From Memphis to Mississippi to Minneapolis

Two weeks later, and my trip is over. Although I’m satisfied with this trip and this summer overall, I am not happy about it being over, nor am I ready to get back to daily grind. I do think, though, that reminiscing about the highlights will help me put the cap on this trip/close out this season on a happy note.

I’m happy to report that I’ve accomplished some fun things on my todo list during this trip:

-an adventure ride (at the Minneapolis State Fair)

-a henna tattoo (also at the fair)

-caught up on the entire Sex and the City series

-saw (and enjoyed) a movie (Takers)

-went to California Pizza Kitchen (for the first time)

-read a book (Like Water for Chocolate) and started another (Eat. Pray. Love.)

I’ve also been comforted by so many great feelings during this trip. During the wedding festivities, I felt the love of girlfriends, and I was able to rekindle an old friendship. I was hugged with southern hospitality and fed with family love, and even though it was not my own it felt just the same. BBQ, sweet potato biscuits, Sock it to me cake…mmmmm. I was comforted through a game of spades with the ladies. Finally, I got to enjoy relaxing life in MN. It was absolutely refreshing, which was the perfect breath of fresh air to restore me for a new season.

Now it’s back to business. Gotta grind. Double time.

P.S. Summer may be coming to an end but the fun is not quite over yet. With my cousin coming in to town next week and another friend coming into town later in the month, more adventures are sure to come.

Part 2

So my flight home from MSP did not go quite as planned, but rewarding nonetheless. Due to mechanical difficulties with my designated plane (which never left Milwaukee), I’ve been reassigned to a reroute through Atlanta. Although I will be getting to LGA 5 hours later than originally planned, the inconvenience has granted me a free roundtrip flight (time to plan the next trip!), a meal voucher (we all know how much I love to eat), and a voucher towards my next flight purchase as well (SCORE!). Although the situation is inconvenient, I have learned (from worse experiences, unfortunately) that patience is the best strategy. We’ve all witnessed (and been tempted to be) those raging lunatics that find it their right to give it to the airline attendants. Now don’t get me wrong, flying is a far less pleasurable experience with all these fees, regulations and safety precautions, which can be frustrating, but flight delays and the like are not their fault, and I don’t think it’s fair to vent frustrations on those not responsible. And it has been my experience that people are more likely to help those who are pleasant. I encourage you too to exercise extra patience when faced with situations like this. Everybody’s day is better.