Trading Lakes for Monuments

Instead of working on my thesis or packing to live out of a suitcase right now, my procrastination-loving self decided to update my neglected blog space.

I have been told by many of my Midwest peeps that they wish to live vicariously through me and my adventures via this blog…not sure if I can live up to such high demands of constant updates but I will do my best. Soon everyone will be moving with me right?

So how did I decide to trade my beloved lakes for the monuments of DC— is she losing it do you ask? Well, maybe. I made the decision to apply for a handful of positions in Washington after I tripped on the way to work. At least this is the moment I attribute to my decision. Those of you who know me really well know that I NEVER trip, especially not after a couple glasses of wine. And tripping wasn’t what broke my ankle in high school soccer either- the grass attacked me.

But trip for the millionth time I did. I don’t know if it was my bleeding knee or being upset about scuffing up my new coach sandals, but in my fit of rage and pain, I made the conscious decision that I was ready for a little change of pace. I had actually been "thinking" about it for a while but it was this moment that is responsible for the events on my horizon.

Seriously though, after living all over the country/part of the world, I wasn’t ready to commit to one location. My track record of housing within the Twin Cities area screams commitment issues; although I have stayed mostly loyal to the Minneapolis area I have managed to move 5 times since graduated 4 years ago and I was about to move for the 6th. I would just get sick of the same thing so packing up all my stuff and moving to a new location was a good change. Obviously, this tactic--along with changing my hair color every couple months--worked for a while. Like a drug addict, I needed something more this time.

And so I applied, interviewed, and got a job.

I guess when I initially started applying/interviewing I didn’t think it was actually a possibility that someone would want me and I would continue on with my lovely life in Minnesota. But it happened.
People keep asking me how I feel about it—and I think the appropriate response or one that is socially acceptable in this situation is, excited?

How do I really feel? Scared, anxious, nervous, and a little confused actually. I have never voluntarily chosen to uproot myself and move across the country. It’s always been a mandated thing. So the fact that I am making an "adult" decision to do this is feels foreign to me. My whole life it’s been "we’re moving to North Carolina in a couple months" or "sorry you were really starting to like it here BUT we are moving to Europe now." This time, though, there is no one to be mad at, or stomp up the stairs and slam my door at for "ruining my life"; I am the one responsible. It’s sobering to arrive at the realization that I am completely responsible for making myself happy.

So here I am, less than a week away before all my belongings are packed into boxes and placed in storage…still not completely believing this is a reality. Luckily I have almost two months to live out of my suitcase and say good-bye for now to my beloved Heartland. Hopefully no one feels too betrayed to my leaving and that I will be welcomed with open arms when I return from my trip to Mecca- prodigal son style.



Miami

My name is Amy and I am a travel-aholic.


As you may or may not know I am an Army brat. For those of you who don’t know what this means, I will explain. My dad is a career military man so growing up I moved all over the country/world. We moved about every year to two years for at least 10 years of my life, sometimes more or less. By the time I was 17, I had moved more times then I had been alive; I had a rough start with kindergarden in three different states in one year (Minnesota, Massachusetts and Texas).

Anyway, when I was in Germany, graduating from high school my parents decided the best place for me to go to college was in Minnesota, and since they knew best, I went to college in Minnesota. During the four years of college I would fly “home” to Georgia on my long weekends and breaks from school. When I graduated from college in 2007, I had already grown accustomed to the long distance relationship with my family and weekend get-a-ways to another state via airplane.

I started my big girl job in July of 2007, after flying back to Georgia for a month after graduation. I also started to date a soon to be law student who was moving to Philadelphia; the distance didn’t scare me because I was already planning where I was going to travel next. At the same time my family moved back to Germany, leaving me with two long distance relationships to maintain for the next three years of my life; meaning I was either flying to Philly or Germany when ever I could.

Fast forward to 2010, my dad returns safely from Afghanistan and my family moved back to the great US of A. My law student boyfriend graduates and moves back to Minnesota, so we are now living in the same state…and I have less commitment to travel places and more freedom to visit people and places I had been neglecting for the last three years.

What does this mean, well I went to Arizona to visit my brother while he was stationed there for training. I have so much more vacation since I no longer have to fly to Europe, not that I am complaining about getting to go to Europe for the last three years but I have been able to see my parents much more since they are now in North Carolina. I went to Colorado to visit my bestie Jenna, FINALLY! Oh and I went to Miami!!! So in the last year I have kept up with my habit of leaving the state of Minnesota on an average about once a month consist with my average for the last 3 years, not bad. It’s definitely been nice to keep my travel itch scratched.

Of the places I have traveled in the last year, I have to say Miami was one of my favorites. Most likely because it was the most recent place I have been but also because I tried Cuban food for the first time, at least that I can remember and it was AMAZING!

I am kind of obsessed, not just with the food but also Miami itself. Everyone is beautifully tan, toned and put together; ok maybe that is a little bit of an exaggeration but it is so tropical, it was like being in a different country without the long flight. Below is a picture of myself and my bf at the Delano on South Beach.

Traveling is expensive though, and it's not always possible for people to get away. I have come up with some ways for you to bring Miami to Mn.


1. Watch Dexter and/or the Glades. I started watching Dexter (Showtime, I bought the seasons on amazon.com) and the Glades (A&E, you can watch for free on-line weekly and season two just started last Sunday) to feel closer to my new love.
2. Victors 1959 cafe. I checked with my favorite Cuban American, and he said Victors 1959 cafe looks like authentic Cuban (as close to it as we can get in Minneapolis) It's on my list to checkout: http://www.victors1959cafe.com/.
3. Make some Cuban food! I tried an authentic Cuban recipe from my friend Molly’s boyfriend’s Cuban mother (see below) last night for dinner. It was amazing; both my boyfriend and I felt like we were back in Miami.

4. Catch some rays! Of course while wearing the appropriate level of SPF, catch some sun. Everyone was outside while we were there- even though it was about 100 degrees. Get outside and love this beaufitul Minnesota summer weather.

 

Camarones Enchilados



2 lbs. shrimp (peeled): this number is based on the amount of shrimp you eat/the size of shrimp you like. I used tiger shrimp are bigger, so I only got 1 lb.
olive oil to sauté ( i used a small amount of olive oil mixed with spray pam)
1 large Vidalia onion (or yellow onion)
3 cloves garlic

1 large green pepper

1 large red pepper (or other color)

½ c fresh parsley

8oz. can tomato sauce

½ c ketchup

½ c dry, white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc)

1 T white wine vinegar

1 large bay leaf

1 t salt

1 t ground black pepper

Ground cayenne pepper to taste

1. In a skillet, sauté onions, peppers in olive oil, then add garlic and parsley, until mostly cooked. Blend into a sauce in food processor, and transfer to a deep pot. (I used a hand held blender which was much easier  since I doubled the receipe)
2. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, wine, vinegar, bay leaf, and seasonings and bring to a boil, stirring well to blend.
3. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
4. In a skillet with a little oil, cook shrimp at medium-high to high heat briefly on each side (1-2 min) until pink or even a little browned (I added some garlic to flavor them while they cooked). 
5. Add to sauce, then bring to a boil again. Cover and simmer for a few minutes. 
6. Serve with steamed white rice- Uncle Ben's makes an instant rice, called "Heart Healthy" with added vitamens that I highly recommend using instead of brown rice. This "heart healthy" rice almost has the same stats as brown rice, while keeping the consistancy of white rice and the added benefits of brown.