When I first arrived in Minnesota, the first thing I did was register my new 4Runner. While I was there, I found out that I had to take the Written Test in order to obtain my Minnesota Driver's License. Since that day, I have avoided going to the DMV. But who can blame me? It's not like the DMV is anyone's idea of a good time! Especially when you have to take a test. I figured I would just stay licensed in CA; I mean, it's valid across the US and I don't look half-dead in the picture as some license pictures turn out... I had just one problem (besides the whole, "you have to get a license once you've been in the state "x" number of days..." problem)... I can't vote in Minnesota if I am not registered to vote in Minnesota, and I can't register to vote in Minnesota if I don't have a valid Minnesota I.D. (or utility bill, which I also don't have).
This is when my wheels began to turn... I could always just try and vote "absentee" in CA by sending away for an absentee ballet... I could have it sent to my old apartment where my friend Rachel still lives and then she could forward it to me! I felt a little guilty about this idea since the county sent me a postcard that asked for my permanent address and told me if I gave them an incorrect address (like my old address), they would send me to prison forever. So, I told the truth: I live in MN now.
The second reason my "vote absentee in CA" idea bombed, as if the first wasn't enough, was because in the words of one of my favorite cousins, "McCain (who I will be voting for... no secret there) doesn't stand a snowball's chance in hell in California." Minnesota, on the other hand, is a "swing state" this election so all the votes matter a whole lot!!
I finally dragged myself to the DMV and took the test (I got an 80%... the lowest score you can get before you fail... but good news, the 2nd test would have also been free! A sad consolation). I would have done better but some of the questions were ambiguous! If you talked to any of my professors or job trainers, you'd find that I am notorious for challenging test questions, especially ambiguous questions. As I was sitting there taking my test, answering incorrectly on some of the ambiguous questions, I thought to myself... "If I fail, should I complain about the test questions?" But then I figured I wouldn't... it's not like they wrote the questions or would have done anything about it, even if they had agreed.
The moral of the story... I am voting in November! I could not, in good conscience, fail to find a way to vote when I am clearly passionate about this election.
Disclaimer: If you live in CA and plan on voting for McCain, don't let the "snowball's chance in hell" comment discourage you from voting! If all you McCain-Supports get out and vote, who knows what can happen =)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
CA Trip Sept 2008
On September 11th, I flew to CA to spend a long weekend with my friends. The occasion: one of my best friends, Brandi, was getting married and I had the honor of standing in her wedding as a Bridesmaid! Here are a few pics from the weekend...
Getting my hair done for the wedding (I love getting my hair done).
Rachel, Alicia and David at the reception.
Ok, a little silly.
Alicia and David!
Rachel and Alicia
Brandi and I right before the wedding.
Rachel, just hanging out at the apartment. 
Brandi and I at the wedding rehearsal.
Getting my hair done for the wedding (I love getting my hair done).Brandi getting her hair done.
Brandi lookin' good in her pre-wedding outfit!
Riding' in the Limo!!!
Rachel, Alicia and David at the reception.
Ok, a little silly.
Alicia and David!
Rachel and Alicia
Brandi and I right before the wedding.
Rachel, just hanging out at the apartment. Thursday, October 2, 2008
Taco Soup
This taco soup (it's kind of like chili) is honestly one of the best things I have ever eaten in my life. I literally make it about once a week and then eat the left overs for 2-3 days (lunch and dinner) and never get sick of it. I have never met anyone, kids or adults, who didn't love it (at least they didn't say so).
Anyway, here is the recipe... if you try it (and you REALLY should), post any variations or suggestions you have when making it so others can try it "your" way!!
Happy Autumn!!! And, THANKS to my Aunt Pup for introducing this amazing soup to me! =)
Taco Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 yellow onion (chopped up)
- 1 lb ground turkey OR beef
- 2 can of beans (I used black beans, but you can use any kind of bean you’d like: kidney, etc)
- 1 can of corn
- 1 16 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 can of stewed tomatoes
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 Bag of Tortilla Chips
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Cook up ground meat and onion together in a large pot.
- Drain the meat grease.
- Add beans, corn, tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, and taco seasoning.
- Let simmer for 15+ minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with chips, cheese and sour cream.
Since I make this so much, I can also tell you it costs about $20 to buy everything, which is pretty good for me since it gives me about 4-5 meals before it goes bad and I have to make another batch. Which reminds me, if you have had it as left overs for a few days and you think it might be too old to eat it as left overs, don't eat it. I made that mistake once :) Just make a new batch!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Hannah, Taylor, and 2 Pumpkins...
A friend of mine and Tiffani's, Katie, is a photographer and is always taking pictures of her 3 cute kids. Recently, she took some pictures of Hannah and Taylor. I was going to just provide a link to her blog for everyone to look at but it's a private blog so that won't work... so I stole the pictures... Thanks, Katie!! =)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
A challenge for you (and it will be a challenge)
By now, most of us know who our vote is going to in November. But, as some people have noticed, there are many people crossing parties in this election. The polls have been swinging in the past few weeks and the next President of the United States is still up for grabs. Consequently, personal attacks are flying around like crazy. This election, more than any I remember (which to be honest, this is only the third Presidential election I've paid attention to), the Vice Presidential candidates are largely a determining factor for many Americans as they decide who to vote for.
We all know where each candidate stands on many issues, or we can look it up if we don't know. We also know that they both are claiming to bring "change" if they are elected.
My challenge for you is this: take something crappy you have heard about the democratic candidate and the republican candidate (or their VP) and try to see the same information in a new light.
Here are my two examples:
1-Palin is being given a hard time because she was going to “build a bridge to nowhere” but then stopped it. Can't she make a decision? Well, maybe she got more information that she didn’t have before and that is what caused her to change her mind. As much as we trust the media, the government does have additional information that a newly-appointed governor gets access to upon getting sworn in.
2- Republicans are quick to point out that Obama has very little political experience and no experience running a business so their conclusion is that he is incapable of running our country. Well, I think we all know that while the Prez is the top guy, he has numerous advisors and confidants helping him make decisions. And if he gets elected, I think we all would trust that he would surround himself with many experienced people who can help him as he leads our country, should he be elected.
This exercise is not about whether or not your justification is right, nor is it about figuring out if these attacks are legitimate. It’s about being willing to accept that not all of the attacks on McCain and Obama (or Palin and Biden) are substantial, fair, or based on the entire truth. Nor should all of these “below the belt” attacks be considered when making a decision to vote for a candidate. This exercise is about rising above the childish attacks on the "person" and getting down to the nitty gritty of what they can do as a leader.
Think about your own life. Have you ever been inconsistent, immoral, uncertain about where you stand on an issue? Obviously, we all have. These are real people and while we may not agree with their stances on issues, they are still human beings and we certainly don’t know enough about them personally to “hate” or “love” them. We can just “hate” or “love” their stances on issues.
Like my other political post, I am not trying to draw out where you stand on issues. On this one, you are actually going to have to "stick up for" each candidate (I'm going to be honest, it's a bit painful and will take a strong person to stand up for your #2 choice... at least it was for me haha)
I am looking forward to hearing your responses.
We all know where each candidate stands on many issues, or we can look it up if we don't know. We also know that they both are claiming to bring "change" if they are elected.
My challenge for you is this: take something crappy you have heard about the democratic candidate and the republican candidate (or their VP) and try to see the same information in a new light.
Here are my two examples:
1-Palin is being given a hard time because she was going to “build a bridge to nowhere” but then stopped it. Can't she make a decision? Well, maybe she got more information that she didn’t have before and that is what caused her to change her mind. As much as we trust the media, the government does have additional information that a newly-appointed governor gets access to upon getting sworn in.
2- Republicans are quick to point out that Obama has very little political experience and no experience running a business so their conclusion is that he is incapable of running our country. Well, I think we all know that while the Prez is the top guy, he has numerous advisors and confidants helping him make decisions. And if he gets elected, I think we all would trust that he would surround himself with many experienced people who can help him as he leads our country, should he be elected.
This exercise is not about whether or not your justification is right, nor is it about figuring out if these attacks are legitimate. It’s about being willing to accept that not all of the attacks on McCain and Obama (or Palin and Biden) are substantial, fair, or based on the entire truth. Nor should all of these “below the belt” attacks be considered when making a decision to vote for a candidate. This exercise is about rising above the childish attacks on the "person" and getting down to the nitty gritty of what they can do as a leader.
Think about your own life. Have you ever been inconsistent, immoral, uncertain about where you stand on an issue? Obviously, we all have. These are real people and while we may not agree with their stances on issues, they are still human beings and we certainly don’t know enough about them personally to “hate” or “love” them. We can just “hate” or “love” their stances on issues.
Like my other political post, I am not trying to draw out where you stand on issues. On this one, you are actually going to have to "stick up for" each candidate (I'm going to be honest, it's a bit painful and will take a strong person to stand up for your #2 choice... at least it was for me haha)
I am looking forward to hearing your responses.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Driving in MN??? Up your limits!!
So, I have always had a reputation of being a fairly aggressive driver. I prefer to call it "driving with a purpose." I feel like I have gotten to be way better, though; especially since I started working for State Farm. I have read countless "facts of the loss" in claim files that describe all the dumb things people do to cause accidents. I have also seen pictures of mangled cars... some with dead bodies in them... and I have even seen a slide show of an autopsy on a poor lady who was hit as a pedestrian. These types of photos and files are quite sobering.
Let's start with CA drivers. I think everyone can agree that it's just a faster pace out in California. Everyone drives pretty fast and has no reservations about cutting you off. Everyone does it, and you get used to it. Sometimes, it is actually a matter of survival. If you don't keep up, you get run over. If you don't cut someone off, you are stuck in the same lane for miles. No one will just "let you in" when you need to make a lane change. You will most likely be tailgated at some point during your commute, and motorcycles can whiz by between two cars going 65 miles per hour.
Here is my least favorite part of driving in CA: when slow drivers use the carpool lane JUST BECAUSE they have 2 or more people in their car. They clearly do not understand that the "carpool" lane does not cease to be the "fast" lane between the hours of 6-10am and 3-7pm. Just because you have 2 people in your car does not mean you must drive in the carpool lane, especially when the "non-carpool" lanes are going the speed limit - this happened to me all the time on my way to school!!
Driving in California is basically a death trap. Skydiving is safer.
BUT, after all of that, I would take the drivers in California ANY DAY over the Minnesota drivers. Here is the difference: CA drivers are predictable. You know that you are going to get cut off, run off, and flipped off on your way to work. If you didn't, you probably forgot to put your car in drive.
I can't tell you how many times I have been driving down the road here in MN and have had someone cut into my lane, but then literally just stop to make a turn. One time I came inches from hitting a lady in a minivan when she literally stopped when entering a highway on the on-ramp. I thought I had missed something (maybe a bunch of cars were coming and I missed it... nope, not a car in sight). People cut me off to come into my lane all the time going about half the speed limit. Usually, I am the only car around and if they just wait, they'd have the whole lane to themself. Like CA drivers, people here drive 10 mph over the speed limit, but unlike CA drivers, people drive 10 mph below the speed limit on freeways JUST as often. It's inconsistent, unpredictable, and annoying.
You have all heard the term, "Minnesota Nice" - I would like to change that too, "Minnesota Oblivious." I was driving down a road the other day (a street with businesses, about a 30-35 mph speed limit) and I was the 3rd car in a line of 4. We were all driving along and suddenly the guy in front slams on his breaks. Again, I was thinking maybe I missed something. No, I missed nothing. He apparently saw a pedestrian on the side of the road and decided to let him cross. There was no crosswalk, stop light or stop sign. Neither was there a sense of urgency in the pedestrian; he appeared totally content waiting for the only 4 cars around to pass before he crossed the road. The oblivious driver had no idea that while he was being "nice" the other 3 cars behind him were about 4 inches away from exchanging insurance information.
It really is scary. I can't really describe how annoying it is to not know if the guy who just cut you off is going to speed off or slam on their breaks. I am on edge when I drive here. It's no wonder that the medical limits on auto policies in Minnesota START at $20,000!
Ugh!
THIS IS MY 3rd BLOG IN 24 HOURS SO KEEP READING! =)
Let's start with CA drivers. I think everyone can agree that it's just a faster pace out in California. Everyone drives pretty fast and has no reservations about cutting you off. Everyone does it, and you get used to it. Sometimes, it is actually a matter of survival. If you don't keep up, you get run over. If you don't cut someone off, you are stuck in the same lane for miles. No one will just "let you in" when you need to make a lane change. You will most likely be tailgated at some point during your commute, and motorcycles can whiz by between two cars going 65 miles per hour.
Here is my least favorite part of driving in CA: when slow drivers use the carpool lane JUST BECAUSE they have 2 or more people in their car. They clearly do not understand that the "carpool" lane does not cease to be the "fast" lane between the hours of 6-10am and 3-7pm. Just because you have 2 people in your car does not mean you must drive in the carpool lane, especially when the "non-carpool" lanes are going the speed limit - this happened to me all the time on my way to school!!
Driving in California is basically a death trap. Skydiving is safer.
BUT, after all of that, I would take the drivers in California ANY DAY over the Minnesota drivers. Here is the difference: CA drivers are predictable. You know that you are going to get cut off, run off, and flipped off on your way to work. If you didn't, you probably forgot to put your car in drive.
I can't tell you how many times I have been driving down the road here in MN and have had someone cut into my lane, but then literally just stop to make a turn. One time I came inches from hitting a lady in a minivan when she literally stopped when entering a highway on the on-ramp. I thought I had missed something (maybe a bunch of cars were coming and I missed it... nope, not a car in sight). People cut me off to come into my lane all the time going about half the speed limit. Usually, I am the only car around and if they just wait, they'd have the whole lane to themself. Like CA drivers, people here drive 10 mph over the speed limit, but unlike CA drivers, people drive 10 mph below the speed limit on freeways JUST as often. It's inconsistent, unpredictable, and annoying.
You have all heard the term, "Minnesota Nice" - I would like to change that too, "Minnesota Oblivious." I was driving down a road the other day (a street with businesses, about a 30-35 mph speed limit) and I was the 3rd car in a line of 4. We were all driving along and suddenly the guy in front slams on his breaks. Again, I was thinking maybe I missed something. No, I missed nothing. He apparently saw a pedestrian on the side of the road and decided to let him cross. There was no crosswalk, stop light or stop sign. Neither was there a sense of urgency in the pedestrian; he appeared totally content waiting for the only 4 cars around to pass before he crossed the road. The oblivious driver had no idea that while he was being "nice" the other 3 cars behind him were about 4 inches away from exchanging insurance information.
It really is scary. I can't really describe how annoying it is to not know if the guy who just cut you off is going to speed off or slam on their breaks. I am on edge when I drive here. It's no wonder that the medical limits on auto policies in Minnesota START at $20,000!
Ugh!
THIS IS MY 3rd BLOG IN 24 HOURS SO KEEP READING! =)
Weekend Pics
I went up to Grand Rapids last weekend to celebrate Taylor's 2nd Birthday! Here are a few pics from the weekend:
Hannah was the biggest party animal of all with her party hat!
I was asking Taylor to say "Cheese" but she said "no"
Eventually she said "cheese" though =)
I have a few new posts so be sure to see the one below this.... big news =)
This is basically the happy face Taylor had after she got to eat Chocolate cake!
She kept saying "Chocolate!"
Hannah was the biggest party animal of all with her party hat!
I was asking Taylor to say "Cheese" but she said "no"
Eventually she said "cheese" though =)
I have a few new posts so be sure to see the one below this.... big news =)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Charlie loves Hannah
Yesterday Charlie proposed to his girlfriend, Hannah, and of course she said "yes!"
They don't have a date set yet; their plan is to wait until the summer after their junior year
of college before they get married. Tiffani and I think it will be sooner =)
CONGRATULATIONS CHARLIE AND HANNAH!!!
(Charlie's friends knew what was going to happen so they somehow took pictures from afar;that is how there is a picture. If you have facebook, there are actually 2 videos, too)!
(I am trying to catch up on blog posts... I have a few topics in my mind. Blog Topic Coming Soon: Why I am thoroughly convinced MN drivers are the worst)
Monday, September 1, 2008
What influences your vote?
Most of us all are aware of the recent developments in Barak Obama and John McCain's race for President of the United States: Obama chose Joe Biden as his V.P. runner and McCain chose Sarah Palin.
I know that people vote for various reasons: Many people vote party line and they don't vote for a person, but rather, they check the box where the name is followed by "Republican" or "Democrat" (once a republican/democrat, always a republican/democrat). Others vote for the person whose values are the same as their own (even if it means voting for a "green" or independent" etc. rather than a Republican or Democrat). Sometimes, people insist on voting D or R so they choose the person they dis-like the least. And I am sure there are many other reasons as to why people vote the way they do.
I am curious why people vote the way they do. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to know what issues influence your vote (just 2 or 3 of them) and if the candidate's party (Republican, Democrat, etc) weighs in on your decision at all. Also, no need to say where you stand on the issues, just which issues are the most important to you. For example, one of the issues that is important to me when I choose a candidate to vote for is where they stand on the issue of abortion. By stating it that way, it doesn't say whether I am pro-life or pro-choice (although if you know me well, you probably know which side of the issue I stand on). It simply tells you one issue that I place value on when choosing a candidate.
I hope that everyone feels comfortable sharing what issues, etc. influence your voting decisions or other insights on how you determine which box to check on election day. I would encourage you to leave your comment as anonymous if you want to. Also, the point of this particular post is not to facilitate any discussions on politics, it is just to satisfy my curiosity of learning why people vote the way they do.
It is important to realize that everyone values different things and that is ok =)
I know that people vote for various reasons: Many people vote party line and they don't vote for a person, but rather, they check the box where the name is followed by "Republican" or "Democrat" (once a republican/democrat, always a republican/democrat). Others vote for the person whose values are the same as their own (even if it means voting for a "green" or independent" etc. rather than a Republican or Democrat). Sometimes, people insist on voting D or R so they choose the person they dis-like the least. And I am sure there are many other reasons as to why people vote the way they do.
I am curious why people vote the way they do. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to know what issues influence your vote (just 2 or 3 of them) and if the candidate's party (Republican, Democrat, etc) weighs in on your decision at all. Also, no need to say where you stand on the issues, just which issues are the most important to you. For example, one of the issues that is important to me when I choose a candidate to vote for is where they stand on the issue of abortion. By stating it that way, it doesn't say whether I am pro-life or pro-choice (although if you know me well, you probably know which side of the issue I stand on). It simply tells you one issue that I place value on when choosing a candidate.
I hope that everyone feels comfortable sharing what issues, etc. influence your voting decisions or other insights on how you determine which box to check on election day. I would encourage you to leave your comment as anonymous if you want to. Also, the point of this particular post is not to facilitate any discussions on politics, it is just to satisfy my curiosity of learning why people vote the way they do.
It is important to realize that everyone values different things and that is ok =)
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