Flour Power
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Lunch on Nicollet at The Local with my brother, a museum stop at Mill City Museum with my parents (the flour mill of the Washburn Crosby Co., today known as General Mills), and my cousin’s mega graduation party in Plymouth with family and the “Flamingo Friday” neighbors of Polaris Lane. What a day!
Twins vs. Cubs
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My cousins and I went to the Twins vs. Cubs game tonight, and the game was a hit with three home runs by the Cubs though ultimately a win by the Twins in the 10th inning. While the Cubs were my preferred Chicago team (and tonight’s pitcher, Jeff Samardzija, played ND football while I was at Notre Dame), it was root, root, root for the home team.
Badger Hair
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The Art of Shaving – expensive but pretty much amazing.
Carriage
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When I first moved to Loring Park, I thought I was hearing things because I’d hear the unmistakable clip clop of a shod horse on the street outside. A sound only a farmkid would notice from inside his urban dwelling. Indeed, I would look out the window several times that first month and shake my head to find nothing and surmise that I was one step closer to psychotic. Or at least the psychiatrist’s office.
Finally one night, I found the horse and buggy winding through the Loring neighborhood, much like I did tonight, right outside my doorstep.
Mushroom
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Mushrooms–one of the few foods that I just don’t like to eat. So, I don’t.
Marquette Plaza
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Once the HQ for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, today’s Marquette Plaza building features a groundbreaking support system which includes 16 catenary cables strung between two towers. The cables worked much like the cables of a suspension bridge and give the property its signature U shape on the front of the building.
The U shape reminds me of the smiles and laughter shared by colleagues tonight at the Monte Carlo. While our friend Erin from New York City had been scheduled for open mic night, Acme Comedy Club switched the plans. Instead, Erin delivered her solid material for us on the patio of Monte Carlo and proved that while you can’t always count on a comedy club for support, you can always bank on your friends.
Half Marathon
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This past winter, I recognized that I needed a sufficiently challenging goal to force myself to train again. It’s been nearly a year since I trained with my Elmhurst running group on the Illinois Prairie Path, incidentally the first successful rails-to-trail conversion in North America. But the lessons and advice I learned have stayed with me.
My pacing has slowed 1 minute per mile (a combination of more hills in Minneapolis (and you thought it was flat!) and less regular training). But I know how to prep the night before the race, fuel before and during the run (GU is delicious), pack your drop bag (flip flops!), how to pace that very crucial first mile and the rest of the race (thanks to Garmin), how to pinch and pour the water cups, mixing the right music for my iPod shuffle, and how to stretch.
I loved the cowbell, drums, cheering from spectators and most of all the signs. Some favorite ones: “Run Like You Stole Something”, “Where are You All Running to?” and “Worst Parade Ever.”
It was fun to race many parts of the course with my college friend Erika. And, I’m proud that I ran the entire race without stopping–eating my GU and drinking water on the run and finishing (unofficially) at 2:01. For a junior high kid whose worst living nightmare in P.E. class was running one mile, it’s amazing what you can accomplish with training and determination.
Dandelion Fountain
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In between seven hours of The Spots bootcamp (Target’s choir) and a summer soiree with coworkers, I stepped into Loring Park for a quick photo of the Dandelion Fountain. The sun broke through the trees and clouds at just the right moment to spray the fountain with light. Built in 1975, this fountain known as the Berger Fountain is a must-see in the spring and summer months.
Admissions
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Today, one of my past leaders, Dr. Wayne Sigler, moves on to his next chapter after 20 years as Director of Admissions at the University of Minnesota. I remember meeting Dr. Sigler on my first ever visit to campus in Fall 1998. I was a farmkid overwhelmed by the number of people, commotion and sounds of a 52,000+ student urban campus.
I was just beginning a 90 minute walking tour, and it was pouring. Honestly, I wasn’t enamored with the campus at the time. However, my tour guide was great (who coincidentally was from South Dakota *and* knew my cousin Tony), and I was impressed by the palpable passion exuded by the Office of Admissions and the people I met that day. Yes, there were 52,000 students, but I was pleasantly surprised how much this admissions team cared. About making sure you didn’t feel like a “number.” About answering questions and offering smiles (and Tootsie Pops) to each and every student. Being a first-born child and a bit Type A, I had read a book on “How to Tour College Campuses” and might have had more questions than all the parents combined on my tour.
While Minnesota had a great reputation, a Top 3 program for my area of study and a newly built business school, it was Admissions that clinched my college decision with their professionalism, enthusiasm, and personalized touch. I wanted to be part of this University.
Two weeks before my freshman year in 1999, I joined one of the greatest ambassadors for the U of M: the Pride of Minnesota marching band. But there was another group I pined to be part of, and they walked backwards through campus wearing maroon and gold rugbys: the Admissions Ambassadors. I wanted to be part of this team–this family and help guide other high school students in their college decisions.
After my first semester, I passed the interview test and was inducted as an Ambassador. Okay, so there wasn’t an actual ceremony. But luckily for me, marching band had prepared me for walking backwards without falling on my butt. Over three years, I would develop and learn life skills from Dr. Sigler and his Admissions team that prepared me to recruit, motivate & lead a volunteer team of 80, give presentations and train others, learn key messages, networking and smalltalk, maintain an enthusiastic demeanor, and in essence, be a student spokesperson as a face of the U. (Turns out walking backwards is not a transferable skill for a corporate job.)
I found that once you find your niche, even the largest university will feel smaller and connected. I learned the value of each experience and each relationship is directly related to the amount of enthusiasm, energy and time you put into it. I invested heavily in the U and it returned dividends in spades not only in the classroom but also with lifelong friends, an amazing network and setting me up for future success.
This is but one Ambassador story. Thanks Dr. Sigler for your leadership, your passion and your team which has played a role in shaping the person I am today.
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P.S. Congrats to my cousin Karen for graduating magna cum laude today from Benilde St. Margaret. The sky’s the limit, and Iowa State is lucky to have you!
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