This is much delayed as like always, February flew by. So here goes.
1. Michigan Trip
It was so nice having a trip home to Michigan after over six months of no visit. It was desperately needed and even better, it was free! I got to spend some quality time with the parents, go out in Ann Arbor with my brother, see the progress on my parent’s house, explore parts of Michigan I never have before, celebrate a birthday (my dad’s 60th even) with the family, catch a big Michigan basketball game and get a little bit of R&R in. I’m looking forward to yearly trips home!!
2. Visiting the U.P.
I finally got to visit the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Previously I had only driven through the eastern portion but I really got a taste for the life and culture up there…and really liked it. We had pasties, I got to try ales from the Keewanaw Brewing Company, we had a hotel on the lake, I got to try the snowshoe shot (peppermint schnapps and Yukon whiskey jack), and I got to see all of the ice.
3. Valentine’s Day #3
Bryan and I had a great, low-key Valentine’s Day, that was perfect. We each got each other gifts, he came bringing a huge bouquet of lillies and red roses, he made me dinner of salmon, vegetables and chocolate chip cookies, we listened to music, and then he sadly dropped me off at the airport. It was sad to leave that night but I got to take my rose with me!
4. Seattle Rep Theater
The Seattle Rep continues to amaze us. We finally got to catch a play with Polly for company. This play was called Venus in Fur and was very sexy and clever. Two characters the entire time and not boring or dull for even a minute. It was intense, so intense they didn’t even allow for an intermission. This one definitely gave us something to talk about for a while after the show.
5. Recruiting Success
As much as I was determined to make the trip to Michigan happen I was a little apprehensive about our success or the outcome of the trip from the recruiting perspective. All of that anxiety fizzled though after Paul and I first presented at the University of Michigan Civil Engineering Department. We had so much interest, so many questions, and left with so many resumes in hand. It was certainly a boost in our motivation and confidence and only the beginning of the successful trip. We came back with 127 resumes, some really good candidates and debriefing report that even wowed several of our superiors.
6. Mystery Box Challenge #4
7. Winter Olympics
This winter olympics was really entertaining to watch and I found myself spending most nights catching an hour or two. It’s fun cheering on the USA but it’s just fun to see all of the crazy and cool winter sports activities. Already can’t wait for the summer one.
8. PE Approval
After being told that I couldn’t take the exam even though I had already applied I got the go-ahead to take it. I am officially registered to take the Civil PE Exam on Aprill 11th. I have found this approval to be bittersweet. I’m relieved that I still get to take it, however, it is eating up a lot of my time now! As in all of my time.
9. Extension of Tenancy
After being told that me and my roommates were going to have to leave the premises of the house we hold so dear and find somewhere else to live, we were met with a raise of $250 total to resume living on Lee St. We were thrilled that we got to stay and not have to move, and that we got to resume living altogether.
10. Michigan Food
There were some misses while eating on the road in Michigan but I had some really good food while I was visiting home. Some of the highlights for me were the always delicious Aladdins and Jerusalem Garden, El Azteco (had missed a lot), my usual Yooper Bennie from Soup Spoon Cafe, an amazing Chinese buffet in Marquette (?), a whitefish dinner at Hudson’s, a fantastic Italian dinner out with Chad at MANI Osteria, the best fried chicken ever at Fork in the Road Diner, my grandma’s homemade cooking, and some really good churros and pig at the new Aventura in Ann Arbor. Nostalgia or just plain good, I don’t know.
Chelsea
Evolving in the Emerald City 