Chicago!

Hi everyone! So Chicago was awesome, cold but awesome! We really did not dress for the weather. Siiigh, such a shame. I had packed some really cute dresses. Moving on...The first day there Tom and I got lunch with his sister, Jessica. It was a really good pizza place. Let me just say I REALLY like his sister. We were able to spend a lot of time with her over the long weekend. It was nice to have a local showing us around and providing us with feedback on where to go. She even humored us and took us to the Giant Bean and spent a lot of time on Michigan Ave with us. Tom was thrilled :) Anyways on Thursday we were able to see Book of Mormon. Completely inappropriate, very funny and I loved the songs. I recommend seeing it, but go in open minded and don't take it too seriously.  There will be a dancing Hitler and people pretending to have sex with frogs...

Another bonus to Chicago was being able to spend time with Cindy. We had the opportunity to spend the entire day together on Saturday. She finally met Tom.  Can I just stop and say how amazing it is to have my boyfriend and my best friend in one city? Seriously, in the real world I only get one at a time and even then it's not very often. Having them both in front of me is nothing short of epic. We went to Wrigley Field and drank at a local bar. I miss you Cindy!

The day are all kind of a blur together. Cindy and I went shopping and to Dicks Last Resort. Everyone with to Margaritaville and spent time on Navy Pier. I'm a fan of cheesy. In case you didn't know. Tom and I went on a freezing boat tour. It was nice to be able to see the city from the lake and learn a little about the city's architecture.  It wouldn't have held out interest much longer than that. 

We also spent time exploring the different areas of Chicago. Tom and I have very different definitions of "nice" areas but we always seem to find compromise. Goodness gracious I love that guy. Leaving him at the airport to go to my flight to Denver when he went to his flight to Dallas (way on the other side of the airport) was awful. Its just better when we are together.

I loved the city. I would live there no questions asked. Of course, its crazy expensive and nowhere near what we can do right now. Something nice to think about none the less. He will be back in town next weekend for his birthday. I got him a pretty bomb birthday present if I do say so myself. We also have tickets to go to a Rockies game and plans to end up at a winery. Other than that I'm just trying to get back into the swing of things.  Ashford had a really cool networking/alumni event. It was nice to meet graduates and students rather than just talk to them on the phone. It was also nice to get to know the other leads too. All in all it was a good night. Ashford is having their company pic-nic at the zoo this weekend. Ryan is celebrating his 31st birthday that night at Punchbowl Social and on Sunday it's Mey Mey's baby shower. it will be busy, but busy in a good way :).

Book Season!

GUESS WHAT!

I get to see The Book of Mormon with Tom in 8 days!!

I. AM. SO. EXCITED. 

I have been wanting to see this play for sooo long. Fortunately, I have an amazing boyfriend that is game for pretty much anything.  I cannot wait for our Chicago vacation. In addition to a Broadway play we made dinner reservations to what appears to be an amazing Steakhouse. Reviews agree. We are also going to spend some time on Navy Pier listening to music and enjoying fireworks. I insist that we go to Marquritaville and Tom wants to fire the ferris wheel. It's a win/win situation for everyone. Other than that we want to eat lots of pizza, hang out at bars far too late, take many pictures at the bean and of course spend a good deal of time with Cindy! I'm just overall really excited to be with Tom. It's been over two weeks and that's a very long to time to be away from that guy. Regardless, I am very excited for next week. I will keep you updated! 

I finished the last Sookie Book. Let that sink in. The. Last. One. I thought it was great. She wrapped it up exactly how I needed her to. It's sad though. I look forward to those books every year and feel like I am closing chapters on dear friendships. I adored the years I spent with those characters.  13 books is a time commitment. I still have my well read mass-market paperback of the first book. Many friends have borrowed it. Joanna has it now. It's one of my favorite things. Sharing words and great stories bring people together. The seem is bent and I could not be happier about that. Books were not make to just be read once.  Other great things are going on in the book world.  Deb Caletti just released her first adult fiction book (she usually writes young adult). I'm having a hard time getting into it but I'm sure once I am into it I won't be able to put it down. Sarah Dessen's next book comes out in June. See, this is why I love Spring :)  

Who I am Hates Who I've Been

 

Do you ever feel like you are playing with fire? Tempting fate?  How far can you push things before it's been too far? It reminds me of the Relient K song-Who I am Hates Who I've Been. Siigh---what a trip down memory lane. This week has felt kind of like that. Nothing bad happened or anything like that so no worries :)

I went to dinner with Tristian but I got there earlier than him. Normally I would just wait outside for him but today I went in by myself and got a table. I was alone there for a while and you know what? It felt good, I'm glad I didn't end up waiting outside.  I think people need to be ok to be by themselves. When did being alone become a bad thing?  Stupid social "norms".

I wish I was there to be give a really big hug and kiss to Tom this week. He needs it. Tom makes it work it but sometimes long distance relationships are really hard. I just want to be there for him.

Whoa I drank far too much.