Update Extravaganza

The following if from a while ago... (obviously, like midterms time):

Job Update:  

Here we are, halfway to Christmas!

And just like in college, we had midterms.   Well, a test of our own kind. 

Assignment:

Carry on normal job behavior even though both Katie and Beth’s bosses were gone for a week.

Outcome:

Katie was accidently like 2 hours late to work everyday (that’s about a 65% on attendance… pretty typ), left an hour early (check above grade on attendance) and had a total lack of focus (60% for participation).  Overall, Katie did pass because of her stunning personality and hair…but barely.   

Beth seemed to handle the pressure a little better and continued life as yuj.  She slept in everyday till one (90% [-10% because it makes everyone jealous]) and hung out with kids like she was at camp (110%, as that is Beth’s calling in life).  Obviously, she passed with flying colors. 

Travel Update:

As you may have heard, Beth and Kate made the trek to the promised land! Oh yes, Manhattan (MHK?) was magical and wonderful and filled our hearts with joy! Feeling like our trip was too short, our spirits were lifted as we stopped at a Colorado gas station and ended up buying two t-shirts for $9! It’s hard to say that we don’t love Mile High just as much with deals like that… and when people say things like “You’re from a farm? Mmm refreshing!” it IS refreshing, isn’t it? 

You can take the girls out of the Midwest but you just can’t take the Midwest out of the girls.

Social Update:

As many of you may be wondering:  Yes.

Our notoriously awkward interactions have continued.

Getting to know people can be hard… Especially when you invite people to hangout somewhere you’re convinced you know how to get to then end up lost on Hooker St. and 30 min. late.

And maybe admitting we don’t want real jobs yet to people we don’t know isn’t the best idea…”what was your major?! Ooooh…well I’m a biochemicalscientistextrasmartgirldatinganengineer with an awesome job finding a cure to cancer."  This person was just seeking revenge after Katie asked her if she was dating the boy sitting by her. Then asked if they weren't dating. Then asked if they were, then "errr do you know each other?" Just wear matching t-shirts next time and everyone will KNOW!

Financial Update:

Getting by on our salary can be tough – so we try to get as much free stuff as possible.

One night we decided we could splurge $1 to get a fantasticly advertised icee at BK but when the order taker told us it cost more than that we had to leave…to 7 eleven. 

We didn’t find cheaper drinks, but we did find what we thought to be a GOLD MINE of deliziousness.  The cashier assured us that the doughnuts were free every night after ten.  As we turned around to snag our free bits of heaven, this man…errr…woman…had stuffed them all in it’s bag already.  

So, we tried again on a late night spree.  Unfortunately a new cashier.  (Said in our best English accent like Oliver Twist) “Sir, where are the free doughnuts?”

The totally blank look on his face told us that we would have to scrounge up $1 from the botton of our empty purses. Bethany only had foreign currency... Katie stood in middle of the store exclaming “WHY ARE WE SO POOR?!”

The man also told us “Maybe the other cashier told you the doughnuts were free because he wanted you to leave?”

That was our cue to get out, and take our Canadian money with us. 

Best Day of the Year Update:

Katie’s birthday and Halloween happened. That was another adventure in our journey to save a penny.  Not spending a cent on Halloween costumes meant hitting up LoDo (Lower Downtown – aka upperclass Aggieville) in our regular clothes.  Most people were dressed crazy, of course.  We were met with some unfriendly comments about our normal clothes until Katie, being witty as always, started telling everyone we were really boys.  People had mixed opinions about that but we were pretty proud of our creativity.

Current Update:

Now, it's Thanksgiving. And we are thankful for pretty much everything - minus snow. Bethany is grumpy every day it’s under 40 degrees.  Katie's grumpy when it snows INSIDE her car and she has to wipe off her windows with an old cassette case.

Did we mention we're really thankful? Especially for any money. So send us some.

Love you all!

A Lot on a Little

Been up to a lot lately. Not making a lot, just doing a lot...
1. Working.
Believe it or not, we do. A lot.

2. Playing.
For free or really really cheap.
Lukily Denver is a great place to live with not much money, lots of fun activities to do outside and always free events to go to such as a boyz II men concert! We've also been making new friends, playing kids' games (like Quelf, our new fav.) hiking, rafting for $0.25, and watching and learning from Tia and Tamara. 

3.  Realizing that our own self-evaluation may be a bit high. Consider the following interactions:
a.) Trying to use the excuse of "I'm SO not used to the altitude yet..." whenever using the stairs.  Unfortunately, Katie's friend pointed out that she can no longer use that excuse seeing as she's been here over a month. (someone call 1-800-Beeotch. No, she's actually really nice and cool... and honest...)
b.) Colleague: "So, when I was in college, I was not a good student and I was not very smart. I mean, I only got a 3.4." Katie: "Did you say 3.4? Oh...." HOLD UP.
c.) Is this what they call "The real world"?

4.  Getting our huuur did.
I,Katie, am beginning to volunteer at a really exciting refugee tutoring program for any refugee kids that need help with their homework.  Hopefully no homework over like a 3rd grade level... in any subject...(see above rant about the 3.4.)  Bethany would like me to write about my hair now, which continues to be one of my best features (as apparently my physique is not according to other above rant):
Anyway, the kids just JUMPED on my hair and started braiding it - per my request.  Hopefully soon I will have my whole head braided. Fingers crossed!
Bethany also showed up at dinner the $AME day with her hair braided (by a 3 year old who didn't want to count) slash not but there was a giant plastic bow strategically placed to show off her exceptional taste in middle school fashion. 

5. Getting free coffee from McDonald's...sometimes 3 times a day.

6.  Hanging out with our good ol' MCC friend Devin Toll who took us rafting after making a 5 year old girl cry by telling her it is dangerous (he had to, it's his job) which was one of our favorite Colorado days and he came to visit us in Denver!

We have been able to learn a lot in our separate departments and more about all the programs the Denver Rescue Mission does as well.  The staff was able to attend a fun day at the Mission Farm where men live,  have drug/alcohol rehab classes, counseling and learn farm work so they can gain skills for future employment.  Katie fell in love and Bethany gained skills in lassoing...herself.  This week we are excited to get to serve dinner and experience the downtown shelter that offers 3 meals daily and a safe place to sleep.

Needless to say, if you've read anything at all, we are as funny as always and doing fantastic. We love you, we miss you and we want you to send us letters...and money.
Deuces.

Homelessness: Week Two

After being locked up in The Crossing doing the 9-5 (or 1-9) and drinking LemonZ, Friday night we had to get out.  So us girl interns and a couple of the brave boys headed out for a night on the town…without spending any money, obviously. We opted for some MickeyD’s and walking around the 16^th Street Mall.  This experience opened our eyes to many aspects of the city us Kansas girls didn’t expect such as “medicinal marijuana” and expert, yet unusual, dating advice (please message Bethany Brabec if you would like to gain more dating knowledge or knowledge in general).  Although a little scarred, we left downtown knowing so much more about our beloved Mile High.

Saturday we wanted to actually go to the mountains and hike since we don’t really get to see them.  A group of us hopped in the minivan and were ready to go…but none of us knew where.  We decided driving west on the highway was a good idea since that’s the direction of the mountains and we ended up in Golden, Co. Our visit to the quaint little town was fun but our “hike” ended up being more like a konza prairie walk which was a little disappointing.

Too worn out (and poor) from the “hike” to do anything but stay at the Crossing, we did the usual. Chilled with Britt Swartz, laundry, and Bethany accidently Facebook chatted with some high school boys… who she thought were friends from the summer… Good thing we’re more than 8 hours away from those playas.

The weekend ended on a high note when we made some new friends when some of the teen girls that live at the mission invited us to hang out.  This was an answer to prayer for Bethany because she's been wanting opportunities to get to know them better. We played some volleyball in the dark (which wasn't very successful), played horse, danced and laughed.  They told us we were pretty good dancers...for white girls...which we definitely took as a compliment.  That night we were able to begin friendships with these girls that have already grown in the past few days and will hopefully continue to deepen during our time here. 

Friends in Mile High Places

Katie’s roommate is from India! She is a beautiful girl who is always quick to smile and share a laugh. Or give us a laugh. Some of her best quotes so far include (read the following in your best Indian accent.  Except Bethany.):

“I didn’t want to pee, but then I peed.”

“You know what? Can we go?”

“Katie? You are the best roommate in the whole world and so pretty and skinny and cool. I hope out of all the girls in America, I can be just like you!” (Okay, she didn’t SAY that, but Katie is sure she thinks it.)

One of the very best things about Sharon is all of her sarees (jfGi).  One night while most of the interns were still working Katie and Sharon were chillin in the room not knowing what to do.  Then suddenly it hit them that they should put on some sarees and dance around the room, what else would they do on a Thursday night?!  After work the other girls came to their room and thought it was such a great idea that everyone put on the traditional Indian attire for a photo shoot:

We decided to take a trip to sonic where we got hit by on by even more men than usual.  Too bad one was a small child who told us he was also 22. We were going to guess 12. Of course we gave him our digits. Just kidding. We left our Indian friend to fend for herself while we pretended to order our favorite bevs.  Another was the car hop.

As usual, we're keepin it classy.

Homelessness: Week One

As we embark on our adventure of working at Denver Rescue Mission, we want to keep our friends updated/entertained with our experiences and really good one liners that don’t fit on Twitter.

Upon arriving, Katie realized that her jegging shorts and extremely skanky, low-cut tank (not) was against the ankle-to-neck dress code.  Thus, her I.D. picture although extrememly hott, instantly labeled her the promiscuous intern.

Everyone thinks Bethany is in middle school…per usual.

Bethany is working with two fun interns in the youth department! Basically that means she sleeps in everyday and has snacks and play time. All the time.  Tonight she watched the Bronco’s game and the residents are quickly convincing her to become a fan… Which will be hard to avoid when working in the “Denver Bronco Youth Center.”  She’ll be more easily persuaded if she gets a date with one of the players who volunteers occasionally.  Which may be more difficult than she thinks if events like the following continue to occur:

During Bethany’s very first “new family” orientation, she decided to welcome a couple by falling on all fours/face over a chair… when trying to shake their hands. They proceeded to leave and take their children out of Bethany’s care.

Just kidding!

Katie just began her job in the Refugee department. More details to follow. When she gets more details…to follow.  So far, she mostly wishes she would have paid attention to that freshman year computer course on Excel. Oops!

Multiple times a day, Beth and Katie look at each other, mouth “what are we doing here?!” and start laughing. Uncontrollably.    

One of the most amusing events of the day is meal time. Everytime. Obviously except for breakfast, since it stops being served at 7. Is that even a real time? (Bethany really DOESN’T know since she doesn’t begin working until ONE O’CLOCK. P.M.)

For example: “Do you want a 9873 year old doughnut?!”

“YES!!! We were JUST about to ask for one! YUM! Mold is my favorite!”

And the drink labels which read:

“Water” “More Water” and “LemonZ” which is a mixture of Lemon and Z. whatever that means, it’s delizious.

After one meal, Katie resigned to the salad bar…and she’s going gluten free. Except whenever she eats at any restaurant. Or she decides to get a second helping of 9873 year old doughnut.  Did I mention yum?

It’s really cool to live in Denver, though! With the beautiful mountains and refreshing air.

Oh wait. Since we live in the same building in which we work and the surrounding area is comparable to your average ghetto movie scene, we actually are inside 99% of the time.  But when we are outside, the view of the mountains, er I mean warehouses and train tracks is breathtaking.

But seriously folks, we love it.