off to Minnesota!

I'm leaving for Minnesota on the red-eye tomorrow night...so I think I'll take a blogging break. I'll miss it...but I'm sure I'll have much to report upon my return.

I'm a little sad to be leaving California, to be honest. It's starting to feel like home. I'm missing out on some activities " fun...and this whole merger deal. Plus, it's usually a little tough once I get back to California to accept that I live here. Minnesota is still "home," whether I accept that, or not. At least this time I have good friends to convince me I like it here.

Farewell, friends! Here's to the return of my Minnesotan accent!

MLB Ticket

They need to create such a thing. I would buy it " watch my Twins.
I've got another wager going on...the Twins face the Brewers in Milwaukee. Here's to more free beer for me!

Oops...just found out there's Extra Innings. I just don't think I can get it.

accent

i'm giving part of a global training over the phone at work, and all my coworkers can say about it is, "you have no minnesotan accent left in you."
it breaks my heart.
thank goodness i'm coming home for 12 days to build it back up. i'm counting on you to help me!

pop

i am enjoying my first pop in three weeks. i'm getting over the guilty feeling of giving up on this tremendous feat by consoling myself with the fact that i don't NEED it. i merely WANT it.

now i want Starbucks, too.

santa cruz

i love the beach.
and yesterday i went to the Mystery Spot...it's so wicked cool! all guests of mine will be encouraged to visit in the future.

’80’s day in HR!

karin (muffin), jeff (yoda), me, robyn, nancy, esperanza, dan
totally tubular!

california earthquakes

all this action, and i haven't felt a thing.
no worries, mates.

i made it!

Yesterday marked two weeks without pop or coffee. I am proud. And life really hasn't been that bad. I'm drinking a whole lot more water...but I think that's about the only benefit. I guess I feel better, too.
That whole giving up alcohol thing didn't last, though. I think it was about 7 hours. Did you notice the happy hour blog entry right after the "giving up" entry? Not good.
It was hard not to stop at Starbucks this morning, but I made it all the way to work...unfortunately, I'm cranky 'cause I really want a Starbucks. Resolution? Maybe tomorrow. I'm thinking maybe I get Starbucks on Fridays. Seems like a fair reward.

dougie

I get to see my Doug tonight!
The Mets are comin' to town, and I'm goin' to see 'em! Unfortunately, I can't find any of my "I DIG DOUG" goods, but I did break out my SuperFox jersey!

the Boys are back!

I'm goin' at lunch to pick up my CD.
(i listened to it...it's not all that great...but i'll give them time to grow on me)

blog

this blog has become more of a "kristie's thoughts on life" than a "california vs minnesota" thing. i think it's kinda fun, but let me add these comments to make myself feel better...
- bro-in-law bill was amazed that there are no bugs out here
- the grocery store i go to is called Albertsons, and sometimes i hit Safeway
- there are still stray cats everywhere
- the weather has become boring again - 80 " sunny every day. tonight i was talking to lercher " he brought up the tornado warnings. i got excited 'cause i miss that crazy weather.
- i still find it amazing that i live in California
- this whole MBA thing is also makin' a big commitment to CA. it takes a few years to get through it.
- back to the weather - i didn't go outside today 'cause i know there will be several more beautiful, sunny days to come. sounds pretty local to me.

new goal

i have a new goal in life.
i want a clerk at the grocery store to recognize me. that means i've been at the grocery store enough for someone to realize it, which feels like a good thing.
i will let you know as soon as it happens!
(of course, now that i've set this goal, i will be overly friendly to every clerk i meet to try to get them to remember me)

Nephews visit!

we had a GREAT weekend. we're all completely exhausted from our nonstop activities, but we had a good time. the boys saw the ocean for the first time, we rode some great rides at Great America, got to see Alcatraz, and swam in the hotel pool. i miss 'em, but am a little thankful for this break.

i’m a grad student!

wa-hoo! i've been accepted to San Jose State U's MBA program for this fall. it ain't the best program in the area, but it's cheap " good enough. i just want an MBA. and i'm in without having to take any prerequisites. that rules.
i'm goin' to grad school!!!

visitors!

My sister " her family get into town today, and I am so excited I can barely stand it. We're going to Great America, the Santa Cruz boardwalk, Alcatraz, and swimmin' at the hotel. Best of all, I get to hang out with my two nephews!!! They're so fun. AJ, the 3 year old, told his day care yesterday that he FINALLY gets to go see his Auntie Kristie in California. SO CUTE!
I love my family.

5 years!

I hit 5 years at my company last Saturday, and totally missed out on celebrating. That's crazy! I never miss a reason to celebrate.
Guess I'll make up for it for the next month...

Giants game!

I got some sweet seats from the parents of one of my girls for the game last night...it was awesome! The fans kinda suck 'cause they're all stuffy " businessy, but I still clapped " sang along with the organ player. The Giants got creamed, too, but I'm not really a fan, so it was ok. Yay, outdoor baseball!

season

my team frickin' rocks! we ended the season by taking first place in the silver bracket of a HUGE tournament. they played AMAZINGLY well today. i even teared up i was so proud.
and then they got me a volleyball they all signed " a big ol' gift certificate to the mall.
i'm going to miss this part of my life, but i sure am excited to have weekends off.

dinner

i bought a few frozen dinners last time i was at the store, and have found them quite enjoyable. an almost satisfying meal. unfortunately, i feel like an old, lonely man eating them.

reality tv

Reality TV is making a comeback in my life.
Hit Me Baby One More Time is absolutely freakin' brilliant.
Strip Search is also at the top of my list.
Well worth your while, both of them.

happy hours!

i'm setting up happy hours again! i feel like i've finally arrived, and am settling in. i have people to invite over for bbq's, people to invite to happy hours, friends to call last minute to meet me out for a drink, volleyball teams to play on...

getting to organize events brings me that much closer to calling this home.

drugs

i'm going to give up alcohol, coffee " pop for two weeks.
that's right, i called it pop.
mainly, i'm feelin' wicked unhealthy lately, and it may be caused by overdose. it's worth a shot to see how i feel after two weeks. plus, i should cleanse my system before my MN trip.