Confessions...

I'm typing up this post while sipping on a nice glass of Trader Joe's Pinot Gris... so you gotta take that into account when you read it. ;)

I've had soooo many RANDOM confessions swirling around my brain these past couple of weeks that I figured I'd take the evening off from research papers, reading, and discussion board posts and type a few of these thoughts out...

 (Plus we are having company over in an hour or so, Huz's cousin is coming into the city, so I wouldn't be able to get a whole lot of school work done anyway unless I left the apartment which is SO not happening. Heh!)

Disclaimer: You do not have to tell me how first-world-problemy my confessions sound. I already know. Believe me.

Confession # 1. I confess that...I really want a new job. I've only been working 2 or 3 days a week for the museum. I've been applying a bit here and there, but haven't heard anything back yet. I really wanted to stick it out at the museum until I graduate in May, (Can't believe I am SO CLOSE! Yet some days it still seems SOOOO far away...) but I am really tired of huz and I having to watch every. single. penny. and having to say no to invitations with potential wonderful new friends because we're broke...

Confession # 2. I confess that...I have been thinking more and more about moving to a different neighborhood in Chicago. I feel like such an asshat confessing that...but it's true. I love SO many things about Hyde Park, friendly neighbors, diversity, art, museums, parks, being thisclose to the lake, Promontory Point, our gym, our apartment....yada yada....but it's sooooo quiet here. The neighborhood falls silent at 10pm. There's barely any retail here...not that I have money to spend right now anyway...but still. The restaurants leave a bit to be desired although we are getting a couple of new ones in 2013! Nevertheless...there are just other neighborhoods *cough* Andersonville and Old Town and River North*cough* that are sounding more and more exciting to me.

Confession # 3. I confess that...I cannot wait until my little sister's wedding in January! I am so excited to see her marry her wonderful fiance. They are so in love, and so perfect for each other. I am SO ridiculously happy for them. I also confess that I really need to find a dress to wear to said wedding....

Confession # 4. I confess that...it feels NOTHING like winter right now, and I LOVE IT. We have had such a mild start to December that sometimes I have to remind myself fall is almost over. There is not a pinch of snow on the ground, and for the past few days I haven't even needed more than a light fall jacket outside. A girl can definitely get used to this! I wonder when we will pay....I bet the first time it snows this winter it'll snow a foot. Ugh.

Confession # 5. I confess that...I think I could easily become a tattoo addict. I am loving my new tattoo more and more...especially because of the awesome meaning behind it. (My other 2 tattoos I got when I was very young (18 and 20) and though I love them, they have no meaning whatsoever.)

Confession # 6. I confess that...I STILL don't know if I want to go to grad school. Here I am a mere 6 months from graduation and I still don't know. I also confess that deep down I feel like I owe it to the women before me who paved the way for my generation. Women's rights have come so far...and have SO FAR to go...and I definitely want to do my part. I definitely want to strive to reach my full potential, but at the same time, I don't want to just aimlessly continue my education.

Alright..company is coming...til next time...


Emme

Fresh Ink

A photo of my tattoo as promised. :)

It's the last two weeks of my semester so forgive me for being very quiet right now...I hope to post more once I get a breather from school! Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

Tattoo!

I forgot to mention that I got a new tattoo while I was in Reno. I got it to honor the memory of my mother-in-law who was taken much too early by breast cancer, and to support my cousin as she battles breast cancer right now. It is still healing up but it's beautiful, and when it is completely healed I will post a photo!

The Space

Hey there! I know I should say sorry for not writing, but things have been extra crazy around here lately. The semester is winding down for me, Huz is getting into new studies, and I just got back from Reno, so there's been a lot of playing catch up going on.

I got to visit Virginia City, a very old silver mining town, and Lake Tahoe while I was in Nevada. Both are wonderful places and I'm really glad I had the chance to see them! Below are a couple of photos of Lake Tahoe, but they do NOT do it justice. It's truly breathtaking.

I'm not going to say a whole lot about my trip, but I will say that though it was hard, it was really really nice. It was so nice to be able to spend time with my cousins and my aunt and uncle...people I see far too rarely. And they were sooooo happy to see us too, especially my mom who has an incredibly calming presence. It was hard to leave, but I hope that we will be able to visit more often. I believe I have both Grace and Meghan coming to visit me in Chicago this summer...so I'm really looking forward to that!

In other news....

 Huz and I have joined a gym here in Chicago for the winter months! Finally! It feels sooooooooooooooooo incredibly good to be back in the gym regularly. And I love so many things about our new gym, 'The Space'. It is literally right next door to our place, so it is incredibly convenient, and it is owned by a woman my age who is also a personal trainer. She is incredibly sweet and she gave us a good deal when I told her that the huz and I are both students.

The owner also offers other services on site such as a variety of fitness classes, nutrition counseling, massage therapy, and even manicure service. I love that the gym is open 24 hours, 365 days a year, and it's primarily used for one on one personal training. This means that the gym member base is very small, and it rarely gets crowded. I can't say enough good things. If you're in the Hyde Park/Kenwood area, I'd definitely recommend The Space for all your fitness needs.

T minus 10 days...

...until my mom and I fly out to Nevada to visit with some family that we see far too infrequently.

I wish I could say that I am completely excited about this trip, but to be perfectly honest part of me is not excited at all. Not because I don't love the family that we're going to see, but because of the circumstances that brought this trip about. Because I am afraid the moment I see my beautiful cousin, instead of being the supportive rock I have envisioned, instead I may very well  double over and burst into tears.

You see, my cousin has been diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. She recently underwent a mastectomy and she currently half way through her courses of chemotherapy. When she is finished, she will undergo radiation therapy as well.

As if her struggles weren't bad enough, my uncle (her father) was diagnosed with serious esophageal cancer within days of receiving my cousin's diagnosis. I feel really helpless. I have spoken with my second cousins on the phone frequently, and I have sent countless cards, and I have prayed. But I still feel like there is so much I *can't* do, and that breaks my heart. It's just an all around difficult situation and it sucks.

You know, it feels really good to just type this post. I've been holding a lot of these feelings in for a long time. It feels like I am finally exhaling.

Anyway, no matter how *I* am feeling, I am going to fly out with my mom next week and do my very best to shower them all with love and support. I am also going to do my best to inspire some smiles and laughter because my family deserves all of that, and so much more.

Cutest lil pumpkin!

Here's my nephew all ready for Halloween! He is SO CUTE, I just had to share!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Whirlwind...

Soooooooooo much has been going on in the past few weeks! I can't believe it's been so long since my last post! So many nights I wanted to try to write, but school and well, life, have been keeping me really busy lately!

I remember before I moved to Chicago, I was talking to a dear friend who lived in Lakeview (a neighborhood in Chicago) for a few years and he said, "Once you move into the city, you might feel like your life is on fast forward." He was right. Even with the weather cooling down there are tons of events going on.

A couple of weeks ago I was able to take in two excellent concerts at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, my favorite being the Zach Brock Trio.

 Zach Brock is an up and coming jazz violinist and he and his trio played inside the Robie House here in Hyde Park.

One of the rooms inside Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House. Look at those windows!!!

As you can probably tell, it was a breathtakingly beautiful venue for an intimate evening concert, and I am *SO GLAD* I chose to attend despite the fact that B wasn't able. There was only seating for 70 people inside, and I was one of the lucky ones! Mr. Brock is truly an incredible talent and I feel so blessed that I live in a city where I have access to so many incredible cultural experiences.

The link below will take you to a youtube video of Zach Brock performing his song "Almost Never Was". Please, please do yourself a favor and take the time to listen! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dZl4oeHlbs


B and I have also been fortunate in that last Saturday we were able to spend a couple of hours with a couple of new friends (YAY for new friends!), and sample some beer at the Hyde Park Oktoberfest. I couldn't help but smile despite the 48 degree weather watching all the kids painting pumpkins and wagon riding in the middle of our neighborhood! Oh yes, a real, albeit tiiiiiiiiiiiny, tractor with a wagon was giving hayrides through Nichols Park! So cute!

Annnnnnnd I have only been working two or three days a week lately, so last week I was also able to go down to Springfield and spend some time with Ellie! Though money is tight right now, I feel so very happy and totally blessed because I have been given the gift of time. Time to spend doing things I really want to be doing, like spending time with family and experiencing the city. I know that one day soon school will be over (unless I start grad school...which I am still undecided on....but I think I am getting closer....) and I will have to get a "real job" (Booooooo! ha ha!) so I am enjoying every freaking moment of this and constantly trying to to remind myself to remember to cherish every second because it's not going to last too much longer...

Til next post,
Emme