In The Beginning

Hi! I’m Liz. Welcome to the documentation of my first year as a Milwaukeean!  It’s December 2013 and after much headache, heartache, but more importantly joy, I have arrived in Milwaukee.  My relationship with Milwaukee began in 2008.  I kissed my parents goodbye with tears in my eyes and left my home in North Carolina to join the Peace Corps.  (See "Second Star to the Right") Before departing for Africa, the Peace Corps gathered all of the future Mauritanian volunteers in Atlanta for last minute rabies and yellow fever shots and a briefing on what to expect.  It was here that I met a dashing young lad named Adam.  Adam-from-Milwaukee was handsome and funny and I fancied him.  The year that followed would consist of stories of back home to distract our minds from the endless days of sweltering heat.  Often, Adam would enchant me with stories of this magical land where rivers of beer flowed and cheese curds danced across dinner tables. 

Adam and Liz in Mauritania:

Upon our return to the states, I immediately flew to Milwaukee to confirm Adam’s stories were not exaggerated.  The drive from the airport to his parent’s house in Waukesha was truly a special moment.  Milwaukee immediately impressed me.  After passing St. Stanislaus and the clock tower, downtown came into view, with the brilliant blue sky as the back drop and Lake Michigan sparkling for miles to my right.  I knew this was a city I wanted to experience.  In the months that would follow, Adam and I would move to Wauwatosa.  I would be embraced with open arms by his amazing friends and family.  I would meet countless kind Milwaukeeans who were fiercely proud of their city. Just when I was starting to really enjoy my new home, I was offered a job I couldn’t refuse in Charleston, SC.  We made the move and tried really hard to love it.  Three months into the move, we realized this was not home; Milwaukee was.  After three years of living in Charleston and racking up Delta miles going back and forth to Milwaukee, we sold our house, found new jobs and bought our new home in Milwaukee. 

Winter 2009 in 'Tosa

Our African Dog, Razza, loving the snow!

New Heezy in Bay View: November 2013

Our Savannah pup Gabe enjoying the snow.  Razza doing yoga in the garage.

As thrilled as I am to live in a beautiful neighborhood where we can walk to our favorite bar, Lake Michigan, and to 10+ friends’ houses, I don’t want to get comfortable and never leave said awesome neighborhood.  I want to really experience Milwaukee and get to know this city that I fell in love with at first sight.  I want Milwaukee to become my city; my home.  I was told by many people “You need to do this!” “You need to do that!” so I sat down and started a list.  The list grew and grew with the more research I did about Milwaukee.  I called it my Lizt (get it?! LIZ-t!!)  I decided to document my Lizt for a few reasons. 

1) For myself.  I want to hold myself to this.  I don’t want to get lazy and put off what’s on the Lizt. I feel that by documenting when I check off items from the Lizt, it will force me to get out and experience the city. 

2)  For the haters.  Whenever I tell people I’m moving to Milwaukee, the most common reaction is “Ugh! I’m sorry!” or “Why would you ever move there?!”  These people, it turns out, have never been to Milwaukee and are therefore judging it on some preconceived notion that comes from where, I don’t know because before I met Adam, I knew nothing about Milwaukee except that it was in Wisconsin and it’s where PBR was established in 1844.  This way, I can show you people (you know who you are!) that Milwaukee is badass and you’re going to wish you lived here. (As for the reactions of those who have been to Milwaukee, it’s more of a “Oh wow!  Milwaukee is such a great town!”  Thanks, you guys.) 

3) For the locals.  I now have a lot of friends and family in Milwaukee and the surrounding area.  I’ve lived in places where I never did “touristy” things until I had visitors.  Maybe this will inspire some of my local friends to get out and learn more about their city.  And maybe they will go with me and we can learn together.  Because doing things with friends is more fun. 

I was fortunate with timing and am permanently in Milwaukee as of late December.  Therefore, I shall start the Lizt on January 1^st.  I’m hoping to complete most of it within a year.  I welcome all suggestions of ideas to add to my Lizt.  It’s always growing and includes festivals, restaurants, 5k’s, tours, parks, sights, and experiences.  I love this city and I love how proud the locals are of their home.  Any opportunity to experience in what someone finds pride in is definitely welcome.  I’m excited to share this experience with you and hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!