graciously summing up a few summer highlights

1. whoever comes are the right people

2. whatever happens is the only thing that could have

3. whenever it starts is the right time

4. when its over, it's over

red lipstick on her drink glass

(YA'LL MIGHT KINDA BE IMPRESSED BY THIS BLOG)

Never really sure how to start blogs, which is interesting because I've had an online blog for how many years...? 

Key points-- (we'll just start with these...). 

I've been doing a good amount of research on SFO. I've been looking into schools that have paramedic training programs. When I was younger, I wanted to be a detective (i know, you can TOTALLY see that--as can everyone else).. then I wanted to play a more physically active role so I thought about FBI/police officer... Finally it came down to wanting to be a firefighter. When I realized how interested I was in print/magazine design (basically I knew nothing about graphic design before I came to school), I just jumped on it. Found a school, it felt right and re-located. Most important and inevitable thing I have done for myself... I've always responded to "if you could do/be anything, what would it be" with-- "firefighter-hands down, no question about it." So now I'm looking into fulfilling a second dream/passion. It feels nice. It fills me up and I feel excited. And I have someone to ride along with to check it out first-hand. Presh!

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It's interesting, because I've found that I'm one of those people who always looks into the future (i think we all might be) and thinks "i can't wait until this... " As if we're waiting for our lives to begin. It's extremely challenging to stay in the present and be grateful for each moment. That's on my list of things I'd like to be able to do before it's all over with. (working on it..) I want to be serene and thankful for each minute solely because I'm breathing, I am free and I have opportunities to do anything I want. So it's interesting because this whole SFO thing is great.... but not in the way where that is what I'm looking forward and waiting for. If anything, it makes me treasure my last year in the windy city even more. I find I'm making less excuses to go out because I have work or school the next day..I have a folder that I carry with me at all times with events going on in the city that I want to check out. The other day I thought "i want to move, i'm bored with my apartment..." and then thought... "oh well I can move in may when my lease ends"----OH WAIT, I CANNOT! This will be my last LEASED apartment in Chicago. I was thinking about trying to bunk up with a friend or something next summer + split rent to save more $ for the move/transition.. we'll see. Or have someone bunk up with me! Anyway, I'm treasuring my last 12-14 months here. and it has been incredible.

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I have a plan for SFO. A serious one. One that I'm absolutely serious about. It's all tentative but it will happen. What I mean by this is... I'm not sure if I'll find a job in graphic design, I'm not sure if I'll get a job in marketing, I'm not sure if I'll wait tables and live on the beach, I'm not sure if I'll do freelance, I'm not sure if I'll jump right back into school for paramedic training. I know I'll figure it all out... I definitely want to investigate parts of California before committing myself to a 1-2 year program in a certain city. That has the potential (dangerous) to make me feel trapped and smothered, which is never something that interests me. I hope to move up and down the coast for a few years. I've been checking out neighborhoods and such. Golly oh golly it's going to be amazing. Even the trek out there is going to be beautiful and ultimately, an adventure.. my usual. 

I've been realizing these past few years how much I dig being casual. It's so informal, you can slide right in... and check back out. At your FREE will. I'm sickly obsessed with freedom. I am very grateful that I am well aware of how young I am and how easy it is to trick yourself into making less use out of these years. No thanks! 

Oh! I have started a written journal. To record what I do, who I do it with... but most of all--the funny things... the things I'll want to always remember. It's a good start. 

Got my hairs trimmed today. New pair of sandals. And got a little bit out of debt. Overall successful.

Worth mentioning: I have become (probably annoyingly) obsessed with my balcony. It is shared by 2 other apartments. The one is vacant and the other I have only seen a light on once, so they might be hermits of some sort. At first, it was just a great spot to hang out in the warm weather. I began putting pillows out there and covering up with blankets leaning back onto the brick watching the clouds. I started bringing friends out there to sit on pillows with at night. Yesterday (don't judge me for this, or... go ahead) I found a couch that I swooned my 2 men to carry up 3 intense flights of stairs.. they were serious troopers! I put a sheet over it. Bought a plastic 13x10 plastic tarp to go over it when I'm not using the couch so it stays dry + semi-clean. Bought outdoor lighting that I strung outside, then I also bought a PARTY PACK of tiki torches. 2 included, in case you're wondering. It's now my haven. Leah + Beth came over last night to hang on it... tonight I'm out here with my computer, music going, torches lit, lights on. It's a nice night, not too muggy.. but not too cool as it has been lately. It's nice because although it's physically an area that has been used before, it hasn't been used in this manner. I HIGHLY doubt anyone has put a couch out here. It was the most entertaining summer project for me and I'm just absolutely thrilled! 

Leaving Home Depot with these items in hand prior to the big re-model/re-vamp balcony project, I was entirely giddy. I don't know if I've smiled like that in the last 3 years. 

Kaleigh's wedding this weekend! Jess' next weekend! School is awesome--- killer group for Art Direction. History will be fun, blahblahblah. See ya, FANS!;););)

can anybody fly this thing?

a few points---

1. Last night before classes start up again.. only four quarters left, crazy to think about. got through a ton of research for two of my classes this afternoon. felt good. 

2. oh! i have a houseguest for a little while. 

3. my little brother got his very first j-o-b.

4. good company this past weekend

5. obsessed with my balcony

6. i miss the elks park

catherine the waitress

it's all been interesting. my short, sweet, extra saucy summer. wouldn't even know where to start.

it was compelling the other day. walking, thinking that i know too much about this city. even more so upon hearing a friend say "i don't think i'll ever move out of chicago." i'm not really sure why such things blow my mind..i gasp and pant at the thought of it.

golly i am a terrible blogger.  

just had a wave of concern, gotta get out. mj memorial. bye.

loose ends