The view from the top...of the world

Here I am, broadcasting to the world from what seems like its remotest corner. The border between the United States and Canada is largely uninhabited, and this tiny cabin is no exception. Writing this post is no simple task with my 21.6kbps modem connection, but I am grateful for it, because this trusty laptop -- and the archaic-seeming link to the outside world it affords -- is likely unrivaled in its technology for many miles around. The mercury's annual journey to far below the Zero mark ensures that only the hardiest specimens will voluntarily call this forested tundra their home. The nearest civilization vaguely resembling a town is 20 miles away and it mostly thrives on its own, counting a general store, trailer-turned-diner, and tiny Sinclair filling station as its greatest economic achievements. And the lucky (or lost) tourist traveling down this village's "main" road might even suppose a Roanoke-type mass disappearance has occured, save for a few Carhardtt-clothed denizens perched proudly atop their snowmobiles...Snowmobiles? Yes, and the arctic vehicles even have their own roads and miniature street signs at intersections, maintained by the government in much the same way as regular roads. Might sound extreme, but this is, after all, virtually the edge of the world, and Ford doesn't specialize in minus-50-degree engine temperatures so most of the trucks have been safely nestled in storage sheds for the ruthless winter.

But back to here, and now. Being someone who can't really say she's "from" anywhere, this cabin is as close to "home" as I can get, at least for now. I only lived here for a year, but my memories of the holidays are always and only in this small cabin, and this land and the river on it have graciously supported my family for six generations. There's an ancient red barn with a real attic holding enough rusted cow bells, metal farm equipment and boxes full of century-old Swedish relics to keep me pondering my own history for a very long time. This cabin was only built about 15 years ago, but right across the yard there's a weathered cellar shed, a water pump from one of the first houses, and some rusty wagon wheels which haven't been moved in decades. Wander around in the 400 acres of woods and you'll eventually find the ruins of a '37 pickup, the skeleton of a long-defunct barn, and a hundred years' worth of hunting cabins and deer stands.

Anyways, that's just a short glimpse of where we spend most of our Christmases (and deer hunting seasons). I hope your holidays are rich and fun. Don't forget that this isn't only the season of giving; it's also the season of receiving: the time we remember that we've been given the greatest Gift of history in the form of a divine Baby who would provide the only way of salvation. Thanks to anyone who took the time to read this!

vacation! yahoo!

I'm so very excited for Christmas vacation! We're leaving this afternoon...or this evening, depending on how fast we can load up the 'Burb after we all get off work. We'll be staying in a motel at the halfway point, which both breaks up a 12-hour drive, and unnecessarily (in my opinion) lengthens it. I haven't taken a road trip with the full family in two years...and it's a full car.

I've finished all my Christmas shopping and a couple of things will be delivered to my grandparent's home where we'll be staying for the next week...I ordered a couple of CDs for gifts, as well as about 5 for myself, so Merry Christmas to MEEE! I'm really happy with the things I got for everyone, though, and I think they will be too. I still don't know what I'm getting, although I know Johanna got me a cookbook...I practically begged her to buy it for me when we were at Barnes & Noble the other day, and I told her I'd buy it for myself if she didn't decide to get it as a present! And in true form, Jo said she didn't have any money with her, but if I lent her some, she'd get it for me. :) It's an Asian stir-fry book with lots of big colorful pictures and a term glossary so I can speak like a chef.

In other news, I'm considering buying my dad's laptop. It's a Toshiba with a 17" screen...and all the bells and whistles...the regular price was about $2500 less than a year ago, but he will give me a super good deal so I might take him up on that. Or I might just save my moolah for the future justification of an color picture Ipod. Or...not. :(

But I'm just so excited for our trip! I'm planning to take a lot of pictures of the lovely, snowladen Minnesota countryside. Oh...and did I mention I haven't begun to pack yet?? I'll probably get off work around 3 0r 4, then I have two errands to do before I head home. I really hope I remember everything!

Oh, and a Pants update! :P Got them in the mail, and they were perfect, and I also ordered a Banana Republic suit for a good price, and I'm wearing it now. I've also made about $35 on eBay so far, selling some books. Yay for online auctions!

Hope you all have a most enjoyable holiday...and thanks to everyone who checks both of my blogs on a regular basis! (FYI: The other one was updated about 10 minutes ago.)

wow!

Wow...is all I have to say! Yes, I have way too much time on my hands...but those "choose the best picture" personality tests are really accurate. the others are perfect too! Weird.

Your Brain's Pattern

Structured and organized, you have a knack for thinking clearly. You are very logical - and you don't let your thoughts get polluted with emotions. And while your thoughts are pretty serious, they're anything from boring. It's minds like yours that have built the great cities of the world!

What Pattern Is Your Brain?

Your Hidden Talent

You have the natural talent of rocking the boat, thwarting the system. And while this may not seem big, it can be. It's people like you who serve as the catalysts to major cultural changes. You're just a bit behind the scenes, so no one really notices.

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant. Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle. You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important. You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection. You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

You Have a Choleric Temperament

You are a person of great enthusiasm - easily excited by many things. Unsatisfied by the ordinary, you are reaching for an epic, extraordinary life. You want the best. The best life. The best love. The best reputation. You posses a sharp and keen intellect. Your mind is your primary weapon. Strong willed, nothing can keep you down. Your energy can break down any wall. You're an instantly passionate person - and this passion gives you an intoxicating power over others. At your worst, you are a narcissist. Full of yourself and even proud of your faults. Stubborn and opinionated, you know what you think is right. End of discussion. A bit of a misanthrope, you often see others as weak, ignorant, and inferior.

What Temperment Are You?

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless. You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

Pants

So last year for work I bought a plaid blazer on clearance at Express, near the end of the season. I didn't get the pants because the store was all out of my size, and this year they don't make that design. Grr! I was annoyed because I really liked the print and I need more matched suits. And the other day, just by accident, I found the pants I wanted on eBay! AND they had my size. Yay! While I was looking around I also got a pair of jeans that I can wear to work. Yay again! Earlier today I'd been bidding on a nice lined wool pair of dress pants. I had the high bid all day. And just now someone outbid me in the last TWO SECONDS! Literally, two seconds. I was just refreshing the page, watching the time tick away and enjoying my sweet victory when it was snatched . Sigh. At least I have (or will have, when they arrive) two brand new pairs of Express Editor pants, which I love and I got for like half price.

Ahhh....I still need more work clothes! It's pathetic to say...I have plenty of skirts and pants but not enough shirts. It's just hard to find things that are modest and professional and feminine (I get sick of plain stiff button-up ones) but not librarian style and not too big. I never thought I'd say this, but I'm sick of shopping! (Okay, I admit it, I'm picky.) So many stores carry nice things, but not many things are in my size. GRR!

So this post just made me look like the most vain person in the world. Think what you want but hopefully if you know me you'll know that's not totally true! :P

Photos & the weekend

The weekend was good. I stayed over at a friend's house Friday night, which ended up being divine guidance because at my house, some heater pump or something exploded in the basement during the night and leaked some icky scalding water into my room. I wasn't there so I didn't have to help clean up. :) On Saturday my mom and I went shopping. I got a Christmas present for one of my brothers, and also a shirt, and a jacket (which, I just realized, doesn't go with much that I have. Too bad! ;)) for myself.

After church on Sunday, my parents and I visited some people who we just found out are our relatives. This one old woman, in a town a hundred miles away, had read my name in a newspaper article, that I was on the Dean's List or something. She recognized my last name, which is totally unique -- everyone with that name is related -- and called my dad. Ends up she's a cousin of ours, and she has family living in our town. So we went to visit some "long-lost" cousins who just happen to live in the same not-so-large city! It was pretty cool.

Today has been good, except that I accidentally exploded some salmon in the microwave, the office smells like fish, and I had to go ask a friend for air freshener (and as a bonus, my former boss was there!). We laughed about it, but it's still a little embarrassing! :P Tomorrow we have a little "holiday gathering" (aka, christmas party) which should be fun. That's about it. Oh, and I get my wisdom teeth out Friday...yahoo. The worst part about that is the gas they use to put me out also doubles as a "truth serum" which means I'll have siblings gleaning all manner of sensitive information during my 24-hour recovery, none of which I'll ever remember. That is the only scary part about the whole ordeal.

And last but not least, here are a couple of pictures I took in the last few weeks. This one is on a road near my house.


This one is yet another out-the-passenger-window sunset shot (also taken near my house). If you look you can see a kind of strange animal face, like a wolf or something looking towards the ground. It's weird.


This one was obviously not taken in the last couple of weeks. It just looks so warm and sunny and humid, I think it helps to balance out the coldness. This is part of a tree outside my house.

yahoo, another blog!

I am rather pleased to annouce the creation of a new blog by yours truly!

It's called "truth is narrow" and is based upon the premise of absolute truth. With that premise, I'll be able to talk/rant (however you see it) about a lot of political/philosophical/theological issues. "Full of sound and fury" will hereafter be reserved for personal things like photos, descriptions of what I ate for lunch, and the like. Look here if you want to know these things. But if you'd rather read commentary go to my other one.

And now on to the appropriate subject matter for this blog....

We had a good Thanksgiving...we stayed home (we usually do) and had some good friends over (we usually don't). The sweet potatoes were exceptionally good, or at least the toasted marshmallows were exceptionally good and crunchy. We watched football and ate pie with real cream and played Apples to Apples and played foosball. Good day, nice and relaxing -- the boys actually did most of the cleanup! Inconceivable!!

My "roommate" (office-mate) and I have been walking every day. She's on a diet right now, and wanted to walk, so I thought maybe I could/should too. So we've done about 2 miles every day. It's fun, and it feels good to get outta the office for a few minutes. We were laughing so hard yesterday -- or I guess I was laughing so hard -- thinking about wearing tracksuits and stopwatches and having someone time us and how we'll end up running laps around the building trying to beat everyone.

After work, I brought my sister to her Bible study. We ate supper at Qdoba (correct pronnounciation escapes me) which is just like Chipotle, except the flavor is so much better. Mmmm....I can taste it now!

All of this food talk is making me hungry even though I just ate lunch. I really wish I had some honey for my banana.