Life is Goooood (Insert MN Accent Here)

Hi All,

As I sit I realize I haven't updated anyone on my most recent life changes. I am still enjoying my work as a fitness specialist at a local community center. Within my first two months I actually was offered the opportunity to become a nighttime manager twice a week which is exciting. I now can continue to build my resume (and kick off awkward job experience. "Tell me about your experience while working at Gap Body." "Well, I sold soccer moms underwear?"). I am thrilled at this new opportunity to at least have another job on my resume that demonstrates supervisory experience and some sort of authority.

All of these new opportunities (mixed with old blessings of work) also come with crazy hours, lack of sleep, weird eating times and meals (Trail mix and apples with cheese are a regular now) little time with my family or friends. 65 hours weeks are lonnnng! But I am constantly reminded that my abundance of luck and fortune every time I turn on the news and hear the unemployment rate, or see someone ask for change on the street.

Through a chain of very fortunate events, I have been blessed with a wonderful living space, a roommate who sings You Are My Sunshine to me on a regular basis, and jobs that have provided me with the ability to pay my bills and buy Christmas presents for my family and friends. Sure, when the snow comes down I want to not shovel. When I am working at 8 am until 11 pm I am exhausted and feel like taking a snooze before driving home, but ultimately, I couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities that have flowed in abundance towards me.

Blessings to you all during this joyous time!

Amy

Snow

It has snowed multiple times already here in the great white north. Blustery winds, small yet faceplanting it on the driveway capable sized drifts have accumulated along with its annual four letter choice words to accompany it all. Even more so this year now that I have moved in with my grandfather, so I am responsible for the shoveling. Despite my wildest dreams of attaching a shovel to the front of one of his 3 scooters, I am obliged to deal with it the way most house living adults do.... shovel. Upon waking in the mornings and realizing my obligation, a few more choice words tend to slip out, and I bundle up in my star shaped snow suit and Sportos and waddle out to the front drive, much resembling Little Brother Randy from A Christmas Story.

White. Calm. Glistening. Sparkly (I had to say it...) Snowglobes and childhood wonder. As I am sitting in the local coffee shop having a cup of joe (and eyeing the Fedora clad Barista) surrounded by the warmth of the plush chair I'm in, staring out the ceiling height windows, I am reminded that this is supposed to be snow. The salt shaker, inside a Dickens Village Snowglobe effect is finally latching on (at least the swearing has subsided).

As I am sitting warm and cozily (and making eye contact with hot barista), I am reminded to step back, especially this time of year, and allow the childlike excitement to overcome me. Except that thank God I am not a child, as I couldn't drink coffee then, and what kind of awful morning would that be?!

Check It Out

Everyone should check out my sister's blog:

AWESOMENESS

Additionally, she is incredibly selfless and inspiring to all. So check it out. And sis, I appreciated the first cup :) And am sorry I got your cup instead of my icky one. Curses on International Delight for a nasty "holiday" creamer that definitely did NOT taste like a chocolate mint bon bon. The smell was deceiving.

That is all. d

With a little help

Alright, so I have been thinking about this for a while. Where the crap do you even meet people in this city? And by meet, I don't mean go to bars where some dude eyes you like you're a medium rare steak superficial meeting (although bars are fun...).

I no longer have a desire to hang out with many people from my high school, am in a completely different stage of life than most members of my church family, and spend most of my days with 2 year olds. Therefore, I need some twenty something time to balance out my constant, "Do you want more animal crackers?!?" or "Sorry, you have to share the red car...". My job is great for social interactions, but not for making lasting friendships, etc.

I miss my friends from college, most of whom live in Chicago area, and would love to be closer to them if my family was. Therefore, I am left in a state of perpetual boredom with antsy pants. Therefore, I am in a bit of a predicament. I have friends here. The few I have are close to me, yet often our schedules just don't match up.

I go places alone which doesn't bug me at all (museums, shopping, coffee, etc) but at the end of the day it would be fun to have more friends in my life. Therefore, where the crap do I meet them? Ideas peeps?

Whingzing of a week

Helloooooooooo world!

Well, again, I have to apologize for the 1.5 week absence. I've been working between 6-14 hour days for the past week, which is awesome but oh so exhausting! I am diggin the new job. It is really easy going and relaxed which is nice.

Living situation update: I am in the process of fixing my dear grandpa's basement up and turning it into a studio. Sure the "kitchenette" will be a minifridge with a mini microwave on top, but hey, at least the space will be MINE.

*Sidenote* At the ripe age of 89.5, Grandpa made a facebook account. *end sidenote*

The great basement has a fireplace, will have a closet area that my awesome brother in law is helping me make, and a couch and bed area, etc. Bathroom is down the hall. However, lots of work needs to be done. Lots. Starting with the mass removal of stuff. Followed by the professional cleaning of the carpet. Followed by the scrubbing of the walls' grime, and the painting over of the institutional white walls. Hopefully I will be able to find a pretty crystal like light fixture for the middle of the room, oh the possibilities!!

I also am excited to help keep on top of Grandpa's house. When I can keep on top of the 89 year old bachelor mess, I won't mind living there... I hope....

Pictures soon to come. Yippee for projects and adventures!

Good News!

HUZZAHHHHHH. My sister and brother in law have been living with my mom and I for quite some time. They have placed numerous offers on houses, and... THEY GOT ONE!!! YIPPPEEEEE for them. And there is a hot tub. SWEET. That is all my friends.

The Past Week

Hey all,

So this past week has been FULL of emotion. Up, down, left and right. On Friday of last week, I found out my God Brother took his own life the Thursday before. Needless to say the wake and funeral services were heart wrenching and tearful and full of pain yet also full of love, and warmth. The stories, the love of friends and family, and the common feeling of knowing he is in a better place. Finally he can watch his family without carrying the weight of depression on his shoulders. For this we are grateful, and although we miss his physical presence, we know his spirit is all around us. Prayers for my family and his family and close friends are always welcome :)