home (for now)

I cannot wait til I can post from Switzerland.
I just spent the last week and a half in Minneapolis, spending time with my wonderful boyfriend. It was the nicest trip. I was only supposed to stay for a week, but Dan convinced me to stay a few extra days...and it was worth it. We traveled to Wittenberg, WI to visit his grandparents, and his sister came back to Minneapolis with us. Dan's grandparents live on almost 200 acres (I think), and have gardens, and a Christmas tree farm, and make maple syrup. I ate some amazing food, like homegrown corn & potatoes, steak on the grill, homemade apple sauce from their own apple tree... And I got a pint of maple syrup from the last batch - no sugaring next year. Upon returning to the cities, we showed Laura our Minneapolis; why we love it so much. All we did in the extra time I spent there was move Dan from his campus apartment to a house in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. It was such a nice "vacation" and the more time I spend with Dan, the more I like him. I think that is a good sign.
Anyway.
Only 17 days before I leave... unbelievable. I almost do not believe I am leaving, but I think I am preparing for it (mentally... do not ask to see my bedroom).
Here are some pictures from Minneapolis & Wittenberg.

cider at Brit's

Dan


the river behind Dan's grandparents house


Dan and Laura


by the sugaring sheds

It really was such a nice time. But I feel a little suspended... I am halfway ready to go. It will come soon enough. This weekend: saying goodbye to the grandparents. Next weekend: wedding, saying goodbye to Minneapolis friends. Following weekend: Switzerland!

it really is the little things

I was at the movies tonight, and there was a firefly in the theater.

It was so lovely.

America, America.

39 days left.

Cannot believe it. When I started my little countdown widget in my dashboard, it was over a hundred days away. Eeeep!

My last day of work is on Friday. After that, a month of packing, squeezing time in with friends, a little house-sitting, and enjoying America and all its America-ness.

I have a tendency to forget about the present, because I get so excited about what is going to come. Something I constantly recognize, rarely correct. I suppose it is true of a lot of people. So right now, I am trying to soak up every day, and I have a lot I want to do before I go - baseball game and eat a hot dog and cotton candy (go Cubs!), go to the Warren Dunes (next Tuesday - yippee!), visit my grandparents one last time, and spend every second possible with Dan.

Oh! I got a camera! It is a Canon Rebel XT, and I like it a lot. I wish the LCD screen was a little bigger... but whatever, I got an awesome deal on it. Here are some pictures I have taken so far.

I love my grandparents, and the 4th of July. Well, that is it for now.... I will try to post lots on my mini-adventures before my departure. Oh! And one more thing - I will be running the Paris Marathon, April 5, 2009. I am excited, and nervous. Ok, that really is all for now.