What have I been reading?: A Walk in the Woods - Bill Bryson
Last movie I watched?: Spotlight
Well, it's Friday but I'm going to try to rewind my memory and talk about last weekend. I worked through the afternoon Friday, and then spent the rest of the weekend at home. I was pleased to see a few things I'd ordered online waiting for me in my old room when I arrived. These included a new pair of hiking boots which I think will suit me well, and an order of used books that I bought from Thriftbooks. I've ordered from Thriftbooks several times. Usually, good condition used books are priced between $3.79 and $4.
On Saturday, my parents and I kayaked a section of the Namekagon River. Well, my father and I each had a kayak, and my mother paddle boarded down the river. It was a beautiful day for a river trip. Mostly sunny, with occasional cloudy spells, and not a blisteringly hot day. My dad was the anchor of our group, fishing as he floated along. I just put my legs up on the top of the kayak and cruised along. There were a few sections of light rapids, but a little bit of paddling around rocks was all that was necessary. As far as I know, my mom got through them unscathed with the paddle board. I don't recall what I did with the rest of that day.
My brother and his girlfriend Taylor arrived from Madison the night before, after I'd gone to bed. Unfortunately, noise travels through all the walls and doors in my house as if they weren't even there, so I could hear them and my father conversing and playing guitar for a while. I loved being at home with everyone, though. It was one of the most pleasant weekends I've ever spent as an adult back home, perhaps. My brother set up his full size volleyball court in our little front yard, and I spectated while reading my new book (well, new to me), A Walk in the Woods, which I am enjoying very much. It's about the author's experiences on the Appalachian Trail. It's a comedic account of his personal experience on the trail, as a new hiker, and also has a ton of factual information as well.
I'm having a hard time remembering the full timeline of events of the weekend, but I remember tidbits of things. My mom brought us Chinese food for dinner at one point, and I ate with my sister Katie and her boyfriend Richard. Historically, I have very rarely eaten Asian food, so I decided to try veggie lo mein. I enjoyed it, but found the portion to be far too large. My grandparents stopped by at one point and visited with us in the living room for a bit. My grandmother was generous and kind in hemming a pair of work pants for me. I also remember sleeping very comfortably and being very content and at ease in my old room. My old room is quite small, but gets amazing light. It's been mostly cleared of my belongings, besides a few articles still hanging in the closet (including my dashing Rotary jacket) and some things on the upper shelves. I found it to be a very tranquil space to spend the nights at home, as it was unencumbered by clutter and excessive possessions, but was still a familiar space for me. The sheets on the bed are also some of the nicest I've experienced. I wish I could use them at my new place, but they aren't the right size for the mattress I have now. I spent some time on the back deck of my home, which is a lovely place in the summer. We have nice glider chairs, shaded by a large umbrella, and the perimeter of the deck is lined with tall marigold plants which totally transform the deck into a little, private oasis. I ate many ice cream cones over the weekend, a treat which I haven't indulged in in a long time but plan on making a staple in my future diet. My home in the summer time is just a totally different place than in the other seasons, I've realized. I enjoy my time back home far more in the summer months, and can better appreciate being home when the sun is shining, the greenery is strikingly vibrant, and there's a sense of peace and comfort, for the most part. These things are usually absent, or lacking, in other seasons at home.
I spent three nights at home, and returned to my place early afternoon Monday for work. Something pleasant to note is that the time between my last paycheck and the one I received today seemed to go by very quickly. I've been working more hours than I ever have before, and spent the last week working, seemingly, nonstop. I unfortunately had zero time to study or go to the gym for nearly a full week. I finally studied yesterday morning before my shift, but I'm behind in my book and this has me slightly worried. However, I had scheduled myself for studying thinking I'd take the LSAT in September. I am now thinking I will take it at a later offering, November or possibly even December. So, keeping that in mind, I can afford to have a slower studying pace.
Today has been a productive, but very tiring, day. I had to be up before 6 AM to get to River Falls by 7 for my first day as a Falcon Guide. There was a college visit day on campus, so I gave my first tours as a guide today. I'm getting tired and getting a headache, so I won't speak much to that, but let's just say there's room for improvement in my tour giving. I worked out after the visit day finished, went to Hudson to pick up and deposit my check, picked up some fruit at Aldi, and then decided to do a bit of sprucing up in my room. I'm currently washing all my bedding, and also did a bit of bathroom cleaning. I also went through the closet and set aside some clothes for Plato's Closet and Goodwill. I love having things tidied up. Clear space, clear mind. Now I just want to be comatose for the rest of the day, but my bedding is in the dryer and it's going to be a real challenge to tie my duvet back into its cover.
There is certainly more I could say about the last week and a half, but alas, I am in a weakened state and must save whatever energy is left for my imminent brawl with the duvet cover.
Until later
Friday, July 27, 2018
Thursday, July 12, 2018
7/12/2018
Last movie I watched: Jeff Who Lives at Home
What have I been listening to?: Blue Hundreds - Holy Mattress Money
Last Saturday, myself and a couple friends from school got together. My friend Jack came up from Illinois and joined myself and our friend Anna at the Como Zoo for the afternoon. It was very hot and a busy day at the zoo. The Como Zoo was a bit smaller than the Minnesota Zoo, but the Como Zoo had all the key animals that you look for in a zoo, which the Minnesota Zoo lacked. Giraffes, lions, gorillas. The gorillas freak me out so much but I'm fascinated by them. After spending about an hour and a half of wholesome fun at the zoo, we met up with our friend Hakeem. I'd never been to his place before, but he had his house all to himself while his dad was abroad, and it was a very nice place. The four of us had a quick dinner at Taco Bell (my first Taco Bell experience) and then made our way to the Basilica Block Party, which was a three-stage music event. My friend Jack's brother is the guitarist for one of the bands that was performing (we got to see him perform over the winter as well) so we got in for free. There were other artists performing throughout the evening at the various stages, but we were really only interested in that one performance. We were hoping to be able to meet with Jack's brother and hang out with him for a little bit before or after they performed but didn't get a chance. I really enjoyed the performance though! It was a cool day.
Yesterday was a memorable day. I worked 9-3, and after showering at my place and gathering some things for the night, I headed back to my home town. I had dinner at Bona Casa with my mom, sister, and grandparents. I love Bona Casa. It's very basic food but my family has always loved their sauce. After dinner, my mom and I returned to my grandparents house and we all spent some time out on their screened porch. Their property is surrounded by trees on 3 sides and the fourth side faces a lake. We had rhubarb pie and talked for a while. I don't get to see them super often so I really appreciated such a nice, simple time. After returning to our house, my mom and I took the dog for a quick walk. Then I laid in bed with her for a little bit and told her about work and my new management position. I then spent the night in my old room, very comfortable in bed and feeling very content. The next morning I had to head out in the morning to make it back for my 11-8 shift.
My next day off is Saturday and I'm considering trying to make it a beach day. I'm also considering going to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I could certainly do both. We'll see if I actually end up doing anything.
Cheers
What have I been listening to?: Blue Hundreds - Holy Mattress Money
Last Saturday, myself and a couple friends from school got together. My friend Jack came up from Illinois and joined myself and our friend Anna at the Como Zoo for the afternoon. It was very hot and a busy day at the zoo. The Como Zoo was a bit smaller than the Minnesota Zoo, but the Como Zoo had all the key animals that you look for in a zoo, which the Minnesota Zoo lacked. Giraffes, lions, gorillas. The gorillas freak me out so much but I'm fascinated by them. After spending about an hour and a half of wholesome fun at the zoo, we met up with our friend Hakeem. I'd never been to his place before, but he had his house all to himself while his dad was abroad, and it was a very nice place. The four of us had a quick dinner at Taco Bell (my first Taco Bell experience) and then made our way to the Basilica Block Party, which was a three-stage music event. My friend Jack's brother is the guitarist for one of the bands that was performing (we got to see him perform over the winter as well) so we got in for free. There were other artists performing throughout the evening at the various stages, but we were really only interested in that one performance. We were hoping to be able to meet with Jack's brother and hang out with him for a little bit before or after they performed but didn't get a chance. I really enjoyed the performance though! It was a cool day.
Yesterday was a memorable day. I worked 9-3, and after showering at my place and gathering some things for the night, I headed back to my home town. I had dinner at Bona Casa with my mom, sister, and grandparents. I love Bona Casa. It's very basic food but my family has always loved their sauce. After dinner, my mom and I returned to my grandparents house and we all spent some time out on their screened porch. Their property is surrounded by trees on 3 sides and the fourth side faces a lake. We had rhubarb pie and talked for a while. I don't get to see them super often so I really appreciated such a nice, simple time. After returning to our house, my mom and I took the dog for a quick walk. Then I laid in bed with her for a little bit and told her about work and my new management position. I then spent the night in my old room, very comfortable in bed and feeling very content. The next morning I had to head out in the morning to make it back for my 11-8 shift.
My next day off is Saturday and I'm considering trying to make it a beach day. I'm also considering going to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I could certainly do both. We'll see if I actually end up doing anything.
Cheers
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