Day 92- July 31st: Dreaming

It is with this quote that I switch my double sided rock from the live side to the dream side for a bit. I'm going to live, but I think I'll try to provide a little extra time for dreaming in the next few weeks before school starts. 


"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."
- Mark Twain

Day 91- July 30th: The Little Things

Today was a good day.

It started with waffles, progressed to workout and coffee shop time with the bestie. Which then turned into grilling and a delicious burger with potato salad. Then I got to head to Brit's Pub to meet some of my boyfriends friends and listen to them tell hilarious stories about their first few years of college. And best of all it was so cold out that it ended with some cuddle time :) Finally :D It really is all about the little things people.

Day 90- July 29th: Battling with my mind

today was a boring day. Got off work a bit early, so I finally cleaned our disgusting bathroom, and I got to spend a good 30 mins with my man :) Anyway I'm just gonna post a quote for the day. This just really describes how I feel about life right now.

"Our greatest battles are with our own minds."
- Jameson Frank

I'm at my wits end, completely exhausted due to not sleeping well at night and my medication, not to mention I'm crabby because I'm not supposed to have caffeine and my wisdom teeth are coming in. I'm so close to finishing my undergrad, which is fantastic, but frustrating to me as well. I'm just still in this odd stage in life where I want to be grown up and stand on my own two feet and yet I wanna have fun, and I'm not sure where I want to go. As I finished my final paper and completed all the reading for the course I had a little tiny freakout. This is it. I chose to be a teacher, but what if this isn't the career for me and I just wasted 60 grand to become one?!?! And so I'm battling with my mind, but running is helping, and music is helping, and dreaming is helping, and I'll get where I'm going one of these days. So I battle on!

Day 89- July 28th: One Lucky Girl :D

So the meds I'm on make me super nauseous and dizzy, not to mention they cause restless sleeping, and I'm not allowed to have caffeine or large amounts of foods high in calcium while I'm on them. worst meds ever? yes. But the sweetest boyfriend ever showed up after his shift to drop of these beautiful flowers and a candy bar(since i can't have my usual ice cream.) Feeling slightly better all ready. Also, how did he know daisies were my favorite?

Day 88- July 27th: Zucchini Bread

So I had to go back to the doctor today to get more medication for my UTI, which is just frustrating because the medication makes me dizzy, nauseous, and unable to sleep. On the plus side, on the way home from the doctor's office I stopped at the farmers market and bought some beets, onions, and Zucchini. I decided to bake some zucchini bread to relieve my stress. I put the batter together and then decided to call my mom while it was in the oven. I got a little bit distracted, so the outer edges were a bit burnt, but for the most part it was delicious!

wet and dry ingredients

the batter

a little burnt, but yum!!!

Day 87- July 26th: My exhausted side

So tonight I had John over to make a delicious meal with my home grown tomatoes. I made some home made spaghetti sauce and it turned out really well. Then I headed to Erika's to watch Teen Mom. Afterwards John picked me up and asked me what I was up for. He suggested a cafe, and I suggested just going home. I think my exhausting summer is finally catching up with me. So we came back laid down and just talked for awhile, until I almost fell asleep. I've been so go, go go, recently and I can't wait until I'm done with class in a week and can finally spend a few nights a week just resting.

Day 86- July 24th: 2 years later

So I meant to post about this this weekend, but I was just too happy about life and too many good things were going on. But I feel like I need to blog about this just for my own sake. So about 2 years ago I made one of the worst, best decisions of my life. It was one of the best decisions of my life, but I think the way I went about it was the worst. Today it still looms over my head and I feel awful about it, but it was something that needed to happen.

Anyway I was reflecting this weekend on how far I've come in the last 2 years and how much I have truly changed as a person, and I gotta say, I'm proud of myself. Sure I've made some mistakes, but I've learned from them, and best of all, I'm moving on. I'm still not sure what I want out of life, but I think I'm getting closer.

Day 85- July 24th: Research Paper

Today I finished my last research paper for my undergrad. now all that is left is a couple of 40 page readings and a final!!! woohoo!!!!

Day 84- July 23rd: Aquatennial

Today I went to slice of shoreview with the family I work for and we had some fun. Then I finally got to see one of my best friends, who I haven't seen for awhile and we had a girls night. We went out for chinese, and then we went to meet my boyfriend(still feels weird to write that) for the Aquatennial fireworks. It literally started pouring on us immediately after they started. So we came back to my place and  had a drink and then headed to John's house to drink and salsa dance. haha. it was a fabulous night!

fireworks

salsa dancing

Me and John :D

Day 83- July 22nd: in the still of the night

So it's 10 am and I'm already blogging for the day, because I'm sure that nothing can beat my wonderful morning. firstly I was supposed to work at 10, but got a text saying I didn't need to come in until noon! but that's not even the best of it. Last night I went to the Butanes with a few friends and then we went to Lunds to hang out and wait for Keveeno's bus. While there I of course got to see the cutest Lunds employee there is :P When he got off at midnight (thus today) we decided to hang out for a bit because we were both having awful days. He took me to yet another splendid view of the city, (a really bad picture is posted below) and we had a nice long chat and decided to officially become boyfriend and girlfriend :D And nothing can top that.

Day 82- July 21st: trying to find the humor

Today was both good and bad. I gotta say that I feel close to tears at the moment, but life is too good at the moment for me to breakdown and cry. We spent our morning playing fun games outside and then we went to Chuck E Cheese with the kids. The only part of the morning/afternoon that sucked was that the medication I'm on for my UTI made me super nauseous.

When I got home from work I went for my long run of the week. I ran 5.85 miles, but was unable to do an extra block, due to, of course, my medication. about 35 minutes in I realized my skin was getting slightly pink and sunburned (a side effect of the medication.) anyway I made it through my 65 minutes, and then got home and began cooking dinner. I made delicious spaghetti, sat down on my bed, grabbed my computer to move it, and spill spaghetti all over my bed. I had just washed my sheets yesterday.

So I washed them out and tried to laugh my way to joes to put them in the dryer. agh!!!!!

Day 81- July 20th: Foshay Tower

Today was my day off for the week. I ran, went to the doctor, did laundry and homework in the morning and then had myself some fun in the afternoon. John took me to Foshay tower to see the city, and then out for ice cream afterwards. pictures below!

view from the top of the tower

my favorite building

John's favorite building

us at the top of the tower (it was super windy)

Day 80- July 19th: Friendship

found some good quotes about friendship in a book titled "You're my friend so I brought you this book."

"I fanned the flame of friendship and it fired love."- Alexander Day

"I do not give lectures of a little charity. When I give, I give myself."- Walt Whitman

Day 79- July 18th: caffeine addiction

So last monday I decided to skip my morning cup of coffee because I wasn't that tired. major mistake. I had a terrible headache all afternoon, and during my night class. I woke up with it on Tuesday and had a cup of coffee and it was gone. This morning I skipped my coffee again, and by the time the afternoon came around my head was pounding. I just had a cup, but it's not kicking in fast enough for class, so I'm allowing myself to take an Ibuprofen, something I rarely do. I hate taking medication. I'm super anti medication, but I have to do something to make sure I can pay attention during class.

Day 78- July 17th: How I escaped the heat

Today was a good day, mostly just because I had off from work. With a heat index of 104 I skipped my planned 3 mile run and spent a good 3 hours at the coffee shop writing a paper. After I finished I met 2 of my future roommates for ice cream at Chilly Billy's. It was so good! Then I headed to grateful dead sunday's at the driftwood, and had a burger. Afterwards I got to hang out with John, for, what felt like the first time in a long time (it had really only been 2 days.)

Day 77- July 16th: bra shopping

So I worked today and was extremely exhausted after, but I had sunday off! So I went shopping. My back has been killing me recently and I finally attributed it to the fact that I haven't been bra shopping in 6 months and have pretty much worn out the 3 bras I bought in January. I hate bra shopping. Seriously my least favorite thing to do, because I can never find any that fit me. But I found 3 that were decent. Then bought a pair of shorts and 2 plain tank tops figuring this would allow me to wait an extra 3 days to do laundry. haha....

I spent my night out with my best friend. We went to Olive Garden for dinner (yum!) and then went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. I was insanely disappointed. But I guess I'm always disappointed with the movies, so no loss.

Day 76- July 15th: longest day ever.

So I worked a 9 hour shift today starting at 7am. This is how I started my day.

Breakfast

The view from where I ate breakfast

Then I went to work. The family I work for left for China today to adopt 2 more kids! super excited for them. Unfortunately I'm so overly tired from trying to balance everything in my life right now that I was unable to show any level of energy today. Seriously. I need sleep. Anyway after work I went out for 1 beer at happy hour with a friend who is in town for a few days, and then I went for a 5.4 mile run. woohoo! half-marathon training here I come. Anyway I have to work again tomorrow and I seriously need sleep.

Day 75- July 14th: making time

So last night after Daryn's new band's show at the Acadia cafe John said he really wanted to show me something, so I decided to postpone sleep another 30 minutes to see what it was, and boy am I glad I did. This was the view I got.

Anyway today was a longer day at work (though not as long as tomorrow will be,) so afterwards I went for a 4 mile run, and then did a bunch of reading. now I'm ever so slightly ahead. John just dropped me off from another AMAZING view of the city. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera with. Don't worry, I'm sure we will be going back :D anyway this was my quote of the day today, and it seemed to fit perfectly.
"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it."- Charles Bixton

Day 74- July 13th: Another Day

So I worked late today and got done early, which allowed me to finally get caught up in reading and go for a short 2 mile run. While I was running this song came on. It's been awhile since I heard it, and I forgot how good it was.

Day 73- July 12th: waiting for superman

Listened to this song on my run today, and it seemed perfect to represent all the stress I'm under. God I love The Lips!

Day 72- July 11th: skyline

so remember when I mentioned how beautiful the sunset on my way home from class is? Well I got a picture tonight. This picture truly doesn't do it justice. If I would have waited about 20 minutes I'm sure it would have been better, but I didn't have time...

Day 71- July 10: "Measure of Heart"

So this morning I was spending time with my niece and she was measuring things, including my legs and arms. And then she said "I measure your heart?" and it got me thinking...what if you could measure someone's heart? What would you base it on? just my crazy thought for the day....

Day 70- July 9th: The Lips!

This morning we went to the zoo with my niece to see the "Ocapus." Then Me and Daryn went on a Brewery Tour at Sprecher. Their Imperial Stout was epic!

Then we headed down to Summerfest to see the Flaming Lips. It was super packed, but still epic. They played "What is the Light," which is just incredible! My favorite line is "Love is the place you're drawn to."

Day 69- July 8th: Leon Russell

So I spent most of my day in the car, but then got to go to Summerfest. My niece came along for the first concert and danced with me and my brother to some great Irish music by Gaelic Storm.

Then we went to see Leon Russell! He did a great cover of Wild Horses by The Rolling Stones, which made my night. I have a recording, but it's awful. I really need to invest in a new camera. Anyway here's a picture. 

Day 68-July 7th: New Song

So I heard this song on cities 97 on my way home today. It was just what I needed. I'm not a huge OAR fan, but I do sort of like their stuff and this song was amazing. my favorite lyrics are
maybe i should take my time
and build this life by my own design
with no direction and it’s in between
everything i love, and everything i need

Day 67- July 6th: Dream and Live

Midterm went okay. Just glad it's curved.

I have this rock in my room that I painted with nail polish when I was a little girl (something we would often do to stay entertained on camping trips.) It is one of the few things from my childhood that I keep out in open rather than in storage. On it are the words Live, on one side, and Dream on another. Whenever I notice I need to be spending more time doing one versus the other I flip it. This rock remains on my nightstand, so that I see it every morning when I turn my alarm off.

Today, after reflecting on my weekend, I decided it was time to switch it over to "live" for awhile. Recently I've been doing a lot of self-refelcting, trying to discover what exactly it is I want out of life. What I want out of life. Right now, however, there isn't much time for dreaming, and it's not getting me anywhere, so perhaps it's time to start living for awhile. And I mean really living. 

Day 66- July 5th: Study day

Today I worked by myself with the boys for the first time ever. It made me really glad that I have someone else there most days. I mean, it wasn't bad, just hard to keep track of the two boys who move at opposite paces. Dear old Jess discovered a really sweet birds nest though!

I spent the rest of my afternoon studying. Here is a picture of my lovely flashcards. wish me luck....

Day 65-July 4th: American Spirit

Only 300 more days to go on this thing...haha.

Today I smell of American Spirit Cigarettes. It's been quite some time, and no I didn't smoke them. That would be disgusting....but sometimes I really miss the smell.
here's a few pics from our 4th of july celebration.

Day 64- July 3rd: a day with the ex

Spent the morning working on my paper, got to page 8 and quit. Went out for bloody's at legends with the ex and some of his friends and then headed to grateful dead sunday's at the driftwood. We came home made a pizza and watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, since I just finished the book. It was a hard day, but I'm really glad I got to see him. It's funny how much different things are, and how at some points they still seem the same. It's been over a year since we broke up and it feels like it's been centuries, and yet it feels like it could have happened just yesterday. so weird....

Day 63- July 2nd: a well needed run

Well I spent a good portion of the day hungover, which was not planned since I needed to work on my paper. Around 7 I decided it was seriously time to do something with my day, so I went for a 3.7 mile run. This was exactly what I needed. It's crazy how addicted to running I am. Then I went over to Johns to "work on my paper" and I actually did get about a third of a page written. then we just hung out and talked for awhile. I came home and got some well deserved sleep.

Day 62- July 1st: a little too much.

Can't believe it's already July. Worked early today and got off early. spent the afternoon working on my paper, and I'm now almost 4 pages in! I decided that this meant I could take a break to party....mistake. So I turned 21 about 4 months ago, and I still haven't made it out downtown. John's roommate is turning 25 this weekend, so they had a get together at their house and then we went out downtown. The goal was to only have 3 drinks or so because i really wanted to work on my paper saturday. I only had 3 drinks, but 3 very strong drinks, and a few shots in between. We ended up going out downtown, and i managed to spend 30 dollars on cover charges and parking. What??? insane! anyway here are some pictures.

The gang at drink (I only know like 3 of these people...haha)

Me, Dave(his birthday) and Micah

Roomie pic!