GMAT Surprise!

Funny story about the GMAT: I thought I had an appointment scheduled for two weeks from now, but I didn't. I checked yesterday morning, you know, just to make sure everything was cool. Everything was not cool. I did a quick check for anything available and literally the only open appointment was for today.

So I scheduled it (for reals this time) and took the test this afternoon. Sure I had to frantically review the material but it's not like I was going in unprepared. I already had four months to study, after all. I took the day off work to brush up on the basics and go in with a clear mind. And I did really well! ("unofficial" total score: 710)

I don't think I realized the amount of bandwidth this test prep was taking up. Even when I wasn't studying, processing this information was a burden, and now I am relieved of it! All of that useless knowledge can be forgotten once again, at least until (as Jenna pointed out) our kids start learning this stuff in school. Then it begins all over again.

4th of July

Waiting for fireworks

Natalie came prepared

"Too loud!"

Natalie mostly enjoyed her first official fireworks display. Next year we'll bring ear plugs I guess. We sat next to a family who had just moved to Chaska from their native Ireland, so it was their first American Independence Day as well! 

GMATH

I'm still studying to take the GMAT. I scheduled a date for the test in late July, which is the latest I was advised that I could get the score back in time for fall semester admissions. I didn't jump on it soon enough and they added a whole new section to the test. Yoiks!

Learning new things is a good way to stay humble and re-learning things that you mastered over a decade ago is even better for keeping your ego down to earth. Some of this math is hard, yo. Meanwhile I've been getting my application together so that it will be ready for submission as soon as the GMAT score is posted.

Last month I attended an information session at St. Thomas. I learned a little about the program and got to see the Minneapolis campus, which I had never visited before. It's the only school I am applying to, so all my eggs are in this basket.

North Dakota Wedding

Next week is my brother's wedding in Montana, so I'm posting catch-up photos from my other brother's wedding in North Dakota. We realized afterward that we took barely any pictures. Here's me outside the bed & breakfast where we stayed: "House of FUN!"

 
We drew pictures based on descriptions given on this flip-up pad. Whenever someone drew a picture the bride and groom had to kiss. Natalie was enamored with the "princess," her new aunt Anne. At the end I got up on the dance floor and twirled around with Natalie and Paisley.

 
Grandpa with his little girl. We drove out on this trip, about 10 hours each way, which was enough to convince us to fly when we go to Montana. Natalie is very excited to see the mountains, and her Uncle Jim!

Happy Father's Day!

Chocolate Ice Cream Day

According to our Parents Magazine, today is National Chocolate Ice Cream Day! When I looked it up online, everyone else says it's tomorrow, though. I will pretend to be ahead of the game. To celebrate I made three flavors of frozen chocolate treats (from left to right):

1. Cat & Girl Chili-Choc
2. Cocoa Sorbet
3. Dark Choco-Mint Ice Cream (fresh out of the churn)

The first one is a comic strip and a recipe, check it out! The other two are from a book. The dried chili pepper gives off just the slightest hint of heat lingering on your tongue. Next time I'd use even more peppers to crank up the intensity.

The sorbet came out as thick as frosting, practically a frozen fudge. Tastes good--it's Natalie's favorite--but best enjoyed in moderation. I melted down mint chocolate chips for the final entry in the lineup. I have not decided which one I like the best. More tastings are required.

Craftstravaganza 2012: Celebrity Sightings!

Our vendors are the stars of the show, but sometimes we see other famous faces in attendance, especially from the Twin Cities arts scene. At least those are the ones I recognize (e.g. Scott Seekins, circa 2007). Here are a few local luminaries who showed up this year:

 

Project Runway's Christopher Straub

 

Comic Artist Britt Hammerberg

 

Writer/Actor Sam Landman 

 

i like you Owner Sarah Sweet