One night on the way home from a dinner out with Phil (yep, that is my boyfriends name, I am not going the nickname route this time around), we drove by a BBQ place and I said - 'Oh, we should go to Brasa sometime for BBQ.' - to which he agreed as he also likes this place (which I especially love because almost the entire menu is GF and thus safe fo rme). A minute passed and I said, 'Oh and we should go out for brunch sometime! We have never gone out for brunch!' He paused before responding and said - 'you are making a bucket list, aren't you?'
And I think that is the moment that the fact that I was likely going to be moving away became a bit more real.
So yes, I have started to formulate a bucket list. It feels a bit weird to be making one because while I can't say this with 100% certainty because life is full of surprises, I really know in my heart that I will be back eventually. I truly don't see Charlotte being a long-term home for me. So I don't have this feeling that I MUST DO EVERYTHING. But I do want to make sure I fit in a handful of experiences before I leave. I do not have the most flexible schedule or all that much free time since CFA studying eats up many of my evening and weekend hours and I'll also be busy preparing for this move, so I created a realistic, do-able list. Here is what I've come up with so far!
1. Spend an afternoon with my local nephews. I am hoping to find a free Sunday afternoon in March to take them out to lunch and to a bookstore for the afternoon. I'll really miss seeing my nephews on a regular basis so I definitely want to soak up some time with them.
2. Eat at some of my favorite places with Phil. So far my list includes brunch at Wilde Roast Cafe (I love the atmosphere there), sushi at my favorite place, Fuji-Ya, happy hour at my favorite Mexican place, Masa, which has THE BEST margaritas for $5 and the best tacos for $3, and dinner at Brasa.
3. The "Bunny Run" followed by brunch afterwards at Elsie's. The Bunny Run is one of my favorite long run routes as we run along 3 local lakes and the turnaround point is this bizarre bunny statue in South Minneapolis. The group's favorite brunch spot is Elsie's which is a cheap bowling alley/restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis. I am really, really sad to say good bye to my run club friends, and I am sad that I will have to resign from the Run Club Board, which I JUST became a member of in December. :(
4. Have friends over for dinner. I love having people over for dinner but haven't in over a year! I am planning on having a small group of people over in mid-February for lasagna!
It's a relatively short bucket list, but I think it's do-able. I was able to extend my Charlotte start date to April 8th so I can spend Easter with my family, so that means I have just over 2 months to enjoy Minneapolis and the close proximity of friends and family to the fullest!
If you found out you were moving in 2 months, what experiences would make your bullet list?
So glad they let you extend your move date so you can spend Easter with your family :)
ReplyDeleteThese all sound like great Bucket list things to do! I think I would have hit all my favorite restaurants as well.
I love this idea! And I love that these were all do-able things.
ReplyDeleteIf we were moving I think I would be going into D.C. (during the day and night) to just be near the monuments - I don't take advantage of being so close a lot of the time. I would definitely also re-visit Mount Vernon - I think that's one of my happy places!
This is a good idea for a way to soak up these next 2 months before you move. And YAY being able to delay your start date so you can spend Easter with your family. That's great.
ReplyDeleteI think my big things to do would be to hit up the beaches and amusement parks around my area. And lots of my favorite restaurants. :)
You know how I love bucket lists! I'm so glad that they extended your move date, that'll be great to spend a good solid two months with your fam and friends : )
ReplyDeleteI love that you have this. I also have one, even though I am not leaving. We always laugh about it though, because it mostly involves FOOD! I try to try new places as well as enjoying my old favorites. However, there are a few things I would add if I were leaving soon... (1) go running along the Embarcadero in San Francisco, ending at the GG Bridge. I love the views the entire time and need one last look at the beauty of that icon. (2) Go trail running on my favorite trail (which I took you partly on). Who knows if my new place will have such a great system. Speaking of that, will you now have some trails to run on!? (3) Go up to my parents house, both to see them and to enjoy the area, which is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere are a bunch more things I would probably WANT to do, but if I were as busy as you, I would try to make it realistic and add things later if I have more time!
This is an awesome idea, Lisa! The only regret I had when I look back about moving away from "home" is -- there are SO MANY THINGS I didn't do to take advantage of living in the area. (ex- I NEVER ate at the Red Pepper or whatever it's called, I NEVER have gone ice skating, and the list goes on)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great list. I was worried (knowing you) that your list would be like "run a marathon" or something huge. You are such a traveler, you will handle this move well -- I know it!
Glad you were able to extend your time in MN a bit. That Mexican place sounds amazing; you know I'm a sucker for all things Mexican.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very doable bucket list! The time will go so fast, as you are so busy! Still hoping for news that there is a job opening in Mpls soon! I am looking forward to our trip to Charlotte in Feb to seach for an apartment, if one doesn't show up! Make the most of each day!
ReplyDeleteI think a bucket list of things to do before you move is a great idea. If I had to create a bucket list, it would include trying some new restaurants, going for a hike and seeing a park in the south of the city that I've never been to
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea! Savor your last 2 weeks by visiting you favorite haunts!
ReplyDeleteI would spend time outside on our lakes and parks and eat at the expensive sushi restaurant I can't afford. :)
I love your bucket list! I think it will really help you enjoy the next 8 weeks, rather than merely focus on being sad about leaving. If I found out I was moving in a couple months, I'd definitely visit a couple favorite restaurants, visit a couple new restaurants (that I've been meaning to check out), try to complete a few short runs in my favorite neighborhoods, take SoMi to our favorite dog parks and schedule as much time with friends and family as my calendar will allow. In other words, exactly what you're doing, only in Chicago rather than Minneapolis! =)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great bucket list! We have a Brasa in Raleigh that I love, but don't get to go to very often.
ReplyDeleteOOh this is a great thought! Definitely something to think on.... And sounds like you've got a great list going on there. Great way to enjoy your favorites :)
ReplyDeleteI'm SO GLAD to hear you were able to move your start date!! What a relief.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having this bucket list of things to do and look forward to over the next couple of months. Especially all the delicious restaurants you're planning to visit!
I love this. I think I'll do a 2 month bucket list on my blog - I feel for you girl. You are very brave and very strong.
ReplyDeleteBucket lists are fun! I had one when I was leaving Baltimore and it is a nice memory to carry---visiting all my favorite spots "one last time" :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy these next 2 months and soak up all the fun you can.
If I had to make a Bucket List for Pittsburgh, it would defn be mostly comprised of restaurants and all the yummy food I love that is specific to the region. It wasn't until I moved to Baltimore that I actually realized there are certain foods/meals you will ONLY find in Pittburgh :)
YES to Fuji-ya, Brasa and Masa! Such good delicious places. I haven't been to Wild Roast Cafe but just checked out their menu and will definitley be planning a trip! Glad you got your start date pushed back!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list! I love Wilde Roast Cafe -- it's actually the first place I ate in MSP. A week or so after I arrived in MN, I went to a blogger meet-up in the cities and we met there. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I've been here long enough to formulate much of a bucket list, but I think I'd definitely like to do another run on the coastal trail and drive along the Turnagain Arm again if I were leaving.
This is a great idea. I just tried to imagine myself having to leave Montreal for an extended period of time against my wish and it made me so sad. I love my home city and although I want to travel and maybe live or work abroad for a short time,there's just no place like home. My bucket list of Montreal would include.... A night out on the town downtown with some best friends at a local club or bar, a dinner at 'La Banquise' which serves the best poutine in Montreal (we're known for it), catching a big show or hockey game at the Bell center, our major venue (holds 20 000 people)and definitely hanging out a whole day at my brother's house with my family & nephew.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck accomplishing your whole list!
I think a lot of things on my list would be food. As it is, every time I'm back home in California I make a point to got to restaurants I've missed.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do love your idea of having people over for dinner. If we had to move, I'd definitely want to have some sort of get together in our house first.