The Annual Christmas Card

Once again it's time to create our annual family Christmas card.  As usual, I'm running late.  I procrastinate every year, because I always argue with myself on doing the card.  Should I just send a plain Christmas card and sign our names?  Well, what about the people who I don't see but I like to keep in touch with?  I should write a little update of what's been happening with our family.  If I do that, it'll take me forever to write in people's cards.  Maybe I should do a Christmas letter?  Well, if I do that, it always has a tendency to come across as "bragging" and the whole year sounds fake and fabulous.  But, then again, why would I write about the bad stuff that happens?  Everyone has bad times and nobody wants to hear about other peoples problems, they have problems of their own.  Everyone does.  So, the letter will just have the highlights of the year.  But, what about a picture?  Do we have a picture of all 5 of us? 

This train of thought made me consider not doing a Christmas card this year, but, then each time I get a card in the mail, I feel guilty.  So, two nights ago, I went on-line and finally made a Christmas card with a picture and a Christmas letter.  I ordered it, and it will arrive on December 20.  By the time people get it, people will be taking their cards down.

Oh well, better late than never. 

Maybe next year I should just resolve that I will do a card and start working on the card early in November.  Besides, I like having the cards.  They make good memories of us and they're fun to look back on.  Sometimes I am embarassed by what I put in the card, but, I still plug away at them each and every year.

Well, tomorrow I drive to Minneapolis to pick Kayla up for the winter break!  I am so excited!  We're going to a nice dinner, then to a play and I'll stay in the dorm with her for the night.  How cool is that!  On Friday we will stop and do some Christmas shopping on our way home.  It'll be the perfect start to the week before Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone!  (PS:  At least I don't make the family do crazy pictures like this...)

Snowpocalypse

"Snowstorm racks Minn.
In Minneapolis, 17.1 inches of snow fell, the fifth-highest total in city history."

Even if I hadn't woken up to this headline on the front page of The Minnesota Daily newspaper on Monday morning, I feel quite confident I would've been well aware that the metro was the target of a massive blizzard this past weekend...considering I became trapped in the dead eye of the historical storm that ultimately made sports history forever. Let's journey back to Saturday, December 11, 2010 shall we?

One of my best friends, lets call her Dakota, was visiting me for the weekend from UW-La Crosse and we had plans to travel to the nation's largest mall on Saturday to do our Christmas shopping. Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into as soon as we stepped outside of Frontier Hall...

No, that's a lie. We knew. Considering the wind and snow made it nearly impossible to walk to the bus stop a few yards away from the dorm and the Rt 16 Bus even got stuck on the way to the lightrail station and we had to walk a block or so to the station, we knew it was just the beginning of a monster. Our thoughts were further confirmed when the lightrail was stuck for about 15 minutes on the tracks on the way to Mall of America. Alas, Christmas shopping needed to be done, Dakota wanted Johnny Rockets, and I needed a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory premium apple. Priorities people.

Fast-forward to 4:00 pm. The stores started to close, very "Titanic-esque" pulling down their gates to refuse customers any more service for "the safety of the employees." Just then, I received a text from a friend back on campus, "So...MetroTransit is suspended." (Note: MetroTransit is the ONLY public bus transportation system in the Twin Cities. They have a monopoly.) Thank God the lightrail is NOT included in this suspension, so we booked our butts and bags to the lightrail in the parking lot of the mall only to shove our way onto the train that has about 5X too many people. Here, we learned that the train has been sitting there for about 45 minures because oh, I don't know...there was a WRECK a little down the way! Eventually, the train started to move, and since the lightrail only goes downtown, not to campus, I texted my friends back in the dorm to look up the cab service numbers to send a cab downtown to pick us up. New Text Message: "No cabs are running. Some won't even pick up the phone." Alright, so now panic starts to insue. We are crammed into a tiny lightrail car with 100 other people, heading to a place that isn't even home and....the lightrail gets stuck, multiple times. Claustrophobia? Hey I'm Kayla, nice to meet you.

Part 2 of the journey begins when the lightrail finally gets us safely to the downtown stop. Some people on the train said they are going to walk back to campus so, instead of dropping $100 on a hotel for a night, we decide to attempt to make the trek and follow them.

Apparently these people are Olympic sprinters and hurdlers. As they bound over snowbanks and fly across snowy, icy, intersections, me and Dakota are panting far, far behind, tripping over our Uggs, nearly slipping on corners, shopping bags hitting our legs and further slowing us down. Funny, considering I'm so athletic and Dakota so nimble and quick...we get left in the dust, or in this case, powder. We trekked about a half hour and as we looked around, we realized we were in a scene from The Day After Tomorrow. People were walking in the middle of the road, cars in ditches and the few that were moving had tires stuck halfway into the snow. For a while, I knew what road we were on and kinda had some bearings, but then the city decided to be a brat and change Washington Ave into 4th St without any warning. With windblown faces, runny noses, freezing hands, soaking wet boots, and no sense of direction, we ducked into the sole establishment open on the street we were on, The Corner Bar.

We indulged in some refreshing beverages (pop), energy-enriched sandwiches (grilled cheese) and hot chili (yep, just hot chili.) We indulged very slowly, relishing each moment in the safety of indoors until we had paid our bill and had no choice but to embark back into the wretched environment outdoors. Using my context clues and a map of a random part of Minneapolis, I got us to the right road to get back to campus. Problem: it's an exit ramp. Solution: Being that there were no cars, we trekked and slid down the exit ramp, facing the would-be traffic head on. (Note: Dakota had fallen like 3 times at this point, at least this lightened the mood.)

Sweet victory. We saw, through the flurries, to an overpass that read "University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus." I literally screamed out in joy, "We made it!!" We then had to crawl underneath a fence and walk across the Mississippi River, but eventually we burst into Frontier Hall Rm 193, Christmas purchases in tow, with chilled bodies, stressed out minds, parched throats, and quite the story.

I end this post with some pictures: 1) An extremely flattering one of Dakota and I after we stripped off our durable, reliable winter jackets that got us through the storm, complete with appropriate facial expressions and a complete mat of icy, snarly hair on my head.

2) What happened shortly after, about 2 miles away from our dorm, to mark sports history forever as the day the Metrodome caved in and tore open.

3) TCF Bank stadium, about 2 blocks from our dorm, in the midst of being prepared today to host the Vikings and Bears in less than a week.

Mom comes tomorrow :) Safe to say I am ready to be home for the holidays.

“How far we travel in life matters far less than those we meet along the way.”-Anonymous


More or less, this past Monday I made it back from volunteering in one piece. And, being that I'm a huge believer in everything happening for a reason, I'm so happy I got mixed-up on the route home again, I met such an intriguing woman! Upon boarding the bus, I told the kind and cheery lady driving exactly where I needed to get off so she could maybe give me a warning. With a smile, she agreed. We began to talk, she asked me if I had just moved to the city (Gosh, am I really that obvious?) and I told her the abridged version of my life: From a small town in Wisconsin, here for school, studying Spanish, that's why I was way out at a bus stop in Northeast Minneapolis, etc. She then told me she happened to be from Eau Claire, and came to the cities a while ago to attend the U and study psychology. Never got to hear the end of that story, some new passengers boarded and were confused about the fare. Anyway, she pulled back onto the road and asked me if I had a computer, and proceeded to flash me the back of her clipboard that was covered by a sticker saying, "Need a Ride?" followed by a URL. "I have a blog," she told me, "It's called 'Picking Up Strangers' 'cuz, well, that's what I do!" I was instantly intrigued and began asking her about it. I then informed her that I, in fact, blogged also, and gave her a quick run down of Tale of Twin Cities. Surprisingly sad to end this bus ride, I thanked her, spread some holiday cheer her way, and couldn't wait to get on my laptop and check out her site. I spent at least an hour reading through months and months of her blogs, laughing at the crazy people she encounters, the contests she holds (this past one if you "found" her on a bus and told her a secret phrase the winner got a Brett Favre jersey--not that I woulda've wanted to win that one), knowing more about the routes (apparently route 2 is the one with crack heads on one side and college kids on the other), and some fun facts about Jeanne, The Happiest Metro-Transit Bus Driver: she likes to collect stuffed animals and bring them on her routes to give to little kids who get on. How cool! If you have some time, check it out, you won't want to stop reading about her encounters: http://www.pickingupstrangers.com/.


I'm getting so attached to my kids at the school! Cases and points: 1) This Monday, Enrique Iglesias was in town (screw being poor), and after I told the girls (yes there may have been some screams), we started talking about music. They ripped out a sheet of notebook paper and filled every line with their favorite Spanish songs that they insisted I download. My Recently Added playlist on the pod is now full of canciones nuevas. 2) As we were walking out to busses, I was talking to one of the girls about how I'll see her next year, to have a good Christmas, etc. My heart warms a little bit at what she said before we parted ways, in English: "Oh, um, I wanted to tell you that I think you got better at Spanish." Aww, I heart her. And, 3) One of the boys finally worked up the courage this week to yell across the room to me, "Ay, Senorita! You got a Facebook?" "Yesss..." "What's your Facebook name?" "Pablo I'm not allowed to add the students..." Something about those Latino boys... :)


Well, now that I'm all warmed up on my writing, I suppose I should start thinking about finals like the rest of the student body and start cranking out my final paper for my Latinos in the US course. How ironic that I hate this class to my core....

Beware of the Christmas Bell Ringers....

This time of year, when I see all of the Salvation Army bell ringers outside of the grocery stores and Wal-Marts, I think back to my first year of college.  I worked at the grocery store and there was an older guy, mid-50's I guess, who wore a Santa hat and rang the bell outside the store.  One night, I dropped in some change and struck up a conversation with him. As the weeks went on, I would talk to him on occassion.  For some odd reason, he asked for my phone number, and weirdly enough, I gave it to him.  My friends thought it was strange when he started to call me.  (So did I, but, I wasn't sure why.)  Then, he started to talk to me about his career.  He said he used to be a police chief in Detroit and he saw many things and he could tell me some stories that would really freak me out.  He said he was an ice fisher and he asked where I lived because he wanted to deliver some fish he caught to me.  At this point, my friends said he was a weirdo and I better stop communicating with him.  Then, one strange night came when he asked me to meet him for coffee at a local McDonalds.  I actually went to the McDonalds, with my friends secretly nearby.  The man told me that he had a surprise for me in the trunk of his car. He then proceeded to walk with me out into the dark parking lot, open up the trunk of his car, and he showed me some ice fishing supplies.  He also said that he had some long-underwear for me to wear, and he wanted to take me on an ice fishing trip.  He thought I should get into the back seat of his car and try on the long underwear.  Well, at that point, I gave my freinds the signal and they pulled up in their car and I jumped in and drove away.  I had to change my phone number and lay low for awhile so the guy couldn't contact me again.  I quit my job at the store, too.

Well, I share this story with you because it's just a weird memory I've always had of my college days.  I was way too innocent and almost got in some big trouble because of it. 

Anyhow, everytime I see the bell ringers for the Salvation Army this time of year, I think back to that story and that creepy, Santa hat, ice-fisher guy!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I submit this week's blog.

I literally could write a gratitude list that does not end, so, I hope all my friends and family know how thankful I am for their presence in my life.  I am just listing a few, but this list is not all inclusive:>  (In other words, don't be offended if you're not listed, you are, I just ran out of space.)

I am thankful for:

• Brittany, for making popcorn for us when we watch TV, and then asking me to "help" her make it.
• Tyler, for going to see Harry Potter with me, even though it was obvious he was embarassed to be with his mom at the movie theater.
• Kayla, for living her life with clarity, joy and purpose, and for coming home on Thanksgiving and spending so much time with her family.
• Tom, for helping me move my mom into a new apartment on the day after Thanksgiving, and never complaining even once.
• my Mom, for giving me lots of stories to tell, and for teaching me forgiveness and how to laugh at the hard things in life.
• my Dad, for being one of the few people who I can really talk to, and for making sure to spend as much time as he can with the kids when we're together, teaching them card games, poker, and really being there with the kids.
• Jane, for making my dad so happy.
• Denny, for making me laugh every time I talk to him, and for not getting mad at me when I forget his birthday.
• Julie, for making me laugh every time I talk to her, and for having the best sister talks in the world.
• Barb, for whatever she did to raise her son to be such a great husband and father, and for being one of the best people in my life.
• Audra, for making my brother so happy, and bringing Ebben into this world.
• Todd, for making my sister so happy, and for bringing 3 more boys into our family.
• my work, for allowing me to do what I love, and to support my family while doing it.
• my students, for bringing me true joy in my work, and for inspiring me to work as hard as they do for their success.
• my church, for making me feel like I'm part of a greater family.
• my God, for grace. 

My cup overfloweth...

The Annual Giving of Thanks

I told Mom last week that I knew I was growing up because all I want is to be home for the holidays. Thanksgiving day we drove up to Wakefield to see the whole family and overeat, just like every year before. Sunday night before I came back to MN, we decorated the Christmas tree as a family while drinking hot chocolate, just like every year before. Thank God for traditions. Whether it be hanging ornaments on a lit tree or hearing Gramma Barb sing about the "big, fat turkey on Grandfather's farm" after overindulging in pumpkin pie and Grands, traditions keep your family's idiosynchracies alive and thriving even in the midst of change. (Enter college!) So, this is my preface to talking about the first holiday where I had to "come home," and how incredibly great it was. Enter blog:

First, don't travel by bus near the holidays. Every seat will be taken, you will have to sit on a broken seat by someone who will, of course, fall asleep and thus, will spill over onto your side during the trip that will take 90 minutes longer than expected. Though, seeing Dad waiting in the frigid cold outside at the bus stop the second we arrived made me instantly forget how crowded and uncomfortable I had felt for the past 5 hours, I was simply so happy to be home.

Thanksgiving Day, in addition to being filled with pinwheels, potatoes, turkey, a cranberry mold (yes Mom, the cranberry mold is worthy enough to be in the blog. It was delicious and looked cool), and me sharing my college stories (this means the stories of the famous Foam Party) with the aunts and cousins, it also left me thinking about everything I had to be thankful for. First, the opportunities I am offered every day attending college in a city, and the experiences I've had and will have that will create lasting memories. I know many people would love to be where I am, and really don't want to take being here for granted. And of course, even more importantly, I am so extremely thankful for the people in my life who I love. These past few months being on my own have really made me realize how truly blessed I am to have a life filled with people who love me, support me, inspire me, make me laugh (or cry in a good way), listen to my issues, offer advice, step in when needed, and have personalities and quirks that I can't imagine not being present in my life: Mom & Dad (you know how important you are to me, a blog can't even begin to describe it), Ty (still as smart-aleky as ever, but I know that your cry for help on the definition of the word "thoroughfare" was really code for "I love you Sis!"), Britty (even though my old wardrobe has found a new home in your closet and I kick your butt at ping-pong, we rock as being sisters, right? GloZell would agree), my beautiful best friends from home who I've missed to my heart's core (I love how nothing has changed, we still sit around, eat, do nothing, watch Titanic and laugh about EVERYTHING, even our dad's names), the incredible boyfriend (we just rock mi hombre, people are jealous of how fantastic we go together...and not to mention how fine we look together, too), and of course, a fabulous new addition to this list, my terrific new friends here at the U (we do things like a boss, brought back Britney, invented socioproductivity, well...just see the last 3 months of Facebook statuses.) Honestly, SO much to be thankful for.

Alright, snap back to reality. Literally, coming back from a 6-day break for like, 14 days of class, studying, and finals is just...mer. BUT, an exciting aspect to my return was moving in a new roomate! Hey Marina :) The first day we met, way back in September on the first day of Freshman Seminar, we realized we were scary similar. Like, if we were to make a Venn-Diagram of "Kayla and Marina," it would be an almond, only the middle part. We both are coffee-afficionados (holla!), weirdly in love with our professor's mind, from Wisco, are blonde, die-hard for the green&gold, are in honors yet ironically terrible procrastinators...the list goes on. So, we told Frontier Hall what was up, that we were meant to live together, and proceeded to totally deck the halls of our newly-reorganized room. We went all out-- Christmas lights, a mini tree, candy canes, paper snowflakes, Christmas smells (no! we do NOT have an illegal candle that is holiday scented!), and even a Poinsettia! (It's practice for the fish we want to get.)

Let me wrap up this all-over-the-place blog with a little wisdom from this professor that we both really enjoy...let's call him Pat. He is my favorite professor here so far, and his class feels the most "college-esque." He really makes me think and I always walk away from class feeling really inquisitive and scholarly. So, instead of class yesterday, we had individual meetings with him to discuss our final papers. I'm writing mine on why only 35% of students who go to four-year universities actually get their degree in four years. We got to talking about why our society set the 4-year standard of graduation in the first place and he said this, "You know, if you think about it, college is the only time in your life where society actually wants you to think and figure stuff out for yourself. You have your whole life to work, to follow society's rules, but here they are actually approving of you being in a setting where you have the ability to challenge anything you want!" Take from it what you will, but this statement really spoke to me for some reason, and kinda fits in my previous theme of giving thanks...for the right here and right now.

The Family Meeting

Well, Kayla, you just missed out on another fine "family meeting."  You can imagine how excited Tyler and Brittany were when I called the meeting.  Immediately Brittany looked confused and asked what she did wrong.  Tyler sat back with his arms folded over his chest and I could see his wheels spinning trying to come up with something to say to mock me for calling a "family meeting."  All he could come up with was, "Could I be Bobby Brady?  He was my favorite."  Not funny.

Anyhow, the purpose of today's meeting was to institute (once again) "quiet time."  This was met with moans and groans so loud you would have thought I was pulling out their teeth one by one.  For those readers who aren't familiar with quiet time, this is a one-hour period each night where there are no cell phones, no computers, and no TV.  It's supposed to be a one-hour time frame when the kids can focus on their homework and not get interrupted.  Tyler acted like he never heard of it, so I explained that there will be no electronics. So, he said, "Well, if there's no electronics, then we have to shut off all of the lights, too.  The lights run off electricity." 

I think after having the week he had, he better just accept quiet time and zip it!  I had a phone call from his band teacher saying that he has not gone to his trumpet lessons and we had an e-mail from his German teacher saying he's not "working up to potential."  When I asked him why he's not going to his trumpet lessons, he said, "It's because I can't play the trumpet."  He joined band thinking it would be an easy A.  Then when we asked him what's going on in German class, he said, "The teacher just doesn't like Manfred."  (His German name is Manfred.)

So, we are beginning the process of an attitute adjustment here in Minocqua.  Even with me.  I was not looking forward to the day when you graduated, but now, I am really looking forward to the next graduation from LUHS in 2014!  If we make it!