You Know You're In North Dakota if....

The excitement of the day is 'the cop turned his sirens on'....

It turns out, there are actually a couple of fun things to do in Fargo. After driving from Davisburg, MI to Rockford, IL to Minneapolis, MN to Fargo, ND, my first stop was the Third Day and Tenth Avenue North concert with my parents and sister Laura. The tickets to the concert were a gift to my mom for her Birthday... I think this past one was her 30th? Right, Mom? Anyway, we all had blast. The concert was in a church so it was a more intimate concert setting, which I usually like more anyway.


I was slightly distracted during the concert, unfortunately, because Kyle had a semi-final game at the exact same time. I was getting text message updates from his parents and it was a really intense game. The game ended up going into a penalty kick shootout, with the NSC Minnesota Stars, coming out on top! They play this weekend at home, in Blaine, MN at 7pm in the championship game. Check them out online or go to the game!

The fam... minus one 

You think a bison is a buffalo....

Isn't it?! I'm pretty sure I don't know the difference, and I don't think I say the word 'bison' the North Dakotan way. 

My sister, Laura, a North Dakota State University Bison, had her Senior Recognition soccer game the Sunday I arrived in Fargo. They were playing one of the top 4 teams in their conference, Oakland University. The game was a chilly one, with very large gusts of wind that changed the whole pace of the game. Regardless of the wind and cold, they got a really good crowd out supporting them. They ended up winning the game 1-0, with a really close call in the last 10 seconds of the game with an Oakland University shot sailing over the crossbar. EEP! They remain undefeated in their conference and left this morning at 6am for University of Missouri Kansas City, for a battle of the undefeated's tomorrow. Check out their webpage and follow how they finish their season! 

There she is... my little bison, dominating that girl

The locals think that more than six cars per mile of highway is a traffic jam....

Let me just say... people here have no idea what traffic is. So far, I have had two experiences where native North Dakotans have talked about how bad the traffic gets here. Although for them, this may be true, for me... I am enjoying my 15 minute drive to work everyday. I make approximately 5 turns on my drive and usually don't go over 35mph... not due to traffic, but simply abiding by traffic laws. 

I had to get my badge on Monday from another building, which required me to drive to another Sanford campus. My CI, Leah (whom I really like), gave me verbal directions. She asked if I would be okay with not writing them down. I usually would prefer to have something written, but I had a hard time believing it would be that hard.... It wasn't. I did think it was kind of funny that her description of how to get there involved "turn left at the dike" (which really looked more like a hill to me.... who knows).

If the three trees on Main Street are considered a forest....

Seriously, there are like four trees in the whole state. Not to mention nothing to block the wind. I have been enjoying the fall weather and running outside after work. The first couple of days, I stayed in the neighborhood of the retired couple, I am staying with. They graciously have opened their home to me and provide me with a my own room and bathroom and meals. What a blessing. Anyway, back to the running. I recently started branching out of the neighborhood to get a change of scenery. Little did I know that as soon as I left the protection of the houses, creating a nice warm, wind free nook, I was overtaken by the icy, frigid, crisp wind. It was not very fun and I think I will stick to the neighborhoods from now on. 

You hear "You Betcha" and "Okey Dokey" in the same sentence....

My CI speaks with a very thick North Dakotan accent. I love it, it's so perfect for her... but I am terrified that I am going to start talking the same way.... I'd like to think my Minnesotan accent is fairly mild and only comes out with certain words... like "coach"... right Kyle?!

More Clinic Pictures

I think I am going to enjoy my time here in Fargo. I have already spent some quality time with my lil' sis and plan to savor as much as I can of being close to her. A special thanks to Kalani for providing me with a wonderful taco dinner and pumpkin bagel with cream cheese. :)

These are for you Mom!