Lessons on Minnesota from an Australian Visitor

Every year at about this time I find myself getting what can best be described as restless. The cold seeps its way into my core, the amount of minutes in the day that I’m exposed to sunlight becomes depressingly minuscule and I start to feel that familiar itch for adventure. For something different.

I start poking around to see what life would be like in North Carolina, California or Colorado. I dig out photos from my semester in Australia, close my eyes and pretend I am laying on the tip of Whitehaven beach, the sun glaring down and the aqua blue water surrounding me. I even visit a tanning bed a time or two despite the severe cancer risk, not because I want a bronze glow, but because I desperately need to feel warmth.

I typically spend the winter months meandering in and out of my tundra-induced funk until April hits, the snow melts and I once again remember that life, and Minneapolis, is wonderful. A week ago, however, my Australian friend, Pete, stayed with me on his Minnesota visit. Seeing this city, and my everyday life, through the lens of an outsider, whose home country consists of nothing but heat, beach and sunshine actually helped remind me why I choose—yes, choose—Minnesota as my home.

Why Minnesota is great:

• We live through winter. Yes, I said it. The same element that sends me spiraling each year is at the top of my list of reasons why Minnesota, or rather Minnesotans are so wonderful. Pete commented on how much pride Minnesotans have for this state. I think it largely stems from the toughness that is required to survive, and enjoy, the winter months. There is a bond that forms between people who choose to live in a climate that is quite painful for much of the year. To survive Minnesota winters you have to be strong, resilient, a good driver and a generally happy person.

• Winter activities. Despite Pete visiting during the coldest winter snap of the season, we still managed to hit up Afton and do a little skiing/snowboarding. Man, had I forgotten how much I love to ski. And, going skiing reminded me of all the other winter activities that are available. How much fun would it be to go tubing at Green Acres? Or participate in the City of Lakes Loppet? The possibilities are endless, you just need to get off the couch, bundle up and take advantage.

(Side note: hibernating under a fluffy blanket on the couch for an entire day or weekend would also qualify as an appealing winter activity, in my book)

• When the snow melts. There is nothing quite like the months of April through November in the north. We have seven months to pack in as much outdoor activity as is physically possible, and we don’t waste a single moment. Hitting the beach, visiting cabins, biking the trails and having barbecues. Hell, it is sheer joy to simply put on a pair of flip-flops and walk out the door without the jacket, mittens, hat, scarf and boots (oof) that are required all winter. Wearing a dress without tights; I could go on and on.

Why my life is great:

• My roommates. It’s always fun when friends from different worlds are able to be in the same place and meet each other. It’s even more fun when they get along. My roommates not only allowed me to open our house to Pete and help make sure he stayed fed and entertained. But, they also embraced him as a friend. I think it can be summed up with Martina’s comment to Pete the night before he left. “I wish you were our fourth roommate,” she said.

• My job. I work at an amazing place with amazing people. And, considering the recent survey that states only 45 percent of American workers are happy with their jobs, this is no small feat. I go to a job every day where I am able to do the work that I want to be doing, with people who have become friends. I eat lunch with my coworkers (at all levels of the organization) and discuss topics ranging from which cartoon character is the hottest, to what type of person our ideal spouse would be (musician, politician, cowboy, etc), to such random shenanigans that it cannot be shared on the Web. We laugh hysterically.

• My friends all over the world. It is an odd thing having my best friends scattered all over the world. From Australia to Germany to states across the U.S. there is never a time when I am not missing someone who I love. But, I would not trade in these friendships for ones that are local. I would not trade the time spent with the people in Australia or the experience my friend Anne is surely having in South Korea to have everyone in close proximity to me. Having friends from other countries quite literally opens your world. It allows for visits from any number of Australians who have taken up residency on my couch. It allows for late night conversations on the comparison of cultures. It allows eating Tim-Tams and Vegemite and Kangaroo. It allows for extravagant vacations where I can impose on their couches and their worlds. And it allows me to see my world through a foreigner’s eyes. See its achievements and its faults. Its landmarks and hypocrisies. And it reminds me why I think it’s so damn great.

Tags: Australia, Life is good, Minneapolis, Minnesota, seasonal depression disorder, Travel, winter