2011 Top 10 New to Me Events

My annual post reflecting on the year:
2011 Top 10 New to Me Events (in chronological order)

1. January: Fargo - Hotel Donaldson

For a work trip to the far north, I had a chance to spend the night at the Hotel Donaldson in Fargo, one of the best boutique hotels in the midwest. My room featured woodblock prints by Charles Beck, who was the person who introduced my parents to each other! There was an excellent happy hour, awesome bar with live music, and tasty bread basket in the morning. Worth a trip to Fargo just to stay here.

2. January: Duluth - Fitger's

I've tried Fitger's beer but had never stayed in the historic hotel. Bill and I enjoyed the bitter cold weekend with dinner at my always favorite New Scenic Cafe, skiing at Lester Park (amazing trails right in the city), afternoon beer flights at Fitger's Brewhouse, the firm's holiday party at new to me Clyde Iron Works (stay away unless for a big event), and brunch at new to me Nokomis (loved the food but found the atmosphere lacking).

3. February: Luminary Loppet

How is it that this was my first time skiing the Luminary Loppet? Bill, Patrick, (7-months-pregnant) Maia, and I joined the hundreds of people on Lake of the Isles for this only-in-Minneapolis event. The snow and luminaries were beautiful and it made me so happy to live here. Not sure I will be as brave in 2012 as Maia was (if we even have any snow this winter)...

4. February: 1st wedding anniversary

Bill received the best ever student gift last Christmas: weekend use of the family's cozy cabin on Lake Superior. The views were amazing and we loved new-to-us skiing on a warm winter day at Split Rock Lighthouse. We also loved re-living our wedding by watching Towle's video.

5. March: Spring Break in Spain

As most of you know, Madrid, Bilbao, and Gernika were not new to me, but were new to us and a necessary trip to take. Despite still not having started one of my lifelong to do list items --learning Spanish--we lived like the Spanish for two weeks, enjoying sleeping in, afternoon lunches, and daily happy hours at cafes. Highlights: staying at Cliff and Luis' rental apartments, the world's best veggie food at Isla del Tesoro, gulas in Bilbao's Casco Viejo, and art, art, art.

6. July: Positive pregnancy test

Obviously the highlight of the year and the event that will give Bill and me never-ending new to us experiences. Pregnancy itself has not been my new favorite thing, but I feel lucky to be normal and healthy starting my 28th week on Monday.

7. July: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

We met up with many old friends in D.C. and had lots of new to me highlights but most fun was enduring 100 degree heat at new to me baseball stadium Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Only 22 new to me ballparks to go - what will be next in 2012?

8. August: Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA)

This summer I was excited to receive an invitation to join the Fund Development Committee of JXTA, an amazing non-profit that focuses on serving youth on the Northside. JXTA is a small organization that has served hundreds of kids over its 15 year existence and is currently in the process of expanding to make an even greater difference to the families of North Mpls. There are so many great non-profits to support, but I decided to serve this one because of their established history, commitment to teaching youth employable skills, focus on the arts, and visibility in making a difference in a neighborhood that has long been underserved.

9. September: AIA Women's Leadership Summit

Being surrounded in Kansas City by 130 other female architects at a new biannual AIA conference was an enlightening and new to me experience. For two days, we had amazing female speakers on leadership, architecture as a career, and design topics. Can't wait for 2013.

10. December: Wilco at the State Theater

My all-time favorite band has come a long way from their early shows in the mid-90s at Gabe's in Iowa City where I had the unfortunate reputation of being able to fall asleep sitting on the floor in the front row next to the big speakers. Joining all of the other 30/40somethings at the State for Wilco's new to me big stage lightshow and new guitars for every song did not change my view that Jeff Tweedy continues to be a musical genius.

2011 Top 5 Memorable New to Me Events:
1. May: Retiring from AFH MSP leadership
After 6 years of co-leadership of Architecture for Humanity Minneapolis-St. Paul, it was time to retire. I'm happy to say that we found two great new leaders so the Chapter is continuing to provide design services to humanitarian crises locally and globally.

2. June: Assessing homes post-tornado

The May 22nd tornado was devastating to North Minneapolis, and AIA MN responded by providing pro bono design services to families in need. I contributed in a very small way by assessing damaged homes - a very eye-opening experience. Driving through the neighborhood recently, I was disappointed to see that the roofs of many homes are still covered with blue tarps. Let's not forget how much need there is so close to us.

3. August: (Pregnant) MC Inland Championship

One of the harder things I've ever done was crewing with Bill through 4 races on what turned out to be the final day of the MC Inland Championship at Lake Minnetonka. I was totally sick from pregnancy and somehow got through one of the gustiest ever races to place high enough for Bill to win the championship for the fourth year in a row. This item does not make my Top 10 because despite being new to me, I feel sick even recalling the experience.

4. December: AIA MN YA Award

In May my firm nominated me for the 2011 AIA MN Young Architect Award, and I worked long and hard on a portfolio to summarize my first 13 years in architecture. I was happy to learn that I was one of two "young" (also both female) architects selected. The actual award presentation was in December where I felt very honored to be supported by so many people who have helped me get this far in my career.

5. July - December: Half year without beer

I feel that enduring 6 months without enjoying my favorite beverage is necessary to note. How many new to me craft beers have I missed trying since July? I'm sure that the trade-off will be worth it.