Letter to 2008

Goodbye, 2008.

I am not sure what I thought of you. You were a pretty good year, I guess. I had the best semester of my upperclassman college career. I had such a romantic Valentine's day, and I got a boyfriend out of it. I graduated from college, got a great job, saw my sister get married. I got to spend the summer with my sisters at home for the last time, and I got to see the Packers win at Lambeau and make history (by defeating the worst team in nfl history. ouch). I learned to appreciate more types of music, and fell in love with Sergei Rachmaninov and Martin Sexton.

In getting a job, I lost a lot of freedom, and lost the ease of seeing friends whenever I want because of graduating. I gained 1,687 miles of distance between me and my sister. I lost a boyfriend, and I found a lot of pain... but I also lost 8 pounds. Not very ambitious, but hey--I need to be reminded of a few good losses. My best friend gained a fiancee, which means I might lose a best friend in 2009; but let's not be pessimistic.

There were so many wonderful memories that happened because of you, 2008. You made me a year older and I like to think I am a little bit wiser, too. I work with several people at DCMA that have such beautiful hearts and have such contentment in their own portion. I also work with several people that have no time for anything besides themselves and their own pride. I am glad I can watch people and learn from them. I love learning.

I have so many things going for me. The fact that I have a hard time being satisfied is preposterous. I have a pair of ice skates and roller blades that get used about once per year between the two. I have a roommate that I miss when I'm away for more than 4 hours. She shares the same addiction for LOST, and lets me crawl into bed with her at 6 am when I don't want to start teleworking. My job lets me telework. I work from home once a week and earn 4 hours of paid leave every two weeks. I got paid on Christmas. What is that all about, anyway?

I take the light rail to work everyday. I get to sit next to colorful people, too. I met a man that sings in and invited me to see the GLBTA One Voice Mixed Chorus. I even figured out what that meant on my own. I rent a duplex in South Minneapolis off of Lake Street. For those of you who don't know me, that is big.

I haven't thought much about how 2009 will be different. It's going to be different even if I put lots of thought into it, anyway. I'd like to be healthier, and to show a bit more control over my own life, which takes dedication... but other than that, I know God has plans for the coming year. 2009 is the year my little sister graduates from high school. wow.

So, 2008, here's to you. Thank you for ushering me into the real world and giving me just as many blessings as frustrations.

Hello 2009.

Beware: boring, sad, and dark...

Life has been such a blur for the past month or so and I really have no good excuse for my lack of blogging. A lot has been happening in my life, but I think I am just numb and a little too selfish to appreciate all the goodness that has been given to me. Some days are better than others, but I find myself in a lonely, pathetic state right now, so prepare yourself for the debbie-downer wet blanket soliloquy ahead.

Here is has what has been going on... 

good things that I should be thankful for, as well as the drollness of life.

My dad and sister came to the cities to visit colleges in the area, and we all had a good time together. I got to watch a bunch of sappy Jane Austen-type movies with Sarah, Kate, and Betsy. My roommate spends almost all of her spare time with me, pouring her love on me and listening to me as I talk out my thoughts. Her boyfriend is so kind to me and is okay with spending time with the three of us and doesn't even complain about it. He's even watched the chick flicks with us. Thanks Josh. 

My job has been pretty boring right now, with its moments of interesting-ness. What I will be doing is all administrative, but I spend HOURS and HOURS taking online classes to learn what the crap all this administrative stuff even is. Acquisitions, Contracts, Line Items, Destination, Firm Fixed Price, thousands of acronyms.... plus, the classes are set up like Distance Ed, Government style. eew. I can't sit at my computer for 8 hours a day and learn. Not through written out lectures and powerpoint presentations, anyway.

Fortunately, in a week I'll be going to California for a week-long class. That'll be fun, and a nice change of scenery (70 degree weather!) 

I am jealous of the Germanns for their new dog! I want a dog so much, there is just no way I can get one. No pets in our duplex, plus I wouldn't have time to take care of it anyway. I just want a little personality to show affection and devotion to just me. Like a little sweet best friend. Today is a gorgeous day, and I just want to take a walk with a dog around the river or on the city streets.

I am tired of politics, but I love the Office. Work is boring but I love my coworkers. I hate how some of them are so determined to complain about EVERYTHING but I love how I can see how ridiculous they are. I hate that I've been so sad and down lately, but I love how I have people who care about me, and a God that has a plan. I hate that I don't have anyone to show me how football works, but I can't bring myself to watch any games anyway. I miss baseball, but I'll look forward to Brewers '09, and cheer for good baseball this week in the world series. Go Rays! Go Phillies! yahoo! :)

Life is good, and I am looking forward to my numbness to fade over time. I promise the next time I write won't be so emo. I just needed one post of venting, and this is it.

God is good, and I am blessed. :)

Hanface

Summer closes up...

The sun is starting to set... on the hottest day of the summer!! It's September 2, and the high was like, 85 degrees with 100% humidity all day. barf hot. Tomorrow, the high is supposed to be 20 degrees cooler and back to the unsummer-like September it ought to be. :)

I start work on Monday, Sept 15 and I still have no idea what my job will be like. It was 6 months ago that I first heard of the job, and I haven't heard much about it since. So don't ask me what exactly a contract specialist does until at least Sept 16.

I went to Duluth with my parents and little sister over the labor day weekend, and it was the gay pride festival! We didn't notice until we started seeing same sex couples holding hands and slightly feminine men talking to each other. It was funny, but for a while I had to force myself to forget that our hotel was the main hotel for the festivities. After being scorned by some friends for not being open minded and so ridiculously conservative, I decided to get used to it. It's all a part of that big world I'm trying to become acquainted with.

Today I made a slipcover for my body pillow! I had never sewn anything before this summer (except for that pencil case and pillow from Jr. High) and I am pretty happy with the results. :) Earlier this summer I made a pillow out of an old shirt and a cross-stitched Bible bag my grandmother made for me when I was little. So, in addition to the baking that I have been up to, I have some sewing to add to my homemaker portfolio. :)

The pillow I made...

The back isn't perfect, but I'd never made anything like it before. I just sewed the pieces together without a pattern...

This is the Slipcover I created. Notice the envelope I incorporated, too!! The fabric is a blue flannel with nursery rhymes on it.

The end. :)

Summer Project: Cooking

I have decided to spend the time that I have at home learning how to cook, mainly bake. I love it! Today is the first day in a while that I haven't made anything, but because I made three different things yesterday, I don't feel so bad. This experience i am getting in the kitchen makes me appreciate having my sister around. When I leave, I won't have a sister to help, and I will have to know how to make these things on my own! Here are some pictures of things I have been making with Sarah's help:

One of the first things--Rhubarb meringue pie. Not pictured: Rhubarb upside down cake.

Blueberry Buckle

Petits Fours. Sarah made most of the little roses. They're made of gumdrops.

Sham Tortes. There were a lot more of these, but I forgot to take a picture earlier, when they were prettier and more numerous.

Krumkake. (KROOM-kahkah) with mom & her ancient krumkake iron. Thanks mom!

Sarah and I have made brownies from scratch, and several meals, too. We like the challenging stuff, but cooling meals is harder than pastry baking for us... (not as fun). Next we hope to make Cornmeal lemondrop cookies, rustic little apple pies, and raspberry-almond streusel coffee cake. (recipes courtesy of the new woman's day cookbook)

Sarah's birthday? Beef Paprikash, Raspberry Lemonade Tea, & Frozen Raspberry Mango Terrine. (all made from scratch, of course!!) :) 

Happy cooking! let me know if you want any of these recipes!

Congrats Rachel & Grant!

My sister is now married! The wedding was yesterday, and it was so much fun! I have tons of pictures from my camera, but I will only post a few. I really hope the ones from the photographer turned out!

This was right after we got Rachel's dress all buttoned up. There were quite a few!

Rachel wore her purple mary jane crocs that day. It was a great idea! One thing less to worry about--feet hurting after a long day. :)

My friends Betsy and Jen did the music. :) This is "Prayer for Home" by Fernando Ortega

Me and my tall slurpee, Sarah

Betsy, Kate, & Jen

Sisters! :)

Cake smash!

Me, Jordan and Kate

The Happy Couple! :)

I'll be posting more pictures on Facebook soon.

Hannah

Let Freedom Ring!!

Today I turned the radio on randomly, and it was tuned to WRVM, the Christian Station that my dad listens to most of the time. It plays a lot of southern gospel music, which I am usually not a big fan of, but today I got to hear one of the most amazing songs I have ever heard, given the recent holiday festivities.

Here is the YouTube video of the recording I heard, sung live by the Gaither Vocal Band at Carnegie Hall a few years ago: Let Freedom Ring

Happy Independence Day!

What a beautiful day! The weather in Northern Wisconsin is perfect! My family got to see the local parade, with prime seating, thanks to Ogren Electronics. I got a little sun, and I am okay with it! yay for color! We grilled brats at MorMor's house, and played Outburst with the family on the deck, and then Dad and I went for a drive around the area in the 1950 Chevy. It was a "Chamber of Commerce Kind of Day" as my dad would say.

I am currently listening to my new birthday gift from my older sister Rachel. We were in Wal-Mart and I saw John Mayer's CD Continuum on display. "Buy this for my birthday present from you!" So, she did without complaint, probably happy she got away with not even getting me anything for as long as she did. I love the music, so I'm not even bitter. :) 

Dad's taking a nap downstairs and I am up in my room searching for apartments in Minneapolis for when I move back. It has been a pretty eye opening search as I scour every renting website and investigate neighborhoods. I can count on one hand the number of times that I have been in the city of Minneapolis, and now I am trying to find apartments within it? well, actually, I may have been in the city six or seven times. wikipedia.net is pretty helpful in my research. So far, I've learned that Phillips is not the most promising neighborhood for a female recent college graduate. I am trying to get as close to the Metro Rail as possible so I can just take it to Ft Snelling every day. So far, I have come up with several possibilities... but are fairly expensive. my fav? Robitshek Lofts in the warehouse dist. It may just be a dream, but I picture those movies like You've Got Mail, Hitch and others listed in this LoftLife Magazine article. Kind of funny, actually.

Well, I am getting sleepy, and I plan on making Blueberry Buckle today with MorMor.

Happy 4th of July, and remember to thank God for freedom and to pray for those fighting overseas! 

Hannah