What would you do

with $26 million in cash reserves?

Well Bill Gates is officially retired from Microsoft and despite their dominance in PC operating systems - how are they going to keep being profitable as Google and PC alternatives are thriving in a web based world?

For now, I'll stick with Dude. He's all I could want in a computer and more! Not to mention super dependable! Maybe PC's will become more innovative and less vulnerable to virus' post-Gates... right.

Good turns Great

Despite the on again off again clouds and rain, what I thought was going to be a good, fun weekend, turned out to be fan-f'n-tastic. I had basic plans, and there were some pretty sweet extras that really made the weekend.

Friday's Plan: Party at Serge's Condo.
Friday's Bonus: 75 cent beers and 2 free rounds of shots at Sidebar for happy hour. Late night Mexican.

Saturday's Plan: Errands and then out to Toyota Park to watch Segal compete in the SCORES tournament, tailgate and then the Chicago Fire game. Well I woke up with a severe charley horse in my left leg so I didn't exactly get out and going like I had planned.
Saturday's Bouns: Not feeling ill despite warnings about other people's reactions to El Presidente food! Getting to sit in the suite at Toyota Park and going out after with Ambar, Zsuzsa and the guys from Deloitte's SCORES team at Villains.

I truly enjoyed myself all weekend. I got errands done today and more soccer enjoyment with the Euro Cup Finals. I think it's time to go to the bar and watch the cubs/sox and get some wings :)

It's about time

for my watch to die. Today I was surprised when I walked into the elevator and I noticed the minute hand was around the 30 minute mark. I knew I was moving slow today (my legs are extra sore) and swore that I was running behind and it had be closer to 9. Well sure enough it was, it was about 8:50. And my watch still said 10:30 or something. I reset it and nothing.

So now I have to venture out and find myself a jewelry place that can ship my watch out to get tuned up. This happened once before - about 4 years ago, approximately 4 years after I bought it in Switzerland. So I guess it's about time...

You don't have to be Britney Spears

to screw up your kids these days. I really appreciated this article this morning because being raised by an elementary educator, I feel I was blessed to be encouraged to play, create, and imagine. I can relate a little to the over protectiveness as well, but all in all I think that this trend has been a long time coming. I've heard a lot from my mom and other friends in education about the crazy things parents are doing to get their kids special attention. The rise in drugged (ritalin) kids and autistic kids certainly is a huge concern as I expect that I will be a parent in the next 15 years.... I do not look forward to the day of having to raise my children amongst all the crazy people in our world.

Foster Wins All

(Beware this is more than a little long)

This past weekend was the 6th annual weekend bash at Foster's lake house. The highlights from this year were Friday's Survivor Challenge, and Saturday's Sixth Annual Foster Classic Beer Pong Tournament.

I don't know many people who have friends who put together such elaborate parties, let alone, get more and more outstanding each year. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of it.

2007 was a great year with BeerFest - complete with Das Boot and drinking games. How was that going to be beat? With several great (creative) minds and 6 months to plan, Foster & Co. created an unbelievable day of challenges, deception, and drinking. Outlast. Outplay. Outdrink. Survivor Green Lake 2008.

A few days before we all got to the lake we were divided into two tribes - Piwo and Kalja. Crazy names huh? What do they mean you ask? Beer, of course! In Polish and Finnish, respectively. We were also given instructions on what to wear (swim suits, good water/running shoes) and bring (our favorite drinking glass). I also supplied the camcorder for the confessional that ran through out the day - mostly used to brag or bitch. Just like the show survivor - we competed, we worked at camp (drink 3 cans of beast that has not been refridgerated), and eliminated members from the losing tribe.

I was on tribe Piwo - and it served me well. I'm a pretty competitive person and with a little adrenaline and my puzzle solving expertise, I helped Piwo win the first 4 challenges. We were proud of our immunity trophy, and even signed it after our 5th win in 6 challenges. Here's a summary of some of the challenges (and my roll) from the first part of the day:

#1 - I was a puzzle solver in this weight moving challenge. A variety of gym weights and dumbbells were at the starting line. 2 weight movers had to move all of this weight (total of 200+ lbs) about 30 feet where the remaining people were haulers who then had to haul (either by hand or the provided sled) .25 miles up the road to the boat launch, stopping to drink a beer on the way. The two puzzle solvers were alread en route to the boat launch to drink their own beer before they could see the puzzle. Mrs. Foster handed us our puzzle once we were done with our beer and we then had time to memorize a series of 14 numbers - representing the weights. We only had until our haulers showed up with all the weights to memorize this before we all headed back the .25 miles where we then had to recall the order of weights, and the first team to get it all in order wins. PIWO wins! Immunity for us (which just so happens to come in the form of a REALLY cool Foster Trophy!)

#2 - Memory - rather than cows, chickens, and pigs, we had nice confusing geometric configurations that we had to match in the yard. Ultimately, Piwo wins with 8 matches!

#3 - Another puzzle game. We had one director who gave directions to 5-6 people in the field who had to move around obstacles to find puzzle pieces made of wood. Once all the pieces were returned to the director, the 2 puzzle solvers (me again) had to put these puzzle together in a certain configuration. Piwo won by a landslide! I believe that we also won a bowl of fruit as a reward. So far this is the only food to be eaten yet today - we were all cut off at 11am from food/drink (except for work).

#4 - Water Tag. At this point, Kalja had to vote off 4 of their tribes-people (one double elimination) and they had given the boot to their 3 females, Piwo's 3 females sat out this round in hopes of not giving Kalja an advantage. The Fosters have a water trampoline out in the lake, and this challenge involved someone from each tribe getting on the tube around the trampoline and having to "tag" the opponent. Now if you fell off or fell into the trampoline part you were also out. This was a Best of Seven competition, and Piwo won, again! Things are looking good!

#5 - Beer Can Relay. Another water challenge. And we had some good swimmers on our team, and we needed some strong guys too. The problem - our strong guys (Nick and Matt Bryan) were not as strong as Kalja's strong guys(Russ and Sam). Essentially, this was a relay to get 2 cans of beer from the bucket out at the trampoline, to be brought back and passed up on land - where I (because I was tall enough to reach the buckets) could put one in each bucket that Russ and Sam were holding above their heads. The goal to get enough beer fast enough to weigh down the buckets so much so that the strong guys would drop them. Well Kalja started playing dirty and everyone was bitching about one thing or another. And in the end- Foster and Matt dropped our buckets so that they didn't over exert themselves. Fine by me, let them have one. We still had a full team and they had lost 5.

Piwo's first Tribal Council. Jeff Probst (played by Curtis Whaley for Piwo TC and Nick for Kalja's) informed us that we had to vote off 2 people. As we went into the room to vote - we explained to the camera who we were voting for and why. I can't wait to see that video bc even though I didn't get voted off, I got 3 votes, and that surprised me. Should I keep working my butt off? I'm tryin gto make alliances, but am I being double played? Interesting developments after the first elimination. We returned for the next challenge to find that Kalja defaced the immunity trophy with their body paint, and we were bound and determined to get that back.

#6 Eating challenge. Again a best of 7 event, before it got started, it had to be determined who was going to eat and who was sitting out. I wanted to be strong and do my part for the team especially after accumulating votes in the first tribal council. So I stepped up and took my spot - 4th in line. In hopes that it wouldn't come down to me to decide the game. I believe I was the only girl competing in this competition and man was I worried when the first three plates consisted of live earthworms, pork hocks, and sardines, resepectively. I also was racing a rather big guy, but I didn't let that get the best of me (in the past I had actually taken russ down with rather big splinter in his head). Well I got lucky, what was on my plate had never been part of anything that was once any type of animal. It was a plate full of hot pepper/gardina mix. I don't do hot peppers usually, but with all that was at stake, I got those babies down in no time. Every last piece. I beat Russ, and helped my team tie it up after 4 with 2 wins a piece. I just had to deal with the burning sensation all around my mouth and on my hands from the oils the peppers were in!

After these first six challenges, Kalja was down quite a few tribes people so it sparked a reorganization. We all met in the yard after they voted off their most recent person, and tossed our buffs in a pile. Who knows why (especially with my work in the challenges) but I was the last one chosen when the teams picked, and I felt that my time might be coming soon.

I did my best at on the next challenge, but by the time it got to be my part, the other team finished. It was a combination of flip-cup and washers for the first 5 people. Me, being the sixth had to take numbers on the bottom of the last 3 flipped cups and put them in some order to open a combination lock. Well back at camp, we did our work, and nick confessed to me that I was probably going to be going 'home.'

Sure enough. I was voted off. I learned much later that it was due to the 'vegas' alliance. There was nothing I could have done all along. WTF!?

Well the outcasts got to come back after the 2 tribes had whittled down to 10 people in total. I made it on to tribe outcast with Mary, Sabrina, Eric, and Brett. We got to compete in a challenge and if we beat the other two tribes, we had the opportunity for 2 people (chosen by random) to make it back into the survivor game. Well it was a swimming and puzzle game and alas, we won! So Mary and Sabrina made it back into the game. I was happy for them b/c they were voted off first and third from Kalja way early in the day. So they got to have a bit more fun...

And as the title states - Nick Foster - creator, competitor, and master manipulator of the game, won it all. Fair or not?! It was one heckuva day.


Now, let's talk Beer Pong. This has been a staple in fosters party since year one. The guys have crafted the best beer pong table ever and the much coveted trophies and competition get better each year. I've worked my way up from towel gal to making my highest showing ever back in '06 with Kimball on team "squash that bug." I think that's also the year I put that gigantic sliver in Russ' head with my hip check! I digress... This year Foster got paired with Curt and they became team "more than meets the eye" and competed in the finals against the "super squirrels" - Dilcos and Mary (C's sister) It was quite the match, I was video person this year and got it all on film. It had to have been the best match I've seen, MTMTE made a great come-back despite all the heckling from the fans and took it all for the championship. I guess Megatron and OtimusPrime can put their differences aside and work together for the greater good! Yes my friends are dorks, and I love them.

Nick has never won his own tournament before, and he cleaned up pretty nice this weekend. I guess next year we'll look for Dilcos or Jansen to take the title back. ;)

Vote for Mario

Mario Mario that is...(not to be confused with my trainer, Mario!) Just the other day Jeff and I were talking Nintendo and got on the topic of why Mario and Luigi are referred to as the Mario Brothers. Well sure enough - their last name is Mario. Who would have thunk it.

Well check out what I found today on thinkgeek. Even though it's not Mario and Luigi Mario.... it's still pretty darn fun.

Maybe a good idea in theory...

but I couldn't do it. Not even close. For those of you who have helped me move, lived with me, or have just seen my place, know that I like my stuff. Books, Board Games, SHOES, jeans, etc. I try really hard to eliminate things that have been over-used and have become worthless, and under-used and may benefit someone else. I don't consider myself materialistic, but I'm certainly no minimalist either!

Smooth Criminal

I abide by most rules, traffic laws, and have never had an encounter with a police officer. (Knock on wood). Overall, I feel I'm a 'model' citizen. Are you a criminal?

July, 2007 - A look back

July 4, 2007 - Celebrating Independence
Granted, it is 4th of July... but I’ve been out celebrating a difference independence and freedomhere in Chicago for the past few weeks. At times it is lonely because I don’t know anyone other than those whom I work with, but I have done a lot so far with them and on my own. Here are some of the highlights:

I found myself a spa. Having a place where I can retreat when needed is certainly a necessity. Here, I found a yoga studio and spa right in my neighborhood. It is really convenient and I can head up there evenings and weekends when I need to unwind. Yoga on Saturday was probably the best practice I’ve ever had. I was a tad sore for a few days, not gonna lie!

I got to go back to MI for a week for Foster’s Bash 2007. It was great to see everyone again, and be ridiculously random and fun. I soaked up the sun, played volleyball, and although I didn’t participate in “beerfest” it was HILARIOUS to witness! I miss them all! It was a great weekend.

Boat Cruise on Lake Michigan was a fun experience for all of us interns. It was very hot in the boat, but the top deck was very comfortable till the storm forecast and lightening forced the crew to close the deck and made us all go back inside to drink from the open bar! I had a great time mingling with everyone.

I still wander the city, I keep on foot for now. I really like exploring the gold coast/old town/north beach area. I play volleyball up there every thursday so it is a good walk, and I love the park being there in the city. After last weeks game, we (pwc-ers) went out to the bar afterwards for a few drinks. Today my grandpa suggest I take the el to the end of the line and explore the city that way. Not a bad idea, I’m sure I’ll do it someday, right now, I want to get a little further north into the Lincoln Park area to check out areas that I’ve seen a lot of apartments available.

Tomorrow, we have a BBQ with one of our managers at his condo. Should be fun if the weather holds out, currently there is some pretty bright lightening outside, not so scary, but not promising for a clear day tomorrow. We shall see. I’m off to get some sleep (hopefully) it’s been an odd week and my sleeping schedule is definitely out of sync.

Oh yeah and Mom is coming this weekend, and I get to see Wicked. Now that is exciting!!
M.


July 9, 2007

Which would you rather be... Wicked or Popular?

My mom and I went and saw Wicked this weekend, and no surprise... It was fabulous! I wouldn’t rave about the sound track as I would Phantom and The Lion King. But the story, the acting, and the humor was fantastic. I loved it! So did my mom (she didn’t even doze off!!) It was the highlight of my weekend that’s for sure.

We also explored the Lincoln Park Zoo, and some of the areas up there (where I would like to live someday). And then enjoyed a phenomenal dinner at Catch 35. We went all out- Tuna Sashimi for an appetizer, I had Stuffed Alaskan Halibut w/ Crab Meat and Mushrooms, and then enjoyed a Toffee Cheesecake for Dessert. Yumm :)

It was good to have mom here, nice company. We just relaxed and had fun. Now its time for another week of work!

M.

July 28, 2008
When we cease to make friends, we cease to live...

July has been a remarkable month. I’ve been busy (evident by my lack of entries) and enjoying the variety of things that have been coming my way. I have my own little adventures and truly feel I’m coming into something good here in Chicago. To answer something many of my friends at home have asked as the summer has progressed: Yes, I want to stay here. Not forever, I’m still a Detroit gal at heart, but for me, at this time, THIS is the place.

As always, August will be an incredibly crazy month. Hard for me to believe a year ago, Amanda was getting married and I packed up my life in 105 degree heat and moved to Iowa. It has been quite the year for both of us, lots of trials and tribulations. We have grown a lot. Amazing what can happen in a year....

My time in Iowa served its purpose, it’s not like I didn’t expect not to finish my degree, but as time went by it was obvious I wasn’t happy out there. Besides when I went to Bella Joli, I couldn’t really relate to anyone or put a true smile on my face. A year later, I’m stronger, more secure, and a little more stylish (thanks to my lovely jewelry purchases).

I have two weeks left of my internship at PwC. Two weeks until they decide my fate. For all of those concerned, I have a plan B, but I’m not going to discuss it b/c right now I don’t want to have those thoughts in my head to even truly consider anything else. I want to make this happen. I know this is right, it is about time the big picture starts coming together!

Today I met a girl about an apt. I found her on craigslist, and when I read her post I felt an instant connection. Those who know me well, know that it’s the people, not the place that will make me happiest. And we truly hit it off, we are APO brothers and love animals. Value our friends and family and really are ready to start fresh on our own and enjoy our time in the wonderful town, so when I get this job offer, I know where I am going to live, and I know that I have a wonderful person to share it with. (Did I mention the place is frick’n sweeeet?!?)

August hasn’t even begun, and I want it to be over, I want the uncertainty to disappear. I have a feeling that I will have A LOT to look forward to at 25! I am excited for what is to come and who I will be sharing it with.

M.

June, 2007 - Old Blogs, Long Post

June 4, 2007
Welcome to the Windy City
Well I'm here, I made it!

My apartment is really nice and big. I didn’t take me long to make it look like home! There is a gym, lounge area, pool, and a patio with furniture, tables and grills up on the roof. We are located by several bars and restaurants, and one of the other interns is celebrating his 21st birthday tomorrow! (Yeah for being with the young’ns!)

Today was full of administrative tasks such as getting our key cards, laptops, paperwork, and synchronizing our passwords and learning how to do all this stuff that probably doesn’t apply to the interns, b/c it was a general new-hire orientation. Regardless, I feel like a grown up again! All the other interns seem great and I’m sure we will have a good time this summer.

I’ll post more when I know more about what I will actually be doing this summer!! Time to find food, work out, and organize stuff for tomorrow. Oh, and call my sister to hear all about Madagascar!!

M.

FIRST DAY AS AN INTERN... June 5, 2007

This is where I work. It is in an awesome location in ‘the loop’ and Dan(my office-mate) and I have a window over looking Madison and Wacker up on the 15th floor. Being an intern is probably the best job ever. lol

Yeah, there is some hazing, but its out of love. Dan celebrated his 21st birthday today so not only did one of our infamous rubberband flinging associate treat us to lunch, but we also went out at 5 for Happy hour at local joint called Stocks and Blondes. Happy Hour turned into 3 and we had a couple rounds of appetizers and a few more of drinks and such and it was a great way to get in the loop on PwC gossip with the associates and such, but some of us interns bonded as well. I am very happy with this group of individuals and anticipate many exciting adventures this summer.

The first adventure will be out of town training in Philly next week. We have “grad 1” training for us GHRS interns and it is Thursday and Friday. We fly out at some point on Wednesday, and then I think I am going to stick around and get a later flight back so I can meet up and hang out with Kelly and Joe, and of course Amanda! Kelly then informed me that the Tigers are gonna be in town which makes me even more excited!!!

I don’t have too much else to report. Don’t have a project yet, but my buddy should be back tomorrow. There was an actuarial exam today so a lot of people have been out of the office studying the past two days so I will get all caught up tomorrow. What I do know is that I am starting off in Retirement then the last 5 weeks I will be moving on to Healthcare. I didn’t expect a “rotation” but it is exciting for me to sample both!

More updates later, time to read and get to bed early tonight!!

M.

June 6, 2007

A little bit of this, A little bit of that...
So far, so great!

The people I work with are awesome. The associates at the firm are more than helpful and fun... they truly make work interesting! We had a great session today with a director and a leader of the Health Care Practice discussing our (actuarial) role in healthcare in the past, and the changes to come in the future. It really sounds like a great time to get into that industry because so many things are changing and they need a lot of innovative ideas to get it to where it needs to go. Its all about educating the clients and their employees (consumers) on what is really needed in this day and age not only for current coverage, but what is needed for retirement coverage...

Enough of that...I know it’s probably not as interesting to everyone else! After that I met up with Mathieu (my coach) and tried to start working, well it pretty much took all afternoon trying to authorize me to get in on the confidential files I need to work with and having access to it on our database system. But we finally got it at 4 and I had an hour to learn what I was going to be doing with all the data I now had. Tomorrow will be a busy day on excel updating files and on Friday I’ll start learning what most of it actually means and how we are going to “massage” the raw data.

Also had a last minute chance to hit the Sox ball game vs. the Yankees with Kyle, Dan, and Jack. We also met up with fellow PwC-ers there and got to move down front. It was great. The downfall of the day... The ducks won the Stanley Cup. Boo.

Ok, no time to read tonight. Time for sleep. Training seminar at 830 tomorrow morning on FAS 87 and 106..... don’t know much about them, but I’ll fill you in tomorrow!

June 16, 2007

I met Magglio!!!

Ok. So let me explain... Work is going really well and we had GHRS (global Human Resource Solutions) training in Philadelphia this past Thursday and Friday. As soon as I found this out I gave both Kelly (Iowa roomie) and Amanda phone calls b/c I couldn’t be that close and not see them!! So Kelly wants to hit up a Phillies game and it just so happens that the Tigers were going to be in town to play that weekend. So I arranged my travels so I could stay an extra night (even saved PwC some $$$).

Well low and behold, I find out Thursday night that the Tigers are staying at our Hotel!! So after our 4 hour dinner at Portofino’s I went back to the hotel and hung out in the lobby bar with the other interns and Murray (the bartender at the Westin) and had the chance to meet Omar Infante, and Magglio Ordonez!!! The rest of the team must have gone upstairs, but meeting Mags was enough to make my year. I had them sign my hat (that I just so happened to have in my purse with my camera and a Sharpie) and I got to wear that proudly to the game on Friday!!!

Amanda met Kelly, Joe and I at the game and we had official Philly Cheesesteaks “wiz, wit” and watched the Tigers beat the Philles 12-8 :) On Saturday, Amanda and I got to be tourists and visited Love Park, Liberty Bell, Independence Hall etc. It was a great day all around. I miss her so much!! Even thought it was only a few days, and I love Chicago more than I thought I would, it was good to see a few familiar faces!

Remember... visitors are welcome!

M.

June 1, 2007

TODAY'S THE DAY!!


Mom's car is packed. I'm moving to Chicago!!! We are staying in Naperville tonight and then I move in downtown tomorrow. Internship starts Monday!

I just have to say that these past few weeks at home have been some of the best for me in the past year. Iowa was hard for me, being so far away from everyone. Regaining a social life and reconnecting with lots of my friends was just the remedy I needed to boost my morale for the summer ahead.

To you, my life must seem like such an emotional roller coaster... and sometimes it truly is, but my friends have been with me through thick and thin and I am very grateful for that! Despite how things have been the last few days as I became sad about leaving home (again!) and pretty distracted about other things, have faith that I will bounce back, I always have in the past. I expect (at least really hope) I find my niche this summer, and that will put me on the path to settling down somewhere! I am looking forward to when I stop moving around, entertain in my own place, get a puppy, even out these ups and downs and just be me...

I extend an open invitation for you to visit in Chicago. Just give me a call. I have had friends tell me there are some deals on Amtrak and even a bus out of Ann Arbor (i think!).... Love you all. Cheers!

M.

May 24, 2007

WE RODE TIGERS!!!

Not today, but once upon a time we did on my 21st birthday!! Sigh...

Al and I went to watch the Tigers slaughter the LA Angels today at Comerica Park. I was loads of fun: we got cheap parking, great seats, good & free food, and best of all NO sunburn!

Above in the photos, you can see me with Tigers Mickey and Al waving for the camera (or just being Al). She even got a bat to beat me with on the way home- good thing I talked her into getting the foam one! All day.

I’m off to have a good night... where? it’s “None of ya Bizness!”

M.

May 22, 2007

I just finished the first Harry Potter book!! Yay for me! I know it's taken me a few days, but there was fun to be had you know?!

The Tiger’s game was awesome on Saturday. Have I mentioned how much I love my friends?! I trust them with my life, yet I never know what to expect sometimes! The game itself was close, fun to watch, and with a desirable outcome. So many people I knew were at the game... we caught up with Curt, Kimball, Holly, and Amy during the 6th inning. Luckily, we were all relatively close section-wise! After the game, they had fireworks. The fireworks are my favorite part, i love ‘em. I love how you can feel them resound inside your chest, and they are bright and sparkly...hehe

After the game, we had to sit in darn traffic. We were underground 2 levels, and nick was restless, and hungry as always. Figuring that we weren’t going far anytime soon, he decided to jump out and go find pizza somewhere on the street level. By the time C and I made it to the surface of Adams, we couldn’t get a hold of Nick. Turns out he had run all the way to Hockeytown Cafe and was in the midst of ordering one when we finally got through. He cancelled the order (we would have told him to wait as long as we knew where he was) and ran back to find us circling the street. We finally made it out of the city an hour later, and ended up getting a 2.99 pizza at John R and 10 mile. It was surprisingly good- either because we were starved or it only cost 2.99!!

Time with my friends is always a great time, and the night couldn’t have ended any better :)

The best part about Sunday was spending it with my family (and winning a bet!) My dad had suggested before that we go to Cheli’s Chili to watch a game, well with them being late and all, we decided yesterday’s afternoon game was our best bet. We would just go, get some appetizers and drinks and hang out in the best environment (after JLA, of course) to see the game. The bet came in while were trying to get there avoiding construction. God has blessed me with an innate sense of direction, and even though my parents lived in Dearborn for the first few years of their marriage somehow they got all turned around and would have taken me miles in the wrong direction if i didn’t speak up and bet the day’s tab on my gut feeling!! Sure, enough as soon as my mom turned right as I told her to, I heard a slight mumble under her voice saying I was right... muahahahhah!

Well it’s time to get some sleep. I have year 2 at Hogwart’s to start tomorrow, and a big Red Wings game to prepare for!

M.

May 19, 2007

7 years ago today was my High School Prom... THANK GOD those days are over! I speak to a select few from those days at THS, and I couldn’t be happier now! I love my friends. I have been away for so long...

The last few days have gone by in a blur... Wednesday was that test, then I got to hang out with my Chase Peeps. Oh how things haven’t changed there, compared to how much I’ve gone through since I left last June, but I still share a bond with those people and enjoy all the neighborhood gossip!

Thursday I was able to pull off one of my stealthiest surprises yet... Kristina was coming into town for some family matters, and I had made plans for us to see Al for her B-Dizzle with Kristina as my surprise!! Well we were able to coordinate everything just right, and boy did we surprise her!! She was so excited, it didn’t take much convincing to keep her out all night even though she had to go to the hospital/class in the AM!

Friday, I made it to the Library and completed my Harry Potter collection and started to read the first book! I didn’t make it too far because I had to get over to the other side of town to meet up with Nick. I got to play washers, hang out with people I haven’t seen since last summer and Christmas time, and have the most fun anyone has ever had playing Pictionary!! Seriously.

This morning C and I got out to Somerset to do some shopping. Even though I wasn’t “feeling it” she found some great shoes, and we had just as much fun anyways - that’s how we are! But tonight we are headed down to the Tigers game. THAT will be good times. I know so many people who are going to be there, and the sun is trying REALLY hard to peak out!!

Good Riddance are the days of high school! I love my friends and my Detroit social life!

M.

May 16, 2007

POLLY WANT A QUACKER?!?

Moving on... some more... Test is over!! Free Time FULL SPEED AHEAD!

My list of things to do on my days off is growing! I have tigers games to go to, errands to run, things to do, people to see.... :) My big venture - conquering the Harry Potter Novels!! I am excited, I’ve been hearing stuff about them for what 6 years?! well now that they are ending soon, I can read them all and save myself the anticipation! My summer roommate has the last one on pre-order so I can finish in one go around...

There is also plenty of good hockey going on....If you didn’t catch last night’s game, you missed out. The wings were more spectacular and resilient than ever! I had picked Franzen to score our OT goal on Sunday, since that didn’t happen he made it up to me by starting up the scoring in the first period last night! Thomas Holmstrom scored, got knocked around, and 13 stitches later came back to score some more! We got a taste of some pretty yummy “duck soup” last night, and I’m ready for another serving!! With Pronger out for game 4 (much better than the penalty he deserved the first time around) I hope to see more of what we served up in Game 3!!!

Ok, Time for LOST!

M.

May 15, 2007

MAKING THE GRADE

Well...Here I go again. I feel like I know more...which is good. Maybe I did get something good out of Grad School! haha

I’ve been doing practice exams for a few days now, and I hope that I am focused enough and have gotten all of my silly mistakes out of the way! I know how to reset my calculator, and the normal curve table. Now only if I could use my OWN pencil! I’ll be a free (wo)man after 430 tomorrow!!

Let my summer begin!!

M.

May 13, 2007

MY MOTHER'S DAY SURPRISE.... was a HUGE success!!



I’ve had mom’s surprise planned for weeks now and couldn’t wait to take her out for the day. I took mom downtown to the Detroit Institute of Arts. She had absolutely no clue! As we got off the freeway, she’s like, “you’re taking me to the Ghetto?!?” lol She was in shock though, she hasn’t been to the DIA since she was my age... I really felt like I helped my mom explore art, feel special, and rediscover her city today. Not an easy feat! Now, only if the wings could have won - damn refs. She loved her day!! We had a great lunch as well, and I gave her a set of Lonna earrings from Bella Joli.

The DIA have a special Ansel Adams photography exhibit. It was awesome. It definitely piqued my artistic side. These days I hate looking at photos and not knowing if its real or digitally altered. The things I’ve seen Conrad do with photo shop as an amateur makes me skeptical of everything I see out there. Adams’ photography from the 30’s and 40’s is amazingly pure. The shades, values, and tones of black and white really makes you focus on the art. Sure, there is way more to it than point and shoot, but it was a process, a vision. Today, the vibrate hues we see take away from the subject, therefore changing the “art” entirely.

I think the photographs reminded her of her childhood. My grandpa has always been into photography - all of her childhood vacations out west and to canada are immortalized on slides. When I told him I was taking mom to the DIA today, he was truly envious. Mom got him a book of the photographs though that I know he will treasure forever! That is after he and my grandma get back from traipsing about the desert themselves!

M.

May 12, 2007

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

I was so grateful to be back in Detroit!!!

I made it back safely. My drive only took about 8 hours today. Not too bad. I got to cruise most of the way, very minimal truck traffic - Thank Goodness! You would all be amazed at how I fit everything I needed and wanted in my pony today! It was amazing, a science.

For the first time in months, I got to say what I’ve missed most not living at home: “Hi Daddy!! What’s for dinner tonight?!?!” He made great kabobs, cornbread, and rice. The sad part was that there was no dog around to eat what my dad flung right off his skewer :’(

I’m pretty much unpacked, and amazed how much the things I brought with me make me so comfy in my room. Even more amazing - I have yet to figure out anything I may have forgotten back in Iowa!!

I have lots to do, a little more to unpack and put together a few final surprises for mothers day tomorrow! But am incredibly excited to be home and experience the things I’ve missed about Detroit!!!!

M.

May 11, 2007

MOVING ON....

It came. It went. I'm moving on.

I spent Thursday sleeping, and starting to pack. I find it truly amazing how, after I pick out my favorite things to take with me for the summer, this room transforms into a place I hardly recognize. I cannot wait to get home, be with my friends, and get pumped up for Chicago!

This is my last day in Iowa City for a while, I have a few things I must take care of: tying up the TA loose ends for the term, cleaning my desk that is littered with Cherry Coke cans, and probably a few more administrative tasks. Then it is off to my most favorite place in this town- Bella Joli. I have that gift certificate, and Ashley will be sure to help me use it wisely! I feel I owe Ashley and Mariah a debt of gratitude. I need to figure out something to do for them, I really don’t know how I could have made it through some of my days without them. Bella Joli was my place to get away from my reality.

As the day winds down: I’ll be making the rounds of farewells to my friends and watching the wings game...

The thing I am not looking forward to: the drive. The lilpony isn’t the most conducive automobile for packing/moving, but I’ve done this enough that I think I can handle it. Where its gonna hurt the most is the gas tank! But no amount of money compares to the value of being home and with my friends and family! I want to be out of here in the weeee hours Saturday. It can’t come soon enough I love you all!!

M.

May 6, 2007

IT COMES DOWN TO THIS?!?!Conrad found this comic for me.... how appropriate for the time.

I cannot believe how my first two semesters of grad school have just come and gone. I have accomplished two of the most important things I came out here to do: pass an actuarial exam, and get an internship for the summer. But all of that has been constantly overshadowed with my sub-par academic performance in the classroom. School used to be my thing - I liked the challenge, I liked being with others who wanted to learn, I liked excelling. But now that the later part isn’t in the equation, I feel totally in adequate. I try sooo hard, and it’s not enough. The running joke in our grad office upstairs is that you need a Ph. D or some other partial advanced degree to do well in this program. When even your advisor suggests that you take a job if an offer is made over remaining in the program, it’s obvious there isn’t the support or encouragement here that I am used to.

I imagined my time here so differently. I knew it wouldn’t be easy by any means, but I didn’t think I would struggle so much. I hope that I can get my spunk back. I hope that my grades are strong enough this semester that I am able to return and prove those who discouraged me wrong, I hope that I am doing the right thing. It has been really hard over the past few weeks because others that started the program with me have decided they are not returning in the fall, either on their own accord, or the advisors unwillingness to provide support. They no longer care, they don’t have the pressure I do, in fact, Conrad went to see Spiderman 3 tonight instead of study for our final, Theresa took off last Thursday for a party, came back today, looked at some notes and called it good. The price I pay for caring...

My friends and family back home have supported me unconditionally, and as much as I don’t want to let myself down, I don’t want to let them down either. I cannot wait to get home and hug and snuggle and laugh out loud with my friends over things that happened years ago, and make new memories that I will keep with me.

I look forward to when I move to Chicago for my internship, starting June 1 and knowing that I’m 4 hours closer to home, and they will come and visit. Wow, that’s not even that far away, yet this week has so much riding on it, that it seems forever in the future. I think I will fall asleep with the rain tonight, hoping that tomorrow I find myself ready to take in statistics like I’ve never had problems before!

Here’s to hoping!

M.

May 8, 2007

I LOVE SURPRISES

In the pic is my mom and her brother Kevin. My Uncle Kevin passed away December 22, 2006, but this photo was taken that September in Chicago when my mom and all her siblings were together one last time to celebrate my Grandpa's 80th Birthday!

So back to I LOVE SURPRISES...

...and my MOM!! She is awesome! I feel bad that most of the time she feels I don’t need her or that she can never surprise me. Well first off, she gave me the best little message last night online after the Red Wings won and she went to bed, “'I'm off to bed. Hope you get to yours soon. Dream of all sweet things: Red Wings, Tigers, Mom, Dad, Erin, Grandma, Grandpa, friends, Costa Rica, Lil Pony, Puppies, Shamrock Shakes, and on and on!” (Does she know me or what?!)

Although my dreams weren’t really that sweet (refer to previous blog) I knew that my mom knows how hard I have worked all semester and she just wanted to me relax and do my best on my stats final.

The final, not so fun, I felt good this morning, I had gone through all the quizzes, old exams, the recent homework, I could do this. I had a boost of confidence that fizzled quickly after I did the first problem. If they were all like the first one, things would have been great.... not so much. An hour and a half later, I was stunned and emotionless. There wasn’t anything I would have done different in my preparation that would have had me ready for that exam.

I needed ice cream. I called Conrad.

Well on my way to my car, I stopped in to my favorite place in Iowa City, Bella Joli. Looking at the shiny, sparkly jewelry and try on whatever Ashley wants me to ALWAYS makes me smile... To my SURPRISE there was an envelope waiting for me today. My mom called in and wanted the girls to pick something out that I had been looking at. Well seeing as I like EVERYTHING, and they just got in some new stuff, a gift certificate was waiting for me. I cried. Not gonna lie. Mom succeeded, she didn’t surprise me, she shocked the hell out of me!! Mariah was stunned and I know Ashley will be more than excited to help me pick something out real soon.

Thanks mom! I love you! (and now the whole world knows!) hahaha

Conrad called wondering where the heck I was...and we topped off the day with some Ice Cream...

Now its time to get back to studying for the rest of my exams.

M.

Blast from the Past - Iowa Days

ONE MORE DAY!!!!


This comic pretty much sums up how I felt during my time at Iowa.... I started blogging near the end of my time out there... I needed some sort of outlet!

Imagine that coffee is a Cherry Coke, and that’s how I feel about now! My head cannot hold anymore information and I look like a zombie (minus the striped pajamas!) I have back to back finals tomorrow starting at 730 AM.... then I’m done. Finito! Officially completed with my first year of grad school. Then I will sleep for a few days before I make the drive home. I hope that everything turns out ok.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me through the ups and downs!

M.