Meep- working on Morgan's senior shots. I think he has more running shoes than I have shoes total. But it's alllllll gooooooood. And I really like this picture, so don't steal it? Pretty please!

Too lazy to edit right now. So these are all kind of dark. Sorry not sorry? Trying to get everything ready to go for school is terrifying. Luckily, I should have a lot more pictures up soon! State fair was exciting (and not only the first time), and of course, there were lots of lovely people to take (stalker) pictures of. Also, I took some senior pictures today and actually managed to get some shots of my best fraaand who is unable to smile! Woohoo, mission accomplished. Let's see how much I can edit (or... you know... get lazy and just post anyway) tonight, because I have a feeling that with school starting and my new exchange student from Norway, it is going to be a busy couple of weeks!

Now, I didn't actually take either of these pictures (sorry, guys. I know, lettin ya down). But this was a huge moment for me, so I still wanted to let you know. This past Tuesday, VP Joe Biden came to Minneapolis. Because I am so involved as a volunteer for the campaign, I was not only able to attend, but to sit on the bleachers behind him (see right side of screen). Everyone gave Biden a hard time afterwards because he did spend a majority of the time talking about all the wrongdoings of Romney. But, it was a Democratic Rally. I don't know what they were expecting. Afterwards, I got the chance to meet Biden. In a shaky, awkward moment, I shook his hand and said "VICE PRESIDENT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WITH... EDUCATION!" So basically I got my main focus across. But whatevs. It was still an incredible moment for me, despite how pathetic I acted. Also, I was able to meet the Mayor of Minneapolis, R.T. Rybak, who is a pretty cool dude! (See below)

Para la Mia Famiglia!

Families are quite odd. Everyone knows the whole "can't live with them, can't live without them" saying. But, after finally getting to truly meet a lot of them, I can confirm that my life without them would simply be impossible. The last family reunion I attended was the summer after my first year of junior high. I was in the awkward age, when one does not know whether to spend time with other kids or with adults. This year, though I did serve as the babysitter, I got a chance to talk to a lot of the very interesting adults whom I am related to. And boy are there some spunky characters. I had a conversation all about America's involvement in Panama during the early 1900's with an American History teacher I did not know existed. I got to talk all about the possibility of me majoring in cultural anthropology at both Whitman and Vanderbilt with relatives who attended both of those schools, whom I had never met. I learned that my cousin waited twenty years before coming out to the family, and finally introduced us to his partner after them having been together since the 80's. I learned what happens when you mix 7 little girls and glitter (bad things, I warn). I learned that I have family in New York, Washington, Washington DC, California, West Virginia, and Louisiana, all of whom I did not know about. I learned that one of my cousins would be my dream husband (if we were not related, obviously). He has spent several years teaching English in China (going rafting, bungee jumping, and mountain climbing along the way) and wants to get his master's in anthropology. I have learned that I am a possible donor for my cousin who needs a kidney, and after finally getting to meet him I am wanting to. I have learned that I act just like other people on this planet, both those who I actually do share blood with and those who have married into the family. After getting to meet all these people, I feel like I am suddenly connected to this Italian network which I didn't know existed. And I am excited to discover more about it!

Meep, experimenting with F levels. Got asked to do some senior pictures and should probably know what I'm doing ;)

So I've been kind of bad at keeping up with all of these posts. So sorry. Things are obnoxiously busy. I have been writing college application supplement essays for hours every day just to get them done with. Family reunion meant my house was crowded by people that I really barely know. Anyway, it has been hard to find time to upload photos, let alone write about them. So hopefully this will be a good one.

When taking a foreign exchange student to visit Uptown, Minneapolis, we decided to take a walk around part of Lake Calhoun. Now, I find some of the most eccentric people there. This guy was not creepy, at all really, just fascinating. In a city, generally you avoid talking to strangers on the street. Just for safety reasons, you know? Besides, most people are exercising or talking on the phone or with their families anyway, so it would be weird. When walking, we were basically taking up the entire pathway. This poor, hipster man was trying to get through on his ice cream cart. But, he was not mean about it at all. He just smiled and laughed when I basically fell over to clear his way. Not like all the nasty bikers who yell "ON YOUR LEFT" while trying to pass my slow ass. No, he was nice and respectful about it. He was quite quirky looking, with hipster glasses, cut offs and a funky hat. I am sure he was a good ice cream salesman. Not too pushy, but also someone that you would want to talk to just for fun. I want to hunt him down again. 

Sorry, I've been busy. But this is nice!