Kari’s Thoughts

Anyway, a little about me.  I was born and raised in West Allis, Wisconsin. I have two amazing parents–Gary and Sue–who have been married now for something like 34 years and always inspire me. My younger brother, Brad, is a New Berlin Police Officer and is married to Erin, who will soon be graduating from the University of Wisconsin Medical School at the top of her class!   I have two cats–Tessa and Lucy–but they now live with my parents. :(  If you want to hear that story, ask Homer sometime.

As I write this, I am hovering at 29 years old….but will soon join Homer in the land of the 30s in May. 

I graduated from West Allis Hale in 1997 and then went on to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on a soccer scholarship.  I always went back and forth on whether to play basketball or soccer in college, but in the end, I probably made the right choice. Although I must say, I do have a tinge of regret.  If I could do it over again, I’m not sure I would have gone to such a small school. But, I’m grateful for the lifelong friends I made and the opportunities that resulted from my education.  I take away so much from my college experience, but by far the most memorable experiences include interning at Walt Disney World (my most very favorite place in the world) and traveling overseas to study in New Zealand and Australia.  (I am forever grateful to my parents for allowing and funding both of those!)

I, like Homer, majored in journalism. I was the editor in chief of the school newspaper for a few years and always knew my future career would involve writing. After college, I pondered grad school, but, at the time, it really wasn’t “necessary” for a journalism student to get a master’s degree.  I went on to work for WBAY-TV in Green Bay for five years–writing and reporting the news. But, there came a point where I knew I wanted to get back to Milwaukee.  I also knew that a life in TV didn’t go hand-in-hand with having a family someday.  So, in 2006 I made the big decision to get out of the business and try my hand at something else.  Little did I know that fate would intervene and change my life forever…  

After about four interviews, I was hired at GMR Marketing in New Berlin in February 2006.  I still remember my very first day there. My boss was taking me around the cubicles, introducing me to the other members on our team.  About the fifth stop on my tour was quite special. I remember saying to the person inside, “Is your name really Homer?”   His reply, “Only the government knows me as Dennis.”

For the first three years at GMR, I managed the ING account and the company’s sponsorship of some of the country’s largest marathons. The position took me all over the country…until the start of this year, when the economy took ING’s business away.  Most recently, I’ve been working on the New Balance account.

As for my personal life, Homer and I became engaged in February 2007 (just a year after I started at GMR!), were married in April 2008, bought our first house in December 2008 and will welcome a beautiful little girl in just a few days.  Ah, yes, I am 9 months pregnant while writing this. When I’m not working and not pregnant, I love to run and participate in as many sports as possible, including basketball, soccer, and volleyball.  I love the Milwaukee Brewers and it breaks my heart that we don’t have a ticket package this year.  I love the Packers too, although I am still bitter over last year’s Brett Favre saga. I also am a firm believer that March Madness is probably more exciting than any other time of the year (Christmas included.)

Other interesting facts about me:   I watch reruns of the Golden Girls every single day and know every word to every episode by heart.  I love “Judge Judy” too, but Homer refuses to let me DVR it.  On that note, I am addicted to trashy reality TV and watch (with Homer) almost all of the shows VH1 has to offer.  I have been to Disneyworld (not including when I worked there) more than 20 times and plan on taking our daughter in January 2010.  My very favorite food is McDonald’s french fries and if I were given one last meal it would include Kraft Macaroni & Cheese spirals, a giant bowl of Taco Doritios and a vat of McDonald’s french fries.  And maybe a shamrock shake to wash it down.

I love my life. I have the greatest husband in the world and am supported by the most wonderful family and friends.