Strawberry Fest, Beach Party and Cycling

Summer has been a great time for Shay and I. We are doing some great things in my research lab, and I am working on my first publication for the summer. Last weekend, Shay and I went to Strawberry Fest in Cedarburg, Wi. It seems like people here look for any possible reason to party. With nearly half of the year buried in snow, everyone seems extremely motivated to make up for lost time!

Stawberry Fest was fun, taking place in the historic district of Cedarburg lined with buildings and shops. There wasn't as many strawberry dishes as we would have liked, but, this was a chance to party and everyone for miles around was taking advantage of it. Aside from seeming like a strange excuse to get out of the house, Strawberry Fest seemed quaintly similar to Summerfest in Logan. I swear the same arts and craft vendors were taking the opportunity to sale their latest projects for twice what they were worth.

The night before, Shay and I went for a drive to Pewaukee, Wi and were pleased to see a huge beach party going on. Lake Pewaukee is lined with a real sand beach and volleyball court. The lake stretches out a distance from the shore, but you can just see the bank in the distance lined with trees. About a quarter mile from the shore, there is a small island with a small grove of trees in the center. There is a walkway that spans the length of the shore, and there is a small shopping center accross the street. With the occasional train passing and the relentless group of children playing on the beach, it hardly seems like Wisconsin, but somewhere very out of place. There were tons of booths set up with every kind of food that is unique to Wisconsin; bratwurst's, fried cheese curd's and cream puffs. Every local brewing company was also disproportionatly represented adding additional excitement to the party. Wisconisin is unique in the fact, that children can actually drink beer as long as they are accompanied by their parents. I am sure this is a reflection of the rich German heritage inherited by the majority of the Wisconisin population. So needless to say beer is an important part of every festival and party here. Rather, I should say, the festivals and party are an important part of drinking here!

Yesterday, a classmate and I rode our bikes back out to Pewaukee, a round trip of about 35 miles. Shay, unfortunately had to work, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from having a good time! Once outside Milwaukee, everything begins to open up, and what was once a bustling city becomes rolling forest. Some of the backroads we took were lined with so many trees, we could barely see anthing beyond the outline of the road. It is a sharp contrast from the traffic and pavement that I have become so accustomed to over the last year.

Summer is Awesome!

I can't emphasize how great it is to go into the lab in the morning, do my thing and then go home without worrying about an upcoming exam!  I can't wait until I'm done with school so I can just go to work and then go home without feeling like I should be studying something!  Sadly, however, the realization of this dream is far into the future. In the mean time, I am enjoying the nice weather and hitting the gym as much as possible.  Shay has been working hard and taking a lot of naps, I think that is her favorite thing to do.  I asked her what she wants me to write about her, but she is in a trance watching Amadeus.  I can't think of a whole lot to discuss, other than the fact that we are doing well and enjoying a nice sunday.  I'll have to remember to update the blog with the next exciting news.

Its about time!

Hello everyone, it is about time we updated the blog! Things are good here in Milwaukee, we are trying to get through the last couple weeks of school before the much anticipated summer is here. Shay is getting ready to celebrate her 21st birthday this Saturday. I think we'll have to visit the Miller Brewing Company in order to celebrate her induction into the 21 and over club, ha ha!
We were very lucky recently to get some new couches and a piano from our neighbors who are moving on to residency. We are really going to miss their friendship, but we hope that they find happiness in Texas. We are planning a lot of fun activities for the summer, especially a trip to see the great woods "up north." I still don't know whether I can get Shay to sleep in a tent, maybe I should plan on getting a hotel instead. I think she deserves a good hotel stay with all the hard work she has been doing at the bank.
I'm sure you will all be happy to know that we have not got behind on the recent movies that are coming out. Friday we saw Star Trek, which was awesome! Last week we saw Wolverine at this old vintage theater here in Milwaukee called the Rosebud. In the Rosebud, they removed the stadium seats and replaced them with couches and end tables, so watching a movie there is just like at home, but on a tv 10 times the size! Anyway, hope all is well with everyone...

Here is Shay chillaxin!

Until next time?

Always wear you sunblock!

So, I totally forgot to put this in the other blog. I guess you get to read 2 blogs!! Wow that must be a record. I think everyone in my family knows that growing up I didn't have a mole on my body. So, it was very strange that in the last 2-3 years I started the sprout some moles. (haha that sounds so weird) Of course, I always had the one on the side of my hip/bottom that everyone teased me about (paige) then I got a couple on my back. I started to get concerned so I went to the doctor. She decided to remove my 'stain' on the side of my bum (paige will know what i mean by stain) and one on my back. She told me that she would call me about the results unless there is a problem. I went back a week later to get my stitches out and the nurse said that the doctor wanted to talk to me. The doctor came in and said the one that I had always had was fine, it had morphed into some strange skin...then the one on my back happened to be pre-cancerous! It totally through me for a loop! I am only 20 yrs old! So my advice for the day, ALWAYS WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN!! Never leave home without it! Oh don't worry, everything is fine:) I didn't write this to scare anyone. And don't worry I am getting a skin scan and I am pretty sure I will be fine, about 99% sure;) Have a SAFE SUN day!

Black Bag Ball

I can't believe I have not blogged since November! Life gets busy and hectic and I guess somethings got to give. Just a brief update....nothing new:) Life in Wisconsin has consisted of, Arctic blasts, with wind chills of -35 and temps of -15 for a high, keeping the thermostat at 60 so our power bill isn't $150, and working/going to school. Chuck has been working really hard at school and I was so proud of him for getting ALL HONORS!! Isn't that just the coolest! What a smart catch I have found:) Something fun that Chuck and I got to do was go to a dance called The Black Bag Ball. It is something the medical college puts on and it was fun! There was a really good dinner, I had salmon and Chuck had steak. Then we danced and had fun with all the med students. Here is a pic to commemorate the experience. Since we are the only 2 here, I had to take the picture myself.

Chuck and I went to Chicago this last week and saw 'Wicked'. It was such a good show! If any of you haven't seen it, I highly reccommend going. When we were there we went and got some Chicago style, deep dish pizza, and saw the Sears tower. The pizza was the best I have ever had and the Sears tower was the tallest building i have ever seen! It was amazing how tall it was. So here are some pictures of our little trip. They aren't the best quality but they will have to do.. for some reason our camera got cold and wouldn't take a proper picture....This is the Chicago Theater. It was a lot brighter! Close by is the House Of Blues too.

This is at Millenium Park. This is where Obama was here at one point. I can't remember when but when he won this park was way packed and alive.

Chicago is up to be one of the candidates for the 2016 olympics so hopefully they will come!

Here is one angle of the Sears Tower. The next couple of pictures are of the Sears tower.

This thing is called the Bean. You are able to see the Chicago Skyline in it. It is really big and shaped like a bean as you can see.

Pumpkin Carving

I know these pictures aren't as cute as if kids were carving pumpkins but we had a lot of fun!  Our pumpkins are supposed to be us.  No my pumpkin isn't evil those are supposed to be eyelashes:)