Ice skating rinks and candy stores

From the title, you might think I’ve been acting like a child – and, today, I have been!

Today was the first day in a long time that I haven’t had something I needed to do. Whether it was a job interview, grocery shopping, working at the gym, cleaning at the yoga studio, cleaning at the house, cooking, or something, I have been pretty busy.

Today was the first day I had nothing — absolutely nothing — that needed to be done. So I went to hot yoga. And then I explored.

I could have gone to a museum, because there a lot of them in St. Paul. I could have gone to a park, because there are a lot of those too. But instead, I went ice skating!

In downtown St. Paul, there is an outdoor Ice skating rink sponsored by Wells Fargo. So when you show your Wells Fargo card, you can rent ice skates for free!!!!
Instantly, I turned into a child. I was gliding, and dancing, and I was the only one on the ice. I’m sure I looked like a fool – a twenty-something girl becoming a ballerina in the middle of the city on a Friday afternoon…and I had a blast.
After my ice skating performance to the zero people watching, I asked the attendant in the warming house if she had any suggestions for things to do in walking distance. I found it kind of strange that her only suggestion in all of the area was, “Oh! Go check out the candy shop around the corner!” As odd as it sounded, I took the advice and made my way to Candyland, the candy shop.

Passing by theaters and performing arts centers I found the side street where I found Candyland. From the outside, it looks cute, but didn’t strike me as anything worthy of the excited suggestion I had received. However, when I opened the doors and was overwhelmed with a watering mouth and childlike excitement as I found myself in a Mr. Roger’s style Willy Wonka chocolate factory!
The store wasn’t big at all, but to your left was the candyman making chocolates, straight ahead were trays and racks of truffles, and chocolate barks, and other chocolate treats, and then to your right was a candy stand with fruit treats, trail mixes, jelly beans, and gummies. Finally, closest to the cash register on your right was the popcorn! The popcorn was fresh popped, seasoned, and bagged! With the little bit of space to form a line to order I got behind five patrons as I tried to decide what I was going to choose.
I tried to decide between chocolate barks, covered pretzels, truffles, sweet candies, spiced candies…there were so many great options. Someone got in line behind me, and then many more followed. The gentleman behind me commented how busy it was, so I asked if it was usually like this. He said there is always some sort of line, but this is rather on the busier side. But he stated it correctly when he said, “Nobody minds waiting for something as delicious as fresh candy!” I asked him and the person behind what their recommendations were and Person A said the Almond bark – almonds and white chocolate, and Person B said the Chicago Mix popcorn – a bag of popcorn with all three flavors of seasoned, rich cheddar, and caramel! When it was my turn I some of each of the fellows’ suggestions, and I was back to seeing some new sites in town.

Today has been such a fun day. I ate candy for lunch and ice skated! I am really having a great time in my new home.
Earlier this week I took my bike for a spin! There are a lot of great trails, throughout the Twin Cities, that keep cyclists away from dangerous, busy traffic. On my bike ride home, I biked alongside three prancing deer!

 

The journey has been beautiful, and exciting, and full of great lessons.
I have had to make some tough decisions, and also push myself to stay active and explore the unknown.
When facing the unknown, I remind myself of the four agreements:
1. Be impeccable with your word (What do I actually want? Or, what am I actually trying to accomplish?)
2. Don’t take anything personally. (The interactions I get to experience in my life become my decision of how I want to develop or not develop them. This is my journey, and my environment and interactions are tools toward “success”.)
3. Don’t make assumptions. (Especially in a new town, like myself, ask a lot of questions about everything and anything.)
4. Always do your best. (Never let yourself be disappointed in yourself. If you don’t like something, change it – do something different.)

There is no messing up in life if you are enjoying what you are doing. Like eating candy for lunch!