Myth No. 1: I am dead and my corpse is in a wood chipper. No, dear reader (who is probably just Layla because it's possible everyone else has given up on me), the truth is this poor little blog has been silent largely because I've been completely overwhelmed by the moving process. Try transporting three cats halfway across the country. (For the record, staying in a hotel with cats is not ideal if your goal is to actually sleep.) And then not having any furniture. (A sleeping bag on top of an air mattress really sucks.) And then starting a new job in a totally different industry with a totally different office culture. It's been a lot to deal with all at once.
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| They meowed all night. |
Myth No. 2: The weather is terrible. Yes, it snowed today. But the snow didn't stick. (Which I am thankful for, since I haven't driven in real snow since grad school.) In fact, winter has been ridiculously mild. Two weekends ago, it was 70 degrees (I know, right?), and I ran outside in shorts. Shorts! In Minnesota! In March!
Myth No. 3: It's hard to make friends. (This is also what people said about Seattle, where it's called the Seattle Freeze. But I called it bullshit because I met Annie in Seattle, and she is one of my very best friends ever and the most loyal, steadfast, not-flaky person, and she was born and raised in Seattle. So take that, stupid stereotypes!) True, I haven't been here for very long and am still finding my tribe, but I definitely don't feel like I'm just sitting at home, asking my cats about their day. (Although I do enjoy talking to my cats. And singing to them. And discussing their decision-making process and why they keep making poor choices.)
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| An awesome welcome from my MN Coeur teammates! |
Myth No. 4: Everyone is extremely conservative. Um, no. There's a fair amount of Bernie signs. My coworkers don't hesitate to criticize -- loudly, and in an office environment -- Trump and Cruz. And the Wedge could pass for a neighborhood in Portland.
Myth No. 5: I will feel land-locked. Guys, there's water everywhere. In fact, "The Land of 10,000 Lakes" is incorrect; there are 11,842. (And I can't wait for open water swim season to start. Yes, that is something I never thought I would say in my life.)
So things are going well so far. I have yet to meet Prince and become a protege, but I did find an Eastern European deli that has blood sausage (and we all know blood sausage is pretty much the next best thing to Prince) and I love this co-op grocery and did you realize there is also a waterfall within city limits? And then there was the Roman-themed dinner -- complete with a whole pig -- at Third Bird last week. And the speakeasy-ish bar with craft cocktails, Medieval church decor and $5 cheeseburgers wrapped in paper. And the international market that makes me wish I had five stomachs so I could eat everything. And have I mentioned you can walk or bike everywhere because the trail system here is so damn good? And my apartment has a full-on lap pool. And this store is the best place ever. And people here hate the Seahawks!
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| This is my view every day. |
Minneapolis is pretty nice.
4 comments
While I'm still bummed that you left the PNW, that'ss entirely for selfish reasons. I think you could be dropped at the North Pole or Sudan and you'd immediately make friends and find cool things -- that's just how you are. (Maybe that would be a good way to resolve things in Syria, though again, I have selfish reasons for not wanting you to go there, either.)
See? Layla is the only person who reads this blog. (Layla, I love you and miss you and let's buy an island.)
When I visited MN a few years ago I really liked it a lot - great town and the still the best Whole Foods I've ever been to. I have a feeling you're going to love it there. :)
I missed your blogging...so glad you're settling in!!
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