All Kinds of Insane

It's been an insanely long time since I've written anything here, or really anywhere for that matter. I suppose that has much to do with the time of year and where I am in my life at the moment. It turns out that work takes out a big chunk of one's life. Who would've thunk? And I've been settling into my home, which is a slow process. Slow, but enjoyable--especially now because it's actually looking like a home. So really, I've just summed up my life from my last blog to now. Pretty damn exciting, isn't it? Ha.

I have to say, more insane than my absence is the absurdly cold weather here in North Dakota. It's been thirty to forty degrees below this week. Yes, I said below. See, that is crazy. But it gets crazier... People bundle up and head out in the whipping wind and swirling snow. I think this should be criminal. Work should be canceled. School should be canceled. Every store should be shut down. Everyone should stay home clothed in the coziest of sweat pants and hoodies, wrapped in big ol' blankets, and stationed in front of a fireplace.

And speaking of this cold front and crazy... I've decided that love is waking up at 6:00 a.m., sporting two pairs of sweats, and taking your ten pound dog outside to pee in thirty below weather. That's love and I am in love, with my dog that is. I just adopted him last Friday. He was advertised in the classifieds as a give away. His name is Whiskey and he is a long haired, chocolate wiener dog, who is approximately a year old and full of it. Whiskey is quite good and extremely sweet and I feel very blessed to have the little shit. He keeps me on my toes and we're figuring everything out as we go. I am his third owner in his short life, after all, so there is definitely some adjustments he is experiencing. Me as well. I have to be responsible now. Ha. I really do enjoy having someone to come home to...even if I do have to clean up a mess.

Now that really does sum up my life at the moment. Work. Settling. Whiskey. (If someone only read the previous line he or she would probably think I've got problems...) And with that, I bid you ado. Stay warm. Cheers.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Butkus is off the charts!

On a scale of 1 to 10, Butkus is off the charts!

HAPPY (belated) THANKSGIVING

I was flipping through my old second grade story notebooks when I came across a list of sorts I wrote for the Thanksgiving holiday. It's humbling to see what a child really cares about and how these thoughts have stayed with me even today. They're my roots, I guess. I have to say that #37 is completely perplexing though as I have no idea what "lecktesade" is, or what it is supposed to be. Other than that, I think you'll get the gist...


I hope you had a very Happy Thanksgiving! Cheers!

I miss you, I miss you not...

After a few weeks back in the NoDak I've pondered a bit as to what I miss and do not miss about the Twin Cities. I've composed the following lists and I think they speak for themselves...

I miss:

• My homies
• Suburban sunsets
• B.96 (We are hip hop!)
• LeeAnn Chin
• Fireflies lighting up spring evenings
  
• Piano bars
• Lakes, lakes, and more lakes
• My extremely attractive neighbor who built things, played the drums, and road his mountain bike sans a shirt
  
• City life
  
• Frank Vascellaro and Amelia Santaniello of WCCO Channel 4 News
• Caribou Coffee
• Red Box DVD vending machines
• Frogs croaking at night
  
• My aunt, uncle, and cousin
  
• Anonymity

I don't miss:

• Anonymity
• The job hunt
  
• Having to get on a highway to go pretty much anywhere other than the grocery store
  
• Being broke
• Selling pornos at the bookstore
  
• Traffic, traffic, and more traffic
• An empty home
  

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