It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood

It's only been five days since my last blog, but I've got a whole new outlook on life. I have joined the ranks of the employed. (JenY does jig on coffee table) I just found out this morning that I get to pack up and leave everything I've ever known. Bring on the moving truck! I'm ready for the challenge!

I'm sad to leave behind my friends, but I'm ready for a new stage in life. I've decided there's no better place than California. Sun, sun, and more sun...and none of this snow nonsense. So that's my really big news. I've decided that this job was totally worth the unemployment, and all the arguments and stress. Ask me again in three months if I have the same opinion.

As a counterpoint to the excitement of the new job, I'm fighting a losing battle against some sort of sickness. I tried to blame it on MS, but I don't think it's her fault. I think it's a combination of flying, and then a very long, but very entertaining night out on the town.

Rednic and I started our Friday night at the Melting Pot. Delicious, but a little spendy for me. We caught up on our girl talk for the week. Then we wandered down to the Local, which is where we always seem to wander when we're downtown. There we encountered Neil. He was an interesting sort. A mortgager, so he and Rednic talked financial for a bit. We also met Neil's friends, two of whom were married, but apparently ignorant of their wives.

After leaving the Local, Rednic and I ventured into our favorite downtown establishment. Our bartender Mark wasn't working, but we managed to get his phone number and call him up. Then we met Oliver and Paul, two Australian guys. Or, as I referred to them, Commonwealthians. They were a lot of fun, and we somehow ended up staying at the bar much later than we'd intended, but it was super fun. The next time I'm in Melbourne, I'll know someone.

I spent Saturday and Sunday laying around, which is how I started today. But now I have twenty million things to do in two weeks. It's going to be interesting. Peace out.

JenY has left the building

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day

I’d be safe and warm
If I was in l.a.
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees
And I pretend to prayI pretend to pray

You know the preacher likes the cold
He knows I’m gonna stay
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day

All the leaves are brown
And the sky is grey
I’ve been for a walk
On a winter’s day

If I didn’t tell her
I could leave today
California dreamin’
On such a winter’s day
California dreaming’
On such a winter’s day

I get to leave tomorrow! Hooray for free trips to warm destinations! I've just gotten off the phone with my contact in California, and it sounds like I have a busy couple of days ahead of me, but I'm very excited.

In preparation for the jaunt, I had to run some errands and go to the bank. I was over by Har-Mar, so I just went to the bank there, instead of going to my usual branch. As soon as I walked in the door, I remembered why I don't like the Har-Mar branch. There were twelve people in line for the tellers (I counted!), three employees on the telephone, fourteen other employees (most of them discussing their lunch plans, even though it was 10:30am) and two tellers. It took a good 30 minutes for me to get out of the bank. It's a good thing I wasn't in a hurry. I'd feel bad for anyone who had someplace to be.

Well, I still have to pack and decide what I'm going to wear. I'd better get busy. Hee hee. Get busy. Then I have to go to broomball, but I'm not playing tonight. I don't want to risk injury.

I had the best weekend ever. Mom and DadY took me to watch hockey (always a favorite Yfamily activity), and RedNic came down on Saturday. She ended up staying over, and it was so fun. I can't remember the last time I had a "sleepover" at my parents house. Miss School Teacher came down too, and we went out on the town on Saturday night. Good fun was had by all.

On my way home yesterday, I was driving along, exceeding the speed limit just a little. I was in the left lane because I was driving faster than the traffic in the right lane, and there was a car in front of me (from Wisconsin) that wouldn't move over so I could go around. I was getting slightly annoyed that they wouldn't move over, until we happened upon a State Trooper. I was smart, slowed down, and got back in the right lane. (Seems like common sense, right?) The State Trooper pulled over the Wisconsinite. Ahh. It's small and petty of me to take pleasure in someone else's misfortune, but well, sometimes I'm small and petty.

I'm deciding on outfits for my trip to California. I think tomorrow I'm going to take a fashion poll, and let people vote on what they think I should wear. Then I'm going to pack. I've decided I'm not playing broomball tomorrow night. I don't want to risk injury, and as I'm still bruised from last week, I'm going to play it safe.

I'm updating my ipod so I have lots of good music for the plane trip. At least on this trip, I don't have to take the redeye home, and I get to fly through Phoenix. A different airport. Joy.

Well, that's all for today. Stay tuned for tomorrow's exciting installment.

I think even hell has frozen over today...Brr!

Oy! It is cold today! It's so cold, I've gotten out my long underwear. You know it's cold when JenY sacrifices fashion for comfort.

I'm headed home to see Mom and DadY. Secretly, I think they wanted a dogsitter, and use of the car. If they take my car, I'm stuck there watching the dog. Ingenious.

Natpot's roommate Katie the Kook (that's kook, rhymes with cook, not kook, rhymes with duke) made the most delicious chicken piccata. Yummy! We also uncovered a vast conspiracy. We think boys perhaps bug the stuffed animals they buy girls for Valentine's Day, and then listen while the girls talk about it. Natpot's appeared harmless, but you can't be too careful.

Well, I've got errands to run, and a hot lunch date. Stay warm!

Skating bears, pretty flowers, and hot cowboys...sounds like a party at RedNic's

Well, I've got a lovely bruised right hand today, thanks to a monster fall at broomball last night. At least we won the game.

Super Sarah and I saw Brokeback Mountain last night. It was excellent. I managed to not cry, but Super Sarah teared up twice. It was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time.

After the movie, we watched the Prettiest Little Flower in the pond. He's quite possibly the most fun figure skater ever. Anyone who is attempting to buck the "US Figure Skating Establishment" should get a prize. And, he had a really fun swan costume on last night.

So I was watching the US Men's hockey team play Latvia this afternoon. I've decided this is my favorite part of being unemployed. I can watch Olympic hockey games live. The World Cup of hockey is being held in Latvia next year, and my commentator friends at USA tell me that the opening ceremonies will include skating bears. I like a good bear as much as the next person, but won't somebody please think of the bears?. Skating bears...what will they think of next?

I'm headed over to Natpot's for dinner tonight. Katie (the new roommate, who unfortunately doesn't yet have a blog handle) is cooking. I'm pretty excited. Details tomorrow. Now I've got to get moving...

Today is a beautiful day

Today is a great day. Not because it's Valentine's Day...but because I get to go to California, again! Next week! Hooray for getting out of Minnesota in February! It's 75 and sunny in California, and it is neither 75, nor sunny outside my window. It's warm and cheery inside, mainly because I'm on Cloud Nine, and am bouncing off the walls. It's a good thing no one is here, or they might feel the need to slap me.

I am excited that I have a date this afternoon. Super Sarah is going to see Brokeback Mountain with me. I've wanted to see it, but no one except Super Sarah wanted to go. We're going to the Heights theater, just down the street. I haven't been to the Heights Theater in years. So I'm excited about that. What better way for a single girl to spend Valentine's Day than seeing a movie about gay cowboys?

After the movie portion of the afternoon, I believe I'm cooking dinner. Exactly what I'm going to make remains to be seen. Then we've got broomball, and I'm thinking about wearing my special heart pants that MS got for me last year. It is Valentine's Day. In fact, I'm going to go put them on now. Ooh, silky.

DadY called a while ago. He's also very excited about the trip to California. MomY tells me there was some victory dancing last night. But the reason he called, he wanted to know if I would be home doing laundry over the weekend so he could use my car. LOL. He and MomY are off to Sioux Falls ( I didn't ask why) and he wanted to take a car. So I'd get to tool around in the big F150, crushing everything on the road smaller than a tank. Awesome. I also think that's the first time in the history of the world that a father has asked to borrow his kid's car.

And so I wish all of you a very happy day! It's a good day to be JenY, and a terrific day to be alive!

It was a very early Sunday morning. I was awakened at 6:21 am- according to my clock, when bethmania's phone rang. I assume it woke her up as well...since I could hear it across the apartment. So then I was awake, and the neighbors started watching the Olympics at 7, so then I just got up and went to the grocery store. It was quiet, so I think I'm going to do all my shopping at 8am on Sunday mornings. Or not.

I mastered the Sunday crossword puzzles, and am trying to kill some time before the usual Sunday night gathering at Miss School Teacher's. I think Mom and Dad School Teacher will be putting in an appearance, so it will be a good time. I'm really anxious to see what happens on Grey's Anatomy tonight. I'm pretty sure Meredith isn't going to blow up, but I'm curious as to how she's going to get her hand out of the body. I'm also uber excited for the return of Agent Hottie of the bomb squad.

So that's my story for the day. I'm watching cross country skiing, which is really not all that exciting, but the commentators are getting really excited about it, so I continue to watch. It's the vicious, neverending cycle that is the Olympics.

Let the Olympics begin!

Miss School Teacher and the Naughty Nurse hosted dinner last night. Parmesan chicken. Yummy. Then Miss School Teacher took me to see her classroom, as I had not previously seen it. Very cool, and took me back to the days I was in fifth grade. I did not like my fifth grade teacher, and our classroom was not nearly as well decorated as Miss School Teacher's.

After dinner, we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics. Unlike some of the Olympic haters (Chele!), I love watching the Olympics. I'm especially excited about hockey! And about skiing- skiers=hot. Jeremy Bloom is my winter sport boyfriend. And, even though it's dorky and very Minnesotan, I'm going to watch curling. I can't tear myself away from it. Normally, I would never watch curling, skiing, speed skating, or bobsledding...but it's the Olympics, and I'm addicted. You can add the Olympics to Mountain Dew, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, flannel sheets, college basketball, knitting, and Tony Reali- things I'm currently addicted to.

One of my favorite parts of the Olympics is that I get to hear so many other national anthems. "O Canada" is a personal favorite, as well as "God Save the Queen"

Today is pretty low key. I've been looking at grad schools and watching basketball. My Golden Gophers look like they're going to pull one out today against Michigan State. Today is also the day all the coaches are wearing sneakers with their suits in support for Coaches against Cancer. I think that's uber awesome. Who cares if it looks stupid? It's a good cause.

Ok- I'm off to the grocery store, and then I'll see where the day takes me. I love Saturdays.

Happy Birthday to the Naughty Nurse! I do love a good birthday, and I'm excited for birthday dinner and cake!

I made a decision yesterday. A fairly monumental one, as decisions in my life go. I'm going to go back to school. My goal for today is to look at some schools and decide what I'm looking for and where I might want to go. I'm pretty sure I want to get out of Minnesota. I need a change of scene. MomY suggested somewhere warm, but I think that was for her benefit as much as mine. I'm thinking big city.

On the advice of PAWS (I don't like that name either...I think she's going to be Super Sarah), I've started to read Sammy's Hill. Super Sarah claims it's a book about me, and after reading the first few pages, I'm inclined to agree. Kristen Gore must have some sort of spy cam in my brain. LOL. I highly recommend the book. It's quite possibly the funniest thing ever.

So that's my agenda for the day. Bethmania has gone to visit the Maniacs in Milwaukee, so it's pretty quiet here. Just me, my laptop, and my spiral macaroni for the afternoon. Life is good.

Grammy Fever...

I had a delicious dinner last night, courtesy of Bethmania's Casa de Enchiladas. Yummy. She also "baked" some delicious cookies, of which I have eaten two already this morning. Peanut butter cup. I see that there is still one more, so I'm going to go eat it.

Ok, also watched the Grammys last night. PAWS, Bethmania and I had a little pool riding on some of the winners. The loser (Bethmania) has to wash PAWS dishes the next time she hosts dinner. As PAWS hates doing dishes more than anything else, she was pretty excited. Next up, the mighty Oscars. Anyone else wants to get in on the picking fun, let me know.

My favorite part of the Grammys last night was Kanye West and Jamie Foxx's marching band halftime show. Hilarious! Whoever dreamed up that idea should get a medal. Kanye and Jamie should also get medals for dancing around in those uniforms.

I also really liked the Linkin Park/Jay-Z/ Paul McCartney performance. Never in my life did I think I would see Jay-Z on stage with Paul McCartney doing a Beatles song. It was amazing. But I think the Grammys have reached the point that people only watch to see what singers they've paired up. Madonna and the Gorillas, and a guy from LFO paying tribute to Sly Stone? Hmm. If we hadn't had the bet going, I wouldn't have cared about the winners at all. And Kelly Clarkson won two grammys? I take all of this as furthur proof that the Grammys are no longer "real" awards.

Since I cleaned yesterday, I guess I can't use that as an excuse not to find a job today. At least I have a good episode of CSI to look forward to tonight. It's the return of Lady Heather! Hope everyone has a happy Thursday!

A day of discovery

I managed not to fall down at broomball for the second week in a row. That's a rather large accomplishment for someone as graceless as me. I consider it especially large, because no one was skating on the ice before we got on it, so it was extra slippery. On a side note, we won (again!) Bethmania even scored a goal. And we had a cheering section with LAMINATED signs. Awesome.

After last night's victory, I was feeling brave this morning, and cleaned out under the kitchen sink. I don't believe I've done that in a really long time. I found approximately 2 million paper grocery bags, 3 million plastic grocery bags, a pair of rubber gloves, a roll of paper towels, and a bottle of Sparkling Grape Juice. I have no idea where the grape juice came from, and can only assume it's a remnant of KenBecky. I'm thinking about saving it for her wedding. I'm sure she'll love it.

Bethmania is making enchiladas tonight for our weekly dinner. I'm pretty excited about it. I always enjoy someone cooking for me, and I look forward to having people over. Even though I have to tidy up. Our little dinner party group has flourished, despite one member attempting to welsh out of her week to cook and instituting a dish quota.

Well, I think that's it for now. I'm listening to Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits, and wondering where and when she went so wrong.

Happy Tuesday everyone! It's before noon, and I'm blogging. I consider that progress. I've actually been up for quite a while, busily writing letters and addressing envelopes. I've even read the news this morning.

This is awesome. Good for her. Not that wrestling is a particularly favorite sport of mine, but it's definitely a male dominated sport, and I always like to see girls beat boys at their own game.


My horoscope this morning:
Someone headed for danger won't be cautious -- and you may pay the price. Beware.

That's not boding real well for my broomball game later. I don't want to be gored, sticked, slashed, hooked, poked or injured. Yikes! I think it's going to be an interesting game. I've been studying my play book, and I've almost memorized our signature play, "The Annexation of Puerto Rico"

I have to go to the Post Office and Office Max today. It's going to be an exciting day, I can feel it already. (Sarcastic laugh here...)

I had a fantastic Saturday night- RedNic and Miss School Teacher and I went to the grocery store, where there was lots of fun to be had in the produce aisle. I was in charge of pushing the cart, and RedNic was in charge of running to get all the things on the list that we'd forgotten. The Velveeta cheese threw her for a loop, because it wasn't in the refrigerator. Silly girl. Velveeta isn't real cheese...why should it need to be cold? It's like ketchup. You can keep it in the cupboard until you open it.

We decided on a burgers and chips and all that sort of junk food for our all female Super Commercial party. (Note to self- remember to take meat, ketchup, and brownies) Yummy.

After the jaunt to the grocery store, we watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants with the Naughty Nurse, who needed a good chick flick/girl night to cheer her up. I managed to make it all the way through the movie without crying, which is a first for me, but Naughty Nurse and Miss School Teacher cried. RedNic fell asleep.

I had the strangest dream last night. Normally, I dream in color and sound, and I can remember most of the dream, but what stood out last night was the smell. I was dreaming about a certain boy on television, and we were on a date (I said it was a dream...) and I could smell him. He smelled fantastic, and it was all I could do not to jump in the restaurant. Anyway, I woke up with a smile on my face, but that's the first time I think I've ever smelled a dream. Live and learn.

I've got brownies to make and a crossword puzzle that isn't going to do itself. Then I've got a
P-A-R-T-Y to go to. Auf Wiedersehen!

I am a lazy bum, and I like it

Is there anything better than a Saturday? A really lazy Saturday?

I went on a terrific date last night. My only complaint is that Rednic doesn't seem to think I am important, and wore sweats. Oh well- she paid, so I'm not complaining too loudly.

We went to see Something New. It was cute, and if I ever get a house, I'm hiring a landscaper who looks like this. Yum yum.

All in all, a good quality evening. Rednic even sprung for a snack before the movie, so we went to the Marketplace at Marshall Fields, and I had the most delicious Asian chicken pasta salad. It had bits of wontons, and mandarin oranges, and general goodness.

So I'm just bumming around today watching basketball, and being lazy. Ahh. Thinking about making brownies for Miss School Teacher's Super Bowl Bash tomorrow. Brownies...ahh. The couch is calling my name, and I do hate to disappoint, so I'd better go.

Sleep, that elusive dream

I think it's official. I've become an insomniac. I've been awake for 23 hours of every day this week. I don't think I would have missed much had I spent some of the time sleeping. I'm just not tired. Ever. At least not tired enough to fall asleep for longer than an hour.

Happy belated Groundhog day. The groundhog is my second favorite burrowing mammal. It would be my favorite, because Groundhog Day is such an awesome movie, but the dancing gopher from Caddyshack is really the winner here. I like to think we all have a little bit of that gopher inside of us. This is what I come up with at three in the morning...

Bethmania and I are addicted to Dancing with the Stars. It's very sad, but it's pretty much the most entertaining thing ever. I like Drew Lachey, because he's got some mad pelvic skills, but Bethmania likes Jerry Rice. I voted ten times last night...on my phone, and then twice on email. I can't help it. My name is JenY, and I'm a ballroom dancing addict.

It's Super Bowl weekend. I have plans! That I made in advance! Is it sad that I'm more excited about the commercials and the entertainment than the game itself? I just have no attachment to either of the teams playing this year. Not that I ever do, but I'm especially ambivalent this year.

Well, I have a job to find. Until 4pm, when I allow myself to turn on the television and watch him. Ahh.

Yes, you can say it, you're all thinking it. I need to get out more. I am well aware of that. Hope everyone out there has a lovely Friday.

I am happy to report that the Rec Sports Rockets were victorious in our first broomball game last night. We tried to run my new favorite play, the Annexation of Puerto Rico, but it proved to be a little complicated for a bunch of broomball novices. Also too complicated- taking my camera out of my purse to take pictures with it. Maybe I'll remember next week.

I am also happy to report that I am the hot lunch date of the week. After DadY yesterday, RedNic called me up to invite me to Eagan for pizza, breadsticks, and the Tyra Banks show. Delicious. So now I'm back at home, full, for the second day in a row. Anyone want to invite me to lunch tomorrow?

I've got a couple of hot job prospects to look at this afternoon, so I'd better get to it, since my morning was about as unproductive as possible.