Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
I am visiting my cousin Nate in New York City this weekend, and I’m stoked! It looks like the weather is clearing up just for Saturday and Sunday so that I can go sightseeing! I take off from MSP at 2:25pm, and I should arrive at JFK at 6:25pm. Nate is meeting me at the airport, and then we’re going to take the subway to Brooklyn, where he lives.
I’m super excited about seeing Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, and the Brooklyn Bridge and of course, going shopping.
I’ll be sure to post photos after my visit.
♥
K
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
I’m moving in late October into an apartment in Woodbury with a friend that I graduated college with….So I figured it’s a perfect time to purchase a bed…because mine is getting to be pretty crappy. Here’s what I purchased…and it cost me a pretty penny. Bed is from Slumberland, Armoire is from Ikea.
I know that they aren’t matching, but I really wanted the armoire…so I don’t mind.
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
I know it’s been awhile, and I haven’t updated. Here’s a good laugh:
They never tell you about this when you’re thinking about college. Boo!
On the other hand, this is for my chase auto loan for my Jeep. Notice the difference?
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
Little girl, little girl
Why are you crying?
Inside your restless soul, your heart is dying.
Little one, little one
Your soul is purging
Of love and razor blades
Your blood is surging
Run away
From the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You’re a stray for the salvation army
There is no place like home
When you got no place to go
Little girl, little girl
Your life is calling
The charlatans and saints of your abandon
Little one, little one
The sky is falling
The lifeboat of deception is now sailing
In the wake all the way
No rhyme or reason
Your bloodshot eyes
Will show your heart of treason
Little girl, little girl
You dirty liar
You’re just a junkie
Preaching to the choir
Run away
From the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You’re a stray for the salvation army
There is no place like home
When you got no place to go
The traces of blood
Always follow you home
Like the mascara tears
From your getaway
You’re walking with blisters
And running with shears
So unholy
Sister of grace.
Run away
From the river to the street
And find yourself with your face in the gutter
You’re a stray for the salvation army
There is no place like home
When you got no place to go
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
About MeShare
Welcome to the 2009 edition of getting to know your Friends. Then tag your friends including the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!
1. What time did you get up this morning?
5:00a.m
2. Diamonds or pearls?
Pearls are my favorite! I would take them over anything.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
I Love You Man
4. What is your favorite TV show?
ER, Dexter
5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
Nothing.
6. What is your middle name?
Ann
7. What food do you dislike?
Seafood, pork
8. What is your favorite CD at moment?
I have a mix cd: T.I., New Found Glory, Blink 182, and Linkin Park/Jay - Z smash ups.
9. What kind of car do you drive?
2005 Jeep Liberty. Love it!
10. Favorite sandwich?
Peanut butter and jelly.
11. What characteristic do you despise?
People who use others and liars.
12. Favorite item of clothing?
Jeans!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go?
Spain! Specifically Madrid or Barcelona.
14. Favorite brand of clothing?
My dress pants are Old Navy..otherwise I don’t have a specific brand.
15. Where would you retire to?
Sweden.
16. What was your most memorable birthday?
Not sure…….possibly my 22nd?
17. Favorite sport to watch?
Baseball! <3 Twins
18. Furthest place you are sending this?
nowhere!
19. Person you expect to send it back first?
Whoever responds?
20. When is your birthday?
April 16th...day after tax day.
21. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Morning person for sure!
22. What is your shoe size?
Depends...tennis shoe is usually a 6.
23. Pets?
LOLA.

24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us?
Not right now!
25. What did you want to be when you were little?
Doctor! Specifically a forensic pathologist.
26. How are you today?
I’m pretty good.
27. What is your favorite candy?
Sour Patch Kids
28. What is your favorite flower?
Dahlias and daisies, and sometimes lillies.
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?
July 2nd and 3rd. Paid vacation!
30. What’s your full name?
Krystle Ann Englund Lopez
31. What are you listening to right now?
Blink! ♥
32. What was the last thing you ate?
Gross icky lasagna for lunch.
33. Do you wish on stars?
I used to
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Razzle Dazzle Rose or Mountain Meadow.
35. How is the weather right now?
Sunny and hot and humid as heck.
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today
text? secret. phone call? a client.
37. Favorite soft drink?
Tahitian Treat
38. Favorite restaurant?
Buffalo Wild Wings. yum.
39. Real hair color?
Medium brown
40. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Not sure….bad memory!
41. Summer or winter?
How about fall time?
42. Hugs or kisses
Kisses
43. Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate
44. Coffee or tea?
Coffee. Frappacinos from Starbucks are amazing.
45. Do you want your friends to email you back
Don’t care!
46. When was the last time you cried?
From laughing…….a few days ago.
47. What is under your bed?
carpet.
48. What did you do last night?
Packed more boxes.
49. What are you afraid of?
Failure.
50. Salty or sweet?
Sweet
51. How many keys on your key ring?
total? 9 for work and my house.
52. How many years at your current job?
1 year, 2 months.
53. Favorite day of the week?
Friday afternoons.
54. How many towns have you lived in?
East St.Paul, Roseville, Highland Park, River Falls - 4.
55. Do you make friends easily?
Yep!
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
Since my last post, a lot has happened I guess…….
My birthday ended up being a sort of disaster. My parents said they were taking me to dinner, but that fell through. I had an optometry appointment, and my eyes are A-OK which still means that I have no idea where my headaches come from. Went to Old Mexico with my cousin and my aunt on my birthday, and Kaylee, my cousin’s daughter made me a card and it made me cry! I had a delicious strawberry margarita and ended the night happy.
Friday the 17th I went and got some new ink on my feet…script on both, one says Love, the other Live. I came back to work Monday and it was a super busy week. Not very many angry clients, but not too many happy clients either. Last week was a good week because I had many people that I helped, but one person came into my office for bus cards for a job that he just started. He was SO happy because he finally got a job with a resume that I made for him. He had a giant grin on his face and it made me feel like what I do DOES make a difference.
Other than work, not much else has happened. I took my cousins to the Walker this past Thursday and we had fun. I dropped them off back at their house in Circle Pines and didn’t end up leaving there until 10:30…which was disastrous for me because Friday mornngs I have outreach at 6:30am. I ended up getting home around 11 and I took a shower and I crashed. Woke up Friday morning and felt like I had a hangover from no sleep. I left early for work and stopped at Super America to get some caffeine and breakfast. I wanted a frappacino but they didn’t have one…only cappucino and coffee. For those of you who don’t already know, I can’t drink coffee……I’ve tried for the past few years, and I just don’t much like the aftertaste. Amy got me hooked on blended frappacinos from Starbucks and I love them……..but not the price. Long story short, I ended up getting a carmel macchiato at SA, and it was disgusting.
I’m getting my wisdom teeth pulled this Friday and I’m not extremely excited about it. However, I am happy for a 3 day weekend. My dad is picking me up and taking me back to River Falls for the weekend.
Jeep is doing great, no problems to report. Only crappy thing is that it takes so much gas! I love it and wouldn’t trade it for the world. I got my plates yesterday and also my title, so I’m happy about not waiting for that anymore….
Plans for the week include relaxing and trying to enjoy what nice weather comes our way. Last few weeks have been super busy after work so I’m going to take it easy this week. I just bought the first season of Miami Ink and I’m resisting watching it because I need to save it for this weekend when I won’t be able to do much. I do need to go shopping for spring clothes for work because it is an OVEN in the office. ugh.
I haven’t updated very often, but if you really want to know what I’m up to every day, request to add me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/KAEnglund
- K
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
So, my last “real” post, I found my jeep. Well, I purchased it, and now I’ve put about 1,000 miles on it in 2 weeks. :O
Not much else is happening. I’m contemplating grad school for my MSW. I’ve thought about attending either the University of St. Thomas, or the University of Minnesota. I just have to decide if I want to do clinical practice or generalist practice. Tough decision! I know I want to go back during 2010…hopefully the fall time, for the 2 year program.
My birthday is in almost 2 weeks, and I took off the 17th just because. I’m planning on going to a Twins game on my birthday. They’re playing Toronto. Or I could go on the 17th because they are playing Los Angeles…haven’t decided. On the 18th I am going to Hinckley, and staying in the Grand Hinckley Inn in adjoining poolside rooms for a girls night. Super exciting!
The Salvation Army has been trying to cut costs, so they are forgoing our staff appreciation day and also our appreciation day at the fair. Instead, they are giving us July 2nd and 3rd off paid. I’m debating on going on vacation.
Lastly, I’m getting 3 of my wisdom teeth pulled on May 1st. It’s going to cost me quite a bit of money, but it’s needed. I’m also getting my eyes checked out because I’ve been told I have the symptoms of astigmatism, and I get headaches frequently from driving or reading. So, we’ll see if I need glasses or not.
That’s about it I guess…I’ll update when something else comes up. ![]()
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
Finally, I have found it. My uncle test drove this Jeep, and said he couldn’t find a thing wrong with it. It has 31,300 miles on it, 4 wheel drive, brand new Goodyear Wrangler tires, and a powertrain warranty to 70,000 miles. It has been at the dealership since October. I think the reason why is because it’s in Excelsior, which is about 20 miles Southwest of Bloomington.
Tomorrow I am going to pick it up right after work. My parents are driving in from River Falls with the check.
I’ll post more later.
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
I went to my chiropractor today and finally found out why I am supposed to keep going to make my back better. I guess when you get in an accident [rear ended specifically] all of the muscles surrounding your vertebrae get damaged. So I haven’t been to my chiropractor in 2 weeks and today when I went today, every vertebrae in my back moved. So, the target is to get my vertebrae moving together, and then strengthen my muscles so that they aren’t out of alignment.
In other news, I’m looking to buy a new-ish car. Specifically a Jeep Liberty. I found several that I’m interested in but one of them got sold.
I found a good one in Andover, it’s a 2007 and has 40,000 miles. One of my guidelines is that I can’t have a car with over 40k miles, and still has a warranty. I got approved for an auto loan through Chase and I’m just trying to find a car before March 16th, when my loan expires. So…..wish me luck!
Plans for my birthday are already processing…..I’m taking that Friday off [the 17th] and on my birthday we may be going out to dinner at Applebee’s in block E, then to the Twins game, and then back home to drink UV blue and lemonade. Friday when we wake up we are heading to Hinckley for the weekend. We’ll be home Sunday afternoon. I’m super excited! It will probably be my aunt, cousin, and a few friends. Seems pretty laid back. ![]()
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.

Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm.net
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
Should I move home in July? Should I get a new car? Here’s my list. [Mostly for myself...]
Moving Home
Pros:
No rent [If I pay more on my loans]
Home cooked food
Being with family
More money saved for vacation, emergencies
Can help family out with bills
Can pay off Heidi’s debt
Can pay the full amount of car insurance that I can’t afford now
Cons:
Driving to Minneapolis everyday for work
Cigarette Smoke [Mom]
Aunt possibly still habitating in basement, which would mean I would have to share a basement with her.
Living with family constantly, no break.
Not being 100% independent [not paying rent...]
Getting scolded for having alcohol in the house
Living in Minneapolis
Pros:
Close to work
Being independent
Living alone
Close to city resources
Cons:
Not able to pay extra on student loans every month
Living on a strict budget
Can’t afford new car payment
Here it is: I am debating two things right now. I know that if I continue paying my student loans the way I am, I will be 47 before they are paid off. I am also realizing that my car will not last forever, and it is 10 years old. Also, I don’t feel super safe in my car since I got into my accident. I found a 2006 Jeep Liberty at a dealership for 10,260. It only had 17,000 miles on it, and I love driving my aunt’s Jeep, and have said in the past that if I were to get a new car, it would be a Liberty.
My dad told me that I could move home and not pay rent, and that he would give me the basement to live in, with a bedroom and the bar area for a livingroom area. They said that it would be a lot easier for them and for me, and welcomed me home.
There is another problem. My aunt is living in the basement and it is really causing problems with my parents. She has not paid rent, and only works 2 days a week, doesn’t show any interest in helping out with bills, but uses the phone daily and takes my mother’s laptop into her bedroom without even asking my mom.
I’m not sure what I want to do. It is stressing me out big time. I know that if I do move home, I would need a better car to drive to work everyday, especially in the winter time. The good thing about the Jeep is that it has 4 wheel drive so I won’t get stuck. I do miss my parents, but I do enjoy living independently.
There is another dilemma. Yesterday I decided that I would apply for a Chase auto loan just for the hell of it. Knowing that my debt to income ratio is crazy [more than $70k in debt, annual income of about $32 k] I knew I wouldn’t be approved…especially the way the economy is now…I couldn’t even get a private consolidation loan without a cosigner. Well, I got approved, and have a fairly good interest rate for applying by myself [6.8%], and a 5 year loan. Do I take it as a sign that I was approved for more than the car costs?
Other thing is that I only have a month to use the loan otherwise I have to apply again and have them check my credit again, and I may not be approved next time based on the economy [they said that the worst is yet to come]. My lease here expires in July, and I won’t have enough money for groceries for 5 months until I move home. I have saved quite a bit of money [well, for me...not for most], and I think that I could take out $100 a month for gas and groceries out of my savings and not have a problem. I also should be getting a pretty good check back for my taxes [I will know exactly how much this Friday], and also my renter’s credit come August [That's going to be about $1400].
Gah! What do I do? Such a dilemma. I figured out gas and mileage and such, and if gas stays around $2 per gallon, I should spend about $170 a month on gas just commuting to and from work. It is 88 miles per day, 440 per week. I checked out fueleconomy.gov, and it says that the average is 21 miles to the gallon with a 20.5 gallon gas tank, which equates to roughly $170 a month for gas expenses.
Tell me what you would do if you were in my situation. No dumb comments either. KTHX.
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
So, I’ve been tagged on facebook but I don’t feel like tagging anyone else….so I’ll do it here instead.
Here are 25 random facts about me.
1. I like living and being alone…..it’s relaxing for the most part.
2. I am in the process of trying different types of wine. So far the only one that I really like is Moscato by Sutter Home or Gallo.
3. I love watching movies. I’m shooting for at least 15 per month now that I’m not in school anymore. Movie List
4. I have a weakness for actors who are older than me. Particularly Edward Norton and Johnny Depp.
5. I am the first person in my whole family to graduate from a 4 year college or university.
6. I love to eat pickles. I could eat them everyday.
7. Buffalo Wild Wings Thursday nights are my favorite……$0.60 boneless wings. Delicious.
8. I love my car to death………I don’t know what would happen if I were in a serious accident and it were totalled.
9.I only paint my toenails obnoxious colors like hot pink and bright red. Never anything neutral.
10. I seem to be the only one in my family who can SAVE money, which is odd because I am on a very tight budget.
11. I am a big texture person…..my blankets have to feel good against my skin, and I won’t eat food if it has a weird texture [like mangoes].
12. I played hockey for a really long time and I quit so that I could get a job and make money. I still love to skate.
13. There are always ice skates, a hockey stick and a pair of gloves in my trunk…….even during the dead heat of summer.
14. I am fairly particular about spelling. I cannot stand when people use the wrong form of words [too, to, two, and there, their, and they're]. Also, the word definitely. It comes from the root word definite, and EVERYONE spells it d-e-f-i-n-a-t-e-l-y. Boo.
15. I haven’t been much of a traveler because of time and money in the past. This is not stopping me anymore. I have 14 days of vacation per year and I’m going to spend each one of those days out of this state. I have already gone to Arizona this year, and I plan on Florida in April, and Las Vegas in October. Next year maybe New York City and Atlanta. Haven’t decided yet.
16.I used to speak fluent Spanish. I wish I spoke it regularly throughout college, because now I am very bad at it.
17. In July I am planning to move to downtown Minneapolis. Hopefully I can find a reasonably priced loft with underground parking.
18. I hate swimming. Everytime I’ve swam in the last 10 years I’ve almost drowned.
19. I have had my social work license for about 4.5 months, and still have not had it framed. The only reason for this is that I cannot justify spending $80 at Michaels to have it professionally framed. There is not a regular frame that fits the license.
20. I am interested in working in corrections sometime in the future, whether it be as a social worker or as a correctional officer.
21. I work for the Salvation Army with mostly homeless individuals and at times it can be very taxing.
22. I originally went to college wanting to be a doctor. I soon found out that med school was not for me because of the requirements.
23. I am planning to take a course at Century college in Phlebotomy so that I can moonlight as a vampire. [Don't get it? Google phlebotomy.
].
24. I enjoy spending my weekends being lazy on the couch and watching television.
25. I own 2 papasan chairs, and I am looking for a papasan couch for less than $50….this has been very difficult as they are $299 brand new. :/
If you want to post 25 things about you, I would like to read them! Comment with a link.
-K
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
So exciting! Let’s hope they come to Minneapolis!
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
From Fox news:
Obama Pledges to Restore U.S. Prosperity, Global Prominence
The 44th president of the United States says he inherits a difficult set of crises, but wishes to dispense with politics in order to restore America’s prosperity and predominance abroad.
Barack Obama offered a sobering assessment of the challenges facing the U.S., saying Tuesday in his first speech as president that despite the many crises the country faces, Americans will use their ingenuity and productivity to advance prosperity both at home and abroad.
The newly inaugurated 44th president told a million-plus crowd braving Washington’s winter and millions more watching on TV screens around the nation that the U.S. remains “the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth,” and will not be cowed by financial, moral, diplomatic or military threats.
“Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met,” Obama said.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord. On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics,” he continued.
Obama inherits one of the worst economic crises endured by this nation and ongoing terror threats to interests at home and abroad. His senior staff will forego the inaugural luncheon to head straight to the White House to hammer out details of an $825 billion economic recovery and re-investment plan that the new president hopes to get through Congress by the President’s Day recess next month.
Domestic issues are not the only concerns facing the president. He has made it a priority to remove troops from Iraq, close the Guantanamo prison that has become a lightning rod to nations questioning America’s commitment to individual rights and fortify efforts to abolish Al Qaeda and Taliban elements in Afghanistan.
On top of that, while Obama pledged to rebuild America’s prosperity, he has stressed that the nation’s success is to be shared across the globe. He said common defense does not mean a sacrifice between safety and ideals.
“To all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more,” he said.
As to domestic demands, the president noted that homes have been lost, jobs shed, businesses closed, health care denied, schools failed and energy resources wasted. On top of it all, confidence has been shattered and fear of decline nags.
He said he has taken the oath of office in the midst of “gathering clouds and raging storms,” but he sees a way out of the ongoing gloom.
“Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions — that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America,” he said.
The president said the way forward is to “in the words of Scripture … set aside childish things” and return “to the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.”
As he has outlined in his stimulus proposal, the president pledged to create jobs through infrastructure projects — roads and bridges, electric grids and digital lines — and to restore America’s dominance in science and technology, to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost and to develop alternative and use renewable fuels to run vehicles and business.
While the president has said that the budget is likely to be in deficit for years, Obama knocked critics who say his plan is too costly.
“Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions — who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works.”
Obama said government has also been used to secure the nation, whose principles and ideals are a force around the world. He pledged to leave Iraq with a responsible government in place and continue to build peace in Afghanistan.
He said his administration will work with “old friends and former foes” to lessen the nuclear threat and reduce global warming. He also warned those who would try to wreak havoc on the U.S. or elsewhere that they it would be costly to them to try.
“We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you,” he said.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect. To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society’s ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist,” Obama added.
Obama said the nation’s strength lies in part on its diversity — a “patchwork heritage.” He paid tribute to the military that is on duty around the world today and those who died in the fight for the cause of liberty.
He also urged Americans to continue to reach out to their neighbors and to continue to rely on faith and determination.
“Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism — these things are old. These things are true.
“What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.”
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
I was about two and a half blocks from my work yesterday, waiting at a red light at the intersection of 11th Street North and Hennepin Avenue [where the CVS is], and someone just smacked into the back of my car really hard and I slid into the intersection and oncoming traffic. We pulled into the closest parking area and got out of our cars. He never apologized for hitting me at random.
My car didn’t have a lot of damage…the back bumper was cracked and had pieces missing, but my car is still driveable. I went to the police station to file a police report since the driver would not give me his insurance information and left the scene very quickly, only providing his name and address. I wrote down his license plate when he was driving away thankfully. The police told me that the car was a rental from an agency that rents to business executives, and that he couldn’t find the guy in the driver and vehicle services database.
I went to the doctor because I had such a bad headache that wouldn’t go away with Advil or food. He said that I have a pretty bad strain in my neck from being hit. I woke up this morning and couldn’t even move my neck because it hurt so bad. Now I’m at work and it still aches but it’s not worth calling in sick for.
Yesterday my dad came to my house after work to check out the damage, and then we took my car to Newport Collision to get an estimate done on it. The owner said that he thinks it may only be cosmetic [hopefully], but he won’t know until he rips my bumper off. So, cosmetically the estimate was almost $1200. :O
We have a $500 deductible, and I don’t have $500 to spend on my car. My dad said that we have to wait until we get a hold of this dumb guy and get his insurance company involved to pay for it. So it will probably be about a month and a half. Did I mention that I can’t open my trunk?
Originally published at kenglund.net. You can comment here or there.
Hey all….I have been using stumbleupon again, and I stumbled on something called Tumblr. It looks fun…just something where you can post interesting photos, quotes and whatever else you want…kinda like wordpress or livejournal. I made one, but I’m not sure how much I’ll use it.


