Tuesday 27 January 2009

Tazor city?

Hmm, well my British friends, it has been an interesting few weeks here in the good old Iowa City. Adjusting to living with boys is going well, although sometimes results in this:

Or this (would someone please tell me how my face got into that formation?):

But for real, I am really lucky to live with good people. Definitely a good living situation, and MUCH better than random girls would have been. I'm sure living with a girl isn't an easy transition, seeing as I hate espn. But I've almost started liking Pardon the Interruption on ESPN...boys, arn't you proud? And they are extremely clean for guys (flat 63...they do not leave food chunks in the sink...infact I am the foodchunk leaver now. Ooops).

Work is going great! I'll bring my camera tomorrow and take some pics of my new project at the library. Its a big task, but job insurance for me :) I am in the process of applying for an additional job at a local fitness center for a fitness assistant, which I would LOVE to do. We'll see.

Since I've been back I've been running and working out like a crazy woman in hopes of maybe, possibly, we'll see running a half marathon in October. We'll see how that one plays out.

Today was a rather interesting day. It started out with my water bottle leaking in my purse (this is a trend...however, it did not result in an explosion of my telephone this time...shocking for me!). Then I forgot my scarf which was SOOO chilly walking to the fieldhouse. Then to cap off the day of amazingness, I got to file a police report about a stalkerish situation. FAB. I've had problems with this person in the past, but never dreamed I would have to file a police report for them physically following me, and potentially inflicing physical harm upon me and my co-workers. Scary times. Good thing my roommate is 6'7". My dad wanted me to get a tazor gun. I think that is a poor life decision for me. I'd probably tazor myself accidentally. The minivan will protect me for now.

School is going well, good classes which is sweet. Psychology of Sport might kick my butt though. I am also taking a few communication classes, but mostly Health and Sports Studies ones, which is fun. I like most of the people and teachers in the courses, so it should be a fun semester. Race Ethnicity and Sport, 20th century sport, Sport to 1900, Rhetoric of Public Advocacy, and Gender, sex, and Media are my school schedule. Followed up by 20 hours of work (hopefully soon to be a bit more) a week and I am a busy girl!

Sorry this post isn't very depthful, next one will be about my sweet stuff I'm doing at work. Maybe I'll get motivated and put up some pictures around the apartment finally. Miss you all so much! I got my computer back, still not 100% fixed, but I have skype back. Email me your usernames, or facebook them to me if I don't have them already.

<3<3<3
Amy

Sunday 11 January 2009

Ddddunzo!

It is 1235 am, and I just turned in my last essay. Shabouya. I am sad that my swansea time is now officially over though :( Good luck to all you with finals this week and next week! I will be thinking good thoughts your way. PS- Pals, could you FB me your email addresses? Thanks a ton dears. Miss you all! Plow through your finals so you can go have fun again. <3<3<3

Tuesday 6 January 2009

Spring Break Plans

Hopefully, if all goes as plans, the 16-20th of March, my best guy friend Allen and I are going to San Diego, CA to see Chantel (one of my best girlfriends). Plans are in the making for skydiving, parasailing, and maybe driving down to Mexico. I already am itching for an adventure :)

Christmas, New Years, Photoshoot for friend, and Moving

Christmas Tree and Dog




Hi guys! So sorry I've been MIA on here.

1). The holidays were fantastic. A year ago my grandma passed away. We always had a big Christmas Eve dinner and presents at their house. The next day we would have a large dinner again and do stockings at their house. Needless to say this Christmas was full of new traditions this year, which was really fun. Christmas Eve morning we had Christmas at my sister's apartment with my dad and a great breakfast, which was fun. We went to the candle light service at church which was gorgeous as usual. Christmas Eve, we had a buffet of hour de vours (umm...spelling on that?). I made Swedish meatballs, salami pickle roll ups, and mini pizzas. We also had mini bbq hotdogs, amazing dips and crackers, cocktail shrimps, and a million other things I can't remember. Yum. Staying in lines with our Scandinavian traditions (my mom is 50% Norweigan and 50% Swedish. Us kids are about 75% Scandinavian when you factor in my dad's genes), we had potato Lefse (they kind of look like tortillas except they are made out of potatoes. My grandparents told me they are traditionally eaten with sugar and butter on them, but that could just be them) and Krumkaker (pronounced Kroom.kah.kah with the accent on the Kroom). These are Scandinavian cookie like things that look kind of like waffle cones. My mom's is the best for numerous reasons: she uses whipping cream in them, and doesn't use cardamom in them. We made up a batch before Christmas Eve

Recipe



Step one with the batter on the Krumkaker Iron
CookRoll

Allow to cool


Christmas Day we had a traditional dinner. My sister and I pulled off making a standing, prime rib roast (best meat EVER) cooked enough to be safe but still really pink inside, green bean casserole, yorkshire pudding (my mom looked it up, wohoo!), green jello (jelly I suppose you call it) made with half water and half applesauce, more lefse, and a mound of mashed potatoes and gravy (mashed potatoes are my FAVORITE). After dinner my grandpa and I passed out for 3 hours in the living room with the fireplace on. We woke up and watched "A Christmas Story". British friends: if you have not seen this, watch it. Hilariousness.

My adorable Grandpa on Christmas Day


Dog trying to get food


Playing with his "Build your own Stonehenge..." He was a watchmaker for decades, so Stonehenge has always fascinated him.
New Years is interesting and you can ask me about that one...

2). I moved down to Iowa City this weekend. I only chilled with one roommate but he's fun. The apartment is coming together with the addition of a loveseat and some throws and some throw pillows around. We also have two fabulous recliners that are ridiculously comfortable. My room is a tornado (crazy...I know) because my dad has my bed, and until I get it I'm sleeping on a super comfy but GIGANTOR air mattress which takes up 3/4 of the bedroom so I can't organize. But the dad is coming with my bed this weekend and then I can start to play around with printing off things and hanging up stuff. Exciting!!!

3). While I was home, an old friend wanted to do a photoshoot to build up her photography portfolio. She is pretty awesome at what she does, and just got some new filters for her camera (which is AWESOME) so out we went. In a cocktail dress and heels. BRRRRR. It was 5 degrees farenheit that day. -15 C. Brrtown. But really fun. One of my best girlfriends was there as well, so it was a fun experience. She made me giggle.



I think that is all for now. This week is full of going back to work (I'll blog about that one later). They were awesome enough to make up a job for me, which is a huge project to be explained at a later date :) I am also finishing up papers for Swansea. I'm ready to start the new term and graduate in 5 months!!!

Miss all you British Pals. I'm looking into coming for the 2012 Olympics. But of course Rachel's wedding is first :)

<3<3Loves<3<3

Amy