Had a great New Year's at Nye's with Adam, Katie and Brian. There is something about ringing in the new year with a polka.
Of course, I ended up getting a cold just after New years. I didn't want to call in sick the first day after having nearly 2 weeks off, so I suffered through one day only to call in sick the next day, and perhaps spread the cold germs around to the rest of my department. My cold was bad for about 2 days, but dissipated quickly. Last Monday, the 12th, I flew out of a snow storm in Minneapolis to Santa Monica, CA for a workshop. It's hard to concentrate when you're staring out the window at the pacific and its 80 and sunny. Minneapolis of course wasn't even making it to zero. Quite the change to come back to. After my workshop, I was able to meet up with one of my college roommates from my Mankato days. Despite the fact that we had not seen each other in about 4 years, it was like no time had passed.
Kassie and I catching up over some wine and dinner (mostly wine...)
The Santa Monica Pier
My attempt at some night pictures, the Ferris wheel and the full moon from the pier
Santa Monica Pier and the Pacific
I've never taken a trip in the winter, but a couple days away from the snow made me realize that I need to escape from time to time. I'd never had a beach vacation before my honeymoon and I find it suits me just fine. It makes even more sense to go somewhere when the temperature doesn't make it above 10. This is me just realizing what everyone else already knows. Sometimes I just need the experience before I learn.
This weekend we had a birthday party for my uncle Terry (the one with throat cancer). He turned 59. He seems to be doing pretty well. My mom had been updating me on his progress, and my brother and I both agreed that her descriptions really weren't accurate. Over the years I've discovered that my mom's stories are difficult to follow and tend to leave out the crucial details. I'm expecting Terry to be slumped in a wheel chair with the inability to talk (because he had tracheotomy), not at all. Adam and I walked into the nursing home/hospice and the first person we see is Terry. Coming in from a smoke. So, needless to say, he was doing MUCH better than I expected. He was feeling so good he wants to go bowling next weekend, so hopefully we can make it happen.
Here is a picture of our family bowling team. (I donated blood that morning, I am NOT wearing a sweat band on my forearm)
I had the day off today for MLK (as stated earlier). Yeah, I went shopping. I would like to say I spent the day doing something a little more productive, but I went to the MOA. Adam and I were there on Sunday for a few minutes to finish some Christmas returns and I noticed the post holiday sales were in full force. I didn't want to subject Adam to impromptu shopping so I went back today to go on my own. The MOA is a 15 minute bus ride from my house. I can't even get downtown for work in less than 20, so it amazes me that I can get to the largest mall in the US in 15 minutes on public transportation. I am pleased to report the average cost per item I purchased was $5. I think I even got a sweater for $2. It was really nice to have today off since I start my last semester of classes tomorrow. I'm totally dreading it, but also really getting excited because it means I'm almost done! I'm going to be so happy when I'm done. It's one of those things that I will be very proud of myself for doing it, but also I can't wait to have a life again. I will have the ability to be spontaneous and not have to live on such a rigid schedule. Can't wait. I'll start a my semester countdown soon...
Happy inauguration day!!
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