Friday, August 6, 2010

in my lifetime


Time flies

It really does...

And just like that...it's over!

As many of you know, I have been working in Minneapolis, Minnesota since last October but still living in Atlanta. Last week, I resigned from my job in Minneapolis to take a job in Atlanta. For the past 10 months, I'd work during the week in 'Sota and fly home on the weekends. Sometimes I'd stay for a 3-4 days and some weekends I'd stay in Minnepolis and work. Nevertheless, I was away from home. It was an adjustment to say the least. Being away from the family was tough but we all adjusted. The wife...gotta thank her for holding it down at taking care of our 3 little men. If the roles were reveresed, I dunno if I could've balanced work, baseball practice (Deion), potty training (Brandon), and running the house. She did a great job!


Believe it or not, it's gonna be hard to leave. The job was a great job. Aside from paying for the expenses and perks, I worked with/for some great people whom I'll never forget. It's rare that you find a "family like" atmosphere at a company...especially within the mortgage industry. But they are some cool people.


1. Weather or not

The winter time is BRUTAL. I've never been THAT cold in my life. It snowed on December 1st and I didn't see the green grass until March 5th. It would snow at LEAST 3 times a week. Despite the snow, the roads are almost always clear. They know how to handle it. After the 6th snow fall, I was tired of seeing the white stuff. The snow isn't the problem...it's the cold. I remember stepping out of my hotel one morning and it was so cold that it hurt to breathe! It was so cold that I tried the spit test (when you spit in the air and it freezes before it hits the ground) and it worked! Despite the days when the wind chill was -20 below...I got used to it. By January, I could step outside and guess the temp without looking at a report. People there don't spend a lotta time outside during the winter. But this is the time of the year is why people live here. Temps in the low 80s with very low humidity. I loved it! I spent plenty of time around Lake Calhoun and Lake Minnetonka (no...I didn't purify myself in it)






2. MOA

I'm not a fan of malls. I hate malls. I can't spend more than an hour in a mall. However, I grew very fond of the MOA (Mall of America). To say this place is HUGE is an understatement. You could literally spend a day in this place. Every store that you can dream of is in here!! And there's an amusement park that puts Six Flags to shame






3. Take care of the Fetus

Electric Fetus is a huge record stord. Yes...I said record store. It's a very eclectic spot that I loved to visit on a weekly basis. The music that you'd find in there fit my eclectic music tastes. It is a place were you could literally play a RECORD for the entire store to hear. Kinda like Darius in the movie Love Jones. I spent a couple of dollars on cds in here. If you ever get to Minneapolis, you've gotta check out the Electric Fetus

4. Let's go outside

The spring and the summer are why people live in the Twin Cities. This April marked the opening of Target Field for the Minnesota Twins. I went to a game to see my team, the New York Yankees, come to town. The people of Minnesota love their baseball team and they love this new state-of-the-art stadium. It is nice!


5. Sometimes you gotta get out

There are many sights and sounds in Minneapolis. You've gotta see for yourself...



6. It ain't me...

I learned that all of what I've done...all of who I am...all of who I'll ever be can only be credited to God. Every day, despite my flaws and mistakes, HE gives me another opportunity to be the man HE wants me to be. And I am eternally grateful.

7. Why you do what you do

Of all the pics that I've taken, this is my favorite. On this day, the wind chill was -15. I thought to myself..."Why is he riding a bike to work?" The answer was simple...he was doing what he had to do to provide for his family. In many ways...we are both alike

I really miss moments like this...
















21 comments:

The Jaded NYer said...

Congratulations on the new position. But I'm really disappointed you never took the time to meet up with Prince at Paisley Park the whole time you were out there!! lol

Mizrepresent said...

Beautiful Kyle!

KayC, The Quiet Storm said...

Wow. For some reason I thought the Minneapolis position was a temporary reassignment or temp gig. I did not know you were flying out and returning on weekends. That becomes taxing on anyone, family or single. Props to Mrs. Kyle for holding down the fort!

Wishing you the best my friend. Continue to grow into the man you were meant to be.

Charles (Illumistrations) said...

Good luck on the new job Kyle! So I guess you're turning in your Uncle Travellin' Matt passport now huh?

That Mall of America looks crazy!! I must resist the urge to visit...

swtstiletto said...

Sounds like a bitter-sweet departure. I truly believe having these types of experiences builds major character. I'm sure Mrs. Kyle is welcoming the change although it sounds like she was very supportive of the experience...and that's absolutely wonderful!

Good luck on the new gig!

3rddeadline said...

Chocolate Boi Wonder-

Props for doing what you needed to do for the fam; and major props to Mrs. 12Kyle for holding down the fort. She's been that same strong lady we met when she was 18 yrs old.

Also, smooth way to weave in your memories of 'Sota.

wynsters the tigress said...

the mall of america is ridiculous. i was there once and overwhelming is the word that comes to mind!

Tyrone said...

For some reason I thought the ATL was the home office and you had to head to Minny every so often. You wouldn't mention it every week. But props to you and your wife for holding it down together.

MzInspiredMind81 said...

I love this post! Congrats on the new position. I think I'm going to go visit my cousins in MN. The only time I've been was on an extremely brutal layover that I spent in MOA! :)

...they call me "L" said...

No matter what, Kyle, or where we go, there's no place like home...

SincerelyGo said...

I love this post!!!!

Sincerely,

Go

Jurista said...

Congrats on the new gig. Definitely something to be thankful for in finding a new gig in this economy. In the mortgage industry, nonetheless.

Kudos to your wife for being able to manage home and you from afar.

I'm about to embark on something similar and I'm searching for the strength to be able to maintain. Your blog has given me hope.

I am sending my son to my parents & sister for kindergarten while I finish my last semester of law school. Only to follow that with going to IL to study for the bar. I'll be away from Buddha from September through February and away from Mister from December through February.

Thanks for the light shining through. I needed to read this.

Tee Reese said...

Wow!

I appreciate the last thought... 'doing what you had to do to provide' and truly hats off to the lady of the house. The foundation of what you've made your house a home.

Best wishes to you and the family!

LadyLee said...

Great post. Excellent tribute to your family, and to that temporary home of Minneapolis. Doing what you had to do builds character. And now you back in the ATL! Congrats on that job!

12kyle said...

@ Jaded NYer
Mannnnn, I actually heard that Prince was playing at this club one night and I went! He wasn't there and I was mad as hell! LOL

@ Miz
Thanks, lady!

@ Kay C
It was a contract position. I could have signed a new contract in 3 wks so this job opportunity was right on time. Thanks for the well wishes


@ Charles
Mannnn, that Mall is sumthing serious. You can't go in there and NOT spend a dollar or 2.

@ Swtstiletto
You hit the nail on the head when you said "bittersweet". It truly has been that. I knew what decision to make but it was extremely hard

@ 3rddeadline
Thanks fam! She really did hold it down.

Yes. Ya boy had great memories of 'Sota. Great place to visit. You gotta check it out.

@ wynsters
You could spend a few days in there!

12kyle said...

@ Tyrone
No sir. The office was in Minnesota. I enjoyed it, tho. I really did. I'll miss those people

@ MzInspiredmind
I know YOU'D love the Mall of America! LOL

@ The L
You ain't neva lied!

@ SincerlyGo
Thanks!

@ Jurista
Thanks for sharing. I pray that everything works for you. I know that it will. It's a HUGE step but you'll be ok.

@ Tee Reese
Thanks bruh. I don't think any of us can say what we won't do. You just never know where life may take you.

@ LadyLee
Thanks! 'Preciate it!

E.M.H. said...

Congrats on the new job!!!!! Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. You were lucky to have an amazing wife who was supportive, that's priceless. I'm sure it was an experience if nothing else. Something to check off the bucket list :-)

Dave Van Buren said...

Congrats on the new job... i would have been job hunting as soon as I felt the first -20 wind chill lol

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xxxx said...

You remind me of my mother, sometimes like you said you have to do what you have to in order to provide for your family. My mother has been doing the same thing for the past five years, working in NY and living in ATL. The benefits are wonderful but its starting to wear her out. Big ups to you Mr.Kyle, nothing but respect

Angel said...

It must have been tough out there on your own, but that was a beautiful post. A bitter-sweet departure.