Spring Break 2015

I realized I never gave the full scoop on what went down Spring Break 2015.

Honestly, most people would probably consider what I did for break boring. I didn't go anywhere cool or exciting. I went home to Green Bay.
This was really nice for me. I had not been home since December 29th, so it was almost three full months since I had last been there. It's crazy realizing next year I'll probably only be back for Christmas during the school year.
Anywho, here's what happened Spring Break 2015:

Friday: March 6
Trevor and I left Saint Paul around 4 pm. I drove for part of the way, but my knees get irritated from long drives, so it was only for about an hour and a half. That gave Trevor time to finish typing up a paper he had to finish for that night.
When we arrived in Green Bay we stopped at Smart Cow. While we're in Saint Paul, we discuss how we need to find a new froyo place to go to. But it always go back to how nothing will ever beat Smart Cow. So we made sure to stop first thing back in town. Then we brought Trevor's things to his place and watched an episode of Bob's Burgers. By the time I got dropped off it was about 10:45.

Saturday: March 7
Originally I was going to see Kammerchor, a choir from CUW, at Pilgrim. But I decided against it. I headed down to CUW around 4 pm and made it down at 5:30. It was so great being greeted by my friends there! We walked to the bluff and went all the way down the stairs and back up.

Then we headed to the Nest for dinner. After dinner we went back to their room and played Quelf and Cards Against Humanity. It was probably one of the weirder groups I have played CAH with..they took out a lot of the really funny cards due to inappropriateness. But we made it fun nonetheless. After games we watched Baby Mama, which is like my all time favorite movie. After that we all went to bed, clocks had to spring forward an hour and I already knew I wasn't going to get enough sleep!

Sunday: March 8
Karlee and I woke up early to go to church. I have missed that beautiful chapel. If you are ever on campus, be sure to visit the chapel because it is breathtaking. The others met us for brunch afterward at the cafeteria. I forgot how delicious CUW's food is. And now they have a waffle maker and iced coffee machine! Why did I leave that place?! After stuffing our bellies full we headed to Lion's Den Nature Preserve. We went there last year and it was fun to take my camera along and get shots now that my photography has improved.

After some fresh air, we went to Goodwill. I got some good deals! I purchased two new books, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and a Hillsong CD for right around $8! Emma then suggested that we go get shamrock shakes, which I am always game for! After MickeyD's, I headed back to Green Bay.

Monday: March 9

Monday was the day of appointments. I had a dentist appointment and an eye appointment. I hate the dentist. But I love my hygenist. Claudia is the best. And she knows Trevor's family really well, so she was asking me all about the wedding. My eye appointment is enjoyable as well. My eye doctor really cares about his patients and takes time to get to know them well. After finally making it home, my family and I went to Pizza Ranch! We walked in the doors, and Trevor came out from in back and very bluntly asked, "What are you doing here?" Not the sweetest welcoming. At least Alexis was excited to see me!

Tuesday: March 10

Trevor and I treated ourselves to our favorite Mexican place: Margarita's! We then had our first session of pre-marital counseling! It went quite well, at least I would say it did. After leaving Pilgrim, we visited Lambeau field. We explored the newly renovated pro shop. And dang. The Lombardi Trophy statue is quite impressive.

Wednesday: March 11

Wednesday was my free day. I left it open in case I needed to just sit and do homework, which never happened. In the morning, Trevor and I went and shot photos for a band playing at Washington Middle School.

Later in the day I had another dentist appointment.. I tell ya, I hate the dentist.

Thursday: March 12

Thursday was ladies' night! I got to see some old friends from high school again! It's crazy how time flies by. I had a wonderful time with some lovely ladies. If you want more of the details, go to Rae's blog. She's got the inside scoop. But I will add in that I drank two full size Arizona Raspberry Iced Teas and have probably never peed so much in my entire life.

Friday: March 13

Friday was an exciting day! Ana and I went on a photoshoot! We first headed to Josten Park. I wasn't sure what type of shots we'd get, but I was satisfied.

Our photos downtown, however, were even better. These photos are honestly my best work thus far. I love working with Ana. She is so easy to direct and she makes my job so much easier!

After we were done shooting, she dropped me off at Fonferek to help Trevor and his friend Eddi shoot a music video. We were there forever. I was cold and hungry. You can sure bet I complained a lot. 

Once they finally finished, Trevor and I met Bekah at Cup O Joy to see Loftland! It was one crazy dance party. They're super good live. Trevor is there newest fan girl ;)

Saturday: March 14

We left Green Bay at a decent time and made it back to Saint Paul with enough time to hit up Mall of America. I have never been so disappointed in my life with Charley's Subs. They let me down. I wanted a chicken california sub, but their grill was broken! However, I did get an adorable top and the comfiest sweatpants in the world from CottonOn.

Sunday: March 15

The final day of Spring Break. Always a sad day. We went to church and then headed to my aunt and uncle's for lunch. We had burgers and good conversation! I love their insight on life and wedding planning. My uncle is hilarious. And Trevor loves their dog Wrigley! I'm so excited to babysit for them April 17&18! The evening concluded with me working a shift at Noodles & Company.

All in all, I had a lovely break. I got to see so many friends and have a lot of laughs.

Pizza Ranch and Noodles and Company

Pizza Ranch and Noodles and Company are definitely two different worlds.

My favorite thing about working at Pizza Ranch: my co workers, the owners, the environment in general.
My favorite thing about working at Noodles: I get paid $8.25/hr.

I strongly believe that your favorite part of your job should not be the amount you are paid. However, that's really all I like about Noodles.

Noodles has challenged me in a way that Pizza Ranch did not though. I am meeting a lot of different people through working there. Everyone has such different backgrounds and it is quite the struggle to be the white, pastor's kid that goes to a private college. And yes, I have been asked why I am not living with my fiance yet. The only girl there that knew I am a pastor's kid popped into the conversation to say, "Obviously because she's a pastor's kid and can't do it before she's married."

In my senior year of high school, I took an advanced biology course. We discussed how we would be faced with the topic of creation versus evolution throughout our lives. In the class we were taught both sides. Yes, I learned about evolution at a private, Lutheran school. However, part of me feared the day I would actually face the conversation with someone who really, genuinely believed in evolution.

Sunday I faced that fear. We did not discuss it much, but it was brought up about how a co worker's friend went to a private Christian college for pre-med. She feared the friend would not be accepted into medical school because of "false" science classes, meaning they not only taught evolution, but also creation. I told her about how my high school taught evolution and she seemed to lighten up a bit about the topic, since I flat out stated that I believe in creationism.

It was amazing to me that I had the opportunity to take a stance on my beliefs. I did not know how awesome ti would feel. I did not talk much about my faith, but the fact that I told her I supported creationism shows that I do believe in God.

At Pizza Ranch, I do not know that I would ever have a conversation like that. For one, there is not ever much down time where you just stand around and talk with your co workers. At Noodles, that happens quite frequently.

Despite the fact that I do not like working at Noodles very much, in general, I think that God has definitely placed me there for a reason. For a reason more than just to be able to afford a wedding in August. I am excited to see where Noodles takes me and what I am pushed to do as God's servant.

Upcoming Excitement

I have so much to look forward to in these next few weeks!
October begins tomorrow, which is exciting in itself. I love October--there is beautiful leaves, brisk autumn air, and a reason to drink warm beverages. PLUS everything is pumpkin flavored!

Thursday (10/2), my history class will not be meeting. This is a common occurrence for this class on Thursdays, which means I often have no classes those days! Also! It's Packers v Vikings Game Day! I'll certainly be wearing my Rodgers jersey here!
Friday (10/3), Trevor and I will be setting out bright and early to return to Green Bay. We're photographing a wedding for two of our Pizza Ranch managers. We have to get there by noon, so that means I will be doing my hair at an ungodly time in the morning. Also, I don't know that I have heavy duty hairspray here, so hopefully my hair feels like holding a curl that day!
Saturday (10/4), I will hopefully be making the journey from Green Bay to Mequon! I really hope that I can use one of our cars and go see my friends at CUW. I miss them! It would be wonderful to be able to catch up with my ladies again.
Sunday (10/5), Trevor and I will be returning to Saint Paul. We will most likely be meeting up with my grandparents to give them their purchases from my sister's most recent fundraiser. It will be exciting to be able to see them again! And for my grandma to finally see my ring.

Wednesday (10/8), I will be missing my night class and driving with my roommate, Katrina, to Wausau. She's able to get me that far, and then my mom is picking me up! I am excited to be able to go home two weekends this month.
Thursday (10/9), I don't have much on my agenda for this day, but I will probably just relax and maybe have some wedding discussions with my mom. That evening I will be driving up to Sevastopol to watch my sister's volleyball game! Also, I will have Trevor's 70-200mm lens along, so I am going to try to take some pictures of her.
Friday (10/10), I'm hoping that I will be working this morning at Pizza Ranch. Since I'm home, I might as well take advantage of making money! Then that afternoon, I will most likely be taking the beautiful Maddie's photos and we'll be sure to grab some coffee to catch up over.
Saturday (10/11), I am doing a surprise photo session this day. SURPRISE! I'm so excited about it honestly. I probably shouldn't say more, or I'll give away the secret!
Sunday (10/12), I will make my way back to Wausau with my mom to meet up with Katrina to head to Saint Paul.

I have a lot coming up. An absolutely crazy amount honestly.

Good News!

After a last few weeks of stress--I finally have good news to report!

1) Married Housing
The lady finally has relayed all of the information to me! Hooray! However, Trevor and I will be spending our money elsewhere.

2) No Job
That phrase is a thing of the past! I officially have two jobs! I am a student worker at PLUS Time, where I have been volunteering the past two weeks. We offer after school homework help for kids at an apartment building near campus. It is an amazing opportunity for me to be working with these kids. Many of them are immigrants or refugees, and nearly all of them are ELL (English Language Learners, for you non-ed folk). Job #2: Noodles & Co! It's about a 6-8 minute walk from campus, it depends how you hit the lights. Apparently, Pizza Ranch looks really good on the resume when applying at food places. I was hired on the spot!

3) Wedding Planning
Wedding planning has finally begun! Thank you married housing lady... This is awesome news, however, stressful news. (Yes, Trevor, I know I'm not supposed to get stressed about it...) So many decisions! And so little money.. Good thing I have two jobs now!

The Start of Summer 2014

It doesn't feel like it should be summer yet, at least not to me.
I kind of feel like something is missing in order for it to actually be summer. What? I'm not sure.

This summer I'm back working at Pizza Ranch. At first I was quite upset about this. I didn't want to go back to my first real job, especially because of a) the reasons I'd quit and b) the circumstances as to why I needed to return.
However, I need the money.
Thankfully, I'm getting scheduled a decent amount so far at work, which is a huge blessing.
I've also been contacted by a family about nannying for their 8-year-old daughter over the summer! It wouldn't pay as much as nannying for the twins last summer did, but it'd be consistant hours, which Pizza Ranch can't guarantee. Sadly, taking the job would mean I'd have to cut down on Pizza Ranch availability dramatically, as I'd be nannying Monday-Friday 7:15-4:15. But I'd be enjoying my job so much more.

As it's probably quite easy to tell, this summer is full of work and not much else.
Thankfully I've had plenty of time with Trevor so far, which has been simply amazing.

Here's to an unforgettable summer.
Summer of 2014.