The Best Reader:
summer 2010

This past weekend Dan and I traveled to Central Minnesota for my All School Reunion. We had quite the adventure.

After driving down dirt roads and following subtle signs we found our campground and camp site. After careful consideration of the best possible placement of our tent — we began to set up. As soon as we got the tent set up (and boy, are we NOT campers) a campground employee pulled up to tell us that we were in a tornado warning and that everyone should head to the bunker.

Now, this may sound ridiculous, but before heading to the bunker I had to grab my phone, and then my camera, and then my umbrella, and then my rain boots — just in case. By the time I had all the necessities — it began to rain.

Here's something you probably don't know about me. I hate the rain. I hate cold feet and frizzy hair. True story: from winter to spring I wear rain boots or snow boots every day... religiously. So my first reaction is to jump in the car. As soon as Dan gets in the car I hear this "THUD" and a second later we are bombarded with sheet after sheet of hail (round as a quarter!). I look over at our poor tent and it's still standing (thank goodness!) but neither Dan or I are quite sure what to do? Do we attempt driving to the bunker? Or is it best to stay put?

After a few moments of the deafening sound of hail hitting my car — we decide it's best to stay where we are then try to drive through it. I constantly look at the tent and (with luck) it remains standing. Twenty minutes later the hail and rain have subsided — but our camp site is flooded and (after braving the elements to check) so is our tent.

Needless to say, Dan and I ended up staying at a Holiday Inn. So much for our adventure!

The rest of the weekend flew by; on Friday night we went into Benson for the All School Reunion street dance and live bands at various venues. On Saturday we watched the parade, I posed for the All School Reunion Photo, and then we went to my dad's book signing at the library. It looked like rain so we decided to go to the local theaters free showing of "How to Train Your Dragon" — which was FANTASTIC by the way! After the show Dan, Brandon (BFF from High School), and I decided to go bowling — and wow am I awful! Shortly after that it began to storm (again!) and all of the outside activities were either canceled or no one showed up. So Dan and I headed back to our hotel in Morris to find that a Street Dance had been moved inside due to the weather! The night was not lost! We danced for a couple of hours before retiring (dry and tired).

It was a fantastic and exciting weekend overall and it was great to meet up with friends from high school.

Dan looking for the best spot to set up camp.

Securing our masterpiece

HAIL!

Flooded camp site

My mom and dad at his book signing

Very blurry picture of my parents and Dan and I at my dad's book signing

Dan and I at my dad's book signing

Dan's mad bowling skills

And you can blame these on Sheila for showing me how to use Picnik.

After seeing this post at Bookworming Through the 21st Century I decided to join the Summer Break Reading Challenge. While most of my summer (so far) has been devoted to weddings and travel, this summer has also been about reading. I've already finished so many books because of my travels and my unemployed summer — basically if I'm not walking down the isle or driving, I've got a book in my hands.

But I like the idea of setting goals so (and this is Activity #1) — here we go:

• Finish the Sookie Stackhouse series
• The Way of the Sword
• To Kill a Mockingbird
• The Odyssey
• Emma and the Vampires
• I Am Number Four
• I'd Know You Anywhere
• 13 to Life
• Raised by Wolves
• Fallen
• Hex Hall
• DUFF
• Knightley Academy

My summer 2010 travels continued last weekend. On Thursday I traveled to Aberdeen to spend the night with my best friend Mary (Bride in August). I had a great time reconnecting with her and learning how to put together flowers arrangements (which is harder than it looks).

On Friday I left for Bismarck, ND to visit Dan (and meet the family). While in Bismarck, Dan took me to the Capitol. It was a horribly windy and cold day so I won't even bother showing you the picture of Dan and I — but here's our friend Bill the Buffalo*.

On Saturday, Dan and I drove to Pierre, SD for Mary's Bridal Shower. While I was doing my Maid of Honor duties, Dan read and studied in the library for five hours. He was quite a trooper!

After the shower, Dan and I visited the Capitol. Yep, I was at two capitols in two days. And if I was honest, the capitol in Pierre was MUCH more awesome than the one in Bismarck.

Sunday was mostly spent hanging out with Dan and his family. After church we played mancala (I kicked butt) and chess (Dan swept the board with my face).

After getting home around 5pm on Monday I can say one thing: I am exhausted! I feel like I could sleep forever and a day! I'm lucky I have that luxury during the week; although I really need to crack down on Operation Find an Apartment.

This week I leave for my All School Reunion in Central Minnesota on Friday and will return on Sunday. This will be my first weekend 100% Wedding Free! Isn't that crazy!

Mary Lee (Groom's Mother), Anne (Bride's Mother), and Mary (Bride and BFF)

Dan and I at the Capitol in Pierre, SD

Dan and I at the Capitol in Pierre, SD

Capitol in Pierre, SD

Capitol in Pierre, SD

Capitol in Pierre, SD

Dan and I at the Capitol in Pierre, SD
*I made up this name. It is in no way official.

Well my life continues as the summer of weddings. Last week I left for South Dakota early Friday morning. I picked up my date (Dan — to be pictured) in Fargo and then we left for Sioux Falls/Flandreau area. We couldn't check into the hotel until later so we ventured into Sioux Falls, stopped by a Barnes and Noble (which I left empty handed), and then went to the movies.

Saturday was Go Day. We had one wedding in Flandreau at 2pm and one wedding in Sioux Falls (40 minute drive) at 4pm. Could we do it?

Yes we could (without a minute to spare!).

Yesterday we began our journey back home, Dan to Bismarck, ND, and me to Northern Minnesota. As soon as I got home my dad and I went fishing... well he went fishing, I read "Living Dead in Dallas" in the boat.

This week I leave Thursday for Rapid City, SD (yes, where Wedding #1) was held for a wedding on Friday. Then Saturday morning I will back track to Pierre, SD for my best friend's bridal shower (wedding is in August).

While I've been gallivanting around the Midwest, I did miss a huge portion of Bloggiesta (June 2010 Edition). This makes me extremely sad, but I do plan on spending a lot of time on the blog this week as well as embarking on Mission: Find an Apartment!

Happy Reading/Blogging/Living Everyone!

Wedding #3

Wedding #4

After Wedding #4, Dan and I ventured into Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD.

Dan and I at Falls Park

The geese my dad and I saw after when we returned after fishing/reading.

Well okay, "down south" may be an exaggeration since technically Kentucky and Missouri are part of the Midwest. But this concept is completely odd to me. Growing up in South Dakota and Minnesota I've always believed THIS was the Midwest! But now that I think about it, that area of the US is probably better suited towards the category.

I'm still working this out.

Anyway, last Wednesday I left to visit Travis in Louisville, KY, where he is a strength and conditioning coach/intern at the University of Louisville. Because he literally works from 5:15am until 7pm (ish) I got a lot of reading done. I finished "Dead Until Dark" on the plane Wednesday night and "Before I Fall" during the day on Thursday.

On Friday, Travis took me to campus. While he finished up working I hung out at the most amazing college library I've seen (not that I've seen a TON — but still) and read most of Sea by Heidi Kling (released this week).

Then we headed towards the Jim Patterson stadium to watch baseball. I, of course, got a HUGE kick out of this. I have no idea who Jim Patterson was/is and what he accomplished — but I do know of a certain JAMES PATTERSON. So I had a bit of a nerdy moment and had to take photographic evidence.

The game that we were there to watch (University of Louisville and St. Louis University) was delayed by a prior game (that went into 14 innings) and I may or may not have just been dying to find out what happens in the last couple pages of Sea... so:

On Saturday Travis and I left for St. Louis for a wedding. I didn't know the couple so I didn't take any wedding pictures — but here's one of the two of us in downtown St. Louis. Travis attended SLU during his undergrad so he was like my own private tour guide. And YES I saw the star of T.S. Eliot! I almost DIED!

On Sunday Travis and I went to Kirkwood Park in St. Louis for a handball match (he played, I read). This park was absolutely beautiful! I was just in poetic awe the entire day. I strolled around the park, got some sun, enjoyed the outdoors, and began reading Hush Hush.

Before we left for Louisville, Travis took me to see the Arch (which I really think should be pronounced arck — but whatever).

I flew out from Louisville on Monday around 9am, but because Travis had to be into work by 5:15 I was at the airport pretty early, which is where I read most of Hush Hush. I finished half way through my first flight (I had a lay over in Michigan). When I landed, I looked for Living Dead in Dallas and to my horror discovered that instead of grabbing Sookie #2 and packing Sookie #1, I reversed it! Thankfully my lay over and second flight weren't that long — but I was still a bit disappointed.

When I arrived in Minneapolis and headed for home I realized that I lead a pretty lucky life. It's only the middle of June and I've done tons of traveling and I continue to keep that up for the rest of the summer (although I'm not planning any more plane trips — yet). I also realized that I may or may not be addicted to technology.

Packed with me for this weekend trip was my laptop (and charger), GPS, Blackberry (and charger), digital camera* (with charger and computer adapter), iTouch (and charger), and old iPod** (it's attached to my car so I guess it didn't come WITH me... but still). This is quite a bit of technology in one little car. Part of me is a bit ashamed of how connected I am, but I sincerely love it this way. I could do without (and have), but I love this modern life.

Besides all of the technology I packed, I also packed a lot of books because I knew I'd have time to read. I packed Hush Hush, Sea, Dead Until Dark, and Before I Fall. I ended up buying Living Dead in Dallas in Louisville because I knew I'd finish all of the books I'd brought with me. I also packed The Four Agreements and The Paradox of Choice as gifts for Travis so my bag was a bit lighter on the way home — but not a lot.

After realizing how many books I actually packed, do I consider getting an eReader? Not quite yet. I'm still waiting for Google to come up with an eReader and for the libraries to jump on board. But soon... very soon. I can feel it in my bones.

That's it for this week's travels. I leave Friday for Sioux Falls, SD where I've got TWO weddings in one day — it's going to be a great day. Thanks for following my Summer 2010 travels!

* Not shown because I was obviously using it to take the photo.
** Not shown

This summer is all about traveling for me. The week after graduation I embarked on a mini-road trip beginning at home in Cass Lake, MN and then venturing to Bismarck, ND, to visit a cousin and a friend from college, then going to Williston, ND, for another cousin's college graduation. From there I headed south to Rapid City, SD for Lyndsey's Bridal Shower before finally heading East towards home. I didn't make it all the way and ended up staying the night in Aberdeen, SD laughing with friends before finally heading back home to Cass Lake, MN. It was ONE crazy week.

Then I had a few days off before I took off for BEA — you all pretty much know about that. I briefly mentioned that I had to leave BEA early Thursday morning for my best friend's wedding in Rapid City, SD. I arrived at the MSP airport around noon, picked up my car, and had a very long drive ahead of me towards Rapid City (did I mention that in that ONE day I went through three time zones! Crazy!). I left Sunday morning for home, but because of one CRAZY groomsman who thought it was funny to poke me with a pencil until 7am, I was so exhausted I had to stop in Timber Lake, SD and crash on my Uncle Bruce's couch. Monday morning I left for home and around 9pm I finally got there! Whew!

But this moment of being home was only temporary. I spent Tuesday packing and left early Wednesday morning for Louisville, KY to visit Travis. So far I've spent most of my time in KY reading and catching up on everything I have neglected for the past few months. On Saturday Travis and I are attending a wedding in St. Louis. We will return to KY on Sunday, and on Monday I fly back to Minnesota.

Are you stressed yet? Because I'm definitely stressed all over again just reading this! I don't know how I did it — but I did!

Graduation photos. Me and cake. Alex and I and Travis and I.

The middle of South Dakota on my first road trip — definitely "the road less traveled."

Gift from the Bride to the Bridesmaids was to make our own jewelry! My beautiful bride is front and center!

Dress Rehearsal — Lyndsey and her dad walking down the isle. Lyndsey and Brandon praying (obviously I was paying attention — someone else took these photos while I was at the front standing where I was supposed to be — true story).

Isn't she beautiful!

... walking down the isle. I didn't trip!

It's blurry — but this is me and my best friend! We once had an entire conversation on how, phonetically, the letter c is absolutely useless (except in the case of -ch-).

I've been trying to recap BEA10 the best I could, at least pictorially (as few words can describe the experience), but these are the pictures I have left over. This picture is of my little brother's dog MJ (not for Michael Jackson). She is the terror dog that I mention sometimes on Twitter (we don't get along — see how she's always in my way).

My awesome badge!

The steps leading up to the Exhibit Hall (SO COOL).
When I wasn't at author events, BEA, or sleeping, I was most likely found with Sheila in Central Park either getting lost or reading. During my time in NYC, Central Park became a haven for this small town Midwesterner. Plus, I got a ton of reading done! Finished every book I had brought with me to read (two!).

I went to the Harper Collins Book Blogger Reception and met some fantastic people!

I met Pam — and stole this photo! This girl was a hoot, a complete hoot!

Amanda and I — from The Zen Leaf (I stole this picture too). We are new BFFs.

Alix and I — we decided we were sisters because we look so much alike (obviously).

And I finally mustered the courage to go up and formally introduce myself to Kristi and Cat. These girls are amazing (and funny!). I really enjoyed talking to them both.

The whole time I was showing off my battle wounds from BEA10. It doesn't look that bad right now — but boy did it hurt! Next time I will come better prepared!
After the reception and a quick supper, it was off to bed for me. I had to leave at 4am on Thursday to catch a flight home for a wedding (not MY wedding — my best friend forever's wedding). While in the ridiculously small elevator for the last time, I took a picture of this. I found it completely ironic that that they were advertising Jamestown, North Dakota in NYC. But maybe that's just me. I guess, now that I think about it, having lived in Minnesota and South Dakota my whole life — I didn't even know this "famous" buffalo existed! Road trip!

But New York wasn't done with me yet. I had asked the hotel to call me a taxi in advance, when I got out of said elevator I saw this:

I immediately panicked! I definitely could not afford this! It was like a mini-limo/government car! I stepped back saying, "I asked for a taxi." And the very polite, well dressed young man said, "Yes, this is for you." I double checked to make sure they weren't going to charge me more, and after deciding that this car actually was for me and no mistake had been made, I was on my way home!

BEA10 was a fantastic experience. I made so many new friends and connections, and yes, I also received a lot of books and SWAG. Maybe it's easier for me to say this now as my boxes of books are in transit, but I'd say the new friends I made were definitely the highlight of this vacation. Granted, I'll be the first to admit that NYC isn't the place for me, but I'll definitely be back next year (I already checked to make sure school was already out). Stay tuned later todat for pictures of my graduation and my best friends wedding (I'm in a pictorial mood lately) as well as a HUGE IMM post next Saturday (I decided to do one big post since one box got here before the other).

There didn't seem to be a WHOLE lot of things going on (at least at the Javits) on Tuesday of BEA. Sheila and I went to the opening ceremony thing, that really sort of turned out to be a bore; so, like any other super excited book blogger, I checked Twitter.

I just happened to see that the Class of 2K10 authors were going to be hanging out in the basement of the Javits for a while giving away SWAG (which I love). So Sheila and I decided to hang around for that. Turns out we were the only ones there (for a while at least) so it was the perfect opportunity to talk to the authors one on one and really enjoy this celebrity treatment.

Tuesday night, Sheila and I went to Books of Wonder to see many of these authors again. It was so great to have already talked to them before because we had already introduced ourselves and I felt like I had buddies there (plus, we were able to get out of the way for all the other anxious people). I left Books of Wonder having only bought two books — "Shade" and "The Secret Year" — I think I did rather well!

I never know what to do with my arms... ?

SWAG!

For my classroom! Now all I need is the book!!!

At Books of Wonder

My dogs love the Class of 2K10 (and others!)
Again, this was another fantastic opportunity that I loved! Many of these authors even volunteered to Skype with my class using my new SmartBoard next Fall and you can bet your bottom dollar I'll be taking them up on their offers. These authors expressed such enthusiasm for their novels, their readers, and (most importantly — to me at least) my students.

I kind of recapped the Teen Author Carnival before (this post) but I was so excited and overwhelmed I don't think I did it justice.

But then I read THIS post over at Pirate Penguin Reads and, really... I know my abilities enough to know I couldn't produce anything near that accurate. So head on over there and check out what REALLY happened.

But before you do... I do have pictures (in addition to the ones already posted) !!

Sorry that some of these are flipped the wrong way — I'm having a hard time rotating them in blogger. Help?

I won all of these EXCEPT "Knightley Academy" by asking a question in one of the sessions. After listening to Violet talk about her book I couldn't resist purchasing it!

I'm overall extremely happy with TAC and can't wait to go again — but next time I hope they have a bathroom open for adults without children (that'd be nice).

As expected, yesterday was a fantastic day! Sheila and I spent some time in the Blogosphere before we headed to the Javits Center to check it out and plan our route.

Then we went and found an "off the beaten trail" Mexican restaurant in Times Square to have a nice quiet sit down meal.

We returned to the hotel and relaxed a bit before going to the Strand Bookstore which is known for it's 18 mile long bookshelves. The advertisement doesn't give the bookstore justice. Wall to wall and ceiling to floor — there are books everywhere! It was fantastic, but after walking 40 blocks it would have been nice to have a place to sit and relax. But finding none we we stopped for frozen yogurt before heading to the Jefferson Marketplace Public Library.

While approaching the library I looked to Sheila and said "Look at that castle! Wouldn't it be great if that was the library!" And it was! It was a magnificent library except for the fact that there were no bathrooms for adults. There was one that you could use if you had a child, but despite Sheila's protests, I could not pretend to be an kid.

At the TAC I met some fantastic authors, the first of which was Lauren Oliver! Ooo how I loved her (and I haven't even read her book yet)! (Before I Fall)

Then I met Simone Elkeles (who couldn't believe I was a teacher!). This woman is hilarious! (Perfect Chemistry)

Then I met Kody Keplinger the amazing 18 year old author of DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend).

And Courtney Sheinmel — author of Positively!

Barry Lyga (Goth Girl Rising). This guy cracks me up! He's like the Dane Cook of authors!

Violet Haberdasher, author of Knightley Academy! This looks like a fantastic book! It's the only one I bought there! (I'm quite proud... of the fact I only bought one.)

For answering a question I won a prize pack: "Sea," "Perfect Chemistry," "Fixing Delilah Hannaford," and "The DUFF." But Courtney generously donated a copy of "Positively" as well! And then I bought (using my Educator discount) "Knightley Academy."

On our way home, Sheila and I stopped at Olive Garden for dinner. After a fantastic meal we were faced with a new dilemma: neither of us have ever hailed a taxi! So we did what any other Minnesotans would do and asked the hostess. This hostess was so polite... she even showed us HOW!

We are now officially pros.

It's Day Two in NYC and I've been thinking: I've practically been begging people to connect with me and they may have NO idea what I look like! So how can I expect to find someone I know in Times Square when they don't know what to look for! (Insert: Silly Rabbit) So for my amusement and your information

So, everyone, this is me at my graduation party. Today I'm not having as great of a hair day but I am sporting a Minnesota Twins shirt! I'm not sure what Sheila and I will do this morning and afternoon (Strand and TAC tonight) so if you're looking to hang out with two extremely cool (and good looking) Minnesotans in the Big Apple tweet me (@google) and I'll DM my number! If not, I'm sure I'll see you sooner or later!

Happy Monday!