Introduction to the "Flaviana in the 'Sota" blog

Well, much to my husband's chagrin, I have started a blog.  After leaving NYC to move to Minneapolis, I toyed with the idea of starting a blog to document our adventures as we became acquainted (or reacquainted in my case) with the fair Mini-Apple.  But what finally tipped the scales in favor of starting the Flaviana Blog was the untimely death of my beloved Nook (an e-reader that's basically Barnes and Noble's version of the Kindle), temporarily killing my dream of a September filled with reading novels.

NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In any event, the silver lining in the demise of my Nook is that all of you is that you can now hear about all of our adventures as we settle into our new home in MN!!!

So before beginning our journey on the Flaviana in the 'Sota blog, I thought I would explain a few things as an intro to the blog:

1. Flaviana - for those of you who did not have the pleasure/misfortune of attending law school with Flav and me, the nickname Flaviana is the creation of our law school friends who were fond of couple name mash-ups now popular with the US Weekly set (think Brangelina, TomKat or my favorite, Speidi).  Back in 2003, shortly after Flav and I started dating, our friends began to refer to the two of us as one unit; "Flaviana", which, for better or worse, has stuck. Thus was created the two headed monster known as Flaviana.

Two Headed Monster of Sesame Street

Two Headed Monster of Hennepin Ave

2. "The 'Sota" - as far as our use of the 'Sota (short of Minnesota), I must give credit to my lovely husband Flavio.  A few years back, during a cold NY winter night, Flavio and I were watching a movie and I asked him to share his blanket with me.  Ever the gentleman, he responded "you can take the cold, you're from the 'Sota."  I'm certain we are the only two people who actually use this expression, and while we may think we're pretty cleaver, I'm sure everyone else whose heard it thinks it's pretty lame.

3. Minnesota related snark: before going full steam ahead into my posts, I should warn other MN natives reading the blog that any snark directed at Minnesota or quirky Minnesota traditions is said with all the love in my heart.  Even though I may laugh about some of the more unusual things about Minnesota culture, I love Minnesota and have always been proud to be a Minnesotan. (Just ask Flav or our friends from NYC who have experienced my psychotic love for the Twins first hand)  In any event, my love for Minnesota is similar to the love I have for my two younger brothers - I love MN and because I'm from here it's OK when I make fun of MN, but if someone else has a snide word about my home state there will be heck to pay.  (HECK I SAY!!!)

So, hope you enjoy hearing about our adventures.  And who knows, maybe we'll even convince some of the NYC crew to come out for a visit.....

Cheers!!!