Day 1

Day 1 of the trip has been an overwhelming success. We left Altoona this morning at 10:14... by mile 14 we had already cracked open the Little Debbies and Fruit Jammers. We are a pair to reckon with, let me tell you. On the way to Madison, we crammed in a history lesson. I now know about the Norman Conquest, Confucious, Feudalism, Alexander the Great, and Plato. I'm up to about 1350 A.D.... Making progress! 

We got to Madison about 1. After breaking into the A team's house, we went to work. Dad put together a fabulously sturdy picnic table (pictured below), and I did some of my pre-Institute work that is due next week. When the A team was done with work, we went to Famous Dave's for dinner. We were VERY happy to have Adam join us!!!! We thought he would be in Cedar Rapids for work, but (luckily?) he had a project to finish up and was in Madison longer than expected. It was fun! 

Tomorrow we plan to hit the road about 7:30. Stay tuned! 

YEE-HAW

Here we go!! Leaving for Texas in the morning- 1,600 miles lie between me and my new state! I imagine a billboard at the Texas state line welcoming me.... I think it will have George Bush's face beaming down at me. Hmm, am I sure about this whole living in Texas thing? 

I'm super pumped, despite the recent news warning people to avoid Mexico (swine flu, drug lords, etc.) You know, ya gotta have faith (George Michael, anyone?) I think my first purchases will be cowboy boots and a belt buckle. It's important to fit in, right? I wonder if I can sign up for line dancing classes in McAllen... Grandma, when I come back in July I'll have you teach me a few moves!!

Here's the rough plan for our trip: Tomorrow (Wednesday) Dad and I will drive to Madison, WI (we didn't want to be overly ambitious on the first day) and hang out with Andrea and Little B!! Adam, we'll miss you!

Thursday we will head south, with a pit stop in Springfield, IL to see the Lincoln library/soak up some historical knowledge!! (I'm thinking we'll film spots for a future classroom Jeopardy game...) We are planning to stay in Springfield, Missouri if I remember correctly. 

Friday we are going to go as far as San Antonio, TX. Saturday will feature a visit to the Alamo (again, I need to learn as much about History as possible in this 5 day trip).... then we will be driving to our final destination: McAllen, TX!!!! Dad is flying home Sunday afternoon.... and I will be officially entering into the intense, driven world of Teach For America. 

Phew. I'll try and blog from the road... There are bound to be a few adventures and stories to tell :) 

Adios for now!

I'm a college grad!!!!

I am officially a college grad!!! Family- thank you for being there to support me!!!! I appreciate you tons and love you lots!!!!! Now the countdown begins to Texas... Dad and I leave on our road trip a week from tomorrow!

MIA

I have been MIA from the blog-0-sphere!!!!! Here are some updates:

Wednesday is my LAST class as an undergrad!!!! A week from Wednesday is my LAST FINAL!!! WOOO HOOO I can't wait to graduate!!!! 

A week or 2 ago I went to the Sugarland concert with Hans. Sugarland is my FAVORITE country group, and the concert was AMAZING. They are better live than recorded.... We had a blast!!!! In this first picture (which was during the encore), Jennifer and Christian (the 2 members of Sugarland) got INTO these huge inflatable balls and rolled themselves into the crowd. It was awesome! If you look closely, you can see them crawling inside. 

RIOTS

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S899192.shtml?cat=1

This weekend was Spring Jam, which is spring's version of Homecoming. There were riots. WOAHHHHHH who thought the U could get this crazy!?! Watch this news clip- police showed up and tear gassed people, shot rubber bullets, etc. I wasn't there, no need to worry!! I was at a bar nearby, thankfully :) Well, actually I was sleeping by the time this all happened. crazy people! 

Props to the Olden Days

This morning I made Oatmeal Raisin cookies for a potluck we had this afternoon for my Community Organizing class. WHEW. I unfortunately do not own a mixer- so instead use the hand crank mixer that belonged to Grandma Barnes. OH MY GOSH that is a workout. We are talking the hand crank style mixer. See photo below for a rough estimation... Bless those people who didn't have electricity or appliances, it is tough work cranking that thing through cookie dough. They turned out delicious, and I think all the credit goes to the mixer. Oh my. I can only hope someday I will own a mixer. Life would be good. 

busy. life.

AHHH Life has been busy. I apologize if I've been MIA recently. Quick updates- I'll blog about something more soon, I promise. 

-Nikki (my roommate) is engaged! I am her maid-of-honor, which is super exciting. On Saturday she bought her wedding dress, and we ordered bridesmaid dresses. They are black, tea length, and very pretty. CONGRATS NIKKI AND DAN!!!!

-Emily was accepted to the Occupational Therapy program at U of M! CONGRATS EM!! That is so exciting!!!

-Today was Student Day at the Capitol- an event sponsored by the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network where I volunteer. I organized the college fair, and it went really well. Here's an article about the event: 

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=636983&catid=14

-I take my last college final 22 days from now. I will officially graduate on May 17th. 

-I am moving out of my apartment on May 18th. Holy cow. 

-I am packing up the car and leaving for Texas in less than 6 weeks. Holy cow. 

-I am moving to Texas. HOLY COW. 

WOW life is crazy. Going to bed now.