Catching Up

So in the past month a lot has been going on, it's crazy to think that it's almost November already! With the world busy outside my window, here I sit alone in my apartment. Not by choice, by demands...the doctors are saying I have come down with H1N1. Not that any of us would really know, they aren't doing any testing. I have a cough...then I got a fever, so apparently that's enough to say H1N1. What that translates down to me is, I am to remain isolated and not allowed to return to work for 7 days, or longer, depending on when my fever resolves. It's already been a long couple days and I feel myself getting restless, so I hope these books I'm trying to read can hold my attention for another 5 days.

September was a busy month, starting with the sprint triathlon that Matt and I did. I wanted to go as a team, but Matt needed to go individual before he deployed...sadly, that meant I also had to do it individual if I wanted to compete. However, this tri went quite a bit better than the one I did back in May. While it was extremely difficult and I didn't do very well, I finished. I also had my breathing and heart pain much more under control, so that was reassuring.

As most of you could guess by my previous post, the following weekend we had a family reunion for my grandparents 60th anniversary. We had a great turnout that included 4 generations =) Sadly, not everyone was able to make it so hopefully we can have another shot at it before too long. Either way it was great to see the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and all the babies!

The days between the weekends were filled with hanging out with Matt prior to his deployment - it included lots of sushi, big dinners with all the friends and tons of laughter.

Soon after I headed to Dallas, TX for a work conference. It was ok...nothing too exciting to report and Dallas didn't really offer a whole lot to encourage a return trip. My co-workers and I did venture out of the hotel to include visits to the House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Gilley's (but they didn't have the mechanical bull, and that was the ONLY reason we went...), Texas State Fair (where we saw mini herefords, pig races, dog freestyle dancing and an 1,100 lb pig), and the 6th Floor Museum (where Kennedy's assassin was positioned). We kept busy but the stay seemed to be overshadowed by the attempted bombing of a gorgeous skyscraper 5 blocks from my hotel...needless to say, after that report hit the news, my sleep was a little more than restless.

September was busier than October has been, but where has October gone then? Needless to say it's included lots of meals with friends and even more football. The weeks are filled with work which has been overwhelming at times, but it's going well and the busier it is - the faster it goes. Last weekend was a huge surprise to Miah, Christina and I, as Matt was able to come home on an unexpected pass. Once again, we (not quite all as Matty had his graduation from basic the same weekend) were back together. We ate, drank, played, and laughed while we enjoyed our last time together for quite a while. The time we all shared together didn't make us sad to separate, it just made us more excited to reunite once everyone comes back home.

Now, here I am. H1N1. Home. Alone. It's been ok. Time to rest. Time to reflect. It's been a crazy past couple months. And I'm sure a few insane months will follow. I look forward to see what life will bring. Even though I'm sick, it's been a long time that I've been this happy and content. In some areas, it feels like I've hit rock bottom where it can only go up from here, which I know it will. In other areas, I'm on top of the world and no one can take that away from me.

Clean your Palate....

Within the past few months, a couple of my friends have been introducing me into the world of Sushi. I never used to have any desire to have sushi, but that may have come from a bad experience at China Star Buffet...never have sushi at an all you can eat buffet. It took me about a half hour to gag the thing down, just so I could say I did it - trust me, wasn't worth it.

Matt and Matty were good, they started me out slow by just getting me to go to Sushi Masa with them. I'd stick with "real food" and get their delicious Chicken Teriyaki and they'd let me taste their rolls. They weren't allowed to tell me what it was until after I tried it, so I wouldn't be too scared. There have been times were I've regretted that rule...

Now, I have graduated to only getting sushi rolls. Not yet brave enough to get an actual slab of sushi...the whole raw fish texture thing still eeks me out. I'm able to eat Special Cucumber, California, Spicy Tuna and I just tried the Spicy Salmon last night, which I actually prefer over the tuna. Grossest things they've suckered me into trying....Salmon Skin Hand Roll (I could actually feel the scales...still gives me the willies when I think about it) and some sort of eel...it's long and slimy, sick.

It's a real cute and quaint restaurant downtown. I think the staff enjoy watching and listening to me and my reactions to stuff. They come and talk to us quite a bit while we are there. I'm glad they aren't insulted. Those rolls can be too big for me to eat...so my friends aren't allowed to look at me while I'm eating one. If they did they'd laugh, then I'd start to and I'd probably choke and die. Well, that's our interpretation, so they just know not to look at me when I'm shoving some grub in my mouth. Oh and if you ever make it there - have a salad with Kaisan (not sure about the spelling) dressing. It's amazing, I could drink that stuff...

There is no room to wait if all the tables are full, so we walk around and do the sculpture walk...here are some fun pics from our strolls:

One Day Getaway

With some weekend plans falling through, but already having Friday approved for annual leave, I was in desperate need to have a quick getaway - for the day - for the weekend, it didn't really matter. I just needed to relax and have a change of pace. Friends come through at the best time and when you need them. Without realizing how important this trip was going to be, my friend Jenna and I decided to spur of the momently (my new word for the day) to head to Valley Fair in Minnesota for the day. The day turned out to be a much needed trip for me and my dear friend because I found out that she is most likely moving to Oregon by the end of the month. This may be the last "big" trip we take before she leaves and I'm happy I got to take this adventure with her.

Valley Fair - well we got there about an hour late because of numerous detours on the way, so we caved and took the interstate back home. But our time there was fantastic. It was a gray, cloudy, on the verge of downpour day - but contrary to what many would think, that makes a day at Valley Fair perfect. There were no lines. The longest we had to wait for a ride was about 5-10 minutes. We doubled up on rides and definitely got our money's worth, as well as our fill of fair food...mmmm gotta love Wisconsin Cheese Curds, mini donuts and "fresh" fries =) I can't wait to have some funnel cake and caramel apples at the Sioux Empire Fair coming up...