Minneapolis Trip

[foreverdawning]

I went to Minneapolis to visit friends from college. It was so fun, especially considering I surprised all of them (except for one) and I got their reactions on video. I just got back and immediately went to work the next day so it is kind of jarring going from having fun and soaking up midwest sun to doing my normal boring work. 

Highlights of the trip

• Got a free piano lesson. My former roommate's boyfriend is a piano teacher and since I started my new nanny job, the piano teacher (in not so many words) basically said I should re-learn how to play so I could help her with her piano playing
• Went tubing in the Apple River and did not lose anything. Last time I went to that river I lost my glasses (which was a big deal considering I was the designated driver of that trip and became effectively blind); however, this time my friend who was visiting from California at the same time lost her brand new iPhone XR that her father just paid for in full because she broke the last one. She's not normally irresponsible or anything like that it's just that river takes no survivors. Otherwise tubing was pleasant and relaxing.
• Played games. I bought a game called For the Girls and it was so much fun to play. I liked being able to stay in and keep us all together. The plan earlier was to purchase tickets for the new Lion King movie, but a lot of us weren't going to be able to make it to the late showings that were still available. I suggested we stay in and played a game instead. Doing so much during my entire stay was fun but being able to relax and just spend time in one another's company was so much nicer than wasting our time watching a movie together. 
• Went to Minnehaha Falls. It was so beautiful. The last time I went it was in the winter time so they were completely frozen and barely trickling. They were just as gorgeous in the summer as they were in the winter. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to take any pictures because I left my phone at the house. 
• Visited the Como Zoo again. Every time I'm in Minnesota I take the chance to visit the zoo. I love it for many reasons the most important of course for being free and depending on donations. I'm used to going there in the winter time so it was nice being able to see all of the summer animals outside. It was very pleasant outside as well. I love going to the zoo there because here in Houston it's just too hot to be enjoyable.I'm linking a "candid" photo I took in the conservatory where posed photography is not allowed. 

During that whole trip, I spent quite a bit on Caribou Coffee. It's my guilty pleasure and I only allowed myself to indulge because I can't get it here. Overall, a lovely little vacation before I have to buckle down into working full time and going back to school part time.