1. The performing arts scene. Despite being a relatively small city, Minneapolis truly has one of the most vibrant performing arts scenes I've ever experienced. In the month of October, I think I attended at least one concert, ballet, or show each week. There is no end to the opportunities available to hear quality music, see a world class ballet (e.g. the Suzanne Farrell ballet will be here next week), or watch a broadway show (e.g. I won the Wicked lottery here!). Without such a lively performing arts culture in the Twin Cities, I'm pretty sure I could not have survived here as long as I did.
2. Student tickets. Going hand-in-hand with the above, if the Twin Cities did not treat their students so nicely and offer student discounts at almost every show, I could not afford to attend any of these events. Thankfully, they are very generous to poor students like me. I was even able to purchase a student subscription to the Minnesota Orchestra this year for only $12 a ticket with some fabulous seats in the house. I am especially excited this year, because the Minnesota Orchestra will be performing Dvorak's New World Symphony and Rach 3, two of my all-time favorites.
3. My apartment. I've lived in three different apartments since moving here, and my current one is fabulous. I love living in downtown while feeling completely safe in my own building and neighborhood. It is right on the bus line (without needing to transfer!) so that I can get to campus without freezing to death. I'm thankful that I can afford this place so that my living situation isn't a distraction to my studies.
4. Funding from the University of MN. It is difficult these days to land in a doctoral program that guarantees their students at least 5 years of funding especially in a field like mine. There is absolutely no way I could have paid my way through graduate school, nor been able to afford my current place of residence without the support. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to constantly fight for departmental funding year after year in an economy that always cuts the humanities first. Having this kind of support in such dire times is a real boon, not to mention it was the only way I could have afforded my extended trip to Oxford this past summer, a total dream come true.
5. Transit stop heaters. Minneapolis bus and train stops sometimes have these heat lamps attached to the shelter ceilings. They're not as helpful against the biting wind, but whenever the winds stop for even a few seconds, the warmth from those lamps is bliss. Every bit of warmth counts here.
6. Zenon Dance School. I can earnestly say that this dance studio has probably saved me from falling into serious depression these last few winters. Something about dancing and being around other dancers makes me forget for a moment all the stress of graduate school. I love the teachers and the friends I've met here. It's a little community all its own that is completely separate from anything school-related. Hint for future graduate students: Having a community completely separate from school is absolutely essential for surviving a PhD.
7. The Church. I know the church exists almost worldwide, but I am especially grateful that it exists in Minnesota, because it is a real comfort to have this kind of community no matter where I live in the US through our shared bond in Christ. I am thankful for the unity in diversity. I meet people from backgrounds that couldn't be more different from mine, yet we share in common the most central part of our lives. The members of the body of Christ here have truly been the ones who have shown me the most love, even though I'm a complete stranger in these parts.
8. My advisor (and informal advisors). Before beginning my doctoral studies, I would often hear all sorts of horror stories about PhD supervisors and how they can turn your life into a living hell, prevent you from graduating, and challenge your research. I am blessed to have had none of these experiences with my advisor. He has been very generous with his time, eager to help me network with other like-minded scholars, eager to involve me in his own projects, and trying his best to give me as much flexibility as possible to study NT textual criticism in a program designed strictly for classicists. I am extremely grateful that my experience with him has been a good one. I am also extremely thankful for Michael Holmes and Amy Anderson, the former of whom gave me rigorous foundational training in textual criticism, and the latter provided endless opportunities and encouragement in pursuing further research in this area. Without these two and the flexibility accorded by my advisor, I might very well have left UMN a while ago.
9. The MacLaurin Institute. This institute recognizes that the lack of religious discourse in academia deprives the academy of significant resources in all fields of scholarship. They provide students and faculty contexts in which they can engage intellectually in deeper theological and ethical issues without being forced to put aside faith perspectives in the conversation. I am thankful that they provide students like me opportunities to think about some of the more difficult questions regarding faith and academia.
10. Medical insurance and medical care. The student insurance at the University of MN is phenomenal. In fact, it is the best medical insurance I have ever had so far. I would be tens of thousands of dollars in debt right now if I didn't have this kind of coverage. The access to medical treatment in MN is also phenomenal (mentioning Mayo Clinic is enough, I think) and I am truly thankful for the wonderful doctors I have access to here.
That was not a bad exercise! It has definitely lifted my mood despite the weather. I will have to look back at this post the next time I feel like quitting and moving back East.
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The view outside my building on campus.
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