Reuniting with Friends

I often talk about how much studying abroad in Verona changed my life, and even though I got to see so many beautiful places and have tons of invaluable experiences, I sometimes forget how much the amazing experience was about the people.

Study abroad is responsible for bringing me together with my best friend, Natalie, for setting the stage for a beautiful romance, and for introducing me to students from my own university I may never have met or become so close with otherwise.

Clair, Me, Ayo, Natalie, Joy & Cheryl in Chianti

One friend, Alyse, whom I got to know a bit in Italy but became even closer with when we got back to the States moved back to Italy to live with her boyfriend for the past year. We took dance class together and would often chat about life on our walks to class two days a week. When she moved to Italy, I knew I would miss her but was also really excited for her. A year had passed since I last saw her, but she and her boyfriend just moved back to the States for six months, and I couldn’t wait to see her at the lunch she organized for a bunch of Verona people in Chicago on Friday.

Ayo, Me, Joy & Alyse on our last night in Italy

I took the afternoon off to make sure I wouldn’t feel rushed during lunch, which was a good decision since all of us ended up chatting for two hours at Chipotle. It wasn’t one of our fancy dinners we would organize last year on campus to catch up, but it was equally wonderful to be around my study abroad friends and reminisce about all of our crazy experiences. We’ve all told, heard, and actually lived the stories and yet they don’t seem to lose their fun and excitement.

After one of the many reunion dinners back on campus

Verona girls out for Natalie's birthday

For those two hours, we were no longer in the Chipotle in downtown Chicago, but instead swimming in and out memories of our apartments in Verona, our first and last days there, and all of the cities we visited in between.

All of us enjoying Lago di Garda

It was so refreshing to remember that beautiful time in my life and that it’s not always about where you are, but rather who you’re there with that really matters.

A Fresh Perspective

After a long week this week, I was feeling a bit worn down and ready to go home for the weekend, but also super excited to get pedicures with my department at work. (Yes, you heard me right...pedicures with work. And yes, I do have one of the greatest jobs ever.) Thanks to a long meeting, however, I was late for our adventure and ended up getting one on my own. I was feeling overwhelmed and anxious when I sat down at the drying station and was seated next to a woman talking to her friend about the drama in her life.

This wasn’t a situation where she was complaining and wanting people to feel sorry for her but instead a moment of true confusion and desperation. I won’t go in to what her issues were, but I instantly felt silly for having felt so anxious about my situation. Kathryn and I had been complaining about our “issues” last night, but none of our “issues” held up to the deception and hurt this woman was going through. My heart was breaking for her although I didn’t even know her, and I almost instantly snapped out of my anxious funk and was inspired to turn my day around.

Usually I just go to the salon to get a fresh pedicure, but today I left with not only pretty nails but also a fresh perspective.

I often find inspiration in random places, but this was a first for the nail salon. A horoscope from a newspaper in a restaurant bathroom? Why not? An ad for beer on the L during my morning commute? Sure. As long as it comes in to my life at the appropriate moment, inspiration can be found anywhere.

Sure, I also get inspiration from moving speeches and heroic events, but I think the small, almost hidden moments of inspiration are more impactful. It hits me when I’m least expecting it but often when I most need it. Maybe I’m secretly searching and grasping for anything to hold on to and grab on to the closest item of relevance, but I’m not really one for coincidences and believe things happen for a reason.

This blog is all about finding beauty in the minutest places and in everyday life, but that also pertains to inspiration. Often times when I speak about beauty, I could really replace the word ‘beauty’ with ‘inspiration.’ All of my moments of sunshine are ones that make me step back and realize how thankful I am and inspire me to continue living with joy, passion, and love.

Keep your eyes and heart open. You never know where inspiration will be found.

I Am My Mother's Daughter

I have always known I look exactly like my mother and we have a tendency to buy the same clothes, but now I've noticed small quirks I have that are straight from my mother's habits.

Since I packed improperly for the weather,
I wore all my mom's clothes to my brother's graduation party...

Just like my mom & grandma, I use Noxzema on my sunburns instead of aloe.

Seriously, try it! So much better than aloe!

I found this Longaberger basket for $1 at a thrift store down the street & instantly grabbed it knowing I had to buy it. My mom used to sell these baskets, and they literally fill up my parent's entire house. I checked the bottom for a stamp and signature to make sure it was real and knew my mom would be so proud that I had known what to look for. I never thought I'd willingly buy one myself, but I guess it's another case of never say never.

I thought my instant emotional reaction to the basket was enough, but then I noticed myself drawing loopty-loops around important things in my notes at work. My mom draws these around everything important when she teaches and even has contests with her students at the end of the year for who can draw the fastest and prettiest loopty-loops. I have no idea when I started doing it too, but I guess it's one of my many quirks now.

I have always chosen Noxzema over aloe for burns but was a little surprised by my sudden reaction to the basket and loopty-loops in my notes. Honestly though, my mom is one of the most genuine, thoughtful people I know, so I guess all I can do is welcome her quirks to my life and admit once and for all...I am my mother's daughter.

1 Year in Chicago

Happy 1 year in Chicago to me!

All week my Timehop account has been emailing me my Twitter & Facebook posts from last year about moving to Chicago and my first week at my internship. It's been so fun to have that moment each morning when checking my email and remembering all of the joy and excitement I felt while moving and settling in here last summer.

The best part is I still feel all of the joy and excitement of Chicago, but now I am more settled and am able to more fully enjoy the city rather than be so worried about money and finding a job.

This week, I helped Natalie do a "Now & Then" Turkish assignment comparing her life 10 years ago to now, and I think it would be a fun way to look back on my 1 year in Chicago. 

Then: I lived with my Aunt to save money. 

Now: I live with my fabulous roommate in my first "real world" apartment.

Then: I was a new rider of the CTA. I didn't quite understand the best ways to get anywhere and was always asking my aunt for help, but I loved every moment of riding and people watching. 

Now: I'm a year old veteran and even helped a new resident to Chicago find their stop last night on the L. I'm also, however, still that hopeless romantic that loves riding and people watching on the CTA.

Then: I was still in my Chicago-excitement haze and was just beginning to see the small beautiful details of the city including the doors around the city.

Now: I still haven't explored as much as I'd like to but I'm getting there.

Then: I was the intern.

Now: I was the one introducing our intern to the office this week :)

Then: I had to do yoga & workout videos in my room because I didn't have the money to join the gym and didn't even know how long I would be here.

Now: I am so thankful to have a gym in my building and to finally have a workout routine again.

Then: I felt like a visitor.

Now: I feel like a resident and am so thankful to truly call Chicago home.

Friday night at Blues Fest

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