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3 Years, 5 Lessons, Countless Downdogs

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Passion has been a bit of a buzzword for me lately. It could be from creating inspiration boards with kindergarten-3rd grade students, the Greek Awards recommendation letters I’ve been writing, or from the Tazo tea called Passion that I drink daily.

More than anything though, I think it’s credited to the recent Downdogs for Diabetes event. If you aren’t familiar, this is my sorority’s annual fall philanthropy event; a yoga class, led by yours truly, that benefits the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation. I’m simply unable to explain my involvement and energy surrounding this event, without touching on passion.

DSC_56The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation benefits diabetes education, research and awareness; along with many other initiatives to support Alpha Gam alumnae in need. The University of Minnesota Alpha Gamma Delta chapter (Delta) holds 2-3 fundraising events each year to support the Foundation. Downdogs began three years ago, and I’m thrilled to see that it’s had staying power.

Even for those not studying public relations and/or with a love for events, Downdogs has taught me a few things over the years, all of which I couldn’t have learned if it weren’t driven by passion. As graduation approaches, and people of all stages in life continue to stress about the future, I think tapping into passion may be just as calming as a downward facing dog-

1. Stay on brand– Downdogs for Diabetes has been successful as a fall philanthropy because it stayed true to Alpha Gam. Our Purpose, which is like a values based mission statement, outlines the importance of health and wellness. Focusing on what you value- and what you don’t- can put things into perspective. This along with the yoga classes held in our living room, Alpha Gam and yoga go hand in hand. Although it had not been done before, this event wasn’t a huge stretch (no pun intended).

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The first Downdogs for Diabetes, 2012.

2. Shake it up– From the lines outside Mesa at bar close, to the club meetings that advertise with only two words- free food-we’ve all seen (and experienced) how people are motivated by food. As a result, this event was pretty unconventional compared to other fundraisers for our chapter and for the community. However, risk taking is essential for innovation and allowed our chapter to discover a new tradition.

3. Authenticity is key– This ties in with numero uno, and is probably the most important of them all. Downdogs wouldn’t have started or succeeded had I not had genuine enthusiasm and trust that it could. If your vision is authentic, you’ll be able to get others to envision it as well.

4. Details can come later– When I originally planned Downdogs for Diabetes, I wasn’t sure exactly where it would take place, if people would like it, or what impact it would have. I just knew there was only one way to find out, which rings true for professional and personal life scenarios. You won’t make any strides forward or try anything new if you’re waiting for guaranteed success.

5. Gophers can’t be tamed– Okay but actually. Goldy attended this year’s event, and was a bit more rambunctious than mygoldy average yoga student. Rather than letting his surprises (i.e. pretending to change the music, bringing a ladder to his yoga mat, and spraying people with their water bottles) throw me off, I rolled with the punches. As much of a planner as I am, there can be a point where preparation no longer serves you. 5 year plans are great- especially for when someone asks you what’s your 5 year plan– but it needs to be able to adapt to the new experiences and growth you will be fortunate to have.

One of the greatest things yoga has taught me is to keep my mind as flexible as my hamstrings. Whether it’s planning events or planning your future, letting go of certainty in order to embrace and appreciate surprises makes life a bit more zen, and a lot more enjoyable.

The Imposter Syndrome

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Walking into a symposium on youth education for my leadership class, which begun the half hour before, I couldn’t help but feel like I wasn’t in the right place.

Surrounded by faculty, cameras relaying the presentation online, and very few familiar faces, I went over to registration and confirmed roughly seven times that I was in fact at the right event. For my Leadership Minor, I will start volunteering in an elementary school next week with first-third graders after school for an Everyday Leaders program (heartwarming). I’m not one to be unprepared, but with no experience working with kids, growing up with younger siblings, or knowledge of youth studies, it’s hard to not feel like an odd one out.

However, it’s been humbling being out of my comfort zone, as I am constantly learning from others in class who have profound experience and passion for working with children, and can be great resources for me.tina fey More and more, I have heard this topic of faking it or the “imposter syndrome” coming up.

Whether it’s going to a new department, giving a presentation on a whim, or attending a new exercise class, I think everyone has had an experience of pretending to belong. Throughout this amazing presentation on the current education system, I realized the multitude of just how many people are faking it.

Discussing the struggles encountered by students who have English as a second language, or  those with responsibilities like siblings and household bills, and so many others, how are these students supposed to confidently be themselves when they play so many roles? If they can’t confidently speak the language of the course or see school as the most pressing responsibility, can you blame them for feeling lost or inadequate?

One of my greatest takeaways, was the idea that the current education system and workforce doesn’t often recognize the knowledge that is gained through these experiences. Dr. JuanCarlos Arauz said, “We focus so much on the stories, we forget about the skills that come along with them.” I think a culture of “faking it” is perpetuated, because we don’t spend enough time celebrating the skills and knowledge we see in others and in ourselves.

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Claire and “Grams,” Winter 2011.

This reminds me of my friend Claire, whose personal statement I reviewed this morning. I was admiring her passion for her major and how much she has gotten out of her life experiences as she advances towards a counseling career in behavioral disorders and substance abuse. Claire has been a caretaker for her ill grandmother, been a productive presence in the face of addiction, loss, and despair. I am amazed by the compassion, patience and dedication she has to others and her ability to restore hope and motivation.

When it comes to life experiences, you aren’t able to clock out and leave it behind, you can’t pass too big of a project off to a manager, you do it because you have to. Many times, the experiences that define us most and make us unique, aren’t the ones that are backed by a college degree or company logo, something Claire epitomizes.

Imagine how much more we would learn, how many more ideas would be brought to the table, and how many more people would feel welcome sharing their ideas, if we gave the same value to these life experiences. I think if we recognized the gifts, talents, and skills each and every person around us possesses, they would have an easier time seeing these things in themselves.

We know more than we think we do, and we’re capable of more than we’ve ever accomplished, it’s just a matter of welcoming those opportunities that are out of your comfort zone. We need to have confidence in ourselves and in others, so we can ditch the faking, and start making.

Sunny Side Up

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Let’s just start by addressing the soon to be obvious: this is a hypocritical blog post. Rather than writing from an area of expertise, I am expressing a shortcoming of myself and so many around me. To all the fellow busy bees, we need this:

Sunrise: My favorite time of day
Sunrise: My favorite time of day

I’m a rare creature.

As a morning person, I baffle others on a regular basis and have had to learn through social cues that before one’s coffee, I should only speak when spoken to.

I’ve also learned this is one of the most impressive traits a person can have. A lot of people exercise, work/do homework, or clean; but for some reason, because I tend to do these things before sunrise, I reach a whole new level of productivity. For me, waking up early for yoga is fitting something I love into a time of day I enjoy; people do this all the time by watching Netflix at night. Yet, I don’t usually give them the same applause for it, even if we have the same purpose.

This semester, I have noticed the multitude of conversations that come back to “being busy.” It’s the answer to how the fall has been, how our day is going, and how the weekend will be.

Completely guilty of abusing this boring adjective, I am so sick of every conversation that walks the fine line of complaining and bragging about how busy everyone’s lives seem to be. We’ve gotten to a point where that goes without saying, and how we got here is an issue of it’s own.

A large part of the reason I am such a morning person is to get an early start and make the most of each day. You can enjoy the tranquility of the day before rush hour traffic begins and commitments set in. However, at what point does making the most of your day become losing most of your day?

Luckily, Etsy gets it.
Luckily, Etsy gets it.

By moving through the motions and adding to our to-do lists every time we check something off, we’re actually not moving anywhere. What does it say about our days that the adjectives “fulfilling,” “inspiring,” “eye opening,” (dare I suggest) “relaxing,” or “rejuvinating,” are so far from our vocabulary?

If you’re not benefiting, growing or making an impact with the events and commitments packed into your day, is that really something to brag about? Have we created such a competitive environment in schools and the workforce that it’s better to be overworked at an internship/job you hate, than not have one at all?

We need to either find more value in the ways we dedicate our time, or find new values to dedicate our time to.

As I mentioned, I am inspired by these questions, not because I have the answers, but because I have started feeling the results of not honestly checking in with myself. Biting off more than we can chew shouldn’t be the only way we know how to eat.

I often stretch myself thin in order to fit in outlets for my various passions. Great intentions, but not always with the best execution. If we don’t make ourselves a priority as well, no one else will. Our own happiness should fall into those areas of passion that get the spotlight. Whether it’s making time for sleep, health or doing something simply for enjoyment, do it now.

Our schedules only change, they don’t actually slow down or open up. As one commitment passes, another opportunity arises. Join me in no longer waiting for empty calendars, and let’s get busy penciling ourselves in.

Agape

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I’m a writer. I say this frequently, sometimes in a professional sense but more often in an attempt to describe how I see the world, how I learn and how I interact with others. It explains how I enjoy spending my time (i.e. this blog) and what brings me joy.

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Writing Must Haves: tea and all things purple

Some people hate texting long conversations or frequently. Some people don’t see the value in thank you notes or thoughtful birthday cards. As you may have guessed, I’m not a part of this some. While I see the value in waiting to speak to someone in person, I have friends scattered around the country and abroad, who I wouldn’t want to delay connecting with just to do in person. To me, there’s value, there’s longevity in ink.

Four years ago today, with the passing of my friend Sydney Tabakin, I learned the value of the present. With no guarantee that a coffee date will take place, I believe we have to make the most of opportunities we have.

The last four years have also taught me to find the best in others and every situation, because you don’t know how much time you’ll have to correct a misjudged opinion or a pessimistic mood. We simply don’t have time; but I don’t think the world would be better off if we did.

Sydney has allowed me to experience the beauty of each day, and even when each day isn’t so gorgeous, to remind myself how lucky I am to have a test to get a bad great on, or to have relationships that can get rocky. It sounds over optimistic, but it’s true.

She has taught me to see the possibility in every person, every day and every aspiration. Sydney had incredible gifts, one being writing, that painted a beautiful picture of what her future would be. She deserved to be the one to create that masterpiece, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be created through each and every person she inspires.

Screen Shot 2014-09-18 at 7.40.19 PMI’m also a talker. Writing is a pretty individual activity, I could write something and keep it to myself, but the extroverted, outspoken voice of mine would be stifled (i.e. this blog). I think we were meant to create- how that looks to each person is different- but I think for everyone there is brilliance and beauty in creating, and value for the masses when it’s shared, whatever it is.

Stories represent the overlap of writing and speaking. So I guess really, I should say I’m a story person, or a communicator to the core.

Three years ago today, I took the significance pen to paper has to me in another direction. I had an Om symbol tattooed between my shoulders to represent Sydney’s life living on through me and all who knew her. I haven’t gotten a tattoo every year, nor will I. Not all of her friends have gotten tattoos to remember her, nor should they. For me, it makes sense. Writing it down is what makes it permanent for me. Ink (of any kind), words, and hindu symbols do not resonate the same way for others as they do for me.

I can’t tell Sydney the stories of how she has changed my life, although I hope she knows, so I tell others. Whenever asked about my tattoo, the memory of Sydney lives on through one more person, she touches one more life.

Today, I am commemorating the fourth year of the day that rewrote the lives of so many students starting their senior year of high school, and so many others. For me, four years is the biggest milestone. From seniors in high school to seniors in college, so much has changed, and every moment of our experiences has been molded by Sydney. Adding agape, the greek word for love, to my tattoo, I am honoring the unconditional love she has taught me to find in this next chapter of my life.

Now, all the people who are thinking of her today, and each day; all the people who miss her presence and have bettered themselves due to her absence; that impact, that I know she knows.

Begin Again

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85a85f7d2bf5d923ae05494459b02fb1There’s something about the end of summer that gets everyone in a back-to-school mode, regardless of if they have use for new notebooks and sharpened pencils. It’s a futuristic mind-set, whether you’re shopping for the biggest box of crayons, moving out of apartments, or trying on all your fall sweaters, the last days of summer are rarely spent as summer.

In terms of school and work, the end of an era also brings the end of a title. When someone asks what you do, that’s rarely our response. Most say their job title, without any implication that they experience more in their life. I am completely guilty of this; in fact, when someone went against the grain and told me he “said his opinions, wrote and argued” for a living, rather than saying “lawyer,” I responded with a blank stare.

So, even as September marks the last year of using “student” as the what I do is who I am answer, I know this will not be the end of my learning journey. Case in point, I have learned multitudes more since becoming a yoga instructor than when I only considered myself a student. I may be a yoga teacher, but I learn more from my students than they probably do from me. Had I taken that title completely to heart, I would’ve missed out on the lessons all around me.

Some think of yoga as an hour on the mat, for some it’s an hour they never want to experience. The purpose, though, is for yoga to be present in every part of your life. In my opinion, it’s the exception to not letting what you do define who you are. The epitome of the exception is the visionary, inspiring, and dedicated teacher BKS Iyengar that sadly passed away this week, at age 95.

Graduating from my Vinyasa Flow Yoga teacher training, 2011.
Graduating from my Vinyasa Flow Yoga teacher training, June 2011.

It’s not just yogis that are taking notice, it’s the world. He impacted every element of how we think of yoga in the West, revolutionizing how people integrate the practice into their lives and whom it is accessible to. He’s the reason why I secretly sit in lotus at my desk and can use the word “teacher” to describe not only what I do, but also who I am. He’s even the reason Lululemon’s horseshoe logo sits on the calves of so many people, even those who don’t have a yoga practice.

It’s this type of impact one person can have on the world that shows the value of remaining present. It’s easy to spend any “last”-whether it’s your last two weeks in a position, or your last year in school- as if it is already complete. However, this lack of presence is what allows us to miss out on benefiting from one last connection or experience that we won’t have access to again. It keeps us from realizing the new opportunities for growth, whether it’s trying something new or finding new value in what already exists. Presence has an irreplaceable importance that transcends titles and transitions. Regardless of one’s stage in life, presence is essential for enjoying each stage of life. 

“Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.” BKS Iyengar

Parents Weekend

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Despite the cold winters, most Twin City residents can’t get enough of Minneapolis and St. Paul. As a result, the hipsters in uptown, the professionals power-walking down Nicollet, and even the retirees relaxing on Grand Ave can come off as a bit annoying.

Each year I live here, I become a bigger part of the problem.

This weekend, I was able to host my parents and show them all the reasons they should be drinking the Kool-Aid as well. Interested visitors and proud residents looking for a staycation, here’s a few things from my Thursday-Monday you can’t miss:

1. Find a fair– The Uptown Art Fair was a perfect snapshot of the Twin Cities for my parents to experience. Even though not all the vendors are from Minnesota, the people, abundance of dogs and relaxed atmosphere rang true to the Cities. Even if you’re not an art expert, there’s something to be said for adventuring out of your comfort zone. It’s not too late to fit some culture into your summer, visit the Irish Fair this weekend, take throwbacks to a new level with the Renaissance Festival, mix things up with the Japanese Lighting Lantern Festival, celebrate my favorite fast-food place at the Chipotle Cultivate Festival, or of course, go big at the Minnesota State Fair!

The view from the 5th floor of the Guthrie
The view from the 5th floor of the Guthrie

2. Mill City & St. Anthony Main- Visiting the Stone Arch Bridge is a staple of a stroll in Minneapolis. However, the bookends of the bridge are rarely given as much attention. After we watched some kayakers get lowered down by the lock (new bucket list item) we wandered over to the Mill City Museum and Guthrie Theatre. This area is the place to be Saturday mornings for the farmer’s market, but it was stunning on a Monday afternoon as well. The biking and walking trails are perfect for exercising or enjoying the view of the Mississippi River. On the St. Anthony Main side of the River, enjoy wonderful restaurants, exploring trails and people watching. Farther Northeast, you’ll find my favorite meditation spot- Boom Island Park- perfect for picnics, laying out and bike rides.

3. Party with the whole block– Northeast, my favorite neighborhood, hosted In Cahoots this weekend at the Red Stag. Eight local breweries combined into four teams, each team then collaborated to create a new beer. Attendees of the event voted on the best brew, and a portion of the proceeds went to the winning team’s charity of choice. From the live music, to the people-watching, to our delicious dinner at nearby Gorkha Palace, Northeast did it again.

4. Easy Ride– Available everywhere across the Twin Cities, this self-service bike rental system is perfect for exploring different areas of the cities, while getting some exercise and a true MSP experience. My parents and I biked over to West Bank, looped through campus and rode along the East River Parkway trail- all areas we wouldn’t have had time to see on foot. You can drop the bikes off at any station throughout the city, making it as much of a commitment as you’d like.

5. Drink local– My roommates and I really out-Minneapolised ourselves and biked to the photo 1microbrewery, Dangerous Man. Upon our arrival, we found ourselves in the middle of a Donut Showdown viewing party. The head baker of the downtown shop, Angel Food, was featured on the Cooking Channel show and gathered family and friends at DM for the episode premiere. Although we weren’t aware of this event, by the end of the episode we were personally invested in her success. The evening of community engagement, biking, amazing craft beers, and samples of Angel Food donuts was the Twin Cities in a nutshell. Microbreweries are perfect for small parties, large receptions or networking events; and in case you were worried, your options aren’t limited.

For the record, I love me some St. Paul, but I didn’t venture there this weekend. Luckily, the parents are obligated to visit me throughout senior year, and that wonderful city will be at the top of the to-do list.

People Persons

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My roommate, Nikki, likes to describe me as a networker. Someone who cultivates and sustains relationships, and likes to connect others to do the same.

She also likes to tell other people this description- most notably was to a socially awkward man that approached us at a bar to “practice talking to girls.” Shortly into our conversation, this lost soul mentioned he has a lot of ideas but needs help getting them put into action and creating connections. Nikki jumped at the opportunity to express how perfectly I fit that role, and to my horror, simultaneously excused herself.

Sorority women, this is what we refer to as a real life bump. A flawless wing-woman execution, except for the small flaw of not taking mutual interest into consideration.

Although it made for unwanted advances (literally slithering down a couch towards me), Nikki was right. People are my greatest passion and they are at the root of everything I love. Finding what others are passionate about is by far the most interesting to me, Screen Shot 2014-07-23 at 6.06.39 PMwhich led me to be interviewing one of my favorite people, Rebecca Wilson, for Minnesota magazine.

A 2013 graduate of the U, Rebecca quickly found how to integrate various passions into her daily life. Majoring in advertising, with minors in theater and management, Rebecca leads a life that’s spread just as far across the board as her studies sound.

Many people are accustomed to working long or random hours; but not everyone is able to do both and love every moment of it.

Her days 9-5 are filled with cups of coffee, meetings and small talk with the coworkers. Thriving at Wellness Resources, Rebecca utilizes her journalism degree through internet marketing and social media. Regarding the more mainstream aspect of her life, Rebecca loves how “with advertising you need to get inside the consumer’s head…with all the data you form- it’s kind of like acting- you form this consumer character, you have all these attributes to them…it’s very cool to get into the mindset of a consumer.”

Meanwhile, her evenings and weekends tend to be spent on the stage. Acting allows her to get into the head of others as well. Previously, she’s been anIMG_2459 angsty teen, a damsel in distress and an heiress suspected of murder. This wide range of characters all resonated with Rebecca in one way or another, mirroring how well Rebecca connects with others everyday. She’s a people person, too.

What U of M alum readers won’t know, is that I can verify this networker gene in Rebecca not from our interview, but from my personal experiences. This southern belle is my grandbig (again, sorority women, looking at you), my confidant and my mentor. Her ability to follow her instincts, take calculated risks, all the while having better manners than anyone I know, is what allows her to live so purposefully.

When asked if she had any advice for people looking for ways to pursue their passions outside of their primary work, she recommends, “Do something if you can that can be your source of income, so you can follow your passion without worrying about making rent, you can go on your whim more creatively, because you have that stable base. Seek the advice of people in that passion/career path you want, because they may have knowledge and advice you wouldn’t otherwise know. Follow your passions, but use your head.”

Spoken like a true networker.

Exhale- 5 Tips to Reduce Planning Stress

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Pair a good book with a cup of tea, practice yoga in a meadow, and pencil in daily Swedish massages. While all of these things sound ideal, what if you could stop the cycle of stress before it starts?

For a planner, reality iScreen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.37.17 PMs more along the lines of bottomless mugs of coffee, running between venues and Swedish fish. There’s good reason why- following only military personnel, military generals, firefighters and pilots- event coordinators hold the 5th most stressful job in the US, Forbes and CareerCast agree. It’s about time we brought a little more joy into our work and relied a little less on java.
Here’s how:

1. Write It Out

To-Do lists seem like a given, but rather making them only when tasks become overwhelming, these lists will be most effective if made on a short term and long term scale. Dividing lists into days, weeks and months is effective, but also divide them by department or topic. This allows you to recall the small details that seem relevant at one point, but will slip your mind by event day. Not a writer? Use the smartphone glued to your hand to keep track of the various lists you created, rather than trying to keep track of post-its.

2. Delegate Creatively

Meeting and event planners often feel pressured to have all the answers. This pressure will lead to a stressed leader and an underused team, which will show in your event. In the early stages of planning, set individual meetings with team members to find what areas of growth they would like to explore, then shift their responsibility to include a related project. Rethinking how responsibilities are divided can often lead to epiphanies of others’ skill sets and will win you back some free time. Use your resources of clients, partners, friends, friends of friends- expanding your horizons only expands the possibility of getting a “yes.”

3. Express Gratitude

Thank you notes after a big meeting or successful event are a no-brainer, but how often do we take the Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.40.49 PMtime to thank the people that support us? To be most effective, it’s best to thank your team members quickly and frequently, and give more in depth feedback on a regular basis. After an event, your team also deserves hand written thank you notes (yes, your hand writing, not the intern’s) specific to their role. Reminding staff and volunteers of their value and impact will lead to a confident, motivated team that will take more projects off your hands.

4. Tried and True

We all love the new apps and cutting edge technology, but there’s something to be said for simplicity. If you’re not familiar with a platform or tool, take the time to learn it or have a staff member lead the efforts. Avoid the keeping-up-with-the-Jones’ mentality and have purpose and strategy behind what you include in a meeting or event. This reduces stress regarding how the new technology will function day-of, how it will be received and how to coordinate seamless back up plans. It’s essential to try new things and stay relevant, but only if executed with intention and patience.

5. Put Yourself First

We’re not counteracting tip # 3 here, but rather focusing on personal health. Tending to urgent event matters instead of quality nutrition and rest may cause completed projects to be better off unfinished. It’s simple: when you aren’t at your best, you won’t complete the best work. This goes for being a leader too; if you are tired and short-tempered, your team will be lethargic and negative as well. Take these tips and personalize them to your team and your events. If you’re stressed, you’re probably not the only one. By changing our behavior, we can change the culture of the organization. Maybe dedicate time to working out with your planning team, collectively unplugging for a period of time or a group activity that makes your job as fun as it sounds. In reality, no one will remember your perfect centerpieces, flawless transportation arrangements or impressive sponsors if the team has a mid-event meltdown.

Namaste, planners.

Make A Big Impression With A Mini Activity

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When I think mini golf, childhood summer days are the first thing to come to mind. However, after visiting the Walker on the Green: Artist-Designed Mini Golf course, I’ve been shown that mini golf can transition into a new, adult-friendly option for the entertainment and décor of your next event. The Minneapolis Walker Art Museum invites you to relive summer vacation.Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.46.54 PM

The creative and unique experience was designed by 29 artists, architects, collaborative teams and mini-golf mavens. Originally planned just for the summer, the Walker recently extended access to the green to September 28. Each hole of the 9 or 18-round course presented an innovative take on the design, making each putt a topic of conversation. My favorites included a gum-ball machine and a replication of constellations. Hole 9 was also one to remember, this life-size pool table required golfers to lift their clubs onto the table and putt or to shoot them like pool sticks.

Even better, if this experience leaves you wanting more, the Walker offers free gallery admission with each golf ticket. Guests can also visit the famous spoon and cherry sculpture, along with many others, in the adjacent nine-acre Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.

Perfect for events, the course offers arriving guests a chic deck complete with cozy couches to lounge on while socializing or awaiting other attendees. The deck’s tan décor with accents of lime green epitomizes summer, and creates space for an effortless pre-event cocktail hour. The course can be reserved for parties or special events of 50 guests or more.

TheScreen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.47.12 PM venue gives guests a taste of the true Minneapolis- creative events, beautiful summer evenings and community engagement all come into play.

Neighboring Loring Park, between downtown Minneapolis and Uptown, this prime location promises great options for dinner and drinks before the event, and exciting night-life options after. Loring Kitchen is a personal favorite for happy hour or dinner, and is just outside Loring Park.

Summers in Minneapolis are what drive me, and every other resident, to stick out the cold come December (read: late October). Allow the summer celebrations to last past Labor Day by hosting your next event at this fantastic venue!

To reserve the Walker on the Green contact events@walkerart.org or call 612.253.3540

 

Southern Charm

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After my first weekend trip to southern Italy during Easter weekend, I quickly realized I had the South all wrong. I associated it with the mafia, warmer weather, and cannolis, but any expectations stopped there.

In class, we discuss the southern small businesses that are forced to pay allowances to mafia members each month, just to insure the safety of their families and business.

The documentary Italy: Love It or Leave It showcased one Sicilian farmer who denied the mafia’s demands, suggesting there’s no progress in giving them what they want. As a result, the mafia burned his tractors and he was ostracized by his family and friends. It’s something few Americans are aware of; and no, watching The Godfather or Jersey Shore doesn’t count.

The beautiful Aeolian Islands
The beautiful Aeolian Islands

To our pleasant surprise, the Aeolian Islands welcomed us with warm weather Easter weekend, a post-hike picnic on a volcano, and a spontaneous Vespa cruise. We enjoyed cannolis courtesy of Alzo, the generous and chatty Sicilian fisherman, who only spoke Italian. He force fed us homemade cheese, poured us wine we didn’t request, and called his friend in Naples for me to talk to, also in Italian. So we got two out of three, but I’ll take wonderful people in lieu of the mafia any day.

This past weekend, my family ventured south to the small city of Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Just like Alzo, what stands out the most for me is the people. They had days spent on the beach, amazing local seafood and a sunset private boat cruise to compete with, yet somehow that southern charm trumps all.

At breakfast one morning in Positano, we met thee Teresa, of our Bed and Breakfast, Casa Teresa. Thrilled to find out I speak un puo Italian, she quickly jumped into stories of her family and expressed genuine interest in our travels. Sure enough her daughter and son-in-law live in Wisconsin, which prompted her to get her iPad (tech savviness I underestimated of Teresa) and show us pictures of her granddaughter’s first communion.

Positano
Positano

This semester, we realized the Italians have a forceful approach to hospitality, which rang true here too. It’s not a matter of if you want to sit down, have more coffee or take their recommendations; before long you find yourself at a table with the best view, on your fourth caffé, and eating a meal the waiter ordered for you.

It brings a charming, although confusing, sense of security. Somehow in Italy, you’re always at home.

Once our time in Positano came to an end, we moved north to Naples to train further north to Cinque Terre. After rude encounters at dinner, a canceled train, and conniving taxi drivers, you could say Naples wasn’t the best experience. The details of this story could be a blog post of its own, but I think that’s the issue with vacations, or maybe humans in general. We allow one bad experience, one story of misfortune to overshadow all the beauty, adventure and laughter of our other experiences we are fortunate enough to have.

My biggest fear is coming to someone’s mind and having their last memory of me being a negative one. Similarly, I fear when my family returns to the US, the first story they will tell is that of their disastrous time in Naples- despite the historical tours of Rome, the stunning scenery of Positano and the delightfully tiring hikes in Cinque Terre.

Things can’t always go as we expect, and if they did I’m not sure we would appreciate the reliability life offered. However, recognizing and valuing the wonderful aspects of any day, vacation or life in general, takes the edge off surprises. In my case, the greatest photo-ops tend to not work out- but to be in Italy with my family, have gelato two blocks away and getting to laugh together over all my awkward photos, is something that makes this day, vacation and life, one I wouldn’t change for the world.

My gelato action shot...
My attempt at a gelato action shot…