Happy 2013!

Even though Braydon and Megan have moved to Brookings, I still get to see Braydon every couple weeks. I miss seeing him more, but I try to make the most of the time I get. We like to just hang out, talk, and watch movies.

Christmas Tree Decorating Party

Every year the ladies in my family gather to have a Christmas tea party. The past few years, we've combined this with decorating my grandparent's Christmas tree.




This year was no different. I made meatballs and stuffed mushrooms for appetizers, Melissa brought chips and dip, and Brittney made some yummy dessert goodies.





We unpacked the decorations, set up the tree, and sipped hot cocoa and snacked while we decorated the tree.

In no time, we had all the lights strung, and bird decorations my Grandmother loves placed.

And we can't forget the angels. These two adorn the fireplaces mantle while the older angel gets placed at the top of the tree.

Halloween 2012

I love Halloween, but rarely ever do anything to celebrate. This years was no different. My nephew was unfortunately with his father, so I didn't get to take him tick or treating, and I don't really drink or party, so that was out. Melissa and I did go to the haunted corn maze at a local farm, and it was fun. But on Halloween night I went to my math class then went home. Here's to a blow-out Halloween 2013! :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Braydon!

My nephew turned 3 years old on Monday! I can't believe he is already so old. It seems like yesterday that he was born, and I held my breath until I heard him cry for the first time. He is such an amazing kid, and he had a great birthday party.

This is the cape and mask I bought him. He always gets so many presents, that I just got him a few little things. As soon as he saw it he wanted to put it on, even though he was in the middle of opening all his other gifts.

He had a Spongebob/Pokemon/Mario birthday party, since he couldn't decide on a theme. The decorations were mostly Pokemon, but he had a few Mario things, and a Spongebob cake.

Albuquerque, New Mexico 2012

My first trip of 2012!

I flew to Albuquerque, New Mexico at the beginning of March. Well, first I used Craigslist rideshare to find a ride to Portland. From there, I stayed the night at my friend's house, THEN flew to Albuquerque.

Let me start my summation of my trip by saying I love to fly. Love it. However, I was sick my entire trip (and the month before hand), so flying was a little less fun (and a whole lot more painful) this time.

When I arrived in Albuquerque, I called the Hotel Blue (where I was staying), and they sent a shuttle to come pick me up. Check-in was quick and easy, and before long I was unpacked and resting in my nice (especially for the price!) room. I eventually ventured across the street to have dinner by myself at a nice Italian restaurant.

The next day I decided to go exploring. I walked up and down Central Avenue which is a part of historic Route 66. Before long my feet were killing me, and I had blisters. So I returned to my room to rest and patch up my feet. 

The next day I had brunch at an amazing restaurant (organic, local food), and then walked to the Kimo Theater to see the Sleeping Beauty ballet. The show was very good, and after I walked back to my hotel.

The next morning I woke up very sore. My entire body, but mostly my feet, hurt. I had intended to go to the aquarium and zoo, but by the time I got on the bus, missed my stop, walked to the aquarium, I was pretty done. So I called a cab to take me back to the hotel, where I holed up and ordered pizza.

The next day (my last day) I did make it to the zoo. As well as Old Town (a historic, tourist spot) and the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. I then took the train four hours (round-trip) North to Santa Fe and had dinner there. It was a nice way to end my trip.

The next morning I took the hotel shuttle to the airport and flew home. When the plane started to descend into Portland, my head started to feel like it was going to explode. Yawning did not work, and it was quite painful. When I got off the plane, I headed to the transit station to take the train to my friend's house. I could only partially hear, and that made asking for help buying my ticket a little difficult. But everything worked out fine. I got on the ride train, held my nose and puffed out my cheeks to pop my ears (which I had to do several times, and each time hurt badly), and made it to my destination. 

My dear friends took me to the Greyhound station a few hours later, and I rode the bus to Grants Pass, where my uncle picked me up and took me to my home. Trip concluded.

It was a great experience. I had never been to New Mexico and it was nice to be on my own and have a little vacation from life. Now it's time to plan my next trip! Kidding. Kind of. I already know I'm going to Disneyland in October. ;)

A New Year!

Okay, so it's February. I haven't posted in forever. I have a tumblr blog too, and I liked that layout more, but now that Google has updated Blogger I think it is time to return.

Since I last posted, my mom and step-dad moved to Brookings, Megan (my youngest sister) got her own place, I went to visit my Aunt Tina and Uncle Bob in South Carolina for my birthday in October (I turned 23!), it turned into 2012, and I book my trip to New Mexico for March. Phew! That is actually quite a bit of stuff.

So yes, it is now a new year. 2012, which if you believe the doomsday-ers, is the end of the world. I personally don't believe that, but figure even if it is, what can I do to change that? So I am just living life, embracing the things that come my way. Like my trip in March! I wanted to go somewhere with my tax refund money. Melissa (my sister) and I were thinking about going to the Grand Canyon, but she didn't want to miss school and it turned into a bigger hassle than I wanted, so I am going to Albuquerque by myself! I'm very excited. I love flying and traveling, and can't wait to just have a few days to myself to explore a new city.

Summer 2011 (so far)

The summer has been FLYING by. Thankfully I have be able to do some fun things to make it count.

My sister Melissa and I went to a Sara Bareilles concert at the Britt Festival last month. It was actually a couple acts, but I bought the ticket for SB. She was amazing. The only thing that was a little disappointing at first, but worked out okay, was that we didn't get there early enough and it was already packed when we finally got up the hill and looked for a seat. It was lawn seating, so we brought a blanket and found a spot almost all the way in the back by a tree. It was a nice night though, and I actually liked being farther back where there was more room to spread out. Plus, we brought binoculars, so we could still see.

Then a few weekends ago, I went up to Portland with my friend Sonya and her boyfriend, Nathan. Nathan had a jujitsu tournament Saturday, and we wanted to visit Amanda and AJ's new house. Amanda, Sonya, and I have been friends since middle school, and AJ is Sonya's brother. I had a great weekend, accept I lost my cell phone in a rest stop bathroom. I know, it was awful. I was so bummed. Still am, since I haven't replaced it yet.

My cousin, Brittney, and I went on a Jet Boat dinner trip last week. My Poppy paid for us to go, which was really great. We had a blast.

This past weekend, Melissa and I went for a 4 mile, 2 hour hike to Rainy Falls. It was great, but brutal. I rarely ever workout, which I should, so I was exhausted by the end of it. Frankly I am surprised I even made it and didn't have to be carried or airlifted back. Then Sunday Melissa and I moved boxes of stuff from my mom's to my apartment. My mom and step-dad are planning on moving, so we have to sort through all the stuff we've been storing there over the years and move everything.

I'm still sore from hiking and moving, but I'm glad I did it all. The summer isn't over yet, and I am still looking forward to doing some rafting!

I'm not dead...

It has been almost a YEAR since I last posted. A lot has happened, I guess. Braydon my nephew turned 2 years old, which is crazy. He is so talkative and adventurous now. It's been amazing seeing him learn new things and teaching him new things. I taught him how to sign thank you, and now we're working on some other signs he could learn. Like dinosaur. Lol.

My sister Megan has had a tough year, but she has recently been focusing on turning her life around and I am so proud of her. Hopefully she'll be going back to school here soon and also get a job so she can make a nice life for herself and Braydon.

I'm still going to school at RCC. It seems like it is never ending, and I know if I had been more focused from the beginning I would be done. But I'm trying to just go with the flow and not beat myself up about it too much.

Well, I think that is all for now. See you in a year! :P

My 22nd Birthday!

Today was my birthday! WOOT WOOT!!

Josephine County Fair 2010

I finally went to Fair for the first time in a few years. I tagged along with Randy and Kelsey, and was even treated to an armband so I could ride rides with Kels. We tried pretty much everything except the kiddie rides, even the stop drop ride which was kind of terrifying. I had a bunch of fun though, although my feet were sore the next day. :)

Summer 2010

This has been one of the most boring Summers I have had in a long while. I've been taking classes this term, which is crazy because I know I can't concentrate at all. Hopefully I am able to crack down and pass the three I am taking, especially math. I have a 59% or something right now and I need at least a 69.5%. I still have two more tests and lots of homework left, so I am going to try really hard to study and stay on task. For my technical writing class I have to write a 1,000 word research paper. My topic is planetary exploration and the benefits to society. I've started it and created an outline, but I need to do actual research now.

Besides that, there has been some family drama. Nothing new there though; It is always something. Life isn't too bad, just always shifting. New layers of life appear as others peel away. I'm trying to stay upbeat about my future. It can be daunting sometimes thinking (more dwelling) about what might happen. I have goals and dreams, and all I can do is try to reach them.

Spring Break 2010

Winter term ended last week, so this week is Spring Break. That doesn't really mean much to me though, since I still have to work. I did get a chance to hang out with Gabe, Sonya and Allen so far. Sonya and I went to Gabe's for dinner and a movie on Monday. Gabey made a very yummy meal, consisting of orange chicken, rice and vegetables. We also sampled alcohol and made margaritas. Then Tuesday night I went to Applebee's with Gabe and Allen, then we came back to my apartment and watched "Sum of All Fears".

Classes start Monday. I have class Monday through Thursday. Fun. Tomorrow is a free day, except for work until noon. Maybe I will get some stuff done. :)

Trip to Portland!

Yesterday I drove to Portland in my 1987 Nissan Maxima for the first time! I wasn't entirely sure she was going to make it, but she ran great. I am visiting mt friends Amanda and AJ for the first time in their new apartment and we (mainly Amanda and I) are going to have an Oscar party tomorrow night!

Right now I am waiting for her to finish getting ready so we can go shopping! :)

A Sunny Day Is A Gift

Wow, I can't believe it is already February. It seems like the new year is flying by. My nephew, Braydon, is going to be turning 1 year old in April. It seemed like he was born yesterday.

Today was a beautiful sunny day. So beautiful, in fact, that I washed my car. It might not sound like a monumental event but believe me, IT IS.

I've been watching The Olympics lately, and have gotten quite addicted. Last night's coverage was SO intense. Lindsey Vonn won gold after some massive crashes by the other women skiers and on an injured shin. Then, Shuan White pulled a massive trick to win gold on the half pipe. AMAZING.

"Angels & Demons" Movie Review

Rating: **** (out of 5 stars)

*Spoiler Alert*

I enjoyed this movie quite a bit. I love a history lesson wrapped in suspense. Although it was good, it didn't hold my attention as much as the first one. Maybe that is because I didn't see the twist coming at all in "The Da Vinci Code" and I did here. Ewan McGregor was great, and impressive considering I adore him but hated him at the end. Tom Hanks was wonderful as always and I liked the new female heroine nearly as much as Sophie from "The Da Vinci Code".

Good parts mystery and suspense. Would definitely recommend. :)

Thanksgiving 2009

Wednesday was the last work day of the week and it was only a half day for me, because of school. Amanda and AJ drove down from Portland, so I went over to see them and we baked (Amanda made pumpkin rolls and I made Oreo truffles) and watched Glee. I didn't end up getting home until around 2am.

I slept in pretty late the next day, which I feel crappy about because I missed going over to my Grandma Roggasch's and my cousins were down from Washington. I made brussel sprouts with dried cranberries for my side dish and went to my Grandma Kleyne's around 4:30pm. Dinner there was fine, but I was a little grouchy (I always get that way though when all my family is together). After dinner I met up with the Brittons (Amanda, Ashton, Christian and Billy) and AJ to see "The Blind Side". It was a really good movie, moving and inspiring.

Today is Black Friday, so I am staying home to avoid all the crazies. Kelly is having a little get together tonight I might end up going to, depending on my mood and tomorrow I might go shopping with Amanda, Sonya and her mama, Donna.

All and all, this Thanksgiving hasn't been to bad. I even managed to get started on my Christmas shopping Wednesday so I can avoid that last minute dash. :)

Updated pictures of Braydon

I can't believe my nephew is already 6 months old! He just started crawling and is still just the best little guy ever. He is so good and calm and smiley. Here are some pictures of him from Halloween.

Movie Reviews 7-10-09

The two most recent movies I watched (courtesy of Netflix) were The Uninvited and The Duchess. Here is my opinion, for anyone who cares. :)

The Uninvited
Rating: *** (3 stars)

I like scary movies, but this was more mysterious than scary. I really didn't see the ending coming though, which is a good thing. I did fast forward through some parts though.


The Duchess
Rating: **** (4 stars)

I love Keira Knightly, so I knew going into this that I wasn't going to hate it. Her character, Georgiana, was so interesting. Dominic Cooper's character was actually charming, which is impressive since I don't really like him as an actor, and the entire supporting cast was very good overall. I'd definitely recommend it.

Equal Rights

I just read a post on Facebook discussing why Christians are opposed to homosexuality and equal rights. It made me kind of angry. I don't understand how this is still an issue. After everything this country has gone through (ie. Civil Rights movement and women's equality), how is it that there are still people without equal rights? I'm not a lawyer, but the issues seems pretty simple to me. Religious people are morally opposed to same sex marriage but the United States has separation of Church and State, which takes care of them. Under the constitution all men are created equal (which was later ratified to mean men, women and African-Americans), so if everyone is equal under the law, why doesn't everyone have the same rights? I really can't wrap my head around it.

Fun Day!

I had a wonderful day today. I met Zoe at the All Sports Park at 10:30am and we hung out around Grants Pass all day. :)

I want to find my India travel journal and see if I can import it, except I can't remember where it is... Hmmm. :S

Update: I can't figure out how to import it, but here is the URL http://www.offexploring.com/mkroggasch/home