Today’s Tis the Season post comes from Britta of It’s a Britta Bottle!
One of my absolute favorite Christmas memories is a relatively recent one, in what some might see as a most unconventional location.
The Setting: A shopping mall, Bangkok, Thailand
The Event: Christmas Ice Skating
The Players: A group of Western English teachers
Christmas in Thailand! Say what! Continue reading
If we were having coffee, I’d begin by telling you how much I’ve missed you. The past couple of weeks have been busy and and blogging has been the last thing on my mind. For the past few days, I my body has been fighting off a cold. I’ve been storing away post ideas, but haven’t had the energy to write them yet.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I got to see a fantastic production of Sense & Sensibility at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis a few weeks ago. Although I’ve read all her works multiple times, seen all the adaptations, and even visited Jane Austen’s house in England, S&S is the only one of her works that I had the opportunity to actually study while in college. Because of what I gleaned in class, Elinor Dashwood has become one of my favorite Austen heroines. Continue reading
If we were having coffee, we’d be sitting in my house looking out at the sunlit world groggily making conversation. I’ve been extremely lazy and apathetic this week, so most of the things on my To-Do list have gone undone. In fact, I almost didn’t join the coffee share this week out of pure laziness. But I made it and am glad to see you.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you all about the wedding I went to this weekend! I’ve known the bride for four years. We met when I stayed at her house while on day camp assignment during my first year as a camp counselor. While there, I learned that she was going to be a freshman at my college. A month later, my roommate and I started a Bible study and I invited her to come. She did and, over the next few years, we became friends. We even co-lead the group during my final year of school. Continue reading
If we were having coffee, we’d be sitting on a blanket in the grass soaking in the sunshine. Even though it’s August now, it’s not unbearably hot and I am loving it. The air is fresh, the sky is blue, and the company is good! What is better?
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I GOT A JOB! The hunt has ended and my first foray into post-college employment is beginning. Continue reading
If we were having coffee, I’d say we better make this fast. I just got my copy of Harry Potter and the Curse Child and will consider my day wasted if I don’t spend the rest of it reading. (It’s not that I don’t want to spend time with you… It’s just… Harry Potter…)
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my week started off pretty bad–as described in my Emergency Dance Party post. Long story short, I got poison ivy so bad that my entire legs were covered in panful blisters and then got icky sick one night. It was rough. Continue reading
If we were having coffee, we’d be out on the back deck soaking in the sunshine. Although Northern Minnesota has been hit with enormous rainfalls over the past week resulting in record flooding, we’ve managed to evade all the severe weather.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you that I turned down a job this week. After multiple interviews, a site visit, and several weeks of intense thought, I decided that being an Assistant Manager at a resort just wasn’t the right route for me. There were so many factors against it personally and professionally. When it came down to it, I just wasn’t willing to make a two year commitment to a job that wouldn’t pay enough to save for grad school in an area with little to no housing options. I think I’ve made the right decision. Continue reading
If we were having coffee, we’d be meeting in my living room. We’d be meeting in the morning and I’d be bleary-eyed, mussy-haired, and still in my pajamas. I’d sit in the big chair in the corner with a steaming cup of tea. Despite just waking up, I would do my best to make you feel welcome. Is there anything I can get you? Tea? Coffee? Maybe some toast? Continue reading
I’ve spent the past few days staying with friends in the city of Innsbruck, Austria. It’s a stunning city, located in a wide valley in the middle of the Tirol Provence. Unfortunately… my first couple of days were rainy. Most of yesterday was spent enjoying the city center–sitting in cafes and wandering into beautiful Baroque churches. I knew there were mountains (after all, I’ve been here before!), but couldn’t actually see anything. That is… until today.
This morning, I had the opportunity to go hiking with my friend Anna and her mother. Thankfully, I’ve been traveling in a pair of heavy-duty boots and was well prepared for the climb. Continue reading
Because I was a bad blogger and skipped out on October… here is my November Month in Review!
I. Blogging
November has been a good month. Although I haven’t been writing like a maniac like my NaNoWriMo and NaNoBloPoMo friends, I definitely have been hanging out with my words. The past few weeks have been filled with meaningful posts that I’m really proud of. Be sure to read my comparison between apple farming and writing, my frustration at American responses to the refugee crisis, and musings from the shore of Lake Superior. I also posted a poem that’s been sitting in my archives for over two years. Be sure to check it out and let me know if I should put on my poet hat more often.
Looking ahead, I have an exciting December planned! I hope to start posting book reviews again. I also have a fun holiday-themed series coming up that I am going to need your help for! Stay tuned for more details.
II. Books
This month, I was a literary fiend, tearing through books at an alarming rate. I keep track of how many books I read each year on Goodreads. In the past week, my count has exceeded 100–a personal record!
I’ve spent a LOT of time over the past two weeks binge-reading fluffy YA novels. Rainbow Rowell is SO GOOD. Marissa Meyer’s conclusion to her Lunar Chronicles series was incredibly satisfying (review coming soon!). And, despite my love/hate relationship with Stephanie Perkins, I managed to eat up one of her novels in less than 24 hours. (Oh, the beauty of Thanksgiving Break.)
Here’s a list of some of my reads:
III. Life
November was filled with unexpected twists and turns.
Things at work went from awful to not-so-bad. Of course, once I finally get a firm grip on the job, it’s time to hand it off to someone else. We managed to find a stellar candidate for the Executive Director position. The hiring decision isn’t official yet, but will be in a week or so. This means that my brief stint into Chamber of Commerce life is nearly over. No tears are being shed over this.
Orchard season also came to a close. We’ve been going strong since August, but finally reached the end. It was a season for the record books–biggest crowds, biggest crops, biggest sales. It was an exhausting, rewarding ride and I am happy to be done. I do miss the physical work. Hauling around 40 lb crates of fruit helped me stay in shape and I liked the monotony. Still, having actual weekends is an absolute dream!
This month, I celebrated my twenty third birthday by enjoying a shopping spree with my mom at the Mall of America. I spent WAY too much money, but have worn my purchases (a sweater, new pants, some scarves) enough times to make it more than worthwhile.
I hung out with friends quite a bit. My high school buddies and I had a movie night, where they introduced me to The Sandlot. Now whenever my mom exasperates me, I can knowingly retort, “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!” My friend, Kassandra, and I had a delightful brunch at a cafe in St. Paul a few weeks back and I was reunited with my long-time friend, Holly, who made the trip from Washington D.C. to spend Thanksgiving with her family. My study abroad friend, Maddie, came up from her now-home Minneapolis and we spent a memorable afternoon closing up the orchard, wandering around Taylors Falls, and discussing music, politics, and spirituality.
I managed to escape home for a night by accompanying my mom and brother to Duluth, where they had work meetings. While there, I had some quality me-time strolling along the lakeshore. That afternoon, we went to a press conference and I got to shake hands with a U.S. Congressman, which was pretty cool.
Finally, the most unexpected thing of all happened in the form of an opening to live and study at a ministry in England. If you had told me a month ago that I’d be returning to the U.K., I would have laughed in your face. It’s amazing what a few short weeks can do! I’m not really sure what to expect from this adventure, but I’m having a lot of fun dreaming about it. Who knows if I’ll ever come home?
That wraps up my Month in Review! As always, thanks for reading.
Thanksgiving is like the middle child of holidays. It lives between Halloween and Christmas, not as flashy as its spooky elder and doesn’t make as much money as its younger. People enjoy it when it comes, but don’t seem to remember it exists. When they do, it’s only significant because it comes right before the biggest shopping day of the year. One cell phone provider’s tagline for their sales this year is “Thanks-getting”. Which, honestly, pisses me off.
Despite the fact that Thanksgiving is based on a mythic story of Native Americans and their soon-to-be white oppressors coming together over turkey and corn, I actually really enjoy this holiday.
To me, Thanksgiving isn’t a stepping stone on the way to Christmas. It’s not a precursor to Black Friday, although I do enjoy shopping. It’s a day to gather with the people you love and reflect on all the things you’re thankful for.
This year, my family is spending the holiday at my great aunt and uncle’s house in the cities. We usually spend it with my entire extended family and I’m really excited for something more low-key. We also don’t have to cook, which is amazing.
So, dear readers, time for a list. This year, I am thankful for:
What are some of the things you’re thankful for?
Keep Your Feet 