Relaxing

This weekend we stayed in River Falls. It was nice to just relax and get some much needed studying done. My parents were driving through on their way back from the cities and stopped by for lunch. After they left we did our weekly grocery trip and headed home to make supper. At about 8:00 Leslie texted Ty to see if we wanted to Skype. With both our parents recently getting computers with webcam and microphone its been nice to be able to talk "face to face." We were also able to chat with Matt and Hannah our good friends who recently moved away from Chippewa as well, but in the opposite direction, to Oshkosh. It was a great time to chat and get caught up. Sunday we slept in and spent the day cleaning the apartment and watching football. In the evening we headed to church...which felt strange. Church has always been in the morning for me, but we have some friends in Hudson that were going to an evening service. After a little more reading, it was time for bed so we could be well rested for the school week. Now here we are and I am almost late for class. More to come this week assuming we are not too boring and I have the time.

Back to school

Where did the summer go?? I am not sure, but now we find ourselves back in River Falls finishing our first (short) week of school. We came back on Sunday and started classes on Wednesday. The other days we just used what was left of our summer to have a little fun. Monday was labor day and Ty had his Fantasy Football draft so we were at the Mall of America where he did his draft while I shopped. For those of you who know me well, know that I have been really excited about shopping at Goodwill and finding amazing deals on clothes. So, after the draft we spent 2 hours at the Goodwill by the Mall of America. After that the day was over and we headed back to the apartment.

Tuesday was truly our last hurrah. After yet another trip to Goodwill, in Hudson and Stillwater this time, we were able to find tickets to the Bon Iver concert. Ty was like a little kid in a candy shop as he has been following the band leader since he was in high school. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the concert as well. We made it home right around 11:30pm.

Wednesday was time to hit the books and head to class. Ty is really excited about all of his GIS classes whereas I am getting a severe case of Senioritis. The classes I am taking are the last ones that I will ever have to take and for that, they are really lame. Well, its back to the books for me. Hope this has been a pleasant week for everyone else. We won't be coming home this weekend, but we plan to be back next weekend.

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

Today is our 3rd anniversary, so I thought I would share this poem that I had written for Ty for Valentines day 2 years ago. It tells the story of how we met and got married. Hope its not too sappy.

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

The man behind the counter,

Smiled at a pretty girl

Each time that she stopped by

She didn’t seem to notice

The glance he sent her way

He had hoped that maybe

She would notice him someday

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

With friends they would go out

He went since she was there, in fact

He longed to speak to her

For her it was not obvious

The direction of his words

Finally the night would end

They’d leave without a word

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

you texted me to say

You wanted to have dinner

 I said we could someday

The texting did not end so soon,

It lasted through the night

It did not stop after just one

We wrote with all our might

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

We’d dated only days

You drove so far to see me

Stopped by in random ways

You couldn’t get enough of me

Nor I enough of you

You meant the world to me

And to this day you do

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

If it wasn’t for this place

We’d not be where we are today

Joined by our Father’s grace

It’s where we first began our love

My husband and my best friend

For…

Once Upon a Coffee Shop

I fell in love with you

A Night in River Falls with Willy Porter

Ty had the day off on Wednesday so Tuesday we headed to River Falls for a night. Ty was SO excited because this summer UW-River Falls is doing a free concert series in the amphitheater and the guest this week was Willy Porter. Before Ty, I didn't know who he was at all, but he has grown on me. We found out that this concert was happening about a month ago and were hoping that we could come back for it. Normally, the concerts are $14+ for admission. This concert was FREE! We drove up and enjoyed the concert and our time alone. 

Ty and I waiting for the concert to start 

Willy Porter and a band member preforming

In the morning, we went to Caribou Coffee and I studied to take my Spanish Praxis (Wisconsin's teacher Licensing test, and Ty relaxed listening to music. Afterward we went to Stillwater and looked at some antiques. Over all it was a relaxing night away in River Falls. Its always so weird to go back after so long, but we always manage to have a good time when we go. Well, I have been putting off studying long enough. I take my test a week from Saturday.  

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Tengo que estudiar si quiero pasar el exámen de Paxis 

I have to study if I want to pass the Praxis exam

Is it July Already!?

Wow...the summer is just flying by! Ty has been keeping busy with his internship during the week and spending the weekends at wedding and grad parties. We have been able to sneak away a few times to sleep in River Falls and get some space of our own. Some exciting news has come though, Ty was asked to stay on after the summer is over to be a limited time employee. He will be working on more plat maps this school year. That means we will be back on the weekend for Ty to continue working for Applied Data Consultants. I am SO proud of him! As for me, I have been helping Leslie clean and get ready to sell their house which was recently put up for sale (in Chippewa Falls on the West Hill near Irvine Park). This has certainly been a crazy summer and the next few weeks will not be calming down. I recently signed up for the Spanish Content Knowledge Praxis test...needless to say I will be studying for the next two weeks for it to come and then we will be off to a relaxing vacation. This year both our families decided to go on vacation the same week in July. We will be going to Jellystone with Ty's family and then making the LOOOOOOOOOOONG trek up to the UP for a little less than a week in Houghton. There will be plenty of pictures to come.

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Me gusta el verano, pero soy emocionada a regresar a la universidad

I like summer, but I am excited to return to the university

Thats a Wrap

Wow! We have been finished with school for about two and a half weeks. Sorry I gave up on the blog at the end of the school year...it was a CRAZY last week. Finals were not so bad for Ty, but he ended up having to help me to finish mine. Apparently finals week seems like the best time for arts and crafts to some of my professors. I was printing pictures and coloring them by hand like there was no tomorrow. Then there was the final 5-7 page paper I had to write in Spanish and the poster representing the paper.  What a chore.  We managed to survive the week and are thrilled to say that we both got good grades this semester. 


Now, summer is here! We are thrilled to be back in Chippewa Falls and seeing family all the time. Ty started an internship in Eau Claire at a place called Applied Data Consultants and loves what he is doing and is learning so much. He hopes that this internship will get his foot in the door so that we can come back to Chippewa long term. As for me...I am still working as needed at The Rutledge Home and looking for jobs that might give me more hours. So far, no luck.  You know, its funny, now that we are back in Chippewa and its Summer, we are excited to go back. Only one year left and we are going to be FINALLY be college graduates! As Ty wrote when he had finished his last final, "School is done for the year, one year left...let this be a lesson to all...never take time off from school to "find yourself." Sooner or later, you will find yourself back in school."

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Por Fin! El semestre se terminó!

Translation: Finally! The semester is over!

UPDATE!!!

I know its been awhile, but things have been as crazy as you can imagine! Only two more weeks and we will be home in Chippewa. Originally we thought I would be stuck here for three extra weeks taking a summer class, but it was canceled and I am able to take it in the Fall so all is well. Ty gave his major presentation about his research project and poster last week Monday. It went well. He passed with flying colors and his professor was very impressed. Later that evening we watched the children of a couple living in River Falls with ties to Chippewa. They have three wonderful children and we were able to take them to play at the Burger King Play land. Later, while I put the little one to bed, Ty took the older two to see Rio. They came home raving about it!

The rest of the week was filled with class and homework. I gave two presentations in Spanish and then Friday Alyssa Came to visit! We had a great time. We went to a Mexican restaurant in Hudson and shopped at a cute little store downtown. It is always nice to have a visitor! I miss you sister of mine!

As for this last weekend, we stayed in River Falls to do some much needed catch up on our major projects. We met Brooke, Annie and Leslie in cities for a coffee and then got right to work. We decided to stay up there for dinner. We tried this cute little Thai place. The food was really good. I always love to try new foods from other countries. Afterward we went to church at Bethlehem and drove home to relax. Sunday was more homework and not much for fun. Well, time to get to work again...here are some pictures from Easter. Yes, I am 23 and we still have an Easter Egg hunt!

Spanish Phrase of the Day

Un abril lluvioso trae un mayo hermoso

Literal Translation: a rainy April brings a beautiful May

English Equivalent: April showers bring May flowers