I flew to Minnesota yesterday morning to visit my bff Amber and her husband Adam while her school is on Spring Break. After getting up at an obscene hour to catch my early early flight, I flew into Minneapolis/St. Paul. It snowed yesterday, and we decided to say stay in town at the Mall of America. It was such a trial ;) Amber and I got to spend some quality girl time shopping and stocking up on cosmetics and such from Sephora and Lush while we banished Adam. We finally got back to Rochester in the evening after the roads had been cleared and had dinner a Hu Han, a Mongolian grill.
Today we had a lazy morning followed by more shopping and a wonderful dinner at a nice restaurant in town, Prescotts. We will be gathering with a group of their friends for Easter dinner tomorrow, and I will be returning home on Monday afternoon. I would post pictures, but I have yet to take any. Maybe I will rectify that tomorrow.
Happy Easter, friends!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wish I had moves like those . . .
I started watch America's Best Dance Crew (ostensibly Randy Jackson's ABDC, but alas he is nowhere to be found) a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately for me, I came in late to the competition, but what I've seen has been amazing. AND! It's hosted by AC Slater. (I sense a theme for SBTB alums: hosting reality dance shows.)
Anywho. One of the teams is from Kokomo, Indiana. Being that we're practically neighbors and all, I'd have to support them. The thing that's amazing though, is that they dance while on roller skates. It sounds goofy, I know, but it's really breathtaking. Last week the challenge for all the teams was to recreate in their own style some of Michael Jackson's iconic dance moves, while dancing to a song from the Thriller album which celebrated it's 25th anniversary. Breaksk8 chose "Beat It." Check it out for yourself:
Anywho. One of the teams is from Kokomo, Indiana. Being that we're practically neighbors and all, I'd have to support them. The thing that's amazing though, is that they dance while on roller skates. It sounds goofy, I know, but it's really breathtaking. Last week the challenge for all the teams was to recreate in their own style some of Michael Jackson's iconic dance moves, while dancing to a song from the Thriller album which celebrated it's 25th anniversary. Breaksk8 chose "Beat It." Check it out for yourself:
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
March 12 of 12
It's March 12, time for another 12 of 12. 12 of 12 is Chad Darnell's baby. You can check out what other 12 of 12ers have photographed here. I had a busy day, workwise, but I managed to take 12 photos.
7:55 am: Letting my dogs out in the backyard before I leave for work.
7:55 am: Our patio. On the left you can see remnants of the 10 inches of snow we got last Friday and Saturday.
8:00 am: My avocado seeds, previously suspended in mason jars full of water.
8:45 am: I was running late for work this morning, so I ate breakfast at my desk. I had Yoplait Blackberry Pomegranate yogurt with Cracklin' Oat Bran mixed in and my ever-present Diet Pepsi.
11:30 am: One other downfall of running late this morning was that I did not get a chance to make my lunch. I had Chik-Fil-A instead.
11:45 am: I also made a Target run on my lunch hour. I was so happy to see a new (to me, at least!) Method cleaning product. I like this brand because it is environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. I also picked up some cards for friends, as there have been two births and there is a bridal shower on Sunday afternoon.
5:50 pm: Changing my shoes before heading off to zumba. My sneakers are much more comfortable than my work shoes!
6:20 pm: The entrance to Studio Zumba. I've become a zumba addict! I attend anywhere between 3-6 classes per week.
7:45 pm: Dinner of stir fried veggies and brown rice, followed by a pita with spicy hummus. Yum!
8:00 pm: My younger brother and I took the dogs for a walk before his Spring break is up and he returns to the University of Kentucky. It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with him.
8:40 pm: Unloading my trunk. In it you can see salt to weigh down the back for better traction in winter weather, a fan that is too big for my desk at work, a donated mobile phone with no charger, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
8:45 pm: My brother demonstrating a new kata he is learning in order to progress in the Genwakai style of karate. He is a 1st level black belt and hopes to continue to move up .
That's it for me! Hope you had a great March 12th!
7:55 am: Letting my dogs out in the backyard before I leave for work.
7:55 am: Our patio. On the left you can see remnants of the 10 inches of snow we got last Friday and Saturday.
8:00 am: My avocado seeds, previously suspended in mason jars full of water.
8:45 am: I was running late for work this morning, so I ate breakfast at my desk. I had Yoplait Blackberry Pomegranate yogurt with Cracklin' Oat Bran mixed in and my ever-present Diet Pepsi.
11:30 am: One other downfall of running late this morning was that I did not get a chance to make my lunch. I had Chik-Fil-A instead.
11:45 am: I also made a Target run on my lunch hour. I was so happy to see a new (to me, at least!) Method cleaning product. I like this brand because it is environmentally-friendly and biodegradable. I also picked up some cards for friends, as there have been two births and there is a bridal shower on Sunday afternoon.
5:50 pm: Changing my shoes before heading off to zumba. My sneakers are much more comfortable than my work shoes!
6:20 pm: The entrance to Studio Zumba. I've become a zumba addict! I attend anywhere between 3-6 classes per week.
7:45 pm: Dinner of stir fried veggies and brown rice, followed by a pita with spicy hummus. Yum!
8:00 pm: My younger brother and I took the dogs for a walk before his Spring break is up and he returns to the University of Kentucky. It was nice to spend some one-on-one time with him.
8:40 pm: Unloading my trunk. In it you can see salt to weigh down the back for better traction in winter weather, a fan that is too big for my desk at work, a donated mobile phone with no charger, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.
8:45 pm: My brother demonstrating a new kata he is learning in order to progress in the Genwakai style of karate. He is a 1st level black belt and hopes to continue to move up .
That's it for me! Hope you had a great March 12th!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Time flies . . .
It has been super busy in casa de Willis. Well not really in the actual house, but in my life. Work has been going non-stop. Last week I did 6 zumba classes (3 on Saturday!) Dance has been kicking into high gear (I'm so punny), as we prep for Celtic Movements this Saturday and St. Patrick's Day in a month.
I have, however, had some time on my hands to do a couple of things:
-Catch up on Lost, which premiered on 31 Jan
-Start watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
-Take this awesome Saved by the Bell Trivia Quiz
-Squee over the fact that So You Think You Can Dance will premiere 22 May (I wonder hour many tour stops I can make it to this year--my goal is to exceed the previous year, which was 1, so it shouldn't be too hard)
-Wonder if I will watch Bravo's new reality dancing show, hosted by Jessie Spano herself, Elizabeth Berkley
-Halfway complete this month's 12 of 12. Photos to be posted later
I have, however, had some time on my hands to do a couple of things:
-Catch up on Lost, which premiered on 31 Jan
-Start watching Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
-Take this awesome Saved by the Bell Trivia Quiz
-Squee over the fact that So You Think You Can Dance will premiere 22 May (I wonder hour many tour stops I can make it to this year--my goal is to exceed the previous year, which was 1, so it shouldn't be too hard)
-Wonder if I will watch Bravo's new reality dancing show, hosted by Jessie Spano herself, Elizabeth Berkley
-Halfway complete this month's 12 of 12. Photos to be posted later
Prayer Request
Friends, I need your help.
My former employer is a wonderful woman, and a strong woman of faith. She has been performing a ministry in our community for more than 20 years. Recently the ministry has fallen on some tough times--I can't really say more at this point in time.
Please pray for strength for her and her family, not only blood family but spiritual also. Please pray for God's will to be done. And please pray for the recipients of the ministry.
My former employer is a wonderful woman, and a strong woman of faith. She has been performing a ministry in our community for more than 20 years. Recently the ministry has fallen on some tough times--I can't really say more at this point in time.
Please pray for strength for her and her family, not only blood family but spiritual also. Please pray for God's will to be done. And please pray for the recipients of the ministry.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Bluth Family Reunion!
So say we all!
Apparently, the Arrested Development movie is in the works. Both Jeffrey Tambor (George Bluth) and Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth) have confirmed this. Thanks to Dan at Ducky for the news. Click here for the whole story.
I'm so excited!
Apparently, the Arrested Development movie is in the works. Both Jeffrey Tambor (George Bluth) and Jason Bateman (Michael Bluth) have confirmed this. Thanks to Dan at Ducky for the news. Click here for the whole story.
I'm so excited!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
January 12 of 12
It's time again for 12 of 12 started by Chad Darnell. You take 12 pictures of your day on the 12th day of the month, post them to your blog, and share the permalink with Chad.
Here goes:
11:30 am: The wetland behind my house. I got a late start today, sleeping in rather than going to zumba. This time of year, the wetland is usually frozen over, but we've had unseasonably warm temperatures, so it's all wet.
11:30-ish am: Our composters. We've had the black compost bin "cooking" for a couple of years.
11:45 am: I bought a couple of avocados last week to make guacamole, and have kept the seeds to try to grow avocado trees.
12:00 pm: An old warped piano bench my dad threw on our fire pit in the backyard.
12:15 pm: Toby playing with a squeaky toy.
12:15 pm: Andy checking out the neighborhood.
2:00 pm: We've started participating in 5 Rivers Metroparks "Hike for the Health of It" program. Today's hike was at Carriage Hill Metropark. This is the boardwalk on the pond, the beginning of our 3-mile hike today.
2:00-ish pm: The pond at Carriage Hill Metropark.
2:00-ish pm: The pond at Carriage Hill.
2:30 pm: Carriage Hill Metropark.
2:30 pm: Andy wearing his doggie pack during the Hike for the Health of It at Carriage Hill.
4:00 pm: My cousin Anna, Toby, and Andy post-hike.
Here goes:
11:30 am: The wetland behind my house. I got a late start today, sleeping in rather than going to zumba. This time of year, the wetland is usually frozen over, but we've had unseasonably warm temperatures, so it's all wet.
11:30-ish am: Our composters. We've had the black compost bin "cooking" for a couple of years.
11:45 am: I bought a couple of avocados last week to make guacamole, and have kept the seeds to try to grow avocado trees.
12:00 pm: An old warped piano bench my dad threw on our fire pit in the backyard.
12:15 pm: Toby playing with a squeaky toy.
12:15 pm: Andy checking out the neighborhood.
2:00 pm: We've started participating in 5 Rivers Metroparks "Hike for the Health of It" program. Today's hike was at Carriage Hill Metropark. This is the boardwalk on the pond, the beginning of our 3-mile hike today.
2:00-ish pm: The pond at Carriage Hill Metropark.
2:00-ish pm: The pond at Carriage Hill.
2:30 pm: Carriage Hill Metropark.
2:30 pm: Andy wearing his doggie pack during the Hike for the Health of It at Carriage Hill.
4:00 pm: My cousin Anna, Toby, and Andy post-hike.
Friday, January 11, 2008
The Swedes are coming!
A couple of months ago, I was driving south on I-75 on my way to Nashville. As I got closer to Cincinnati, I saw a familiar blue and yellow building--the new Ikea that is being built. I was very excited, because I've felt the absence of Ikea in my life since I left Prague in June. I was a bit spoiled in Prague, because there were two Ikeas--one on either end of the B metro line. Since I've been home, the closest Ikea to me was in Michigan, and I never roadtripped to it. This morning as I was reading the paper and eating breakfast, I saw an article stating that the new Ikea will be opening on March 11. How exciting! Now I won't have to lug my purchases home on the metro, then tram, then 10 minute walk to my flat--I can pack them in my car and be on my way.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Brand Spanking New
Happy (belated) 2008! My new year is starting off pretty well--I have had a photo of Karlovo namesti in Prague chosen to be shown in Schmap's Guide to Prague. How exciting! I've also included a widget on the sidebar reflecting this. They chose my picture from my flickr page, and asked me to submit it. I had never heard of Schamp before, but now I'll definitely be checking it out next time I travel.
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