10am

we’re almost to colorado now, finishing up the final leg of kansas. Kansas is really long, and really boring, by the way. The weather has been a huge pain in the butt so far on this journey.

Last night upon leaving we could really only drive 35 mph at most. Very dangerous stuffs. After we got out of the stl area though, it slowed up and we could drive the speed limit. I actually haven’t driven at all yet, I was planning on taking part of Kansas but about halfway through we realized just how bad they had gotten it. Everything is just coated with a sheet of ice and most of the interstate is slippery. I don’t really want to drive in that and since I drive like an old woman in bad weather, i’m pretty sure no one else wants me to drive either.

 

So the other guy in the car, chad, he got a ticket this morning. Clocked at 91. probably going faster.. I must admit I feared for my life at multiple points in time, but so far we’re surviving.

The biggest issue so far was the lack of open gas stations when I felt I might explode. Finnnnnally, and oddly enough, at bunker hill, kansas, we found an open conoco. Thank goodness for trust stops.

 

I made friends with some girls in the bathroom. They are also on their way to colorado, but their drive is something like 6 hours total. They don’t even KNOW. 18 hours in the car—too much.

They are actually headed to Colorado Springs though. Our destination is Steamboat Springs. I have no idea where this is located on a map, and i’m really just taking the guys word for it that we’re going the right way.

 

I’m pretty sure this is why I bought a laptop by the way. Just so I could type and ride. AND listen to this greatness. I’m not carsick…..yet. But it’s been like an hour since I flipped this thing on and so far, I’m feeling alright. This is good news.

 

It’s pretty baron around here. Just some flat lands, farms, and lots of ice and snow. We attempted to stop at a gas station earlier (which was closed) and found some super sweet ice weeds. I think i’ll post a picture so you can see what I mean. But they were pretty nifty.

 

This morning I woke up after a short nap and it was just before sunrise over Kansas. It was very pretty. The skies are really clear and blue today. Thank goodness the storm is over. It was just really beautiful though, hills, and grass poking through snow dusted hills, the sun hitting everything from just behind the skyline. I liked it.

 

The rest of Kansas, though, very lame.

 

Last night we had a Hutson family gathering at Bunker Hill, IL. It’s always nice to see the family, get a few presents, and eat delicious food. Sadly, I was late. I got off work late yesterday and then couldn’t find any long underwear anywhere (it is apparently an essential item). Once I packed and my 35 minute drive turned into an hour and a half, I practically missed the whole thing.

However, my family loves me and they hid away some cheesy potatoes before they got eaten up. I’m not sure who makes those, but I think they should take a hint from the last 20 some years of celebrations where they disappear within 20 minutes and just make double portions :)

 

So it’s gonna be really great not to work next week. We have just been so busy as a result of conversion. It’s getting better though, and after a week away I should be superb.

We had an area christmas party on friday. That was a pretty good time. Free food and drinks and karaoke. I did a little dancing too, of course.

 

I really want to get there and take a shower. I feel pretty gross and I really want to lay down in a bed. This back seat, not all that comfortable.

Did I mention I only know one person on this entire trip?? Hopefully I’ll make friends quickly though….once I get some sleep I’ll be extroverted again and much less irritable.

 

9:30pm

 

we’ve been here since about 6pm. The drive was ohhh so long, 16 hours straight through. But the tail end of it was beaaautiful. We saw a sunset over mountains. So today, I saw a sunrise AND a sunset. And I only got about 2-3 hours of sleep. So at 930 I have every intention of putting myself to bed.

Tomorrow we’re on the slopes early, by 8 am I hear! Hopefully I won’t fall TOO much.

 

-jess

 

I roll the window down
And then begin to breathe in
The darkest country road
And the strong scent of evergreen

death cab ~ passenger seat

 

allllllllllright, folks. i’m prettttttttty excited to be typing to you from my brand new laptop. a computer that functions efficiently and is reliable. this is big news!

so as difficult of a decision as it was, i ultimately purchased an hp. sure there are things about it that i don’t like as much, but that is with any computer. when i weighed the pros and cons, this is where i ended up, and i’m pretty happy with it.

so now i can update more frequently. and not be so incredibly lame.

okay guess what else is exciting?!

new episode of the office tonight

YESSSSSSSSSSSS

in 5 minutes.

in the mean time

i have a few pictures i thought i would put up for your viewing pleasure

it has been QUITE some time since i have updated, and therefore, i have many pictures to share.

so this is my ginger. she’s a sweet little pup.

this is me with the flag of our ship. it represents all that we stand for in the kreinheder pontoon.

i have the cutest cousin

the older sister and her boyfriend, mark

this is my kizz. she is precious.

abby’s halloween costume

my feet.

our workhourse

our feet.

i just won $27. that’s why i look so happy.

this guy guards our garbage.

some people i really miss.

jakob

totally normal.

my old roomies

i wanted to buy one, but the trunk wasn’t big enough

that’s my grandie in the red

the amish

happpppppy birthday este

everyone loves a party hat

you are jealous of our finger goblins

bahhhhhhh!

 

alright, well, i hope you have enjoyed these fotos. they are quite entertaining if i do say so myself.

i have to be up rather early tomorrow so i’m going to get to sleep, but i promise i’ll tell you all about my new computer in the very near future. and then i’ll tell you other exciting things.

so come back.

and read.

-jess

 

I will live a simple life
In a place i understand
You are always welcome here

denison witmer~simple life

my mother has informed me that i need to update this here website. and so, in my saturday boredom, i have decided to do so.

i can’t think of much to do today, i already slept until 2 which took care of a good portion of the day. i’m not sure how i feel about that, but i suppose it’s too late now.

last night we celebrated my friend justin’s 21st birthday. it was pretty darn exciting to see him again, and to see him in this altered state of mind for the first time. we spent a few hours watching an amazing folkish group at a bar in Soulard called McGurks. in the past i haven’t enjoyed the place very much but last night we had a ton of fun. the banjo playing, the good friends, the atmosphere–it was a good time! we stayed a little too long though because by the time we left, every other bar in the universe (aside from the terrible Buka) was closing. we spent a few good minutes at the Venice Cafe, also in Soulard, before heading to a diner to get some middleofthenight snacks.

that’s me hugging the birthday boy–he’s been in cali for the summer so i haven’t seen him in quiiiitte some time

i am a big fan of the Venice Cafe–last night was actually only my 2nd time going there. it has a really really laid back feel to it–it’s very..hippieish. i like that about it, though. there are tons of random things nailed to the walls and they have a palm reader on staff in case you need a little advice or just want to see the future. (she read my palm a few weeks ago, but i’m not sure how much i actually learned from the exp.)

it was really cool though.

practically everyone i know is getting ready to start school back up..i, however, am old. and i am getting ready for another week at the bank.

nothing new.

i really really miss college. hanging out with my college friends last night only reminded me of that fact more. don’t get me wrong, my job, it’s alright, i just miss staying up late and seeing a million people i know each day. i even miss classes and homework. i don’t learn as much now and i really like learning (because i am a total nerd.)

i will probably go back at some point, but it’s just not the same in grad school.

i am old now.

i must deal with that.

and watch the cardinals game–which, by the way is going horribly. 0-5 against the cubbies. yep.

i’ll be sure and try to update more frequently now.

-jess

My city’s still breathing (but barely it’s true)
through buildings gone missing like teeth.
The sidewalks are watching me think about you,
sparkled with broken glass.
I’m back with scars to show.
Back with the streets I know.
Will never take me anywhere but here.

the weakerthans–left and leaving