Reflecting.....

Here I sit, three weeks before I fly home to celebrate(??) my entrance to my 30's. I've been thinking a lot, about where my life has taken me, about my current situation, and about what the future might hold for me. I should be excited about all the opportunities life has sent my way, and I should be thrilled to celebrate all these things with my family and closest friends. And instead? I'm just kind of indifferent. Maybe that's too harsh of a word. Ambivalent? I don't know. I'm at a point that I just don't know.

I think about my sister, getting married to her best friend. I think about my brother, with his two beautiful children and gorgeous fiancée. I think about my other brother, doing exactly what he's wanted to do his entire life, and with his beautiful girlfriend. And then I think about me. Married to my job. Single. Childless. Me. Sitting here, in a city with no family, no one that I trust implicitly, and at a job that I adore, working for someone I pretend doesn't exist. Seems empty, just like it always has.

Before you feel bad for me, don't. I'm going to Mexico in a month and a half, an opportunity only afforded to me because I don't have all these...attachments....I pay rent, but my landlord doesn't mind if my rent is a day or three late. I don't have kids I have to arrange for. I have a job that allows me to take the time off when I want to, because they know I NEED to. I've been afforded a ton of AMAZING opportunities in life that I wouldn't trade in for anything. But the thought of turning thirty and not being exactly where I want to be, not completely, well, it makes me think.

My 5 year plan five years ago, was to be turning 30 and living in the Big Apple. Instead of the Big Apple, I'm living in the Big Easy. I didn't have grand plans to be a department head or director at the age of 30, but I wanted to be making more money than I am now. I have an opportunity to accomplish that, but I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it. More to come on that in the coming weeks. I didn't plan to be married, or settled down, or anything domestic, but I didn't plan to be single. I know that for that to happen, I have to adjust the way that I live my life, and I'm just not quite ready to do that. If I was, I'd be a department head at work. I absolutely adore my life the way it is - I do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and I can't fathom life without that freedom.

I certainly didn't plan to be living where I am, but I'm doing what I can to make the most of it. I enjoy my kickball teams, and the people that play/watch/drink with us. I've found some really great restaurants and some killer bars, though I'm still trying to find egg rolls as good as Que Viet, and Thai food as good as Tum Rup. There's a pretty amazing music scene here and my friends come to visit me in droves. I like it here. The humidity can suck it, but overall I'm content with the decision to move here.

Given the amount of fun that I'm having, and the things that I'm learning about myself both personally and professionally, and what I want to accomplish here, it's baffling me the thoughts that I'm having of moving back home. I know how much I hate winter, but do I hate winter as much as I love and miss my family slash friends? There's a job open that would challenge me on several levels, but there are many reasons I wouldn't want it. Maybe in another 5 years, when they figure out what to do about winter, I'll move home.

So, for now, I will continue to balance the social with the professional, and try to not dwell on the feeling of emptiness that I have, because I know that I'm the only person that can change it, and for right now, I'm not willing to do that. When I am, I'll know. I think. Or maybe I won't, and it'll just hit me in the face and I'll just have to accept it. I've lived a life of no regrets and I'm not about to start now. And who knows? Maybe this will become my home. A place I never expected, never planned for....just was. Wouldn't that be something?

Thanksgiving

I meant to to this yesterday, but slept all day instead. It was the most relaxing, stressless Thanksgiving I've ever had. For all the whining I did about being an orphan, it was kind of nice actually. In between naps, I really had an opportunity to reflect on the last year, the last six months, and figure out what exactly it is I'm thankful for.

I must say, that after coming home from my best friends birthday party, and being around all the people I love so much, the week and a half leading up to yesterday was a bit of a challenge for me. For all the years I whined about going to St. Cloud, or St. Paul or wherever, the thought of not being around my family was a rather large pill to swallow. Coupling that with the notion that I'm officially less than 6 months away from being 30....well, it felt a lot like a midlife crisis to me. Thankfully, there isn't a new corvette in my driveway.

So, on to the things I'm grateful for. I'm thankful I live in a city where there isn't snow on the ground. Matter of fact, it's raining right now. I could be complaining about how cold 60 degrees is, but it could be worse. At least I have warm clothes and a roof over my head. So, I'm thankful for that; having a job that I adore (even if I don't always adore the people I work with), that provides a comfortable place to put my head and food in my belly.

I'm thankful for my wonderful family, even though I take y'all for granted sometimes. You mean the absolute world to me and I'm so lucky to have some of the best family a girl could ask for. I love that you constantly surprise me, I love the way you make me laugh, the way you make me cry (yes, sister, you and your wedding dress are going to make me cry), the way I can come to you with a question or a problem and you'll give me exactly the answer I need, not the one that I want. I appreciate you more than words can describe. I love you.

My friends. Some of you belong in the previous paragraph, (you know who you are). I have the most amazing friends ever. Some of you I've known forever, some only a short time, but the amount of fun I have with y'all is really pretty incredible. We've done some stupid things, some crazy things, some wildly awesome things, and at the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what it is we've done, because we've done it together. I love you more than life itself, because you make life worth living.

One last group of people, then a giant list of stuff I'm thankful for. It may sound odd, but I'm grateful for all the people in life that have wronged me, lied to me, cheated on me, made me question my faith in people. These are the people that teach me how to be a better person, to not take people for granted, to return a phone call even if you don't want to, to ask for what it is you want and tell what it is you don't. I've learned so much from these people about what I want and don't want in life, and while it's caused a fair amount of pain to me, I'm grateful for it. I can't thank you enough for showing me how not to live life.

And my list of stuff I'm thankful for: this pretty MacBook that I'm typing this on, iPhone, my fancy schmancy shoes, watermelon in November, red velvet cake, RSVP pens, satin sheets, the smell of bacon (and taste, really), a general lack of artistic talent, short skirts and high heels, the color purple (not the movie, the actual color), the five senses, Surly Beer, compliments, the egg rolls at Que Viet, naps, the inventor of the vibrator, kickball, gyros, humor, the Dewey Decimal system, loud music, Anchorman, tomfoolery and shenanigans, quality literature, football (even if my home team sucks), photographic evidence, passports and impulsive behavior, champagne cocktails, Jeopardy, Special K, mini-golf and go-karts, In 'n Out Burger, Random Bar Night, kittens, fantasy football, online shopping, The Simpsons, po' boys.

WTF??

Ever have those moments, where you just sit back and reflect, and go "What the F was I thinking?"? I've certainly had my fair share of them, probably other people's fair share as well.

I've had quite a few of them in the past weeks and months. WTF was I thinking moving here? WTF was I thinking entertaining the thought that people are actually trustworthy and good? WTF was I thinking helping out someone so ungrateful? WTF is with the humidity here? WTF was I thinking leaving the comfort of my life in MN?

I'm so torn, it's ridiculous. I loved and hated the comfort there. I like being uncomfortable. It's excites me and thrills me and challenges me to be better. To attain what I want. To experience something new.

At the same time, I love the comfort. Of being able to call my best friend on a moment's notice to check out a photo exhibit. Of having my mom so close I can call and have lunch with her. To be able to go out with my best guy friends and laugh and play pool and throw darts and be one of the guys.

It's only been six months. I know it'll get better and I'll have fewer WTF moments. And I know that three years from now, when I'm ready to make the big leap to the Big Apple, I'll be ready for it, and I won't have those WTF moments. Or at least, not as many. I'm stuck in the present right now, and I need to move forward. I need to be in the future....see it and it will happen. And then all these WTF moments will seem so trivial, but not. It'll be worth it because they taught me to see bigger and dream bigger and be bigger. I'm more than this and I'll get there.

This might be....

....the absolute sweetest thing I've ever read.

I can't even stand it. I'm going out on a limb here....one I rarely go out on. I hate admitting it, but I'm truly a closeted romantic. I've been single for a loooooong time, too long. Sorry Big, you don't factor in here, and we both know why. I love you though. :)

I know what I want in life. I knew it when I was a bright eyed 19 year old applying for a front desk job at an extended stay hotel. I wanted to see the world and retire at our Aruba property. At the time I just said it, because I thought it sounded good. This lofty, ridiculously unattainable goal that I'd never achieve, but would get me this job, in this moment, because I needed one.

Until the moment I packed up my car and started the trek down here, I never actually believed I'd ever get out of Minnesota. That'd I'd settle and be married and be comfortable for comfort's sake. I want to live in New York. I want to live in Ireland. I want to see and experience everything this world has to offer in my lifetime. But I didn't ever think it would happen. I really didn't. But knowing now, that I'm able to pack up my life and just go, it truly feels like it could be a reality. It makes me believe. It's ignited a passion in me like I've never felt before.

It makes me sad. I makes me sad that I missed the birth of my newest nephew. It makes me sad that I missed the funeral of Uncle Bill, the one that always picked on me when I was a child. It makes me sad because it isolates me from the people I care about so deeply I can't stand the thought of being without them. It makes me sad because I'm alone. I know in my heart I'm not, I have so many friends and family members that would do anything for me (and I the same for them), but physically I'm alone.

Back to the closeted romantic.....I honestly think I'd die if someone wrote a column like that to me. I want the kind of relationship he speaks of. I want my best friend and partner there by my side. I want the fairy tale ending, even if it's a hair different than the "typical" fairy tale ending. And because of where I want my life to go, and the things I want to achieve, I have this undeniable feeling that I'm going to have to achieve all of it on my own. Without that one solid person in life that will always be there for me. It's because of my drive and my unwillingness to sacrifice those things I want. I've never been good at compromise, I mean sure, I will, but when it comes to my dreams, I can't see myself giving them up for anyone. Nor would I want anyone else to for me. Scratch that, of course I would, but if they did, I wouldn't respect them.

I close myself off from it because it's safer that way. If I think about it objectively, it doesn't matter. There's a line in a song, "I'd rather hurt than feel nothing at all". Not me. I'd rather feel nothing at all. It's easier to not feel than it is to think about what I really want and not having it and hurting because the only person I have to blame for it is me.

It's quite the conundrum.....having the life that I crave and the passion to do it, but not being able to share it with that special someone. I know there's a balance, but I haven't found it yet, and the thought that I might not ever....well....makes me sad. It doesn't make me question the way I lead my life, because I'd rather live now. I'm not sure which is worse, regretting all the things I could have had, or all the things I didn't. I try to lead a life without regret - a good friend once said it best - don't regret anything in life, because at the time, it was exactly what you wanted. And to this point, I've gotten exactly what I've wanted at the time, and if it wasn't what I wanted, I learned from it and changed future decisions. I want that balance so badly, it just seems so far away....

So send me flowers or something. And thank you, Andrew Cohen, for letting me know that it's possible.

Reunion.....

It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been to a family reunion. So long, in fact, that I’m certain it was pre-driving days for me. The occasion was my grandmother’s 90^th birthday. When I took this job, and moved halfway across the country, the first question any of my family asked me was if I was coming back for the party. Um….OF COURSE!

So, after golf on Thursday, off we went! We arrived as everyone was sitting down to dinner. Some of my cousins were there (with their children!), and most of my aunts/uncles. The famous onion rings were on the table, along with loads of ranch dressing. Laughs were had, rum was drank, and a relatively early night was had by all. After a brief snafu with my hotel room (who knew there was more than one Worthington in this country?!), my head hit the pillow on the rollaway in my father’s room.

Friday brought more golf, more rum and more laughs. I shot a 113 on a course I’m not sure I’ve ever played, though I have driven the cart there more than I can count. Even destroyed a tee box when I was small. More of the family arrived, more rum was drank, a bar fight was narrowly avoided…good times in small towns.

Saturday I slept waaaaaaay in. Then the official party started. It was really great to see family I haven’t seen in forever, friends of family that remember me as a small child, children of people that used to throw me in the lake. It was lovely, though it does make me realize that I’m getting old. Sunday there was a quick brunch and I was on the way back to moms.

The two things I miss most about Minnesota are my family and my friends. It’s really, really tough to be away from the people that have been there through good and bad. The people that have seen me at my absolute worst and are there for me no matter what. Life is a roller coaster, and I’m so grateful to have such an amazing support structure around me; knowing that I can be who I am, without judgment. I appreciate it more than words can describe. Thank you for being there.

Whirlwind....

My first official trip home has come to an end. I’m feeling rather conflicted about the whole deal….I’m so happy I got to see my amazing friends and family, but I’m happy to be going home. It truly was a wonderful weekend. I appreciate my time to myself more than most, and unfortunately on this trip, I had little to none most of the time. Not that I’m complaining in the least, but it’ll be nice to get back into my groove until the next time I trek back to Minneapolis.

I’ll recap the family reunion portion in a separate entry – this will be Wednesday, Sunday and Monday.

I knew I didn’t want to do anything to extravagant on Wednesday night….travel makes me crabby to begin with, and doing it on little to no sleep makes it worse. My friend Rob was kind enough to give me a ride to the airport at 5:30 in the AM…mad props to you – thank you.

I landed around 3 and sister picked me up. A quick shopping trip was in order as I am quickly running out of tank tops in NOLA. If I’d stay out of truck pools with them, I probably wouldn’t go through them so quickly. I hate shopping anyway, and I really see no need to pay tax on clothing, so we swung through Heartbreaker and I stocked up. Found a super cute skirt and a dress for this Saturday’s Red Dress Run. After that, she dropped me off at the hotel.

Trent was able to hook me up with a ridiculous suite at the W, gratis. Mucho thanks to you, man. The room was AMAZING. It was actually a “Wow” suite, and good lord was I wowed. I’m pretty sure it was bigger than my old apartment. I’m pretty sure it was bigger than my current apartment, actually. Anyhow, it was awesome. Ran a couple errands, showered and met up with Nicole for champagne. Well, prosecco, but whatever…

Catherine and Stephen picked us up for dinner, which was scheduled at Corner Table. It’s one of my absolute favorite restaurants in the city, though I’ve only eaten there twice. A friend of a friend joined us with his girlfriend and we ate and drank until our faces fell off. Amazing food and wonderful wine. Great company….all the things in life that make me unbelievably happy.

Thursday morning my sister’s fiancé picked me up and we went golfing with my dad and some of his friends. I haven’t played since I left MN, so I wasn’t sure how I’d do. I borrowed a set of clubs and somehow hit them straighter than I ever have in my life. If I could quit three-putting, I’d probably score pretty well! After golf, we headed down to Worthington for the major festivities.

Sunday I was dropped off at my mothers – it was her birthday and I was taking them out to dinner. We went to a new restaurant called Apertif and I wasn’t crazy about it. The food was ok, our server was ultra cheery, but it was missing something. It’s like it was trying to be Redstone without being Redstone. It was nothing special, and I likely wouldn’t return when I come back to town. Monday we got up and headed downtown. I stayed at my old hotel, and my cousin was coming down to cut and dye our hair. We had a nice lunch (the black bean burger at Northern Shores Grille is really good – though next time I’d get it with cheese), ran a couple errands and got our hairs did. Good solid family bonding time.

Monday night was happy hour with my friends…the only real opportunity to spend time with them over the weekend. It was a later night than I’m used to, and the debauchery will stay in the minds of those present. Suffice to say it was a great time, and a spectacular sendoff for me. My flight was oversold this morning, and I’m surprised I had the presence of mind to pull it together to give up my seat. I arrive two hours earlier and am 300 Southwest Airlines dollars richer. My suitcase will sadly not arrive with me, so I’ll have to trek back to the airport later, but I’ve got another flight up my sleeve…wherever will I go next?!

Worst. Date. Ever.

This story always entertains me. Several years ago, I loaded a profile onto Match.com. Overall the experience wasn't terrible, but nothing ever materialized for me. Most of the guys I met I went out on a couple of dates with, and all they ever seemed to want was sex. Which is fine, maybe throw that on your profile or something. (I have serious issues with people not saying what it is they want. It would make life so much easier if they'd just put it out there.)

Well, this guy. This guy. He was....something. Met through Match and e-mailed for a couple of weeks before deciding to meet at Azia for drinks. We sat and had a couple drinks, couple apps and a great conversation. He was somewhat shy, as am I, so the pace of the conversation was a bit slow to begin with. He suggested we head over to Pancho Villa across the street. We had a couple of margaritas and some guac (I'm a guacaholic). As the evening came to a close, he asked if I'd like to go out again. He seemed really average to me, but I agreed to another date, if only because I believe in trying almost everything twice. We shared a sweet kiss and parted ways.

We made plans for the next week; I agreed to meet him at his house and we'd go from there - dinner and perhaps a movie either in a theater or at his place. Now, keep in mind I rarely give up on anything, here begins the end. I arrived at 5, the agreed upon time. I rang the doorbell. Nothing. Again. Nothing. And once for good measure. I called, no answer. At this point, I'm annoyed, but will give him another 5 minutes. Literally as the clock ticked to 5:15, he called. He got home from work and fell asleep on the couch. Keep track kids, this was red flag #1.

He eventually comes out, apologizes profusely and we head to some Chinese joint who's name I can't recall. I had soup and we had a couple apps. The tab comes and he throws in enough money for his half. Wait, did you not ask ME out? I'm all about paying for myself, if it's agreed upon beforehand, or if I'm really not having a good time. But YOU. You asked me out. And were late. Red flag #2.

I'm definitely a three strikes girl. I'm also a graceful exit girl. So when we get back to his apartment for a movie (I had left my car there anyway), I find out he has a dog. Not a big deal (I'm allergic but can deal), but he obviously had not trained his dog. He cleaned it up and I thought he was just going to flush it. He did. But then he went to the restroom. WITH THE DOOR OPEN. ON THE SECOND DATE. Red flags #3 and #4 within a minute of each other.

Now my brain totally goes into exit strategy mode. Little did I know it was going to get worse. He put in a movie, and maybe 10 minutes in, he gets up to go to the bathroom again. AND AGAIN FAILS TO CLOSE THE DOOR. If he had closed the door, I likely would have put my coat on while he was in there and left when he came out. Door being open though, not an option.

As soon as he sits down on the couch he tried to kiss me. I got up quickly and headed for the bathroom. I needed something. Anything. Any reason to leave. I'm a TERRIBLE liar...so I was going to use the early meeting excuse. I was ready to rock. I washed my hands, pulled it together and opened the door.

HE WAS NAKED ON THE COUCH

Completely, butt ass naked. After throwing up a little in my mouth, I let him know I had an early meeting and would be heading out. Told him not to get up, I could let myself out.

I then went to my local bar, and told the story of my worst date ever to anyone that would listen. I got several free drinks and quite a few phone numbers out of the deal, so it wasn't a complete bust. A few days later I received an e-mail from him asking when I'd like to go out again. I politely said that I didn't think we were going to be a good match, and that I was about to get very busy with work.

I thought that would be the end of it, but apparently this town is ridiculously small. The first time I saw him after that was at a beer event in Uptown. I see him about every six months, and always chuckle about it to myself and anyone else around. The worst date ever. With Creepy Naked Guy.

Sorry...

It's been a while since the last update....though I have a feeling I'll about to have more time on my hands....a silly little skiing accident years ago has re-insterted itself into my life. I spent this morning today sleeping in and searching for the nearest urgent care facility. I have a date with an MRI this week. More to follow on that.

The last 10 or so days have been wonderful - with the exception of a few ill advised moments on Friday night, most notably the dismount. Anyhow, I've been exploring and tour guiding and kickball observing and enjoying fleeting moments and stealing glances and savoring memories and receiving perfect planning scores and so many other things that I'm unable to recall at the moment.

I'll get into the details of the previous week later, but I'll recap the holiday weekend while it's fresh in my brain. It's going to be a superlightningquick recap, so don't blink or you might miss it. Friday I left work early to watch the soccer game. I was still high from my first survey from a client (Excellent, mind you!). There wasn't a lot to do in the office, and all of my clients in house were ecstatic. Instead of soccer, I took a detour for ice cream with a friend. Had an amazing chat, incredible ice cream, and just in general enjoyed the company. After that, I headed home, showered and got ready to meet A and K - my first official visitors!! Well, A was here for a conference, so it wasn't entirely for me. We met at the restaurant in my hotel, where our amazing bartender wowed the ladies with his cocktail making abilities. We quickly decided we didn't want to do Bourbon Street. Suffice to say we ended up there. Saturday I slept in, picked up the girls, watched soccer, took a nap, went out in Uptown and cleaned up at Apples to Apples. Sunday - slept in (finally! two days in a row!), watched kickball, watched exploding fireworks (BEST. FIREWORKS. EVER.) and napped on my colleague's porch. Today, urgent care, laziness, pizza and Willy Wonka.

Send good thoughts to my brother and his amazing family. After giving birth to their second handsome son, my brothers girlfriend was admitted to the hospital (on his birthday no less!). I believe she is home now, recovering...I'm sad I can't be there for them. It's the moments like these that you don't think about when you pack up your life. The people in my life that I love the most are so far away, and I can't be there for them. I can't wait to see everyone in August and hug them and tell them how much I care and miss them.

While I am having a wonderful experience in this city, there are certainly the downsides. So, if anyone out there wants to build one of those Star Trek transporter thingys, I'll be your first customer.

Funny, the way it is....

Life is the most interesting, mysterious, enjoyable experience ever. Things change so quickly, in a fraction of the blink of an eye. Realizations that although some things are not as they seem, they more frequently are. It's truly a small world, and part of the reason for my change of locale was to escape it. And then I realized I can't. I'm exactly the same person, doing the exact same things. It's taken me less than three weeks to realize this. And the best part about it?

I love it.

I love that I have the guts to go for what I want. To take the worst possible situation and make the best of it. To see, to truly see, the good in everyone, even (and sometimes especially) the people you think are complete a-hole douchebags. I love that I'm doing exactly the job that I love, in a place that I love. I had lost the passion for doing this job before, and I needed to be away from it for a while. To experience more. I'm so much better equipped to deal with all the aspects of this job, and I've regained my passion for it.

I could sit here and be upset about my vacation being put on ice for a year, but I'm not. I know that the postponed concert will happen, and it will likely be 1,000X better because of the delay. After my trip to Target in the suburbs, I could be sad that I have to replace most of my worldly belongings, but I'm not. I know that I get new cool silverware and a shower curtain that I've wanted for a while. I miss my couch, and it would have been the perfect style. But it would have been too big.

So many opportunities present themselves in life, and if we don't jump at the opportunity, it just....passes us by. I see the status updates and the Twitter feeds of all the things I'm missing out on in Minneapolis, and then I realize there's a festival here literally every weekend. Greek Fest, Creole Tomato Fest, whatever, opportunities that I would miss in Minneapolis if I WERE there. And I wouldn't even know it, because I'd still be stuck in the same rut. I don't mean that to sound like it probably does. I mean that I'd be doing the same things, with the same people, in the same places. And here, I may be doing the same things, but it's different. And somehow, seems better.

I'll close by saying this: I TRULY hope that my friends and family, who I love with all my heart, come to visit me. So they can experience this city. It's really amazing. I hope that whoever reading this has a dream, and passion. And when they have the opportunity, they take it. They break out of their shell. They jump so far out of their comfort zone, they can't even see it.

Because if I can, ANYONE can. And you should. Ask yourself what it is you want out of life. And then go for it. Don't let anyone tell you can't, or that you shouldn't. Or anything. Just do it. You won't regret it, I promise. Not for one single second.

A friend of mine said something to me that was quite poignant - don't regret anything you've done, because at the time you did it, it was EXACTLY what you wanted. No regrets, no looking back. Only going forward.

One last thing: if you live in MN, please, PLEASE, quit complaining about the humidity and road construction. I'm tired of those being the only two things I see on Facebook and Twitter. Spend some time here in August and you'll never complain about either again. Besides, isn't that what you suffer all winter for? Humidity and road construction?

Possibly the worst news ever....

Ok, so that might be a bit of an exaggeration. I just read that Bono (of U2 fame, for those that have lived in a cave for the last two decades) injured his back prepping for the upcoming tour and had to have back surgery.

The last time U2 came to Minny, I bought a ticket the day before the show for $125. I sold it the night of the show for $300. Anyone that knows me knows I have few regrets. This is one of them. When I heard they were coming back, come hell or high water, I was going to be at the show. I bought into the fan club so I could get presale tickets and I did. 2 GA tickets.

I bought my plane ticket yesterday. YESTERDAY. 6/25 - 7/4. So long as the concert isn't delayed more than a week, I will still be able to go. If it's rescheduled for any time after 7/3, I'm fucked. I know this is karma messing with me and I think it's bullshit. If I don't get to see them, the universe can go fuck itself for all I care. I KNOW I shouldn't have sold those tickets, but don't punish me like this!!! Please!!

Also, I wish Bono a very speedy recovery and truly hope it's nothing serious. Aside from enjoying their music immensely, Bono is a humanitarian in every sense of the word. I may not agree with all of his political views, but the man wants to make the world a better place. And he puts his money where his mouth is. I have mad respect for him and hope that he gets better soon.

Or discovers cortisone shots.

Wa wa wee wa!

Hey hey!! For the first time in my entire life, I've moved away from home. I don't count the year I spent at Mankato State as being away from home (mainly because I was home every stinkin weekend), so this is quite the jump. I had a dream of moving to the Big Apple and instead I'm in the Big Easy. I will still get to Manhattan, but for now, I'm good here. I'll share the chronicles of the drive down, and everything leading up to it in future posts, but I'll give my first impressions of the city that's below sea level today. Once my computer arrives in a couple of weeks, I'll have more of an opportunity to be a regular poster and contributer.

My first night here was Wednesday. I checked into my new hotel and had dinner in the bar. After talking to Sam for a while, I decided to check out this thing called Bourbon Street. You may have heard of it. I certainly had, and it was everything I expected and more. I only walked a few blocks down, past a bunch of gentlemen's clubs, and found a bar with a live band and 3-for-1's! Seriously? Granted my Red Bull/Vodka was $16, but still....it was huge! And I'm not normally a size queen. The band was pretty good too. I made friends with an older couple (George and Susie, you're absolutely adorable!!), and a few guys that were in town doing some contracting work of some sort. We found an Irish pub (I'm a complete sucker for a good Irish pub) and played pool and then I headed back home.

Thursday I slept in, ordered room service, and met my new co-workers. They seemed really nice and I think I'm going to fit in just wonderfully. A friend of a friend picked me up and toured me around the city a bit. I really like the Uptown area. This weekend I'll do more driving around as I don't generally like sleeping while I work (or having the pen dipped in the company ink). Just makes me too accessible.

Friday I had some loose ends to tie up in Minneapolis so I went back for the weekend. Yesterday marked the first day on the job - touring around the building, meeting some of my new colleagues, an all afternoon meeting and a quick reception. I'd been hearing nothing but wonderful things about the Cuban sandwich at Cajun Mikes, and since I was unable to get one on Sunday (stupid wonderful crawfish boil!), I went back Monday. And it was wonderful. So were the people I was sitting next to. So wonderful, in fact, that I ended up staying way past my bedtime (completely missing my date with Jack Bauer), and laughed and laughed and laughed. Also, I will be back on Wednesday to try said Cuban sandwich with bacon. Bacon makes everything better, I say.

All in all, the first few days have been wonderful, and I'm excited to discover all this city has to offer in the coming years. That's right, I plan on being here at least three years. C'mon, I want to be at a Super Bowl dammit!! And hopefully the Vikings will be in it. There are a lot of things I will adopt about this city - po' boys, crawfish, jambalya, gumbo, Mardi Gras, Jazzfest, all the other Fests - but the Saints are NOT one of them. This girl is a Viking fan for life. Please don't beat me up because of it.

Lastly, I don't care what anyone says, Minnesota Nice is a farce. I was born and raised there, and it's a load of crap. It's more like Minnesota Passive-Agressive. Southern Hospitality is where it's at. Thanks for being so welcoming so far. I truly cannot wait to fall in love with this city and the people here.