Proud To Be An American

On the Road

A couple of weekends ago I ventured to southern North Dakota for a friend's wedding (and what a lovely wedding it was). I had never driven to this small town before and I was navigating it alone, but I was prepared with my Google Maps directions. So on a beautiful summer morning I hit the highway in my Honda and ventured into uncharted territory...or at least uncharted to me.

I had no problems arriving at my destination, but there were moments of doubt in my head that I was on the wrong road and that I was going the wrong direction. I knew I wasn't, but still I had reservations from time to time and panic would pang my heart. I thought this was interesting because how often in life do we feel this way? We know where we need to go and how to get there and when we start progressing towards our destination we think we're all wrong and that we should go back.

It'd be so easy to go back. Easier yet, to stay where we are. That fear of getting lost, of getting it wrong can be paralyzing. The misleading comfort in routine can be intoxicating. But I think we need to trust ourselves more. We need to trust that we are prepared for adventure and lean on our faith. We need to believe in what we feel so deeply about in our hearts and not disregard it as silly--or let others do the same. Because if we do succumb to that fear and turn back, or we stay put our souls are hungry for more and we end up maintaining a life instead of really living life. We feel empty, inadequate, fake. We feel lost even though we know exactly where we are.

Maybe we need to get lost in order to be found. Maybe we need to get it wrong in order to understand what is right for us. And maybe the journey will be treacherous, long, and dangerous, but doesn't that sound a bit thrilling? Doesn't that sound like a wonderful opportunity to learn more about ourselves, our faith, our world?

Road to the Lake

The dear deer...

Yesterday, while driving home, I saw a herd of deer grazing on small patches of grass where the snow had melted at a mini-gold course and go-cart track. I don't know if herd is the correct terminology for a group of deer, but truly they were a herd. There were approximately 20 young deer resembling Bambi and I was completely amazed.

So yeah, I know deer are commonly found in the NoDak... (Often on the sides of the highway, sadly.) And I know there are a lot of them... But, I don't know... This was just so cool. I've never seen that many wild deer in one place together. Nor at a mini-golf course. They were beautiful. Truly.

I'm a sucker for wildlife. What can I say? They bring a specific joy into my life, making me happy in a way nothing else can. I just think that their purpose in life is both simple and complex all at once. That purpose being survival.

We share that purpose, but we make our survival in this world more difficult than it has to be. To get back to the basics of survival, to living... To live off of the green earth with our loved ones. To take our time in our journey. To take notice of beauty around us along the way. Well, I think that'd be splendid.

Why Not Minot?!

Dear Blog World,

So it's been a while since my last post and I have much to share...

After freaking out over the possibility of returning to my hometown in North Dakota I was presented with an opportunity that I could not refuse. Truly, I would be dumb if I did. I made the rational decision to commit to working as a Rental Agent for a year in Minot. I think it will be an excellent opportunity to gain valuable work experience and I'm looking forward to having a steady source of income. I started work a week and a half ago and am enjoying what I am doing. Pretty much, I am to showing houses and apartments what Vanna White is to turning letters.

Another plus for moving home is that my parents are fixing up a little Craftsman house that I will be able to inhabit for the year. Rent will be incredibly reasonable and it is going to be so much fun decorating my first place. The house is charming and has great character. I'm super stoked that I will have an office with old French doors and an art studio with big windows. I'm feeling very inspired to write, paint, and draw... I can't wait to get into my hizzouse!

Returning to the NoDak will also be beneficial in giving me time to evaluate where I am in my life and where I want to be. Once I get settled into a bit of a routine I can really focus on if I want to return to school and if so, pursue that whole-heartedly. I think that this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on and examine my passions, strengths, weaknesses, and dreams. I'm really trying to embrace my time spent here in Minot and grow as a person in every way I can.

Anywho... I'm a bit scatterbrained at the moment, so I will conclude here. The Giants are playing the Cowboys and I'm trying to pay attention to the game... Go Giants!

Many laughs and much love,
Annie

To whom it may concern, a letter...

Dear Blog World,

So much has happened in the recent couple of months that there just isn't enough time to detail all of the major happenings in the news and in my own life. However, I'll try to skim... (The operative word being try.)

I wanted to congratulate Pat Summitt and the Tennessee Lady Vols on winning their 7th Women's National Basketball Championship. Even though I'm from the NoDak, the Lady Vols captured my heart. When I was in the eighth grade, phenom Chamique Holdsclaw led them to a perfect season as they crushed LaTech to win the championship. I've been in love with them ever since. But that was back in '98 and I was fearful during that span of 9 championship-less years that I was bad luck to Pat and her crew. I mean UConn won multiple titles for pity sake! Alas, I'm no jinx and UT has plenty of game...and current phenom, Candace Parker.

Unfortunately, their fabulous win was overshadowed by the idiotic and cruel remarks of Don Imus towards the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (Tennessee's opponent). Those comments were, of course, completely uncalled for. Especially because when one has a hair-do like he does (a shaggy version of the Trump), one has no right to talk about anyone else's hair. Don, you're an old white guy...own it. Anywho... Vivian Stringer and her young team worked extremely hard in turning their season around in order to make it to the Final Four. They deserve tremendous credit for their play, as well as for the class they demonstrated throughout the Imus "situation."

It would be irresponsible of me not to at least mention the horrific shooting at Virginia Tech, but really I am at a loss for words... All I can say is that my thoughts, love, and prayers are with everyone affected by the tragedies of that April day. I know your lives are forever changed, but I sincerely hope you can heal and find peace.

There's no smooth, or appropriate transition from this topic to the next, so I'll just move on...

The beginning of May sent me on a quick trip to New York in order to interview for a job at an ad agency. I flew solo and wandered around the city with me, myself, and I...and my iPod. I also had the joyful opportunity of visiting one of my favorite nonprofits while I was there and that was truly a lovely treat. All and all it was a great experience, but I didn't obtain the job. I think it was for the best because the timing just wasn't right, but I was frustrated to learn the reason for not being hired. Apparently I was well-liked and regarded as intelligent and articulate, but I was too reticent. In other words, I didn't talk about myself enough. What can I say...? I'm from the Midwest, we don't like to draw attention to ourselves. But despite the frustration, it's a lesson learned and I'll know one area I can improve upon in the future.

After my trip to the East Coast I returned to North Dakota. I visited friends at UND and celebrated Springfest, which is a one day party in the park prior to finals. Fest-goers arise earlier than they normally would for school to enjoy breakfast and drink specials. They wear crazy and, more often than not, inappropriate shirts special for the occasion. And some--like a few of my friends--tie themselves together with bungee cords so as not to lose one another. Pretty much, they party. It's been known to get wild and so in recent years Springfest has been under tight security with alcohol restrictions (it used to be B.Y.O.B., but now has a beer garden). As long as no one burns anymore furniture we should be good.

Following my stint in Grand Forks I traveled back home to Minot for the first time since I moved to the Twin Cities. It was extremely nice to visit the parents and pooches. We headed to the lake for a few days, which was wonderful despite the fact that the weather wasn't the nicest. I was very happy to be able to spend Mother's Day with my momma. I was also happy to visit friends and family that I haven't seen for quite some time.

I returned to Minnesota after about a week and a half in the good ol' hometown. Awaiting me was my brother, his dog, and our dirty house. (A man's idea of clean is mind-boggling...) There's nothing like cleaning for two days straight only to have to re-clean it after a party, which was exactly what happened to me. But now that our home is back in order, I'm back to job hunting. It's work in and of itself, but hopefully it will pay off soon because I'm itching to do something more exciting than walk the dog (as much as I do enjoy a nice walk in the sunshine and fresh air). That and uh...I need to earn some money. I mean, someone has to buy groceries around here!

Anyway the upcoming days will be filled with the hunt and some fun. I have the honor of being a chaperon for a good family friend. The young lady, fresh out of her freshman year in high school, will be flying in to go to the Gwen Stefani concert and I am in charge of her stay in the Cities. I feel so adult...well, sort of.

Okay, this got long, didn't it? But I had a lot to talk about for two months time! And remember, I said I'd try to skim. Have a good one Blog World! God's blessings.

Many laughs and much love,
Annie

Icebreaker

Hello there! I'm Annie. Pleased to meet you. I hail from the "Magic City."

Oh, sorry... You don't know where that is? Okay, okay. Well, I'm from Minot, North Dakota. "Why Not Minot," if you will.

Still don't know? Okay, um...

Yeah, Minot is the fourth largest city in the great state of North Dakota and is located north of our state capitol...

What's that? Bismarck, yes, Bismarck is the capitol of NoDak. Anyway, back to Minot...

Minot is also located to the west of the Geographic Center of the United States, which before you ask, is Rugby. And of course, North Dakota itself is north of South Dakota. Hey, don't give me a hard time about that either because no one makes fun of North and South Carolina and it's pretty much the same thing. Pff.

ANYWAY...

Minot is the home of the Magi, Josh Duhamel, the North Dakota State Fair, the Great Anhydrous Ammonia Spill of 2002, North America's largest Scandinavian festival (the Norsk Hostfest), and me.

I know what you're thinking... Yes, it's basically the shiznit.

But Minot is behind me now because I live in an even smaller town north of St. Paul, Minnesota. I like to call it The Boondocks. I came to Minnesota because I graduated from the University of North Dakota in May of 2006 and after a few months living with the parents it was time for me to become an adult and I had no where else to go. The only problem is... I'm still working on that adult thing. "Working" being a sort of ironic choice of word because I'm not working. Ha!

No, it's really not that funny. Not funny at all. I shouldn't laugh. It was a nervous laugh, but I shouldn't laugh because I need a job. Or as my brother puts it, a J-O-B.

Congratulations to him, by the way, for his superior spelling skills. Really, give him a round of applause.

But yeah, I'm a Job Hunter and I've got the camouflage and neon orange gear to prove it. Well, that's a lie; it's a joke. Ha ha. Anyway, since I'm jobless I prefer to call myself a Dreamer. Yup, it's my official non-official job title until I'm adult enough to earn a job title.

So until then, you can call me Annie. Annie, the funny girl from North Dakota who is a dreamer. That's me in a nut shell. Not an actual nut shell, but...

Oh, you get it.