So this week allowed me to actually get a taste of what life would be like living in Minnesota. Although this overwhelming feeling of “new” will still be lingering for some time still, I have managed to somewhat “settle”.
Monday, 06/11 – I finally had my first US Mcdonalds meal. I thought it saw fit to order a Big Mac. It is, after all, probably the most famous burger in the world. For the first time since arriving, something was actually SMALLER than what I’m used to. The patties are smaller, and the sauce is very different. But it was pretty good actually. Afterwards I got to experience my first Home depot visit. Essentially it is a DIY heaven!! Everything you could think of, and more packed into one massive store. The rest of the day was peaceful. Picked up Ryker from school, and Alex came back from “grandpa day”. We ended the night with the four of us reading through an Afrikaans book, learning new words myself in the process. It feels good knowing that Amanda is going through so much effort to learn about my culture and my language.
Tuesday, 07/11 – Amanda worked until very late, so I had the kids to myself all night. It was very eventful, getting to see how they think and how different they grow up compared to at home. Alex is just like her mother. If I didn’t know that before Tuesday, I found it out 20 times over. The way she thinks, the stuff she says… She is definitely a mini-clone. I had a ton of fun with them. I am very glad that they like me, that they are comfortable with me. They are amazing kids. I got to watch a ton of different kids shows. Some of which, oddly enough, actually caught my interest.
Wednesday, 08/11 – We didn’t have the kids, so Amanda and I decided to evolve into Geek-mode. We drove around town, searching for Pokemons, doing raid battles and defeating Gyms. It was a lot of fun, knowing that I found someone who is just a geeky as I am. We ended up at Victory memorial parkway, which commemorates the lives lost in Minneapolis during WW1. We didn’t get to spend as much time there as I would have liked, because it was freezing outside. Eventually we decided that the cold was winning, and went out for dinner at Hibachi Grill and supreme buffet. The food was amazing!! Everything from sushi to stirfy to fried chicken, and everything in between. Definitely an awesome dinner!! Afterwards we went to Hyvee to check things out. So. Many. Fresh. Products… Bakery, smoothies, etc etc… The scents and smells within the store was very overwhelming. It’s unfortunate that their prices are so much more expensive. I get why it is… We drove home, and ended the evening with amazing conversation.
Thursday, 09/11 – With the kids not at home, and Amanda working till late again, I got to have the house all to myself. Netflix was the word of the day.
Friday, 10/11 – Amanda worked from home, which meant being able to spend all day with her.❤ She taught me how to make salsa egg buritos!! SUPER TASTY!! We stayed home most of the day, but went out for the evening to the Shout house in downtown Minneapolis, where I got to meet Sammi Johnson!! What an awesome chick!. The entertainment was beyond impressive. Extremely absorbing. I had a ton of fun with Amanda, just listening to a combination of country, rock, 80’s and nows. We also had dinner there! There was this drink that I ordered, that came in a little plastic bag, called the purple people eater or something. Imagine those water “ysies” that you break in half, and combine it with coconut water and alcohol!!! YES PLEASE!!! We left around 11:30, and as I stepped out, the world around my was white! My first experience outside in the snow!! I have seen the snow before that, but I have never engaged with it, never got to feel what it felt like to walk in the snow, or to have a snowflake land on your tongue. SNOW IS AWESOME! We went home for a restful evening.
Saturday, 11/11 – Probably our busiest individual day thus far. ROAD TRIP! We started off driving to Apple valley to help Amanda’s family with a car problem, which meant that I got to see them again!! Afterwards we started driving towards Lake city, a very small town compared to what I have seen the past two weeks. I also got to drive for the first time!! Stressful and different. But not as scary as I thought. Once we got there, I got to meet Amanda’s grandfather. What a nice man. Immediately felt comfortable, and got to spend some time getting to know him!! The view from his house… It isn’t easy to explain… Beautiful, breathtaking, awe-inspiring. All of the above!! From there we drove to the Eagle center in Wabasha, where I got to see a living, breathing Bald eagle!! Such majestic creatures. Being able to see the “symbol” for all things American was SO WORTH THE DRIVE!! We ended up having dinner at Applebee’s. I wish I took pictures… It was SO YUMMY!! I urge anyone visiting the US to eat there… WOW!! Afterwards we made a quick stop at Amanda’s dad’s house, before heading home for the night…
Sunday, 12/11 – I got to spend the day with Amanda’s dad, running errands and moving some stuff around. It was great to have the opportunity to get to know him, as well as get to learn more about Amanda’s past. We had endless conversations, switching between politics, history, culture, personal experience, small chat, and everything in between. It also helped me deal with missing my family. When we finished for the day, Amanda made us her version of tator tot hot dish. I love tator tot hot dish… SO MUCH We spent the rest the night having some family time together.
I have made it two weeks so far, and it becomes easier everyday. I don’t miss home, I don’t miss feeling unsafe, or feeling paranoid. I definitely don’t miss the idiocy of the public speakers representing the country. I miss my family a lot though. That’s the only thing I miss. I guess that part becomes easier over time. At least that’s what I have heard from others.. It isn’t really something to prepare for… But life in the US has been good so far. I feel safe, I feel happy. I feel like this is where I need to be. I am inlove with the most amazing woman that I have ever met. And she has the most amazing kids. Things are going really well here. I am excited to see what the future holds in store for US. All the baby steps…
Now… To find bread that doesn’t taste like it’s been dipped in a sugar bowl…. AND I REALLY WANT BOEREWORS AND CHEESE SPREAD!!
