That's what I'm hoping for anyway. At the beginning of last month, I termed it "May Mayhem". It was an incredibly busy month for us, but we survived and had fun in the process, so here are all the things that made up our month:
1) Finished the semester. I finished up TAing a class called Politics and Society at the U of M, so a good week of May was filled with grading exams and papers.
2) Interviewed for an Assistant Professor position. Will and I went to Ohio where I interviewed for a Sociologist position at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. The school is about 45 minutes outside of Columbus and we had a great time visiting! We met with faculty, students, and administration and all were very welcoming. One of my undergraduate professors from SPU moved out there a few years ago, so it was fun to see Dr. Caddell and his family again! I also gave a lecture for the students, and interviewed with a variety of people. I think they liked us because they offered us the job! Will and I liked the area, it is a great opportunity for myself and there also appear to be exciting job opportunities for Will there as well, so we accepted the position and will be moving to Mount Vernon Ohio in the Fall of 2011. The flight from Minneapolis is direct and really short, so it is easy to visit (hint, hint):) The town is about 16,000 and has great old architecture, a town square, and another college only two minutes away (Kenyon College). There is an Amish presence in the area and the scenery is pretty similar to Minnesota- farmland, rivers, small rolling hills, etc. Columbus was a fun city to visit (probably where most of our shopping, seeing shows, trying new restaurants, etc. will take place), and we are really looking forward to being within a day's drive of a number of cities we've never been to (Pittsburg, Philly, DC, New York, and many more).
3) Stephen's Wedding: My brother got married in Chicago and we had a great time in Chicago (see previous post)! It is such a unique time in our lives, as our families continue to grow! We gained a new sister Mary and niece Lily last summer, a new sister Kirstin this summer, and a new nephew just a few days ago named Finn. It is so exciting!
4) Camping at Afton State Park: For Memorial day, we went with friends camping at a nearby state park (see previous post). Great way to start the summer.
5) Defended my dissertation proposal: This was technically in June (4th), but much of my time in May was spent working on it, so it definitely contributed to the May Mayhem. I passed, so now I am working on getting my project up and running!
So now we have made it to June. Things are settling into a bit of a summer rhythm, so that is nice. We have a lot to look forward to this summer. Will's clients will be out of school so he will hopefully be able to work fewer nights, and I will be teaching a course at the U of M, which is starting this week. We hope to take in a lot of concerts, festivals, World Cup games in the next couple of months, and hopefully get up to the North shore soon! We also have a 10K on the calendar for July and a 10 mile run for September- I figure if I put it on the blog, we have to do it!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
MN/OH Countdown
I have writer's block. Perhaps because I (Will) haven't blogged in too long. Or because it's hard to put into words all that this will mean for our next year(s). Either way, we're moving to Ohio.
While the thought of leaving is bittersweet, we will have some time to begin a MN/Twin Cities bucketlist before next fall (2011).
But we're also pretty excited for what's to come.
the job
hopefully still true in 2011
proximity to the eastern seaboard
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
On Holiday...
What better way to usher in the summer than a camping trip with friends? Will and I joined four of our friends camping at Afton State Park for the Memorial Day weekend. We had perfect weather, good food, lots of laughs, an indominable campfire (it survived through 2 hours of rain), lots of dogs (4!), and NO BUGS.
Afton isn't too far out of the city, so it was a really short trip to get out there. It lies along the St. Croix River, so it is a mix of river bluffs and prairie land. The campsite is up on the top of a bluff, so you have to hike with all of your gear up a pretty steep hill (in near 90 degree heat)- needless to say, we avoided hiking that hill unless necessary the rest of the weekend:) We did do other hikes though, and got in a little swimming. Buckley, our friends' 6 month old puppy learned how to swim, which was pretty hilarious. He was not so sure about it at first...
We were a little worried about Mosby in the tent because he tends to bark if he gets startled by a noise. Since the tent is not exactly soundproof, this could have been a problem at night, but he did great! He tried a few times to push his nose against the zipper of the tent because he knew that was where to get out, but he settled in eventually (and the second night he was fine). This was a huge relief because we love to camp in the summers, so now we don't have to figure out what to do with the dog whenever we go.
It really does feel like summer now. The days are consistently in the 70's and 80's, thunderstorms are making their way through occassionally, and you basically couldn't pay people to stay inside (us included). Much like Seattle, when you survive so many months of winter (although this year's wasn't too bad), summer makes it all worth it; this is why we live here and don't give in to the urge to move the entire state a few thousand miles south. Camping was a great way to start out the season and we are hoping to have a number of other trips before this wonderful season starts to give way to the Alberta Clippers and windchills. Below are some pics.
Until next time,
Kirsten
Afton isn't too far out of the city, so it was a really short trip to get out there. It lies along the St. Croix River, so it is a mix of river bluffs and prairie land. The campsite is up on the top of a bluff, so you have to hike with all of your gear up a pretty steep hill (in near 90 degree heat)- needless to say, we avoided hiking that hill unless necessary the rest of the weekend:) We did do other hikes though, and got in a little swimming. Buckley, our friends' 6 month old puppy learned how to swim, which was pretty hilarious. He was not so sure about it at first...
We were a little worried about Mosby in the tent because he tends to bark if he gets startled by a noise. Since the tent is not exactly soundproof, this could have been a problem at night, but he did great! He tried a few times to push his nose against the zipper of the tent because he knew that was where to get out, but he settled in eventually (and the second night he was fine). This was a huge relief because we love to camp in the summers, so now we don't have to figure out what to do with the dog whenever we go.
It really does feel like summer now. The days are consistently in the 70's and 80's, thunderstorms are making their way through occassionally, and you basically couldn't pay people to stay inside (us included). Much like Seattle, when you survive so many months of winter (although this year's wasn't too bad), summer makes it all worth it; this is why we live here and don't give in to the urge to move the entire state a few thousand miles south. Camping was a great way to start out the season and we are hoping to have a number of other trips before this wonderful season starts to give way to the Alberta Clippers and windchills. Below are some pics.
Until next time,
Kirsten
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Sister of the Groom
My brother, Stephen, got married this weekend! That's right, he is now the proud husband to Kirstin Bengtson (yes, there can never be too many Kirsti/en Bengtsons in this world:). It was a beautiful weekend celebrating Kirstin and Stephen. We got to see cousins/aunts/uncles from all over the country (and Canada), and we only wish it could have been longer. It is so wonderful to be able to see everyone and catch up. The weekend began with Chicago style pizza, which has been a family tradition (for both of our families) for years. The wedding day involved the gorgeous ceremony at North Park Covenant (where generations of each of our families have attended college and seminary) and reception at an Italian restaurant. Needless to say we ate a lot:)
In light of my last post, I suppose when your little brother gets married, it means you are an adult, right? Congrats Stephen and Kirstin, we love you!!!
In light of my last post, I suppose when your little brother gets married, it means you are an adult, right? Congrats Stephen and Kirstin, we love you!!!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Adult?
Okay, so we don't have any fun new pictures, but I'm sure we will have a lot after Stephen's wedding this weekend. I don't want you to give up on our blog due to lack of posts, so I will have to get creative and think of something interesting (even though we all know pictures are the most fun).
I was giving a guest lecture the other day on the transition to adulthood (my research area) and one of the students asked me if I thought I was an adult. Despite working in this area for years, I hadn't thought about it lately. I realized that over the last year, I have started to feel more like an adult. So here are some signs that I'm approaching adulthood:
1) I like routine. Yes, it's true. I now like having a schedule, where I know what I have each day. I also dream of not moving every few years.
2) Going out on Friday nights is laughable. Saturdays, sure! Fridays I just want to crash on the couch and watch a movie after a long week. By Fridays, we have trouble even staying awake through a movie, even if we go to a theater! If we do muster up the energy for Friday night, then Saturday night=home. Don't get me wrong, we always enjoy ourselves seeing friends, whatever the night, the week just takes it out of us now.
3) I feel emotions much more deeply. I don't know if it's because I can relate to experiences more (now that I've had a little more life experience), or if it's because I roomed with Michelle in college who taught me it was okay to cry, but I just feel others' pain and joy a lot more lately. Seriously, put on Extreme home makeover or read a blog about God's love, a parent's love, or about someone who gives to others, and hello waterworks!
4) I like to cook. I think learning to cook from scratch was the key. I love fresh ingredients. There is also such a sense of accomplishment when you are done.
5) I feel like my students are really young. Hearing that they were in elementary school when a song or a movie came out that you remember from COLLEGE, makes you feel old.
6) My parents are some of my favorite people in the world to hang out with. They are incredible and am realizing I took their incredibleness a little for granted as a kid, and want to soak as much of it up as I can now. While some people may experience a littel disillusionment when they realize that their parents are human, the more I learn about them as people, the more I am amazed by them. I think our relationship is becoming more of a two way street and I hope I can be there for them as they have been there for me.
8) I love civic events. Pretty much anything free or educational that the city offers, I am down! This is a far cry from the cable-loving adolecent I once was. I also so wish I would have taken advantage of all of the great lectures SPU and the U of M had to offer!
9) We (Will and I) feel a strong desire to be vital parts of our community. Serving and giving back is really important to us. We feel that we have been so blessed by incredible role models that we want to give back and be that for others.
Okay, so these are just a few. I promise, pictures will be coming soon from the wedding!
Until next time,
Kirsten
I was giving a guest lecture the other day on the transition to adulthood (my research area) and one of the students asked me if I thought I was an adult. Despite working in this area for years, I hadn't thought about it lately. I realized that over the last year, I have started to feel more like an adult. So here are some signs that I'm approaching adulthood:
1) I like routine. Yes, it's true. I now like having a schedule, where I know what I have each day. I also dream of not moving every few years.
2) Going out on Friday nights is laughable. Saturdays, sure! Fridays I just want to crash on the couch and watch a movie after a long week. By Fridays, we have trouble even staying awake through a movie, even if we go to a theater! If we do muster up the energy for Friday night, then Saturday night=home. Don't get me wrong, we always enjoy ourselves seeing friends, whatever the night, the week just takes it out of us now.
3) I feel emotions much more deeply. I don't know if it's because I can relate to experiences more (now that I've had a little more life experience), or if it's because I roomed with Michelle in college who taught me it was okay to cry, but I just feel others' pain and joy a lot more lately. Seriously, put on Extreme home makeover or read a blog about God's love, a parent's love, or about someone who gives to others, and hello waterworks!
4) I like to cook. I think learning to cook from scratch was the key. I love fresh ingredients. There is also such a sense of accomplishment when you are done.
5) I feel like my students are really young. Hearing that they were in elementary school when a song or a movie came out that you remember from COLLEGE, makes you feel old.
6) My parents are some of my favorite people in the world to hang out with. They are incredible and am realizing I took their incredibleness a little for granted as a kid, and want to soak as much of it up as I can now. While some people may experience a littel disillusionment when they realize that their parents are human, the more I learn about them as people, the more I am amazed by them. I think our relationship is becoming more of a two way street and I hope I can be there for them as they have been there for me.
8) I love civic events. Pretty much anything free or educational that the city offers, I am down! This is a far cry from the cable-loving adolecent I once was. I also so wish I would have taken advantage of all of the great lectures SPU and the U of M had to offer!
9) We (Will and I) feel a strong desire to be vital parts of our community. Serving and giving back is really important to us. We feel that we have been so blessed by incredible role models that we want to give back and be that for others.
Okay, so these are just a few. I promise, pictures will be coming soon from the wedding!
Until next time,
Kirsten
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
(S)Hot Dog
We have a dog of steel! Only in the life of Mosby, would this happen:
A couple of weekends ago, Mosby was playing outside (in the suburbs mind you, not out in the country) and followed some deer into the woods. He was gone for about 15 minutes, but he usually comes back eventually so we weren't too worried. When he did return, he was soaked and had a cut behind his ear. What adventures had he gone on? Did he go for a swim in a marsh? Cut his ear on a fence or get in a fight with one of the deer or another animal? Little did we know....
After a week, Will noticed that his ear wound wasn't really healing very well (it was underneath all of his fur so we couldn't really see the wound itself). He brought him into the vet and it turns out......HE WAS SHOT! Apparently, there was a bullet lodged in his neck all that time! It looks to be a bullet from a 22. Who shoots at dogs in the suburbs?!
You might wonder how we didn't notice this earlier. The actual place that the bullet went in did not bleed significantly (the part where the bullet grazed his ear was what bled more and even that was a very small amount), he didn't whine during the week, he didn't scratch at his ear or indicate that it was hurting him, and he had the same energy level and appetite as always. All I can figure is that it was barely under the skin and that it was in the scruff of his neck, so there is a lot of exra skin there. It totally fits Mosby's personality to be completely oblivious to the fact that he had a BULLET in his neck. We are so lucky it wasn't any more serious!
So he had a little surgury Monday to remove the bullet and put a tube in to drain the fluid. We have to pretty much stay home with him to make sure he doesn't scratch the tube out, because he refuses to wear the "cone of shame". We take him back to the vet on Friday to get it removed. I have attached some pictures below of the bullet, Mosby's new "do" and drain, and him on a walk earlier in the week, totally oblivious to his injury.
We love our pooch and are so glad he is okay!
Until next time,
Kirsten
A couple of weekends ago, Mosby was playing outside (in the suburbs mind you, not out in the country) and followed some deer into the woods. He was gone for about 15 minutes, but he usually comes back eventually so we weren't too worried. When he did return, he was soaked and had a cut behind his ear. What adventures had he gone on? Did he go for a swim in a marsh? Cut his ear on a fence or get in a fight with one of the deer or another animal? Little did we know....
After a week, Will noticed that his ear wound wasn't really healing very well (it was underneath all of his fur so we couldn't really see the wound itself). He brought him into the vet and it turns out......HE WAS SHOT! Apparently, there was a bullet lodged in his neck all that time! It looks to be a bullet from a 22. Who shoots at dogs in the suburbs?!
You might wonder how we didn't notice this earlier. The actual place that the bullet went in did not bleed significantly (the part where the bullet grazed his ear was what bled more and even that was a very small amount), he didn't whine during the week, he didn't scratch at his ear or indicate that it was hurting him, and he had the same energy level and appetite as always. All I can figure is that it was barely under the skin and that it was in the scruff of his neck, so there is a lot of exra skin there. It totally fits Mosby's personality to be completely oblivious to the fact that he had a BULLET in his neck. We are so lucky it wasn't any more serious!
So he had a little surgury Monday to remove the bullet and put a tube in to drain the fluid. We have to pretty much stay home with him to make sure he doesn't scratch the tube out, because he refuses to wear the "cone of shame". We take him back to the vet on Friday to get it removed. I have attached some pictures below of the bullet, Mosby's new "do" and drain, and him on a walk earlier in the week, totally oblivious to his injury.
We love our pooch and are so glad he is okay!
Until next time,
Kirsten
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