Makin' Lists

First of all, I wanted to thank all of you who wrote such nice comments. I'm still in an everlasting good mood from everything that's been going on. Chicago was fabulous...I really got a lot out of the workshops I took and the shows I saw. It was fun (and weird) to fly back to an even bigger city.

I move out of my dorm on Tuesday, which is sort of sad for me. I really love this location, the building, my room...granted, next year, I'm only four blocks north (and directly ON Union Square, which is a pretty cool location) and I have the same roommates (Mallory and Alinane, plus my friend Anna from Dangerbox), but it's still weird to pack everything up and say goodbye to Brittany Hall. Well, every new beginnning comes from some other beginning's end...so says Semisonic.

As I contemplate leaving NYC in a few weeks, I thought I'd make a tangible list to document what's going on in my head right now. Things I'm sad about leaving in New York...and things I'm really excited to see/experience again in Minneapolis!

NEW YORK LOVE
- taking the subway everywhere (hopstop.com, never knowing when N is running local or express because I'm an idiot, people-watching, "standclearotheclosindoors")
- hearing music randomly nearly everywhere (parks, subways, trains, the street -- especially now that it's warmer out)
- the crazy, accidental dog fights and the embarrassed, rich, old owners on 10th street
- NUTS 4 NUTS! $1! Bag of nuts!
- seeing what color the Empire State Building is lit up every night
- Tasti-d-Lite. Whoa, will I ever miss Tasti-d-Lite...
- Chelsea Cottage for chicken fried rice with the girls (one time, we had it delivered to the line outside UCB...that was fun)
- Sunday brunch at Palladium and basically having eating competitions with the roommates
- Bagel Bob's
- sunsets outside my dorm window
- Rockefeller Center and the hilarious times when I sleep outside it
- Gourmet Market on Broadway and 10th (I'll miss having every weird drink selection available to me 24/7)
- my NYU friends
- Natalie, Dominique, Chelsea and Heather ... when will I see them again?!? Natalie goes back to New Zealand in June and Dom is moving who-knows-where....
- Awkward sirens and car horns all night...this makes me laugh
- Random street fairs
- Washington Square Park filled to the brim -- especially now that it's warmer out
- Waving to the double decker tourist buses when they point out a "real, live NYU student"
- Sharing my city with random celebrities
- THE UPRIGHT CITIZENS BRIGADE!! The shows, the FABULOUS people, the music and my seat in the front and the Basement Sprinkler System sign and the adventures we have in the Gristedes/McDonalds...

MINNESOTA LOVE
- Family and friends who I haven't seen in a million years!
- Max and Millie
- MY CAR (driving around forever, windows down, radio up...I have DREAMS about this)
- The Tea Garden and my iced raspberry chai with pearls
- A big room to myself
- Having a kitchen
- The lower price of nearly any item
- Uptown! Especially at dusk!
- The lakes. All of 'em.
- Cities 97
- Noodles and Punch
- Improv in the Park! Hanging out in the Rose Garden!
- Stevie Ray's and all the lovelies associated
- Brave New Workshop...and all the lovelies associated
- Silent nights with actual darkness and actual stars and insects
- Sunday brunch at the Minneapolis Golf Club (what can I say? I like brunch!)
- the Minneapolis skyline
- STATE FAIR!
- TARGET!!!
- Suburban neighborhoods -- the smell of the grills at night, kids playing outside
- Catching up with everyone about my crazy New York adventures
- Basilica Block Party
- Just...BEING.

I know I've been sad about leaving New York because I've gotten to do and see all these incredible things. It's pretty safe to say that I have several ecstatic moments each week. But you know what? It's going to be good to just be away from all the excitement and just BE. It's only for a few months...plus, I've gotten used to being away from a lot of wonderful people and things, and I forget that I get to see them again! I don't have to "adjust" to being away from home anymore. I can now safely allow myself to think about things like my bedroom and Lake Calhoun and the Sheraton in Bloomington. I truly have two homes. I love them both dearly, and am very fortunate to have two places where I feel comfortable, safe, loved and HAPPY. :)
I'll SEE all of you soon!