Monday, February 28, 2005

Dukes of Hazzard


Dukes of Hazzard
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
This weekend I watched an episode of the Dukes of Hazzard. I haven't seen it in years. It used to be my all time favorite show when I was little. My brother and I loved it. We used to pretend that my grandma's car was General Lee and she would always speed way up on the big hill next to her house and pretend she was going to jump it, just like the Duke boys. I would always try to jump in and out through the windows too. But that didn't work so well, maybe you had to be more than 6 to pull that off.

Bo is beautiful...
I think this is where my obsession with cowboys came from.

Sunday, February 27, 2005

experimenting...


aiesec collage
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

Any takers?


4th of July
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
OOOO- I just checked the website- apparently for 'the amazing race 8' they are looking for teams of 4. Any takers?
Who wouldn't want to travel the world with the two of us?


I admit that I have no idea what I am getting myself into... I have never seen the show. But really, how could this NOT be fun?

The amazing race!


running up hill
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
Marianne and I are going to enter. We will be fabulous.
Now all we need is a killer video idea. Any suggestions?

Monday, February 21, 2005

Mi casa es su casa

Yesterday my friend had a Daytona 500 party. I volunteered to bartend for her. Did this for two reasons:
1- I really enjoy bartending. (I like the control you have, you get to talk to everyone at the party, its fun to make up crazy concoctions and experiment and then make people drink them, and it is a really good position for people watching)
2- I was still a good friend because I went to the whole party, but didn't really have to watch the race because I had other things to do.

Good times.

I asked my dad why they call it the Daytona 500 if it is only 200 laps... he took a deep breath and told me that it is because they race for 500 miles... then hung his head in shame. Sorry Dad.

After the party I hung out with my dad for a little bit (when the above question was asked) then headed 'home' to my mom's new house, my first time there. She gave me the grand tour. I don't have a room... her exercise equipment does... shake it off Holly... you haven't lived with her for 4 years.
I remember posting on my old blog that I was all upset because my little sister took over my princess room at my old house- and they moved me into hers. My mom had told me that I could decorate it any way that I wanted. I didn't have too much of an opinion because I am never there but I told her that I have always wanted red walls. That was my only request.

But I didn't get red walls. No big deal, took it in stride. Maybe my mom wasn't ready to be that wild. So imagine my suprise when I see my little sister's new room with its walls painted half hot pink and half lime green!
I know it probably sounds ugly, but it is really cute. But is that really better than red?

My little sister served me again...


I remember talking to Kait when I was leaving Egypt about how I did not feel like I was going home, but rather that I was leaving home. 'Home' is a funny concept when you think about it. What does it really mean? Is it where your parents are? Then I have 3. Is it where you grew up? Then I have 8. Is it where you can attribute most of your childhood memories? That's actually a place where I never lived... my grandmother's house. Does it follow the saying 'home is where the heart is"? Because mine is scattered over too many places to count. Or maybe "home is where you hang your hat". I guess that one might hold a little more true... I feel very 'at home' there, until my landlord shows up when I am walking around in a towel...

This whole concept can be rather tough to deal with- people attach a lot of emotions to their homes. I never thought that I would because I had so many growing up... but I experienced that for the first time about a month ago when I went on a date with one of the guys who is currently living in my grandmothers old house (I know, it seems kind of odd right?). Wow it was weird to be in there again... almost had an emotional breakdown... talk about a bad way to end a first date. ha ha ha.

Maybe home has to be thought of as a broader concept than a domestic dwelling. If I considered my home to be southern Minneosta that would be more all-inclusive. But shouldn't it be someplace where you always feel like you can go back to and be right 'at home'? I don't think this could be the case then.

I guess I would surmise that home has to do with the people who are around you. People who you consider family, whether there is a blood relationship or not. Then I know that I will always have a home somewhere around the world. And quite a few, as I consider myself fortunate enough to have many friends all over that I consider close enough to call family. That is a comforting thought.

And you are always welcome in my 'home' too.

I have to stop this blog now... or I never will... too many run-on thoughts.

Sunday, February 20, 2005

and all those late-night promises, guess they didn't mean a thing

Friday morning- I said the pledge of allegiance. People just started to say it. I was taken aback.
Gosh. It must be almost a decade since I said it last.
I really didn't think people did that anymore...
I'll have to ask my sister...

Friday, February 18, 2005

In a little while I'll be thinking about you...

Just got back from my first Chamber of Commerce meeting. Connie and I went, I can't believe I got up at 6:45 am (thats right, I can be ready in business casual in 15 minutes) on a Friday when I don't have class until 1!

But I think it went really well. Everyone got to introduce themselves "Good morning everyone! I'm Holly Brekken with Aiesec, the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential." And all the newbies get a round of applause.

Ran into my old manager. He came up and talked to me during the meet and greet time. I gave him a hug. He was awkward... Sometimes I forget that is not normal... But we go way back... I thought it should have been...
I swear, that isn't my standard business protocol.

At the end people could give 30 second presentations:
Connie: 30 second presentations. Want to do one?
Me: ... sure.
Connie: Want to talk?
Me: ... sure.

So I gave my impromtu schpeel. Wasn't the best I have ever done. But wasn't too bad.
We'll get 'em next week.

Check. 150 St. Cloud business people have heard of Aiesec and have a general idea of what we do.

*Bonus* I recieved 2 compliments on my shoes! Well, I took them as compliments anyway. I think the first lady said something like "those are some wild shoes you have on there" and the 2nd guy said "I don't know how you can walk in those things". Those are compliments, right? Sometimes I like to disilusion myself for the sake of my own happiness... I know they are hot.


When I arrived home:
Kait: We forgot to call Flea last night!
Holly: Damn it!

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

Townie Tally

If you came from Kait's blog- you already know the background on this. If not- read it here.

Here is the townie tally as it stands currently.

Katie
Works at a fireworks place
From Wisconsin
Promotes townie-ness
Earlier to embrace townie-ness
Family owns a donkey
Goes and invites friends to townie events
Townier accent- long soothing O's
Smaller town
Hooks friends up with farm-fresh chickens
parents are farmers
still lives in a small town
And- a bonus that I discovered while writing this- her blog is katiewisconsin

Total: 12


Connie
Has never left North America
From Wisconsin
Worked at a really townie bar/restaurant
Promotes townie-ism
Drives a shitty car
Had to educate hometown 'women folk' on sexual topics
Townie-centric
Family has hunting lodge
Thinks she is a 'big city woman'
We have verified that other townies have come out of her town
Eats a lot of weird food
No mouth filter

Total: 12

Holly
From Minnesota
Promotes townie-ism
Family owns a donkey- Happy Valentines Day, Gordon
Has trouble in big cities
Goes and brings friends to townie events
We have verified that other townies have come out of her town
Grew up in the smallest town of the 3
Parents are farmers
Was in a carnival accident as a child
Has been accused of being from Fargo because of accent

Total: 10

Eric, Kait and I all thought that although I do have many townie qualitites, that I should not be a contender in this race. Because really, look at these two. We think that I have townie potential, but am not a 'true townie'.

A new theory from Kait and Eric is that I am a carnie. As I confessed to them that I have carnie blood. Perhaps this is the reason that I like to travel, never really feeling comfortable in one place for long. Mumkin?

We know that these tallies are by no means complete. So if you have anything you would like to add, contest or emphasize, we would love to hear your thoughts. Perhaps a recount will be necessary.

hit me up style

So I am sure you have read many highlights thus far about RoKS, I won't bore you with much more...
But I will say that for my last conference it was pretty sweet. The sessions were awesome, dancing was slightly lacking- but we made up for that after the date auction, which was also fabulous. If I knew what it took to buy the quartet initially I wouldn't have wasted so much time collecting money from people.
I will really miss these things- meeting up with such great people, new and old friends, that I don't get to see nearly enough.

I am really excited about the people that we brought into the LC this semester. Common recruitment is fabulous-really the way to go. I get really excited when I think about how much more all these people are involved already and excited to work this semester on things instead of being passive 'customers'. Impact will be outstanding-- on everyone involved.

To celebrate Valentines day we had a kenyan feast. Shiro came over and made us a vegan, kenyan dinner- and then we had Shisha afterwards. For an impromtu date we had a pretty good turn out. Good times, great friends. What more can you ask for?

Now it is 2:30- and I still have homework to do before my 9:30 class tomorrow- or today. Oh well. All in the name of fun.

Monday, February 14, 2005

Here she comes again

Over the past week I've finally figured out exactly what I want to do with my life.
Do you know how exciting that is?
I do.

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Say the word 'forevermore', that's not what I'm looking for, all I can commit to is maybe.

So my persona for the last, well... year has been very... mumkin.
That is the best word to describe it. Even before I knew what mumkin meant I was living it.

I get really frustrated with other people when they always look for committment on things from me. Things that don't NEED committment, that is. Well, before you ask, I don't have it.

Is it time for me to change this attitude? Or is it something that I can't change anymore, an inherent part of nomad-ness?

See, I'm even mumkin about that.

Perhaps it is just part of what MA calls the 'selfish twenties'. What is so wrong with that?


Its not like we have a date with destiny...

Rev.

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Deja vu

If any of you were familiar with my old blog on aiesec.ws you may remember a little story from Egypt about a trip to Luxor that I took with Melanie from Austin. (you can find it under the Egypt tab on the right if you are interested)
Today I had a similar experience, only with a plane, not a train. I was supposed to fly out of Minneapolis to New York City this morning, however twelve hours after my flight left, I am still in St. Cloud. I am hoping the rest of the weekend does not follow the same path that the Luxor trip did.
Similarities so far:

Luxor: wrong platform, wrong train, missed right train
New York: wrong terminal, had to take a train, missed flight (who flies out of the Humphrey terminal anyway?!)

Luxor: ran around trying to change my ticket, which I knew was futile but attempted anyway.
New York: Ran around and called around trying to get on a different flight, this time I actually thought I would be able to. Once again I was served by the transportation gurus.

Luxor: Gave up after all attempts proved in vain and came home to suprise my puzzled roommates and the random egyptians that were always at our flat.
New York: Gave up after all attempts proved in vain and came home to suprise my puzzled roommate and the random egyptian that is always at our house.

Luxor: Decided to try the same train again the next day.
New York: Decided to try the same flight again the next day.

Now this all leaves me with one overriding question in my mind:
Will I have to fly home in the baggage car?

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Revelry

What an absolutely fabulous weekend! Well, actually Ice Fishing was much more than a weekend this year. It started on Wednesday when Connie, Shiro and I 'aiesec-proofed' (which we re-named Eric-proofed this year, which consists of me putting shiro on my shoulders and running around flailing our arms to see what we knock down) the cabin. And didn't officially end until Monday afternoon when the Austin-ites and Angie left.
Here is a short re-cap in pictures:

Friday Night


Ice fishing 2005 072
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
People began rolling in on Friday night. I picked up Marianne, Scott and Jarik at the airport and we decided to make a pit-stop in the Mall of America for a cultural experience. Micro-brews at Hooters. By the time we made it to the party it was rolling. On the way out the door Kait reminded me that Friday in the unofficial prop-party, so I grabbed what I could to liven up the fiesta. In this picture Dan (UK trainee in the Bay Area) had just taken the opportunity to wear a pair of bloomers for the evening. Very nice. Not sure what time we made it home that night- but we were all up 'bright and early' the next morning.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 386
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
I think we got on the road around 11- picked up the kegs and headed north. Some of us had started partying upon waking, or maybe never really stopped, and were already in good spirits upon arrival at the cabin. Others made a little bit of a slower start, but made up for it later. Here Marianne and I are enjoying a bloody mary on the lake.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 213
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
It was a beautiful day- perfect really. And no one wasted any time getting into the fresh snow. Vivien, having claimed the snow-boulder for his own, is being bombarded with snowballs.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 402
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
As you can see, some were a little violent about it as well. I think this was post-Shady. I got served in snow-wrestling by an Egyptian... I bring dishonor to my people.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 416
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
The actually fishing part of ice fishing went a little better this year. We caught some fish. And actually spent a significant amount of time in the ice house. We even played 'I Never' in there for a while! Here Angie is baiting her hook with a minnow. Fish Hands!

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 423
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
The party was bumping all day and night inside the cabin as well. A few happy Ice Fishers are mocking those who did not attend.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 250
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
The green koosh pillow that EVERYONE had on their head at some point. Here modeled by Scott with the aid of Jenna.

I'll confess... I am actually wearing it while I write this...

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 280
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
Not sure exactly which hour of power this picture came from. I actually don't know how many there were... At least 5 I am pretty sure...

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 287
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
Jesse: A man of many talents.

Saturday


Ice fishing 2005 288
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
However, some of them come with side-effects. He bore those marks until he left, for all I know he still may be.

Sunday Morning


Ice fishing 2005 299
Originally uploaded by hollybrekken.
Upon waking Sunday morning, a few great minds decided that it would be an excellent idea to have a pre-cleaning power hour. And it proved fruitful.

After heading home on Sunday, I was pretty useless. Covered in bruises and feeling great and terrible at the same time. Now that is truly the mark of a good weekend.

Jesse, Johnny and Angie were the last remaining this morning. So the weekend officially ended with us making a 6-ball vertical snow-caterpillar thing in my front yard that Kait decorated with the abundance of pickles that were remaining from the Ice Fishing groceries.

Stellar.