Why I Love Minneapolis - v1

Happy Monday!  I hope you enjoyed your weekend!  We had another weekend of unseasonably high (and wonderful) temps.  It will cool down a bit this week, but it's still nicer than our usual March (last year we had a blizzard this week), so I will not complain one bit!  Plus the cooler temps will cool down my hot box of a condo (they haven't switched our system from heating to cooling yet).

As I mentioned in my post last week, this spring has been challenging for me.  There is a lot of things I could focus on that tend to bring me down instead of lift me up.  That said, I fully recognize that happiness is a choice.  There are some tough things I can focus on (like the 36-40% pass rate for the CFA), or I can try to de-emphasize (is that a word?) those aspects and instead focus on the good things in my life.  Like the fact that I live in a city that I truly love and adore.

I sometimes lose sight of the fact that I am blessed to live where I live - so I am borrowing a post series that Kelly started, titled the "I Love Boston" project, and have decided to do a series of posts about why I love Minneapolis.  I figure it will force me to focus on the positive - and probably try some new things! And maybe it will make you want to come and visit! :)

I love Minneapolis because it is a wonderful city for running.

For my inaugural post, I thought I'd start with something that has been on my mind even more lately now that my running club season has started:  running.  Minneapolis is a wonderful city to run in!  You don't have to take my world for it, though, as Forbes magazine chose it as one of the "10 Best Cities for Runners"!  We have miles upon miles of running trails, an active running community, and runner-friendly weather.  Yes, it gets cold and snowy in the winter, but if you have the will to run, you can make winter running work.

I thought I'd share some photos of the areas that I love to run, all taken by Amber on her trip to visit me last summer!

Amber is standing on an area of a running path that is about 1.5 miles from my condo.  I run this loop a couple of times a week - it's so peaceful running next to the Mississippi River, and I love running back towards the Minneapolis skyline!

That first bridge in this photo is called the Stone Arch Bridge.  It's a pedestrian bridge located right by my condo.  Most of the runs in my neighborhood start and end by this bridge.

Lastly, this is the running path by my favorite lake, Lake Harriet.  I prefer to run by water as I find it so calming. so I have logged countless miles running around this lake when training for the various marathons and half-marathons I've done.

Finding a running club (with no kilt-wearing runners) has also made me appreciate the Minneapolis running community!

On Saturday our club had a water stop by the famous bunny statue, so some of us stopped to snap a quick picture!

For me, it is so important for a city to be running-friendly.  If I ever had to move, I would definitely take that into consideration as through my travels I have definitely come to find that some cities are more runner-friendly than others (like Chicago!  One of the best cities for runners in my opinion!)

What is one thing you love about the city you live in?  Is your city runner-friendly?

Thanksgiving Recap - Part II

And now for the 2nd half of the Thanksgiving recap!  On Friday, we all gathered in the evening in my condo for another family dinner.  I had to work that day, so I decided to serve lasagnas to keep it as simple as possible!  This was my first time hosting a meal for my family and doing it 100% on my own, so I wanted to set myself up for success!

We started out the evening with appetizers - an antipasti platter, which my SIL provided and fresh veggies!

After filling up on appetizers and wine, a group of us walked into city center for the Holidazzle Parade.  I have lived in Minneapolis for 9 holiday seasons now, and this was my first time taking in the parade!  The weather was gorgeous - much warmer than I ever thought it would be!

L-R:  Andrew, Matthew, Me, Kolin, and James.  Matthew and Kolin are sitting on my knees and I am barely holding my balance, hence the reason I am so close to the ground in this photo!

The boys got light sabers and I think they might have been more excited about them than the actual parade!

After the parade, we walked home! 

Excuse the blurriness of this iPhone photo!  Here is the salad!

Another horribly blurry iPhone photo of one of the pans of lasagna - this one was the vegetarian one and I was really happy with how it turned out!

Here we all, all sitting around my table.

This post wouldn't be complete without a photo of a baby.  Here is Anna in her tutu and holiday shirt, stretching out!

 All in all, it was a wonderful night.  I have watched my mom entertain for large groups year after year and she makes it looks pretty darn effortless...  Well, it's not quite effortless for me, yet.  I was a bit stressed at various points, but it all came together and everyone went home full and happy! 

Are you a cool, calm, and collected host/hostess?  I really, really tried to be and I kept telling myself not to get stressed because it's my family and they don't expect perfection.  Looking back, I probably should have drank a little more wine.  ;) 

10 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 9

First off, today I am participating in Emily's "A Day in the Life" post series.  If you wonder what a day of business travel is like, click over and read about my trip to Chicago in October!

Today I am thankful for my condo.

As you know, I moved into my new home in July.  While I took time and thought long and hard about renting out the condo I own and moving downtown, the decision on what condo to rent downtown was made extremely quickly.  I mean, this is the ONLY  place I looked at.  I was in CFA study mode and I really did not have the time to look around.  I saw this place, it had everything I wanted, the price was right, and it just 'felt right'.

The view from my patio!

While the decision was made in haste, it has ended up being one of the best decisions I have made in my life.  Yes - in my life.  It was unconventional to go from living in a condo I own, to renting it out and renting downtown.  I know for some that is a 'moving backwards' but I think anyone who knows me, knows that this whole decision to move downtown has been far from 'backwards'.  I have had many people comment on how much happier I am.  There is a spring in my step and a smile on my face as I walk or bike to work.  I still have days where I think - "someone pinch me because this couldn't possibly be my life!"

I love my condo's open floor plan.  I finally have room for a big dining room table - which has 2 leaves!

So today, I am reflecting on how great this move has been for me.  I've traded in a crappy, life-sucking commute for a 10 minute bike ride or 15 minute walk.  I grocery shop on foot.  There are miles upon miles of running paths (along a beautiful river) right outside my front doorstep.  I have a beautiful view, room to host family and friends, and room for a huge dining room table!

The kitchen has great storage (there is a pantry in the back) and a good amount of counter space.  Since it's an open floor plan, it's great for hosting as I can be in the kitchen but not feel like I am missing out on the fun!

This week, my family will gather in Minneapolis for Thanksgiving.  My brother & SIL are hosting on Thursday and I am hosting dinner on Friday.  I am so excited to show my apartment and neighborhood to my siblings.  I am especially excited that I have a dining room table big enough to accommodate 13 people!!  There will be 15 of us in total, but 2 are infants.  I never thought I would have room to host a meal for my family so I am feeling especially thankful this year that I can finally play the part of the host!

It Was the Best of Times...

Hey everyone!  I am finally getting around to writing a quick post.  My internet has been down for days (cable, too).  Thank God for my iPhone.  I would be lost without it!  The internet has been fixed, but I won't trust it until it works consistently for a cuople of days. 

Anyways, I had an amazing weekend with Amber and Amber!  I am not even going to try to do it justice since Canadian Amber did an amazing job recapping each day with photos!  You can read about it here:

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Seriously - go check out those posts.  She got some amazing photos.

I wasn't as good about documenting the weekend in photos, so in true Lisa style, you get a bullet-pointed version of highlights:

• Dress shopping!  It was really fun to watch Amber try on the wedding dresses - and find THE ONE.  It was a very special experience to be there with her. 
• Outerwear  Yep, surprise, surprise, I bought another coat.   Isaw it across the street and jay walked to check it out.  I know, I know.  I have a lot of coats.  But it's cold here a lot.  And this one is plum.  I will post a picture of it some other time.  The funny thing is that Iowa Amber misunderstood me when I said I have 16 jackets - she thought I had 60!  Ufda.  Now that would be a problem.  ;)
• Running  I got to do 2 runs with Canadian Amber - one easy'ish but hot run on Fri and one long run on Saturday.  It was great to catch up while running!
• Biking  We explored the city on bikes on Sunday and the girls loved the Nice Ride program as much as I did.  We spent about 80 minutes biking in total, so got a nice little workout it!
• Linguistics  Turns out Canadian Amber pronounces quite a few words differently.  Like drama.  And pasta.  And chafing.  She should probably do a vlog about this.  I would, but the sound of my voice is akin to nails on the chalkboard for me....
• Validation  I think one of the best things about this weekend was that they totally agreed that my neighborhood is thebomb.com.  It's nice to see the city through someone else's eyes.  I didn't need their validation, but it's nice to have important people in your life tell you, "We get why you live here and why you are so happy."

I will leave you with one photo that I stole from Amber.  :)

So in summary, it really was the best of times.  The worst of times was the saying good bye part.  I find myself wishing I lived closer to a long list of people I've met through the blogging community!  That said, I know these good byes are really 'see you laters'!  The girls, and others I've met, are truly life-long friends.

Another Wonderful Weekend

Happy Monday!  I had another wonderful weekend.  I packed a lot in this weekend, but had a wonderful time.  I experimented with a veggie burger recipe, ran 8 miles with my run club, entertained family, skyped with Kyla, attended a bbq at my building (a friend has friends that live here!), went to a musical that my aunt was the choral director for, had wine after with my aunt and uncle, and g-chatted with Amber.  Phew! 

The highlight of my weekend was definitely entertaining my family.  We had a wonderful time and they got to see why I am so head-over-heels in love with my life now that I have moved.

The boys, walking through the Farmer's Market, hand in hand.  I love photos of the backs of people!!

Could they be any cuter??

My older nephew Andrew said, "When can we come back?  How about next Saturday?"  So clearly, the kids were won over by my new place, too (the outdoor pool probably helped!).  I am hoping they are frequent visitors!

So life continues to be blissfully good.  Feels really good to say that I would not change a thing about my life right now.

What was the highlight of your weekend?

The Good Life

I'm giving you a bonus song to listen to as you read this post!  It's One Republic's newest hit, Good Life.  And it's totally the song of my summer!  I actually listen to it as I walk into work each day as it has such a peppy beat that I love!

Oh, this has gotta be the good life

This has gotta be the good life

This could really be the good life, good life

I say "oh, got this feeling that you can't fight"

Like this city is on fire tonight

This could really be the good life, a good, good life

I moved just over 2 weeks and I can honestly say it has been life changing.  It's more than the fact that I step out my door and have access to miles of beautiful running and biking trails.  It's more than trading in a long commute for a 20 minute walk.  It's more than having access to barbeque grills.  It's more than the fact that I can walk to a grocery store, farmer's market, restaruants, or church. 

It's the fact that for the first time in a very, very long time, I live in a neighborhood that is so "me". 

I'm surrounded by such beauty, so each walk in my neighborhood is a beautiful walk.  I live on the Mississippi, right by the St. Anthony Falls, which are breathtakingly beautiful.  When I talk walks in my neighborhood, I sometimes think - "Do I really live here?" 

Besides Paris, I have never been so enchanted by a neighborhood.

When you're happy like a fool

let it take you over

when everything is out

you gotta take it in

Hopelessly

I'm taking a mental of you now

'cause hopelessly

The hope is we have so much to feel good about

I worked really hard and went through some not-so-great times in the last couple of years to get to the place I am today - both literally and figuratively.  I am just oh so happy that things have really come together this year and that I have found a neighborhood where I feel I belong.

My words can't do it do it justice, though, so I will share a few pics.  I am sure I will be sharing more photos in the weeks to come, but this at least gives you an idea of why I have fallen head-over-heels in love with my neighborhood!

Standing by the Mighty Mississippi with my building behind me (it's the brown building to the left of me).  Please excuse the ridiculously low cut dress.  I usually wear it as a swimsuit cover up but it has been so hot/humid lately, I had to wear something some cool and comfortable.

Looking at the St. Anthony falls as I crossed the Stone Arch Bridge

The St. Anthony Falls with the Stone Arch Bridge in the background

I can't wait to show my place to others, especially my parents and siblings.  I have been so unhappy in my suburban condo for so long, it feel so good to say that I once again love where I live!

What is your favorite part about the area where you live?

Moved!

 Sunrise, there's a fire in the sky

Never been so happy

Never felt so high

And I think I might have found me my own kind of paradise

~ Lyrics from Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band

Greetings!  So the move is behind me and I now live in what I consider paradise!  :)

Many have asked if the move went smoothly.  I wouldn't exactly use those words.

I could tell you a story about how the management company agent (intermediary between the owner and I) forgot that we were meeting Friday morning and was thus very late.

I could tell you a story about my not-so-great experience with the moving company that I hired.  Specifically, I could tell a long story about how we arrived downtown at 4:40, which was a huge problem as they only allow you to move in until 5 pm.  There may have been tears.  And panicked, tearful "what am I going to do" phone calls to my parents and Becky, who is a moving expert as she worked for a moving company in college.  Luckily my tears softened the building manager and they allowed me to move in past the 5 pm deadline.  Let me be clear - I did not cry to induce this softening - I truly was at a loss as to what I was going to do since the moving elevator was booked all weekend...  I'm not the 'I will cry so I get my way' type...

But you know what - I am moved in and my tenant is moved in and at the end of the day, that is all that matters.  Can I tell you how excited I was when I discovered that Chipotle was still open at 9:45 when I was heading home from meeting my tenant?  I hadn't ate for about 10+ hours so was famished.  I almost wanted to hug the Chipotle employee. 

So now for some photos! 

Out with the old!

The beginning of the day on Friday...

The end of the day.  It was a bittersweet moment to sit on the floor of my empty condo while I waited for my tenant to arrive.  I do not love this condo, but it will always be my first home, and that makes it special.

In with the new!

First things first, this is the view from my patio!!  I heart this view - especially at night! 

The kitchen!  I have way more counter space (which are granite, be still my heart) and I have a pantry!

The living/dining room area needs a lot of work - and more furniture, but at least this gives you an idea of what it looks like.  I already bought flowers - at the farmer's market that I walked to!  The other flowers are from a friend that I had over for dinner.  Yep, I have already entertained dinner guest!

The living/dining room from a different point of view.

My bedroom - which is rather large!  There is a read nook on the left (which I love!!)



Here's a better picture of the reading nook.  Besides the patio, this is my favorite area of the house.  My friend Brooke arranged it for me and she did an amazing job!  I think I will be spending a lot of time in this cozy little nook!



So there you have it!  Words can not express how in love I am with my new home.  As I said to Mandy on Saturday night - I love my neighborhood so much, I want to marry it.  Besides Paris, I have never loved an area as much as I love the Mill City District of  Minneapolis!!   In the weeks to come, I'll be sharing pictures of my new neighborhood!

Oh and get this - the new church I'll be attending is Our Lady of Lourdes, which is also referred to as the French Catholic Church of Minneapolis!   

How was your weekend?  I hope my Canadian readers had a great Canada Day & that my American readers had a great 4th of July!  I am doing a lot of 'mark all as read' as I won't have internet access until the end of the week, so reading/commenting on blogs will be tough.