Diez Días!

Puedes entenderlo? [Can you believe it?]

I love the holiday season. I know, wierd right? The food, music, smells, fellowship, family, really REALLY tight jeans, sub-zero temps... They are all wrapped up and put in our stockings with a note from God saying: "Here, Minnesotans. I gave the humane temperatures away already. Whoopsie daisey. Oh and by the way, there was a pound of butter in that hotdish you just ate."

It seems silly to list more things for my wishlist. But as per request~

If your name is Shawn and you work at Timberlodge and you love to decipher what animals [Belle in particular] are thinking:

I want toilet paper. Or Karley to clean the oven. Whichever one you can make happen I would give you a high five cause you are a dorkus.

To everyone else who isn't Shawn that STILL likes to ponder what Belle is thinking [ahhh..who doesn't?]:

Victoria's Secret undies, size M. I love lace, and color, and gift cards ;)

I've never met an Aveeno bottle I didn't love. Especially the Positively Radiant or Continuous Radiance moisturizing lotion.

A car reading light. I peeked at a lady reading while her husband was driving on the way back from Montana and I felt the pang of jealousy. Yay for car sickness at an accelerated rate! But I still want it.

Exercise clothing. Nix the lace but keep the color. I like bikers, running shorts, good quality socks, tops, headbands, resistance bands, etc... Shawn thinks it's weird that I like the smell of sweat but you know what?? He's the weird one, so there.

The book In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. I listened to him on MPR and loved what he had to say and wanted more. On the other hand, I could always borrow it from the library. Yes book, you still made it on the list.

Shoes slash boots. Karley will know what I'm talking about. Then again I don't want a Spirit Mountain look-alike composed completely of shoes, sandals, boots, and whatever else Karley straps to her feet. There needs to be an intervention, like now. I wear a size 9-9.5 by the way.

A plant. With Belle at Ashby I have nothing to smother with my loving, motherly instincts. I would sing to it and name it and talk about it to my co-workers and measure its growth with a yardstick on the wall and have my mom babysit it and have an 'in case of emergency phone call list' on the fridge for when I'm away. Let's not forget the "PROUD PARENT OF AN HONOR STUDENT/ORCHID" bumper sticker.

Pedometer. I try counting my steps in my head but you can about guess how well that goes... I reach for my alarm in the morning annnnnd BANANAS I already forgot what number I was at. Times is tough.

Hippopotamus. I put it on my list each year but have yet to recieve one. What's the hold up, people?? I can see me now on Christmas morning creeping down the stairs. Oh what joy and what surprise when I open up my eyes and see a hippo hero standing there!

"Just kidding about that blizzard thing..."

Here I was looking forward to a grand ol' Minnesota blizzard to wipe the color right out of the northland but, like so many times in my years in Duluth, the weather people ALWAYS over estimate (and publicly forecast) the severety of a storm. I would much rather have it the other way around, like everyone else I assume. But no one would argue that the Northland News team is anything too spectacular. Probably more a source of entertainment than an update on current events and weather. Take a look at THIS for example.

Anyway, their prediction of 12" is down to 3". Gee. Thanks for the let down, news team.

Mountain time

They say time flies. I say it whistles through the air like lightning. WSHKAAHHH!

You know how I know that? Because Shawn and I's Big Sky trip has already came and went.

I distinctly remember the day I called Shawn to tell him that our trip was only 3 weeks away.

I wish I could call that Jill of that past up and say, "Girl, you gotta another thing comin." With my finger in the air and a little horizontal head weave.

So, yeah, back to the old grind. Nothing but a memory now. But boy oh boy, what a memory it is!! Let me illustrate:

We got there on the eve of little Alli's 21st. We were all rip-roaring to go... at 9:30 PM. But as the weariness of the 12 hour drive started to take its toll, midnight seemed pretty far away. So we moseyed to the nearby bar to see if they'd serve Alli while she was still 20, but only technically. Hey, it's Montana. The bartender hesitated for a moment before conceding. We kicked off Alli's adult life with a night of Big Buck Hunter and lemon drop shots. Oh what a night.

The next was our first day of boarding. Let's just note that neither Shawn nor I had boarded since March last spring, and we decide to open the season on Lone Mountain. We knew we were in for it. We packed ibuprofin. 'Twas a grrrrrreat first day. The snow was pow and the runs were gnar. We enjoyed homemade lunch of turkey sandwiches and Montana mountain mix.

We roomed with Alli and her New Zealand roommate. Shawn described being around her perfectly as, "like living with a ghost." Creepy, smelly, quiet, and a non-smiley. She neither evokes nor emits smiles or any smile-like emotions. Weird. Alli and Shawn will agree that my Big Sky blog wouldn't have been complete without mentioning plain Sarah Jane.

Anyway, Monday Shawn and I adventured Lone Mountain with out Alli. Whiskey Jacks took her hostage and made her carry food and beverages around all day, pure torture. Anyway, Shawn and I decided we'd try the Challenger lift, but it's more like an elevator. STRAIGHT UP. I consider Shawn to be a pretty awesome, good looking, brave, handsome, talented, pretty, snowboarder and even he was nervous. There was a point at which we both looked at eachother through our goggles and airholes and said, via mind waves, "I don't think I'm going to be able to do this." That's how *NSYNC we are. It took us near an hour from the top to the villa down below. Thinking back it was probably one of the funnest runs of the trip.

Alli had this ingenious idea of doing a picture for the Where's the Post segment in our Ashby paper. So I brought one out and we spent our 3rd day taking pictures of us catching up on our hometown happenings while on the mountain. It was good fun, for Alli and I anyways. Shawn might have froze off a finger or two manning the camera for so long. He's a keeper. We ended up with some terrific shots. I like how, even surrounded by the incomparable surroundings, we are revited by what seems to be the obituary section. If you don't LOL at this, that's plain sad.

Wednesday was our last day of boarding. We still hadn't recovered from the soreness of the first day. We recieved a large amount of brand new snow and enjoyed wonderful, sunny weather. We tried to cram all we could into Wednesday, but we were pretty exhausted from the grueling pace. We're a couple of sissys, perhaps. Anyway, we found a run with a few jumps that Shawn and I tried about 30 times. Both of us ended up bruising our ribs pretty bad when the landing didn't happen. But hey, we're learning... that 360s don't come so easily on your first few days of boarding...and that carrying a flask on your chest won't soften the blow in any way whatsoever....and that sneezing hurts.

June Cleaver?

I love to bake and cook. If you know me well I've probably fed you at one point in time (whether it be forced or willingly). I don't have a kitchen of my own, but it is something I dream of in the future. [Insert dreamy gaze upward here]

But who says you can't get your dream piece by piece, little by little, cookie by cookie??

With these few things, all I would need is a vacuum and some bright red lipstick and I would be well on my way to naming my kid something rodent-esque like Squirrel.

I think I would put a simple hand mixer to much more use than a $500 stand mixer, especially with the little space available to me right now. It doesn't have to be anything fancy (really, you don't need 9 speeds!) but I DO want something that will last.

Ashley and Caryn would always tell me in high school, "Take a chill pill, Jill." It's funny cause there's 3 words back-to-back that rhyme. What's NOT funny is not having anything to chill my delicious, fresh outta the oven, cookies. They can't just take a pill. It doesn't work that way. I'd love a good cooling rack for the little darlings.

Did June ever bake shapeless cookies? Cookies that resembled the outline of Oklahoma more-so than a circular drop of heaven? Nope. Clearly she had a little help, and Iknow exactly what she was using. A cookie scoop.

Of course, nonstick pans would always be a welcome addition to the dream in progress.

Hey, I found a vacuum!!

My list checked twice...

I was pondering up some other gift ideas and here's what I've come up with:

I have a cracked lens in my Oakley Crowbar goggles, so a replacement would be peachy.

I like FIRE or GOLD IRIDIUM.

Neat-O

There are some REALLY great deals on my favorite snowboarding site: Sierra Snowboard

These gloves, for example, are 70% off. It's insane. Only $15 for a pair of really nice gloves. I would appreciate NOT losing my fingers to the wrath of Mr. Jack Frost.

My family seems predispositioned to lose them already.

Traveling with style is probably one of the most important things in my life. I can think of very few things that top it. No but honestly, who couldn't use a good duffle bag to pack things for their next trip to Big Sky, Montana???!!!!

This bag is ALSO 70% off at just under $36 bucks. Are you beginning to realize how easy it is to be a bargain shopper on this site?

My relationship with my beloved boyfriend depends on my keeping my back warm.

You might think this is a very odd statement, even for me. But here's my reasoning:

My current coat is built for little women (which I am not, standing at just under 5'11") and it doesn't quite reach my butt. Although it fits me, it's not ideal for snowboarding because I fall a lot.

When I fall it's usually tumbly, appendages flying, snow exploding into air, crazy looking, bone crunching-ly awful. No really, ask Shawn.

Meanwhile, these sneaky snowflake pieces are creeping their way onto my bare exposed back (because my short jacket is up to my armpits) and snatching away any bit of warmth I'm harboring.

With every fall, my ability to ignore my frozen kidneys crumbles like the Vikings against the Cardinals.

Then I start to get whiney. This is where my girlfriend attributes start to diminish.

One thing leads to another and we leave the slopes early, leaving me with a unhappy Swan and a heavy feeling of guilt.

Keeping me warm on the hill might be a crucial element in keeping us together. Here's some things that might help if you want to see Shawn and I to keeping fighting the good fight :)

These thermal pants are $20 bucks at 75% off. Large please!

You're beginning to think 30% is a rip-off, aren't you??!!

K this coat is wonderfully cute and is (you said it) 70% off at $84 bucks. I know, a bit spendy but an envelope with a note that says NEW JACKET FUND with a contribution would do the trick

P.S. BIG SKY BLOG COMING SOON. PROMISE.

Gotta love them teeth!

A couple updates I'm excited to let you three in on:

1) Karley is now an avid flosser. Get this. She came into my room and ask if I can nab her another mini-carton of floss so she can keep some in her purse. It's like I'm her drug dealer and she's my addict. She depends on my goods and I can deliver. Except in this example her teeth only get prettier and healthier rather than browner, crumblier, and generally more fally-outy.

2) I SUBMITTED my application to Minnesooooooooota! I dropped by my manilla envelope in the post office today and asked the post-man to put some extra magic on it, like Tinkerbell and her pixie dust. Yes, I actually said that.

3) I full-on assist tomorrow. All by myself. I feel like it's my first day of freshman year all over again. Wait, take that back. Second day because everyone knows the first day is all about the syllabi!

4) I saw Lady Gaga's boob fall out of her outfit on Jay Leno. Karley and I watched it together. If you don't call that bonding you can just go kick a brick wall, jeez.

Snug as a [FIT] Bug in a Rug!

Another thing I totally forgot putting on my list, although I would be appalled to recieve it because it's probably beyond anyone's price-range (including mine). Sad face. Anyway, I wanna put it up just for the fun of it.It's called a bodybug and it measure's your body's temperature throughout the day and records it so you can know EXACTLY how many calories your body burns so you can plan a diet and workout routine based on your precise fitness goals. A coworker had one at Wellspring and absolutely loved it. Check it out here!

'Tis the Season?? Can't be..

I find it very difficult to acknowledge the presence of the holidays even though I know it's nearly December. Already. Really? Yes, Jill. Really. I've spent my entire Saturday finishing up my Minnesota application for dental school. Don't even get me started on how much more documents and essays Minnesota wants from its applicants. With God's help, this only strengthens my app. Anyway, enough about mental school. On to another subject: presents! I've been brainstorming it up:

MAC makeup. I simply cannot get enough. I love the bright eyeliners and paint pots. A gift card would rock my stockings.

A watch. I've never had a pretty, funky, good quality watch. I wear my $10 camp watch all the time, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't like a nice one.

Bridgedale socks: Hey, it's Christmas. Socks gotta be on your list. These socks are wayyyy better than smartwool (I'll fight you, Karley) and they build them for the specific sport you use them for. Think snowboarding :)

Airhole. It brings air through a hole. Obviously. I like the colorful one.

Pay an application fee? Lame I know but it would be a gift that keeps on giving. Each school (Minnesota, Creighton, Marquette, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and San Fran) wants anywhere from $55-75 to apply. I little hard on the wallet.

Nice, pretty, and practical work clothes. I got enough party clothes. Time for college Jill to become grown-up, working Jill.

Crossword puzzle book. I can't stop. I won't even try to stop.

mmm, JEWELS! Forget the light bulb, this is always a good idea.

Small things are big things: Car scents, lotions, shower gels, and candles are purrrfect.I like hats. Big knit-y, colorful, fuzzy hats.

He's my Best Fwend

Since I haven't devoted a blog to him combined with the fact that he is now a part of the blogging community, I am dedicating this message to him.

He's my best friend.

Shawn and I share everything together: our interests, our greatest & most exciting moments, our frustrations in the spinning-our-tires stage we seem to be in, and our anxiousness for the winter snowboarding season to arrive. We share lots and lots.

And there no one else I would like to share these things with.After all, he is an only child so he hasn't even come CLOSE to fulfilling his sharing quota for his near-quater century of life.

Here are some other couples I would like to compare us to...someday:

Bambi and Flower

Peanut Butter and Banana

Celine Dion and Josh Groban

Two hands making high-fives

New-Car scent and a past-its-prime vehicleEveryone looks at these pairs and thinks, "The universe is in a more perfect balance because those two are together." Don't deny it.

If it's brown, it's not necessarily down

Ohhhh the great tradition of deer hunting. You can just feel the excitement build upon the first few days of November in the anticipation of the first weekend of rifle season. You begin to see more and more orange coats and hats being adorned by outdoorsmen across the state.Fridges and cupboards are stocked with all kind of on-the-stand goodies to help keep the avid hunter nourished and sharp. Lights are out earlier than normal on Friday and coffee is prepared before the rays of the sun have brushed the morning sky. Hunters wait anxiously to hear the crack of the first shot. The season has begun.

Their eyes search the seas of brown grass for an animal who's coat has undergone centuries of evolution to mimic the weed's golden hues perfectly. The human tries to out-listen an animal who's ears are 100 times more sensitive; with its nose acting as it's main defense, man has little hope in concealing himself for long. But yet he tries. Morning and night he huddles to his steaming coffee mug and searches land for the graceful and silent animal. This is hunting.

It is not simply a tradition. It is an honor.

Big Sky or Bust!

I am a lucky lucky girl. Probably one of luckier I know. If I somehow win the lottery that PROVES there's something magical in my possession (especially since I never buy a lottery ticket)! Anyway, my next adventure that brings total excitement in my life is Shawn and I's trip out to Big Sky, Montana to visit little sister Alli and celebrate her 21st birthday. Going snowboarding on lone mountain will be an extra bonus!
Yesterday, Shawn and I bought our Frequent Sky Card which gives us 14 days of FREE snowboarding (early & late season) and lotsa discounts throughout the season! The card will pay for itself in 2 days of boarding so I'm confident it was a smart purchase.

So Shawn and I will embark on our westward adventure on November 28th, just a week after Alli moves there for the season.

Don't be a butt-head!

I see patients that come in with horrendous teeth because they didn't find time in their busy busy schedule to take care of them. Honestly, it's not that time consuming or overly difficult. In fact, it's one of those things we can all be experts at (like blinking, chewing, and scratching). So here's my message: don't be one of those people who sits down in the chair and opens their mouth to a whole bunch of brownish-stained, decaying teeth cause you have NO excuse. My next project is getting Karley to be an avid flosser. Wish me luck!!

All I want for Christmas is to go back to school!

Crazy huh? Not for me. I'm eyeballs deep in applying for dental school. That's the dream. I've been super fortunate in getting job at Miller Hill Dental as a dental assistant/aide. While there I get to clean and prepare operatories, develop film (x-rays), clean and sanitize tools, and help with Dr. Kaake when needed. I even get to hold suction sometimes!! I know to some the job might not seem glamorous, but I'm excited about where my life is headed. I think dentistry is what I've been called to do as a service to others. Although you can make a great living in the profession, it truly is a selfless job slaving away in someone else's mouth all day. Anyway, I hope I measure up to the big wigs who will be going over my application.

Do you see me as a future:

Golden Gopher?

Sooner?

Jay?

Pacific-er?

We'll see. I'm going to lean on Jeremiah 29:11 and keep my chin up!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future."

Counting down the days...

So Shawn got me hooked and I no longer have control. I started snowboarding last January ('08) and have loved it since the 1st day. Well, almost every day. There were the days I came away with some nasty bruises, and even a broken bone! (I broke my rib going on rail my 3rd time out. Hey, I didn't want to be the one who couldn't anything anymore!) Anyway, it's been a great ride (literally) and I thought I should share some great memories made on my Feelgood with Shawn and his Twin and Alli and her K2. Us 3 have had some pretty great adventures on our boards, the greatest among them was our trek out to Montana. Speaking for the 3 of us, we all think of our days on Lone Mountain in the days of stress, school, work, and all the yuck that comes with it. I've been counting down the days till I can strap on my beautiful board and shred the gnar again!Here's Shawn getting ready to actually do this box. He's awesome. He's my inspiration.Alli's learning, she pretty much started this season. She did a box perfectly out in Montana, and rocked it! Like so...
The lodge we stayed at was the greatest! They were the most hospitable staff. They made us a made-to-order breakfast each morning and partied with us at night. Shawn and I took advantage of the LAST quarter-cent pool table in the countryBelieve me, Alli and I take advantage of our time on the lifts. If you were anywhere on Lone Mountain on the days of Jan 8-13, you probably heard/saw us singing and dancing on the chair lifts.We all feel quite at home in our shredding gear, I don't think any of us would have a problem making Montana our REAL home! A group shot from the *near* top of Lone Mountain on the Big Sky side. It was pretty exhileration coming down from those hights, and Alli had her biggest struggle of all when she found herself in about 4 ft. of soft powder and had to fight (roll, splatter, scream in frustration) her way out. It was hilarious. You need to see the video, maybe I'll post it if I can find 10 hrs of free time :)

All and her boarding mentor, Shawn. I could be mentor if I had more to say than, "Just bend your knees and don't fall!"
Alli and I had our groove/rap/weirdy/black barbie session every morning while getting ready. It was hot. No, literally. I advise everyone to not dance around for long periods of time wearing long johns and wool socks. Sweaty.
Bye bye, Montana. See you soon if I win the lottery or decide to disown my lifelong goals and familyor get amnesia and wake up as a pro snowboarder or become a anthropologist and want to find a baby sabertooth tiger on Lone Mountain and then just snowboard around while my team digs it up, but then I'm there in the newspapers and my family contacts me and says, "Hey you got amnesia, but we're your family! Come back to Minnesota!" and I'll be all "Do you have mountians and/or frozen 30 million old sabertooth tiger babies in Minnesota?" and they'll be like, "Well, no..." and that's when I'll be like, "Then you're not my family!!"