a View from Saint Paul

I've definitely become like everyone else regarding the major lack of blogging. Not sure why that's happened...its not for lack of material. I've thought about writing restaurant reviews of places I've been recently. I could write about work and how i'm getting shafted there. I could have written about how excited i was that Henry was coming here to see me or how sad i've been since he's left. I think i just haven't had the motivation to write anything....i'm not even journaling anymore. Sometimes it just feels like too much pressure to write...especially in this public format where there is this unwritten requirement to be witty or profound or deep or inventive. I haven't felt any of those things. But I'm getting tired of the peacock post (not that i don't LOVE Lance chasing around that poor bird)so here's some new pictures.

Henry always takes a ton of pictures. I think its his Japanese genes coming out. While he was here, he took quite a few....mostly of all the green! He was confused by all of the green and the fresh air here in MN. Anyway, here are some of the pictures from his visit to St. Paul. I love that he's taking pictures of things I see everyday and would never photgraph...enjoy!


1st view of Saint Paul

I love these pictures from Mounds park...who else would take pictures of the tornado siren???




Going to the Metrodome



Inside the dome


Praying the Twins don't get killed by the worst team ever, the Nationals


After the Twins game


The IDS tower at night


Henry was soooo excited about White Castle


I was a little scared

Como Park Conservatory & Japanese Gardens







Mickey's Diner, a Saint Paul Landmark


Landmark Center &1st Bank Building

These are at Mears Park, right across the street from my apartment




A surprise kiss by the river

Long Awaited Peacock Post

A couple of weeks ago, Lance, Jean, Mom, and went to the Schell's Brewery tour. Now, sadly, the tour was LAME. VERY VERY LAME. But, for the low price of $2.00 we were able to play with peacocks, make fun of tour ladies, and get a little buzzed. The best $2.00 I've ever spent!!! And here is our day at Schell's.....

A happy peacock, minding his own business.


And along comes Lance.


This can't be good.


I'm gonna kick ya!


I'm not puttin' my tail up! Stop chasing me!!!


Do these turn you on Mr. Peacock???


I hate brewery tour assholes.


Well after successfully pissing off the Schell's peacock, it was time to go on the tour. The tour, however, was not good. We stood outside of the buildings and listened to the robotic tour guide talk about them. She didn't not appreciate our humor....not many people do. So we all decided to rebel against the tour and play in the coupln booth. My mom was supposed to be supervising us...does taking pictures of us misbehaving count as supervision?

Look out Jean!!!

I would like to buy another case of delicious Grainbelt Premium please!

Right about now is when the tour lady caught us.

And then the best part of the tour...



Look what I can do!!!


Budweiser, I'm sorry, but I had to...


It was a good day.

Summer Already????

Today the high was 74. 74 degrees! And to think that a few weeks ago we had the biggest snow fall of the season. Tomorrow its going to be 78! That's warmer than it is in California. It's only the 5th day of spring...or did we somehow skip spring and head straight into late May? Needless to say, I'm excited about this time of year and its light skirts and open toed shoes and strappy sandals. Is it bad that I'm already thinking about which pair of cute shoes to wear to work tomorrow?

Movin' on up!

I’m finally going to be moving. Moving out. Moving out of my mother’s house. Now don’t me wrong. I’ve enjoyed living at home. My mom and I get along very well. We make decent “house mates”. It’s nice not paying rent. Or paying for food. Or utilities. It’s nice…very nice. But at 25 (26 by the time I actually move out) it’s time to leave the nest again. I’m finally making a liveable wage, albeit a very limited liveable wage, and its time I work on supporting myself again.

After talking to Matt about wanting to move out soon but needing a roommate he said, “why don’t we live together?” Well huh. Why not? We are very good friends, get along great, and have opposite work schedules so we won’t get sick of each other. Plus Matt makes good money! So last week we started looking for places. We looked a few and fell in love with one. It’s a great 2 bedroom 2 bath in downtown Saint Paul. I’ll be able to walk to work in the skyway, it has a pool and weight room, garage parking for Matt, and did I mention 2 bathrooms?!?! Rent is pretty affordable and Matt will pay a bit extra since he has the bigger room with a bathroom attached and a bigger closet. It’s gonna be so great living downtown. And we love the layout: bedrooms on oppsite sides of the apartment, huge living room, and BUILT IN WINE RACKS!!!!

Now comes the wait to see if we get approved, and then the wait to move in on May 1st. Matt and I have already made a list of things to buy and I’m so excited. We’ll be registering at Pier 1 and Pottery Barn!

My much needed California vacation

I have been home from California for a week now. It's hard to be home...in the cold, back at work (even though it's a new job), no one to give me back rubs, no lazing on the couch and napping in Henry's lap...but I suppose the fact that only happens every 6 months makes it more special...right? It was a very nice vacation filled with much needed relaxation and some fun excursions too. Here are the highlights!

One day, just to get out of the house, Henry and I headed to DownTown Disney (Disney's outdoor mall). We made a stop at LEGO Land and after browsing and reminiscing over childhood toys, Henry and I sat door (on miniature stools) and got to work on building.

Henry is very focused on his building his car.


Henry's car and my far superior hover craft


My other man

One of our planned day trips was to the Getty Villa in Malibu. The villa specializations in Greek and Roman artifacts. The Villa is so cool because the architecture is based on an actual ancient Italian villa that was uncovered. The Getty villa acquired most of the artifacts as well as architectural elements; ceiling reliefs, pillars, and most amazingly all of the original marble. One part of the museum is a 40x15 hallway all made of marble- floor, walls, pillars....all marble. Henry and I just stood there and tried to figure out the cost of a space that large made entirely of Italian marble...mind boggling.



there are 4,000 pieces in this floor pattern!


taking a break outside


Henry and I saw this pillared alcove that was clearly missing its perfect Greek statue, so we took it upon ourselves to fill in the empty space.


Henry drew this! There was a "family activity room" where you could use dry erase markers on blank urns...everyone was very impressed with his artwork.


To avoid rush hour traffic we made a pit stop at Santa Monica Pier. At the pier it was cold enough for Henry to wear the scarf I made last year. And I thought he'd never use it!


We also made another trip to Seaworld since we had free tickets. There was more dolphin feeding, a lame Shamu show (since he attacked a trainer last fall) and the best thing ever....feeding bat rays!!! No pics turned out, but it was awesome!

my Squishy sea cucumber

Henry surprised me by taking me to this restaurant called Orange Hill. They have notoriously over-priced, not-so-good food, which is why we didn't eat there. But they have an equally notorious view. So Henry's idea of sitting on the patio by the fire while sipping wine and smoking a cigar (him not me) was perfect. The view was gorgeous!

Our last evening together was spent at Morton's Steakhouse for dinner. It was an amazing night...such a great experience that it will get its own blog entry soon enough. But til then, doesn't Henry look great in a suit!

I already miss being out there. The first day I was home and stepped out to below zero weather, I thought, that's it...I'm moving out there tomorrow! Well who knows if that'll actually happen...I enjoy myself so much when I'm out there, I may eventually just become a California girl!