Tuesday, November 13, 2012

10 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 4

Today I am thankful that at the end of each trip, I return to a city and life that I love.

As you all know, I have been traveling A LOT lately.  So much that my last electricity bill was for just over $9.  Seriously.  While I appreciate the travel opportunities I've had - both for pleasure and for business - it is always good to return home.  Even on this last trip where I experienced a 50 degree temperature difference (went from 77F to 27F + snow flurries), it still felt good to unlock the door to my condo and enter my home.  I may have audibly sighed.  There is just nothing like sleeping in your bed, showering in your own bathroom, and preparing meals in your own kitchen.

I have been able to visit many different cities this year, and while I have enjoyed each city I have visited (some more than others), I always come home knowing that where I live right now is where I am meant to be.  Granted, I still feel a pull towards the city of Chicago, but it's a pull of curiosity (and, ok, Nilsa has something to do with that pull as I'd love to live in the same city as her); it's not a pull of "I need a change."

I didn't always feel this way about the city of Minneapolis, especially when I lived in my suburban condo.  When I lived in that condo, I was usually filled with a sense of heaviness when I returned back home - I am so glad I no longer feel that way.

I know Minneapolis and the Midwest with it's hot, humid summers, and blustery cold winters is not for everyone - but it certainly the right place for me!!

21 comments:

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

I need to come visit- it seems like a really cool city to me :) It's on my ever-growing and never seeming to decrease list haha. I definitely always like to come home, especially to my house because I love it- when I lived in an apartment before with Eric, we could've done without home haha.

Caroline said...

That's so awesome you love your city so much! I totally know what you mean of being so happy to sleep in your own bed. Such a great feeling!

Becky said...

"So much that my last electricity bill was for just over $9." That's crazy!!! Hope your travel winds down as you get closer to the holiday season.

I completely agree - it's so nice to just be home!

missris said...

Chicagooooo!! :) You know how I feel about that city. I don't *love* where I live now, but I'm grateful that I've been able to live some amazing places in my life.

J said...

Wow! It is crazy how much you have been traveling but it is always nice to come home!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I like MSP and have had a good time every time I went there -- even in December when it was negative one million degrees! I love to travel too but I know what you mean about sleeping in your own bed, or at least being able to buy food that doesn't spoil or you don't have to carry around with you! In fact, I bet your food prices made up for the cheap electricity!

Marlys said...

Home is where the heart is! Glad you are there!

Melissa said...

Awww I love this! I absolutely adore my home city, and although I do dream of living abroad sometime in my 20s I can't imagine settling down anyhwere but Montreal Every time I come home from vacation or from any kind of adventure abroad, my heart becomes lighter at the sight of my city- and my home!

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Awwww, be still my beating heart! =) I've only been to Minneapolis a handful of times over the years, but I think it's similar to St. Louis in that it's a 2nd tier city in terms of size (not nearly as big as a New York, Chicago, Houston, LA), but it offers all the things big cities offer (major sports teams, theater, museums, etc.), just on a much more manageable scale. Being able to live in a city like that is pretty darn awesome. But, yes, I can see why you'd consider Chicago, too (outside of the fact I live here - ha!).

Nilsa @ SoMi Speaks said...

Awwww, be still my beating heart! =) I've only been to Minneapolis a handful of times over the years, but I think it's similar to St. Louis in that it's a 2nd tier city in terms of size (not nearly as big as a New York, Chicago, Houston, LA), but it offers all the things big cities offer (major sports teams, theater, museums, etc.), just on a much more manageable scale. Being able to live in a city like that is pretty darn awesome. But, yes, I can see why you'd consider Chicago, too (outside of the fact I live here - ha!).

Nora said...

There is a lot of truth to the saying "no place like home." Glad you love getting home!

abbi said...

There's nothing like a place that feels like home. That is completely crazy that your last electric bill was $9!

Raquelita said...

I can't say that I would be keen to return to MN, but I think I might feel differently if I had lived where you do. It's wonderful that you feel so happy where you live!

Stephany said...

$9?!?! That is so crazy and shows how much you've been traveling lately!

I love traveling so much but is IS always nice to come home and be in your own place - especially your own bed! It's always nice to get back to normal.

San said...

Minneapolis sounds wonderful. J's brother went to McCallister College and J got the chance to visit him there once. He loved it. I haven't been out there in the MidWest.... I need to come visit ;)

Alli said...

As you know I am madly in love with my city too. I have lived many other places and loved them all in their own ways, but nothing has ever held my heart like New York. It's always so strange to me that you managed to live in the suburbs for so long because you're such a city girl, but I'm so glad that you're now in the city and loving life. I've got to get myself to MN one of these days.

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I'd love to visit Chicago ... I've only ever been in the airport. It seems like a cool city.

Leigh said...

It's amazing what loving your home can do for your life! I am so happy to hear that you love your condo and your city :) But you should come visit Calgary and maybe you won't want to go home ;)

Amber said...

I hear you! Nothing quite like coming home!! And your home is pretty darn fabulous :)

Abby said...

I am so glad to hear that you feel this way upon returning home. That is a true home! I can relate for sure now that we have our house.

That is one of the benefits of having a career that has one traveling so much -- you learn to appreciate what you have at home!

Jeanie said...

Lisa, what a beautiful and wonderful spirit you have and how I value your sense of gratitude. It makes me smile in every way.

On a totally unrelated note, I saw some lovely photos of you when I visited St. Louis and I got to meet Nora, too. You were beautiful in that wedding! Many smiles!