We are competitive

I have a very competitive family.

If you have ever seen the movie "The Wedding Date," with Debra Messing, hopefully you can recall the quote where she is explaining to Dermot Mulroney about how "you know those crazy families which are crazy and fight but at the end of the day you love them. - that's not my family."  I may have altered that phrase in some way, but the point is that is my family.

We grew up arguing, fighting, taking each others clothes, defending each other from bullies, defending each other from each other, purposefully ordering pizza someone would not eat, getting each other in trouble, and creating stories which cause us to laugh for hours now.

I would do anything for my family  1 - because they are amazing people and 2 - because I like them.  To quote yet another movie, in "Home for the Holidays," two sisters are talking and one says, "If I just met you on the street and you gave me your number, I would throw it away." I am lucky enough to be able to say that I would want to know and be friends with everyone in my family.  They are super cool people.  If you are reading this blog then you probably know me. If you know me, but do not know my siblings, you should meet them! If you think I am even slightly cool - you will learn they are 100x cooler.

Nora is the oldest and has accomplished so much and has always been so sure of herself (or least presented herself that way) and is talented and considerate. She has traveled extensively and speaks multiple languages, stays in touch with the people she has met, has been a carnivore and a vegetarian, has completed marathons and triathlons, demonstrated courage when she decided to switch careers and go back to school to follow a new dream.  She is someone I am able to look up to and turn to for advice.

Kevin is ridiculous.  He has completed 4 IronMan events and wants to keep doing them.  Isn't one enough!?!?!  He set out a plan in high school and made sure it came true. There were definitely bumps along the road but he is living his dream and has an amazing family.  Kevin's lifelong goal is not to grow up and he is achieving that everyday. He is always willing to play a game, attempt something new, dance until the party ends, and share every story he remembers (which you wish you could forget) to make you laugh about every embarrassing event. He is also, most often, the instigator for any crazy thing we do now as adults. Actually, he was the instigator when we were kids too. I cannot wait to meet a man like him.


Molly is a friend. Molly is a friend in the true sense of the word. She is the one you can call at 3 am to meet you wherever because the car won't start, willing to sit with you and work out your problem and go through all the permutations for hours on end, willing to be the devil's advocate when you need to hear the other side (also because she likes to argue), willing to be blunt and tell you the truth when you really don't want to hear it, and willing to create drinking games to solve a fight which other siblings are having.  Now I am not saying my other siblings wouldn't do the same, but Molly would  1  still be awake at 3 am and 2  would be an extra 5 minutes late because she stopped to get your favorite beverage or snack on the way because she realized this made your day suck even more and you needed a pick me up. 

Katy is a brat. She is considerate and makes sure the people around her are taken care of and knows someone is there who thinks about them and is worried about them. Katy is a cheerleader in the true sense of the word. Not the wearing the shortest skirt possible and saying repetitive songs over and over again way, but in the she will believe in you even when you stop believing in yourself way.  She will remind you that yes you can do whatever you think you can't and can usually remember some example to prove to you that you have already done it in some way or another. She has also traveled and lived in multiple parts of the world. Katy defines herself often as a twin. Which is true, she and Molly are twins, but Katy is a sister; to me, to the other 5, and to anyone who is willing to let her be a part of their life.  Katy is not someone who will let you be alone, she will make sure she is there anytime you need her, even when you don't realize you do.  All that being said, Katy is still a brat!

Danny is a learner. He wants to learn from everyone around him.  He makes sure that everyone he interacts with understands that they have something to teach him and it's important and something he really wants to learn. Daniel is the epitome of the lifelong learner. He may have struggled with college in terms of the classes but he absorbs everything around him and takes notice of cultural differences so he doesn't offend someone. He pays attention to the nuances in language so he doesn't accidentally insult someone while asking for bread. Danny is heading home soon after 2 years of living abroad and will only stay for a few months on US soil as there is more he needs to learn and do. 

Marty is an encourager.  Everyone around him knows how important they are. Important to Marty but also important to themselves and others. Marty helps people to see how they make a difference in the life of people around them. He does things everyday which just make the people around him ask, why didn't I think of that. Marty is one of the people who lives out the "everyday acts of kindness" without intentionally doing it; it's just a part of him. He creates groups of people and new friends who never thought they would be friends with each other, but once they meet wonder why they weren't friends before.  He makes you feel proud because you know him but also a better person the longer you are around him. 


So this blog turned out very different from my thoughts at the beginning.  I was originally planning to write about how much we as a family fight, argue, and compete and then go into the contest of states, countries, and continents we have created, but this blog took a different turn.

I may start again the blog about how competitive we are, but for now I will leave it with acknowledging 6 of the best friends I could never have found on my own. Thank you Mom and Dad for the best people I can turn to in any situation.
Meghan  (3rd of 7)

It's Been Awhile!

November 3rd 2013

I last wrote 5 months ago.  I apologize.  Life has definitely gotten in the way.

I traveled for 5 weeks throughout Europe. I spent a week with my brother Danny and was reminded of how cool he is.  I met a great new friend Jaclyn - a cool Australian girl who was able to travel and we were able to meet up in 3 cities.

Europe was amazing and I fell in love with Rome.  That being said, this blog entry will not be about Europe.  I will definitely have to write about my trip and what I gained from it but today is not for that.

This is a weird time of year.

For those of you in international teaching feel free to read or ignore this but if you read it, I would appreciate understanding your take on Oct/Nov.

For those of you not in international teaching/ or the international community here is a little insight into our world.

"What have you decided," is asked often at some point in conversations during the month of October. Sometimes point blank and other times after a few minutes of catching up - it depends on how close you are to the person asking or being asked. You see this time of year is when international teachers must decide whether to stay or go for next year. By next year I do indeed mean Aug of 2014. You see it's all about logistics.

Logistics:
The first international job fair is Dec 1 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Our principals need to look over applicants and review resumes (CVs), so they need to know what jobs to interview for.  Which means we need to tell them if we are leaving or staying.

Non-logistics:
In October and November, we learn which of our colleagues, neighbors, and friends won't be with us next year.

So while this may be a list of positions, to me it's a list of friends who I won't be seeing in 8 months.  This gets us to the crux of the problem.
Please notice - my position is not listed.  I will be staying in Brasilia for at least one more year.  Stay tuned a year from now to see if that is still the case.

8 months!!

I will still see them for 8 more months. So it's weird at the end of October and beginning of November that you understand you will be saying goodbye to people, but you don't ACTUALLY say goodbye for 8 more months.  You are able to forget about it until May or so when you do actually say goodbye and make unrealistic plans about seeing each other again back in the states or in another country.

To those of you leaving - and who I will see on Monday and work with each day until June - you are amazing people and, in the words of Glinda and Elphaba, because I knew you, I have been changed for good.

End of School

June 8th 2013

Happy Anniversary to Kevin and Tania!!  11 years.  

I talk about you (and your story) often while in Brasil.  Many ask how the whole Brasil connection for the family started.  I, of course, give credit to Nora Burns for being the first in our family (of the kids) to travel outside the US and to study in Brasil.  I then mention how MaryEllen Burns just could not go an entire year without seeing her "baby."

Either way I find it ironic funny that I am finishing up my first school year living in Brasilia.  I attended graduation and prom last weekend and finals for our students are almost done.  We have 1 more class day with our middle school students then 2 days of activities.  In about 9 days I will be flying to Europe to begin an awesome summer vacation.

• After 10 months, I still begin many conversations with, " Eu nao falo Portuguese."  Even if the conversation is easier than others, it lowers expectations and normally excuses my poor grammar.
• 10 months ago, I shrugged off the comments about how amazing it was to find peanut butter here.  I didn't even eat peanut butter when I was in the states.  Then one day, a few months ago, I found a jar of it and decided to make Buckeyes*. I have rejoiced anytime someone mentions peanut butter or I find it at a different store.
• 10 months ago, people told me to stock up on items I liked as they might not be available later.  I did not understand this.  However, when you go to the grocery store to purchase something and it is no where to be found - every week for a month - you begin to understand why they said stock up when you can.
• 10 months ago, people told me this year would fly by and I just glared at them. Did they not realize how long just this week was taking forget the month or the whole year. 
•   This year has flown by.  A year ago today I was still teaching class and figuring out the schedule for the upcoming school year at UNO, finals were 2 weeks away, I was still living in Chicago and had only packed 1/3 of what I needed to move- thank you KERRI!!!, I was just beginning to plan when I would say goodbye to friends and how I would do that.

The school year is ending and while I'm excited - every teacher enjoys the summer break - I'm sad as well.  So many people - faculty and students - are leaving and I may never see them again. I try to think positively - we will stay in touch and meet up somewhere cool in the future as well as thinking about the new people coming in and how they will affect my life.

My current train of thought is "Next Friday can't come soon enough" and "Next Friday is way to close" 

*Buckeyes are the state nut of Ohio and the mascot for The Ohio State University.  Someone ingenious person made them into a candy. The candy is balls of peanut butter and powdered sugar dipped in chocolate.

Buckeyes - Nuts

Buckeyes - candy

Buckeye - mascot

UNI Job Fair

February 5th 2013

So I realized a year ago today, I was at the UNI job fair getting hired.  I can't believe a year has gone by.

It started me thinking about offering advice to others about doing this or just helping with the process in deciding to move to another country or specifically Brasil.

No I am not arrogantly thinking I can actually help anyone make their own decision but providing examples of the joys and pitfalls never hurts.

So a year later.......

I would do it again in a heartbeat.  Both leaving the US and the moving to Brasilia.

I've missed awesome family events, friends weddings, Chicago food, visiting my family (or having them visit me), late night talks with my roommate, and some scattered gatherings.

I've gained a little bit of Portuguese, so many insights into the English language, many new friends, and an even better understanding of teaching.

Thank you Kathleen, God, Jessica, fate, and all other random events which led me to Waterloo Iowa a year ago.

Christmas in Sandusky 2012

However, that was the past few years.  This year, due to uh hum persons deciding to remain at their current homes and not return to the family home for Christmas, there were 6 of us celebrating Christmas in Sandusky on Christmas Day.  Let's review:

Patrick Burns - Sandusky





MaryEllen Burns - Sandusky

                                                          


                                         Nora Burns - Tampa Florida

                                       Pat Crotty (married to Nora) - Tampa Florida






Kevin Burns - Clovis New Mexico
Tania Burns (married to Kevin) - Clovis New Mexico

Tatianna Burns (daughter to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico
Therese Burns (daughter to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico
Matthew Burns (son to K and T) - Clovis New Mexico

 Meghan Burns - Sandusky 

 


Molly Burns - Sandusky

Katy Burns - Sandusky

         Danny Burns - some city in Azerbaijan







                                                           Marty Burns - Sandusky 

The 6 of us celebrated Christmas at 5am as Mom Burns needed to go to work at 7am (we would normally wait until she came home and celebrate then) and Molly and Katy needed to return to Dayton so Molly could work that afternoon..   It was probably the quickest Christmas celebration I have ever been apart of.  The stockings took 20 minutes (even with mom throwing fruit) instead over an hour and a half and the gift exchange was about 45 minutes.  Since it was so early and we had just stayed up instead of going to bed we didn't have a Christmas Dinner or Breakfast.

Someone drove mom to work, we napped, Molly, Katy, and Abbey left, we napped some more, and at some point Marty and I got up and went to a movie.

Christmas 2012 was very cool but at times very odd since half the family was "missing."

Christmas Combat 2012

December 2012  - End of the World Countdown??
SOOO Christmas Combat.

Normally when I explain about this now sacred tradition, people become concerned for my family.

Rational behind BCCC (Burns Cousin Christmas Combat):

As this generation of cousins became adults, we were trying to figure out a way to deviate from the previous generation buying gifts (the adults) without being rude to persons in my generation who weren't quite adults but didn't want to be excluded or adults in college or didn't have the finances to purchase multiple gifts for one person or one gift for multiple people.  CONUNDRUM.

 The average white elephant gift idea was dismissed as the person who chooses their gift first has no say in whether they can keep their really cool gift or not.  Many emails were exchanged (heated and cold as well as Hypothetical ideas - HUE !!)  The idea was proposed that instead of taking the cool gift from the person who originally opened it - you could challenge them for it.

Sarah Skinder took this idea and made our First BCCC an amazing experience.  The defending gift holder is challenged by the new gift opener and they must both answer questions to see who will keep the gift.  Whoever wins keeps the gift and the loser opens the next gift.  Since it's inception, the BCCC has taken on many forms and we have even had contests as well as trivia be the challenge.

This year, Nicole I. and Katy B. were our hosts and they modeled the game off of Scene It.  They created a very large dice which each challenger rolled to see if they could open their gift and then if they won the challenge.  The categories were Burns Family History, Cleveland History, Cleveland Sports, All Play, and Roll Again.

Many questions, cheering for spouses to win the gift you wanted, beverages, and arguments later, I won an artistic rendering of the world with a heart for Ohio painted by my cousin!! 

About 11pm, we start packing up the Sandusky Burns' (how we are known by our other Burns cousins) and head to Lakewood for Midnight Mass with the McGuire side of the family.  The first car loaded heads out and makes it to mass on time.  This never happens for the 2nd car.  The amount of people and conversations we have always leads to the second car actually leaving Brunswick very close to midnight.

After mass, we head to Uncle Mickey's house to hang out, play games, detail BCCC events, and eat more food until about 3 in the morning.  About this time, we head back to Sandusky - an hour drive- and sleep until we wake up and celebrate Christmas with just the 14 of us. 

This year however.........

Sandusky Dec 2012

MaryEllen and Partick (minha pais)

SANDUSKY OHIO December 2012.

Well since the world is going to end at some point this month I should definitely enjoy it as much as possible.

We arrived home, good old 1331, and I jumped on my bed.  I don't remember if I have stressed how much I miss my bed!  oh  it was to date, the best purchase I have made.

My Bed!

Molly

Katy

   I had promised my sister Katy, I would be home for the weekend so we could hang out, but she needed to wait for Molly to get off work so they didn't get in until early Saturday morning.  They also brought Abbey Burns with them  (eeh).

Marty

Marty and I were able to hang out though.

Danny

 Danny was in Azerbaijan,







Burnsbunch 2 (Kevin, Tania, Tatianna, Therese, and Matthew) were staying in New Mexico,

Matthew - that's how I felt about it too!!

Pat and Nora

 and Pat and Nora were staying in Florida for Christmas.








I had done most of my shopping in Brasil, but needed to get a few presents, so we went to a few stores.

Nicole and I

Katy was actually hosting Burns Family Combat this year (more on that in a later blog) so she went into Cleveland/Brunswick to hang out with Nicole her co-host.

• I was able to eat at Chipotle with Erin and enjoy a very large burrito.  Marie joined us as well and we decided we needed more chips for the amount of guacamole and sour cream they gave us.  I went up the counter and it was 1.20  I only had a 20 so they lady just told me to take the bag and enjoy.  OBRIGADA!

•  I partook of Pizza Brothers pizza and ate awesome foldover pizzas 

• I got to see The Shafraths and hang out with them for a short but cool time.
• And of course on Monday, we went into Cleveland for Christmas Combat.....
  
   
  

  

  The Burns Family Tree circa 2009

  
  

  
  

Cleveland Dec 2012

 I arrived safely in the Land of Cleves and my parents picked me up at the airport.  I grabbed my checked bag and met them outside.


I hopped in the van and we drove off.  I kept grabbing my passport as I would reach for my wallet and decided to put it in another pocket.  HOLY MOLY, my bag has an extra pocket on the side of all the pockets.  Cool secret pocket.  I stuck my passport in there.

Sokolowski's

I then learned that while my dad was very happy to pick me up at the airport and welcome me home, he was also talked into coming to get me with food bribery.  If he picked me up, it meant a trip to Sokolowski's (University Inn).  So we headed there from the airport and had some of their amazing food - of course their pierogies.  We talked to Mary Sokolowski (she went to school with my aunt so we have a family connection) and my mom asked about all of the kids.

Pierogies

 After stuffing ourselves full, we got on the road and decided to stop and see family members.




We showed up at cousin Shannon's house unannounced and invited ourselves in.

Cousin Shannon

Shannon and her boys were decorating the house for Christmas and making super cool tree ornaments out of pictures.

Smith boys with Aunt Heather

 We hung out there and Aunt Margaret and Uncle Paxie came over to say hi as well.

Then we headed over to Uncle Mickey's to say hi and catch up for a few minutes.

We left Cleveland and stopped over in North Olmsted to see Aunt Peggy and Uncle Joe.  We hung out, got the tour, and then ate Pie Iron Pizzas.  They are soo cool.  AP and Pie Iron Pizzas.



This is how you cook it and then it turns out like this.  --->

Delicious!





We headed to Sandusky and drove through town to get home.  I started making a list of all the restaurants I needed to eat at.

Things to do, things to do....

Last Day in Chicago... or is it??

Thursday December 19th

I wake up earlier than planned and decide to make sure I find the time to see Quashia as she is not sure if she can come to dinner tonight.

Quashia and I

I head to Gibson's to drop off a few goodies I got for the expectant mother.  She loves the Lion King paraphernalia and the few items for relaxation which I'm sure she will need in the coming months.   I can't stay too long as she is at work, but it's great to catch up and see her for a few minutes.

I stop at a few stores on the way back to Megan's and purchase a few goodies for myself.

Megan and I walked the "few" blocks to Aberdeen's Tap.  No problem, until it started raining.  Megan had brought her umbrella so she was good.  She very nicely shared.  We sat and talked for a few hours and just enjoyed the company.  Once we were dry, we walked back in the rain.

Megan was going with her dancers to a performance and I was headed to Quartino's for dinner.  YES!!!  I really missed Quartino's and Aldo.

 I met up with Rachelle and Michael at Caribou before dinner as Rachelle couldn't make it to Quartino's.  Michael and I left for Quartino's and I was getting really hungry.

I told the hostess at the door we were here and we went to the bar to wait for everyone else to arrive.  Aldo waited about 5 minutes and then came and got us.  Told the hostesses we were sitting down and had us ready to go.    He had already brought some anti-pasta to the table and people began to trickle in.

Aldo and Meghan!

We laughed, talked, made fun of Meghan, made fun of Rachel - alot, and had a fantabulous time.  It ended all too quickly but I needed to get my things, go to the bus, and head back to Ohio.

Rachel and Monica - I'm sure we were mocking Rachel right before this.

Monica was awesome and volunteered to drive Rachel home and then me to the bus stop. So I said goodbyes to all and then we hopped in the car.

Rachel read Shades of Grey aloud to us on the way to her house.  It was quite amusing with her drunk commentary.

Monica drove me back downtown to the bus stop and we waited for my bus.  While we were waiting a "Megabus" employee came over to the car to let us know all buses had been canceled due to snow.  I looked around to discover what he was talking about.  "Seriously!"  there is no snow.  He informed me there was snow on the routes and all routes had been canceled for tonight.  I assured him he was wrong as just in case I had called earlier and they informed me if they canceled my trip I would receive an email AND a text.  I had received NADA!!

After 30 minutes of waiting, he was correct.  All buses had been canceled.  Now what!!  Monica drove me back to Megan's and I called Megabus.

They booked me on the trip leaving Friday afternoon  - sweet  an extra night in Chicago.  At 1:30 am I received an email from Megabus canceling my Friday trip.  STILL NO SNOW!!!!!

Friday December 21st

I called at 8am when they opened their phone lines and was on hold until 8:40 at which time they informed me the NEXT AVAILABLE bus would be Sunday at 6pm.  I would not get home until early morning Christmas Eve.  NOT OKAY.  It was 8:50.

I got online and looked up Amtrak and other bus lines.  Everything was booked.  I thought real quick I'll look at airlines, but knew most of them had canceled due to weather as well.  There was a (not massively expensive) fight on Southwest at 10:10am.  I booked it.  I was already packed so I grabbed my stuff, ran out the door, jumped in a cab and made nice with the driver, then I told him I really needed to be at the airport by 9:20 - I had bags to check since I wasn't taking a bus (stupid 3oz rule). 

We made it.  I checked my bags and was through the security before 9:35.  I grabbed some food and went to the gate.  I made sure my parents knew when I was getting in.

I was excited to have made the flight and not miss the weekend with my family but I also realized how abruptly and weirdly my time in Chicago ended.

Tchau for now!!!

Still Chicago Dec 2012

Tuesday December 18th 2012

I woke up Tuesday morning as Kerri was leaving for work. However, I was taking the train into the city today, so I rolled over and went back to bed for an hour.

Jessica had graciously offered to pick me up at Union Station, so I called a cab to drive me 2 miles to the train station and hopped on the Metra. Very quiet ride into the city. I read a book on my iPad the whole time.

I texted Jessica when I was close and we figured out the best spot to meet.  She drove us to her place and I got to see her apartment and FINALLY meet her cat.

Her apartment is close to being as cool as my Chicago apartment.

We hung out talking for awhile and then meet up with Jonathan downtown to enjoy some lunch.

Jonathan met us for lunch and we went to Macy's and tried the food at their fancy food court.  Jonathan had to go back to work so we left there and Jessica and I headed back to her place.  We stopped on the way to enjoy the German Christmas Market and spent some money.

Jessica had a few things going on so I dropped my things off at Megan's place and then went with her to mass before heading to dinner.

GIORDANO'S

I met Pete and Michelle at Giordano's and we sat and talked while we waited for awesome pizza.  I caught up on their lives and their trip this summer to all the baseball parks in the US.  Pete made fun of me    We ate GREAT PIZZA.  I really do miss this.  There is nothing similar in Brasil.

Pete and Michelle at their last baseball park.

My amazing former roommate!

I head back to Megan's and got to see Mark and Aimee for about 10 minutes.  Megan and I got to stay up for a few hours talking about how great we are and catching up on lives.  It sucks not being roommates anymore.












I have no plans for breakfast - yay to sleeping in - but meet up with Jenny and Theresa for lunch then head to the Metra to meet up with Katie Kastner out in the suburbs.  Again a very quick and easy ride using the iPad.

Tim and Katie Kastner

Katie picks me up and head to her house.   We get to chat (Tim and Katie are expecting a baby), hang out, and eat dinner before I need to catch the train so I can meet up with more friends for a 2nd dinner and chat fest.


While on the train, I get a text message at 6:20 asking if I am running late.  I respond to Yoojung with no I'm will be there at 7.  I was excited since everything was on schedule and there had been no hiccups.

.....
....

Yoojung then replies with, we started at 6pm.   NO!!!   Well I got there at 6:55 and ate more food and explained again how completely normal yet weird my current life is.

After hanging out for a few hours with the girls, I went back to Megan's and spent a few more hours catching up and talking about everything and nothing.  I really miss those late night chats.

Megan also let me know she does have a to work a bit tomorrow so I'm thinking I'll go shopping.

Night....