3 Reasons to Redraft your Resolutions

sarahreeditLeave a comment

new yearAlthough Monday is the Nickleback of the weekdays, the approaching first Monday of the new year is an exception. It’s the calm after the storm. Whether it’s the first day back in the office or the first truly relaxing day of winter vacation, there is a sense of routine and normalcy. As much as I love the holidays, I am looking forward to going back to the Cities and having days filled with activities and responsibilities that are more overarching than “exchange pants at Lululemon.”

Now that the shopping day countdowns, calories and chaos are behind us, it’s natural to wonder what the coming months have in store.

Spoiler alert: not much.

Unless you decide to create it, that is. Throughout the month of January, the words new year’s resolutions have about as much appeal as after-graduation, we-need-to-talk and moist. Goal setting is common for new school years, birthdays and professional opportunities, yet the cliché name we attach to our aspirations for the new year tends to make them irrelevant by Valentine’s Day. Here’s why-

1. Failure is an option– Although it can be helpful to make resolutions concrete, it’s this same tendency that makes it easier for us to say, “I tried, I failed, I quit.” If your goal is to go to the gym three times a week, and you only make it once or twice, this progress gets lost in the number. By focusing on your intention, to be active or to treat your body well, you are able to recognize every healthy choice as a small victory and each misstep another opportunity to move forward. The specifics of a goal aren’t the point, it’s the purpose and vision for results that matter.

2. It’s trending– No one is making you create resolutions, let alone making you choose ecardspecific ones. If you plan on fitting volunteering into your schedule because you feel like you should- or worse, because you have to- it’s rare that it will actually be prioritized. If it’s the cliché name that throws you off, ban it and make this your own. I am a big believer in goal setting, vision casting, bucket list creating, year-around; it’s what allows us to recognize if we’re living the life that we want to be. And maybe that in itself is your intention for this year.

3. We plan an extreme makeover– I rarely say this, but do less. We start with a few goals, and that tends to snowball into a laundry list describing the ideal human, something I am guilty of as well. The reality is, you have the tools to succeed at the aspirations that truly resonate with you. In yoga, we call these sankalpas. It’s the idea that you aren’t creating this brand new healthy, focused or punctual person; you’re removing the obstacles that have kept you from showing up in the world that way. Often times the root of these obstacles are stress or feeling as though we don’t have enough time. You can see the danger of adding gym 7x/week, volunteering 4x/week, making lunch 5x/week, traveling 3x/month, and learning 2 new languages to your plate.

2015 is yours for the taking, make it worth celebrating a year from today.

The Secret to Hearing, “We’d Love To Have You Again”

sarahreeditLeave a comment

As planners, you are accustomed to offering your advice, tricks of the trade and even horror stories of events gone wrong. However, it’s not as common to ask the venue, “how was that for you?”

Event coordinators and managers play key roles for meetings and events planners, as they often act asScreen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.53.21 PM the bridge contact between a planner’s blueprint and the event day-of. Here are three ways to make sure your next event pleases all parties:

1. Keep it simple

Clear communication makes all the difference, says Alaina Battaglia, event services coordinator of McNamara Alumni Center. After working with many clients at the popular Twin Cities venue, she explains, “If you bring too many people into the planning process it can get very confusing. As a result, when event day comes, there may be a question that only one person can answer and they aren’t always in attendance.”

Having a go-to communicator for the venue can ensure seamless day-of execution. Battaglia says what forms of communication used depend on the type of event. The larger and more specific the event, the better it is to meet in person throughout the planning process.

2. Skip surprises

Although it may seem obvious, what better place to meet than at the venue? Even if you initially visited the venue, it helps to visit once additional details have been decided. You may have made initial decisions about the placement of event attributes, like the silent auction, upon visiting, but if you’re going to change your mind, it’s better to do it a month before, than an hour.

Screen Shot 2014-12-27 at 3.59.20 PMIncreased communication and organization helps keep surprises at bay as well, Battaglia explains, “the more prepared a planner is, the easier it is to create their vision. If they have a timeline for the meeting or event, sharing that with the venue staff can help ensure breakout sessions or other plans run smoothly.”

3. Easy as humble pie

In times of stress and “all hands on deck” involvement, we often forget the roles of those around us. This proves beneficial for team members who are able to support one another by accepting new responsibilities. However, when it comes to the staff of the venue, these obligations shift. There are ways to collaborate with venue staff while still respecting their interests and responsibilities.

Recently at the FIVE Event Center in Uptown, I was with the event planner as she was complimented for asking and obeying the Center’s policies. Taking the time to find out where they would prefer eating to take place, or what guests can bring in, shows that you respect the venue, recognize them as a key player in the event, and value their stake in the its success.

Give Not Get

sarahreeditLeave a comment

At some point in the holiday season, despite all the decorations and upbeat music, it’s not uncommon for many to think I hate this. 

The crowded stores, searching for that perfect gift, and the stress of planning can set in for even the most spirited souls. Although there aren’t too many ways to fix this, we can avoid it.

Focusing on gifts that stray away from the material may be the key to putting the happy back in the holidays-

Screen Shot 2014-12-26 at 6.03.42 PM1. Fair Enough- Make your purchases count with sites like Ten Thousand Villages, which celebrate community arts and handmade goods while being completely Fair Trade. Items like this Mosaic Menorah ensure that every gift will be one of a kind and one to remember.

2. Wear it on your sleeve- Although Alex and Ani bracelets may be all the rage, Bead for Life allows you to support Ugandan women that make jewelry in their community. If sustainable jobs aren’t enough, the beads are easy on the environment as well!

3. Make it an experience– Skip the box and say it with a dayyoga coupon on the calendar. In an age of busy and busier, taking time of out your schedule is much more meaningful than taking your card out of your wallet. I’ve done this with special yoga classes with my mom, sushi dinners with my sister, and concert tickets for my parents’ 30th anniversary.

4. Cheers to that- turn beer to food, and food to good. Yes, with Finnegans beer you can support the Finnegans Community Fund, which purchases fresh produce from local farms. They then donate the produce to food shelves, giving meals to those who need it most. College kids, rejoice!

5. Share your light- As a candle-enthusiast, these are some of my favorites. Man-Cans are candles that are made in soup cans, after the soup is donated to a local food bank. The scents are targeted towards men, but don’t worry, they also have a line of SheCans. These add inspirational words below the label, like She Can Be fearless, which you can match to the receiver of this wonderful gift.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays!

Give Thanks

sarahreeditLeave a comment

Dark early mornings, crowded stores, and frantic (to say the least) shoppers come to mind when we think of the unofficial holiday that sits at the heels of Thanksgiving. However, the rising sun, a warm room with zen music, and yogis on their mats made up my Black Friday this year.

Teaching yoga while I am home for holidays breaks is more than “convenient” or “a great set up,” it’syoga rejuvenating, grounding, and incredibly rewarding.

Although I have the opportunity to teach yoga at school as well, there’s a comforting nostalgia when I am able to come back to the studios where I gained so much experience early on in my yoga career. I remember the summer days I taught on the outdoor deck, telling my students about my first year away from home, and working on remembering my sequences without looking at my written out plan for the class.

Remembering these classes reminds me how much has changed in the last four years. As college students, we don’t always realize how much we change and grow. I think it’s because we forget that we are growing- we forget we’re young- so we can’t imagine ourselves much differently than who we are today.

Regardless of age or stage in life, I think we all forget to take a moment to recognize how far we have come. We are always thinking about what’s left on the to-do list, what title we haven’t accomplished, and the places we haven’t seen. However, it’s what we have done, who we’ve become and where we’ve been that set the stage for everything that is to come. Without recognizing this, we lose the opportunity to learn from and appreciate each and every experience.

In an age of new not being new enough, there’s something to be said for going back to the basics.

gratitudeThanksgiving wins year after year as my favorite holiday, I find so much charm in its simplicity and values-based celebration.  We spend time, rather than money; celebrate the gift of life, rather than new possessions; and fill our plates, rather than our greed.

However, with the holiday shopping season starting earlier and earlier every year, we run the risk of this holiday- and this grounding mindset- being lost in the shuffle. Regardless of stores’ opening hours, I believe expressing gratitude, whether its to others or to yourself, preserves the essence of Thanksgiving.

No, we may not be able to avoid the consumer-crazy season. However, remembering the value in what you already have may be even more intriguing than shiny and sleek items. Who knows, maybe you’ll even put down the to-do list down and cross a few items of your wish list instead.

3 Years, 5 Lessons, Countless Downdogs

sarahreeditLeave a comment

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).

406888_10151354924880555_895307216_n
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

sarahreeditLeave a comment

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.

clur
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

sarahreeditLeave a comment

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

sarahreedit1 Comment

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.

IMG_4739
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

sarahreeditLeave a comment

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

sarahreeditLeave a comment

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.