A Twin in the Twin Cities

The Como Zoo and Conservatory in St. Paul had been on my Twin Cities bucket list since I got here, and this past Sunday I finally went! Seeing all of the exotic trees, fruits, and other plants was my favorite.        I also saw Frozen 2 at the St. Anthony Main Theater last weekend, and I loved it, not even going to lie. Also they had $7 student tickets...so 10/10 would recommend.

The first big snow came last week! We got a couple snowfalls already, but the ground wasn't cold enough to for it to stick. The difference between reactions to it here and in NC/SC are so interesting to me, people here are pretty much unfazed by it and continue on with business as usual. I'm just thankful I managed not to fall on ice. There's more in the forecast for tomorrow, and next week... I'm excited! I can't believe how close the end of the semester is, so I'm trying to make a list of everything I want to do and see in my remaining time here. Enjoy these snow pictures, definitely more to come. The clouds and fog in the right side of the background are where the skyline should be.  .         

Even though it was technically sold out, my friend and I waited outside and scored last minute tickets to Pete Davidson's stand-up show last Friday! He was hilarious and it was surreal to see an SNL star in person. Our phones were locked in pouches during the show, so I couldn't take pictures inside. The next night, I won 2 concert tickets from a social media contest at First Avenue, a popular/historic music venue downtown (that used to be a bus depot?). The tickets were for Amber Run, and I didn't know the band beforehand but the show was amazing! They're a British indie-rock band, and solo artist Jordan Mackempa opened up for them.  To top it all off, the football team beat Penn State to become 9-0! The next and last home game is against Wisconsin in 2 weeks and I'm really looking forward to it.

Last weekend, I drove 3 hours up north with my roommate for some outdoor adventuring! We visited Tettegouche State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse, both along the North Shore of Lake Superior. We enjoyed (moderate intesity) hiking,t aking in the beautiful views, and learning a little history. Afterwards, we stopped at a diner in Duluth (MN's 4th largest city) for some much needed lunch and indoor warmth. Palisade Head, Tettegouche State Park Shovel Point Trail, Tettegouche State Park Split Rock Lighthouse - Over 100 years old, and the park is run by the Minnesota Historical Society, which operates it just as it did in the early 1900s.  This semester is flying by; I can't believe it's over halfway done. Currently making a bucket-list of what I want to see and do, so stay tuned for more updates!

Here's a mix of photos and what I've been up to for the past few weeks. We're in full on fall mode up here, cold weather and all! This is the view of the Mississippi River and downtown Minneapolis from the Weissman Art Museum on campus. I have one class across this bridge on West Bank, so it's a really nice walk to class twice a week. (except the wind gusts on the bridge are no joke!) Even the ivy is changing colors! My roommates and I went to watch a volleyball win at the Maturi Pavillion. The team is ranked #6 in the nation right now so the arena was packed! The annual Twin Cities Tap Festival was 2 weeks ago, and Minnesotap got to perform, attend performances, and take fun classes with awesome instructor! Student Showcase performance at the Cowles Center in downtown Twin Cities Tap Festival Day 3: Master Class with Elizabeth Burke (who's from NC like me!)

My sister's fall break at NC State was last week, so she came up to visit for 4 days. It was so great to see her, and we packed in as much site-seeing (and eating) as possible. The mid-October snow flurries didn't stop us! First stop: Mall of America (obviously) Lake Nokomis Sushi! Rice Park, Landmark Center, and St. Paul's riverfront Mill City Museum - 10/10 would recommend! The Guthrie Theater Minneapolis Sculpture Garden