Travel Assignments, Weekend Trips

Rapid City, SD: Rushmore & More

If there is one thing I love, it is a good road trip. Despite the fact that I drove 1500+ miles from California to North Dakota and I will be driving about the same to Philadelphia in just a couple of weeks, I absolutely love the journey (just as much as the destination). During my first month here in Bismarck I was still getting to know people and trying to find a tribe who I could get together with on weekends. SO. On a random Saturday in April I woke up and randomly decided to take a road trip to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore!

Travel Assignments, Weekend Trips

Minneapolis, MN: Girl’s weekend

Minneapolis is such a beautiful city. I am glad I was able to explore it with new friends. There is so much diversity, love for justice, great food, great things to see, and lots of gorgeous sights (such as parks). It reminded me of Sacramento in many ways. I am grateful for the taste of home, even if I am thousands of miles away.

Travel Assignments, Weekend Trips

Minneapolis, MN: Be a Beginner

I don't know about you, but I have struggled with beginnings about as much as I struggle with endings (which is A LOT by the way). It is hard to admit when I am a beginner at something. I know a huge part of that is my own privilege as a white, educated, middle-class woman. Book education is important, but not as important as real-life education. I have never had the real-life experience of being a black woman or black man. I have only ever known a life of privilege. I can read what that means in a book, but it does not mean I truly know what it means. At first I struggled with it too. I had thoughts in my head about how I have my degree in Social work and that it means I recognize my privilege. Again though, it is one thing to know it - it is another to feel the repercussions of someone else's privilege affecting my own life.