Networking.

If you know me, you know how much I enjoy networking and getting to know other people. This may or may not be why I am so interested in social media... to say I am connected is a bit of an understatement. Besides having this blog account, I also have Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Foursquare, LinkedIn, Klout, Pinterest, YouTube, and Facebook. I interact with a number of people on each outlet, and find the social media concepts to be learning opportunities. Here, I'll share a few small world moments that these connections have brought on.

This summer, I thoroughly enjoyed utilizing Foursquare to check in at famous locations, museums, tourist points of interest and airports. Early on in my European adventure, I had the opportunity to attend the Churchill War Rooms / Imperial War Museum with my Aussie friend, Fred. Towards the end of our trip with our class, we were able to visit the Churchill War Rooms / Imperial War Museum again. This was one of my favorite class trips, I had already been there before and all of the information was so great. This has got to be one of the most well done museums I have ever gone through. For Foursquare purposes, and because I was able to visit the Museum twice in three months (unless you work there, who does) I checked in on both occasions. This granted me Mayorship of the museum. It was not until the middle of September that social media informed me, the torch had passed. A man from Mexico had checked in more often than I had, and held the mayorship for quite some time, following my reign.

When I first moved to Minneapolis, I picked up a number of Minnesota-friendly followers on Twitter. One such person, @buddhastew who is described as "your local neighborhood woman boner", complete with a trombone in her picture. Considering my hobby and past of playing trombone, I reciprocated the follow, and tweeted at her asking where she plays and where about she is actually located in the Twin Cities. Wouldn't you know, she was performing on a cruise ship in the Caribbean (at the time). She then inquired about my job, asked if I was indeed working for the Minnesota Orchestra? I responded telling her I was, and that if possible we should get together when she returns to play duets. Just when I thought that would be as far as the connection went, people at worked mentioned a girl who used to work in our department, a trombone player who was currently performing on a cruise ship. When in fact, they knew exactly who she was. Lauren and I have since met, and on a number of occasions talked about getting together, though no plans have been made. We are just too busy!

Besides making friends and connections through social media interactions, I have been invited on a more professional level, by a friend from high school, Kate, to assist her at University of Minnesota Wrestling matches. I know I have touched on this briefly in the past, but there was one extra exciting event towards the end of January that left Kate and I on television. The Big Ten Network to be precise. The University of Minnesota was wrestling against Iowa, if you're familiar with sports conferences or the Big 10, you know this was a huge event. The dual was held in a larger venue than normal, and we were surrounded by Big Ten Network broadcasting staff (if you know who you're looking for, you'll enjoy some of the video around the one minute mark). Before the event began, I sent a quick text to my family and a few friends who I thought might get the channel and/or be interested. My brother, Morgan, went so far as to watch the event on TV (from South Carolina) and interact with me on the Minnesota Live Blog. Talk about cool. I love technology and how it brings people together.

More recently, my friend Marsha came to visit and we met at a coffee shop in Uptown (quite possibly my favorite), Spyhouse. While we were there, we had some small, casual conversation with a guy (Michael) who said he was visiting home for a couple weeks from China. A few harmless conversations, interjections and eavesdroppings later, we realized that Michael and I had a few mutual acquaintances. Not to mention similar plans for dinner. Michael was going to meet a friend for dinner at Pat's Tap. Marsha and I were going to grab food there as well. And later in the evening, I was going to stop by to see a friend who was going to dj. Towards the end of the late afternoon, when he went to take the bus to the place we were all going, Marsha and I extended him the offer of a ride. We quickly became connected through Twitter and have since kept up with one another.

Did you feel that? The world just got a little smaller. We must give thanks to social media, what else would we do with our free time?!
Sarah Marsh

Learning Curve

This month has continued to teach me that patience is a virtue and cars are not indestructible. Why do I know this? Because, in the month of January, I have experienced numerous occasions where my car did silly things and required my patience. This month kicked off with a ton of fun, some of which you probably read in past posts. What wasn't included were some near-to-tragic events with my car. I have had the opportunity to be angry with my car, which made me have patience over having no control and needing to wait for repair.

Initially, I had a small fender bender to begin the month. I tapped another vehicle while I was in reverse. Next-to-no damage, but the fact that it happened was enough. Saturday morning before work in Saint Paul. I stopped at the house the car was parked infront of to inform whomever owned the vehicle and consequently was late to work.

The following Saturday morning before work in Saint Paul, my door was frozen shut. Once I was able to unfreeze the door and get in to start warming up the car, my driver's side door would not shut. I ended up holding the door as tightly as I could with both hands and locking the door to make sure it stayed shut. How else do you expect me to have driven to Saint Paul with one hand on the door, one hand on the steering wheel and a third, that I do not have, on the shifter? Yes, yes I know that is impossible. Reasons why I needed a quick solution.

If you can believe it, the next Saturday morning on my way to work in Saint Paul (are you noticing the trend here?), I stopped for some gas in what was turning into a bad wintry mix. While stopped I planned on cleaning my windows for a fresh clean start before the weather kicked into overdrive. When I lifted the wipers off the windshield, one of my wiper blades tumbled to the ground. Just so happening to be the wiper in front of the driver's point of view. Go. Figure. I picked up the blade and headed the rest of the way to work.

Luckily, there is no official damage to the other vehicle, or mine, from the small accident. My door has had no problems (cross your fingers, knock on wood!) since that day, and the lovely man at AutoZone was able to snap my wiper blade back on easy as pie. At this point I felt confident is saying, nothing else could possibly go wrong with my car this month; that would just be crazy!

Until the next Friday night. I was headed to my cousin's house to babysit and something, a little more than half way from where I live to where they are, started making some noise. I was unable to tell just what it was, but I thought it was bizarre that I could hear it over my music. I waited until I arrive at their house to see what was the matter. Low and behold, my rear right tire was flat. I figured there was not much I could do to change the situation, so I went on to the house. Finding out quickly that my cousin didn't actually need me to babysit anymore, I had the time to contact AAA and be rescued.

Although unadvised to drive around on your spare, I managed to be successful at navigating around potholes for less than a week before selling an arm and a leg for two new tires. Game on car. Let's see what you will do -or won't do- the rest of winter!

More on the way!
Sarah Marsh

Life & Times in 2013

TAKE CALCULATED RISKS.
THAT IS QUITE
DIFFERENT FROM BEING RASH.

On New Years Eve, I spent the evening with the dear and wonderful, Jenni. When I finished work in St. Paul at the shoe store (more on this later), I picked her up and we headed to my place to make the dish I have so wonderful procrastinated on, the green bean casserole I received ingredients for as part of my Secret Santa. When it had cooked and without eating it, we moved on to apparel. Our plans included the Beer and Pretzel Party: Dress to Impress. With my personal stylist on hand, Jenni concocted what I was to wear so ensure we went out in style. We headed out to pick up our dinner, chinese take-out and then headed back to Jenni's to enjoy it- not to mention celebrate our fortune resolutions!!  Afterwards, we headed to Hannah and Amanda's for the shindig.

As we walked into the party, only knowing Hannah and Amanda, I could have sworn we walked into the wrong apartment. The music was going, conversations were innumerable, and there were so. many. people. Finally Amanda emerged from the crowd directing us on where to go to put our coats. Talk about a blast. There was dancing, great music, conversation, not to mention the meet and greets with soo manyyyyyyy peopppple. At one point, Jenni had a Michael Jackson encounter. This required photographic evidence:

PHOTO SHOOT WITH MICHAEL. .

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Be jealous. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and could not thank Amanda and Hannah enough..

WITH OUR LOVELY HOSTESS', HANNAH AND AMANDA!

They provided a bit of a champagne fountain when it got closer to midnight. We counted down off of people's cell phone clocks, and rang in the new year with some of the world's best company! 

On New Years day, when I finally rolled out of bed, I went to Jenni's house to order more chinese take-out and to go see Perks of Being a Wallflower. I cannot wait to purchase the book, soundtrack, and movie- once it is released. This movie was wonderful and fascinating.

HANNAH BELTING IT FOR
LUNA AND THE SUNBROTHERS.

TAYLOR & ME LOVING
EVERY SECOND OF
SERENADING BY HANNAH.

I went to see Luna and the Sunbrothers peform at the coffee shop again, and the were of course marvelous. I'm really enjoying seeing Hannah so often, not to mention hearing her sing! The group is great, my offer still stands, if you want to join me- let me know! The coffee shop they perform at has recently gone under a name change. It was previously, Second Moon Coffee House. It is now called Precision Grind Coffee. It's located off of Franklin and 22nd, and they typically play every other Thursday (as in, this week, but not next, but then again on the following). Yes, they have this discussion every week and it is hilarious. :D They have great coffee, great art, and great sounds. If you're a fan of specialty drinks, straight up coffee, free WiFi, or jazz & blues, you should be there. As soon as possible. Let me know if you're interested in finding out more about them, or just visit their Facebook page!

Since it is the holidays and people are in the area that aren't always, a miniature London Reunion was in store. Adrian, Shannon and I live here now, and Taylor is home being on break from university. Taylor came up with a wonderful idea for an out-of-the-box activity and drinks: Sky Zone and Margaritas. Not at the same time, mind you.. that would be outrageous! We paid $8.00 for a half hour of jump time. Shannon and I were joking to Taylor that we should jump for an hour, we've got the time! Taylor kept insisting that she had done this before and we would understand when it got to that point. Sure enough. We had 12 minutes left to jump, and we were exhausted. It was such a great workout. Even a few days later now, my shoulders are aching horribly. When I stretch my arms out forward, the muscles between my shoulder blades feel like a telescope being opened, section by section. I cannot wait to go back!! After jumping, we headed to Taylor's for fantastic margaritas and catch-up time with Adrian, who unfortunately could not make it to the trampoline house.. Next time FOR SURE!

BIRKENSTOCK SOCKS. 

As you may have picked up on in the first sentence here, I have another job. This is another part time deal, looking to raise funds in my life. Here is the point in time where you say, "Of course you did."... I have a job at a shoe store called Shoesters. There are two locations in Minnesota, and two locations in Virginia. We specialize in foreign comfort shoes, some fashion shoes, and loads of Smart Wool clothing. I had to share this picture today. I organized all of the Smart Wool socks, and then moved on to fix the mess of several, maybe seven (?), boxes of unorganized Birkenstock socks. Here is the outcome: seven MORE boxes of ORGANIZED Birkenstock socks. Loveeeeee itttt! :)


A short note about a fun adventure.. On Sunday, Jenni and I headed to the Minneapolis Institute of Art to see the exhibit: China's Terracotta Warriors. It was fabulous. We arrived later than planned, around 10:45am only to find the MIA didn't open until 11:00am. Much to our surprise, there were somewhere around 100 people (or more, who knows!?) waiting in line ahead of us. Here is the moment Jenni reminds me, Sunday is the free, Target-sponsored day. Of course! We made our way into the atrium, happy to be warmer than the 1º F temperatures outside. This was the case, until MORE people came. It was tremendous, and everyone wanted to be out of the cold. Even the people standing outside.. who were holding the doors wide open. I'm leading off topic here... When they let us in, Jenni and I decided to start with the short documentary about the Terracotta Warriors. This video was immensely helpful, at least to me, as I have not studied or learned more about this since approximately Mr. Robert's 6th grade S.O.A.R. and history class. Yes, I know, shame on me. However, as soon as the first cycle of the video ended, the executive decision of getting in line for the exhibit was made. It maybe took a half hour for us to get in, but as we were heading through the exhibits, we heard employees saying the line had become so long that some people might not get through the exhibit today... WOW. I'm so glad we made it in.. not to mention snapped a couple photos to create the picture above. :)

Once again, I promise not to procrastinate on my blog posts again. It is entirely too difficult to remember details of events so far from the original fun!! Here is my resolution. At least two blogs a month. One for every trip I take, another for every crazy Minnesota-related adventure, and one to just let you know that life is swell and what crafts are in my head or cooking is being done in the kitchen. All of this needs work, and it's an adventure.. why not document it? It will be all the more fun to recount and revisit in days, weeks, months, and years to come.
Sarah Marsh

New Years!

Tonight held a little bit of reminiscing for me. I read through a few blogs from a year ago when I first started. I was recounting my enormous amount of anticipation for the fabulous trip I was taking to London in the summer and how excited I was to complete my final semester on campus at school. A year has come and gone, didn't it go by in a blink?

Each new year is like renewing your membership to something. You have a chance to evaluate how the last year went and what you want to change, work on, or challenge in the next year. You have every moment as opportunity to grow and develop further skills, make new friends and see new places. This year is the year of opportunity and ambition. Let's conquer these goals and make this year out-do the last. Game on.

To look back on this year's major events: I spent spring break in California with my best friend and family. I graduated from undergraduate university. For ten weeks, I lived in London. I visited Dublin (Ireland), Paris (France), Bangor (Wales), Kenilworth (UK), Brighton (UK), Cambridge (UK) and Brussels (Belgium). I spent about 36 hours in New York and half a week in Washington, DC. I bought a car. I got a job, in my field. I moved to Minneapolis. I spent a long weekend in Arizona. This year has been spectacular. Pictures and words do not even begin to describe how wonderful my experiences have been.

Here is an extra special thank you to all of my friends, family and other various forms of support networks. Thank you for encouraging me to be the best person I can be, to experience things that only happen once in a lifetime (if you're lucky), and supporting me through all my endeavors. It's because you are so awesome that I can attempt to live so fully. <3 I wish you the very best new years you've ever had.

Bring it on 2013. Let's get this party started.
Sarah Marsh

Holiday fun!!

Happy holidays!! I hope your festivities were as wonderful as mine! I was able to spend time with wonderful friends, fantastic family and loads of loved ones. I have had the opportunities to road trip, hang out with my kitty, catch up on the newest movies, and have many, many times to smile! :)

My oldest brother, Morgan, flew in on the Tuesday before Christmas and we all but painted the town red! I was lucky enough to get out of work early and pick him up from the airport myself!! He sent his winter jacket, jeans and fleece jacket up ahead of time.. typical southerner, not ready for the cold that awaits. Once I picked him up, we grabbed lunch for the two of us, and our brother, Andrew.

Trying to be the accommodating sister for my tourist brother, I planned out a few holiday-specific activities including seeing the Macy's elves, going ice skating, playing in the snow, and seeing the Holi-Dazzle Parade downtown. Guess how much of that we did? If you guessed none of it, you are correct. We spent more time catching up on odds and ends shopping and taking opportunities to catch up with family.

On Wednesday, I had been granted a day off because projects and tasks around the orchestra office were slow. I was so excited to spend the day with Morgan! We hit various places like Walmart, Target, IKEA, and a few local shops. It was such a blast getting to spend time one-on-one. I am not sure Morgan and I have had this opportunity to hang out since I was somewhere around the age of 13. Yikes. Talk about a need to catch up with your sibling! Just before dinner at Andrew & Mary Elizabeth's, Andrew and Morgan went on a run with The Running Room's runners club. I picked up the boys, we hit the liquor store and headed to the house. We spent the night with great beers and delicious chinese food. The boys took turns playing in a RBI Baseball tournament with one of Andrew & Mary Elizabeth's roommates. It was an absolute blast.

As for Thursday, I had a half day in the afternoon at work. In the morning, Morgan and I ran a few more errands, grabbed lunch, and while I went to work, he did some honey-do lists for my Aunt and Uncle. After work, I headed to happy hour with some work friends for the Secret Santa reveal! My Santa ended up being my supervisor, she had some of the best gifts! I received ingredients for green bean casserole  a musical scarf, Apples to Apples in a Can, Travel Pictionary, Travel Would You Rather, and a bag of Peanut M&Ms. Talk about spectacular!! After I headed home, I went to see my friend Hannah's band, Luna and the Sunbrothers, perform at their coffee shop. They played a number of Christmas/Holiday-themed music and it was (of course) wonderful. More people should come to see them perform! If you're interested in joining me, text me- email me- facebook me- tweet me- I'd be happy to have you along! :)

Friday began with work, all day at the orchestra. Unfortunately it was announced that morning that more concerts were to be cancelled due to the lock out- through February 10th. After work, I headed home to pick up Morgan and go out to dinner with some lovely people-- our cousins! Although not everyone could make it, due to my poor planning and bad, bad misunderstanding, it was a blast for the couple of us who did make it. It was Morgan, Tom & April, Caroline & Nic, and me. Four cousins and two spouses. We'll get our acts together one of these times and make it a full group! We ate dinner at Pizza Luce and had an evening full of laughter.

Saturday meant family!! My parents drove in from Wisconsin and Mary Elizabeth's mom flew in from South Carolina. We began setting up as though it was a proper Christmas! We had dinner at the Depot in St. Paul with our five, plus Mary Elizabeth and her mom, AND my Aunt and Uncle! I think the waitress thought we were nuts... On Sunday, we celebrated Christmas in many different ways. Four of us had a gift opening under the Christmas tree, and then joined with Andrew, Mary Elizabeth, and her mom, then with our cousin, Caroline with her husband and children, and our Aunt and Uncle for dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's house. A feast, presents, family, loads of love. It was Christmas.

The next morning, Christmas Eve, Morgan flew back to South Carolina while my parents and I drove to Wisconsin. I had a week and a half off from the orchestra, I figured I might as well spend some time at home with friends who only make it home for the holiday, my kittttttty, and hang time at my parent's house. Boy was it needed. I hope your holidays were full of love and cheer!
Sarah Marsh

Snow is Everywhere!!

THIS IS WHAT I WOKE UP TO
SUNDAY MORNING!

Last weekend, Minneapolis found itself in the first big snow of the season! I never heard the final count on how many inches, but from personal experience, it had to have been around 8 - 12 inches out there. Despite the crazy weather, I had a few appointments to keep!

MY CAR AT THE END OF THE NIGHT...

Recently I have been invited to stand up as a groomsmaid in my friends' wedding. I went to high school with both the bride and groom, and I am super excited to be included in the wedding party! My appointment to keep, no matter the weather, was at David's Bridal to try on dresses and see what would work the best! I brought my friend, Jenni, along for moral support and opinion. Afterwards, we had planned to do a number of shopping excursions for Christmas presents. I'll have you know we did all of the above and then some! By the end of the night, we dyed my hair too!!

This short and sweet little blog post is to share the few photographs I have from the big snow and the change in my hair color.. I couldn't help it. I am just so excited about it!!

BEFORE... 

...AFTER!

...AND A FEW DAYS LATER. I'M LOVING IT!!

Musical Musings in Minneapolis

As many of you may or may not know, I have a strong interest in music. In fact, the word 'strong' is probably a bit of an understatement there. I love music. My mom used to say that I have music where ever I go, with bells on my fingers and toes... what ever that saying is! I would have music blarring from my room, something going in the living room/kitchen and music on the TV or stereo in the basement. I just cannot get enough!! Naturally, moving to Minneapolis where stages, shows, concerts and artists are seldom hard to find.. I have begun an adventure of listening!

KNOTS ON A STRING

A few weeks ago, I went to a show at the Fine Line Music Cafe to see a friend of a friend's group, Knots on a String. The show was fantastic. No complaints. The group consists of five girls of various instruments and vocal talents. I loved it so much, I purchased a CD and have been playing it non-stop in my car. Seriously, you can ask my friend Jenni!! :) Check them out on Facebook here!

Towards the end of their sets, they had two girls join them having performed earlier in the evening. It was a great combination. I would highly recommend you check them out at their next event! Like them on Facebook so you can learn of their events in the Twin Cities area!

LUNA AND THE SUNBROTHERS

In the last couple of weeks, I went to see Luna and the Sunbrothers at the 2nd Moon Coffee Cafe. The way I came to learn about this specific event is kind of a funny, small-world story.. I was eating at Pizza Luce with a friend, we were finishing up our drinks and waiting to get the bill when two girls walked in. I turned to my friend and said, "I know her-- that second girl with the curly hair!" She joked something about how I know people everywhere I go... yadda yadda yadda ... but I said, "No! Really! I know her through a friend I worked with at UW- Stevens Point, she went to UW- River Falls!" So I sent a quick text to our mutual friend asking if he knew of her whereabouts and if she was in Minneapolis, to be sure that I didn't look crazy by talking to strangers (even though I do that often). Long story short.. I did speak to her, and she is the lead singer for Luna and the Sunbrothers, and ultimately invited us to the show the next evening. Minneapolis just got a heck of a lot smaller. Like them on Facebook here, too! They have another show coming up at the Fine Line Music Cafe next week, you should all be there to check the out!

CHARLIE AND JAKE

On this particular Friday night, I was not doing anything special. Until I received a few text messages from my friend Charlie. He said a friend of his was in the vocal ensemble that was performing out in Apple Valley at a church. I'll have you know, working in the Ticket Services Department for the Minnesota Orchestra, we don't just ticket for the Orchestra, we also do other smaller performing ensembles. With this knowledge, I asked Charlie if it was in fact a Vocal Essence concert at the Sheppard of the Valley Church.. and indeed it was!! We went to see their Welcome Christmas concert, I met his friend who sang with them and we had a great time. The group is quite prestigious and very well known in the Twin Cities. If you're looking for a prime concert, you should look into their next concerts in February, March and April. I would highly suggest ANY of them-- and not because when you call for a ticket, you might get me on the line... because they are actually a phenomenal vocal (and small orchestral) group! Philip Brunelle has done an exquisit job keeping this group to the high exemplary level they are at. *Sorry for not catching an accurate photo of the group, I'll just put Jake as their sole representative, and Charlie, congratulating him on a fantastic concert. Well deserved!

Bravo! As more musical opportunities come about, I'll share them in quick time. For now, all I can do is recommend what I know to be great! I'm so glad I am in a city so appreciative of the arts and what is around!
Sarah Marsh