Today, I ventured out of my hobbit hole and wandered the streets of my own city. Influenced by foodies and cozy cafe finders, I found myself turning down an unknown road. The Maps app on my phone finally decided to work it’s brain today and I turned onto a street tucked behind the busy main streets. It found a shortcut that took half the time to get to Uptown, Minneapolis.

New routes at old locations lead to new adventures. My compass was so turned around by the short cut that I had no idea where I was until voice in Maps told me I arrived at my location. Focused on finding parking and getting photos of a new wall mural, I had still no idea where I was until I walked across the street and turned the corner.

I was at the corner of 31st Avenue and Hennepin. Familiar store names and shops came into view and I laughed. Why hadn’t my GPS taken me this way before? Usually, it took me the long away around on the highways. Who knew I was this close to Uptown.

My husband and I turned away from the street to newly opened cafe. Moona Moono, stood before us. We had reached our destination. Then a growl came from the man next to me. His stomach carried us down the block to find something to eat.

The light breeze and perfect walking weather felt like more like a small town movie than a busy Minneapolis location. We passed the smell of black peppers and something else earthy at Penzeys Spices before our feet stopped in front of Amazing Thailand. In the off hours, before dinner, the place was empty. Normally, late night dinners with friends lead to yelling across the table and bumping someone’s chair behind us. We could actually hear each other talk in early hours as we had our pad Thai and fruity drinks.

I don’t know if the popularity of this area has changed but my husband and I didn’t mind the empty streets. Sometimes, a space to hear yourself think is comforting. Besides a table of friends in the distance, we had the place to ourselves and took our time finishing our meal together. A day out together with a relaxed pace and no plans was a moment that was going into my journal once we returned to the cafe.

We looked through the windows as we made our way back to the corner. There were people shopping for spices and browsing the book shelves of Magers and Quinn. Only a few people passed by us on the sidewalk. I didn’t mind missing the night life crowd in the early afternoon.

Back at our destination corner, my husband patiently waited for my social media videos before we opened the cafe door again. The big windows, bright white walls, and neatly organized tables gave Moona and Moono a new, modern feel. Those social media posts were exactly the same as what I saw around me.

Everything they had was perfect for those who love good quality stationary, cute, novelty items, Asian ceramics, and Korean beauty products. They had a good selection of matcha, tea, and coffee based drinks. There were a few snacks but they were the usual imported prices. The seating area wasn’t huge but it was big enough for 9 tables for 2 and 2 large group tables for activities.

Did I mention that they hold monthly activities? The activity days include journaling, book club, craft nights, and blind box swaps. I think I found a weekend hangout to write, read, and sketch. The only problem will be not buying all their merchandise. I came away with sticker sheets, new pens that you usually find art supply stores, and a new snail headband. Okay, the last one may be too much for some but the bouncy eyes made me giggle.

At some point, found my way back to my husband by one of the window tables. He trusted me enough to choose two new drinks. One sparkling jasmine tea sparkling lemonade and one sparkling strawberry refresher was set before him. I smiled at the big yellow notepad in front of him. He was busy drawing out ideas, something I haven’t seen him do before. He was trying something new today and drawing up new designs for his 3D creations. I opened my new pens and joined him at the table. Receipts, postcards, and a yellow drink umbrella made it into my journal with a few tests of the new pen.

Then, the minutes passed too quickly. I didn’t have time to finish a sketch of our dinner or open The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Closing time was at 6:00 pm and I wasn’t ready to leave.

My legs were restless and still wanted to wander after days at home. So, we wandered back down the block to Magers and Quinn to browse the book shelves. Something made me stop outside and run my fingers over the discount racks. It must have been fate because I picked up a blue cover book with a unicorn on the outside. A quick pick through the pages of The Magical Unicorn Society Official Handbook, by Selwyn E. Phipps convinced of my first and only purchase.

The thought of own story of a station cat who helps lost humans went through my mind. It’s a little bit fantastical, and sounding more for adults than children. A guide that helps someone find unicorns, might help me with own cat story. Right now, my cat still hasn’t left the station back in Tokyo since last November. Maybe I just need more magic in my life. Adulting isn’t easy.

Lately, the world is full of unrest and going through an upheaval. A hopeless romantic at this time, might simply be somebody who still believes in hope. How many of us adults have silently given up? It’s not just about our jobs anymore. Many of us might not even realize we gave up. I hope living in leggings and t-shirts now that I work from home doesn’t count as giving up. No make-up days are now a reality too. Oh boy, I should start digging into my new books and enter the world of magical stories. Stories that help me through change or move in the right direction. A direction.

The unrest inside of me felt the same as walking those book shop aisles without a direction, or a book in mind. Everywhere there are books, and places to get lost but I’m just simply feeling lost and overwhelmed with choices. The fingers around my book gripped tighter. Sometimes, when we don’t know what to do and that means going to the front counter for a recommendation or for those of us who are introverted, just picking something and sticking with it. Sometimes a choice instead of no choice is what we need to get us moving in a direction before we find ourselves again.

Yes, a book about unicorns was the right choice. Maybe today was all about following the things that called to me. Sometimes, that voice is wrong but today it was right. It was what I needed.

As I continued to wander the book shelves I doubted my choice. Was it too simple? Was it too childish? Maybe I needed a book about humor? When was the last time I read a book that made me laugh out loud? Why don’t I laugh more often? I guess I need to find a funny friend too. Maybe adulting is realizing that we can live like Benjamin Button. Why get old when you can live in reverse?

Other books tempted me but I looked down at the cover again. A serious title for something fantastical. No, this was what I needed. The humor and magic is there. No need to ask for more help. My $2.60 book was tucked away inside my canvas bag like an undiscovered treasure.

I silently asked myself if I was done wandering for the day, and lead my husband back to the car. I watched as he set my unicorns in the back seat. We were headed back down the same short cut again. The Saturday adventure didn’t end because my husband announced he needed a bathroom break. Don’t ever tell him I shared this, but there are days when he has the bladder of a chihuahua. I tried not to roll my eyes before giving him a look. We were in the “ghettos” of Lake Street, an unfamiliar place where I strongly encouraged locking the doors at all times. I let out a quick sigh and frantically searched for a store or shop with a bathroom. I dodged homeless cardboard signs and stopped at more than one questionable place for him to tinkle.

Waiting for him with locked doors and alert eyes was one of the times when I question the word “adventure” but luckily, he didn’t take too long. After a head shake and a closed car door, we were headed home again. In the back streets of Minneapolis, some people made questionable choices when driving, as in obeying common sense laws, not traffic laws, took place. I had to hit the breaks a few times for those who decided to turn into oncoming traffic without looking, or caring. As we got closer to home my grip on the wheel started to relax enough to stop for another bit to eat before our decision to add a moving at home to our night.

Snuggled on the sofa, the rest of the night was quiet. When my husband decided to head to bed I started to reflect on how much I love wandering, even if it’s down a book aisle. Saving specific days for finding new places has always lead me to new experiences and discoveries. I mean, my unicorns were waiting for me to find them. It was destiny at a discount price.

My advice, set aside time to explore and find your unicorns. I’ll let you know if I come across any.

I hope you stay inspired!

Imagine Inspire Create: 52 Weeks of action and gratitude is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S6XCLFY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Q7MHM9CFBSASDG56YMJQ

Get closer to your writing goals with my Writer’s Journal filled with writing prompts and exercises. You can find a copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0931QRL7C/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_VTHN0QSHXRYK6RJ1XSWQ.

Yoon Ju