Minnesotameetskarnataka’s Weblog

About

About Me:  Hi.  I am 27 years old and newly married to a wonderful man from Karnataka.  I work as a librarian and live and work on the East Coast. 

Minnesota is where I spent the first 18 years of my life.  Most of my family still lives there and I make a few trips back each year to visit.  Minnesota is one of the northernmost U.S. states characterized by deep cold, unassuming people, bland food, a high quality of life, love of the outdoors, and “Minnesota Nice”.

Karnataka is one of the states of South India.  I will be able to write more once I visit next spring.

What I will be blogging about:   India , Karnataka, Minnesota , Interracial couples, Family, InterFaith, Wedding Planning, Book and movie reviews, Restaurants.

I look forward to connecting with others in mixed relationships and others who are from the Midwest or from Karnataka.  This is my first blog and it will probably undergo a lot of changes as I grow more experienced in blogging.

22 Comments

22 responses so far ↓

  • India - Travels in my nightie // September 1, 2008 at 10:24 am | Reply

    Congratulations on your marriage. I’m English, married to Shilpi who comes from north east India. We live in Bangalore and have two children, both born in the city. I’ve been in Karnataka for five years on September 5th and our one marriage ceremony (to date) was a good deal less exciting than all of yours, I guarantee it. We didn’t exchange vows, just rupees and signatures in a run-down government office in the city.

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // September 2, 2008 at 8:45 pm | Reply

    Hi Travels,

    Welcome. Thanks for the congrats!

  • Quirky Indian // September 4, 2008 at 8:59 am | Reply

    Hey. You really need a nickname……something like Minnie, or whatever else works for you!

    Congratulations on the wedding, and I look forward to reading a lot more!

    Cheers,

    Quirky Indian
    http://quirkyindian.wordpress.com

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // September 5, 2008 at 1:50 pm | Reply

    Hi Quirky Indian,

    Very true. You’re right.

    You can call me Minnie.

    Thanks,
    Minnie

  • Piper.. // September 11, 2008 at 5:45 pm | Reply

    i`m from Minnesota and its great to come across someone from the same place. But may I confess that I was a wee bit taken back by your statement about ‘bland food’. I certainly didnt find any kind of food bland here :) Btw its my first time here. Must go through your archives.

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // September 11, 2008 at 6:33 pm | Reply

    Hi Piper,

    Hmm, for my family it is true. We used spices very minimally and my dad with his 100% Swedish genes still thinks ketchup is spicy. My mom is a bit more adventurous…she loved gobi manchurian.

  • Anita // September 21, 2008 at 2:22 am | Reply

    Hi,
    I’ve enjoyed reading your few blog entries. I am Kannadiga and a month into my marriage–also mixed/inter-racial. We had similar concerns about cakes and ceremonies and had a Hindu ceremony here in Ohio and are going to Karnataka in Feb for a reception with my family so that he can meet my family. Its nice to hear about your experiences, kind of the inverse of mine but also similar!!

  • Ann Z // October 25, 2008 at 8:19 pm | Reply

    I came here from a comment you left at Fighting Windmills, and was struck by, well, not similarities so much as connections when I read this. I’m also a librarian, and live in Minneapolis (where there are now a whole lot of places to get non-bland food, thankfully). My brother married a woman whose family is from Bangalore a year ago. They had a gorgeous mixed Hindu / Lutheran ceremony. Anyway, I just wanted to drop a note to say hi!

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // October 25, 2008 at 8:33 pm | Reply

    Hi Ann Z,

    Welcome!

    Minneapolis is a very interesting, fun city.

    Congrats to your brother! It must have taken a lot of effort and compromise to create a mixed Hindu/Lutheran ceremony.

  • phoenixritu // November 20, 2008 at 7:22 am | Reply

    I am glad you left a comment on my blog. It has given me a lot of pleasure to read a bit of yours. I am sooooo going to go through your archives.

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // November 20, 2008 at 2:38 pm | Reply

    Hi Ritu,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    I’m looking forward to hearing more from you.

    -Min

  • snippetsnscribbles // November 20, 2008 at 9:08 pm | Reply

    Hey MMK (short for your webpage address),

    Came here while blog-hopping a few days ago and have been visiting you for sometime now. I already seem to like it too. I am from Karnataka too and now live in Wisconsin with my husband for the last 1.5yrs. So we’re kinda similar in a way – atleast we have the snow common :)

    I loved your way of looking at things. Although it is not same or in anyway similar to your beliefs and lifestyle, you try and look at the positive side of it and appreciate them too. I guess I love that character in a person :) Appreciate it :)

    Keep blogging :) Oh and, can I blogroll you?

  • minnesotameetskarnataka // November 21, 2008 at 6:49 pm | Reply

    Hi Snippets,

    Yes, we definitely have snow in common!

    Thanks for the compliments.

    Yes, you are very welcome to blogroll me.

    -MMK

  • La Vida Loca // December 27, 2008 at 5:51 am | Reply

    oohh yay!! me from karnataka too. been married for 14 months!!
    *offers akki rotti- one of my fave kannada food

    Welcome!!

    You can make akki rotti? My husband says that is a tricky thing to make.

  • honeybeeluvsjackfruit // January 2, 2009 at 5:23 am | Reply

    My Jackfruit is Kannadigan too :D
    Are you learning Kannada?

    I’m trying to learn some Kannada. When his parents were here with us for a while they would try to teach me a few words a day. I also have tried to learn some through an online course and some through watching Kannada movies. Unfortunately, I don’t know much-a few numbers, random words like cat and dog, sorry, food, banana, etc.

    What about you?

  • Elizabeth // January 9, 2009 at 6:19 am | Reply

    Minnie, I just started MLIS school this week. Glad to see we have a few things in common! I’m enjoying your blog. :)

    Hi Elizabeth. Welcome! If you ever have any questions about MLIS stuff, just send an e-mail. I like reading about your insights.

  • ANN // January 13, 2009 at 12:18 am | Reply

    Hi ‘Minnesota’,

    I dont want to sound like a random trespassers. I was scouring the web for guidance on interfaith marriage and I found your story closest to mine. I would like to have your thoughts / opinions on my situation. Can I write to you directly?

    I would assume my email would be visible to you.

    Sure, if that will make you more comfortable. I’ll send you an e-mail.

  • IndianHomemaker // January 18, 2009 at 7:34 pm | Reply

    I love your nick name minnesotameetskarnataka :) Loved your comments on my blog and came to visit the commenter …

    Thank You for your comments which made this discovery possible :)

    Thanks for visiting! I love your blog for your thought provoking posts.

  • Suraj // January 21, 2009 at 12:40 am | Reply

    Hello MinnesotameetsKarnataka,

    I am north karnataka’s “pakka” lingayat – currently living in Minneapolis. Fantastic to know you & Satya are having a blissful married life. Our prayers & wishes to you both.

    Next time when you come to minneapolis, plz do let us. (you know our mail id). We can cook, some authentic lingayat cusine – for you both

    Sharanu
    - Suraj

    Thanks for the invite and good wishes! We’d love to visit and are always up for great food.

    By the way, what is a “pakka” lingayat?

  • Suraj // January 21, 2009 at 6:23 pm | Reply

    Pakka – as in – HARDCORE, 24 Carat, 99.9999% purity. (family tree suggests as such)

    (but unfortunately or otherwise – I am a heathen when it comes to traditions & religion)

    Thanks! 100% clear : )

  • Ivona // February 12, 2009 at 2:41 pm | Reply

    Hi Minnesotameetskarnataka:))))

    I was happy to find so many cases of people in a unioun regardless of their cultural differences…which actually make their relationship grow stronger….I am originally from Bulgaria and my bf is from Bangalore and we’re both currently living in Massachusetts. I am also in the process of learning Kannada but I have to confess he’s way ahead with his Bulgarian:))) Congrat’s on your wedding…makes me feel that the dream I have about ours can come true:)

    Hi Ivona! Welcome. I’ve never met anyone from Bulgaria, but I’ve always wanted to travel to your country. I hear it is beautiful! Do you have any advice about learning Kannada? Do you just have your bf teach you or are you using books or some kind of program? Thanks for the congratulations. I will post more about our wedding ceremonies soon.

  • Chrissy // May 25, 2009 at 2:10 am | Reply

    Hello Minnie.
    So nice to read your blog. I can identify with a lot of your experiences. I live in NJ. I have family in Minnesota. My husband is from India too. Keep up the good work with the blog. I love it!

    Hi Chrissy. Thanks for the encouragement! I hope to have some new posts soon.

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