The Secret of Dating: For Boys

You're looking at a cutesy, girly page! Don't be embarrassed. This is good for you. You may feel like if you get caught reading this by some other guy you'll lose you're man card. It's ok. Just make them read this too (they probably need it more than you do.) Cause I'm about to tell you the secret of dating that girl you really like.

Listen close!

I'll break it down into three simple things for you. Think you can manage that? Sure you can!

1. Be DIRECT

Girls always reminisce: what happened to the "good days" when boys asked a girl on a date by saying "Can I take you on a date?" instead of "We should do something sometime."

You might be thinking "I can't do that! What if they say 'no'?"

Here's a little secret: a girl is more likely to say yes if you are direct about your interest.

By saying "We should do something sometime" you are giving the girl an out! If she's not interested she'll say "ya, sure" and if you're lucky some day it might actually happen, but it will probably be with a group of other people and you'll forever be stuck in what the kids are calling the "friend zone."

If she's interested she'll go with it but neither of you will ever know cause you're just "doing something." And let's be honest, girls over think things. They will wonder over and over if this whole "doing something" is a date or not, so they'll play it cool by not acting too interested.

Now practice. "Can I take you on a date this weekend?"

Scenario #1: The girl is really impressed. She says yes. You win ten points and a date.
Scenario #2: The girl is really impressed. She says no. You win ten points and move on with life. (She'll probably be appreciating your directness the rest of the day and reconsider anyway.)

2. Be a GENTLEMAN

There is a lot to be said about a guy who opens doors. He goes to the girls front door to pick her up for a date, opens her car door for her to get in (let's avoid the awkward opening her door for her to get out of the car though,) and opens all building doors for her. True, you might get your occasional feminist who is offended, but they're so rare that you should probably stop reading this blog now and start a collection of endangered species if you've found one.

Other gentlemanly attribute: LISTEN. Seriously. Hitch had it right. Don't be looking at her lips and wondering what they feel like. If you like her you'll like what she has to say too. Remember the old days of "don't kiss on the first date?" It still applies!

You'll get a date by being direct, but you'll get a second date by listening and responding to what she has to say.

3. GENUINE compliments

Now, I'm not talking about "you're ______ " (insert adjective of physical appearance here). Girls don't want to hear how hot, beautiful, sexy, or cute they are. Yes, a simple "You look nice" or "You look great tonight" at the beginning of a date is wonderful. But PLEASE don't tell us in conversations how pretty we are all the time.

A girl wants to know you're interested in HER not her body. Compliment her on things that make her who she is. Her personality and talents. Wait until you're married to reassure her that you're also still attracted to her physically.

But don't put her on a pedestal. By doing that you are screaming to her "you're better than me! I don't deserve you." And she'll believe it. Admire her without being in awe of her. After all, YOU'RE the man! Be the man!

And that's it. Will following these three things ensure that you'll marry the girl you've been crushing on? Probably not. That's between the two of you. I'm just telling you three little secrets to help. Cause really, girls aren't as complicated as people say. We want respect and honesty just like anyone else.

Now stop reading and start dating.

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.