Hi, and welcome to the forums. Just so you know, someone will probably suggest that you give us your first name or something, so we can properly address you. It's a forum rule that you have to sign posts with your "real name." It helps us out, and makes it easier to avoid problems.
If you are new to the sword arts, please review the many threads here (click on the links). Also, if something from a moderator says READ, do us a favor and read it. It'll help, I promise .
There are a few folks who teach JSA (Japanese Sword Arts) in MN. Just saw one here in Orlando at the 2004 Orlando Tai Kai (Sword Tournament). Nice people up there (in the cold country... brrrrrr). Rather than give you advise in what's best to study, let me make a suggestion: think about what you WANT, and see if it's available. Just remember... contrary to The Last Samurai and other movies, wielding a "real sword" is not easy and is not cheap. Also, it's HARD WORK. I should know... I didn't put enough hard work in, and I lost in that aforementioned Tai Kai though I KNEW what forms to do and how to cut. (In other words, I knew, but I DIDN'T KNOW... when you find a good teacher, they'll explain THAT one!)
If you want to know the differences between iai, batto, etc. (and some people will tell you there ISN'T a difference, but that's another story <g>), look around here for a while. It'll help.
Well... I've babbled enough. Please feel at home here, and remember to LOOK FIRST, READ A BIT, **THEN** ASK OR RESPOND.
All the best,
Carlos
E. Carlos Estrella, Jr.
The strength of a man is not measured in how much he can lift, how many he can fight or how much he can endure, but in his capacity to admit his limitations and learn to successfully circumvent them.