springtime is happy time

So spring is great. I love it.

Last week was super warm. This week is in the 50s.

I ended my Minneapolis trip with an 80 degree Monday. I shopped some cute shops, layed around in a park listening to Belle and Sebastian on my ipod, and reading. Then I met Jonas at the sculpture garden and took cute pictures of us. I adore that guy. Too bad we hardly see each other.

Here's me. Sans-jonas




Then I came home to Milwaukee and was attacked with a cold/flu. For the first time in many years, I had a fever. Woke multiple times in the night, shaking, and completely soaked with sweat.

had a major huge work week which was hard when i felt half-dead. but it was a success and Prescriptives is singing our praises all the way out in New York. My executives found out how much ass I kicked at my job when I managed a counter in San Francisco and asked why I don't do the same here. I told them I don't want to work that hard because I don't see the incentive. My trainer called me on the way back to Chicago and is coming to meet with me this month to discuss my career opportunities. She believes in me and my potential. We'll see. Otherwise I am going back to school in fall.

Also at work during all of this, I saw my ex-best friend from elementary to high school. I havent seen her in almost 4 years to the date, and have been dreading seeing her. But it was okay. She acted super stoked to see me, which, with her, means nothing. But it really wasnt that bad of an experience.

This last weekend was like any other.

Last night was pretty surreal, though. fallout boy played the arena here. it was insane. Im so proud of andy. Not every day you get to see your friend play a nearly sold-out arena show complete with pyrotechnics. Was great to see him. And hangout time before and after. Its been awhile and I was fearing that rockstar-status (and being a millionaire) may have lost andy, but he's still there. and i am happy.


Today I took a vacation day. Laura is a teacher and thus on spring break. We went out by sarah and rode horses. I haven't ridden a horse since I was little, and Laura never has. It was a wonderful day to spend the day. Out on horse trails in mequon. and it was kinda warmish.

Time to meet a friend for dinner, then other friends for drinks. Life is good. If only i wasn't so close to being broke all the time. One day i will be monetarily rich. At least my life is rich in every other way.

Easter

Last night at 11:30 I was at Pizza Shuttle with some friends. As we were leaving a girl says to her friend, "Happy Easter." Her friend responds, "It's not Easter yet." This girl says, "It's close enough, Jesus is waking up right now."

It was classic.

Highlight of the night.

Worst part of the night=Yeah Yeah Yeahs. If you like any of their songs, never go see them. It will ruin your opinion. Even if its free, as was the case for us, still don't do it. I'm serious.

Minneapolis

I'm in minneapolis for the weekend. Got into town yesterday and leave tomorrow. The weather is beautiful-- spring is here! And I couldn't be happier.

Sarah P was here, she left on the Amtrack early this morning. Even though I get to see her quite a bit since we live in the same city, I am glad that she was here.

Even though I've hardly been here a day, I feel so refreshed and reenergized.

Spent yesterday in Uptown with Brooke, Nicole, and Sarah. Spring rolls, shopping (new paper goods from papersource, new readymade book, and fancy le crueset spatulas for mother's day) art show, hip hop record store, and bubble tea. Wonderful.

Comeback Kid show was last night and I had a blast. Guest list and free tshirt. Plus hangout time with Jeremy and other friends. he showed me pics from New Zealand and Australia. Envy.

After the show was more hanging out, shots, beer, and birthday cake. Jeremy turns 30 on Friday, so Sarah P and I were the responsible "moms" that we are and got a birthday cake, "3" "0" candles, and all the goods. He was happy I think. It also marks our 3-year friend anniversary. That birthday was a Milwaukee show and the guys stayed at Adrienne and my old place, with birthday cake and also drinking at Axels. That night I was a bit gone after two gin and tonics. Jeremy was happy to see my alcohol tolerance is better these days.


And today is a relaxing spring Sunday. The way Sundays should be. Happy.

I love coming up to Minneapolis and hanging out with wonderful people, but I still don't think I'd ever want to move back here. But definitely good for short refreshing getaways.

Standing still but somehow also growing

(from last night...)

This last week has been a reminder that I am growing up. An engagement, a pregnancy, and a wedding invitation. Don’t worry, none of these affect me directly. But indirectly, yes, and I feel the growing pains. Or confusions.

My cousin is pregnant. She’s also basically my life-long best friend and the closest thing I’ve ever had to a sister. We were born 16 days apart and have grown up together. We went to the same high school and worked the same job for awhile.

She called me at work Thursday morning to tell me the news. I was shocked. She was shocked herself when she heard the news. Apparenly anti-biotics counteract the effectiveness of the pill. Her boyfriend of 4?years is quite enthused so thats good. I get to be a godmother, which has been a dream of mine for awhile. I think she will be a terrific mother, and I think he will be a great father. I know he will love that child more than life itself.

I am definately weirded out. But I will do my best to be supportive. I know it will be tough. They are unmarried and she’s still a nursing student. My grandpa took the news really bad, which led to some negative drama and lots of tears. Its not like this is the first child in the family concieved out of wedlock. And I am the only grandchild that has not lived with a significant other before marriage. Clearly, my grandpa knows theres some stuff going on in some bedrooms. I am not sure why he reacted so harshly. Perhaps because my cousin in the youngest grandchild, and one of two to have never been in jail. Higher standards?

My brother called me today when I was getting ready for work. He wanted my input on his thoughts of marriage. He’s been with this wonderful girl for 8 months. He’s only been divorced from an evil one for 2 months. He wanted to know if I thought it was too early for him to start thinking about rings. I told him no. I love this girl and I want her around to stay. I told him that. And I told him sometimes you just know when you want to be with someone forever, that you can know in a few weeks, that time isn’t always a key factor. And I told him that he has my support, which he didnt have a few years ago when he told me of his plans to propose to his now-ex-wife. Heck, I tried so hard to talk him out of that one. I even called him back right after we hung up, trying again to talk him out of it. I told him he was trhrowing his life away. I cried a lot that night, as my roommates tried their best to calm me down.

I remember he IM’ed me the next morning and told me he proposed. And I remember I responded politely, but without enthusiasm. I remember he told me that he wished I could say congratulations. And I remember I told him I was sorry, but that I couldn’t.

It was a sad moment. Not being able to honestly congratulate the most important person in your life on such a huge thing.

It felt good tonite to say congratulations to him and his new fiance.

My brother and I talked awhile today about rings and discussed the importance-or lackthereof- that price should play in an engagement ring. Unlike the last one, this girl is sensible and he and I both know that. He told me he was going to look at rings on his lunch break. He called me later this afternoon and told me he bought one and was proposing tonite. He did all the right things, including asking her dad for permission. My parents raised us right.

So I am getting a new sister. And I couldn’t be happier. Since she came into my brother’s life, I have seen such beauty come out of him. He has developed into a compassionate, giving man. She has definately brougth the best out in him. And she may honestly be the most compassionate,giving, optimistic girl I know. I have a lot of respect for her and her and I both look forward to us together raising some additions to the family. Her and I are on similar pages with what we want out of life and the importance of family. And I look forward to the day that I become an aunt. And it is a big thing for me to say that I want my brother to become a father some day. Its a really big thing. And Im glad that I can say it and mean it.

But for now, I will focus on being a godmother, as I will become one in just 6 short months! Indeed, we are all growing up. And although I have always struggled with change and impermanence, I am trying to embrace it as well. Afterall, “Life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same.”