“Nature does not rush, yet everything is accomplished.”
~ Lao Tzu
I absolutely love the mountains. They’re therapeutic. An escape, and EXACTLY the right place to be when you need to completely disconnect and gain perspective. When things are overwhelming and out of control and you need a slap-in-the-face reminder that you REALLY are THAT small. And that the rest of the world keeps turning, keeps spinning, keeps moving, despite your best argument that it’s stopped or is spiraling out of control.
“The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.”
–Isak Dinesen
I also love the beach. I love the sound of the waves, the feel of sand between my toes. I love sweating in the hot sun. Cold drinks with little umbrellas, brain candy books and girly magazines. I love the smell of sunscreen and the taste of salt on my lips from sweat and ocean. I love how the sun drains you and allows you to start over, refreshed.
And I love the woods. I can camp. Not like the pros, but I can rough it with the best of them. I like fishing (though I’m not very good at it); I’m not afraid to get dirty. I love the Minnesota northwoods. The trees and the woods and the LAKES. And the canoes on the lakes at dusk. And parking your fishing boat in the middle of the lake in the early morning, or sitting on the dock in the late evening. I love the cry of loons and falling asleep to the sound of crickets.
But. If it’s one thing I’ve learned in my 26 years, it is this:
When it really comes down to it, at heart,
I. Am. A. City. Girl.
There’s really no way around it. My blood boils, my skin tingles, my senses awaken; my whole body feels alive.
I have never been to New York, but I wrote this from the BUS on my way from La Guardia to Grand Central Station because I couldn’t not write this right then.
I’ve never been here, and yet I got GOOSEBUMPS as we landed. I didn’t even see the city. It’s dark out, so I have absolutely NO idea how we approached or landed other than there was water at the very end. We flew in over water.
I’m a Twin Cities native who gets positively silly over the neighbrohoods and restaurants and dives and PARKS and LAKES and coffee shops and MUSIC and people and did I mention the parks and lakes?
I LOVE my city.
I’ve spent some quality time with Chicago this summer and I get giddy approaching that skyline. Seeing the spires atop the Hancock and Sears Towers welcome me. I won’t say it feels like home, but it does feel like hugging an old friend. It’s familiar. It’s comforting in a way that gives me butterflies.
And here I am, in NYC for a whopping 10 minutes and I am comfortable. I was SO nervous and SO overwhelmed at having to get around by myself (barring Ashley‘s great directions), but as soon as I stepped into the jetway, I put on my Big Girl Professional Nomad hat and strutted right out to the NYAS men in the blue vests to buy my ticket to Grand Central.
And it didn’t feel scary.
At this point, I tuned my iPod back to Kings of Leon’s “Manhattan” because, we were approaching it and I could suddenly see the skyline and dammit… that just felt right.
What about you? Where is your zen? Where are you most at home?
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Well let's see; you've sang "Chicago, Chicago, my kinda town", "I Love LA", and now "New York, New York…start spreading the news…".I think it's it's time to have a little "Sweet Home Alabama".
Well let's see; you've sang "Chicago, Chicago, my kinda town", "I Love LA", and now "New York, New York…start spreading the news…".I think it's it's time to have a little "Sweet Home Alabama".
I'm a city girl born and raised. The way some people feel relaxed on an empty beach? That's how I feel on a crowded street in the middle of Boston. Its my zen.
Oh hurrah for New York! I was there only for three days, THREE DAYS and somehow a city in a different hemisphere from home somehow managed to steal my heart. Enjoy New York, I'm POSITIVE your experience there will be brilliant
I'm a city girl born and raised. The way some people feel relaxed on an empty beach? That's how I feel on a crowded street in the middle of Boston. Its my zen.
Oh hurrah for New York! I was there only for three days, THREE DAYS and somehow a city in a different hemisphere from home somehow managed to steal my heart. Enjoy New York, I'm POSITIVE your experience there will be brilliant
Hey, I made it down there this summer AND they came to us!
Isn't it funny how we can feel that way? I know exactly what you mean.
I LOVED it. Absolutely beautiful city.
Hey there – it's stuart (Nico's friend from L.A.? The Xangan?) Found your blog through nico's – expect me to read (and sometimes comment on) it from now on.
P.S. – I feel most at home in my car.
Hi! Thanks for coming by
It was great to meet you, btw!
Isn't it funny how we can feel that way? I know exactly what you mean.
The way you wrote this is beautiful. I don't know if I'm a city girl or a country girl. At this point, I'm still trying to understand where I fit in in this very big world. I would say that my zen is being home, or anything that reminds me of home. Being with my mother, for instance, provokes feelings of supreme comfort & security. Curling up with Jonathan in bed leaves me feeling 100% content, as if the entire world stopped for us. Being around my sister gives me goosebumps, just realizing that she is my flesh & blood, my dearest friend, & we've had some amazing times together.So I guess my zen isn't places… It's people. :]
now THAT, my dear is beautiful.
PS – I got your card and the earrings yesterday. I'll be sure to post picswhen I wear them, they're AWESOME 
Cheers to THAT my friend! The urban jungle is definitely my preferred adventure and this post communicates that exact kind of excitement. Looking forward to the next city you hit up.
I live in a rather large city. It's the capital of the country and it counts up to 3.5 million inhabitants. That, even for USA cities standards is QUITE LARGE. But we're in Central America. So, the concept changes a little.Yeah, there are lots of inhabitants here, the traffic is horrible, we have lots of malls but we're still a 3rd world country.Since 2003, we take yearly vacations somewhere else in the world. 2004? Orlando, FL. 2005? Orlando, FL. 2006? Orlando, FL. 2007? Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2008? San Francisco, CA. 2009? Strasbourg, France.I can't hide that I'm also a city girl. I love the big cities, the business of it all… It's just great.For now, I'm in a transition of "homes". From my salvadoran home to my french home. It's kinda… interesting.
Hey, I made it down there this summer AND they came to us!
I LOVED it. Absolutely beautiful city.
cities make me alive too
It's INTRIGUING! I love it, and I can't wait to hear about your Franceadventures
Perhaps one day I'll come visit you wherever you findyourself!
Hey there – it's stuart (Nico's friend from L.A.? The Xangan?) Found your blog through nico's – expect me to read (and sometimes comment on) it from now on.
P.S. – I feel most at home in my car.
The way you wrote this is beautiful. I don't know if I'm a city girl or a country girl. At this point, I'm still trying to understand where I fit in in this very big world. I would say that my zen is being home, or anything that reminds me of home. Being with my mother, for instance, provokes feelings of supreme comfort & security. Curling up with Jonathan in bed leaves me feeling 100% content, as if the entire world stopped for us. Being around my sister gives me goosebumps, just realizing that she is my flesh & blood, my dearest friend, & we've had some amazing times together.So I guess my zen isn't places… It's people. :]
now THAT, my dear is beautiful.
PS – I got your card and the earrings yesterday. I'll be sure to post picswhen I wear them, they're AWESOME 
Cheers to THAT my friend! The urban jungle is definitely my preferred adventure and this post communicates that exact kind of excitement. Looking forward to the next city you hit up.
Cities are so alive and vibrant. They are addicting. I am a city girl at heart too.
Hi! Thanks for coming by
It was great to meet you, btw!
I live in a rather large city. It's the capital of the country and it counts up to 3.5 million inhabitants. That, even for USA cities standards is QUITE LARGE. But we're in Central America. So, the concept changes a little.Yeah, there are lots of inhabitants here, the traffic is horrible, we have lots of malls but we're still a 3rd world country.Since 2003, we take yearly vacations somewhere else in the world. 2004? Orlando, FL. 2005? Orlando, FL. 2006? Orlando, FL. 2007? Buenos Aires, Argentina. 2008? San Francisco, CA. 2009? Strasbourg, France.I can't hide that I'm also a city girl. I love the big cities, the business of it all… It's just great.For now, I'm in a transition of "homes". From my salvadoran home to my french home. It's kinda… interesting.
It's INTRIGUING! I love it, and I can't wait to hear about your Franceadventures
Perhaps one day I'll come visit you wherever you findyourself!
cities make me alive too
I love how you wrote this! I'm a city girl through&through. The electricity of NYC literally shocks me into a whole other state of being. It's a city of endless possibilities and I love feeling like all of those options are at the end of my fingertips whenever I visit:)
Cities are so alive and vibrant. They are addicting. I am a city girl at heart too.
You of course already know that I am NOT the city girl you are, sister dear! My favorite place in all the world is home sweet home. Cheesy, I know. Though I used to love and thrive on the busy-ness of day to day life, I now can not wait for the days that I have absolutely nothing on my agenda…. on those days, I sleep in, sip my coffee (with Bailey's, mind you) and listen to cities 97 or curl up with a good book and my puppy. While I live within 10 minutes of bustling Minneapolis, I definitely prefer the quietness of my own indoors. THAT is my favorite place.
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Is this your first comment on my blog?! I know you're a homebody, you'rejust like Ma.I miss you too
Let's hang out and sip Bailey's or wine soon, k?
Yes, my first. I love reading…. keeps me updated on your life even though I don't see you as much as I want to! Are you around this week? Plans tomorrow? Call me! Baileys and/or wine sounds fabulous! Love you!!!
Tomorrow is totally open. We're hanging out. Your place? Dinner?
Love that you had KoL's Manhattan on. LOVE that song, and its perfect for THIS blog.
heart you
This is a photo taken by a satellite from the OTHER side of Saturn:http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap061016.htmlSee that blue dot in the upper left of Saturn's ring? That's us.That's Earth.That's my "we're not that big" reminder. It's printed out and pinned to my cubicle with a "YOU ARE HERE —>" arrow on it.
Chris, I LOVE that. And I kind of want a copy. That's awesome.
I love how you wrote this! I'm a city girl through&through. The electricity of NYC literally shocks me into a whole other state of being. It's a city of endless possibilities and I love feeling like all of those options are at the end of my fingertips whenever I visit:)
You of course already know that I am NOT the city girl you are, sister dear! My favorite place in all the world is home sweet home. Cheesy, I know. Though I used to love and thrive on the busy-ness of day to day life, I now can not wait for the days that I have absolutely nothing on my agenda…. on those days, I sleep in, sip my coffee (with Bailey's, mind you) and listen to cities 97 or curl up with a good book and my puppy. While I live within 10 minutes of bustling Minneapolis, I definitely prefer the quietness of my own indoors. THAT is my favorite place.
Tomorrow is totally open. We're hanging out. Your place? Dinner?
Love that you had KoL's Manhattan on. LOVE that song, and its perfect for THIS blog.
Yes, my first. I love reading…. keeps me updated on your life even though I don't see you as much as I want to! Are you around this week? Plans tomorrow? Call me! Baileys and/or wine sounds fabulous! Love you!!!
heart you
Chris, I LOVE that. And I kind of want a copy. That's awesome.
I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this your first comment on my blog?! I know you're a homebody, you're
just like Ma.
I miss you too
Let's hang out and sip Bailey's or wine soon, k?
This is a photo taken by a satellite from the OTHER side of Saturn:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap061016.html
See that blue dot in the upper left of Saturn's ring? That's us.
That's Earth.
That's my “we're not that big” reminder. It's printed out and pinned to my cubicle with a “YOU ARE HERE —>” arrow on it.
Yes let's hang out. I'm going to the beach with Chrissy and the girls for the early part of the afternoon and will let you know when I head back towards my house…. if not dinner,for sure wine and cheese!
Yes let's hang out. I'm going to the beach with Chrissy and the girls for the early part of the afternoon and will let you know when I head back towards my house…. if not dinner,for sure wine and cheese!
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We're excited to let you know that Doni Walker has invited you to Dropbox!Doni Walker has been using Dropbox to sync and share files online and across computers, and thought you might want it too.Visit http://www.getdropbox.com/link/20.NFBUJawurg/Nj….. to get started.- The Dropbox Team____________________________________________________ To stop receiving invites from Dropbox, please go to http://www.getdropbox.com/bl/9356ade1c4ed/notif…..
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