Wrigley Field and Chi-Town

I returned on Saturday from an amazing trip to Chicago. The trip started off a little rough with a 3 hour delay in the Jacksonville International Airport and then I missed my connecting flight in Atlanta. Surprisingly enough, I didn't freak out! I made it to Indiana about 3 and half hours after I was supposed to arrive. But, the next day we were going to Wrigley and I was really excited! The traffic in Chicago, especially on game day (even though it was a Thursday day game) is horrific. After Andrew haggled with someone for a parking spot, we were able to walk around Wrigleyville. There is an endless supply of places to go and things to do around Wrigley. Before I left, I was advised on where to go around there by some of my friends who had been before. We found those places and more!

We finally got into Wrigley, after I insisted on taking a whole slew of pictures. It was amazing...I think by far the best stadium I have been to yet! Dennis Leery threw out the first pitch and lead "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." He was a hoot! I believe it was in the middle of the fifth inning, we see some commotion next to us in the bleachers (because that is the BEST place to sit). We look over just in time to see this fellow, who is highly intoxicated, fall from the first row of the bleachers, to the last row of the bleachers. He made it safely, and stood up and asked where his shoes were. Everyone stood and applauded. Wrigley was an experience that I will never forget!

The next day we went sightseeing around Chicago. We had a soccer game to attend that night, so we went pretty early in the morning! One of my coworkers was actually in town for a conference so he came and met up with us. Our first stop was Michigan Ave. Let me just say, I think every city needs one of these! We ate lunch at the famous Ginos Pizza Place. You can write on the walls there, and I gave a valiant effort with my mascara, because that's all I had. We then went to Navy Pier, where we rode the Ferris Wheel, like good little tourists. We took the water taxi on Lake Michigan to Solider Field, which looks like a UFO....it was massive. We made it a little too late for the soccer game, Andrew's friend plays for Notre Dame and they were playing DePaul in Linkin Park. For the evening, Andrew had a great idea to go to IKEA. I have never actually been in one, but I hear everyone talk about how great they are. It was HUGE. I grabbed a catalog on the way out and it kept me occupied while I was flying back.

All in all, it was a great trip! I had a ton of fun! I got back on on Saturday just in time to see the Bulldogs beat the Razorbacks. They had me nervous for a while, but they pulled through.

Well, that is all for now! Here are a few of the pictures from the trip! I hope everyone has a fabulous day!

This was lunch at Ginos!

I added some art to the wall....

Michigan Ave

Wrigley Field!

Wrigley field

Andrew and I....I was almost cut out of the picture because I am so short!

The famous Wrigley sign!

Congrats!

Monday evening I received a phone call from my friend Josh. He called to tell me that him and his wife, Natalie, are going to be having their second child! Congratulations Josh, Natalie, and little Ava Ann!

Another congrats to my friends David and Andrea who also announced a couple of weeks ago that they are also expecting their second child!

I am so excited for you guys!! Y'all are already awesome parents and I know you are going to do great with child #2! :)

Today I will be traveling to Chicago! I am very excited and can't wait to take a much deserved vacation! You know sometimes when you feel that you don't belong somewhere? Well, that is how I am feeling so this trip will be a good little get away. I am a little nervous about these flights but it will be fine and before I know it, I will be at Wrigley field!

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week! :)

Its a love story.....

This morning I was reading the New York Times, as I do every morning, and there was this cute story about an older man and woman who had known each other for since they were 12 or 13; they are now around 80 years of age. She was the tomboy and he was the best buddy; they shared summers together in Massachusetts. They lost contact around the age of 16 and they each went their separate ways. The both were married, had children, and lived their own lives. Well, the woman was a newspaper columnist and she just couldn't get her mind off of this guy who she once knew and loved. She was widowed and a few years following decided to write an article on him and the summers they once shared in Massachusetts. Someone that knew the man read the article and immediately contacted him. He ended up calling the woman and they started dating (since his widower as well) and they were just married at the end of August. I thought that was the cutest story!

Anyway, last night I saw one of the rudest things I had seen in a while. I don't want to talk about it for long (because I think any attention he gets, is just giving him what he wants) but I think its worth mentioning. For those of you who didn't hear, last night at the MTV VMA's Kanye West jumped on stage and took the microphone away from Taylor Swift as she was accepting her award for best female video. Kayne then went on and on about how Beyonce should have won the award. I think Kanye is classless and is a piece of trash. The bad thing is that he will continue to sell music and gain fans even though he has no respect for anyone but himself. Beyonce, while accepting an award later on the in the evening, called Taylor back on stage and gave her the opportunity to give her acceptance speech. I like Beyonce and respect the way that she carries herself. I can't believe what our music stars and also our athletes have come to these days. Its very scary to look at how much they are paid and then we are shown how ignorant they truly are.

In just a couple of days, I will be leaving for Indiana/Chicago for a few days. I am starting to get nervous about the flight. I get really nervous when I fly due to my first flight to New York last year. But otherwise, I am pumped about going! It will be a fun time for sure!! I was talking to my friend Danny yesterday and we both want to go to all the baseball parks in the US, and we decided that next year we want to take a week and go to all the ones on the west coast. It will be pretty easy just to get them all done together. Finally, I found someone with the same goal!!!

Its coming up on a busy time at work. People's laid back attitudes are starting to change a little. They are becoming more stressed and more irritable. Hopefully, this busy year it will be pretty smooth!

I love the fall! I love the weather, the way the air sounds, the sports, and especially the TV shows! I have started watching this new show, Glee, on Wednesday nights. One of my friends told me that he thought I would like it- so I started watching. Its a cute show, with pretty good music. Of course, the other favorites are Gossip Girl, 90210, Greek and Brothers and Sisters. Can't wait till they all start- which is tonight :)

Have a fabulous day everyone!

Thinking....

So today, I have been thinking today about what I wanted to write about. My friend Kelli wanted me to write one yesterday, but I was way busy at work and didn't have time. So Kelli here you go, since I know you love keeping up with whats going on in my head and because I am no longer with you everyday for your entertainment! :) By the way, I miss that office!!!

Leaving college was on the of hardest things I have ever done in my life. I left my comfort zone, I left my friends, and I left the place that I loved. At JU, there wasn't many people who I didn't know. I have gone through my life believing, for the most part, everyone is good natured and everyone cares about other people. I mean those are the type of people I have always been around and I really didn't know any other kind. Leaving JU, was an eye opening experience. There is a world outside of JU, and its called reality.

One of my close friends, taught me that I needed to leave my bubble, as he called it. I have to say in the last year, I have learned a great deal. It amazes me the things that I look back and think, "wow, I can't believe I didn't know that." I mean, I still have a long way to go but I have to say thank you to those of you who have helped me on this long journey to becoming an adult. I have also learned about friendship. I went to JU not knowing anyone. I joined a sorority in hopes of meeting people- which I definately did! I met some great people while I was there.

But, JU isn't my life anymore. Its very sad to say, but its the truth. Its time for me to grow up and move on. Its time to be me, which I haven't been a very long time. The same friend helped me see that and I have him to thank for making me be me again. It took a while for him to get through to me (because as most of you know, I am pretty stubborn), but it finally dawned on me.

This was a pretty random day, but I've been thinking about this stuff all week so I decided to write about it. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Biltmore Estates in Asheville

Fall is coming....

I finally broke down and decide to start blogging- even though my life isn't that interesting! I just thought it may be fun because a few of my friends do it and its a great way to keep up with what people are doing with their lives. I don't think that I am going to be one of those people who blog everyday- just whenever I have something interesting going on.

As most of my close friends and family know, I am currently working and living in Jacksonville, Florida (yes, still, I know). I work for a Tax Software company and also help out at JU whenever I can (with the athletic department). Thats pretty much all I have time for. I am enjoying being able to travel and try and go to as many places as possible! I am actually going to Chicago and Indiana next week!

This past weekend, I went to Boiling Springs, North Carolina with one of my best friends Kelly to relax and also for the Soccer for a Cure soccer tournament. Let me tell you whats in Boiling Springs.....a college and a coffee shop! We went shopping in Shelby where we found this cute little shop, similar to Swoozies. The girl that owned it was there and she was the nicest person. I love small towns just because of the people you meet there- everyone is willing to give advice on where the best places to eat, shop, and visit. The weather up there is starting to change and become cooler!! I love fall weather and can't wait to wear the cute fall clothes!!

Kelly and I also have nice "adventures" when we travel together, or just in general! On the way home, we stopped in Clemson, South Carolina, which may be my new favorite college town...I know, I know Athens is still up there but I absolutely adore Clemson! We ran into some TriDeltas there and they were super nice! We ate at Mellow Mushroom, which the one there is AMAZING...its right across the street from the campus and football field. I wish we could have spent more time there! We also stopped in Atlanta, and went shopping and ate lunch on the way home on Monday. It was a pretty relaxing trip. While in North Carolina, we went to see a movie, I emphasize there is nothing to do up there, and it was a GREAT movie. We saw All About Steve and it was a funny and interestingly enough it was very inspirational. It taught me that I need to not try and be something that I am not. I spent 4 years of my life in an organization and school where I felt that I had to 'fit in.' But who really fits in? You have to be yourself and love who you are before anyone else can love you. I spent a lot of time thinking this weekend and I have decided to stop pretending being someone I am not. It takes so much more energy to try and be something that you are not rather than just being yourself, no matter how goofy, crazy, or quirky you think the real you is. You just need to wear your red boots (if you have seen the movie then you will know what I am talking about). I am going to try and start living up to this- it sometimes can be hard, I know.

As most of you know, the first college football games were under way this weekend! My team, of course is the wonder and fabulous University of Georgia. We lost to Oklahoma State which was very disappointing. This and the opening of baseball season, has to be my two favorite times of the year- you always have something to watch! This is a rebuilding year for Georgia- we lost some key players last year. But I know that we will do the best we can haha.

Anyway, moving along, I am making my way (finally) to Wrigley Field next Wednesday!!!! I am flying into Indiana where my friend Andrew is and then we are driving to Chicago to go see a game. We are also going to see Notre Dame vs. DePaul soccer game (he loves soccer). I am pumped!!! Last year I got to go to do the whole New York thing and now I get Wrigley! WOW!! Next, I hope, will be Fenway!!! Below are some pictures from our trip this weekend to North Carolina.