Addendum

Just to add some visual to my last post:

What the future holds...

Ben and I are taking a big step into the unknown.

The cold unknown.

We're headed to a place where the average annual temperature is 46 degrees Fahrenheit (this is not a typo),
a city sometimes "subjected to cold Arctic air masses..." (sound comfortable?),
and, therefore, the coldest of any metropolitan area in the U.S.

Any guesses? We'll spend our next two years in...

Minneapolis, Minnesooowata
(just sayin' it how they'd say it)!

Ben has been interviewing all over for MHA (Master's in Health Administration) programs, and we've selected University of Minnesota's program. Come August, we'll pack our bags and head to the Midwest.

Consequently, I've decided to put a big stop to my daydreams of us in North Carolina, where we were going to take day trips to the beach...and enjoy the rays all year long...and fall in love with that Southern accent...*sigh*

Despite spending my first 12 years in the Midwest and having 50% Finnish blood in me (at least my dad says that should help!), I am not a huge cold weather fan...obviously.

However, I am choosing to look at the positives (really, I am!). Cute Ben even gave me the power to "veto" the option of Minnesota to ensure my complete happiness, but of course I wouldn't let him (us) pass up this great opportunity, and I know he'll thrive in their program!

Anyway, in my research of Minneapolis, here's my top five facts:

1. Nicknamed "City of Lakes" (it has over 20).
2. Named America's Most Literate City for its cultural organizations/arts (theater, visual art, writing, and music).
3. Houses the Mall of America (we're not huge shoppers, but it could be fun!).
4. Has a metro system, not to mention skyway system (enclosed bridges that go from building to building for eight blocks so you don't have to go outside!).
5. Has an amazing parks system that connects all the lakes with biking/walking/jogging paths, where people go swimming, fishing, boating, picnicking, and ice skating.

So, when those "cold, Arctic air masses" come, I'll just adopt the last line of the Mary Tyler Moore show theme: "You're go-onna make it after a-all..." (The show was filmed in Minneapolis...Mom, I'll get a picture by her statue for you).

Here's to us as future Minnesotans!

What the heck, GO GOPHERS!