Tuesday, December 31, 2013

A Low Country Christmas With Waves on the Side

My dad's footprint on the beach
All of my life I have lived near water.  Most of the time it has been by rivers where the water route is pretty well planned.  Even though you made not always be able to see what is around the bend, but you have a pretty good idea.  And the flow of the river always makes sense - just try to keep it between the banks.  And if it rains or melts too much snow, the river makes the changes need to keep the river flowing.  A river makes sense to me - it knows where it needs to go and does.  What doesn't make sense to me?  Waves.

This past Christmas my family traveled to Charleston, SC, to have a "Low Country Christmas."  The trip was a great one filled with tours of the Charleston Harbor, downtown Charleston by horse drawn carriage and a tour of the Boone Hall Plantation - all of which I would highly recommend if you ever find yourself in Chuck Town.  My brother ate his weight in oysters and I was able to catch up with my friend, Amanda, who lives near by.  I also watched a group of cyclists enjoy the view of the beach from the road as they rolled by in the much warmer than Minnesota temps.

Folly Beach Pier
As much as all of these activities were a fun time, my favorite part of the trip was were we stayed in Folly Beach, which is just outside of Charleston.  Once again we were able to rent a condo from a home owner on VRBO.com.  We have done this in the past with great success with this year being no different.  Our condo was right across a parking lot from the ocean and Folly Pier - a place I visited every morning we were there. 

Many of the times I went to the beach, my dad accompanied me.  We would comb the beach for interesting shells and creatures while we walked and talked along the water.  But as we walked I would always find myself stopping to watch the waves roll in.  You see to me waves don't make sense.  The come and go as they please - some big, some small.  Some come in and bring water only a small way up the beach, others travel farther making you scatter up the beach as to not get your tennies wet.  Yes, yes, I understand that have to do with gravity and currents and the moon, blah blah blah.  But at the end of the day waves are weird.
Little gifts left by the waves

But as I watched the waves every day I started to notice certain things about them.  I noticed that no two waves were ever the same.  Some would come in mighty and loud and others would quietly spread across the sand.  I also noticed that when they would finally roll onto the beach they would always leave a line in the sand of where they ended.  Sometimes they would also leave some shells or jelly fish, but regardless you could see where they had been.  A wave foot print.

I think in our lives we feel like we are the river - rolling along our course and staying in our banks as we deal with anything that lies around the bend.  Then other times we get to experience some waves in our lives.  Moving water that doesn't make sense and seems to crest at unpredictable times, but things that leave marks in our memories.  Waves that bring something new into our beach that we may not have seen before.  In the river of life, every once in awhile we need to experience some waves.  Even if they don't make sense.
 

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Happy Holidays!

So normally I love putting together a holiday card to send out sometime between Thanksgivings and New Years, but this year I decided to save the postage and just send out this lovely blog instead!

The Micheletti sisters making
Thanksgiving dinner - 2013



This holiday season has been a fairly special one for me - I spent Thanksgiving with my mom's side of our extended family and enjoyed servings of turkey skin, stuffing and green bean hotdish.  But this Thanksgiving was the first once that I didn't leave afterwards to head back to Iowa, I simply got back in the car and headed home with my parents - the home that I now share with them.

Facetime with my favorite Alaskans!
After a filling Thanksgiving came my 28th birthday - a day celebrated with phone calls, text messages, facebook posts, and even a facetime chat with so many of the amazing people in my life.  I also was able to go on a long walk with my dad shaded by the woods and filled with the sound of a freezing river.  My mom made a delicious meal that was capped off by a round of homemade angel food cake and raspberry sauce.

Following my actual Birthday came my Birthday party in the Twin Cities with friends from Iowa and Minnesota.  Since it was my first birthday in 10 years as a Minnesotan resident, I figured it was only fitting to do stereotypical Minnesotan things.  We went to the Mall of America followed by the Hollidazzle Parade and dinner in downtown Minneapolis.  I loved seeing so many of my friends and catching up with many who I hadn't seen in awhile.

An extra bonus that occurred right after my Birthday was accepting a new job up here in Central Minnesota.  As I had recently decided to step away from my work at the American Cancer Society to look for a new opportunity, I was able to find that a lot sooner than I had thought.  My role will be with the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls, MN, working as an organizational development specialist and will allow me to continue my work in the nonprofit world, a world I have come to love.  And because my office would be only 10 miles from my parents home, it allows me to stay with them a little bit longer before starting my apartment hunt.  The new job not only lifted the stress of job and home shopping over the holidays, but because I don't start until after the new year, it also gave me the opportunity to fully enjoy the last three weeks of my mini-retirement. 

Now with Thanksgiving, my Birthday and my job offer and acceptance in the past and several inches of fresh snow on the cold ground, I am looking forward to our upcoming Christmas trip.  A few years ago my family decided that instead of having my brother and I always travel to Royalton, that we should fly somewhere a little warmer.  The first year we went to San Diego and then last year to Denver, where Josh lives, and this year we are traveling to Charleston, SC.  I went to Charleston last year to see my Alaskan friends, Adam and Amanda and their daughter, Emma.  I had a great time and was excited that my family decided to go there this year.

Our rental home in Golden, CO - 2012
The best part of our Christmas travels is that we always manage to find a beautiful home rental by using VRBO.com.  Last year it was a beautiful home in Golden, CO, that looked into the Rockies and the year before a condo in San Diego only a block from the beach.  These homes always work the best for us as we are able to spread out in the house, use the washer and dryer, and most importantly, we have a kitchen.  Everyone in my family loves to cook and to have fresh made food around.  My brother normally comes in first and attacks the kitchen by making some fresh guacamole and other snacks.  While we do find some great local restaurants to try and find a great sushi restaurant, we all really look forward to our annual Christmas meal of homemade fettuccine Alfredo with lots of seafood in it.  This meal was started so many years ago and it is one that my stomach craves every year.  And every year we always find something to add to it.  When I lived in Alaska, I would fly down some fresh King Crab and then my brother learned how to make sushi one year, so fresh homemade sushi rolls were added to the meal from time to time.  

Christmas 2011 - San Diego
Along with the food, we always find some local activities to partake in and local beer/wine to enjoy.  But really the best part of the trip is spending time with my family.  Normally Josh and I only see my parents a handful of times during the year, and Josh and I only really see each other once or twice during a good year.  So the four to five days spent together makes up for the lost time and creates new memories (and fights - who am I kidding right?  Nothing says family fun like a good argument!) to talk about for the coming year.  When we would all come up the Royalton we would spend the time catching up with friends who were back home as well, and not as much time together as a family.  But our annual trips are filled with days of being around each other while trying to navigate our rental car to where ever our hearts desire. 

The time during Thanksgiving and News Years truly is my favorite times of the year.  The days may be short but they are filled to the brim with family, friends, hope, shopping, smiles, and memories of another year spent on this beautiful Earth.

So from me to you and your family, I wish you nothing but the happiest of holidays filled with family, friends, food and fun!

Happy Holidays!

-Andrea

Friday, December 13, 2013

320

I remember my first cell phone - it was maroon and shaped like a small fish.  My dad bought it for me when I was in high school and I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  But the best part - I had my own phone number.

I don't remember my first cell number, but I do remember my second one.  I got that one my freshman year of college when we lied to the Verizon guy about my address so I could get their service.  And over the years I switched phones every two years as my cell phone has come with me every where and to all of the different places I have visited and called home.  And while my phones, location, and level of usage has changed over the years one thing stayed the same.  My phone number and my area code - 320.

An old high school friend asked me for my new cell number over the weekend and when I gave her the digits, she commented that it was the same one I had from years ago.  She was amazed that I never had it change and the more I thought about that fact the more interesting it became.  From the different states and street addresses, one thing stayed the same - 320.  It was almost as if I was just never really ready to let go of my roots in Central Minnesota or maybe my phone knew what was going to happen all along - that 320 would become my home again.

This week I found out some great news, my temporary status of living in central Minnesota just got permanent.  I was offered a new job at a foundation here in the area that involves me working with partnering nonprofits and helping them be successful in their mission to create change in their communities.  I start working again on January 6, 2014 - almost two months to the day since I had stopped working.  I am very excited for the new role but even more excited to be back in 320.

I was never sure I would be back in this area and be so excited about it.  I had spent so many years trying to run away from here that the idea of being happy to be back was very foreign to me at first.  But after speaking to my friend Heidi, it made more sense.  She had lived a path much like mine - she grew up in Mason City, IA, went to college at ISU and then moved out to Detroit.  After several years of living in the "Mitten State," a job and life change led her back to Mason City and her family.  As we spoke on the phone the other day about my new Minnesotan status, she gave me some supportive words about being back where you came from and especially being back around my family. With my old lifestyle I only saw my parents a few times during the year and my extended family in Minnesota only 1-2 times a year, and my brother, who lives in Denver, once a year.  I never thought this was all that weird until I started to notice how much my friends did with their families.

Nights out at the campground, a day spent seeing a movie, or just a quick stop in to say hello.  It was something that was a part of their daily life.  I forgot how much I missed that.  Many of my extended family is only an hour to two hour away from my parents' home and I missed being a part of their daily lives.  And my parents, who have supported me through every move, every hardship and every success, well I missed having them around.  A part of me truly wanted to change that and the job change only made it easier.

I truly believe that things happen that are suppose to happen, you just need to let them.  I knew I was met to make all of the moves and job changes I have done.  For good or bad, they lead me down my path and I gained so much from each one of them.  And the same has been true for my latest.  Not only am I gaining a new and exciting job, but I am getting my family back.  I get to be a part of my parents daily lives (until Spring that is and then it will be a part of their weekly lives ;) and get to see other members of my family more regularly.  And the icing on the cake?  I am still a small drive away from my Iowa friends that make for a great weekend escape!

So I am back in the 320.  If you had asked me five years ago if I would end up here, I would have said no way.  If you had asked me two years ago, I would have said - eh. maybe.  But now.  Well now, at this new fork in my road it feels so great to me back where hotdish makes sense and blaze orange is the state color.  Back in Minnesota and back in the 320 - where my cell phone number makes sense.  Where I make sense.

But to those in Iowa - don't worry I will keep representing the Iowa plates and Hawkeye sweatshirt for a bit longer, as you have been pumped into my blood as well with a side of Alaska.  It has been my travels that have made me who I am and is what makes me excited to be back home.

Dear 320 - I'm back to stay.   

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Don't Grow Up - It's a Trap

Josh and I on our sweet rides
Do you remember when you first learned how to ride a bike?  How long did it take for you to lose the training wheels?  Odds are that one of your parents, siblings or friends took the time and patience to teach you.  Someone took the time to watch you try and try and would help you every time you would wipe out.

For me it was my mom, or at least I was told, and she said it didn't take me to long to ditch the training wheels and feel the freedom that is riding a bike.  She shared memories with me tonight about time I would ride downtown to get something from Larry's Groceries and take a detour or two along the way home.  She said I loved learning how to ride because it opened me to so many other things outside of my own front yard.   

So many things, like learning to ride a bike, is part of a "typical" childhood.  Our childhood is spent mostly having fun and learning.  From writing, drawing, swinging from the monkey bars, and playing tag - we took it all in and opened our minds to be filled with so many things.  But many times in our lives we get caught up in our "adulthood" and forget what it is like to be a kid again.

One of my favorite parts of coming back home is going to school with my parents and working in my mom's classroom.  Both of my parents are Elementary teachers - my dad retired a few years back but still fills in as a substatuite teacher from time to time and my mom has a room filled daily with third graders.  Tonight I went to my old elementary school to help in my mom's room for the annual holiday music concert.  Every year since I was a small kindergrartner and many years even before then, our school's music teacher, Ms. Burnside, would put on the most wonderful concerts.  The gym would always be packed with family and friends as they watch rows of children sing their hearts out on a stage surrounded by bright decorations and framed by black curtains.


Tonight's concert was no different.  I watched my mom's third graders sing about going to grandma's house with jingle bells on their little wrists and stomped their feet as they asked Santa for no more slippers for Christmas.  Afterwards back in their classroom I was quickly asked what I thought of the performance.  I told them they all did wonderful and was answered by toothy grins and some not so toothy grins.  They talked with my mom about who they all saw in the crowd from their families - moms, dads, grandparents, neighbors - they noticed them all from up on the stage.  Then they all started listening to a story about Clifford the Big Red Dog as I continued to work with some of them one on one to finish their stocking project.  After the story, they played a quick game of 7-Up - remember the game where you put your head on your desk as a few selected others would run around and put your thumb down.  Some them of gently push your thumb as they giggled and then others would give it a quick slam and run away.  Then you would raise your head and try to guess who had pushed on your thumb.

It seems so odd to think that it truly comes down to the simple things - listening to a story, playing a simple game, and sharing who supports you.  As adults we make these things seem so unimportant, but to kids they are at the top of the list.  Kids are so eager to learn, to try, and to share, where as us as adults we tend to be guarded, stubborn, and unwilling to change.  When did we forget to be kids?



As I finished up my time with the students tonight I was also reminded that some children don't get that "normal" childhood.  Not every child has someone to teach them how to ride a bike or to come to their holiday concert and that will bring me to tears almost every time.  But then you see one of their school friends step up and tell them they did a great job and that their slippers are really cool, and all seems good again.  Not every childhood is a great one or a perfect one, and sometimes it doesn't seem fair.  But as I told many times growing up - life isn't always fair.  They will be hard times, good times, times when you want to give up, and times when all you want is your mom.  And that never changes no matter how old you are.


So don't forget to have some fun today, to learn something new, and most of all love your life, no matter if it doesn't always seem fair.  And when you get the chance, make the time and have the patience be there for a little one in your life and to teach them something - trust me they will truly appreciate every moment of it.  And most of all, remember to never lose your inner child and to let her enjoy the wind in her hair ever once in awhile. 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

It is not the heat, it is the humidity

So here is a little pop quiz.

On Friday in Royalton, MN, it was -11 degrees with a 5 mph wind, while in Mason City, IA, it was 15 degrees with a 15 mph wind.  Which place is "colder?"

When I moved up to Alaska, most people said the same thing - Oh boy, I bet that will be cold!  And don't get me wrong, it was cold.  Many times when I would travel to Fairbanks and Delta Junction and it would be -20, -30 and yes, -40 degree weather.  Up there it's completely normal to have a block heater hooked up to your car when it was parked overnight and to leave the engine running while delivering daffodils because if you didn't they would freeze.  Ever smelled thawing daffodils?  It is ain't a pretty smell.

But I learned something about being cold when I moved back to Iowa after my time in Alaska - once you hit 10 degrees, it just feels cold no matter the number, but once you add in a 25 mph wind, well that is down right cold.  Iowa is a tricky state, it can seem to be really nice outside until your eye wonders down to the wind report on weather.com and then your day automatically changes.  You look out and think, "Mmmm.  What a beautiful day, I should get out and ride!"  Then you walk outside and bam!  You are hit with a 20 mph wind gust that fills your lungs with the smell of sunshine and barn.  Yum.

But as bad as the wind can make a sunny, warm day in July, it only makes it 500 million, bagillion times worse in the winter.  You know you phase - it isn't the heat it is the humidity?  Well in the midwest it should be changed in the winer to it isn't the subzero temps, it is the soul sucking wind chill.  Wind that makes your face feel like it is going to fall off as you walk around the corner of a building and straight into a new direction of wind.

Braving the cold at the Hollidazzle Parade
 with Rachel, myself, Carl and Amber
This past weekend I traveled down to the the Twin Cities for my Birthday celebration.  The weekend consisted of some typical "Minnesotan" things - trip to the Mall of America and IKEA followed by the Hollidazzle Parade and dinner.  I had friends from both the Cities and Iowa coming to celebrate the big 2-8 with me.  On top of a recent snowfall, the state was enjoying the sunshine and cold temps that followed the storm.  Nothing says welcome to winter like doing the no-jacket-shuffle up seven flights of stairs in a over crowded parking garage, listening to how your friends managed to get their cuddle duds to fit under their skinny jeans, and of course by spending 30 minutes bundling up your body to stand and watch a lighted parade in downtown Minneapolis for 5 minutes before running back to your heated hotel room.

As much as I may complain about the cold, I know that it is what makes me stronger as a person.  You know you are a true Minnesotan when you are willing to bypass your shoes to run out to your car quick to grab your cellphone.  But the best part about living where it is cold, is finding out the things that truly make you warm.  From spending time with friends and family to remembering why you love the state you were raised in and recently moved back to.  The fun conversations shared over a fireplace; new games played while eating pickle dip in a warm hotel room; and the joy that a remote car start brings to your life.  Things that truly make you warm inside.

At the end of day, it may be cold outside and the wind may blow but all the memories that happen while trying to stay warm makes it totally worth it.  Because in the end the best part of being cold is that you can only get warmer.  That is, unless the wind picks up.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

My New Boyfriend

So since my move back to Minnesota I have quiety been seeing someone new.  He is someone that I have gone out with before, but never really could fully commit to but now that I have some extra time on my hands I am really hoping to make it work this time.  Now I don't want to jinx it by introducing him too soon to those around me, but here goes - my favorite new guy is Gym.

Did I get ya?  Well all of what I said is true - except maybe the part that would imply Gym is a real person.  Sorry about that - my bad.  But I do look at working out much like a relationship.  There are times with you love spending hours together and then there are times where seconds seem like they are crawling by and you can't wait to leave.  There are days were you get a ton of alone time together and others when you need to share him with some pesky senior citizens who want all of Gym's time too.  But just like any other relationship, it comes down to staying true to each other through the good and the bad.

Now that cycling season is long gone and as I prepare for my first Minnesotan winter back home (projecting over half a foot of snow and subzero temps this week), I knew I needed to restart my relationship with Gym.  I also went into it this time with a true goal - the 2014 30 Day Bicycle Challenge starts on April 1st - only 4 months away!  I wanted to make sure I used this winter to get bike ready - that meant getting much stronger and much lighter.  I had some great rides last summer and pushed my body, but I knew if I really focused in the winter I could get rid of some extra post-ride beer weight and get my body much stronger for that first day of riding.  And that's where Gym comes in.

But you see Gym and I have been here before.  I say I will go and I do... for a few weeks and then I just kind of find a reason to not go.  I have a cold.  I am gone for a few days and don't have time.  It is too cold to drive all that way.  And the best one of all - I will see him tomorrow.  So I did what any person does when they need help with a relationship - Gym and I went to counseling .  I worked with a old friend of mine and put together some new workouts that I can do on my own so my workout ADD doesn't set in.  He is also helping Gym and I stay true to each other but checking in on when I make time for Gym and also giving advice and new workouts when needed.

So I am still in week one of dating Gym again, but so far it is going well.  My first round of soreness has passed and I can finally walk up my stairs without tearing up.  And I am finding my time spent with Gym to be well worth it.  My hope is that I can find true love with Gym this time and grow old together - well at least until cycling season...   

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Peace Out 27... Helllllooo 28!


Me and the Longhaul Survivor
OK, I know many girls don't like to tell their age, but yes today is my 28th birthday!  Not 25th, like a few in Mason City would like to think, but 28.  The big 2.8.  I have been alive for 28 years. I have filled over 245,000 hours with either sleep or memories - some good and some bad.  28 years ago I was being brought into this world.  Still is hard to believe.

Hanging by the Lake in Clear Lake
My 27th year of life was one with many ups and downs.  I was settling into my new home in Dubuque, which I would also move from in the same year.  I was trying to meet new people while working in new communities with new volunteers.  I was learning a new part of Iowa - one that was filled with many hills and valleys.

Getting our Zip On in Dubuque
There were many new things that happened this last year, but some things stayed the same while still changing.  I continued to grow my existing friendships while letting some go.  I continued to be involved in the fight against cancer and then deciding to take a break from it.  I continued to try and better myself and while continuing to try and find the meaning of life - all while I was still trying to find myself.  And in the middle of this all - I got in some truly great biking!



Sir Hudson
This last year I was able to travel to Golden, CO; Bayfield, Trempealeau, Madison, and New Diggins, Wis; Galena, Ill; Sioux Falls, SD; and many places in between.  I celebrated many birthdays of my friends along with engagements.  I saw my dad be inducted in our Royalton High School Hall of Fame.  I watch the little ones in my life grow taller and taller and said final goodbyes to former teachers and friends who passed away.  I got closer to some familiar friends and met some amazing new ones.  I moved back in with my parents and became a member of my hometown once more.  I bought a new car and left an old job.  I attended many Relay For Life events, downtown Dubuque concerts, sold a few beers and learned "youes guys" is part of the English language - well at least in Dubuque it is.  And did I mention I got in some great biking??

A Sunday ride with Eric and Chris
I rode my bike 30 days in a row.  I rode some of the largest hills my handle bars have ever seen.  I became part of cycling groups and even help start a new one.  I rode my bike in a new state - Wisconsin.  I was able to ride around an island with my mom.  My bikes survived hundreds of miles on the top of my car and even a freak snowstorm or two.  I learned how to ride as a group, as a unit trying to working together.  I even rode with the boys (and kept up!).  I started a blog about my biking lessons (ps - thank you for reading it!) and learned that bonks do hurt, but you still have to get up that hill.  I have almost been killed while riding - kids, don't text and drive, especially on county roads.  My cycling taught me a lot this past year - lessons learned on the road, memories made after the wheels stopped turning and the beer was opened, and friendship formed in between belly laughs and several, "Oh s**t that is a big hill!"  I wear my RoadID ever day on my wrist and every day when I look at it I think of all the memories that have been made because of it.    

My dad and I kayaking on the Mississippi
When I think back over this last year, one filled with so many changes, and look at the pictures I took and think of the memories I made, all I can think is what will year 28 bring?  A new job?  A new home?  New friends?  Learning new things?  I hope so to all of those while also I hope it lets me continue to grow in my relationships and in my life.  I hope my 28th year continues to bring my challenges and successes.  I hope it continues to fill my days with fun memories and tearful goodbyes.  To continue to give me some Yin here and some Yang there.  I can only hope that my 28th year is simply filled with life.   
My mom and I at "A Prairie Home Companion"

Thank you to everyone who made my 27th year a memorable one.  You have filled the last year with so much joy and so many blessings.  Thank you to my parents for the increased support this last year and for also giving birth to be!  Thank you to all my family and friends - you fill my heart and remind me why I this life is so very worth it.

Good bye 27, hello 28 - I can't wait to see what you have in store for me!