moving

Well, I guess it's once again time to update the blog. Finally after many agonizing weeks of waiting, I've learned that I will be moving to Syracuse, NY for internship. That was my first choice, so yes, I"m excited about it. In the meantime, I have so much left to do before the end of this school year and I'm trying to stay focused....

Oh to be so wise.

Idea # 4,598,678 that I wish I'd had Immigration Solution

Internship Interviews

Well, I guess it's time to update the blog about things other than German speaking muppets and scary stuffed rabbits. I've finished my interviews for internship, a feat that involved pitching woo around the United States. In ten days I visited five new states, and saw two new state capitols. I visited NYC for the first time and now have a better grasp of the significance of how amazing it is when "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." Brooklyn probably made the most impact on me because I'm not used to poultry shops selling live chickens (at least in the US). The best part was it was down the street from the "live girls" which led me to the mental picture of poultry wearing tassles. I was woken up at 4:30 am by loud reggae music which, given the alternatives (Waldo the rooster) wasn't altogether horrible. Of course, had Waldo been there, I would have known exactly where to take him to the chopping block. I passed a city park on my way to the hospital for the interview. It was unique in the fact that it was covered in concrete with an exception for holes where the trees sprouted through. The site itself was wonderful, but we'll see. I also interviewed in Syracuse, NY and got to spend some time with Cassie. I could go on and on about the mundane details of the trip, but I won't.
I've submitted my rankings of the sites and now I can only wait and pray. I'll find out on February 26 where I'll be living next year, and I hope it's _____________.

Post Script: I need to clarify that I don't consider my time with Cassie to be a mundane detail of the trip. There could be some misunderstanding at the end of that paragraph.

Yeah Ernie

Sesame Street is so much more interesting in another language.

Freaky

Jo and I found this bunny at Goodwill. I believe it is evidence that the creative designers at Ty are doing drugs....hard drugs.
I think what frightens me the most are his tiny, shiny hooves. RABBITS DON'T HAVE HOOVES!!!!!

Uncle Sam wants YOU!!!!

Well, W said that we should support our troops by going shopping. It's an interesting concept that discloses that he knows nothing about living in poverty. Nevertheless I'd hate to seem unpatriotic so I headed out with the fam to support the troops. We went to Powell's, which will be my personal library should I ever become rich. We also checked out the robust delights of Whole Foods, Crate & Barrel, and some store that starts with a Z that only Travis remembers the name to. By afternoon, Jo and I were beginning to lose our shopping buzz, so we left the parents and headed out for a food source. Taco Bell it was. Jo, who apparently was hurt by my discouragement with her modeling abilities set out to prove me wrong...


I got all excited when I saw the Saguaro cactus in front of Taco Bell only to discover it was only a not-so-well shaped bush.
We were so very tired, so I gave up and went home leaving Jo with her parents to continue supporting the troops.

The End.

There is a Bomb in Gilead

Well, it was a Christmas. Since I didn't get to go home to my birth parents (I'll see them next week), I spent it with the next best thing, an aunt and uncle and my cousin. On Sunday, Jo (the Cuz) and I met her parents to view the Egyptology exhibit at the Portland Art Museum. It was rather good for something about dead people. Although she did point out things she wanted for Christmas, I reminded her that a felony will keep me from getting licensed someday and she won't be able to move into my poolhouse because if I were lucky enough to have a poolhouse, I would be the one living in it. After we left the museum, I felt the need to take a picture. We're going to have to work on her modeling poses and my focusing abilities. (she's the pink blob you see). Apparently my work isn't headed to an art gallery near you anytime soon.
After leaving P-town, we enjoyed something (can't remember what, but I'm guessing it was food related) and then we sat down to open presents. This came as a bit of a surprise to me as we've always opened them Christmas morning, but hey, I'm breezy and it's fun. Now Nicky, is the Christmas cat, so this is her special time. To commemmorate it, we did portraits. If you'll notice, Jo has a beatific look on her face and Nicky's scowl, is well.....we'll just call them the yin and yang of Christmas.
Then, Uncle Bruce read us a short excerpt from a Nicholas Sparks book. Oddly enough it didn't make me cry like it usually does. (I hold him personally responsible for the rising rates of depression in the US.)

Of course we had the traditional family portrait time. It was not as adventurous as is usual in my family, but nevertheless took a few attempts to perfect and finally it came the time for Jo to pass out (insert Ted & Scott joke here).....the presents. One of the high points of this Christmas, was the apparent theme of smelling good. There was all sorts of colognes and perfumes and bodywashes for all to sniff and swoon over. I didn't think we smelled bad before, but perhaps I missed some memo (it often happens).
My family likes to give practical gifts. Although no underwear was gifted, we did have a share of practical gifts.
Jo with scissorsJo with clock

Jo stunned with the amazing brilliance and the lack of practical use of her gift from me.
We also learned that this may be the most effective way of getting a good family picture.





After opening all the gifts, Nicky enjoyed the luxury of hanging out with the three wisemen. You'll notice that the one on the left is a devout Muslim with a lousy sense of direction (after all he's praying towards Alaska, otherwise known as the second great land of Mohammed).

The next day after a relaxing morning that included hot tubbing, we ate Christmas dinner (complete with recipe from the North Dakota Library Association cookbook). I assure you it was more interesting than it appears (there was also more food than appears).

All in all it was a very good Christmas. Hope yours was as well.