Graduation!

On Sunday I graduated from Saint Catherine University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work.

My journey from high school to college graduate was a long one. Thirteen years long to be exact. Sometimes it seems disappointing that it took me so long, but as I look at everything I have done over the past 13 years I realize I wouldn't change those experiences for the world. I have grown so much as a person and those experiences will be invaluable in my future career. I have come to realize that going back to college 2 1/2 years ago was something that happened at exactly the right time.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past couple of years as I worked my way through school, working full time, internships, and more.

First and foremost, to my dear Kristin who listened to me complain incessantly about the homework and the time it was sucking out of my life. Who listened to me cry at midnight because I had a huge paper due the next day and had yet to start it. Who listened to jokes or funny stories from class that didn't sound nearly as funny outside of class. Who understood when I was too tired to clean or too busy to cook. Who read papers and gave suggestions even when she didn't have a clue what the assignment was all about.

To my classmates who also listened to me complain and complained right along with me. Who were there to offer support when life got crazy. Who made group work bearable. Who each in her own way taught me invaluable lessons about life, friendship, perseverance, integrity, hard work, and survival.

To the professors. Who all cared about us as students and human beings. Who were passionate about social work and instilled that passion in each of us.

To my sister, Cassi, who always answered her phone (even if I had already called her 10 times that day) to answer questions or just lend a listening ear.

To my parents who were always willing to read a paper one more time.

To my various coworkers, managers, and friends at Dow Jones who were always supportive and flexible - allowing me to leave early or come in late to accommodate my school and internship schedule.

To friends who have been understanding when I've had to cancel plans at the last minute or who have sat here and listened to me complain (I seem to have complained a lot over the past 2 1/2 years, haven't I?!?) without complaining back. Who called at 6 a.m. to make sure I was up cramming for a Spanish test. Who always had answers when I asked questions.

And finally to the person who once said "if she can go all the way to China to follow her dreams you can certainly go a few miles down the road to St. Kate's to follow yours." Who always told me I could do it even when I insisted I couldn't. Who never gave up hope and assured me over and over that I am not now, nor have I ever been, crazy. :)

I couldn't have made it through the past 2 1/2 years without the help and support of all of you. So thank you.

And now...a few pictures from graduation...

A large portion of the group of amazing women I had the privilege of spending every other weekend with for the past two + years!

Kristin and I after graduation.

Elizabeth, me, and Becky

Kristin and me!

An official St. Kate's aluma!

Congrats Lisa and Beth!

This weekend we had the honor of attending Lisa and Beth's wedding!

It was wonderful to see friends we hadn't seen in awhile,

and to share in the celebration (unfortunately both of us

were fighting off the stomach flu,

so we couldn't stay long :( ).

Kristin was a chuppah holder.

Kelly, Amy, and Jason

Carolyn

Us :)

Quick Catch Up...

Things have been a little crazy the past few weeks. I thought I'd give a quick recap on some highlights (beware - lots of pictures ahead!).

My sisters, Cassi and Robyn, and their significant others, Nic and Dejan, came to visit July 22 – 26. It was so great to see them all again!! We went to the Science Museum to see the Titanic exhibit (well worth the time and money to see…amazingly powerful). We went to the Mall of America and bowling and had a bon fire at the Como Park fire rings. We also tried a new restaurant or two along the way. Thanks to Robyn and Dejan for all of the housewarming gifts (the flowers, part of the router, the rug, domacica (sp?), and more!) and to Cassi and Nic for their housewarming gifts as well as helping to unpack and set up the router. We’re already planning next year’s gathering, so hopefully this will become a yearly thing.

Kristin, Me, Cassi, and Robyn hanging out at the bowling alley.

Dejan and Robyn relaxing between rounds.

Cassi inspects Nic's eye at the Science Museum.

Robyn tries her hand at eye inspections.

Nic is scared to see the Titanic movie.

The girls hanging out at the Science Museum.

Monday the 27th was our 2nd anniversary! We were both exhausted and spent most of the day lounging around the house ignoring all the stuff we had to do! We ended up going to Bascali’s for dinner. A place neither of had been, but which had gotten great reviews. Kristin thought it was okay, I didn’t like it at all. We headed to a movie, The Proposal, and then headed home to open gifts (the 2nd wedding anniversary gift is cotton – Kristin gave me a skirt and a customizable stepping stone for the garden. I gave her a hammock chair to hang either on the porch, in the living room, or in our bedroom upstairs once that is finished).

On Thursday, the 30th we headed to Wascott, Wisconsin, to Wilderness Way! We went a couple of times last year and loved it, so we decided we needed to make a trip out there at least once this year. We went with Patti from California and Vicenta (a classmate from St. Kate’s). It was a fun trip. Kristin ended up spending a majority of the trip catching up on sleep, and I used it as an excuse to make a little headway in the book I’ve been reading for the past two months. It was a fun trip – peaceful and relaxing as always!

Me walking on the dock

Patti

Vicenta

Kristin and Me by the fire.

We came back from Wilderness Way on Saturday, the 1st. Jessie and Patti’s birthdays were both on the 29th, so we went to a party at Jessie’s that evening to celebrate! It was seriously one of the best times I’ve had in a long time…just what I needed!

Playing the psychiatrist game. I was doing my best

imitation of Emily. Kristin was doing her best imitation of me

and Heather was doing her best imitation of Kristin.

I think we all hit it right on :)

Jessie opening her gifts.

Kristin and Me!

This past Sunday we spent time working in and around the house. I mowed the lawn which turned out to be a much bigger job than I thought it would be. I love mowing lawns…but with all the steep hills it was a bit much for me…I have gotten some really great ideas on how to do it better next time, so hopefully next time it won’t be so bad.

Mowing with the new mower!

Monday Heather and Santiago came for a visit. It was so good to see them and we had a lot of fun. I introduced Santi to the miracle of the laundry chute and taught him how to use the camera. He seemed to enjoy both activiites :). He also read me a bedtime story which put me right to sleep!

Heather and Santi

Santi smiles for the camera!

Santi loves the laundry chute as much as I do!

One of Santi's first photos! I think we have a

future star on our hands!

Santi tries to put me to sleep by reading about

a red barn on a farm.

I had my first day of internship training at The Bridge yesterday. I hope to write more about it soon, but it was awesome – I can’t wait to get started in September!

Consider yourselves caught up. :) The end.

Birthday Dinner

Last night we went out to dinner at Benihana's with friends to celebrate my 30th birthday. It was a great night - and was so good to see everyone again. Thanks to everyone who came - you made it an unforgettable night.

Kristin and me at Benihana's

Our chef, Moises, doing his stuff

Moises and me

Jehn, Michele, and Heather

Beth and Lisa

Michele and Heather

Smarty

Birthday cake fun with Lucy (the guinea pig)

Me with Bear, an awesome birthday gift from Kristin

Wilderness Way Take 2

Recently Kristin and I celebrated our 5^th anniversary by heading back to our favorite camping/cabin spot – Wilderness Way.  It didn’t actually start as an anniversary celebration trip, it was just a ‘one last trip before the snow falls’ with Michele, Heather, and Jehn.  So, we headed to Wisconsin the weekend of MEA (which also happened to be our anniversary weekend) for some fall relaxation.

Kristin, Jehn, and I left Friday around noon.  The drive took much longer than usual as we seemed to stop in every town  and at every store for something.  I was happy when we finally arrived.  This time we got a bigger cabin closer to the lake, and I loved it!  It was so beautiful and the cabin was a little nicer than the last one we were in.  We settled in, unpacked our $130 worth of groceries (stopped at a VERY overpriced grocery store along the way) and enjoyed the scenery.  We started a fire that evening and were excited when Michele and Heather finally arrived.

The next day was fairly low key.  We were going to go to a meat raffle at the Golden Chipmunk, but missed it after some misunderstandings.  Oh well.  There’s always next time, right?  :)  We basically just relaxed all day and then headed over to the Golden Chipmunk for dinner. 

We ended the night by joining some other lesbians at the fire pit – Michele especially seemed excited to meet and converse with them.  The weather was beautiful, so Kristin and I decided to go for a walk.  We went down by the lake, and I was struck by the number of stars in the sky!  I remember sleeping outside when I was little and trying to count the stars.  My parents live out in the middle of nowhere, so I could always see millions of stars at night.  I had kind of forgotten what that was like – but there they were – all still there!

We had lots of fun adventures with animals there as well – a flying squirrel (yes, they do exist), chipmunks (unfortunately ours didn’t sing, Alvin….Alvin….ALVIN!), spiders, loons, and more.

The next morning Michele cooked us all a great breakfast and we packed to leave.  Last time we stayed for one night and I found myself wishing we could have stayed longer.  This trip we stayed for 2 nights and once again I was wishing we could stay for another night or two.  It is so peaceful there!!

I’m thinking of ringing in my 30^th year there in December.  Not sure how it would be if it’s really cold and possibly snowy, but I really can’t think of any place I’d rather spend my birthday!

2nd Annual LSC Bonfire

The beginning of October we had a bonfire at Como Park fire rings!  Kristin and I showed up a few hours before the event was going to start thinking that would be plenty early.  But when we arrived all of the rings were taken.  We then spent the next 2 hours on the phone with Heather and driving all over Saint Paul trying to find other available rings.  

After about 1 ½ hours we realized that all of the rings had been removed – seems the Parks Department removes all of the fire pits in September.  Which makes no sense to me.  October typically is the perfect month for bonfires – so why they remove the pits in September is beyond me.

Anyway, so after 2 hours of driving to all sorts of different parks (I was frustrated by the end, but the drive was so beautiful, I didn’t mind too much!) we decided to head back to Como and hope that a fire ring opened up.  We were able to get a grill near the rings, so we cooked up our hot dogs and waited.  Eventually we basically built a fire in the grill (totally illegal) so we could make s’ mores.  Then someone noticed that some people were packing up to leave.  

Heather and Michele, being the brave souls that they are, headed over to ask if we could have their ring.  They said yes, and we pounced! 

It was great because the fire was already going and we were able to just sit and enjoy.  At some point we commenced the annual meeting of the LSC.  I agreed to induct all bonfire attendees (Heather, Michele, Emily, Lara, Kristin, and Jehn ), and we agreed that the annual meeting should be held around a bonfire. 

That was about it.  Oh, there were lots of s’ mores and a slight confrontation with some guys (which Kristin handled like a super star) but otherwise it was just a nice, relaxing evening under the stars!  I keep thinking maybe we could squeeze one more in before it gets too cold, but not sure that will happen!  Oh well, I guess there’s always next year!

Wilderness Way

This weekend we embarked on an adventure! We decided to accompany our friends Heather and Michele to Wilderness Way, an all-women's campground near Wascott, Wisconsin.

We discovered Saturday morning, however, that we didn't have directions, so we googled our way to Wascott and figured we'd find our way from there.

The scenery on the drive was beautiful, and the drive went quickly. We found our way to Wascott but then had no idea how to find Wilderness Way. We tried calling Michele and Heather and Wilderness Way but only got voicemails.

After driving around aimlessly for awhile we finally stopped at Red River Resort to ask directions. Kristin went inside to ask only to find that it was a bar. There were five fairly intoxicated people inside who, between, them, were able to give her somewhat decent directions once they figured out it was the "girl scout camp" she was trying to find (yeah, whatever, as long as it got us there, who cares what they think!).

We finally found the somewhat hidden entrance and our cabin! Michele and Heather had arrived the previous night, so they had the cabin all set up. After a little rest and catching up we headed down to the water for a little canoeing action. I was a little freaked out (never been canoeing before), but Kristin was a great guide and we were able to get in the canoe and launch off without a problem. I wish I could have taken my camera out with me! It was beautiful - I think I could have just stayed out all day.

When we got back to the dock I ran up to grab the camera and a woman offered to take our picture. I thought about photoshopping the dock out, but thought it was funny to have it in there. :)

After the canoeing trip the other ladies decided they wanted to go swimming. Lake swimming isn't really my cup of tea, so I just sat on the dock, read, laughed at them, and took some pictures.

Kristin was relaxing on her floaty thing and had her fingers dangling in the water. Along came a fish who decided they looked tasty. After that incident the swimming was over for the day.

We headed back to the cabin where Michele checked out the grill to see about prepping it for some chedderwursts (which she seemed obsessed on making). Everyone decided to skip the chedderwursts (sorry Michele!) and just have a snack of Suddenly Salad (another obsession of Michele's). We got ready and headed to the Golden Chipmunck for dinner. It's a little local dive restaraunt/bar that has really great food. Yum.

On the way back there was a minor emergency when Michele got a bug in her eye. Thank goodness Heather was there to help out.

We headed back the cabin and all watched in amazement as Kristin built what some passing women called a "model fire." She was so proud - as were we! Who knew she had such skills?!? We had some s'mores (Michele was a great preparer and even made sure everyone was equipped with a bib to prevent messes). We also made some new friends - a couple of women from the cities stopped by to admire the fire and ended up sitting with us for quite awhile. It was fun to talk and get to know them better.

We had planned to play some games last night but were so tired we decided against it and ended up heading to bed. This morning Michele cooked a fabulous breakfast of bacon and eggs (we were so spoiled!).

We finally packed up and headed home. We kept saying how beautiful it was and how we wished we could have stayed longer so I told Kristin we have to go back over MEA weekend...I think I may also plan a solo trip there in the next couple of months - can't wait!!

So, thanks to Michele and Heather for the inviting us, thanks for Kristin for telling me to get my butt in the canoe, and thanks to Wilderness Way for being so great :)

For more pictures of our fun-filled weekend, click here.