Department of Hearts and Minds

It was a bittersweet day-

After twelve weeks here I thought I'd be itching to get back to the east coast but I have truly grown attached to this place and the people I've met. Today was my last day at work and saying goodbye was SAD. We went to a place called Mitchell's Fish Market (great food! fresh fish and the menu changes every day ). This past week I made each of the people in my department a photo frame and had lots of fun doing so, and I received such awesome goodbye gifts in exchange!

After our lunch I went home with Karin who took me out driving again and we got to snoop around neighborhoods with humongo houses (which i loveeeee to do). We then went to the lake and had wine and great conversation (:

It was a fantastic way to end my summer here !

These are some of the most awesome people I have and will ever meet!

He gives and takes away

Two deaths, one summer, the result? devastated people left behind. My Auntie Elsie passed away last weekend and her funeral was today. Anyone who met her would be able to tell you that she was such a good woman. She always was thinking of others and was so loving.

This is the last photo I could find of us, I believe I was a sophomore in high school. The last time I saw her was the summer before my freshman year where she was offering me all types of wisdom. She is already missed but we all know she's in a better place.

Wild Turkey & Mo's

Another outing- Last night the department launched its Americas S

ervice class and we all got to go to GE's Research Park Facility where they have

a showroom of some Healthcare devices the company makes and sells. I am particularly fascinated with the Ultrasound machines and Baby warmers. I had no idea there were 4D ultrasounds now or blankets that there are baby blankets that can correct jaundice (which I suffered from) instead of having a baby live in an incubator for weeks. Unfortunately, the V-scan was not for show as it is in quite high demand. The V-scan is a handheld ultra sound the size of a cell phone. Imagine that! This week there is a woman here who's husband will be deployed to Afghanistan on Friday. He's a medic with the Green Beret's and he said having a V-scan would revolutionize Healthcare for the military, being able to see exactly what and where bleeding is happening etc...

Anywayyy, after the tour we stopped at an Irish pub and indulged in delicious snacks and a rendition of a long island iced tea, Southern peach sweet tea. Delish!

Sidenote: Another indicator of being in the midwest- a wild turkey roaming around outside work.

House Hunting in Wisconsin

This past week we had mostly sun so I got to go out driving with an awesome lady at work! After a few days in parking lots, I got to go into subdivisions where very very wealthy people live (: Below are a couple houses I fell in love with ON the lake. Imagine that...having the lake as your backyard. I would like to know how and where people get the money to live like this. Other than that, there's a great Italian restaurant that I dined at this week with work and I went back for lunch with great company and an adorable little baby boy named Alex (:

Distracted Much?

Anyone who knows me can say that I'm always all over the place. On Saturday afternoon Angela and I were craving sushi (which both of us have not indulged in for at least 10 weeks). As a result, we wondered up and down state street...were about to settle for tibetan until we magically found a sushi place we must've passed earlier. We went inside, and Angela made the poor decision to let me sit facing the window. Midway through lunch Angela chuckles and says she shouldn't have let me sit there because my eyes were looking everywhere. A few minutes later I say something on the lines of "Angela how could I not be distracted when things like this are going on outside the window."

Spectacle seen below:

At first I didn't bother pulling out my camera because I thought the line would soon be over after their leader (who was in a wheel chair) passed the entire storefront window. To my delight, the line went on and on and on.

By far the best timed amusement to pass by a window. As if Angela wouldn't be distracted by this...

(:

My very first pig roast

On Friday at work GE Healthcare completed a health and safety audit, and to celebrate we had a pig roast!.... and it was DELICIOUS. It gets even more exciting...they roasted a chicken INSIDE the pig, so the two meats soaked each other up and were so incredibly juicy (:

I also learned that out here you can practically roast anything inside a pig. A woman I work with has roasted brats and that onion side that goes on top of brats (which has a name i can't remember) inside a pig which I think is a genius idea. Below is poor mr. piggy ehehehe. Thanks for a great lunch!

License is on it's way!

...not...well I'm working on it...

So, it's no secret that I'm a twenty one year old who does not know how to drive. As if it's not bad enough to get carded even at the MALL past 6, when I get carded for real people look at me funny for my out of state non-drivers id (yes, they exist...)

Living in Wisconsin without a vehicle is no easy task, but I have been beyond fortunate to make the whole situation work. I work in a department of three people and they knew before hiring me that I was license-less and decided that it would be a good idea to make driving one of my summer goals. What is even more spectacular is that they decided it is a goal they would like to help me reach!

This week I've been out driving over lunch breaks-today I practiced parking and backing out (which I was only partially successful at...but who cares ahaha).

I work for some of the coolest corporate people in America.

Festa!

This weekend downtown Milwaukee celebrated Festa Italiana, the largest American-Italian festival in the United States. Jenn came to visit for this occasion and we had a fabbbb time! Instead of blogging about it however, please navigate to Jenn's blog as she has carefully detailed all of our festivities

http://jkangsbrain.blogspot.com/

Count Your Blessings

This past weekend I was in Boston for a wedding and I called a cab to get from the Milwaukee airport to my place. I have a habit of conversing with cab drivers as I hate awkward silences, even though they get paid to not speak really, but during this time I realized how blessed I have been this summer.

As embarrassing as it may be, I don't have a car or drive, yet somehow, the Lord still made it possible for me to survive out here in the midwest. This opportunity with GE was one I considered a far reach. When I got here and met other interns at orientation, everyone spoke about their interview processes and where they go to school etc. At this time I knew that I had a little help from up there. I mean yea, I'm a good student, but I realized that at no point in time was my gpa ever asked for. Of course I had to send my transcript, but it was not until AFTER I received my offer.

Then I find out Angela also got a fantastic internship offer in Wisconsin in Madison, just an HOUR away. I must not forget about dear friends in Chicago either! which is also just an hour away! July fourth weekend was surreal having so many friends in the midwest.(I know, incredibly cool).

The wedding I attended this weekend was nothing of what I expected. Originally i was even unsure if I wanted to attend as I'd have to take a day off and I was only close to the groom, and it had been a couple years since I had any major contact with the bride. I thought it'd be awkward for the bridal party and I didn't want to be a burden on anyone. As the groom's side are good family friends, I was fortunate enough to fly there cost free. I had to take a 6 am flight on Saturday morning after a Friday working from 5:30-5. I was tired, a tad cranky, and had a layover in Chicago. When boarding I was asked to be switched to a direct flight to Boston as they had overbooked (great news!). As I was given my new boarding pass, the flight attendant says, "By the way ma'am, United would like to provide you with 400 dollars worth of travel vouchers for the inconvenience." Now, I could understand this compensation if I would have had to wait, but I got to switch to a direct flight AND I got to Boston an hour earlier than expected.

The moment I walked into the groom's home I knew I was wrong to have questioned attending, I have never seen or felt so much love under one roof. Though small, the wedding was a great success, and reminded me of the importance of love, even if it means you have to fight for it.

Simon: If everyone thought like you Elyssa, we would've never found America.

Thankfully not everyont thinks like me, and this was seen this past weekend as the entire country celebrated it's so called Independence. It was all quite surreal really, having people visit Angela and I here in the midwest. Our epic weekend started with a delicious breakfast at a bar in downtown Milwaukee Saturday morning called the Hi Hat. We then went to the lakefront where we met Simon, and rented a family bicycle (which is much more difficult to peddle than it seems).

Saturday Dinner- We found a farmer food inspired restaurant on yelp called Machine Shed. The best way to describe this adorable place is everything that Cracker Barrel should and wants to be (and Cracker Barrel is already deliciousss!). There was a little store section in the front of the restaurant and Simon gravitated toward a wall solely dedicated to BACON.

Sunday morning Angela and I took the group to church, lunch at a greek place, to the store to stock up on our preferred drinks (simon: smirnoff ice, angela: honey weiss, me: berry weiss, and of course James had no preference of this sort). Early evening we went for a picnic by the lakefront and then CARRRIEEEE.

Not that any of you don't, but I have some of the most awesome friends in the world!

Carrie loves Milwaukee and we love her too!

Every summer Milwaukee hosts the biggest Music Festival in the World, and goes for two weeks. Summerfest hosts numerous small stages bringing in bands across the country (eg/ roots), but it also brings headliners that perform in the Marcus Amphitheater. Last night Angela, Simon, James and I went to see Carrie Underwoooooodddd and we had a FABBBB timeee (:

She is SO PURDY.

I'm so upset I was too entertained to record Cowboy Casanova...I tried to upload Jesus Take the Wheel....so here is just a little clip of the night.

Enjoy!

Fiesta Waukesha

Last weekend (after my bug bite fiasco) I headed downtown with a friend who goes to Georgia Tech with my roommate. I should preface this by explaining that EVERY SINGLE weekend in Milwaukee or the surrounding area there is some festival. Awesome would be an understatement.

Though Greek Fest was last week as well, I had to resort to Fiesta Waukesha as it would have taken me 4 busses to get to Greek Fest. Regardless, the food was great and it was right by Fox River so it made for a nice afternoon stroll (:

Running & But Bites

I've finally become comfortable enough with my neighborhood to start running outside (I am well aware my discomfort may have/WAS an excuse for me to not exercise the way I should). Last week I started running outside a pathetic two times a week versus the jumping jacks I do inside to make myself feel better.

Yesterday I visited GE's Health and Wellness Center for its employees, and I tried out a machine I think was called iBody. Basically the machine takes your weight, BMI, your muscle mass in all extremities, and body fat etc. The conclusion of this exam was that I have too high of a body fat percentage. Basically the nurse told me I had to gain more lean muscle and to work out my core (yes, the machine can tell you where the high body fat percentage is distributed). Very depressing...but it's no new information, just information printed on a piece of paper that is HAUNTING me.

So of course I kept my running up this we

ek, fortunately, unlike my first time, I did not feel like I was going to have a heart attack. Strangely enough, it was enjoyable (:

It's a shame that I've not fully taken advantage of my ability to run or be as active as I could be. The midwest is teaching me so much (:

On a side note. Last week I got

bit by something at work when eating lunch outside and as the week proceeded, the bites bec

ome enflamed and purpleish (obviously making me concerned). After ruling out many bites thanks

to the internet, I decided to venture downtown to a pharmacy by bus to just get some sort of medic

ation. The pharmacist there refused to treat me telling me my bites were infected and sent me toa clinic. I went to the clinic (very freaked out at this point) and the doc there had no idea what was wrong with my bites. She ruled out an allergic reaction, spider, tic, and mosquito. She prescribed me a steroid cream and an antibiotic (that apparently will make my skin burn easily if exposed to too much sunlight or artificial light). BUT i'm still alive, so I am assuming I do not have some foreign bug disease.

Happy Tuesday!

Run Sausage Run

Friday after work all the GE Healthcare interns headed to Miller Stadium to catch a game and enjoy a tailgate. Now, I'm not a huge baseball fan but come on-how can you resist running sausages? People vote on the sausage they think will win after the sixth inning (:

Plus, there's a big yellow slide and every time the brewers hit a home run, their mascot slides down and throws water balloons and firecrackers go off.

Wisconsin knows how to spice up a ball game.

Chink.

It doesn't matter how many times I come across some ignorant jerk who thinks it's alright to practice his prejudice.

It pisses me off EVERY time.

Yes. There are Asians in the Midwest.

My very first Hibachi experience occurred in Wisconsin-bizarre right?

I was fortunate enough to join a GE dinner last week with the Training department, and all I can say is Delish! I was quite intrigued with why/how these Asian chefs got to Waukesha, Wisconsin (especially since I'm making the assumption they are fobs based on accents etc, very wrong I know.) Regardless, it was a fun time, but I wouldn't want to sit next to strangers...awkwarrrdddd, but thankfully we took up a whole table.

I ordered filet mignon and scallops (plus the chef gave me chicken just because (:, which I thought was very nice). Though I am a person who tends to dislike steak, the mignon was tender, and the scallops were perfect. They were fried in a boat load of butter, and my scallops were perfectly caramelized.

If you look carefully below, the hibachi chef is holding a plastic toy boy, 'solju boy,' who puts out a fire coming out of a volcano made of rice by peeing on it. no joke.

Sun packed weekend!

After four weeks, Angela and I finally planned to take part in Wisconsin's Friday Fish Fry. My mentor at work suggested a bar right on Peawaukee Lake, which is adorable! To be honest, fish fry really is just fried fish, but it WAS delicious nonetheless (perfected fish and chips). Since I'm a sucker for all things local, I dabbled with some local brews, and what's insanely crazy is I found one enjoyable! THE SPOTTED COW.

Saturday we woke up bright and early to do a 5k walkathon fighting cancer at the Milwaukee zoo. Genius idea if you ask me, and the event was quite a hit! We then made our way downtown to the lakefront to take part in Milwaukee's annual art festival, gathering I believe 181 artist around the nation. We also joined the kids in making t-shirts and necklaces from old washers (: . I'm telling you...we definitely got our money's worth! The art was beautiful as well, and when we are adults, we will come back and buy buy buy!

Dinner- Mexican food at Jose Blue's Sombrero, delicious! Their table side guac was to die for, but what was even BETTER was their signature drink, Margarita swirled in Sangria. SO GOOD.

Last Weekend in Madison!

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to visit Angela in the capital of Wisconsin!

We spent the weekend relaxing in her adorable basement home and eating as much as we could, in the span of a weekend.

Saturday morning we took a trip to the farmer's market (you haven't seen a farmer's market until you've seen this one). It lies RIGHT at the capital and by State St. (the cutest little street with all types of trinkets!). We bought: a spinach cheese pie, a coconut macaroon, a peanut butter marshmellow square, a chocolate cream cheese cupcake, a bag of green beans, and a bangle. I know, random, but we were way too overwhelmed by the awesomeness surrounding us.

We then went to look for the Land's End Canvas Store (college line of the company Angela works for). Unfortunately for myself, we passed way too many cool stores on the way there. There were stores selling beautiful crafts, and some even had stations where you could make your own buttons and cupcake toppers! After finally reaching the Land's End Store (which took approximately three times of what it should have) we went to lunch. There was a big sign that said sangria so we knew that was where we would be dining (: . We ordered a salmon salad with a raspberry vinaigrette and a chicken pasta with a cream tomato basil sauce.

Here's a synopsis of our weekend. Enjoy!

First posts in Wisconsin

June 4, 2010

Thankfulness

I am nearing the end of my second week in Wisconsin. I’m twenty one years old, but it’s no shocker that there are some life lessons that can never be learned enough.
At the end of last week I found out a recent SU grad-a friend from freshman year, was swept away by the ocean. Marinna was beautiful and bubbly. Once you met her there’s no way you wouldn’t remember or recognize her, even if the two of you were only acquaintances.
I heard this news in the midst of being homesick and wondering what I was doing here and how I would be able to finish up my planned twelve weeks after not being home for a year. It’s sad to say that after freshman year my interaction with Marinna was always in passing, but if there’s one thing Marinna believed in, and could be spotted a mile away, is that life needs to be lived.
There is so much to be thankful for, but why is this a lesson that I must continually learn?

---

June 3, 2010

Land of Cheese

Now that I’ve arrived in Wisconsin, I have finally jumped on the blog wagon.
Waukesha, WI is both nothing like, and everything I expected. There is absolutely nothing around, my allergies are raging, and funny little white things fly around ALL the time. People talk with a strange accent, one that resembles canadians and southerners, and i LOVE how kind everyone is. I live in an apartment that obviously hosted a past chain smoker as I cannot escape the stench, and I avoid the strange demographic of people who are my neighbors. It takes approximately three times the amount any toilet I’ve ever used takes to flush (I find this particularly strange).
I have purchased one, three drawer unit, a lamp, a plastic chair, and 1 each of: a bowl, plate, fork, knife, and spoon. I was living on the floor for a week until I couldn’t take it anymore, and ordered an air bed from amazon.
Never have I felt so outside of my comfort zone. With this said, I’ve had a great first week and am thrilled with work. Part of the excitement (which also brings anxiety) is that I’m living in a place I know nothing about in a shabby apartment.