A Day Trip to Itasca State Park... It's Worth it, Yo!

This past summer I went on very cheap semi vacations. I kept them close to home and made sure that every day would be filled with something new. And even though I would have loved to go somewhere far far away, it just wasn't going to happen this past summer, due to graduating college, having student loans that I want to pay back early, having a car that is getting older, wanting to move from up north to the Twin Cities. In other words, no spending money as much as possible and SAVE EVERYTHING.

So I went on trips in Minnesota. The first was Itasca State Park. My family lives around 1-2 hours away from Itasca, so I never had to pay for hotels or too much traveling expenses. I had originally decided to go here this summer because my boyfriend had never been, and since he lives in Minnesota, I couldn't allow him to continue living without seeing it. At least I think it is crazy that he hasn't been there because of all my memories with day trips there in school. I mean that was one of the only places we were allowed to go for trips in school. Back then I resented the fact that we didn't get to go to all those cool things down in the cities, but now I realize what I a gift I was given by being let to go to Itasca and learn all about nature and the history behind it.
So we made plans to go on a day visit.

Here's the thing about Itasca, it has the headwaters of the Mississippi River. That is what it is most known for, but it has a rich history concerning the logging industry and the Native American culture and much more. There is even a Native American burial mound area that people can visit, but please be super respectful because it is a cemetery.

So my trip with my boyfriend was fast, and we didn't get to do everything that we wanted to do which happens when there is only so much time. We were on a deadline since we had to get back for a family function. So my advice, plan the Itasca trip before going unlike us. I assumed that my previous goings would help me to remember and guide us to where we needed to go. I had forgotten that I was kid or very young when I went and I always was in a passenger seat or on a bus, so I never paid any attention on where things were in the park. I just remember to cool sites and things we did. My boyfriend and I only planned around the timeline of when we had to leave and the weather.

The main tourist and park attractions that I would say are a must if you are on a time crunch are these:  visitor center, headwaters, Native American Burial ground, Wegmann Store Ruins, museum, pioneer cemetery, peace pipe vista, preacher's grove,  and Old Timer's Cabin.
The peace pipe vista, preacher's grove, and pioneer cemetery will only take ten minutes tops for each, and visit them on your way out of the park, it makes life a lot simpler if you're driving out.

Visiting during the summer means that there will always be a lot of people especially during the weekends. The weather is always something to plan for. If you like hiking or biking there are amazing trail for that too. There is a rental place right in the park where people can rent bikes, canoes, paddle boats, even the bikes that are electric so you don't have to work as hard. However, this past summer almost all of the bike trails were closed to construction and maintenance, so be aware of what is closed and what isn't before going.

Overall, after trying to rush and do everything because I wanted my boyfriend to have a great experience like I have always had since I was a kid, we realized that we had more than enough time to go explore things we didn't notice on the map. We both agree that we want to come back during the winter for another day trip to go snowshoeing and cross country skiing. I'll stick to the snow shoes though.

A Clumsy Superhero?

I'm clumsy. It's true. I am a dancer, and yet I am very clumsy. Fortunately, not while I am dancing. And for some reason, I am also awkward. I speak awkwardly, I act awkwardly, I even react awkwardly.
Many people think this is cute. Others think that I create these scenarios to be like characters such as Bella in Twilight. This has never been the case. I have always understood that I am who I am, and the only thing that can truly change me is myself ... and the influence of social media.

These characteristics that I have somehow create funny, embarrassing situations to the point that I wonder sometimes if I was named and should have been Bridget Jones, the novels about her were so embarrassing that I had to stop reading them.

Truly, I can't stand embarrassing moments. The reason is probably because my parents were so good at making me think about how I would feel in other's shoes. If I am watching a movie, and I have any hint that the next scene will be embarrassing, I will promptly leave the room and go do something until the embarrassing scene has ended. Did anyone say potty break?

The problem is that with my clumsiness, I am continuously inside an embarrassing scene within a movie which also happens to be my life, so there is no walking away to go to the bathroom or to do something else so I wouldn't have to watch it. A tough life, right?!?

I am not a pitiful person, I do not like pity or belittling because I have a lot of pride. Perhaps it is this pride that keeps getting me into these embarrassing moments, but for right now I have no idea.
I have always wanted to be a superhero or a super strong independent woman who only stays with her man because she decides to, and because he treats her right.

Throughout my young life, I have scoured society for super hero stories about women that are not the sidekicks, but actually are given the time that these women deserve. However, that is never done. All the women are usually sidekicks or the bad guy. Even in Batman, the sidekick is Catwoman, and the bad guy is a woman. I mean, seriously? That doesn't even get into the multi-ethnic heroes either.

I think it is time for a new superhero generation.
I think the reason I am thinking about this is that I recently watched Iron Man 3. (IT WAS SO GOOD!) I mean Pepper isn't in it much, but she is always amazing; however, she is always the trophy, and she even knows it.

Although I kind of went off kilter, I want to speak more about my clumsiness and awkwardness. I understand that I am not the most awkward nor am I the clumsiest out of everyone in the world.  And even though I haven't really talked about many adventures lately, my life doesn't always seem exciting to me so I don't write about it. Maybe the adventures I am having are unfinished. Life moves in curious ways.

Tomorrow is My Birthday.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I am turning 22.
My great aunt Carolyn is in the last stages of her life, and I am only beginning mine. Throughout my life I have endured many close loved ones dying, and I thought it was normal. Now, I know differently.

Dealing with the blows of losing loved ones created a child that crushingly gripped onto the people that she already loved. An ice wall gradually formed creating a shield from herself and new people. It was crystal clear, so the newcomers and herself would be able to see, speak, and interact. Learning from all of the death, she became sorrowful and became deeply depressed. Hiding her sadness, she when about her life as best she could. Sitting next to her bed was a picture of her grandmother and her young two-year-old self, every night she willed to remember any kind of memory from her brain. None would come. Only the memory of the story being told to her by her mother, "Grandma Judy loved you very much. When this photo was taken, she told me about how you not being able to remember her hurt the most."

After being sullen for a year or two, the girl had a dawning thought while talking to her mother about all of the people that they had lost in their lives. "Why do we love, mom,? If everyone in our lives that we hold dear to us are taken away or leave? Why put ourselves in that pain?"

Her mother looked very sad at her, and didn't answer.

"I know why. I know that our lives are not worth living without those people. The reason why it is so hard to lose those people is because of the love and the memories. To live a life without any sort of love is a life not worth living; in fact, it is not living at all, only existing. Those memories are what enrich our lives, and without them we would have nothing. Some would say that life is about the pursuit of knowledge, but without someone to share that knowledge with then all is for naught. The knowledge that was gained is gone after death if there is no one to share with. Many people focus on the negative aspects of life or tasks such as: working, making money, buying stuff that no one needs, and cleaning the house. Those are not the moments that make life worth it. Love and making connections with people are the only reasons, and that is why we do it."

The girl sat calmly across from her mother after answering her own question.

With more sad memories on the horizon, I can always look back and cherish the many, many happy ones that I have already made. Sometimes obstacles meet us early in life, and sometimes they come later, but either way I am happy for all of the people that I have known in my life that are no longer living.
My birthday is tomorrow. I will be 22.
Even though my birthday, recent news, and activities have made me realize how fragile life can be, I am happy with the life I was given. I know I am vulnerable to the world for thinking this way, but how else would life be worth living?

Why Do We Have To CLOSE The Government Down? ( A Rant)

As I go to my college classes sick and tired because I have no time to get healthy, I hear about the government shutting down because the republicans keep trying to repeal Obama Care.

Seriously though, my classmates tried sitting the farthest from me because I was coughing so bad.

Not only that, but due to the shut down, I no longer have access to vital information via the government websites for a subject in one of my classes. Way to ruin my education. I do not approve congress.
For example:
http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=2324

Not cool.

I usually hate stating political statements or anything even close to something political, but Congress really needs to get their priorities straight, and not close down. Seriously, I thought 4th-8th graders went to middle school and not supposedly responsible people that we elect to represent us the people.  There is so much childish behavior going on that I feel like I am back in my mom's daycare, and not in a good way.

I just find it a little - or maybe a lot - ironic that I have to continue going to school and doing my homework while I am sick, and they decide to shut down the government because they cannot agree with something that is already passed. Well, life sucks and we don't always get our way. Deal with it.
I deal with the fact that I have a job where I can't call into sick.

There are bigger fish to fry. Let the poor people have health insurance because then the rest of the population will be healthier in the long run.

Servers - people that work in the food industry - hardly never take a day off even when they are sick because they can't afford to. So guess is handling your food? Sick people. But they wouldn't, would they? Most of the time, servers can't find anyone to substitute, and when they can find someone, they still can't take it off because they need the money to pay rent, feed the children, pay off student loans, and much more.
Most servers do not get benefits that include vacation time, or sick days. Well, they chose that profession, right?
Not always. Sometimes that is the only job that is available to make ends meet. I know a couple people who have to work two server jobs to stay fed, clothed, and to keep a roof over their head.

To make matters worse some of those servers don't have health care. So most of the time, they stay sick. They can't give themselves time to heal, or the money to heal quickly.

Excusing my tangent, I must clarify that the world does not stop when the government shuts down. Especially during the middle of flu season.

FLU SEASON!
Well, whatever. Who cares if poor people die? It's not like they have lives and loved ones, right?
(That was a rhetorical question that I do not really believe.)


Okay, so I have a video that has this guy stating true facts about our health care, and even though there is a little more ranting, it isn't about the government shutting down like pansy ass sissies.
Here's the video with John Green (who is amazing):
http://www.upworthy.com/his-first-4-sentences-are-interesting-the-5th-blew-my-mind-and-made-me-a-little-sick-2?c=la3
Here's another article with a video that clearly shows what is happening, and why:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/01/1242940/-Rachel-Maddow-Republican-Shutdown-Evil-And-Planned-VIDEO?detail=facebook
Here's a news article:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/federal-government-appears-headed-shutdown-divided-lawmakers-reach-last-minute-deal-article-1.1471738

Most people have to remain at their jobs, while being unpaid? WTF?? How will this pay the bills and feed the family??

"Critical workers, from the Border Patrol to air-traffic controllers, would remain on the job, 

unpaid."


And you may think, she doesn't know anything, that might be true.

However, Congress people are still getting paid! Wait... what? Maybe they should go without a pay check, benefits, AND health care while the government is closed.

But I've been to Student Congress, I've done that, I know what they are doing. It's really hard to pass a bill, so leave it alone, and move on. Because more people will be able to have health insurance, health insurance means healthier people, healthier people means happier people, happier people means a happier place to live.

And I also have been taught not to quit something like a game, but when the game is done, I don't try to have a rematch because I didn't like the outcome.

Who wants to live in a hostile grumpy world where there is no fun to be had because everyone is sick or dead?

Not me!

On a happier note, today is the 123rd Anniversary of Yosemite National Park! (which has no paid workers there right now because the government shut down)

All because people do not know how to compromise or even know when to shut up about a passed subject. Get it? Passed. Obama Care was passed. Conversation should be over.

The Plague of Writing, Thoughts Mulling in My Brain

I'm told by many that I need to write more on my blog - deep down I understand this - but I am constantly anxious about it. Not wanting people to read what I write is a troublesome aspect for being a writer. I am in a new class about writing, and there was an assignment to write a Literary Autobiography. A literary autobiography is basically talking about your experiences with learning how to write, and while writing this essay, I found the true reason why I do not like others reading my writing.

When I was taught how to write, I was first told to tell a story. I am good at stories, so creative writing was easy for me. There were only a few rules such as grammar, and even those I was able to get away with ignoring those rules sometimes. But when I got a little older, I was taught how to write a five paragraph essay with all these rules that daunted me. The teachers just threw us into it, and I wonder why they made us write down stories at all if those are not allowed into the so called 'academic' writing that the teachers tried so hard to sculpt us into creating. However,  there has never been any freedom in that because there are usually specific subjects that the teachers wanted us to talk about. This is understandable now that I am older, but why isn't it explained to that child? The child does not understand why writing down stories is not good enough anymore. The child only learns that if she does not follow the rules then she will get negative comments and a terrible grade. This is not fair to the child.

If anything could change with academic writing, I would hope that it would be the teaching of how to go from creative writing to academic writing, and given the knowledge of why both of these kinds of writing are important for each other. An example of how creative writing and academic writing mesh well together is that just like creative writing, academic writing must get from point A to point B, and that without point A there is no way to get to point B. Because there must be a beginning in a story, so too there needs to be an introduction in an essay, and so on.

I find too many people that don't like to read or write because the content that teachers and/or elders have made them read and/or write about things that the child is not interested in, and that is the saddest thing to witness. Reading should be something a person does because they enjoy it. For me, when I finally got into reading - yes I hated it until I picked up Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - the books became so alive it was like watching a movie, but better.

What is wrong with our society that reading and writing have become so dreaded? I did not dread writing papers or stories when I was little. In fact, I showed everyone my stories because I was so proud of them, but not anymore. I die a little inside when I know that people are reading my work, and I wait for the judgment.

The essay that I recently wrote was the first thing that I allowed my boyfriend to read. Honestly, we have been dating for a while now, and even though we write in the same room together frequently, he is not allowed to read my writing. Ever. In fact, when I notice that he is glancing/ peeking over my shoulder trying to read it, I get really mad and shut my computer. And being a man of few words, he hardly spoke about it. However, I do think that he was afraid that he would say something wrong about it, and that I would never let him read anymore of my writing.

Even though I have been mulling this over in my brain and then ranting about it for some time, I still think that something needs to be done about how people teach writing. I know I am not the only one that dreads papers like the plague, and I wonder 'what went wrong? How did this dread for writing happen to so many?'

Just Do What You Feel Like, You Needn't Make it a Mission

Words to live by. A wise man told me this morning, "just do what you feel like, you needn't make it a mission". He was talking about me writing more in my blog, but I feel like it works with everything else going on in my life and needs that advice applied to. Missions are not very fun for me because the I feel tied down and then the crazy lady screaming "FREEDOM!!" comes out again. Maybe that is secretly me, and I am secretly crazy. Hmmm... Oh well. Who really knows anyway?

I want to find my bliss, but if I make it a mission then it goes all down hill, so then how do I find my bliss if I am supposed to be searching for it but not at that same time? Does that make any sense? I think the answer lies in the wise words of "just do what you feel like". If I do what I love and forget to hunt down my bliss then I would wander to it, right? It's like trying to catch a butterfly, when you chase them, they fly away from you, but if you forget them and go about your business they land on you. So your bliss is a butterfly.

The other day, I went to a show with dueling pianos with  my family. Let me tell you, it was a blast! I highly recommend going to see something like that because I was laughing my butt off. At one point they had a woman come up and hold the harmonica for one of the men playing "Piano Man" and whenever she didn't hold it up to his mouth on time, he would try to play without it to give her the hint. He make a "ththththththt" sound until she put it to his lips. Yepp, pretty darn great. I was glad that I was not in the front row, so I wouldn't be picked.

While I was in Ireland, I saw many great shows and performances in the theatre. It was amazing, and so powerful, but my favorite part of going had to be when I was able to explore the countryside. I really enjoyed going to see the Cliffs of Insanity (the Princess Bride anyone?) a.k.a. the Cliffs of Moher. SO beautiful! And even though you are not supposed to lean over the edge, I still did. I know I live on the edge. I am that cool.

Then I climbed many little stepping stones that create the Giants of Causeway. These were all created naturally by lava deep in the ocean, but many like to think that it was a bridge where giants would cross to get from Ireland to Scotland because these stones reemerge near Scotland. Pretty neat, right?

F.Y.I Giants of Causeway is in Northern Ireland while the Cliffs of Moher is in the Republic of Ireland. 

Just ignore me in the pictures and look at the landscape. 

However, if you notice I do look good in these photos, a friend of mine asked me "who wouldn't look good with Ireland in the background?" 

Hmmm... I don't know. 

I told the wise man this morning that I would share a poem that I wrote for a previous class today. It's an attempt at a sonnet.  I hope you enjoy!

The Ugly Truth

your molasses words linger in naïve ears

puffs of white breath falter out into the dark sky

sweet soft words mislead but you’re still a dear

I watch the parade while you casually brush my thigh

secret side glances are shared, you are wrong

you grab my hand and I flinch in revulsion

together and rotten, we don’t belong

you cannot stop this new revolution

swiftly I pull away from your bruising grip

your talons infect my roughly gouged wounds

poison diffuses and slowly blood drips

this does not work, my witty immunity confounds

eyes huge, you realize you shall not conquer

the sweet façade slackens, you’re a monster.

Do What You Love

I have not written anything outside from class work for many moons, and I am starting to wonder, why? Do I not love writing anymore, or do I just find excuses upon excuses to hide my fear? What fear? My answer is fear of not writing well, but a wise man once said "write drunk, edit sober". Ernest Hemmingway knew something about writing, didn't he? The thing is, is that I have many stories to write. Thoughts pop into my head all the time, and they are as wonderful as Wonderland, but I forget them or do not think I am able to convey world that I see correctly. It comes from me being a perfectionist. I have broken promises to myself about writing more diligently, and taking the time to do so, and it wasn't until I read an article about traveling that really got me thinking about it all.
Here is the link:

http://infinitesatori.org/2013/06/25/do-yourself-a-favor-and-buy-that-damn-plane-ticket-already/

I have always wanted to follow my bliss because then I would end up where I wanted to be in life, but good intentions pave the way to hell. What do I have to fear? Rejection? I know that rejection is one of my deepest fears, and so it not being good enough; however, one can never become good enough if the person does not keep practicing, right?

Anyway, during the month of May, I went to Ireland for three weeks, and I must say that those three weeks were not enough. The traveling bug has seeped into my bones and if I am unable to travel for a period of time I become a crazy lady that screams "I NEED FREEDOM!!" to all the passing children, and make them cry. I have found that neither parties are happy about this. In the past couple of years I have gone on a road trip to Toronto with my best friend, flew to Hawaii to visit family, and study aboard in Ireland, these things do not include the STLF trips to Washington D.C. and to Dallas, TX. This is all due to the traveling bug, I promise.

While I was in Ireland, I went to both the republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Scary, I know right?! But it was pretty darn awesome.

I spent the first week and a half in Dublin, and after realizing to never rely on street names other than Dame Street and Grafton Street and by only using distinct landmarks or buildings to navigate the city, it was quite easy to get around. Walking and public transportation is the best way to get around. Oh, also, when the locals give directions, they talk of lower and higher streets. Lower means closer to the river and higher means further from the river. The river being in the center of the city going directly east to west. All directions deal with the river.

Throughout my meandering, I went to the Blarney Castle near Cork with a group of girls. To get to Cork, all one needs to do is go to the train station, buy a ticket and get on it. In three hours, bam! You are now in Cork and all you need to do is walk a couple blocks to get to the bus station where you buy the ticket on the bus. Make sure to turn left when you leave the entrance of the train station to get to the center of town.
We went the opposite way and a nice older lady stopped us saying, "You young girls are going to the wrong way, there is nothing down there."
People are so helpful.

HERE COMES THE SPAM OF PICTURES!!! MWAHAHA!!

 Us in front of the Blarney Castle.

 So much wind.

 Getting warmed up in the very large and outdated fireplace in the family room of the Blarney Castle.

 This is looking down at the family room that a friend and I were standing in the previous picture.

Went to the very top to see the stone with one of my gal pals! So proud of her! She is terrified of heights, and with her determination to see the Blarney stone, conquered it for a short time.

They have a poison garden in the castle grounds. Rhubarb leaves are toxic apparently and during one of the food shortages in one of the World Wars, doctors said people could eat the leaves in very small quantities. Many people died from this.  

I like to sit in the old windows. It makes me happy even though I now have a billion pictures of me in multiple windows where I don't even know where I am when I look at them. Priceless Taylor move right there ladies and gentlemen. 

While in Cork, we went to a fish and chips take out place called The Fisher's Wife, and it was amazing. We saw some other people checking it out, and we told them (since they wanted somewhere they could sit down) that there was a sign saying that if you wanted to, you could order your food and they would deliver it to you at the Pub across the street and that you would get a free beer or something. The fish was amazing, and I am not a big fan of fish. 

On the way back to Dublin, a nice man sat across from me on the train. Turns out he used to work with Samuel Beckett as a pause timer. He just got back from playing for a Duchess in Italy (because he is a musician). He saw me writing in my journal and told me that I would become a great writer because there must be so many shenanigans and adventures already written down. I don't really know about that, but I like to think so occasionally. 

Back in Dublin, I saw the Book of Kells, and even though it is super amazing and cool, we hardly had any time to look at it, nor were we able to take any pictures. The no picture taking does make sense though. 

That is only a pinch of the adventures that I had over abroad, but I have found that somethings need to be broken up in parts otherwise the task seems to daunting.