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!

Marquette Dog Show

What a week! Classes started at Northern and thus, the school year has officially begun. All teams are in now set into full practice schedules, and we had Elite Athlete Health Profiles (aka physicals) on Wednesday and Thursday. Those days were 12+ hour days at work, but I enjoyed every moment of it (I must be crazy!).

Yesterday I had a mini-panic-attack when I realized the Wisconsin football game was on the Big Ten Network and I didn’t get the Big Ten Network. The first bar I called didn’t have the Big Ten Network and the guy I talked to honestly didn’t think anyone in town did have it! I blamed him for potentially running my Saturday (really, I did) and called another bar. YAY! The Dog House (just down the road from me) had the Big Ten Network and so I was off. Jeans, UofW t-shirt, and UofW sweat jacket, and away I went to secure a TV and a seat for the game. I felt like a lone tailgater on my way as the streets I walked were BARE. Never before have I had a gameday with ZERO people tailgating in the street. I was greeted by the bartender who immediately read my clothing and started to search for the game! Soda, and then a beer and lunch once Amy joined when she got out of work and it was a wonderful start to Football Saturday. Home after the game to watch UofM while cleaning the house (trying to be producing) and then curled up on the couch to watch MSU! It was a wonderful day :)

Today I had to be productive since nothing truly got done yesterday. On my way to Target (surprise surprise), I stopped by the Marquette Dog Show. Yes, the dog show. It was held at the local YMCA and had free admission. After sitting in the metal bleachers for an hour and a half, I decided to continue on my way. I am still trying to figure out why I stayed for over an hour at an event that I still don’t understand. There were people there who brought their own lawn chairs and staked out a spot close to the rink. There was cheer, I mean hole-in-one cheering, touchdown to win the game at the buzzer, 3-point fade-away at the buzzer to win the NCAA tournament cheering. Yes, there were cute dogs there, but all of them were more pampered than me. More time on their hair, nails, and posture. Then again, I’m ok with having “normal” posture if it means someone is not putting their hand up my butt and pulling on my legs to make me stand straight, I’m ok with it.

After seeing all those dogs as pampered as their were, I figured the least I could do for myself was to self-pamper and give myself a pedicure :) I was in need anyways. Bedtime with pretty toes! Working tomorrow = extra vacation day :) SCHWING!!!

Picture: The 4 rings set up for the Dog Show.

It’s official: Month 2 is in the books!

Seafood Festival

On Wednesday evening, Mike and company rolled into town around 6pm. The request was made for me to make Chicken Cupcakes for dinner, and I am not one to disappoint. I finished making dinner as they put their feet up and relaxed after along day of riding as they near the end of their Lake Superior Tour. Dinner was a hit (as this dish always is) and we headed down to Vierlings to try some U.P. local brews. Delish, as always. Sam and Mike crashed at my place and Sean and Mr. Harwood rented a hotel room in town because everyone wanted a bed to sleep in.

Friday night Amy (the GA at the USOEC) and I headed out to the Seafood Festival at Lower Harbor. DELICIOUS FOOD! We walked around a bit, ate some crab legs and corn on the cob, and then ran into Colby and Mariah. The four of us hung out for most of the night until the bands stopped playing and then we called it a night.

Amy and I went back to the Seafood Festival earlier this evening and ate more, met some interesting people, and then made a mad dash to the theater to catch House Bunny. We were the only two laughing in the theater the entire time. It was, by far, the funniest movies I have ever seen.

A few pictures I took at the Seafood Festival can be found here: http://picasaweb.google.com/Street.Jenna/SeafoodFestival . Check out the huge crowd! Yes, they all (probably) live in Marquette!