What a great feeling!

I don't want to break my arm patting myself on my back, BUT I can proudly say I'm finished!! As of 1:48 this afternoon, I turned in my last project and finished my last test of my undergrad years! What a relief! I did fine on all of my finals (I think..), and I'm not worried about that! It's a good feeling, but it's almost surreal like nothing's different! I will graduate on Friday, and maybe things will sink in then!

That said, I get word yesterday saying that I was accepted on aprroved status to grad school! After waiting two months, I have finally heard back from them!! Approved status just means that I will be fully enrolled, and not on any provisionary terms (like probationary periods, etc.). I am proud of this as well! I think that maybe the reason why I haven't felt any different is because I still have two years! But things will be different at Grad SChool. No more fighting for great parking spots or carrying a ton of books at one time!

I believe I will celebrate with a stiff drink this evening! Cheers!

'Tis the Season!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I put up our Christmas Tree this past weekend, and that puts me in a good mood. I got frustrated with my tree last year taking it down, and accidently broke the foot of the tree! So the tree tilts a little bit!

I also wanted to put up the picture of my first finished quilt! It's an advent calendar that I wanted to finish before the First so I can really count down the days!

Snow, Snow, go away....

That's right, it's here. I was hoping to prolong it as far as we could. We did, for a little while. But now the snow is here, and it's here with a vengence! We haven't even had time to adjust to the weather before it has dipped way below zero! In fact, in Grand Forks today, the wind chill is -22!!! Sunday, when Josh and I were leaving Sebeka, it was in the 40's! During the day on Monday, it was actually pretty nice! Until late afternoon, when the snow started falling! When I got off of work on Monday, we were in a Winter Weather Advisory!! The snow was falling as hard as the wind was blowing, and it looked like there was a blizzard outside! The temperature dropped a lot, and hasn't gotten up much higher than it was that night.

I am such a freeze baby, and don't especially like the winter time! I should just move to California, but family keeps me around! I think I may enjoy it more when I'm not a student that has to park far away at school, and must walk a few blocks in this mess to class!!

What happened to my dreams of a brown Christmas???

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Turkey Day-eve! I probably won't blog tomorrow, so I wanted to send the message out a little bit earlier. Besides the cold weather, this is the most wonderful time of the year (from now until after Christmas). To me these holidays always mean family and family time, which are very precious to me. I wish that I could see more of my family on these holidays! They also help me to take a step back and think about all of the things I am grateful for, and may, at some times, take for granted. My family and loved ones top the list of things I am thankful for. I love everyone, have a great holiday, and don't forget to take some time to remember things that you are thankful for!

My Project Update

At Quilt retreat, I took a shot in the dark and began my first quilting venture! Apparently, my mom forgot to mention to me that I was starting a pretty tough project. My calendar had 25 pockets (one for each day), and 25 appliques. I have the front put together, and this weekend my mom will help me attach the back and actually do the "quilting part." I will put pictures up once it is completely finished. I honestly couldn't have done any of it without my mom's help...I wouldn't have even known where to begin. She is pretty much the reason why it looks nice, because I would've gotten impatient and given up!

I also made about 30 Christmas cards to send out. I am excited about those too...and they are all different. But they did take a lot longer to make than I had anticipated!! I would put pictures of those online, but it may ruin the surprise when everyone gets them in the mail! I will mail them out after Thanksgiving.

Update on Grad School: I had hoped to know whether or not I was accepted by Thanksgiving, but it doesn't look like that will happen. My test scores aren't even in yet! They were suppose to arrive 10-15 days after I took the test...we are on day 17...so hopefully soon!! But the Grad School also lost one of my recommendation letters (DON'T ASK--I'M CRABBY ABOUT IT!!), so that prolongs the whole process too. Once the grad school has everything together...then they have to send it to the Department to make a decision. I am hoping that they can send it over this week (may be optimistic), and have an answer by next week. Keep your fingers crossed!!

Okay, so I did it...

Friday after my test I finally broke down and bought the new Britney Spears CD. I thought that I needed a "treat," and it gave me something different to listen to on my drive home. I actually really liked it. All of the songs had a fast beat to them, and were mostly catchy. I just really like music with a beat that I can dance to or workout too, and this will definately be my new work out cd. Ideally...I'd have a cd ripper so I could transfer these songs to my ZUNE mp3 player. I was very pleased with the 9.98 (thanks to Target's sale) item that I bought. My only problem was the service I received when I went to check out my item. I went into a guys line with the cd (my only item), and he held it up to his coworker and said, "Hey ___ (whatever their name was), it's your favorite person." She laughed and said, "Yeah that's like only the second Britney cd I've seen come through the line. Sorry but her career is over." I just really didn't appreciate someone making fun of my purchase. Not great service in my mind. I have worked in customer service, and would never pick fun at someone's purchase... bad manners! But oh well...I think she's wrong about this cd...I keep hearing how many are selling and how this may be her top-selling album.

I'd recommend checking it out!!

My new project...

So after years of coaxing, my mother finally talked me into learning how to "quilt." I put quilt in quotations because it's not really a quilted blanket. It's just a small project. We went to a quilt shop in Perham, MN this last weekend, and I found an advent Christmas calendar that I really liked. So we bought the pattern, and yesterday Mom sat and taught me how to do it. Right now I am cutting out appliques and ironing them onto little pockets for the calendar, so not really any sewing yet. Up until now, sewing machines have intimidated me...but I want to learn how to master it for when I have children some day! I have done a lot of hand sewing, but apparently machine sewing is a lot easier...so we will see.

I'm hoping to have enough time to finish the calendar by December 1 for obvious reason...but we will see...I have a lot of Christmas projects that I am working on! I will post pictures of the Quilt as I am progressing in my project.

My test

I took the Graduate Records Exam this past Friday, and it was no fun! I know that I don't do well on standardized tests, so I made sure to prepare (as much as humanly possible with everything else going on). There are three sections--Verbal, Quantitative (math), and analytical writing. Because the test was on a computer, I know how I did on the verbal and quantitative sections. But, since the analytical section was an essay, I will have to wait for someone to hand grade that. I got an average score. So not terrible, not great. I am not too bummed out, because I know I get tripped up on these tests. Sometimes they write the questions to try to trick people, by trying to make you eliminate answers and guess which questions the lower test takers would select. It should be more straightforward. BUT it's over so I'm done complaining.

They have to send the scores to UND, and this will take about 10-15 days. Once they get it, they gather all of my information and decide whether or not I am accepted. I am hoping to know by Thanksgiving. If I get in, I have to take my acceptance letter to the financial aid office to try to get more loans figured out (STRESSFUL!!). Then I can register for classes. I can only take three classes a semester, and so it will take two years to complete. I have already selected my classes for the spring (as long as I'm accepted). The schedule is really ideal for me. On monday, I'd have class from 3-5, Tuesday from 7-10, and Wednesday from 7-10. I will be working about 30 hours a week at my internship still, but it looks like they are trying to change my status from an intern to a part-time employee which will mean I will be eligible for benefits!

The best part is, I can breath this week!!!

Trick or Treat--Smell my Feet!

So HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Sad to say that I procrastinated studying a bit last night, because Charlie Brown and the Great Big Pumpkin were on tv! I love Charlie Brown, but the Christmas episode is the best...can't wait for that one! All holidays get me in a cheerful mood! I always loved to dress up for Halloween. I probaby was a Princess for about 8 or 9 years...and I know I was a witch when I was real little and a unicorn. Otherwise I usually wanted to be a princess in some form or another! There aren't too many ways to celebrate halloween for big kids like me...so it makes me look forward to some day spending all holidays with my children. i know that I want to make my children costumes (just as my mom did every year). There are endless possibilities if you do it yourself!

My issue with Halloween this year (and every year that I've been in Grand Forks), there aren't many kids that go door-to-door. There is a big event at the Alerus center where the children go around the different booths to get candy rather than going out door-to-door. It is supposedly safer than going out at night. I agree it probably is safer, but that's not what it's all about! If parents go with their children trick-or-treating, they should be just as safe! I remember going out in blizzards! And on the few weekends leading up the halloween, we also went out to (I believe Linders Greenhouse??) a Halloween carnival-type. We got to wear our costume more than once, and got to go door-to-door and play halloween games. I know that a lot of kids don't go door-to-door in apartments (where I live), but it's sad what it's become!

FYI...I feel like a really old 21 year old talking like this. Back in the good old days.....HAHA

Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Sad to say it...

I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I kind of want to go out and buy Britney Spear's new album that comes out today! There has been so much controversy surrounding her as of late, but I just have always been a fan of her music. I think it's because of the dance beat! I sincerely question some of her actions, and don't agree with many of her choices. However, I guess I am just curious about her new album. It doesn't help that the reviews sound really great for this album. Not sure if I will buy it...may just try to check it out online. I just hope she starts to figure things out, if for no other reason, her sons deserve that.

Bad Week

Just in case anyone else thinks that they are having a bad week....I have 4 tests! So I am stressed! This week cannot end quick enough!!

Halloween

This last weekend, my best friend Kayla and her son (my Godson), Shaun, came to visit me. We had so much fun! DaShaun was a little bit crabby on Saturday when we were shopping, but that will be expected when little ones aren't sleeping in their own beds and on their own schedules. He was much more interested in hanging out with us Friday night than going to bed! So, needless to say, it wasn't easy to shop on Saturday with him! We were going to go to a pumpkin patch, but he was just too tired. That night, we dressed in our Halloween costumes and went out. I wore a Marilyn Monroe dress, but I ditched the wig because it looked so fake. I just love Marilyn Monroe, and so I knew that's what I wanted to dress as this year. Kayla got a really cute dress from Party America that was suppose to be like Marie Antionette. Josh dressed up at Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean. We found Josh's wig at Target, and I just bought a plain white button-down shirt and a funky belt from a thrift store. I took the shirt and ripped a lot of seams to make the shirt like old and battered. I also tore off the pocket and ripped it in a few places. I also took a pair of his black sweatpants and cut them on the bottom. Josh's brother, Jeremy, also came up to visit, but he didn't dress up to go out that night! It was a lot of fun, but I didn't get much studying done!

My future

Obviously with the upcoming graduation in December nearing, I have been thinking more and ore about my future. I have sent out a handful of resumes and cover letters, and I've heard back from some and not others. Mainly I have been trying to take what I am learning at my internship and apply it to the "real world." Everyday I come here, I learn more and more. I know that, someday, I want to be the "big shot" in an organization (public or private), but have realized that there is a lot to still learn. While thinking about that, I had been looking more seriously into Graduate School. I always knew that eventually I would want to go back to get my Masters degree, but I didn't want to do it right after school. I wanted to get some experience, and then go back. After looking at some of the classes offered for a Graduate degree in Public Administration, I decided that it would be very beneficial to continue my education now. I think right now is a good time--I'm not really grounded. In a few years, it will be harder to pick things up and go back to school. Besides, I like my school, program, and professors so much that I want to do it in Grand Forks. Josh told me...even before I started thinking about grad school...that he wanted to stay in the area for awhile longer because things are going well for him at his job. So I think it's the perfect time.

So now I applied, got 3 recommendations, and next Friday I will take the Graduate Records Exam in Fargo. I have been studying a little bit, but I guess I have three other school tests next week! So next week will be a little bit stressful. I was really nervous for the test, because I am not the greatest at standardized tests, but one of the professors that I talked to in my program said that it's a small factor in determining whether or not a student gets into grad school. I feel a little bit better, but I still want to do well. The test is computerized, which will be nice because I will be able to see my score right away for all of the sections except for the essay portion. That will help ease my anxiety. After that, I just have to wait for the scores to be mailed to the graduate school at UND, and see if I am accepted.

Wish me luck!

Quote Today

"Life is all about timing...the unreachable becomes reachable, the unavailable become available, the unattainable, attainable. Have the patience. wait it out. It's all about timing."
-Stacy Charter

Crazy Month!

It's been a month since I've posted! YIKES! I guess life really catches up on you....School has started so I've been a lot busier. I am also busy getting ready to graduate and find a "real" job. This last weekend I tried to "perfect" my resume and sent it out. I have contacted two different businesses that I have found on the internet this past summer. There is a non-profit group in Detroit Lakes, MN that works to help low-income families and elderly. I would love to work in their family development department, and especially wouldn't mind working with children!! There is also another non-profit group in St. Cloud, MN that helps provide housing assistance to low to moderate income families. Neither of these organizations are currently hiring, but after contacting both, I was told to send my resume in anyways. So that's what I did this last weekend! I also found two job openings that I submitted my resume to. The first is for a non-profit in Crookston, MN (which is about 20 minutes from Grand Forks). This job is for a Head Start Director. When I found this job I thought it would be so perfect for me! I've always gone back and forth on the idea of becomming an elementary school teacher so I could work with children, and by finding a job like this I could still work with kids! The other job I applied for is in Mankato, MN....a little further than I was looking, but what the heck?! It sounds like a great position with the City of Mankato for a Housing Assistant. This is just the first round of resumes...I think that I want to send out as many resumes as I can to see what kind of a response that I can get!

School is also getting really busy, but I am almost done! I am taking five classes, and I have two large papers I need to write for graduation. But the key word there is graduation...93 days until graduation! What sweet words!!

Quote of the Day

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies."
-Nadine Stair

Pet Peeves

Now that I have posted about my favorite things, I figured it's only fair to post about my biggest pet peeves!! I can be a complainer, but I do try to stop myself! I'm a fairly happy person who is easy to please, but there are some things that just rub me the wrong way!

• When people don't use turn signals
• When drivers run red lights
• When drivers turn left, but don't turn into the nearest lane
• When people drive down the wrong way in parking lots
• People with overgrown lawns
• The use of the "N" word
• When working in retail, I hate when people are still shopping 15 minutes after store is closed-that's just plain rude!
• People who drink and drive
• How some people "forget" how to drive in the winter time
• When people don't pick up after their dogs
• The people who shouldn't own dogs because they don't have time, and keep their dogs locked up all day!
• The parents who always give into their spoiled kids
• Parents who don't spend enough time with their kids (i.e. always get babysitters to go out to the bars, etc,)
• HIGH GAS PRICES
• The lack of trees in Grand Forks
• The stench of the potato and sugar plants in Grand Forks
• Stubborn, Close-minded people (politicians)
• People who lie about stupid little things, that really shouldn't be that big of a deal about (or make up bigger stories about things that really happened) That is the most annoying one!!

Man now I really feel like a complainer....

Guilty (and not so guilty) Pleasures

I had to copy a blog that Kristine made awhile ago....Here are some things that I love doing...

• TV on DVD (Dawson's Creek, 90210, West Wing, and the OC)
• Scrapbooking
• Shopping for someone else
• Receiving a card
• Reality TV: Big Brother, Bachelor, American Idol, etc.
• Facebook
• Movie/Song trivia (World Series of Pop Culture)
• Jeopardy
• Bedhead Shampoo and Conditioner
• True stories made into movies
• Quizno's Mesquite Chicken sub
• Quotes
• Having the time to scan magazines
• Organizing/perfecting my school notes (I am kind of anal about notes...)
• Green Tea
• Trashy Novels
• Politics
• Dancing
• Mexican Food
• Movies on a rainy day
• West Central, MN
  

AND my number one favorite thing is......
SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

Quote of the Day

"Dreams come a size too big so that we may grow into them."
-Josie Bisset

It takes all kinds...

Now that I wrote about the tragedy in the Twin Cities, I wanted to share something that I have learned more about the past two days. When I really feel emotionally tied to a news story, I usually try to look up more information about it from many different sources. I stumbled across an article about the Westboro Baptist Church. I have heard about groups of people protesting at soldiers funerals, and the freedom riders-but I didn't know the extent to which these people work. It DISGUSTS me that anyone would protest a funeral. PERIOD. No ifs ands or buts about it. I don't care if this person is the most hated person ever. The people who are attending the funeral are grieving, and it is not respectable to interfere with the process. I don't care if you don't agree with the war, or the President's choices. These soldiers risked their life to give us freedom. PERIOD. They did as they were told, and really are not responsible for the decisions made in Washington-but this is a discussion for a different day.

The article that I can across was about this church group (led by Fred Phelps) would be protesting the memorial service in Minneapolis for the lives lost in this tragedy. This group basically believes that no one (besides them of course) is following the bible or God's word. Everyone is going to hell according to this church (which is mostly Phelps' family). They believe that this tragedy happened because Minneapolis is a city full of "fag-enablers," to use their words (I also hate the "F" word...too derogatory). They use offensive signs to protest homosexuality and soldiers. They praise the disasters in our country (i.e. 9/11 and this bridge collapse) because they believe that God made them occur because we are all sinners. Everyone in this country is going to hell, and we are living in sin. My question to this church is...Why don't you just leave then? You wouldn't want our sins to rub off on you right?

Reading about this group made me sick to my stomach. The God I know doesn't judge anyone, and loves everyone. That's right I said it. I hear this group doesn't believe that "God loves everyone," well I believe they are sadly mistaken. As a Christian I feel pity for these people. I feel so guilty because this group angers me so much, but I know the MY God wouldn't want me to judge them or injure them. It would be very hard for me to bite my tongue if I came face-to-face with this group, but I honestly believe that the more we talk back to them, the more they love it. They are basking in our angst.

I also watched a clip from the Tyra Banks show, in which the young women of this family appeared. Tyra asked the girls who their favorite actors were, and they answered with typical teenage girl answers-Johnny Depp, Julia Roberts, etc. Well Tyra pointed out that Julia Roberts is best friends with a gay man (therefore she must be a so-called "fag-enabler") and Johnny Depp played a gay man in a movie. So how can they support people like that? They really sounded hypocritical when they answered such questions. I just can't believe these young girls are so brainwashed!

This post is already too long, but I could go on and on about this group and EVERYTHING that I don't agree with! Maybe later....

NOT such a small tragedy

First of all, I want to say how completely sorry I am for everyone involved or affected by the collapse of 35W in the Twin Cities. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I want to next say that I am very sad that some people are getting flustered with the fact that the national media paid "too much" attention to this issue. I've heard (and read) many people who think that the media shouldn't have covered this issue so extensively because it was nothing like what happened on 9/11. I couldn't agree more, the two situations are uncomparable. One involved terrorists trying to impact the entire country by taking many lives in the heart of our country. The tragedy that took place last Wednesday was a terrible disaster, which no one intended to happen. I am sick of people saying that this was JUST a small city tragedy, and didn't deserve national coverage. Well I am glad that it received national attention. Maybe this will help open other doors for municipal governments to double check and NOT overlook such situations. This was not a small tragedy that was exasperated by the media, this bridge was one of the main accessways in the cities. Anyone who tries to clear their consciencousness by downplaying this disaster is completely mistaken. I believe that the country should just come together and show support for the families that were affected by this.

Quote

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It is not something physical."
-Sophia Loren

Another one....

"God gave women intuition and femininity. Used properly, the combination easily jumbles the brain of any man I've ever met."
-Farrah Fawcett

Cute

Quote

"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands."
-Anne Frank

I really like this quote. I love my parents very much, and believe that they have done their best with raising my brothers and me!!

Anyone sick of Quotes yet?

"No matter where you live or how old you are, you can decide to change your life. That's amazing."
-Angelina Jolie

The N-Word

Personally, I have never been fond of the word. In fact, I can flat out say that even hearing it makes me upset and uncomfortable. This word was used in a derogatory form when slaveowners were refering to or disciplining their African slaves. The word is visciously hostile, and is only acceptable for other African Americans to use it. But I don't agree with the acceptablity of the usage of the word by anyone. If African Americans can use the word, the word is just going to stay in the English language. I love the idea of burying the word forever. I never want my children (or any child) to be exposed to this word, or the prejudice and deep history of hatred that is attatched with this word.

Last week, the NAACP held a funeral for the word. The funeral was completely symbolic, and has done what it was meant to do-spark conversation. The word could never be outlawed, because of the wonderful first amendment to our Constitution, but awareness of the issue, may help to make people think before they speak. While I would never advocate taking away the freedom of speech, I do believe many people abuse the freedom.

This weekend I was made aware of the prejudice and ugliness of the word even more than ever before. My best friend's boyfriend is African American. He is a very great guy, and it really doesn't matter what color he is. They have a child, who is my Godson, and I love him to death. A friend of mine asked me this weekend how my friend and her son were doing, and as I was speaking, a guy that I graduated with butt in an interrupted me and said, "Yeah but he's a N*****." Like this guy shouldn't care or listen to me because of the color of his skin. I blew up upon hearing that. I usually can keep my cool, even if something someone says bothers me, but when you talk about someone whom I love dearly, then you will get an earfull. I honestly will never look at this person the same way, and I was personally offended by the comment. This little boy is not even two and he's already being discriminated against because of the color of his skin.

Today's Quote

"It's not what you do once in a while, it's what you do day in and day out that makes a difference."
-Jenny Craig

I've been thinking about this quote all morning! I guess it really says something about something that sticks with you all day!

New Quote

"Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion."
-Martha Graham

Today's Quote

"Life is short, and it is up to you to make it sweet."
-Sarah Louise Delany

Quote

"Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay."
-Simone de Beauvoir

I love quotes!

Here's today's quote:

"Your dreams, your desires, are not too big for you!" Regina Thomashauer

You can learn a lot about life from quotes! They really make me sit back and thing. They make me not worry about petty things in my life, because the whole picture is so much greater than the small, minute thing I'm worrying about now. They inspire me to achieve the best me that I can! Enjoy!

2 Quotes of the Day

Well this morning when I looked at my calendar, I really liked the quote from yesterday and today's quote as well. So I am going to have to post them both!!

"Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. You deserve to be happy. You deserve delight." Hannah Arendt

"Life loves the liver of it!" Maya Angelou

Happy 4th of July!!

Yesterday, for the 4th, Josh and I went back to Perham, MN to celebrate the 4th at his familie's cabin on Little McDonald Lake. We really couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for the 4th. It was a little warm, but it was a perfect day to hang out at the lake and go swimming! A lot of the family went tubing behind the boat, but I don't really care for that! So I laid in the sun and went swimming. It was just a great day to spend with Josh's family. We came back to Grand Forks that night, so we spent probably 5 hours driving yesterday (2 1/2 each way). We got back to Grand Forks about 8. About 9:30 we headed downtown to watch the fireworks. We totally forgot to use bug spray before we left, so the bugs made us a bit miserable. The fireworks started a little earlier than they were suppose too, and they also ended quicker then they were suppose to. I suppose that's because of the storm that started rolling in during the display! So that was too bad! A lot of kids were sad when their parents were pulling them to the car while the fireworks were shooting off! So now we are back to work for two days, and then back home for the weekend! This weekend is the summer celebration in Menahga, and the band October Road will be performing at the street dance on Saturday night. Josh and I saw October Road on Tuesday night this week downtown Grand Forks for Party on the 3rd!! I hope everyone had a great 4th!!

Quote of the Day

I have a calendar on my desk full of wonderfurl quotes. It's called "Words of Wisdom for Women." I figured I would start to make a daily quote effort on my blog!
So heres the quote of the day:

"The great trick in diplomacy is to make some unwitting man think your idea is his idea. Women have been doing that all their lives." Clare Boothe Luce

Update on My Internship

So for the past month I have been a full-time employee of the City of Grand Forks. I was really nervous before I started, because I didn't want to hate it and be confused about my major (and the past three years I have just spent trying to get to where I am). Well turns out I LOVE my job! I actually got passed up for the first internship opportunity in this department, but I couldn't be happier now when I see what the other intern is working on versus myself. I was originally told that I would be working on a "downtown parking issue," but so far I have done way more than just that project! My first day I worked on researching the downtown parking in Grand Forks. By the second day I was going to meetings down at the mayor's office for a neighborhood project. I have gone to a bunch of meetings, and have had the opportunity to meet a lot of new people. I love meeting new people, and these days great jobs are all about networking and who you know! I would much rather be out and about meeting new people than sitting around reading about one issue, like the other intern. I am currently working on about 5 or 6 different projects, and I honestly couldn't be happier. Then this last Friday the director comes into my office, and tells me that he's very impressed by me thusfar. He goes on about how I am taking on many more duties than most interns do, and I resemble more of a city employee than any other intern. He says that when I'm done with my internship, I will have more experience working in a city government than any other intern that has worked with this department. He also says that he would hire me in a minute, and he's not sure what I will be doing after this summer and after school, but he'd be very interested in hiring me for a permanent position in this department. He did tell me that he can't promise anything, because it's the city government and, ultimately, doesnt have the final say in the matter, but he will work hard to do what he can. Either way, it was a HUGE confidence booster, and I was just beaming all day! I am very proud that someone notices the hard work that I put in! It's really nice to be noticed and appreciated!

So now to the question...what do I want to do after I graduate? Well this is a question that I have been pondering a lot lately. If you were to ask me this a year ago, I could've, without hesitation, told you that I would be looking for a job back towards home. Now, I'm not so sure. I am sure that I do want to settle into a small town...eventually, and that I want that small town to be close to me parents and friends and family...eventually. But what if it's not such a bad idea to get a few years under my belt here? Grand Forks is a booming city, and I really enjoy the department that I am working in now. If I were to take this job, then I don't have to stress about not being able to find a job once I graduate. Josh and I have really been talking about this a lot lately. He thinks it's a great idea to stay for a few more years. This way we both can have a few years experience. He is hoping to climb up the ladder a bit to a supervisory position, so that when we eventually move, there will be more opportunities for him as well. He also has been thinking about going back to school. He has a year under his belt from Alexandria for engineering/drafting. There are a lot of job opporunities for that kind of work right now, and I really have been pushing for him to go back to school. He just isn't sure he wants a desk job. WOW this is a long blog!! I'll stop for now....

Tragic Weekend

This weekend a terrible tragedy was uncovered in Summit County in Ohio. Jessie Davis' body was discovered in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Jessie was nine months pregnant, and she was due to have her baby girl (she had already named Chloe) on July 3rd. I have been following this story since last monday when I had first heard about it. I prayed for Jessie and her family. Always hoping for the best, that she left willingly. It's really hard to be optimistic when this sort of thing happens. The police have her ex-boyfriend, Bobby Lee Cutts Jr., in custody. He is the father of her two year old son, and supposedly the father of the unborn baby girl. This is unstartling for me on so many levels. I don't know much about being a mother, or sharing a child with another person. But I do know that the two of them share something so precious. I guess I would hope that there would be some kind of love, a love only a child can bring to the lives of the two parents. First of all, supposedly, he abducted her from her home and left the two year old son all by himself. Why would a parent leave a two year old home alone? But then again why would anyone commit such a heinous crime? This kind of tragedy has me questioning so many things in the world. It's depressing and unfair. She was probably in the most vulnerable state, being nine months pregnant. I know that you are innocent until proven guilty in our great country, but I can't help to feel a lot of anger towards this ex-police officer who is sitting in jail right now on double-homicide charges. I'm very sad for Jessie's family, because they didn't just lose Jessie, they lost a precious unborn child. Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

Graduation!

Congratulations Christopher!! Yay! This last weekend we went back home to celebrate Chris' graduation! We are very proud of him and his hard work! The ceremony was really nice except for the family sitting in front of us! They were so rude! There were like three younger kids who were terribly loud throughout the whole ceremony so it was kind of hard to hear what was going on. I know children get fussy when they have to sit too long, BUT usually the parents ask them to be quiet or walk them out. These parents actually laughed at their kids, and just acted like they were being cute. That was pretty annoying! Here are some pictures with the graduate!!

The Best News!!

So I got a phone call yesterday, kind of outta the blue. About a month ago I had interviewed for an internship down at the department of urban development in the Grand Forks city government. It was going to be a part-time paid internship, but they gave it to someone else. So I was very bummed, and just finally started to get used to the idea that I would be working at Target all summer (including most weekends). I was really upset at first because I like to go home during the weeknds during the summer. Well back to my phone call, it was the people down at the department of Urban develoment again. They offered me a full-time paid intership! It is very rare to even find a paid internship, and I found a full-time one! I will be working directly with the director of the department on a big project on the downtown parking issues that Grand Forks faces. This internship may continue into the school year! So I gave Target my notice and I won't have to work weekends anymore! This is my last saturday working at Target, but I do feel so bad that I couldnt give them a two weeks notice at Target!!

YAY!

I am happy to say that I can breathe again! Finals are now done! I think I did pretty well...but now I can enjoy my summer more! Im excited! BUT VERY EXHAUSTED RIGHT NOW! ANd i have to go to work shortly until 11! at least I can sleep in tomorrow!!

My School

Okay so Grandma Carren asked me to post some pictures of my school on here, because I've been here for three years and many people have never seen it! Well I took pictures of the building where I spend most of my time, Gamble Hall. It's where the college of Public and Business Administration.

I also took a picture of the Ralph Englestad Arena, where the hockey team plays. It's an amazing multi-million dollar arena!

SCHOOL!!

So I'm still kind of sick of school! Only a few more weeks until finals! But I have a few papers that I really need to write. Ya know, I should probably be writing my paper right now instead of this blog. I have a 10-page paper due for Urban Politics on Thursday. The topic of the paper is the effect of Machine Politics on Urban politics. It's an interesting topic, but I just need to find the determination to get going. I have 2 paragraphs written! But I am kinda waiting for my professor to email me back to answer a question that I had on this! Well no more stalling...I need to work on it a little bit!!!

More progress...

Went home this weekend and weighed myself...I have lost a total of 17 pounds....5 pounds less than last month! YAY for me...HAPPY EASTER everyone!

Boycott American Idol!!

Let's just say that one of my favorite shows is now on my DO NOT WATCH LIST!! Yes It's sad I know! I have been watching American Idol since it started with Kelly Clarkson, but I will no longer tune it on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Maybe I am being too harsh, but I believe that this show has just become a joke. My favorite singer, Gina Glocksen, was voted off this last Wednesday, and both Hailie and Sanjaya are still on!! WHAT IS AMERICA THINKING?? Gina has gotten progressively better each week, not to mention this is her third shot at American Idol. She has worked really hard to get this far, and deserved to stay for more weeks. Sanjaya is just average, and I don't know if young girls have crushes on him or just admire his hair...either way what is this contest about???? I thought it was about voting for the best singer and performer! I also started to hear that Howard Stern is having a contest and having everyone call in and vote for the worst singer! I'm just appalled and sad, because this show used to be about so much more! And although American Idol is NOT my life, some of these people work so hard for a big part of their life! It just sucks!! But there are still some great singers on, and I really hope that they can beat out Sanjaya!!

MOVIES!

So i thought about how much I love movies, and figured that I could make a regular blog on certain movies I have or have watched! Yesterday I watched one of my dvds for the first time called, "Rumor Has it" with Jennifer Anniston, Shirley McClaine, and Kevin Costner. It was pretty good actually. I bought it Thanksgiving time, and just watched it yesterday. It is loosely based on the movie "The Graduate" (with Dustin Hoffman, which I also own). I would give this movie 3 stars! One of my favorite movies of all times is a classic Audrey Hepburn movie, "Breakfast at Tiffany's." It is such a classic I would recommend everyone see it! I want to get a cat and name it cat just because of that movie. This movie is for the hopeless romantics. I would definately give this movie 4 stars! I am also a big fan of Marilyn Monroe. Of all of her movies that I have seen, I would say that my favorites would have to be "Seven Year Itch" and "Niagara."

Senioritis!

So April just started and I feel lazy...only when it comes to school work! It's so bad! The semester is 5 weeks from being over and I can't get my head in the game! I don't have any tests until finals week, but I do have projects still to do! I should still start preparing for finals because I am just going to die that week! YUCK! But I just would rather do other thing! I just cant wait for summer...I am sick of school! Only one more semester after this one...YES!

A Sad Day...

It was a very sad day for me on Monday. I gave my two weeks notice at the daycare! I didn't think that I would ever do that until I graduated or got an internship, but I just had to. At the daycare, we have our set schedules, but a few weeks ago I looked at the schedule and noticed that my hours were cut. Being a poor college student, I went to the office to express my concern to the owner and he told me don't worry about it. He said just come in at the time you normally did, and I will find something for you to do, because you are so good with the kids I want to keep you around. Well the next day I did come in at my normal time (not the later time that the schedule indicated) and the director, who I don't respect, came up to me and asked me to talk to her in her office. She explained to me that she had to cut my hours because they hired a new girl, and this new girl said she needed more hours. So what was her logic? She decided to cut my hours, a hardworking person who has been there for two years. Doesn't really seem fair to me! The reason why they had to hire this new girl was because another girl in our group was going on maternity leave. The director also had the audacity to tell me not to be mad at Kristen (the soon-to-be mommy) for having her baby, implying that I thought it to be her fault! This isn't the first time the director has acted like a biotch! In fact it was just the last time I was going to put up with it! She has told my pregnant coworker many times that she is very big, even though her baby was measuring behind. She has also harassed (and yes thats what I would call making fun of and belittling people) me and many other of my coworkers. I decided that enough was enough, and I went job hunting! I applied and got hired at Target just as a cashier. Target sounds like an exciting job with a lot of new and fresh people! I am sure I won't deal with the same degree of harrassment there, and I can finally breathe! So when I gave my two weeks notice, the director didn't seem to care, but the owner definately did. He tried (and is still trying) to convince my to stay. I made up my mind and have to do something for myself for once! I told him that I couldn't work for someone who didn't respect me, and I am really sad that I have to leave the kids that I have been with for two years! It's extremely hard for me to leave them, in fact the reason that I haven't left up until now is the kids! I still have to try to find a way to tell them...next week sometime! Although its a sad ending at the daycare, I am hoping it will be a good beginning too!

Phenomenal Woman

PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies
I'm not cute or built to suit a model's fashion size
But when I start to tell them
They think I'm telling lies.
I say
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips
The stride of my steps
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please
And to a man
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees
Then they swarm around me
A hive of honey bees.
I say
It's the fire in my eyes
And the flash of my teeth
The swing of my waist
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say
It's in the arch of my back
The sun of my smile
The ride of my breasts
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say
It's in the click of my heels
The bend of my hair
The palm of my hand
The need for my care.
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally
Phenomenal woman
That's me.

Weight Watchers

So I decided that I needed to lose some weight, and become more healthy. I like to work out, but it's just so hard having such a busy work, school study schedule! So Since the first of January (which is when all great resolutions begin!) I have been on weight watchers counting points! Josh's mom and aunt have been doing so great on it I thought that it would be worth a try. It has been tough sometimes, because of course this isn't a quick fix. Quick fixes are usually not healthy, and I wanted to be healthy more than anything. So far, after two months, I have lost 12 pounds! I don't have a scale here, and I don't go to the meetings-so I only weigh myself on the weekends that I go back home on my parents' scale. I'm going home again this weekend....so we'll see...maybe a little more weight off!

MY KIDS!

So I work at a daycare in Grand Forks, and for the most part, I love it.....Well I love my kids! There are a lot of politics that come with working in a daycare. There is controversy all the time between the office and everyone else. I am not sure I agree with how they are running this daycare....but I am only going to be here for a few more months until I get my degree! The main thing is...is the kids. They are the reason I work there (because it sure as hell isn't the pay...I can barely feed myself with this wage) is the kids. I love kids, and many people think that it's crazy that I am not going to school for education. You'd never guess how many people have asked me that before, and I always tell them the same answer...It doesn't pay very much (hmm imagine that just like the daycare). Why is it that jobs that include children, and the teaching of our future, are those same jobs that pay dirt? Wouldn't it be smart to invest in the education of our nation? Maybe if the salary for the average teacher was higher, there would be more teachers entering the workforce, and less becoming burnt out. Anyways, these kids deserve the best and it is sad that we are shorting them. At the daycare, I work with the five year olds (or the 4 year olds who will be turning 5 shortly) that will be going to kindergarten in the fall. There are two groups of these five year olds (called the lizards), and one group is the gecko group the other is the chameleon group. I am one of the chameleon teachers, but usually the 2 lizards groups are together anyways. We are working to get ready for kindergarten by learning our numbers, abcs, sound recognition, and so on. They are my inspiration to keep working hard! I just love being with my kids (MOST OF THE TIME!) and they honestly light up my life. When I get to work and am with the kids, I forget about the stresses of school and I focus on their innocence. Its so fun doing things through kids' eyes once again, with such curiosity. So through my blog website I may post pictures and little quirks that I learn from kids (and you sure can learn a lot from them!)
Oh by the way...I have two kids who can sing every word to the song "Smack That," and one little girl who insists on singing, "My Humps." YIKES! I wonder if their parents realize! They are pretty dirty songs if you listen to the words, but when I heard them sing it the first time I tried so hard not to encourage them more by bursting out in laughter! But I did have to put the kabosh on that! When they sing "God Bless America," I let them sing right through! They are the cutest kids ever!

My View of the War in Iraq

First of all, I am just going to say not everyone will agree with what I have to say on the war. In fact, since there is such controversy about this subject matter, most people have a very strong view on it. President Theodore Roosevelt said this during World War I, “standing by a president whether right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American Public…Patriotism means to stand by the country; it doesn’t mean to stand by the president or any other public official.” And I don't. Okay so I shouldn't be that harsh, but I definately do not agree with how our country entered the war, and why we are still in it. I also I want to say straight out that I honor and respect our troops and their families. I will continue to support them while they are over in Iraq, but I think it would be best if they were brought home to their families. It is obvious that the US government cannot inflict freedom and unity in Iraq. Further, right now, the US armed forces seem to be acting as an army for one side of a civil war in Iraq. From what I hear, there has been no evidence of the weapons of mass destruction, and Saddam Hussein is dead. So why are we still there? There has also been some speculation as to whether or not Al-Qaeda even has any links with the Iraqi government. If you ask me, or president has been less than honest with some information. At the daycare I work at, there is a little girl in my group whose daddy is in Iraq. He was suppose to come home in March, and she always told me, "Daddy's coming home after my birthday," (which was February 15th). Well now they say he doesn't get to come home to his loving wife and children until June. And this five year old child no longer wants to talk about daddy, because she just cries everytime she does. I think it is time that her daddy, and the rest of the daddies, husbands, sons, brothers, and cousins back home!

Newbie!

So I decided it was time to jump on this bandwagon and start a blog. I think that this is something I have always wanted to do, so we will see how much time permits me! I am a fairly busy senior in college. I attend the University of North Dakota, and will graduate with a bachelor's degree in Public Administration and a minor in communication. Everyone asks me what I am going to do with a public administration degree, and to be quite honest I am not sure. I think that's what I love about my major. It's not one definite field, like education or accounting, rather it is a bunch of different things rolled into one. For instance, I am taking business classes, but I am also taking government classes. So in actuality I could find a job in either the public or private sector! I think I would really like to work with human resources in some way, but I am also becomming more and more interested in Public Relations! Although, I think that in order to get a job in the public relations sector, most people usually have communication degrees. But hey at least I am open to different ideas and areas. It will make it easier when I am looking for jobs. It also means that I won't be stuck somewhere forever! I have a hard time with that word..."forever." It's just too permanent! I like a little flexibility and breathing room.....everytime I hear that word in context with anything in my life...I feel a little suffocated!