In five days from right now, I will be heading to begin the next chapter of my life in Texas. As I have said in nearly every blog post, I am beyond excited to move to San Marcos but I will always love my home state. So, in honor of this great state I have compiled a list of the best spots in this state. Go to them, friends! You will not be disappointed!
The Walker Art Center and the Sculpture Garden
Loring Park
Minnehaha Falls and Seasalt (awesome restaurant)
Itasca State Park
Como Zoo and the Conservatory
Minnesota Zoo
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Cascade River State Park
Crosby-Manitou State Park
Red Wing, MN
The Science Museum of Minnesota
The Saint Paul Farmer's Market
The Chain of Lakes
Sebastien Joe's Ice Cream
Chino Latino
First Avenue
Target Field
TCF Bank Stadium on Gopher football Saturdays
MN Valley Wildlife Refuge
Chatterbox Pub
Pizza Luce
Black Dog Park
St. Anthony Falls
I know there are more great spots all over the state, I wish I could include them all.
I'll miss you dearly Minnesota. The summers are gorgeous. I grew up swimming in many of the 11,000 lakes and catching fish with my dad. In autumn, the trees show an amazing display of colors. The winters can be cold, but the I'll admit I love the excitement of the first snowfall. When I was a child, I spent hours in the snow. Sledding, making snowmen and snow angels, making snow forts with my brothers, and there were some intense snowball fights along the way. When spring comes, life blooms again. The sight of the first red-wing black bird males and the rich morning chorus are two of the most wonderful experiences a person can have in the spring time. The sight of baby waterfowl is always exciting and I will never get sick of seeing Great Blue Herons fly through the sky.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
I hate goodbyes
I graduated from college over a year ago and what a turbulent year it has been. The great earthworm opportunity was a bust, the whole law school thing also fell apart and in a matter of weeks I completed and submitted an application to graduate school. In January, I journeyed to San Marcos, TX for a graduate school interview. The visit was fantastic and three days later, I received an offer for admission into the program. The idea of moving to Texas was exhilarating.
"It is only January! I want to move to Texas NOW!!! The spring is going to drag on!"
It is now June 23 and I am moving in twelve days. Until the last few weeks, it all seemed like a dream that was never really going to happen. Most of my conversations are about the pending relocation. I do not sleep very well anymore, some nights I hardly sleep at all. I feel excitement, anxiety, sadness, and joy simultaneously.
Although I am looking forward to experiencing a new place to live, I am really going to miss Minnesota. I was lucky to have been raised here in this Midwest haven. What more could I have asked for?
Texas, get ready.
"It is only January! I want to move to Texas NOW!!! The spring is going to drag on!"
It is now June 23 and I am moving in twelve days. Until the last few weeks, it all seemed like a dream that was never really going to happen. Most of my conversations are about the pending relocation. I do not sleep very well anymore, some nights I hardly sleep at all. I feel excitement, anxiety, sadness, and joy simultaneously.
Although I am looking forward to experiencing a new place to live, I am really going to miss Minnesota. I was lucky to have been raised here in this Midwest haven. What more could I have asked for?
Texas, get ready.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The beginning of the end
Three weeks from this moment, I will be arriving in San Marcos, Texas. I am thrilled to be embarking on an adventure and to begin the next chapter of my life. But with any major change, it comes with great anxiety. People ask me about the pending trans-county move approximately ten to fifteen times a day. I understand that it is exciting and interesting so I do not blame the empathic inquirers , but then I feel like vomiting and/or fainting. My mind starts racing.
"How is this all going to work? Will we have enough money? What if we do not get the apartment? Are the cats, rats, and snake going to be alright? What if I do not get a TA position? WHAT IF THIS ALL BLOWS UP IN OUR FACES?"
Alright, some of this are irrational fears. I am terrified and excited simultaneously. I will miss my friends, my family, and this wonderful state. I feel lucky to have been raised here. I had a terrific undergraduate experience. It exceed my expectations and dreams. It was everything I could have wanted and more. I had wonderfully supportive parents. I am lucky enough to have had an exceptional amount of support and understanding from my amazing boyfriend, Blake.
I will really, really miss my parents and my brothers. I am SO proud of my brothers. I cannot be more excited about Christian's wedding this fall.
I will miss my friends and family. I am lucky to have such fond memories and the opportunity to start an amazing new chapter.
I have been very lucky, indeed.
"How is this all going to work? Will we have enough money? What if we do not get the apartment? Are the cats, rats, and snake going to be alright? What if I do not get a TA position? WHAT IF THIS ALL BLOWS UP IN OUR FACES?"
Alright, some of this are irrational fears. I am terrified and excited simultaneously. I will miss my friends, my family, and this wonderful state. I feel lucky to have been raised here. I had a terrific undergraduate experience. It exceed my expectations and dreams. It was everything I could have wanted and more. I had wonderfully supportive parents. I am lucky enough to have had an exceptional amount of support and understanding from my amazing boyfriend, Blake.
I will really, really miss my parents and my brothers. I am SO proud of my brothers. I cannot be more excited about Christian's wedding this fall.
I will miss my friends and family. I am lucky to have such fond memories and the opportunity to start an amazing new chapter.
I have been very lucky, indeed.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
At home in the cosmos
A video from my favorite author/scientist:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnFMrNdj1yY
"We are star stuff ... a way for the cosmos to know itself."- Carl Sagan, Cosmos
I have chosen to dedicate my life to making the planet a better place to live. I probably will not see peace in my lifetime, but at least I can help get the ball rolling. I want my future nieces and nephews to have all of the things they need and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. I want that for their children, their children's children and the subsequent generations. I'm doing this for them.
On a different note, I put up suet bird feeders in hopes of attracting the five species of woodpeckers that frequently visit the yard. Instead, it has become the squirrel feeder. I should have expected nothing less since the yard is full of old growth red oaks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnFMrNdj1yY
"We are star stuff ... a way for the cosmos to know itself."- Carl Sagan, Cosmos
I have chosen to dedicate my life to making the planet a better place to live. I probably will not see peace in my lifetime, but at least I can help get the ball rolling. I want my future nieces and nephews to have all of the things they need and the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. I want that for their children, their children's children and the subsequent generations. I'm doing this for them.
On a different note, I put up suet bird feeders in hopes of attracting the five species of woodpeckers that frequently visit the yard. Instead, it has become the squirrel feeder. I should have expected nothing less since the yard is full of old growth red oaks.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
We are closer
There was a time, not so long ago, when I had incredibly sour familial relationships. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, I fought bitterly with my younger brother. With a fierce independence, I frequently challenged my parents on what was best for me. As I grew and began college, I changed drastically. My thoughts, beliefs, interests, and values changed dramatically as I learned more about myself and the world. As everyone knows, I became quite passionate about science, the environment, and conservation. I became a vegetarian and later a "flexitarian" where I sparingly eat humanely and eco-consciously raised chicken and beef and sustainably harvested seafood. I also lost my faith in any sort of deity. I became a naturalist who believes in no god or gods and no heaven nor hell. I strongly advocate biological evolution and the respect for all living creatures. I am the one who uses cloth grocery bags, compact-fluorescent light bulbs, and plant-based cleaners. I actively compost, buy organic produce and shade-grown coffee. I found myself with pet rats. My idea of a great day is spending it outdoors watching for wildlife. I also found myself to be a passionate liberal.
All of these things were foreign to my non-scientist and church-going family members. They had known me all of my life and I became a person who was incredibly different than everyone else. I became the odd one out. According to them, all I could ever talk about were "controversial" topics. I considered those topics important and interesting, anything but controversial. As time went by, I found it more and more difficult to fit in with the same people who raised me and who I had known my entire life. My mother once asked me why I could not be normal.
I was angry. I wish they could understand. I wish they felt the same way as I do. Why DON'T they care about the state of the planet and our resources? I had a severe argument with my brother's finance one spring and I purposely let that relationship fall apart. I had (and continue to have) numerous arguments with many family members about my lack of belief in a god. I felt so bitter that I wanted nothing more than to cut most of them out of my life. I told my mom that I refused to attend my brother's wedding. I stopped referring to them as my family. I called them "those who I am genetically related to". I was exhausted from the fighting and the bitterness. I had to do something differently.
With the help of a wonderful therapist and a daily dose of Paxil, I learned to start letting the anger go. My relationships with my parents began to improve as I started managing my stress better. I learned to be more patient and empathic towards those who have different values and opinions than me. I forgave one aunt for something that I had been holding against her for about 2 years. I still disagree with some family members, but I learned to embrace our shared interests instead of focusing on our differences. I could go on for a while, but the moral of the story is that I am finally happy. I still have bad days and I still wish I could change the behavior of my more wasteful relatives. We will not always agree, but I learned that we can still have good relationships. Life is just too short to fight constantly.
With all of that said, I am really going to miss them when I move to Texas. I wish I could spend more time with my many cousins. I feel lucky to have become closer to my cousin Nathan and to have repaired my relationship with his mother.
I remember when I was younger and I despised my younger brother, Josh. He was annoying, relentless and he always seemed to get his way. Everyone told me that someday, we would be the best of friends. I scoffed at those comments. I am happy to say that I think that day has finally come. I am so proud of Josh.
I will miss you.
All of these things were foreign to my non-scientist and church-going family members. They had known me all of my life and I became a person who was incredibly different than everyone else. I became the odd one out. According to them, all I could ever talk about were "controversial" topics. I considered those topics important and interesting, anything but controversial. As time went by, I found it more and more difficult to fit in with the same people who raised me and who I had known my entire life. My mother once asked me why I could not be normal.
I was angry. I wish they could understand. I wish they felt the same way as I do. Why DON'T they care about the state of the planet and our resources? I had a severe argument with my brother's finance one spring and I purposely let that relationship fall apart. I had (and continue to have) numerous arguments with many family members about my lack of belief in a god. I felt so bitter that I wanted nothing more than to cut most of them out of my life. I told my mom that I refused to attend my brother's wedding. I stopped referring to them as my family. I called them "those who I am genetically related to". I was exhausted from the fighting and the bitterness. I had to do something differently.
With the help of a wonderful therapist and a daily dose of Paxil, I learned to start letting the anger go. My relationships with my parents began to improve as I started managing my stress better. I learned to be more patient and empathic towards those who have different values and opinions than me. I forgave one aunt for something that I had been holding against her for about 2 years. I still disagree with some family members, but I learned to embrace our shared interests instead of focusing on our differences. I could go on for a while, but the moral of the story is that I am finally happy. I still have bad days and I still wish I could change the behavior of my more wasteful relatives. We will not always agree, but I learned that we can still have good relationships. Life is just too short to fight constantly.
With all of that said, I am really going to miss them when I move to Texas. I wish I could spend more time with my many cousins. I feel lucky to have become closer to my cousin Nathan and to have repaired my relationship with his mother.
I remember when I was younger and I despised my younger brother, Josh. He was annoying, relentless and he always seemed to get his way. Everyone told me that someday, we would be the best of friends. I scoffed at those comments. I am happy to say that I think that day has finally come. I am so proud of Josh.
I will miss you.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
The anniversary of my birth
It is the eve of my 23rd birthday. On the day of my birth, I wonder what sorts of thoughts were running through my parents' brains. They thought another son would arrive through my mother's uterus. Instead, they received an infant with a head full of thick, dark hair and all of the necessary female anatomy. I was a terrible baby (as I am told). It was not entirely my fault; at age three my parents discovered that I had epilepsy which robbed me of sleep. After many sleepless nights for my parents, I grew into a sassy and stubborn child. My parents divorced and I started my education. I was the child that was reprimanded for talking even in kindergarten. I spent all of my summers in a bathing suit enjoying the backyard pool.
That stubborn child grew into an even more stubborn teenager. I became an incredibly independent, meticulous, fiery, strong-willed perfectionist. The early teen years were incredibly awkward. I was dubbed "big red" by my malicious step-brother which sent me into 13-year-old meltdown in the middle of my father's driveway. I found myself in a fist fight once after being called a "fat dyke". Most of the time, I was (still am) a rule-follower. I was also known to stay out until 4 or 5 AM the summer I turned 18. I survived those sometimes nasty teen years. Somewhere during the next five years after 18, that teenager turned into an adult.
Through the last five years, I wanted to be a neuroscientist, a physician, an environmental lawyer, and a veterinarian. I spent four months in Hawai'i, traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, spent a month in Thailand studying tiger conservation, volunteered at many organizations, rehabilitated wild mammals, and enjoyed pet rats. I made great friends and found a great love. I spent a summer collecting data for an assessment of the earthworm invasion along Lake Superior. I became a passionate conservationist and a lover of all living organisms. I found that biology was my calling, specifically ecology. I became a non-believer and a strong advocate for evolution. I found myself swinging to the left side of the political spectrum. After 23 years on Earth, I am proud of the person I have become and the person I will continue to be.
I have been very lucky, indeed.
That stubborn child grew into an even more stubborn teenager. I became an incredibly independent, meticulous, fiery, strong-willed perfectionist. The early teen years were incredibly awkward. I was dubbed "big red" by my malicious step-brother which sent me into 13-year-old meltdown in the middle of my father's driveway. I found myself in a fist fight once after being called a "fat dyke". Most of the time, I was (still am) a rule-follower. I was also known to stay out until 4 or 5 AM the summer I turned 18. I survived those sometimes nasty teen years. Somewhere during the next five years after 18, that teenager turned into an adult.
Through the last five years, I wanted to be a neuroscientist, a physician, an environmental lawyer, and a veterinarian. I spent four months in Hawai'i, traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, spent a month in Thailand studying tiger conservation, volunteered at many organizations, rehabilitated wild mammals, and enjoyed pet rats. I made great friends and found a great love. I spent a summer collecting data for an assessment of the earthworm invasion along Lake Superior. I became a passionate conservationist and a lover of all living organisms. I found that biology was my calling, specifically ecology. I became a non-believer and a strong advocate for evolution. I found myself swinging to the left side of the political spectrum. After 23 years on Earth, I am proud of the person I have become and the person I will continue to be.
I have been very lucky, indeed.
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