As I write this, I am sitting at work listening to Yo No Sé Mañana by Luis Enrique as I wish I was back in Madison with Sarah, Carissa, and Amjad, wishing we were back in Peru! Ah, what to say about Madison? Home to the University of Wisconsin where my parents went for their undergraduate, filled with stories of the Law School sinking the Engineering School's statute, followed by the Law School's doors becoming mysteriously welded shut. Having parents who went to UW Madison during the Vietnam War protests means I get to hear a plethora of interesting stories. Madison got days of due to riots and tear gassed filled streets, Concordia gets days off to help sandbag . . .
It is also home to my Aunt Mary and Cousin Carrie and her family. On top of that it is where some of my crazy and ridiculous friends decided to go for college.
After deciding that last week was only meant to be a 3 day school week, I drove home to Minneapolis on Thursday, with a necessary side trip to Chipotle (Duh!). Friday was an early morning as my mom and I left for Madison (well ok, my aunt lives in Oregon, same difference). After freaking out trying to drive through campus, my mom took over and dropped me off on State Street. I was supposed to try and find Allen. I told him I had no idea where anything was, but my mom had gone to school here, so he should find someplace well-known on State Street. Starbucks? I don't think that was on there in 1972, the last time my mom would have been familiar with campus . . . but we found it! In short, Noodles and Co., Cold Stone, Foursquare fight (which I won by the way), getting drenched by the unforgiving rain, playing with the tiniest dog ever, and an impromptu sing-a-long with Veggie Tales made for an awesome time. Note to self: dogs LOVE cookie dough ice cream :)
Saturday morning I had my job interview with Storch International, the reason for this road trip in the first place. It started at 11am. The next time I looked at my phone, it was 2pm! Mr. Storch explained the history and philosophy of the company. It didn’t seem like 3 hours had gone by. I found it really interesting coming from my studies in international relations. Plus we talked about hockey, so of course that took up a good amount of time too.
Supper with the Peruvian crew was mandatory. Of course I picked Chipotle :) Carissa and Sarah (my roommate in Lima) came. It wouldn't be a Lima reunion without baked goods by Carissa so we went back to her house where she made us sugar cookies! YUMMY!
I saved the oldest friend for last. I had been dying to see Juls since the moment I got to Madison. Sarah walked with me so I wouldn't get lost (which we did anyways. Don't blame the tourist! She lives here, not me!). Juls came sprinting after me with a flying hug. What better way to be greeted by a best friend than with a hug and a shot of vodka? She took us to a nearby bar where it wasn't crowded so we could catch up. Amjad made some room in his popular schedule for me was well, meeting us at the bar (sabes que estoy bromeando y que TKM). I think Juls will be apartment hunting for me before I even get the job!
Sunday morning, my mom and I went to the Newman Center, where she used to go to church when she was in college, for Palm Sunday. Afterwards it was 9 hours back to Moorhead. Thanks for driving half of it for me mom!
If everything works out I will be much closer to many of my friends. It was really nice to see everyone before I graduate. The next couple of weeks will decide where I end up for the next couple of years. Everything is changing so fast but I’m ready for a new adventure.
