Jury Duty

So, I had my first experience with jury duty this week. The case itself was pretty unexciting... but here are a few ways to get excused from a jury in DWI case, just incase you ever need to know.

1. Admit to having EIGHT DWI convictions yourself. Wow.
2. Admit to having one DWI in 1988 and that you have been sober since that day.
3. Be a retired police officer - who retired 10 days ago.
4. Have a parent killed by a drunk driver.
5. Have a kid who is sick.
6. Have your own graduation party the first day of the trial. At 2pm on a Monday. One - What does a person graduate from in April? Two - Who plans a graduation party at 2pm on a Monday? Really?

Needless to say, I was not excused from the jury - I got to serve in my first jury trial. At least it only lasted two days.

My three month period continues until June 3oth, and they can call me back an unlimited number of times for more trials between now and then. As we left, the bailiff said, "See you in a couple weeks." Perfect...

Raleigh

Last week I got to go visit Rose, Korey, and Maxwell for a few days in Raleigh. I have visited them in North Carolina (well, once in South Carolina) now for 4 springs in a row.

Rose, Maxwell, and I went to an Arboretum on Thursday - the coolest thing there was this tree that has flowers that grow out of even the biggest branches, this is an example, I could not get a good picture that represents how cool this tree is.

The big happening of this trip was... their son Maxwell turned one on Friday! Even though we live in different parts of the country, I've actually seen him 3 times already. Right after he was born last spring, when they were in Minnesota for Christmas, and now over his first birthday. He's a pretty cool kid. It had been kind of a long day by the time we gave him his birthday cupcake, so he looks a bit grumpy in this picture.

Here's a cuter look while he's eating his cupcake. He's sleepy, but he has a cupcake.


On my last day we drove by a Rita's Ice, and I missed it at first, but Rose saw it and remembered I loved Rita's when I lived in Philly. I haven't been to one in probably 5 years, and I got one on Saturday. It was awesome.

Maple Syrup

So, I took Marcos out to Gorham's to check out how to make maple syrup. Although I've known them forever, I don't believe I've ever been out there during maple syrup time. First time for everything right? 40 gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup - that's only worth it if you love doing it. And how did anyone ever come up with that crazy plan... lets stick something into the tree to get this clear sap that runs out, and then boil the heck out of it until it's dark brown and really sweet. And then dump it on pancakes. No idea who's crazy mind came up with this process... but I love syrup. :)

Buckets on trees... a few of the hundreds...

Three taps into one bucket.

This is where the sap gets boiled down from 40 gallons to 1 gallon.

This is the beauty of being outside that day... but I can't get it to rotate on here, stupid blogger.

Yoga

Today I went to my first Yoga class. I am in better shape than I have been in years... but I think I have lost all my flexibility. My balance is fair... but this one, this one I had issues with, and this lady makes it look so easy.



And this is the hardest thing we did, none of those really fancy ones. Good deal though or I would have made a complete fool of myself.

At least my first yoga class went WAY better than my first Zumba class. I am way too much of a white girl to do Zumba.

It's been awhile!

Okay, I'm back! I know it's been a long time, but I am going to try to post at least once a week now.

Life since my last post in March 2010...

In June, I went on a mission trip with my church, Trio Community Church and Horizons Community Church. It was a great trip, it was nice to be back in Jamaica after 7 years! How have that many years passed?


In August I went on my first solo backpacking trip to Isle Royale for five nights. It was amazing, and I can't wait to go back. First boat to the island is early May!


In October/November I went to Neptal for a couple weeks with Global Health Outreach. I loved it, and I really like how GHO puts their teams together and runs things, so I will likely go on another trip with them in the future.


While I was on a plane between Dehli, India and Newark, NJ - my second niece was born - Maura (Moi-ra) Anne Holland. She is now a little over 2 months old and I love my nieces to death. :)

December 22 was my last day working at Kanabec Hospital... I took a new job in Long Prairie, still in the emergency department starting January 3. It's a smaller department, and different, but I think I made the right choice.

More later, and hopefully next time I won't have to do the highlights of the last 10 months because it was that long between posts!

Arizona!

So, last night I landed in Phoenix early after an uneventful flight, I think the pilot may have been speeding. My aunt, uncle, and cousin were there to meet me and drive me back to their house in Maricopa. I slept in today, and then we went to Casa Grande Ruins National Monument and the Casa Grande Valley Historical Society and Museum. Then we relaxed at their house for the evening. I sat out on the patio and read for awhile, had some good food tonight. Just relaxing at their house for the evening.

I'll get pictures up later!

30 by 30...

My life has become pretty routine... not a lot of adventures. Even though I have a full time job, and I own a house... I want to live a life that is a constant adventure, full of new things... So, because I work well with lists... I made a list of things I want to accomplish before I turn 30. Some are big things, some things not so big, but all should be adventures in one way or another.

Here's my 30 by 30...
1. Pay off my car
2. Be debt free except for the mortgage and student loan payment
3. Finish the basement in my house
4. Build a deck
5. Add trees and landscaping to yard
6. Spend a full week backpacking by my self
7. Improve my Spanish skills
8. Improve my ASL skills
9. Go back to the boundary waters (it's been probably 10 years!)
10. Get through my pile of books I haven't read yet so I actually buy one and read it right away... what a concept!
11. Read the main text of at least 2 other world religions so I can better understand them.
12. Go back to Texas to visit Aunt Lue & Cliff
13. Get to at least 5 more states I have never been to, to bring me to 30 out of 50 states (I believe I am at 27 out of 50).
14. Get to at least half of Minnesota's State Parks as an adult
15. Get involved in an international ministry
16. Get involved in a local ministry
17. Finish a sprint triathlon
18. Do the Minnesota Skinny Ski Series
19. Get snowshoes and use them
20. Do the Duluth In line Marathon
21. Never wear double-digit sized pants again. Size 8 or smaller!
22. Get to Louisiana to visit Jess & Robbie
23. Learn to knit hats, mittens, and socks (so far I can only knit flat things)
24. Sew a piece of clothing that I will wear
25. Go to at least 5 new National Parks (I am at 6 of 57 parks)
26. Learn to Skijour
27. Ride a century ride (100 mile bike ride)
28. Have a trained therapy dog
29. Go whitewater rafting
30. Blog at least once a week about some adventure I've had, be it on this list or otherwise.

I do recognize that God may step in and change my list, he may make some things impossible to complete, he may bring other adventures into my life... But... On June 7, 2012 we will see if I made my list!

27th Year of Life in Review...

So, I'm 27 years old today... Here's the high points of the 27th year of my life...

I moved back home.

I took a job at the Kanabec Hospital ER.


I house shopped... a lot (Thank you Joslyn).

I finally bought a house in Milaca.


I got my first neice... Evalynn Mae.


I visited Rose & Korey in Charlotte, NC.

I made a long vacation out of my conference in San Diego and stayed 18 days in California exploring... returning the day before my birthday.


Year 28 doesn't have much of a chance of having as many changes or events...