New Year's Resolution

We all have them. A New Year's resolution. Some people make a promise to themselves to lose weight in the new year. Others try to save a little extra money. Still others try to quit smoking or drinking alcohol. And those are just the standard resolutions. A resolution can be almost anything.

My resolution this year is a bit different than anything I've done in the past. For one thing, by putting it out here on a blog it makes it more real. I'm hoping that will push me to actually complete this year by accomplishing my resolution.

But more on the actual resolution itself later. First, a few background details about myself are needed.

I was born and raised in Burlington, WI, a town of about 10,000. Growing up, my parents exposed me to as much culture as was possible in a small town. The great city of Milwaukee is only about 45 minutes away from Burlington, so we did have access to some great restaurants, museums and shows. When I got older and it came time to choose a college, though, I really wanted a big city experience. And while I wanted to move away to go to school, I didn't want to go so far that I couldn't see my family when I wanted. So, after dragging my parents all around to look at schools, I decided on the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

When I graduated in 2004, I decided to make the Twin Cities my permanent home - at least for the next few years. I thought that would give me an opportunity to explore the cities in a way that I hadn't done in school. Unfortunately, I haven't done as much exploring as I had wanted. I talk a lot about the things I want to do and the places I want to see, but I never do them. Until now.

That's where the resolution comes in. I have decided to make it my goal to do one new thing in the Twin Cities every week. It could be dining at a restaurant that I've been wanting to go to, visiting a museum I've never been to, or seeing a performance of some kind. It can be anything, really. As long as it's new to me, and in the Twin Cities. And after each new adventure, I'll write about it on my blog so that people can follow along with me and my journeys.

I've enlisted the help of of my extremely loving and supportive boyfriend, Mark, and my very adventurous friend, Julie. Along the way, I'm sure that other important people in my life will join in the fun as they visit the great Twin Cities.

I'd like to state here as well that part of my inspiration for getting out there and blogging about it comes from my dear old friend, Erin Leffelman. Erin is the great spirit behind www.playinthecity.blogs.com, the famous Milwaukee outdoor adventure blog. Check out her blog using the link to the right. Thanks to Erin for helping me get a move on!

I hope that you all will enjoy following along with me as I conquer my resolution, and the Twin Cities!