Friday, December 30, 2011

Christmas 2011

For the first time, Erik and I did a completely joint Christmas. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but we both agreed that it was a success. Here was our three day schedule, December 24-26.

Christmas Eve (December 24)
Church at Mt. Olivet in Minneapolis
My Christmas Eve gathering in Edina
Erik's Christmas Eve gathering in Vasa
Drive back to Minneapolis

Christmas Day (December 25)
Wake up to trumpet at my parent's house
Open presents with my immediate family
Brunch
Dinner with my extended family
Drive to White Bear Lake

December 26
Britta and I went to Banana Republic hoping for amazing deals...was disappointed
Torgerson Christmas gathering
Back to St. Paul at 10:00pm

It was definitely different, and on the morning of the 24th I started to feel a bit sad about having to change up some of my traditions. But, that sadness quickly faded as we began the events. In the end, it was exciting to start new traditions and I'm really glad we got to see so many people. It was a great Christmas.





Hope you all had a joyous season!

As we enter a new year, remember these words I heard in the movie, The Help, a few nights ago. 
Aibileen Clark: "You is kind. You is smart. You is important." 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Adopt A Family Holiday Party

Last night I went to a lovely holiday party, hosted by Amanda and Davey. Amanda went through Hennepin County Social Services and found a family for us to adopt for the holiday season. Our friends bought Christmas presents for a single mom and her two daughters. It was a wonderful time, with great potluck food. The best part was seeing the result of us coming together to provide Christmas for this family in need.

The afternoon started with some fun in the kitchen with Erik, Dan, Katie and Jared. We prepped for our contributions to the holiday potluck. Homemade pizza with Dan as the master chief, and Jared and Katie as the apprentices. I put together a green salad and Erik wowed everyone with his Suddenly Salad, and extra vegetable additions.



Lots of generous friends purchased gifts to help provide for the family's Christmas.

 Thanks for a wonderful holiday party, Amanda and Davey! As I said last night, see you in 12 months.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Fall Happenings

School is in full swing, and I'm developing my new school year routine. Life is good busy. The kind of busy where I feel like I'm using my brain, being active and having fun. Yes, I drive a lot. But I like my job and I have health insurance. Both good things.

Outside of school, weekends have been busy.  These next couple of pictures are from the Twin Cities Marathon. Erik and his dad ran the 10 Mile. I love the Twin Cities Marathon! I'm not about to run 26 miles personally, but I love the atmosphere. Strangers are cheering for strangers, the fall colors are out, and people are accomplishing goals. It almost made me want to run myself..maybe the 10 Mile next year? Eek.




Two weekends ago, Erik and I hit up the Kingfield Farmer's Market, my local neighborhood farmer's market. I always buy more than I can eat. This time I picked up some lettuce, potatoes and tomatoes. I like this market because they have food stands with ready to eat food. I had nachos, Erik had a curry falafel.



You can even buy a smoothie made on a bike!


In the afternoon we headed to an apple orchard. The apple doughnuts were wonderful, but I was disappointed that we couldn't pick our own apples. I rebelled and took an apple off a tree. I'm a rebel.



Today is the beginning of my MEA break. This is the first time in my life I am getting a paid vacation! We're headed to Madison to visit Britta and Sean, and conquer the corn maze.

Happy Fall!



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

First Ride on a Rollercoaster

Before Saturday I had never been on a rollercoaster. Yes, I had had many opportunities. I had resisted. I hate the feeling of my stomach dropping. When I was a kid, we always vacationed at a cabin in WI for a week each summer. We had a road we dubbed "rollercoaster road." All of the other kids begged for the adult driver to go fast down this strip of road.  I screamed and yelled to go slower. I know, lame.

When I went to Valleyfair as a kid, I would sit on a bench while others went on the rollercoasters. I did do the log chute a few times. I didn't like it when my stomach dropped. So, I refused to go on the rollercoasters.

Erik loves rollercoasters. He has always wished that I at least try going on a rollercoaster. He always said I couldn't say I didn't like something if I hadn't tried it.

So, this weekend I went on a rollercoaster.

Erik won four passes to Mt. Olympus in Wisconsin Dells. We invited Jenny and Dave to join us. I had never been to Wisconsin Dells. Wow...it is quite a place. I would compare the people watching to the Minnesota State Fair. There is tacky attraction after tacky attraction as you drive down the road. Yet, somehow it grabs you in. I want to go back and try out one of those Ducks that drives on land and in water!

Here's a picture of us enjoying our parking lot picnic. They don't allow food in the actual park.


After we enjoyed the waterslides and go-carts it came time for my rollercoaster debut. We chose Pegasus, the smallest "adult" rollercoaster at the park. I was scared. I know, lame. But everyone was very supportive. We all have our fears.

I buckled myself in, and we were off. It was jerky, and had one major hump early on. I screamed the entire time, and even put my hands up in the air since that's what I've seen people do.

I was thrilled when we reentered the loading area. I think Erik was even more excited because apparently I had gotten so scared, I had grabbed his arm the entire ride and left nail marks on his skin.

Did I enjoy it? Sort of.
Do I need to do it again anytime soon? No.
Did it feel like I expected? Yes.

I'm glad I accomplished this fear. But, it didn't completely change my opinions on rollercoasters. I think I'll stick to the waterslides.

Here's a picture of Pegasus as we left the park.



Here's some other pictures for your viewing pleasure. Erik also had free tickets to "Top Secret." Don't ever spend $12 on a ticket. Thankfully ours were free. We still don't really know what it was per se. Mystery tour, haunted house, commentary on the White House? Jenny was laughing so hard during the tour that she had to hide behind Dave.


We had a great Labor Day weekend in Wisconsin.  The clouds put on quite a show for our drive home.



On Thursday I begin work with my kindergartners. Labor Day brings about new schedules and new routines. Good luck everyone!




Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Job!

Hello Friends,
I've been busy lately with my new job as a Kindergarten Title 1 teacher. Kids haven't arrived yet, though tonight I got to meet some of the little kiddos at Open House. I have lots to learn, but I'm excited to get started! I'm hoping to see lots of progress in these kindergartners from now to the end of the year. This is my first year-long job as a teacher and I couldn't be more excited to be in one place for an entire school year.

The drive is long, and its not quite full-time, but its a new adventure. Wish me luck!

I took this dorky picture of myself for a poster introducing myself to the families.

Here's a before and after of my desk. I had to add a little color!

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I'm off to the Wisconsin Dells for the weekend. One last hurrah before the school year starts. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

P.S. I took these pictures on my phone, then uploaded them to Picasa. Does anyone know why there is a gray line on the bottom? I'd prefer it wasn't there!



Monday, August 22, 2011

Global Five Year Reunion

This summer marks our five year anniversary of leaving for Global. Global Semester is a program I did in college where we traveled to 7 different countries, with 28 students and our professors. It's a fabulous program that teaches you about other parts of the world, but also provides an opportunity to make wonderful friendships with a "forced" group of people.

Our reunion was held the last weekend of July, at Jess's beautiful cabin! This cabin has a loft room where 9 of the 14 of us slept. We had great food, enjoyed the lake, boated and jet skied, and enjoyed a bonfire. However, the best part was simply catching up with each other.

Happy Five Years, Globies!
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Miss Linnea's Birthday!

On Saturday we had a wonderful adventure in Minneapolis to celebrate Linnea's birthday. We started out at the Mill City Museum, a museum that is very interactive with beautiful views. You even get to sample sugar cookies!




Then we headed back to Pleasant for some ice cream cake.

Happy 25th Birthday Linnea!

(PS- Today I'm trying out Picasa and putting pictures up that I took on my phone. There's definitely some experimenting going on.)