Back in Texas!

Hey all,

Kristin and I have just gotten back from our trip home to Minnesota. We were very excited to visit and had we had a great time! So now, before I get into the details about our trip, lemme try to recap our first month of the new year.

At my job, we've just got a couple employees back from med leave. It's always nice when things go well for people and we're happy to have them back. But, the best thing about my coworkers right now is that we've had the same ones for a while now. Not that I dislike new hires, it's just nice taking a break from training once in a while. :)

Kristin's really starting to hit the grind with her work. It's not coursework anymore, so there are no more monthly due dates or general guidelines. I don't rightfully know if this is better or worse, but K is doing what she can to keep on top of her obligations and her own publications.

At about mid month, I got the news that my Grandma Connors passed away. This was a very hard time for me and the family, so I want to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Kristin and I attended the funeral and wake in the North Minneapolis area. We weren't expecting to beat our MN trip to Minnesota, but being able to connect with my family was worth the effort.

100,000 is now the number of miles that our vehicle has now achieved. Our car, Stewart, was purchased by Kristin at the end of college, and he's hardly ever felt like he was gaining on the years. Time and time again, I am reminded of how nice it is that K and I can survive with just one car between us.

Thanks to NPR, I am now reading The Fabric of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. I caught part of "Fresh Air" on my drive home from work one day, and I listened in on a quick description of String Theory. I made a point to find the whole segment on-line later that day and picked up Dr. Greene's 2004 book from the Library that weekend. The new one, of course, is what they were talking about on the Radio, but when it comes to physics, I've got some catching up to do.

OK, I think that about gets me up to our planned MN Vacation! Our general plan was to start in Duluth, work down to Lindstrom, and close in Cambridge to see a hockey game, celebrate Kristin's Grandma's 80th B-Day, and catch up with family.

So here are a couple points of interest...

Flight Out: So Kristin totally lucked out after I dropped her off at the terminal. She was supposed to visit Duluth a few days ahead of me so that she could visit the EPA for research stuff. However, Texas got nasty the week we were supposed to leave, and her flight got canceled. Then, it got canceled again the next day, so K got desperate and canceled the Waco flight, so that she could leave right out of DFW. We thought that the Duluth leg was canceled as well, but Delta kept it intact. So, after I parked the car K calls me an says we'll need one less spot at the table tonight. I quickly rushed her some carry-on items she didn't think she'd need, and off she went to Duluth!

Hockey: Kristin and I had the opportunity to attend one of the first games at Amsoil Arena, the new home of the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs! The stadium gets my vote of approval. This was a huge improvement over the old DECC, and K and I really enjoyed the game. Sadly, the Gophers and the Bulldogs skated to a tie, but we still had a great night (and the dogs won on Saturday, so they took the weekend).

Turning 80: This one wins the award for 'most preparation'. Kristin's Mom started putting this together months ago. She went to near extreme measures to invite just a whole bunch a people to come celebrate Kristin's Grandma's 80th Birthday. Leading up to our visit, K's G-ma was very excited to know that we were going to be in town over her birthday, and she kept wanting to plan things with us, and K's family. So, it was a very hard secret to keep, but in the end, the Surprise Birthday really did catch her unaware. Attending were over a hundred friends and family, many from the senior community across the road. Overall, things went really well, and most importantly, I think K's G-ma had a good time :)

Winter Driving: Totally shouldn't be it's own heading but it was two fold. It'd been almost two years since K and I had seen anything close to snow on roads, and we got a lot of it in Duluth. Not only had we forgotten the feel of snow under your tires, but also how nicely the snow banks up on street corners, completely blocking the view of oncoming traffic. Yes, it was great getting reacquainted with the finer points of February weather in MN. Kristin's rental worked out well for her, and my mom's car worked great... except for one thing. On my drive up Mesaba Ave, the road the cuts up through downtown Duluth, I nearly got stuck. The Volvo has some pretty swanky anti-skid technology, but when you need to get up hill, and you don't care if your skidding or not, well it makes it kinda tricky.

Ok wow, I think I've gone on long enough now. Thanks again to everyone for helping us with our MN visit! Keep MN warm for us till we can get back ;)