Mom and Dad visit!

YAY! Visitors!!! My mom and dad picked the perfect weekend in October to come up and visit! This past weekend was beautiful weather: sunny, cool, clear! The colors of the fall were in their prime. Saturday we drove around Marquette, toured Presque Isle (awesome view of the fall colors), lunch at Cocos, and went for a hike up Sugarloaf!

After the hike we headed back to my place for a coffee break for my dad, mom and I took Blake (black lab I was puppy sitting) for a long walk in the woods where we saw 4 deer (poor Blake wanted to go play, but the leash got in the way :) ). Dinner was at the UP Front with Amy (where we got our Frequent Diner cards stamped!!!), and then mom whisked me off to Target to decorate my living room with window dressings. This task couldn’t wait, it had to be done that night!

Sunday was very cloudy so I gave them a tour of where I work, took some funny pictures, hung out, and then they headed back down state; drove half way tonight and will finish the drive home tomorrow.

The weekend was wonderful, relaxing, and beautiful! The fall colors up here, are, by far, the boldest colors I have ever seen…and are lasting the longest as well!

Pictures from this weekend can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aXnhR6l1YALnzrK4E854xQ

Madison, Wisconsin!!!

Mama Berger, Me, Katie, Papa Berger

Madison, Wisconsin. Need I say more?

This weekend I drove to Madison to surprise Katie (one of the 3 roommates from last year).

In May, Katie graduated from UW with her Bachelor’s Degree and I with my Master’s degree, both from the College of Education. Katie accepted a job in Hawaii and moved there in July. I accepted a job with the USOC and moved to Marquette, Michigan. She moved south…way south. And I moved north…way north! She has been planning on flying home for the UW vs OSU football game since she moved to Hawaii and I had initially intended to go back to Madison for the Penn State game. But, seeing how I don’t know when my next chance to see her would be, I tweaked my plans and let everyone (including her parents) know, but her that I would be in for the OSU game.

I arrived in Madison earlier than planned on Friday night (combination of getting out of work early and being a queen at driving…) and was locked out of what once was my house. Dinner with my pillow-talk buddy, Anna, and her boyfriend Shane (he’s not included in the pillow-talking), and then with Scott (past –roommate Allison’s boyfriend). Then the girls returned home and let me in! Right to bed I went because I had a busy day ahead!

Saturday
Up at 7am to go visit the swim team during practice. It was great seeing two of the two coaches who I spent 2 years working with. I then walked to the best farmer’s market in the world on Capital Square. Spicy Cheese Bread and cheese curds, and back to the Kohl Center I went to hang out with Henry for a bit.

No time for a nap because socializing and frosty beverage time! Katie arrived, surprise was amazing (she was shaking! It was wonderful). Relazing afternoon with the best company ever. Among those in attendance were Katie, Me, Katie's Parents, Allison, Allison's sister and her sister's boyfriend, Scott, his parents, his grandparents, Allison (another one), Anna, Anna (another one), and more!!! We ate food, and before we knew it, it was time to go to the game! The result of the football game need not be repeated.

Everyone gathered at the house after the game, ripped off one of the 2 layers of under armor and off to State Street we went. State Street Brats where about 15ish of us hung out, bonded, and had a great time! Walked home at bartime and was in bed around 3.30am.

Sunday
Breakfast with Anna at Micky’s. Packed up my car, waited for Sue to come home to see her for a moment (truly a moment) and then off for a 6hr drive back to the UP. Stopped at a gas station right before the Michigan boarder and won 27 dollars on a one dollar instant lotto ticket! Back in Marquette around 10pm. Exhausted, I fell into bed…back to work in the morning!

Although it was an extremely busy busy weekend, I am so glad I made the trip. Being able to see those whom I consider family again in a town that will always feel like home. I cannot wait to go back and visit again. When is again? I am aiming for a basketball game!

If you want to see the pictures from this weekend, just let me know...

Grilling at Presque Isle and an Evening Hike!

Amy had a wonderful idea earlier this week to grill out this weekend…and that is exactly what we did. We (Amy, Colby, Mariah, Brian, Justin, and myself) gathered at Presque Isle, fired up the grill with beer-brats, burgers, and veggies, beverages of choice, sides, and caramel apples! Talk about a perfect fall feast! After hanging out around the grill and eating, it was time to break out the Bocce Ball set…GAME ON! The weather was suppose to be 10% cloudy, not 100% cloudy, but it was still warm out. The water has some solid waves hitting the break wall behind our picnic site that was located under the changing leaves of the trees! It was a wonderful afternoon.

After the cook-out, Amy headed back to hit the books and Colby, Brian, Mariah and I swung by Colby and Mariah’s house to pick up Blake, their black lab, and headed out to a hike! I think it was Wetmore Landing…but I am not sure…it doesn’t matter, because it was by far, the best hike I’ve taken since I’ve been in Marquette. I will mark my calendar and take this hike again in perhaps 2 weeks when the leaves are at their peak!

Today was an amazing fall day (minus the lacking of sunshine) :)

Pictures from today's adventures can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Street.Jenna/GrillingAtPresqueIsleAndHike#

Owosso, Michigan for Monica's Wedding

This weekend, Friday was my “Labor Day” and I drove down to Owosso/East Lansing for the weekend. On the road by 6am (with Justin sleeping in the passenger’s seat), 6ish hours later we were in East Lansing! I survived my very first trip over the Mackinaw Bridge!!! It was beautiful, but I didn’t really look around too much considering I was driving. Lunch Friday with Eric (who I hadn’t seen since April) and Jeremy (who I hadn’t seen since I graduated from MSU in 2006). It was great being able to catch up with them! Quick stop into the MSU athletic training facilities to say hi to the staff, popped into the Meridian Mall, and then off to Mikes!!! By the time I stopped at the mall, I decided I rather go take a nap before Mike got out of work than to shop! YAY for naptime!!!

Friday night Mike and I drove to meet my parents for dinner (and for the all-important handoff of the microwave!!)! I finally have a microwave in my apartment!!!

After going to my favorite breakfast place in the world, 401, we got ready and went to Monica’s wedding (main motivation for this trip). I was asked to help hand out bubbles as the guest entered with Jess and thus, we were the official bubble-hander-outters. 20 minute ceremony (nice and short!!!), and then reception. Overall, it was a fun day!!!

Sunday was breakfast back at 401 before picking Justin up in East Lansing and heading back to Marquette. On our way back, we stopped at St. John’s Cider Mill for apples, doughnuts, and cider!!! Caramel apples on their way!!! Part of my car decided to fall off and drag during the crossing of the Bridge. Nothing a little duct tape couldn’t take contain for the remaining 170 miles to home. It was absolutely amazing to spend the weekend with Mike, although it wasn’t enough time with him…but it never is…

Pictures from this weekend can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Street.Jenna/MonicaSWedding?authkey=u6idDOBR1BM#

The Appleton, WI Day Adventure

Yesterday Mariah and I went to Appleton, WI for the day.

Our To Do List:~Green Bay for a sushi lunch (they were closed when we first arrived because we failed to calculate in the time change so we hit up the mall and went to OLD NAVY!!! IT WAS WONDERFUL). YAY for Old Navy!
~Appleton's mall to have her rings inspected (main reason for trip), Victoria's Secret, Gap, Body Shop, Trade Secret, Macy's were other wonderful attractions we stopped in
~Galarowicz's house to say hello since we were in town and was able to try on Bucky's head that was hanging out there!!!
~Back on the road to make it back to Marquette, MI where we had tickets to go to 2nd City at 9.30pm.
~CRAPPY weather on both drives, worse coming home though. Fog, pouring rain, almost hit a deer (with a yard of our hood). We were a half hour late to 2nd City due to the weather but we arrived safely which is the most important thing.
~After climbing over 20 people to find our seats in the DEAD CENTER of the theater for 2nd City, we met up with Colby and Amy and enjoyed the rest of the show. That is a production I would see again! And to think, the tickets were only 2 dollars! I heart Marquette!

When we first stepped into the mall in Appleton, it took me a few moments to become adjusted to the environment. It has been 3 months since I’ve been in a crowded place. 3 months since I’ve been elbowed. 3 months since I’ve been cut off. I was over stimulated; too many things going on! I quickly adjusted and dove right in. I felt like it was Christmas! So many stores I wanted to go in, so little time. We will definitely go back, perhaps spend the weekend in Appleton.

Marquette's mall = Kohls.

Appleton's Mall = a smidge smaller than 12 Oaks (Novi, MI), or a slighly bigger Meridian (East Lansing, MI), but pretty equal to West Town (Madison, WI).

It was wonderful seeing Allison, Mrs. Galarowicz, and sister Galarowicz…and to put on the Bucky Head!!!

4 day work-week comin’ up before driving back down state to see Mike!!!

Sugarloaf

Whoah! What a busy week! Wednesday night pulled off a surprise party/dinner for Colby. Holly was in town (and ended up crashing at my place) through Sunday and work was busy busy (which is a good thing). Sunday afternoon before Holly left she insisted we hike Sugarloaf. It was a beautiful hike with a wonderful view of Marquette. Rumor has you can see Canada from the top on a clear day. Above is a picture of me at the top of Sugarloaf…is there enough blue in the picture for you? Hehe. I am wearing my favorite t-shirt (if you want one, let me know and I’ll point you in the right direction)!

Swimming in Lake Superior!

My dry blond hair headed under the icy water.

Swimming back to the warm sand with my wet hair (proof I went under)!

Yes, I did it. I swam in Lake Superior (evidence above)! And yes, it is, by far, the coldest swim I have ever had. But once you're in for a moment, you can't really feel anything anymore and thus, it no longer feels cold! Amy and I went to the beach today after work. After a few hours laying in the sun, Amy headed back to work for a few hours, and I headed home to duck out of sun for a bit.

After taking a quick break from the sun, Amy and I headed out to Black Rocks to plunge into the ice-cold water! The warm days are coming to an end and thus, I have to get all the warm-weather activities crossed off my list! Pictures of Black Rocks will come as soon as I figure out how to get them off of the hard drive of my camera...hm...

What a wonderful half day/holiday!