Penny

A map - that you scratch off where you've been.

                               

'nuff said. I need one. 

You too? Get it here. 

(via A Cup of Jo)

WhataYear

Mid-December: a random couple talks me to at a Caribou coffee in Red Wing, MN. They think I'm someone else. Then invite me to attend a meeting about the co-op they are trying to open. (PS: it's now open... check out http://www.riverbendmarket.com/ for more information about this beautiful project). 

I go to said meeting, and meet Collie Graddick who works for the MN Dept. of Agriculture. He tells me I should e-mail Sara Chute from the MN Dept. of Health. I do. She becomes a wonderful contact who gets me involved in the Metro Area Refugee Health Task Force, coaches me on grant writing, and sends me community refugee updates. She likes chips and salsa as much as I do. 

July: After a wonderful spring/summer of volunteering with WISE I find out that I did not get an AmeriCorps position with them. Same day - Collie e-mails me about a position at the Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM). I'm much to depressed to apply. Sara keeps sending out e-mails about KOM's August 5th Open House (she's the Board Chair). I think, "Maybe I should apply, too bad I have to work during the Open House." 

This is where it gets crazy, folks. 

August 3rd: I apply for the position.

August 4th: The schedule at work changes - I can go!

August 5th: Schedule at work changes again, I can't go. Being obviously upset - a gracious co-worker takes my shift. I rush to the KOM Open House. I get shuffled to a random table. After the program a man comes to the table and introduces himself as KOM's Executive Director. To my surprise he reacts to my introduction by saying,
"Jeanna Bauer?! I called you today."
"Uhh, really?"
"Yeah, why do you not listen to your voicemail?"
Then I lose him. Later in the night I find the Chang Bee Vang again and ask about this voicemail and he tells me that he wants to interview, "Hows tomorrow morning?"

August 6th: Interview at KOM.

August 9th: Interview at Emerge (Emerge is the organization that received AmeriCorps funding - they then 'sub-contract' the volunteer positions to smaller non-profits around the Metro. All of Emerge's AmeriCorps positions revolve around the same issue of Employment). The interview went wonderfully - and as I was pulling out of the parking lot got a call from KOM offering me the position.

I start Americorps training on August 23rd, and start with KOM full time for the year August 30th. I'm still in shock.

Is that a circle or what?!

!!!

I got a job.

Finally.

Here - The Karen Organization of Minnesota

More to come. Very, very soon.

EEP!

HEY YOU - ATTEND!

If you know me and you're free - come to this event!

See what my dear friends and I have been up to all summer! The girls have made some a-maz-ing projects including personal collages (see mine here), talking suitcases, batik, and more! This is their chance to showcase their creativity & culture!

I've been put in charge of hula hoop making - this should be incentive enough to come. BUT in case it isn't... there will be ethnic food, cultural (& fire) dancing, entertainment, hands on art projects, and more art galore!!

I've already sung my love for WISE , so come see for yourself why it's so great. Please. & Thank you.

Driving Directions: Take 94 towards Saint Paul and get off at the Snelling Ave. Exit. Go North on Snelling (towards University). 3 blocks past University, turn right on Edmund St. (there is a Holiday Gas Station). Drive down the block and Hamline Park Plaza is located in front of you. Most of the activities will be located in the Rose Garden. The entrance is near the entrance of the building. Free parking in the ramp! 

Not Milk

It's incomprehensible.

62,000 barrels a day.
205,800,000 barrels total.

That's 76 floors of the Empire State Building filled.

& when I think oil - I think gallons - when I think gallons - I think milk...

x 8,643,600,000 

& to think, I thought it was sad in May.

la porte

The BIG 21

Whoops. I'm a day late in publicly blog-style celebratin' my little sista's 21st birthday! I could say our day was full of rowdy debauchery, but really Emily was shopping and I - was cleaning my car.

Isn't she beautiful? (& all grown up?!) Oh Emmy Bee  - heres to wishing you the happiest of birthdays and an adventurous, fulfilling and happy year. xoxo

Stat

I believe it has already been confirmed that I have the world's best, most beautiful, sympathetic, inspiring, thoughtful, understanding, fun, adventurous, interesting, etc. friends. & now, it's really time to live with one of them. 

Kindness of Strangers

So remember when I blogged about the novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson? & I also said something about bothering a customer at the deli with all sorts of questions about it?! Well, wellllllll today before heading back home, Natalie from Washington came in and gave it to me. Isn't that sweet?

I've been serving her, her daughter, and mother  for a few weeks, and slowly been forming an interesting bond. I may have known their favorite drinks and dishes before their names, but let me tell ya - a few tears were present at our short & sweet goodbye today.

At the end of it all, I'm thankful for this rain - it's time to read.
At the end of it all II - this is all the more proof that I should move to Washington, yes?

Again