Wednesday, October 16, 2013

10 Days Away: Minneapolis

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Even though I just got back from my 10 day trip to Minneapolis/Chicago on Monday afternoon, I am packing my bags again and will be heading to the coast with my family tomorrow morning.  Phew!  October is going to be a whirlwind!!  No complaints here as it's all fun stuff.

But before time escapes from me, I wanted to start to recap my 10 days away.  Even though 10 days seemed like a long time to be gone, it actually went by remarkably fast!  I started off my trip by flying into Minneapolis 2 Fridays ago.  I had been looking forward to this weekend for quite awhile as the purpose of my trip was my cousin's wedding!  This is the daughter of my "Julia Child aunt & uncle" aka my St. Paul parents.  I've always been close to my all my aunts and uncles, but since moving to Minneapolis 10 years ago, I became very close to this family because I had the opportunity to spend more time with them.  I've spent holidays with them, we've of course done Julia Child night, and they participated in my ritualistic pre- and post-CFA dinners.  So I was VERY excited for my cousin's wedding as the closer you are to the couple getting married, the more special and fun it is to attend!

I flew in Friday night and met my parents at their hotel downtown.  I had non-stop family fun from Friday night through Sunday morning, and it was wonderful. 

My Saturday morning looked like this - a latte and time with 2 of my nephews!

It was nice to have some time in downtown Minneapolis as I got to show my parents more of the city center, which is an area they hadn't spent much time in.  We walked to brunch, did some shopping (well my mom and I did, we let my dad skip out on that) and of course hit up my favorite macaron shop!!

Yum!  A trip home isn't complete without some macarons.  We also tried a homemade GF oreo which was really yummy!

After an afternoon of family time, it was time for the big event!  The wedding was held at a beautiful mansion close to downtown Minneapolis.  It was such a beautiful event and venue.  I've never seen my cousin so happy; she definitely found her soul mate.  I had a great time chatting with family and dancing with my nephews!  Well, Andrew & James (pictured top left) would dance with me, Matthew (pictured bottom right) was a solo show on the dance floor!


The evening came and went incredibly fast.  It was a late night, followed by an early morning as I spectated the Twin Cities marathon the following morning.  I got to the start early enough to snap a shot of the runners from my running club.  I did have a tough moment when I walked into the metrodome where the runners all congregate as being around a marathon is hard for me as it's pretty unlikely that I will ever be able to run one again.  But the sadness went away quickly when I saw the people from my running club who were racing that day.


After wishing them all luck, my coach and I headed out to mile 17 to spectate.  I knew quite a few people running it so it was especially fun to cheer the runners on. The Twin Cities course is so beautiful, I snapped this shot from the area where we were spectating.


After the marathon, I met some friends for coffee and had dinner with Phil, so Sunday was a full day. 

I worked in the Minneapolis office on Monday and ended up having an unexpected free night that evening (which is a rare occasion on these trips home... they tend to be incredibly over-planned) and it was a beautiful night, so I laced up my tennis shoes and went for a walk through my old neighborhood.  It was a beautiful night and was a little bittersweet for me to walk through an area that I used to, but no longer, call home.


I worked in the office on Tuesday and then flew out to Chicago on Tuesday evening.

As usual, my time at home was wonderful.  I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to come home, but it is also a bittersweet experience because there is such a feeling of impermanence on these trips home.  While I am home, I try not to think about the fact that each trip will come to an end but it is easier said than done.  I also struggle with feelings of guilt over not seeing as many people as I would like.  I know I need to accept that I can't do everything and see everyone, but it's still hard as I need to balance time with family, friend, and time spent networking, and on this trip I had to fit in time at work as well.

But all that aside, I had a fabulous 4 days in Minneapolis.  And luckily I had 5 full days in Chicago ahead of me, so flying away from Minneapolis wasn't as difficult as it usually is... But my Chicago recap will have to wait until next week when I am back from Myrtle Beach!

If you have moved away from home, do you struggle to fit it all in when you return for a visit?  I know I put entirely too much pressure on myself and end up over-scheduling but I also think/hope this is a temporary phase and I will be back home, or closer to home, by next fall.

20 comments:

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

It sounds like a wonderful time in MN! I love all the pictures of you dancing with your nephews :) Adorable.

I still remember in college the panic of seeing *everyone* when I was only home for a few days, ha. I have a friend who lives in DC now but comes home to visit her family and boyfriend who live here. I try to never EVER pressure her to hang out because I know how insane that must be for her. I basically only see her when she is home for a long period of time and even then I just tell her you tell me when and I'll be available but I completely understand if you can't. It's just way too crazy.

Hopefully you will soon be back for good and this problem will be over :)

Becky said...

I think when you're headed for a visit like that over-scheduling or packing it in is common. Like you said hopefully you'll have to do it less and less because you'll be there (or closer to there) soon! Have a great time at the beach!

Caroline said...

I definitely used to do the same thing wen I came home. There were so many things I wanted to do and people I wanted to see that I used to over-schedule and it ended up just stressing me out haha. Sounds like you had a great time though, can't wait to hear about Chicago!

missris said...

I don't necessarily want to live in Austin again (I mean I totally would, obvs, but it's not at the very top of my list) but driving around that city makes me so sad. I remember what it was like when I lived there and how carefree those days were. So much has changed, and I always get hit with such a powerful pang of nostalgia. And don't even get me started on how I feel about no longer living in Chicago. Two years later I still can't talk about it without crying.

Marlys said...

It was a whirlwind trip to Mpls but filled with such fun! I am anxious to hear a recap on your Chicago trip,too, as some of the pictures you posted on facebook showed lots of activity, too! See you tonight in Charlotte! I can't believe it's here as we have been waiting for this for such a long time!

Jeanie said...

I'm so glad you had such a good time, Lisa! It sounds wonderful in every way and just what you needed.

Since I'm where I always was, my big problem is going to Cleveland where all my cousins are, along with a good friend. There are three and a weekend never does it, unless we have a potluck. I'm doing that this week, though -- going Thursday and not coming back till Monday. I could probably spend longer, but this will be the longest trip I've had and should be able to get one on one with everyone!

Leigh said...

So glad that you had an amazing trip home! I know what you mean about trying to fit everything in while you are home...happens to me each time I go home, but have to realize that I came home to spend time with my family, so that's what I do :)

Nora said...

I can relate to trying to cram it all in; when I was in WI and came back to STL for work, I felt like I had to see everyone and was always disappointing someone! IT was so hard to see family, friends, get work stuff done and have a few moments for myself, too. I had to remind myself that I am just one person!

Glad you had such an awesome time on the trip. Have I mentioned how great it was to see you?

Carolina John said...

I still overschedule when we get to Greenville. Usually it's all just people that we want to visit with but don't have time to see.

What a fun trip! I love that dress you wore to the wedding.

Alli said...

What a great trip! Since I over schedule my whole life anyway, I'm sure I'd be in the exact same boat as you.

Amber said...

Trips home have become fewer and farther between for us so I definitely find them overscheduled. I don't have a lot of friends left in my hometown so I really focus on spending time with family when we do go back.

I'm so glad you had a great time with family and friends when you were in Minn last week! Have SO MUCH fun in Myrtle Beach!!

Stephany said...

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time in Minneapolis. Even though you are in Charlotte now, it's awesome you are able to go back and spend time with family & friends! And hopefully soon you'll be able to book a one-way ticket back to Minneapolis! :)

I usually find myself on the OTHER end, where friends or family who live far away come to visit and sometimes, the timing doesn't work out (especially if they come during the weekday) or they're too busy with other things to meet up. (As is the case with one of my friends... I try not to let it bug me because I KNOW she is busy when she gets home, but it still hurts a little - especially since I once considered her my best friend and I was in her wedding.) So it's just hard on both sides, I think! But it's a good problem to have! :)

Have the best time in Myrtle Beach with your family!

Jolene - EverydayFoodie said...

I think it would be so hard to come home to somewhere you've moved away from and make time for everyone ... I know a lot of friends who have struggled with this.

Raquelita said...

This isn't so much a problem for me because I moved around as a kid and then my mom moved again a couple of years after I graduated high school. The longest I lived anywhere was my time in grad school, so I used to feel that way when I returned there, but increasingly I have fewer friends there as people have graduated or moved. It's a strange feeling to not have as much to fit in.

I'm so glad you had a good trip home!

Shoshanah said...

I hate having to schedule my trips home. To the point that most times I don't and then wind up not seeing people I'd love to see. It's always hard visiting home, and only having a short window of time to do everything you want. But I guess as long as you fit it the most important things you want to do, it works itself out.

The Many Thoughts of a Reader said...

You have had a great spree of travel! I am jealous. I need some new views. Spring break is too far away! Though I am planning a weekend trip away as a surprise Christmas gift for the husband!

qwerkyqook said...

Thanks for the kind comments about the wedding! We barely had a chance to chat, can't wait for JC night!!!!

Kyria @ Travel Spot said...

I am glad you had such a great time with your family and friends. I do have a hard time scheduling everyone when I used to return home. I always ended up missing someone in the area! But that's okay; it's just more the reason to come back again! Even when I am closer to home, I still have problems trying to see people! My aunt lives on the road on the way to my brother's house and I always feel bad when I drive to his house and pass her by! I really liked your coffee shop idea though; that's the way to go!

Unknown said...

I just found this post. (Sorry, I have lost control of my reader). I am so glad you were able to mix work and Suzanne's wedding to extend your trip. The whole event went by so quickly and I am sorry we didn't have more time to visit. Fortunately, Julia night is right around the corner!!!

Charis Faith said...

Oh doll, you will be home again soon, hold on and good things are headed your way!!!