One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to blog more...
considering it’s been over two weeks since my last update, I’d say I need to
work on this resolution.
In the last two weeks, Nathaniel and I have both started jobs, watched the Patriots lose, explored a few places in Minneapolis, and all around started to settle in to our new lives together, here in Minneapolis. It’s been exciting and overwhelming at times, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve enjoyed every second of living with my best friend and transitioning into my new role here in the Minnesota office of Free the Children.
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| Nathaniel at Bryant-Lake Bowl |
On our adventures a couple weeks ago, we found ourselves at
Bryant-Lake Bowl. This place is a whole in the
wall bar meets alley way bowling with no computer screens to keep score and
amazing food. It was actually featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives which is
what prompted us to eat there before we bowled. We met a really nice family
next to us and the dad taught us how to score our game (I’m still trying to
teach Nathaniel though) and I have to say, Nathaniel beat me both times. It is
definitely a place we will visit more often and one we will take family/friends
when they visit.
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| Archiver's |
Another spot we decided we had to check out was... Dun dun
dunnnnn... The Mall of America! Fun fact: More people visit the Mall of America
annually than the populations of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, and Canada
combined! And being there, I can see why. If you are a mall/shopping person
(which I am about 50% of the time), this place was made for you. It is four
floors of pure heaven with any store you can possibly think of – including a
store for Betty Paige, including dresses like the ones she wore (I am currently
saving up for another trip back to this store). My other favorites included the
Vera Bradley store, Archiver’s (a store dedicated to scrapbooking – seriously?!),
and the Betty Paige store. Finally, if I haven’t sold the men yet on visiting
Mall of America with their significant others... there is an amusement park in
the center of the mall, complete with roller coasters and a ferris wheel, and a
Lego store that features MASSIVE lego structures. Yes, inside of a mall. Is
this an appropriate time to say “only in America”?
Okay, okay, we’ll get to some of the “why we’re actually
here” stuff, like jobs... Nathaniel landed a job at a distribution company and
has made a few friends there. Considering it looks like we will be staying here
a bit longer (sorry I can’t give out too much information about that yet), we
are currently on the search for a more permanent position for him. (And we’re
on a role, trust me!)
My job has been going really great, I’m loving my role here
in Minnesota and the fact that I get to be a part of our expansion into the
motherland. Last night, Nathaniel and I attended an event at The Blake School –
a top private school in MN and huge champions of Free The Children. It was a
fundraiser for clean water in Barind, India through FTC. While at the event, we
had the pleasure of meeting Dean and Hutton Phillips, the co-chairs for We Day
Minnesota! Their family has the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation of
Minnesota, which is an amazing philanthropic organization.
It was so nice to meet them and be in a middle school auditorium, seeing so
many young people come together for social change.
Lastly, I decided to (finally, after so many people have
told me to do so) open an Etsy shop! Right now I only have a few sets of
coasters listed, but once I have all my craft supplies here I will be able to
list my cards and other items as well. It’s still in the beginning stages, but
check it out: a Craft in my Step!
As you can see, we have settled in nicely and we are enjoying our life here in Minnesota. Check back for more updates!
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