Boston, Minnesota, and visitors from Washington!

Usually I love Mondays.  Not because I'm one of those overly-crazy-optimistic-always-happy people that also love mornings (well, I guess I sort of am...sometimes), but I love Mondays because it's my day off.  I can sleep in, get errands done, and do my long runs.  But today? Well, I will still do all of that...but I'm coming off of a two and a half week Travel-Family-Friends-Visitors high. 

First, I got to go to Boston and New Hampshire for a Caregiver Kit Build with work.  We set up the build at a boarding school in Concord, where it costs $50K to send your highschooler there per year.  So yes...it was a really nice campus.  The staff and students were so great.  And the actual event went super well. They built 4,000 Aids Caregiver Kits which are already on their way to Uganda.

Although the event was in Concord, NH, we got to spend some time in Boston as well.  We walked the Freedom Trail which was so fun.  However, I love hearing about history and seeing places, but I have a hard time grasping it..."Okay Kirsten...this is the ACTUAL house where Paul Revere lived.  Like.. right here." Maybe it would be easier for me to wrap my head around if there wasn't a Starbucks right across the street, and people driving SUVs past us. 

Faneuil Hall

Park where the Freedom Trail starts.

Although we were busy with the event and sightseeing, we also had a lot of down time.  I don't do so well with down time...so I went running.  There was a lake really close to our hotel and when I discovered that, my 3 mile run immediately became a 6 1/2 mile run.

I'm not sure if it was the fact that I was in a state with lots of trees and lakes again, or that I knew I was headed to MN two days after getting back from this trip...but I just ached to live by this type of scenery again.  I couldn't get enough of it. 

Waiting in the Boston airport after the event was weird, because I was going "home" to Colorado.  Looking at the gate monitor and seeing "DENVER-CO" made me feel like I should be going on a vacation, not home.  But I liked it.  I smiled...then tweeted about it. 

So then I was back in Colorado for a whole 2 days before flying out to MN for Easter.  Since that flight didn't leave until 3:30, I decided to work a halfday that morning.  Worst idea ever.  I was so hyper and giddy I could hardly do anything.  Max and Dave had to have been annoyed, I was even annoyed with myself.  Okay, no I wasn't.  But if I was someone else I would have been annoyed with me. 

So later that day...I got picked up from the airport in Minneapolis by this beautiful lady,

Roomies for life.  LOVE YOU!

Nicole (it's weird to type that...I always just say roomie.  So from now on, just know that roomie is Nicole)  picked me up and I got to see her AWESOME new apartment.  It really didn't help the fact that I miss living with her in general, but to have such a cool place to live in such a perfect location, too?  That's just mean. 

Sappy moment: Hard to explain, but hanging out with her and even just watching tv and eating cookies in her new apt made me feel more at "home" than I have for a long time. 

But guess what? She gets to come visit me in just a lil over a month! Maybe then my Denver home will feel more like home...even if only for a long weekend :)

Oh yeah, and I got a 7 mile run in around my FAVORITE lakes in Minneapolis. 
Man, I miss the lakes.

So then, Dani (aka Bestie) picked me up and we made the 5 hour drive north to our hometown for Easter! Best roadtrip buddy ever.  I honestly would have felt so sorry for anyone else who had been stuck in that car with us :)  I love our obnoxiousness. 

Love her.

Being in my hometown for Easter was awesome.  I would have said "home" for Easter, but my concept of home is so messed up now.  "Home" to me could be four different places.  Thief River Falls--where I grew up, Minneapolis--where I've lived for the past 5 years before moving, Spearfish--where my parents now live after retiring a year and a half ago, and Denver--where I've now lived for 4 months. So bizarre. 

But being in Thief River was good.  My parents made the 10 hour drive there as well, and we stay with our close family friends. I love that.  They have two girls who I've babysat since they were babies.  And my grandparents live in Thief so I got to see them and a whole bunch of cousins.  Gotta love that, too.

 Happy Easter!

The day I flew back to CO, I got to meet the youth group from Washington that had already been working hard on transforming our warehouse! They were SO much fun to have here this past week! I joined them after the workday on Thursday when they went and did some street ministry.  We handed out burritos and water bottles and prayed with the homeless.  I had never done anything like that before, and although I felt like I should be scared...I wasn't at all.  I really had that "peace" that I know only comes from God.  It was an amazing experience.  Heartbreaking, yes.  But we also saw some really cool things happen as well. 

And you should see our warehouse! I had no idea this much transformation could come in just one week.  It's incredible!! We still have some cleanup to do, but here's a glimpse of what they've done. 

 Day 2. Workin hard!

 Before putting the new flooring down, they all wrote Scripture verses on the cement,
which will always be there, right under our feet.  How cool is that?

 Child Sponsorship corner.  Also, you can kinda see the new flooring.

 I bet our hallway is better than your hallway :)

 Praise and worship to dedicate and redeclare this building as God's Temple!

Wow, just writing about all this makes me understand why I feel so wiped out today.  The last couple days the group was here I was low on sleep and was functioning purely on caffeine and adrenaline.  Also, I haven't ran in a week.  So this week is catch-up week.  My cousin and her boyfriend are coming to visit next week, but I'm sure by then I'll already be ready for new adventures!!

Life...is good :)

An Aladdin moment and an Irish weekend.

I've been having weird headaches lately.  Not for real headaches because I've never gotten one of those.  (Really, I haven't.) I've only gotten squinting headaches after I've been out in the sun for too long without sunglasses.  So that's what I've been having lately.  Squinting headaches.  But I don't remember any recent squinting.

I for sure thought I was dying.  Brain tumor, perhaps. 

Well, while laying in bed trying to fall asleep last night, I had a thought. 
"When was the last time I put new contacts in?"
I'm supposed to change them every 3 months.  Well...it usually becomes 5 or 6.  (Sorry, mom) So this morning I checked my little box and it said I was supposed to change them the beginning of February.  Figures. 

So I put new ones in this morning....and I may or may not have started singing Aladdin's "A Whole New WOOORRLDDD!!"

Life changing. 

So...no more squinting headaches.

So now that you all can rest assured I'm brain tumor free, let me tell you about my weekend. It was probably the best weekend in Colorado, yet. 

Right after work on Saturday I met up with Michele (who I met through Alex) for St. Patty's Day. 

At first I went to the wrong building.  That was embarrassing. 

Texting convo--
Me: "I'm here! Right by the stage!"
5 mins later...
Michele: "I looked everywhere for you, I can't find you!"
Me: "Well, where are YOU??"
Michele: "I'm on the right side when looking at the band"
Me: "I'M on the right side when looking at the band!"
Me again: "Wait...am I at the right place...?"

You win, Downtown Denver.

So eventually I did end up finding her.  And then we left and took this picture. 

This guy was super annoying.  He wouldn't look at the camera unless I kissed him on the cheek.  No way, creepy-man-in-a-lepruchan-wizard-outfit!  Nice try, though.  

So...instead, we got this awesome, really awkward picture!

Then on Sunday, I went with Alex over to Michele's for a Thanksgiving/Easter/St. Patty's Day meal.  It...was amazing.  Mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cupcakes, the whole nine yards.  Michele, you will be a fabulous grandma someday ;)

After that we went over to another one of Alex's friends' houses (She's literally been my social-lifesaver since my move.  I owe her big time). And played cards for a few hours.  Then the people we were with had to get ready to go play in a 10pm rec league soccer game.  So we decided to go watch. 

Well, we get in the car...and they say they could use another girl.  So somehow I am now PLAYING in this game.  I am suddenly a Goodwill store in human form.  I get shorts and tennis shoes from one guy, a sports bra from his girlfriend, and soccer socks and shin guards from another guy.  

Game on.

 Me.  Waiting patiently for my turn to sub in.  

I was a nervous wreck. 

The game was actually pretty intense.  The other girls on the team played soccer in college.  And the guys were really good. So much fun.  Even came out with a win!
Thanks for letting me play, guys!

The next day, Alex and I woke up early and went for an 8 mile run. 

We saw a house on fire.  It was probably 2+ miles away, and we got there the same time as the firetrucks did.  If my apt ever starts on fire in Denver....I'm calling Jimmy Johns. 

So, I ran 8 miles less than 12 hours after playing soccer for the first time in 5+ years.  Maybe coulda planned that one a little better. The next two days I was so unbelievably sore.  I even was neaseus. Felt very similar to how I was after my first half marathon.  Working was brutal.  Oh well, it was worth it. 

I took the next two days off from running.  Then today I decided to run 5 miles on my lunch break.  I found a new route by work..which I was pumped about because our warehouse is near a sorta sketchy area.  We're also jus right down the road from a nice lil marijuana dispensary. 

Dream job, eh?

New route.  Less sketch.

In other news, next week I get to go to Boston for work to help with a Caregiver Kit event. 
You can find out what that means here.  Super excited to help with and experience that!

Have I mentioned I love the organization I work for?

Then two days after we get back from that, I get to FLY TO MINNESOTA!!

I'm maybe a little bit excited about that, too.  

So get ready, friends. 
Roomie....better be ready to get your Punch in Pjs on. 
Bestie....I'm starting that playlist as soon as I publish this post. 
All my other MN people....I better see you all.  Make it happen. 

Weekend Exploring.

This past weekend was great.  Really, really great. Don't believe me? That's okay, you don't have to.  But I had a blast and here are a few reasons why:

On Friday Alex, my friend from college who has lived here for over a year now, invited me out with her and some friends to check out downtown Denver! It was a blast.  We walked down 16th Street mall, which is a pedestrian-only street that is all lit up at night.  I couldn't get a decent picture on my phone, so here's one I got from Google to give you an idea...

Beautiful, huh?! (Picture from pictureninja.com)

While out with those girls I also came to realize that almost everyone you meet here is a transplant..meaning they didn't grow up here.  Which makes the culture almost like the "Freshman year" mentality in college where people are very inviting and friendly to anyone that may be new. 

I had to work on Saturday, but as soon work was done, I got a text that my cousin Danielle, who is in the process of moving from AZ to MN was at my apartment! I had read somewhere that the Denver Mammoth Lacrosse team had a game in town that night against Minnesota (Whoo!) so we decided to check it out.  SO MUCH FUN!!  Such high energy and the fans were crazy!!! 

 Pre-game show.  Still not sure why there were guys on motorcycles on the field...

The next day after church, we went out for brunch.  I love my cousin :)

So after Danielle left on Sunday, I decided to check out the paved trail by my apartment because it was really nice out.  Ended up running almost 7 miles. Take that, high altitude! 

Monday was chore-day.  Laundry and dishes got done, and I went grocery shopping.  And bought a plant.  I love plants. 

 

I can't believe I just posted a picture of a plant.  Sorry, guys. 

Then on Monday evening I was invited to go to Brian (who I am replacing at World Vision) and his wife Loriann's house for dinner and a movie! They also invited Ashley (my new coworker) and her husband Mitch.  The food was DELICIOUS! And it was fun getting to know them better :).

Because my schedule at work is Tues-Sat...and Monday was a holiday, I got today off.  The original plan was to go to the DMV and get a new drivers license...but I need to wait until I have proof of residency and I haven't gotten any bills here yet (not complaining). SO...I decided to go for a drive in the mountains instead!  

 This is why I didn't care that my gas tank was emptying veryyyy quickly. 

 I know, I know.  Just like every other picture of mountains you've ever seen.

 How about a picture of a buffalo?....No?

 Well...how about a picture of a bunch of buffalo??

   My rule of exploring is to exit as much as (reasonably) possible off the main highway. 

Found this in some random little mountain town. 

So that was my holiday weekend.  I feel bad I didn't go to any MLK events. I'll try harder next year.  Now it's time to go make some Pizza Hotdish for dinner...might have to go run another 7 miles after that one.  Or...not. 

First week living in Colorado: Pigeons and Dairy and Gummi Bears, Oh My!

Random facts and observations in my first week as a Colorado resident:

I love my new job.  The first couple days were super exhausting both physically and mentally.  Remember, I had basically been unemployed for the past month and a half.  I was happy to actually be a contributing member of society again, but it took a few days to get back in the groove of the whole working thing.

 We have a stretch wrapping machine.  You probably don't appreciate that..but trust me.  It's awesome.

My new coworkers are great and super fun.  The actual work is VERY different from my World Vision job in Minneapolis.  Many similarities of course...but also super different.  Both good...just...different.  Did I mention it's different?

I don't mind living alone as much as I thought I would.  I FOR SURE miss my roomie (love you nicoley!!), but I'm making do.  I listen to a lot of Pandora. And for some reason I'm a lot cleaner.  I do all my dishes right away, and clean up everything.  I'm almost OCD about it which is very not me.  Maybe its partly boredom since I have no friends here yet...and no cable :)

I do have a pigeon porch-mate.  He lives...on my porch. He poops in the corner which is gross.  And I actually hate pigeons.  But I kinda like him.  I've named him Gus cuz he's kinda chubby as far as pigeons go. And somehow I associate the name Gus with being overweight? I'm not sure. Apologies to any skinny Gus's out there. 

 

Evidence of Gus

Colorado has bad dairy products.  Well, not bad...I guess its just different.  I'm kinda picky. Especially when it comes to my dairy.   The eggs are weird and the cottage cheese is almost inedible.  If you come visit from MN, bring me some cheese please.  

It's sooo dry here.  I get bloody noses that I never remember ever getting before and my skin is all cracked.  I can hardly put face makeup on in the mornings without putting on three gallons of lotion first. Everything is static-y.  I sit on my couch with my phone plugged in...and every move I make sends a shock to me through my phone.  Can't be good.

I love my new couch.  Except for when it shocks me.

I haven't gotten a gym membership...and I'm not sure I will get one.  My coworkers have a little gym set up in the basement of the warehouse and apparently do P90x during lunch breaks.  Score.  I'll need to figure out the running situation soon tho, especially since I just signed up for my first full marathon this fall...but wanna do another half this spring. But it's dark out before and after work still and I am (well, my mom is) paranoid about me getting abducted and no one knowing if I didn't come home after a run...I need a dog.  A big dog.

Speaking of dogs....or hedgehogs....I'm bringing Quincy to work tomorrow. I hope he behaves.

Tomorrow night my cousin from Arizona is driving up to Minnesota for a job interview and she is going to stay with me on her way! I'm SO excited to see her again :) :) And excited for what God is doing in her life and where He is leading her! Love you, D!

Well, now I'm about to go purchase some Gophers vs Pioneers hockey tickets for when Emily comes and visits me in February...SUPER excited about that too! My first MN visitor!!

Speaking of MN...it didn't take long for me to get made fun of for my Minnesota accent.  The first actual word was: Tag.  Yesterday I got made fun of for saying Uffda.  I hope I never stop saying Uffda.  It's on my top 10 list of words for sure.  Possibly even top 5. 

Anyway, that's all for now.  This weekend I'm going to check out a new church, as well as downtown Denver and work on getting my Colorado license, and new Colorado license plates, etc.  Fun stuff....

Oh. Here's a picture of my gummi bears I'm eating.  

Not that you care.  I just felt like blogging about gummi bears.

Anna & Maria

Just like last year, my family went to our hometown for Christmas and stayed with our close family friends for 10 days. They got me addicted to the show 24, and we watched a whole season and a half on Netflix at night after going to hockey games and visiting with family and friends!  I have babysat these girls since I was 12...and yesterday was Anna's 12th birthday! They are so much fun :)

 

Fun out West!

My parents moved out to Spearfish, SD in September of last year after retiring. Danielle and I set out this summer on the 9 hour drive to go visit them and have a few lil adventures!

Mules in Custer State Park

Needles!

Reptile Gardens

Badlands

Double rainbows! View from my parents' house.

President's Heads :)

Climbin boulders at the base of Devils Tower

Mom and Dad :)

Costumes in 1880 Town..so fun!