Updates on MN life

Although it feels like much longer, I have been a MN resident for two, whole weeks now. What's funny is that I was actually in Lincoln, Nebraska for one of those weeks. I had another week of training there last week. Unlike last time, I had Internet in my room which was really nice. But, I still didn't get cell phone reception. I called to discuss this with T-mobile because Lincoln, NE is apparently included in their nationwide reception coverage. They wouldn't let me out of my contract but they did give me $20 off my next bill. And when I go again next month, I should get another $20 off, so that was a nice consolation.

I drove to Lincoln with a co-worker. It took about 7 hours or so to get there. I saw the coolest thing on the way there... a convenience store with everything... literally. I walked in and besides the normal stuff you can buy at a gas station, it had a restaurant, gift shop with things like toys, maps and knick nacks, a McDonalds, Cold Stone Creamery, and a LIVE BAND. I was walking around and hear music and was thinking to myself, "Wow, that music sounds live" and sure enough, I walked around the corner and there before me was a 6-man, old-timer band!! Anyway, that was a nice diversion during the 7 hour trip to Lincoln! It felt like a small vacation! haha

Today, I met a new friend. We went shopping at the Mall of America today, which never gets old! For lunch, I ate something that may come a shock to anyone who knows I am super picky, especially when it comes to meat: I ate goat. Yes, you read that correctly. My new friend made goat stew and I totally tried it. It was actually pretty good; it tasted a lot like beef, I thought. It isn't something I would go out of my way to eat all the time; mostly because it's just a weird thought to be sitting there eating goat.

Today, I also got to go to Bethlehem Baptist Church for the first time. John Piper is the pastor, and like always, his sermon was very good. I am really excited to be able to go there now. It is in the heart of Minneapolis: a few blocks from the Metrodome where the Vikings and Twins play, surrounded by high-rise buildings, and a few blocks from the Mississippi River. I LOVE living in a place where I am so close to that kind of stuff. There is so much to do and I am sure that as my social circle broadens, I will get to experience more and more of it. I can't wait to go to see the Minnesota Wild (ice hockey team) play this winter!

This weekend, I am going up to GR to hang out with my family for the 4th of July. Charlie's girlfriend, Hannah, will be there along with her family and I am excited to finally meet Hannah!

Other than all that, I am just trying to adjust to the new life here. It is hard to not have my friends close by but it also forces me outside my comfort zone, which is good. I miss playing poker with my friends on Saturday nights (they are playing as I type this). My friend Rachel is coming to visit for my birthday in August so that will be fun. We are definitely going to hit the Mall of America, or, as the locals like to call it: MOA (pronounced abbreviate as "M.O.A" or as a word, "Moa").

Then in September, I get to go out to CA to be in my friend Brandi's wedding. That is going to be a lot of fun!

I guess that is it for now!