Bucket List: Minnehaha Falls

I need to start by saying I can't take credit for this picture. (I'll spare you the story of the lost camera) However, this is about what the falls looked like when I went. A little less water though.

I went to the falls in different circumstances than planned. I went as a date. A date I REALLY wasn't looking forward to actually. But it turned out great!

After seeing this beautiful view (and finding a friendly raccoon I named Ralphy,) we danced by a small pool (where according to my date people wash their clothes during the day and children swim). This date also came with sitting in a knotted tree next to the Mississippi River.

So although I wasn't too excited about this adventure to begin with, it couldn't have been any better.

Bucket List: Unplanned

Plans to attend an art museum were suddenly changed when horror of horrors, the museum was closed. Instead we crossed off some bucket list items I didn't even know I should have. Once again my two fearless friends have out done themselves. 

We first explored the wonders of Wild Rumpus, a children's bookstore that has cats and a chicken roaming free inside! The decorations were adorable and books were crammed into every possible location. I could have stayed all day!

We then made our way straight through downtown Minneapolis where I couldn't get enough of the huge buildings rising around us. (Can you tell I don't get out much?)

We finished our adventure with a trip to a Tiki Bar called  Psycho Suzi's. 

Bucket List: Small Pleasures

 These were my attempts to capture small bucket list desires. Ever since moving to Minnesota I've heard how nice Byerly's is. It's only a grocery store, but by the way I've heard people talking about it you'd think it was a palace! "Chandeliers!" and "carpeted floors!" So finally I checked it out. It was indeed, simply a grocery store. To be honest though, I was slightly disappointed not seeing women in beautiful gowns or even a throne inside.

So this is a sad excuse for a "city skyline scene." I'm hoping to get a better one before I leave. Pictures never do justice. The place the photo was taken is a spot I have driven by many times. Every time I come around the corner to see the city lights gleaming it takes my breath away! 

Bucket List: Bettie Page

My friends and I crossed off another item from my bucket list quite a while ago. Bettie Page's, a 50s vintage clothing store. We had so much fun dressing up! The women working doted on us! I have never wanted to live in the 50s SO bad!! It doesn't help that lately I've been watching movies like "White Christmas" and "Holiday Inn." Now all I ever want to do is put on a pretty dress and dance. **SIGH** A girl can dream.

Kosraean Wedding

My cousin got married. His bride is from Kosrae, a small Micronesian island. As a result the wedding was vastly different from any I've ever attended. I think it would have just seemed like a laid back wedding if it weren't for the food (which unfortunately I didn't think to get pictures of). The whole experience felt like playing pretend to me though. So here are some "pretend wedding" pictures.

Beginning the Bucket List

As I near the end of my time in Minnesota I am scrambling to cross off activities from my Minnesota Bucket List. 

Catholic Cathedral in St. Paul

Doesn't do justice to the actual majesty and grandeur of the inside.

Mickey's Dinning Car. Ever seen Jingle All the Way? Mighty Ducks? Those are just a few movies with a scene filmed right here.

Each table has their own little jukebox. We all enjoyed singing along to Lean on Me at the top of our lungs. 

Murder Mystery

My life wouldn't be the grand adventure it is without great friends. Normal people watch movies or play games. We have murder mystery dinner parties. The pictures are horrible, but we still had fun.

The dinner table

 

Our beautiful hostess (the murderer) and her husband

 

 

 

I played the role of Phoebe Tyler Wallingford, a matronly blue-blood

If you look close you may see my white highlights

A Woodland Adventure

Today was a beautiful day, so I decided to go exploring and see what adventures I could find.

The trail I took didn't look like it gets much use.

One of the few people I saw on the part of the trail that was maintained and used.

The view from a hidden beach I found.

There were some beautiful leaves right on the shore.

 And as the sign says, it was "really neat."

 The gold leaves were even reflecting the sunlight.

Doesn't it just look so peaceful?

Scissor Guardian

Yesterday, about an hour before leaving work, there was news that the bank down the street from my office had been robbed
 and that cops were out looking for the culprit.

Concerned about a young single girl sitting by herself during all of this, an agent went to the office manager
to make sure he'd be close by,
just in case. 

No need to worry after this! If any robber came in, my boss would have shown him just what a staple remover can do!

Conversion

Remember that whole college student thing? Ya, that's in transition mode right now too, and it's rather difficult.

Not only have I been out of school for nearly 3 years, but I am transferring colleges. There are all sorts of new terms and ways of doing things that I have to work at staying calm sometimes.(I mean who has ever heard of TSIP? And using my personal email instead of a school one? How weird is that!) I consistently have to remind myself that it's a process and that eventually it will be second nature. I also have to remind myself that I know I'm going where the Lord wants me to be.

Sound familiar to anyone? (Specifically people who have joined the LDS church later in life?)

That's right! Analogy time! But hey, I FINALLY think I can relate! (So I got too excited not to share this.)

I've heard of (and personally witnessed) new converts growing frustrated after joining the church. It's a new language. It's a new culture. It's a new social group. It's confusing. It can be frustrating. I've always known that, but now I really KNOW it.

You hear the familiar words like "Jesus," "Spirit," "faith." But what about those other words? "Bishopric," "endowment," "trunky?" What are those? You knew you were doing the right thing in joining the church but now what you mostly feel is confused and often frustrated.

Here is what has helped me in my own "conversion":

1. Asking! I've had to humble myself and realize that sometimes even the simple things confuse me. But it's better to ask and look stupid than stay quiet and really be stupid.
2. Research. Go to the right source of course. I've spent many hours exploring the Texas State website and wearing their search engine out. 
3. Prayer. Whenever I get really frustrated I start losing hope. I question if my decision was right. But I KNOW it's right! So I pray for peace, patience, and faith. 

Understanding will come! But not all at once. After some time I'm sure I'll look back and laugh, "psh! I can't believe I had such a hard time with that!" 

Let the Adventures Begin!

That's right! My blog is going through some changes. After years of inactivity, I think it's about time.

I've been reflecting on my life thus far, and scheming for my future (and really, who doesn't?). The more I think about it though, I realize life is one great big adventure story. The adventure of being single (or is that more of a horror?), the daily adventure of smiles or tears, the adventure of beginning school again.

Now, my life is nothing like the adventures of Frodo and Sam. Nor will it ever be anything like Gulliver's Travels. (Who wants to be tied down by the little people anyway?) However, it's my adventure and I think it's great! Sure it's full of ups, downs, and really dull moments, but that's what makes life an adventure.

Right now my adventure begins with me. Just me. And some inspirational, supportive characters. Some day I look forward to having a partner through this adventure of life, and our own little hoodlum adventurers. But getting to that point of life is my current adventure.

So it may not always be exciting or glamorous, but I invite you to join my adventure! (Bring your own snacks!)