My Parking Ticket

A while back I got a parking ticket because I parked too close to a driveway.  The regulated distance in Milwaukee is 4 feet.  It clearly showed in the picture from the parking maid and on my ticket that I was parked at zero feet from the driveway.  Who even knew that the little parking Jeeps take a picture of every single mis-parked car in Milwaukee?  Well, now we all know this.  If you get a ticket they will provide you with photo-evidence.

Anyways, so the story begins when I shared my frustration with the girl in the cube next door and she recommended that I contest it.  "But I have no argument, I was parked at zero distance and I really didn't know there was a 4 foot regulation.  Although, it is completely logical."  She said- just call the number, make an appointment and it takes about 5 minutes to go in there and they excuse it.

So rather than just pay the thirty bucks I called.  The appointment would serve as a legitimate excuse to be late to work and I will NEVER outgrow the joy of playing hookey.  I'm not sure why I had to make an appointment 1 month out because I walked in to an empty office.  I waited five minutes until a man called my name and asked me to plead my case in front of a screen showing my car parked right at the edge of a driveway.  I did not expect this part of the meeting..."Well, I didn't want to park any cars in and I really only parked there for a couple minutes so that i could run in the building and change my laundry."

He quickly dismissed my ticket and told me to park legally from now on.

I don't know why the story intrigues me.  It is just weird to me that they waived my ticket.  I'm still not sure if it was worth the $30, but I guess it was just interesting to me.  If you are bored at work someday you should try it too.

That $30 immediately went towards the late charge on my best buy bill.  However, now I'm thinking about calling best buy to see if I can get that one waived too..........

A pointless story to amuse you.  I think it may also attest to the monotony and lack of excitement in my life....or maybe I just appreciate small every day experiences?  Yes, that's definitely it.

Two holidays later...

Halloween came and left along with Greg's birthday, my mother's, and my Grammy's.  I'm not sure what that says about the persons who are born at the end of October, but I'm sure I can find something that the three of them have in common.  I simply wouldn't care to share that in my blog.

Anyways, for halloween this year I was part of a Jamaican bobsled team with Shea and Katie.  It was a very simple DIY costume and a true testament to the wonders of duct tape.  We were a little bit weary about the costume at first, but it turned out to be a big success, along with our cardboard sled.

I am completely convinced that you can make any  costume with black spandex and the right colored duct tape.

 I think that anyone who reads this blog should know, but Greg and I also announced our engagement. The date and place are yet to be determined... the best I can say is 2013 and you are invited!

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Finally.  After living 29 years with a almost saint patron, Kateri has finally been canonized!  Last Sunday was the canonization of my patron and I couldn't be more excited.  For a while I had deliberated actually going to Rome, but I decided it would be a bit wiser economically to celebrate it here at home.

We had a little Kateri Tekakwitha Canonization get together.  We dressed up in indigenous garb, at least what they taught us about in grade school and had lots of corn snacks, like popcorn, candy corn, corn chips, corn puffs, and corn dogs.  We figured that lienenkugel was the most appropriate beverage. 

Kateri was finally eligible for sainthood after her latest miracle.  In 2006 a five year old boy named Jake Finkbonner was playing basketball when he cut his lip.  It became infected with a flesh eating bacteria and within days he was on his deathbed when a priest, knowing of his native american descent, suggested that his family pray to Kateri.  Things looked grave and the family was talking of his organ donation, when suddenly he recovered.  His cure from the infection has been deemed medically inexplicable and is the miracle that allowed Kateri to become a Saint.  Finally.

While I was not able to go to the canonization in Rome, I hope to travel to La Crosse, WI where I have heard there is a beautiful shrine to her.  I am also lucky that I have an amazing friend (Ellen)  who was fortunate enough to be in Rome for the canonization and is sending me a prayer card from the ceremony. 

YAY for Kateri!!!

Bolivia

My trip to Bolivia not only added a new country to my list, but also a new Continent!  While it was simply a work trip I had a little time to relax and still enjoyed the thrill of a new place with new sights.

I arrived in Bolivia at El Alto Airport, which is rightfully named because it happens to be the highest city in the world.  I have not verified this fact, but it is at 4150 meters and the swift kick of altitude sickness would lead anyone to believe it.  Within 30 minutes of being at the airport I saw someone on the ground and passed out from the height.  I only had a short layover so I went to my gate and slept the feeling off until I was called to the gate to board for Cochabamba, Bolivia.

I was not sure what to expect of Bolivia, except that it happens to be a very poor country and they speak Spanish.  From what I saw, both proved to be very true.  I was quickly the uninformed American overtipping everyone at the hotel...

Bolivia was also full of lots of color, energy and Alpaca!  Okay, I don't know that I actually saw alpaca, but it is a huge part of their economy and I came home with a soft warm Alpaca vest.  The colors were everywhere. The city buses looked like school buses, but each one was painted a unique vibrant pattern.

Cochabamba sits up in the Mountains.  Literally.  I have never seen any city like it.  It sits in a valley in the middle of the mountains.  It was absolutely beautiful.   Since I arrived early I was able to partake in the ancient worldwide tourism fad of going up high to look down at the city.  I rode a 'sky glider' to a huge hill in the middle of the city where the giant Christ statue overlooks the entire city.  The Christ statue is surrounded on all sides by the city below.  It's as though the entire city sits within a crater.  The boarder of the city is surrounded by mountains.  Within the crater there was one lake and a few winding roads that follow the mountains off to the other major cities.

These are pictures of the hotel.  It was a five-star hotel with the most slippery hotel floors EVER.  It also happened to be my first experience with turn down service.  (I think that it what it is called?). Each night I would return to room and the shades would be drawn, with the nightstand lamps on and the corner of the comforter folded down and a chocolate on my pillow.

Lastly, my food reviews.  I don't have any pictures, but the doctor I worked with from Bolivia was very proud of their trout.  It was excellent.  I also tried duck, yucca (similar to potato, and awesome), plantains (i guess cooked banana), and arroz con queso (this sort of cheesy rice).  Loved them all.  I also learned about a new drink called Pisco Sour.  I did not know what was in it at the time, but Pisco is a type of Brandy from Peru.  The drink also contains egg whites and I would assume whatever else is in a typical 'sour.'  I can't find any specific recipe.

 My work went well and my trip was quick.  I returned so quickly it was hard for me to believe that I had been so far away.

Here he is! :)

So excited to share these......

I am obsessed with AJ.  He is absolutely adorable and has a very chill personality.  I have had so much fun being here and helping my sister.  It's crazy for me to think that she now has 2 little boys.  Mom and baby are happy, healthy and getting sleep whenever they can.

Off to Philly

Up, up and away.  I can’t explain how much I love to travel.  I don’t know that I will ever outgrow this travel bug I have.  It’s been 7 months since my last flight and the second that my feet hit the escalator up to the airport I realized how much I love airports, I love flying, and I love going far away.  If I had unlimited funds, I would jump on a plane every other weekend.  (The other weekends I would probably be climbing). 

Since I haven’t traveled for a little bit, there are a couple updates to the procedure.  This time I used my smart phone to check in and they sent me my ticket through text message.  I am definitely not a person on top of technology trends, but I tried it on a whim at 2am.  I was one of the few on my plane who did this, but it worked splendidly!  I definitely recommend it.  Also, I feel it my need to inform everyone- although the Internet on the planes is not free, you can go online for shopping free of charge. Needless to say the flight flew by.

Now I’m off to familiar territory in Philly.  My sister had her second baby:  AJ (Anthony John) and I am going to fulfill my auntly duties.  I am excited to see Roman and the baby (I suppose I might as well add Anne and Ant to the end of that statement), take some pictures and enjoy NOT running around.  Come back soon to be introduced my newest nephew.........

Yay!

New Beginnings in Milwaukee

I would start this blog off with a drum-roll, but I am too tired to type out the sound.  My new job is as a program manager for a medical society.  I would write more about the society, but am afraid that my blog will come up in google searches for the medical society and that would be embarrassing.  I would know, because if you typed in my previous employer, my blog was one of the top searches for that company.

What do I do?  I am still figuring out what I do and after 3 straight days of orientations, reading and researching, I SOMEWHAT understand it.  Once I figure it out, I doubt I can explain it very well.  I can tell you some of the highlights and my favorite things thus far:

It is a world-wide non-profit organization that promotes the advancement and education of knowledge and medicine related to certain types of disorders.

My largest responsibility is that I am in charge of the North America, South America and Latin American sector.

My job involves travel to various international conferences in my region.... next month my first trip will be to Bolivia.

I will be using a great amount of my Spanish skills.

One of the biggest perks is that the 12 minute commute of my previous job has now transformed into a 12 minute walk.  My job is right next to Cathedral Square Park, within 1 mile of home.

There are lots of young woman, a huge change from my last job.

This week has been very exciting for me and I am very happy to work for a company that I think will be a great fit for me in both my personality and career.  Its definitely a step towards my dream job (although I'm still not sure what my dream job really is)

Now I am headed out to shoot with Greg.  I have so many important things to learn in life........Ugh

The big ToDo in Iowa

Charlie and Meg, both from UD, got married and so he gang got together in Iowa for some good ol fashioned wedding fun.  It's nearly the same story every time, but with more characters.  We will never tire of the wedding parties.

Firstly, you may notice a change in the 'style' of my pictures.  It's because I learned how to use a fancy new iPhone application that makes my photos look much more 'artsy' than my own capabilities would allow.  Those are the sort of skills that blossom when you are with your best friends from college.  

Lets go through the usual wedding fun......

A party bus, obviously we are all well seated and behaved on the way out there.

Some amazingly patriotic shades.

A nice dinner with the people that were, are, and always will be your best friends for life.  Below is Katie, she is my oldest friend (25+ years friendship) and Kate, my roommate freshman year.  I couldn't ask for a more awesome person to help you through that trying time literally 1000 miles away from home.

Bags sets in an orchard with a baby......

 and another little one....

Here's about when it starts to get a little wild.....


A golf cart piled high with balance lacking people.

The women wear the ties.

Late night snacks with a raised pinky

 Karate chops

Happy blurry edged pictures

Fully blurry pictures

A fabulous ending with unsurmountable spirit.

Actually if i remember correctly it ended with flips and bottle caps.

A change of direction

Tomorrow is my last day at my current Job.  I am extremely excited to close this chapter and open another (and of course slightly nervous, unsure, and anxious as would be expected)........ You are going to have to wait in suspense to see what happens in the next chapter.

Milwaukee's Best Happy Hour?

 I wish that I was savvy enough to know every happy hour in the city and what deal is at each bar/restaurant each day of the week.   Unfortunately I have other aspirations in life.  Based upon my limited knowledge and limited pocketbook, my favorite happy hour so far this summer has been the Bradford Beach BYOB.

Drink of choice was the piña coBradford.  A named coined by Dan (pictured above).  It involved Mando and parrot bay and sprite.  Very tropical and perfect for the heart of Downtown Milwaukee.  My only advice to others who try the Bradford Happy Hour:  There is a no glass ordinance.

Milwaukee Summer Fun

Not too long ago I was asked if I was going on any vacations during the summer.  The answer? Aside from my recent wedding trip to gorgeous IOWA, I am avoiding leaving Wisconsin as much as possible.   Milwaukee is filled with endless fun during the summer.  Approximating that summer is June, July, and August- that limits me to about 12 weekends!  So the run around has begun......

Chill on the Hill: Chill on the hill is just what the title describes.  It takes place every Tuesday  in Humboldt Park.  We went a couple weeks ago to see Mel's husband play....

 Above is a portrait that I like to call "Mel and the sunset".   When I took that picture I was I wanted to have the big light ball of sun coming out of her head.  It's a great symbol for society and a lesson to all of us to let our light shine out into the world..... Okay just kidding- it's a horrible picture - but these days you can pull anything off and just call it 'artsy.'

 Above is the pavilion where the musicians play.  The whole event has a really relaxed atmosphere.  There is tons of space for everyone and since it's on a hill you don't have to worry about blocking anyone's view or having a bad seat.

 Above is Mel's son Donovan.  He is dancing to his dad's music.  I love that he thinks it completely normal that his father is up on stage playing the music that Donovan knows.

 Here we are chilling and below is Tonka.