Quick Update

I've been so wrapped up in school that I haven't had a lot of time to write, but a few things have happened that I know people have been asking me about, so I thought I'd write a quick update.

One piece of exciting news is that a project I worked on last spring for a class has received a student planning award from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association! We will be receiving awards at a conference later this month.

Second, a lot of people have asked me if I have heard anything about the grant I helped write for some farmer friends of mine who want to install a wind turbine. I talked to them last week, and they got the grant! A new wind turbine will be installed on their century farm overlooking the Mississippi River. You can read more about the Popps (scroll down to "A Weekend at the Farm").

Life Up North

Before the crazy semester starts, I'm spending a few days "Up Nort" with the fam. Right now my parents are embarking on an adventure involving moving some deck stairs - needless to say I don't need to be involved in that adventure! ;) It's strange how time stops up here. I lose track of what day it is, what time it is. I couldn't tell you what time I've gone to bed or woken up. There's a rhythm to the days that are slow and easy, productive without being stressful. We've sat down to a family dinner every night, with all of us cooking or contributing in some way. My jobs for the weekend have ranged from helping Mom pick paint colors for the living room to "Molly-sitting" Adam's dog on Friday - it's a rough life! Yesterday involved some fun exploring. Mom, Dad, and I went to Swamp Sisters for breakfast - several sisters run a shop and cafe way out literally in the middle of the swamp! It was tasty, unique, and a fun experience. Then we dropped Dad off at home, and Mom and I went to the greenhouse to say hi to her coworkers and look at flowers, then we went and tried a new Italian cafe in Duluth. We sat on the deck at Va Bene with our mochas and dessert and watched the lake - how I miss the sound of those waves! Va Bene is owned by some of my aunt's friends so it was really cool to finally get there. We then went to a little Italian import store next door and were amazed at all the handpainted Italian dishes - the store has been there six years and we never knew it existed.

This afternoon I'll meet up with my friend Terry in Duluth before coming back to the parents' for a fire and s'mores. Tomorrow I get to meet my cousins for coffee before heading back to the cities. I have a feeling that my very full day of classes on Tuesday is going to hit me very hard.