Milwaukee County Zoo and Old timers Baseball

April 14 was a free day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Kevan and I made the long trek into Milwaukee to take advantage of this perk. I am so glad that we did, the animals were just as happy as humans to have a sun shiny day and warm weather. The animals were so active: the polar bears were playing, the gariffes walking about, the hippo was even out of the water (see the pictures below). We decided to stop in a see the seal/sea lion show, which was very cute.

Sometimes I have trouble with the concept of having zoos. It always seems wierd to me that human will clamor to see wild animals in thier cages. It is hard to see wild animals caged and I wonder what good we are doing for them. Sometimes I feel sorry for the animals.

But then I am remind that some of these animals are far better taking care of in the zoo and that studying zoo animals can help us take better care of wild animals and endangered animals. Good work happens at the zoo!

After the zoo we stopped at Pick-n-Save to take advantage of some deals. It was close to lunch/snack time, so we picked up a sandwich from the deli and when over to Greenfield Park for a little picnic. Much to our surprise and my delight, there was an old timers baseball team playing. So we shared our sandwhich and watch a few innings of baseball - check out thier uniforms below!

It was a very nice Saturday afternoon.



Sea Lion/Seal Show





Lion and his pride - these cubs were born last fall (I think)



There were about 6 peacocks in the same pit and they all had their tales out!

His mouth opened 3 more feet, but I could not get a good picture at his widest.

The train with a new engine.

Old timers Baseball in Greenfield Park.

Hello old friend!

Well it is not that I don't think about you...I think about you every week. I think wow I really should post something to that blog about Kevan and I's life. I should not be so hypocritical by holding a blog name and not using it! [Please see an early rant]

My last post was November 2010, but you can see that. A lot has happened since November 2010. Kevan and I have moved out of my grandparents house to an apartment in Kenosha and we have since moved from Kenosha to UW-Whitewater. You may have guessed (or really know, because let be honest the only people reading this are our friends and family) - yup we are back on campus. Kevan is a Hall Director at UW-Whitewater and doing very well I may say!

Unfortunately, we have opposite problem that we had in Nebraska. Instead of seeing each other 24/7, I now spend 2 nights a week in Milwaukee (ironically at my grandparents house). I work at Cardinal Stritch University in the College of Business at the Brookfield location. I work swing shift 2 days a week. I commute an hour, so rather than driving at night - I save time and gas money by staying at my grandparents. You might be thinking that is crazy, but because I don't actually live there it is nice. Like a little visit twice a week - I am grateful for the opportunity for many reasons.

2011 was great - Kevan was offered a position at my Alma Mater - UW Parkside Residence Life and I was given the opportunity to do some work in the Advising and Career Center and with Continuing Education. In May I was offered the position at Strich. About the same time Kevan applied for the Hall Director position at UW-Whitewater and by July 30 we had moved back on campus. See a few things that kept us busy in 2011...

July 2011 - The "whole" Hayden family at the best place on earth!

December 2011 - Sabor and Jim Gaffigan! Haat Paackets.

July 2011 - Inspired by Dan Mike, Alicia walked the Racing Sausages 5k.

Country Fest (June) 2011 - Ryan, Wendy and Kevan.
30 minutes after this picture was taken Ryan went to get some beers, we found him after the show...he had drank our beers and a few more!

October 2011 - Alicia went to Austin for a work conference.

January 2011 - Brewers on Deck had us up close with Lucroy.

October 2011 - The Big 30, but who is counting!

October 2011 - Cole and Caroline finally got married!

2012 has been great so far - Ryan McFadden's wedding and a visit with the Varvel's and new baby Quinn; Florida visit with Furru family, gators, Mickey and armadillos; HUNGER GAMES and Mad Men. Still to come BREWERS baseball and a lot of it; Road Trip to New York for a Mazariegos' wedding, Naigra Falls, Cleveland Indians, Rock'n'Roll, Lola and a visit with Dad and family; and we will see what happens next!

The group - last day of the trip!

Reasons Why I like Gifts Cards - an article that I found

MYTH: ALL GREEN GIFTS ARE CREATED EQUALLY

[Give the gift of reusables - visit our Gift Center]

Giving reusables is the smartest way to make a difference by reducing consumption and saving money and natural resources.

Because modern culture's gift-giving often comes at the expense of the environment, many people are looking for more earth-friendly gifts. Unfortunately, the popularity of "green gifts" has lead to an overwhelming number of products that are labeled "green" but in reality, aren't.

Two of the biggest threats to our natural environment are the consumption of resources and the increasing accumulation of waste that threatens our wildlife and our own health. Many so-called green gifts just add to this problem, by creating more stuff we don't need and likely won't use. Even if something is made of recycled material or contributed to the purchase of a carbon off-set, that eco-trinket is ultimately just more stuff headed for the landfill.

Furthermore, there's a reason "reduce" and "reuse" appear before "recycle" in the mantra "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." While recycling has its place in helping the environment and should be done whenever possible, as consumers move their attention and actions "upstream" towards reducing consumption, a far greater impact on the environment can be made.

As it is, the holidays produce more waste than any other time of the year. During the month of December, it's been estimated that households generate about 1 million extra tons of garbage per week. To battle this wasteful, harmful mindset, consider giving gifts that actually help people consume less, and gift a reusable.

Reusables, our term for smart, practical items designed to help people consume less, will empower someone to preserve resources and save money, too (you can't say that about most eco-trinkets!). Examples range from stylish reusable shopping bags and reusable bottles to paper towel replacements, replacements for common household disposables, personal items and more. Innovative, eco-friendly and functional, they continue to give back after each use. Check out our gift section here.

When you gift a "reusable" you effectively empower the recipient to reduce thousands and thousands of disposables. Collectively, this can have a huge impact.

For more information, read our press release on our Top 10 Holiday Gifts that help people consume less.

© 2003-2010, reuseit.com. All rights reserved.

Denial...

It ain't a just a river in Africa! (Bazinga!)

I have been in denial for, well I guess since my last post.

First, I am in denial that it is November 22. Somehow it seems like it is still August. In a few days Kevan and I will have lived at my grandparents' house for five months, this is a lot longer than we had expected. I have survived day by day, but I tell you this...the walls are getting closer and closer.

Second, I was so eager to return to Wisconsin that I never really thought about what it would be like to return and if I really wanted to return anyhow. When I left, I was 25 still a kid in many ways. I still remember the ideal of my family and was so eager to get back to what it was or at least what I thought it was. Now returning as an adult, the luster has faded, the glitter has fallen off and I am realizing that there was a lot that I did not taken into account about my family when I wanted to move back home.

Being here has been great and I don't think that I am saying I would like to leave again. However, I should have been a little less eager to return as quickly as I did. I have been able to be here to participate in some of the ways that I was hoping to, but for some of my family members it doesn't matter who is around because they are so enmeshed in their patterns that with or without me life goes as it always has. I have been in denial about what my purpose was going to be when I got back.

_______

Perhaps some of you might be thinking I was in denial before we moved. Denial about how hard it was going to be when we got here. Moving to Wisconsin in the middle of a terrible recession/depression without jobs is not the best idea. To you I still say we are Brave and not smart but Brave.

The other day, Kevan and I were in the car and we somehow got onto the discussion of hall government in Abel Hall (Abel being the residence hall we both worked in and shared a hall government.). The conversation was like turning on the hot water full blast and the water being instantly hot. We had very different opinions of what we were talking about, and felt strongly about what were trying to say. We were clearly frustrated and began to "fight" with each other. I don't feel like we have had such a heated discussion like that since we left Nebraska - at least not about something as trivial or lacking overall impact on our life as hall government. This however was a discussion we got into at least three times a week while we worked together and it would not have been any better if we stayed even if one of us quite.

Something I have to remind myself is that Kevan and I have not even been able to set ourselves up here yet. Right now we are still living in someone else's house, depending on others (what a bitter taste admitting that). Of course everything isn't going to be all great right away we are not in a position to do that yet. No it has not been what we expected, but we have had an awesome time being around the people that we each love. It has been great to be here for my family and for Kevan's family. I may be in denial, but maybe not - maybe I am just focusing on the positive :) and I am not so worried about the setbacks and the unexpected.

Accomplished

Much has been happening here in good old Wisconsin, but nothing so time consuming that I have an excuse for not bloggging and keeping you informed.

Brief updates of our happenings...
...Thanks to Gayle (my friend Danielle's mom) we were able to attend Klement's Sausage Bobble head day - [Why do the race? They RACE for TASTE! yes I am completed emeshed in the Furru clan]. The day was a little on the warmer side and we were directly in the sunlight and in the end we left early enought to catch the rest of the game on tv, but overall we appreciated the opportunity.

...We made a visit to Eau Claire and LaCrosse to visit Kulasiewicz/Malay family. This was a really great trip and gave Alicia the opportunity to get to know Kevan's family a little better. Alicia also thinks it gave Kevan some one on one time that as grown-ups he doesn't always get with these particular cousins.

...Next we made our way to the South for the bright lights and big city - we went to Chicago! Kevan's parents have long time friends, Bon and Don, whose hospitality was amazing - we probably could have stayed for weeks and they would have been just fine. Our purpose of the visit was to see the Blue Angles. The angles were pretty cool as they went in and out of the buildings! They were loud and fast and Alicia missed them alot at first. That night we went to the Buckingham fountain and watched the "show" as the lights changed, the music played and the fountain danced. The next day we went to the Willis (Sears) Tower and stood out on the glass overhang like 70 stories high. After we had some delicious deep dish pizza, packed up the left overs and headed back north to home. We learned somethings about how we like to be touriest during this trip.

...Hazaa! Lady Megan and Lady Alicia took a days journey to the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which in Alicia's mind is always a good time. We partook in a few shows including Moonie - a comedic mime, the dancing of the May Pole and the Mud Show - which was much more vulgar than Alicia remembers it from five years ago. Perhaps she grew up or grew to sensitive but homophobic jokes and jokes about women's bodies no longer are something she can really laugh at. Overall the day was great, food was terrific and as Megan and Alicia left they were sprinkled with fairy dusty for good luck!

...Ironically, (or at least Alicia thinks so) the non-laborers planned a Labor Day gathering! Justin, Danielle and Ethan came over on Labor Day for a tasty menu prepared mostly by Kevan. It will be nice when we have our own place and can cook and entertain more often. Kevan likes to cook and Alicia likes to entertain - it is the perfact combination of talents! It was nice to have the Justin, Daniell and Ethan over because we have not had a chance to spend a whole lot of time with them since we have been back!

...My mom's house flooded and she finally moved out of it. The house she was living in was likely already condemed because of deteriation, mold and overall filfth and she had intended on staying even after the further damage that was done by the flood. Praise the Lord she was motivated to move out. Now she and my sister have moved in with one of my mom's friends into a new place in Waukesha. The last few weeks I have spent working with my sister to sort through her belongs, pack everything she was keeping, unpack everything at the new house and set it up in an organizaed and easily managable system. I have succeeded and her room looks really cute too!

On the day to day Kevan and Alicia have read a lot of books - although Alicia is reading a monster of a book right now and the thought just occured to her that if she can read this 1000 page book she likely could read the Bible too. She always said it was too big. (something you should know is that the book is about a monk, so holy indignation and piety has been part of her reality while she reads it)

We have also been working to maximize our $15 netflix membership - The Big Bang Theory is currently in our que followed by other tv shows that we want to catch up on.

Kevan has started working on the presentation team at Target and has to be up by 3 am everday to get to work by 4 am! yeah you read that right - poor guy every morning Alicia is filled with love knowing that he is suffering to be awake to make money for them.

Alicia is hopeful and has a retial job on the horizon - still wishing for a job that is related to my "career" path. She walks the dog a few times a week just to have something to get accomplished.

Ladies Date at the Fair - check out these chicks!

My friend Megan and I went to the Wisconsin State Fair today. It was likely the best fair experience that I have ever had. It was a very chill morning with not a lot of people around and the weather was perfact for a day at the fair. Today was Hunger Task Force day so if you brought two canned food items you got in for $2 - not a bad deal!

We started out looking a the horses, which were mainly Clydesdales. Clydales if you don't know are the Budweiser horses and are very well endowed. At one point, I turned my head and got quite a suprise! I am actually afraid of horses, not for any real reason, but mainly because they are big. As a result of my fear, I want to learn to ride and take care of them so that I get over it.

We then moved on to the cows, sheep, and goats. At this point the only thing I remember about these animals is that they went to the bathroom alot while we were in there.

The expo building is ususally a pretty intense experience with sales people everywhere trying to get you to buy there crappy product, but today it was calm and maybe not as many vendors this year. We did stop off at the dip stand and tried about 8 - 10 different flavors. I felt guilty because I tried so many and was going to buy a few of the mixes, but I just quickly walked away instead.

We headed over to the mid-way which was crazy busy - it was dollar day so all rides were just $1 - another deal! We walked around and decided that we were going to ride three rides - the farris wheel, the tilt-a-whirl and another ride yet to be determined. The tilt-a-whirl was pretty awesome and we got a few good twists in there. Next we headed over to get a lemonade and then to the farris wheel. This is were my day become the best day EVER!

I don't even know how or when or at what point I realized what I was seeing but Corey Hart (All-Star and right fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers) was standing, I don't know, 15 feet away from me. I am pretty sure I lost my breath and Megan was a little bit ahead of me and I pulled, yanked on her shirt (Again I am Sorry Megan I just got all excited!). Then I kinda stalked him out to get a picture. He is standing at the ATM getting cash - funny! I didn't talk to him because he was there with his family and I wanted to respect that, but I was still freaking excited.

Once I was done freaking out we waited in line for the farris wheel. Next to the farris wheel and next to us in line was a what looked like a traveling re-fabed food cart that supposedly housed the worlds tiniest women. For $1 you could go and see this women who was sitting behind a screne. We were slightly curious because we were not sure what kind of trick the fair was using to get people's dollar. Megan asked a few ladies who had just been in the "attraction" what they had saw and they replied "a midget, she is just a 29 inch 32 year old midget who doesn't speak english." After that we no longer were interested but more disturbed. Disturbed because these women is involved in this and distrubed because someone thought it was a good idea to have this here and disturbed because people were paying to see her - very 1800's circus like. We did not pay to see her.

The lines had gotten pretty long for many of the rides and we were ready to head out so we gave our last tickets to two brothers about 8 - 12 years old in hopes that they would find use for them. I am sure the did on something crazy like the Zipper or the Scrambler.

During this time I dinned on a corn dog, a few cheese curds and some delcious Saz's french fries. I got some cream puffs to go to share with Kevan. Kevan was kinda kicked out of todays adventures because it was a ladies date at the Fair, but I am pretty sure we are going to the fair next week!

Distrubing Commercial #2: Singimals - Starring Kittens: Take 1

I also find this commercial very disturbing: