul
3. South Africa
4. Minneapolis (again...hey it's a great city!)

Four TV Shows I Love
That's easy: The West Wing, Law and Order, CSI, and Boston Legal.

Four Places I've Been on Vacation
Spent many a summer in Jamestown, RI hanging out with the extended family, staying in "la garage". This fall took an amazing vacation to Ecuador visiting the cities of Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and many cities in between. I've also gone to Holland and France, and numerous road trips around the U.S. with my family.

Four Websites I Visit Daily
Well, since almost 40 hours per week is spent in front of a computer at work, in no particular order: gmail, Star Tribune (to play Sudoku), the "start page" for telephone numbers at work, and google!

Four of My Favorite Foods
1. Fruit (all kinds)
2. Chocolate (esp. Dark)--currently I'm really into Peanut Butter M&Ms.
3. Pesto on pizza and pasta
4. A salad of mixed greens and chopped pears with Goddess dressing.

Four Places I'd Rather Be
Anyplace warm really. I'd also like to be somewhere with lots of beaches and green. Actually, being in MN is nice during the summer!

Four Albums I Can't Live Without
Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't really buy or have any CDs. I really can't live without my iPod. I enjoy Counting Crows, world music, and lots of movie soundtracks.

Four People to Tag
Maria Hansen
Katie Pastorius
Mike Taylor
Brittany Lynk

Resolutions

2006-01-06T07:47:00.000-06:00

At the beginning of the new year, it is tradition for people to make resolutions. I've always thought the middle of the winter was sort of a strange time to do this--mostly because it's so dark and cold, and seems like one of the most difficult times to change one's ways. I was reading in a magazine that over half the country resolves to start exercising regularly, but seriously, what Minnesotan who is not already a runner is going to bundle up January 2nd and start running around frozen Lake Calhoun, and somehow plan to do that everyday for the rest of the winter. Not me.

The dictionary defines resolution as: res·o·lu·tion A course of action determined or decided on; a resolving to do something. At this point in my life, it seems perhaps I should be making resolutions. In 2006, I resolve to drink more water, exercise often, read more good books.

Ultimately, my big resolution is just to do just that, to do something. I'm hoping that means that I can find some life direction in 2006, whether that be a job/career I'm excited about, a Masters program to apply to, or even just some new hobbies and/or friends to pass the time. I also hope to travel, strengthen friendships, spend more time outdoors, and start sleeping in. I might start these resolutions today, or might wait until winter is over, the sun comes out, and it really starts to feel like a new year.

Happy 2006!

World Travelers

2006-01-06T07:39:00.000-06:00

Yet another close friend is off for world adventures. My dear old roomie Katie is off to Europe for a few months (check out her sweet blog on the right-->). As she was leaving I started thinking about what world travelers my generation has become. I currently have friends who have/are studying abroad for a semester, in various countries, on EVERY continent but Antarctica. Incredible, no?

Thoughts on Winter

2005-12-02T15:58:00.000-06:00

5 Reasons I Dislike Winter:

1) My car doors freeze shut, leaving the trunk the only way to enter and exit my car.

2) Two words: Dry Skin.

3) Suddenly almost everyone becomes a bad driver--driving down the middle of Lyndale Avenue (pretending it's a one lane street), taking up 2 parking spots in parking lots...

4) No sales on popsicles.

5) Arriving and leaving work in the dark...

5 Reasons I Like Winter

1) You get to wear mittens and scarves.

2) Flannel sheets, down comforters, and sleeping in!

3) * Snow * (and sledding of course)

4) Good movies on TV!

5) It makes the warm weather of spring that much better!

Vacation

2005-11-01T15:06:00.000-06:00

I´m in Ecuador on a wonderful 2 week vacation...for updates on my travels check out Mike´s blog at: www.aventurasdelgringo.blogspot.com

And I'm Freeeee...free fallin'!

2005-10-21T07:10:00.000-05:00

A little more fun at GW's expense...

http://www.yeeguy.com/freefall/

Make sure you move the mouse and pull the ragdoll in all sorts of wonderful positions!

Size Matters

2005-10-11T17:49:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was driving in circles for 15 minutes looking for an open parking space in a crowded parking ramp. A few of the spaces were labeled with a sign that read "Compact Only"...as a driver of a VW Golf, I always look to these spots, because besides a Mini Cooper and Geo Metro, you can't get more compact than a Golf. As I was looking in the "Compact Only" spots--to my astonishment--a white Yukon XL SUV had wedged itself into one of these "compact only" labeled spots, with the back end sticking way out and taking up an entire other parking space next to it...I was shaking my fist in frustration as I noticed further down the row there was a black Hummer H2 parked in another "compact only" space!! Are they kidding? Seriously now folks--A HUMMER IS NOT A COMPACT CAR!

Flying Spaghetti Monster vs. Intelligent Design

2005-10-02T13:16:00.000-05:00

So there's a new player in the evolution vs. intelligent design debate going on in school districts across the country. It's the belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster--in fact, there may even be evidence, including a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature. That is, that as the number of pirates in the world decreases, average global temperature increases. Facinating. Check this out for yourself at: http://www.venganza.org/

I Saw the Sign (and broke it!)

2005-09-24T18:38:00.000-05:00

So we have this large handwashing apparatus at work. It's shaped like a enormous traffic light with the green, yellow, and red lights, and is supposed to remind visitors to "STOP, WASH, and GO". You put your hands underneath this small little container, curl one finger, and sanitizing foam sprays out of the tube like hair mousse.

I really had never thought myself as much of a klutz until today, when from on the other side of a mechanically locked gate (which I was attempting to raise), I managed to flip this gigantic traffic light over, at which time it toppeled over onto the floor and broke into multiple pieces.

People came running from all directions and were amazed that I, standing in a seperate room and behind a locked gate, had caused this mess. Looking back, it was hilarious...what wasn't so funny at the time, was having to wheel this now broken large traffic light on wheels down to the basement where it can get repaired on Monday morning.

Oh Shucks!

2005-09-16T19:20:00.000-05:00

Inevitably, it's always the end of the summer when I remember how much I love corn on the cob. Unfortunately, by now (mid-September) it's almost too late, since all of the delicious MN grown sweet corn is about out of season. Alas, I travel early every Saturday morning to the Farmers Market in Minneapolis hoping for an ear or two...

I guess I'll just have to settle for all the other delicious "fall" foods...like apples :)

Try This At Home

2005-09-09T16:50:00.000-05:00

Sometimes mainstream media DOES tell the truth :P

Need another small chuckle? Try this:

1. Go to Google (www.google.com)

2. Type in the word "failure"

3. Click on "I'm feeling Lucky"

Hehe :)

Days Like This

2005-09-08T18:57:00.000-05:00

The 5 Most Exciting Things About Moving:

1. Your whole body aches after hauling load after load of bulky furniture up two flights of stairs. An added bonus is the weird bruises that appear on your forearms and thighs over the next few days, marking where items were precariously balanced.

2. Unpacking boxes that you packed ages ago, only to discover things you never knew you had! (I had one box that I never unpacked from my freshman year in college!)

3. Attempting to cook the first few days, and realizing how necessary some kitchen items--such as plates, a cheese grater, and pots and pans--really are!

4. Eating meals sitting on the floor, with a box as your table--for weeks!

5. Discovering all the quirks of the new place...like all the electrical outlets which were painted over "accidentally", or the bathroom mirror which refuses to shut, or the THREE doors to the hallway (located in the kitchen, living room, and bedroom!), or the... :)

Check It Out

2005-08-29T16:13:00.000-05:00

Mike has gone down to Ecuador for the semester and created a blog documenting his travels. Check it out via the link on the right or: www.aventurasdelgringo.blogspot.com

Camping 101

2005-08-17T16:44:00.000-05:00

Mike and I went camping on the North Shore in July. We're pretty experienced campers. We've gone through sand storms in the desert of Nevada, had thousands of spiders attack our tent in California, and even slept in a teepee in Colorado. So up we headed one Friday afternoon to Northern MN and the lovely shores of Lake Superior. On our way, we made the mandatory stop at Betty's Pies (see picture) where we munched on Rhubarb Peach Crunch and Raspberry Apple Pie. It was delicious!
The next night we planned this amazing dinner of beer broiled steak, rosemary garlic potatoes, and asparagus. We prepped our firepit with a DuraLog, a commerically available firestarter, and some other firewood and started the food cooking. The smells coming out of the tinfoil were yummy...we had only let the food cook for a short time, when we realized the flame was too hot. We quickly took the food off of the fire and opened it up only to discover our gourmet meal was charred! After sadly picking through what remained of our dinner, we decided to make popcorn over the fire...after that didn't pop, we realized something was up. Mike looked at the DuraLog package, only to discover the warnings "Do not use to cook!" "Do not mix with other wood!" etc. Quite the hilarious moment. The lesson to be learned--stick with firewood when camping (and make hotdogs!)

All Time is Break Time

2005-08-17T15:42:00.000-05:00

Maria gave me the idea to get a blog. We thought about many different names such as "lizzwith2zs", "curiositykilledthecat", "aforestisinanacorn", "hokay" and "alltimeisbreaktime". Maybe you should get a blog. It's awfully fun and you get to be creative, which for a Wednesday afternoon is a good break from work...