Update | Life Started in May

Hi Everybody!

I'm not gonna lie, I started this blog post back in late July/ early August and I've been so dang busy but I keep remembering to add things to this and I just keep putting it off. How terrible of me, right? Anyway, this is what I've been up to this year since I've been MIA for over a year:

April:

I had my Senior Exhibition for my BFA show, and it went so fantastically I could cry. So many people came to support us and I sold a few pieces! My art teachers from high school and junior high school all came to support Allison and I (since we went to the same schools) and it was so amazing to see them. We talked about possible careers and what the job market in the art field looks like. A lot of smiles came from me that day.
Thank you again to everyone for coming!

Mrs. Rice, Myself, Mrs. Bruha, Allison, Ms. Kleman

May:

May was the busiest month for sure. 

At the beginning of the month I moved back home. It was way long overdue and I wasn't happy where I was. The environment I was living in was abusive and stressed me out to the max. I knew it wasn't the right choice to keep staying there and the push and support from friends and my best friend in the whole world was exactly what I needed. I got a fresh start and a semi-clean break.

A few weeks later, I graduated from UWSP with my BFA in 2D Art. 

Allison, Myself, & Tim

After school, I had a week to kind of gather myself and move everything back home from school. 

During that week I bought myself a kayak which I have appropriately named The Mr. Beaumont (shout out to my 'Friends' fans) and went on a few trips. Around the end of May, as a nice early birthday trip I went to Kohler, WI with Travis, to visit the design center, have a little lunch, walk through a small house covered in glitter vomit, and take a walk along Lake Michigan.
It was such a nice and relaxing week, I was in complete heaven. 

On the 29th (the day after my birthday) I woke up at 6am to load my luggage into my trunk, kissed Travis goodbye and set off to pick up Felicia and May as we were headed off to Seattle, WA to see our close friend, Mel. The drive was fun to see everything that the northern route of the U.S. has to offer, however, Minnesota and North Dakota are the most BORING states to drive through! Sorry to those of you who live there and love the flat boring scenery, but we had to point out whenever we saw ponds or creeks because there was NOTHING ELSE.  (I will NEVER volunteer to drive straight across the United States with only pit stops and one night to sleep ever again!) As you can tell, I didn't quite enjoy the drive, but! When we finally got to see Mel, Seattle was great!
We went to a cat café, shopped at Archie McFee's, drank so much Starbucks, and did other touristy things like go to Pike's market and ride the great wheel.
One day we made sure to plan a trip to Vancouver since it was only about an hour away from Seattle. We made sure we got our passports and planned to to go "The best China Town in Canada". Well apparently we ended up at the wrong China Town because it was far from the best, it wasn't even slightly OK. It was bad.
We left Vancouver feeling pretty great about America.
With a day left in Seattle, I started to get really homesick and missed Travis too much. Not to say I was glad we were leaving, but I wanted to get home.
We said our goodbyes and headed to our next stop in Montana. The hotel was definitely not what we had in mind but since we were so exhausted, we would've crashed anywhere.
The next day we changed our destination to Mount Rushmore. For a historical monument, it was pretty neat, but once is enough for me. I could get a $10 burger somewhere else.
Back on the road I became too exhausted for driving and Felicia took over. I couldn't sleep an ounce knowing we were almost home and I wasn't the one driving. I dropped May off, and then Felicia. At about 4:30am I called Travis to tell him I was almost there. As soon as I felt a bed, I passed out. I was home.
The experience of the cross country trip with my friends was so fun and we definitely made some memories. But next time, I'm flying.

June:
June was a little more laid back, which I was grateful for.
Travis and I bought a new tent and the most amazing air mattress ever. We just had to go camping. We wanted to go somewhere close by that we could also kayak near but everyplace that was kayak able was far away so we opted for just camping. We ended up at the same site where we first camped together a few years back.
Sweet nostalgia.

July:
July seems like a blur to me as I try to remember it. I was promoted at work to Selling Supervisor and it really felt like I was moving up where I needed to be since I was out of school and most definitely needed a full-time job. I love my job and the people I work with.
Also, It was my 10th year at The Hodag Country Music Festival and this year I brought Travis with. He was a bit hesitant sine he absolutely loathes country music, and to be honest I'm not to keen on it myself, but it was a great experience for him and I. There were fewer people in our group than the year before which was sad, but we got through it! Our seats this year weren't 'terrible' but they definitely weren't what we usually get. The festival decided to let people line up earlier than normal because of a "massive storm" that was on it's way. Well, that 'storm' was a few clouds and maybe some wind and that was about it. We sneakily got spots near where we normally do and called it a day. The acts were pretty good, one or two were duds, and of course Neal McCoy closed on Sunday as always.
It was another successful Hodag in the books.

The 'dag group

August:
The next busiest month was definitely August. We celebrated a close friends' wedding with some of my old co-workers which was great to see them.
Around mid-august the annual Donnie's Little Friend's weekend took place in Waupaca, WI as it always does. The McClure's hosted a slightly larger one this year as of course, Travis came with since he is a family friend of the McClure's as well. We had a great time kayaking on the small chain, having dinner at Clearwater Harbor, and playing Cards Against Humanity for hours. The next morning after being woken up by pinecones being dropped on the new tin roof, we had a lovely breakfast at Kings Table with Don and Ruth and then headed back home. It's always a great weekend at Dunvegan.
The next weekend was Alecson's wedding (Allison+Alec), and although it rained almost all day, the ceremony was still sweet as we sat beneath our umbrellas to watch them exchange vows. It's always nice to see family and old friends from school.

 Summer, Crustine, Hannah, Maggie, Myself, & Travis

Mrs. Bruha, Allison, & Myself

September:
It was super weird starting September and not worrying about what I needed for school when it started up. It was bitter sweet to say the least.
I  also got to see my Dad's side of the family from far away, my brother, sister-in-law and niece when my cousins Tyler and Laura got married at Lake Wazeecha. It was an amazing time seeing everyone and getting a few much needed family photos in. It's always a party when we get together. 

Brook, Jake, Veronica, Abbey, Cody, Myself, Jesse, Tyler, & Yates

October:
As the year starts to wind down, the weather gets a little chillier and snow starts to fly. I got to break out my boots, hat, and winter coats, which makes me super excited.
Not a whole lot happened in October to be honest. Travis and I had dinner at a friend's house which we should always do more often. I didn't have a good Halloween costume planned out, and as I had to work, I decided to go with the old time classic and go as a witch. I was only one of three people that dressed up at work and I was sorely disappointed.
Next year I'll be ready to go with one sweet 'stume.

November:
So far, November hasn't been a disappointment. I know we're only 10 days in, but it's definitely shown promise to be a pretty great month. Travis took me to my very first Packer game! It was definitely an experience. And, although we lost (what do you expect when your star quarterback is out?) it was a great time and I'm glad I got to share it with him.
Thanksgiving will be coming up and that means that work is getting super hectic. Working in retail is super nuts after October. This year I won't get to spend Thanksgiving with my family as I'll be at work ALL DAMN DAY, but hopefully it goes smoothly and I have a plate of delicious food waiting for me when I get home! I've already started my Christmas shopping, and I can't wait for it all to be done, honestly. So, if you're reading this and you're someone I gift to every year (hint: Jesse) then gimme your lists!

I'm super excited for December for two things. 1. Travis' 28th Birthday. We're spending three days at a cabin we've rented and I'm super friggen excited!!! & 2. Christmas of course! I love the music, movies, food, colors, and overall feeling that Christmas gives me. I love being with family and friends and all of the festive looks everything has. I just love it!

So far this year has been super crazy! But, I've loved every minute of it. Change is good and this year proved it to me big time. I've been on cloud9 since May and I'm not coming down anytime soon!

xoxo
Myia