My Kind of Town

 

I have been in Chicago for almost four months now.

The entire time I lived in Missouri I missed living near the city and experiencing all it had to offer. Want to know how much I've done since moving back?

NOTHING.

Granted - this was the most miserable winter ever and it has only been recently anyone has wanted to leave their homes. However, I still feel like this is pathetic. I forgot how easy it is to become complacent when you live here all of the time. You forget sometimes when you're bored, you can simply hop on the train into downtown and have a pluthera of things to do. I want this to change.

Now spring has finally arrived (although it doesn't feel like it today) I've decided I'm going to go out into the city more often. As a bonus - since I'm basically broke- I'm going to try and do as many free things as possible. In a city like Chicago, there are a ton of things to experience.

Who cares that I grew up here? I'm going to be a local tourist this spring and summer.

Here are some of my ideas so far:

- Go to a White Sox game (ok... more expensive, but it has to happen).

- Go to the Art Institute. They have free days on Thursdays and it's awesome.

- Visit a museum other than the Art Institute. That one is my favorite, so I easily just get into the habit of going there all of the time. But there are so many others in the city I haven't been to in years which are just as awesome.

- Listen to the Symphony Orchestra rehearse at Millennium Park

- Attend the outdoor classic film festival on Tuesday nights. (See classic movies for free in Grant Park!)

- Go to the Taste of Chicago. Can you believe I've never gone? It's usually so packed with people, my family and friends usually avoid downtown at all costs. However, I feel like I should go at least once in my life.

- Go to open mic night at the Comedy Bar

- See a play or musical. Because... have you met me?

- Research different festivals and events in some of the suburbs

- Visit a zoo (Lincoln Park is free, but Brookfeild is closer to where I live...)

Native Chicagoans, any other suggestions? Maybe some stuff that isn't quite as "touristy?" Or if you haven't been to Chicago, what's something you've always wanted to do and would like to see pictures of/read about?

Linking up with Meg for Mingle Monday!

Throwback Thursday: Favorite Summer Vacation

It's another edition of Throwback Thursday!!!!!! Don't you just love looking back into my childhood? Good times. 

Today's Topic: Favorite Summer Vacation

In all honesty, my family didn't go on many vacations in the summer. When I was really young we did Disney World and a few others, but I don't really remember them outside of photos. It was hard to go on vacation because my dad was a funeral director and you can't really plan when people die in advance... Then when my sister and I got older we were really busy in the summers with marching band and such, so we didn't have time for many vacations. 

Things I Love About Summer

Hi everyone!  I'm so honored that Emily asked me to guest blog, we have been reading & commenting on each other's blogs for a while now and I've really enjoyed getting to know her.  So it was a no brainer when she asked me to pitch in and share something, anything on her blog!

 

I will be the first to say that summer isn't my favorite season.  I'm an autumn girl all the way- hoodies, hot chocolate, cool breezes, colorful leaves...yeah, I'm all about it.  BUT- there are some distinctly summer things that even I am crazy about!  So when I was trying to figure out what to talk about on LWMUTM (wow just realized how long that title is, ha!), I decided to talk about my favorite summer pleasures.

-One of the first "summer-y" things I did this year was to go strawberry picking!  My dad used to grow strawberries in our yard when I was a kid, and being out in the field was surprisingly fun and nostalgic.  It's funny how I always dreaded working out in the garden as a kid, and now I love it!

Throwback Thursday - First Job

It's time for another week of ...

Cheers all around!

Today's topic is: "First Job"

Well... I'm going to be honest with you. I don't have a whole lot to choose from for this subject. I remember when I was in high school, my sister and I would go around the town (aka - the mall) and fill out application after application. I never got a single call. However, during high school my summers ended up being pretty busy with marching band obligations. (It's way more hard-core than you realize!) 

Then in college, I was just a slacker. I would try to apply for jobs... but it didn't work. I remember going on some interviews and I completely bombed them. Looking back I wish I had taken way more initiative. 

Granted, I did keep myself busy with community theatre and helping out with things at church. Ever since jr. high I had been helping with Vacation Bible School every year, and by the time I was 16+ I was running skits, music, teaching, etc. So... that was pretty busy. Kind of. Then one summer I broke my leg - so that sort of put a damper on things.

However, there was one job I had for a summer or two (I think during college?). I tutored two elementary school girls from my church. 

I would put together little lessons that had reading and writing exercises. I think one girl needed help with math too - but thankfully it was easy math that I could handle. If they had to get to algebra or something, they would have been screwed.

It was fun though. They would come over to my house once or twice a week and we would get work done. I built a pretty good relationship with the family and I remember helping at my church's daycare when their youngest daughter was in pre-school. 

Then at the end of the summer their mom made my mom, sister, and I an awesome Mexican themed dinner. It was great.

The oldest girl just graduated high school this past spring though, which makes me feel crazy old. 

There was also the time in college when I worked the front desk for some offices at the university. On the surface it was pretty cool. I answered the phone for the dean and was kind of the assistant to his assistant. I do remember that job I took A LOT of initiative to get. I think I stopped by the dean's office almost everyday for a week until he and his assistant decided to hire me. 

But he already was a fan of me by that time. I had broken my leg while on the Weeks of Welcome Staff (freshman orientation) a couple of years before and he gave me his cell number in case I needed anything. 

Perks of small universities my friends. 

Then once I graduated - I came to Missouri with my youth ministry job! 

So there you have it, my small pathetic work history. Feel free to judge me, I judge myself all of the time. Especially when all of my high school friends had ACTUAL jobs where they worked at restaurants, fast food, and swept up hair clippings at salons.

Throwback 4th of July

Happy 4th of July!!!!!!

The day when the only colors that exist are wear red, white, and blue, we grill hot dogs and burgers, set off explosives, and listen to obnoxious marching bands.

It's a good time.

This year, I'll be spending Independence Day in San Antonio, TX with 25,000 teenagers (and the crazy adults who take them there) for the National Youth Gathering. There's supposed to be an awesome fireworks show tonight, so I'm excited.

It'll be interesting to see how Texas does the 4th. Will it be awesome... or just kinda terrifying cause it's Texas?

In the meantime - it's time for Throwback Thursday!

And of course, today's theme is "Throwback 4th Of July."

I always enjoyed this holiday. Maybe it was becuase my birthday is July 5. Who knows?

Each year it was roughly the same thing. My town always had a big parade that went down my street, so my sister and I would stand outside of the funeral home (remember last week how I told you I was Veda from My Girl?) and watch everything go by. I hated the first part because it was loud sirens from the firetrucks, ambulances, and police cars. But after that, I had a ball. We picked up candy, listened to the bands, watched the Shriners drive in their little mini clown-like cars, and vote on which floats we thought were the best.

By the time I got to high school, watching the parade wasn't an option anymore because I was IN it for marching band. In those days, nothing said "summer" like passing out from summer heat in your heavy marching band uniform. 

Then afterwards, we would head to the park to watch a huge fireworks display. My dad always helped with the snow cone machine, and I would sit with my friends and ooh and ahh over the fireworks.

Usually all of this happened a day or two before the 4th. So for the day of, it was always a quiet day at home. Hot dogs and hamburgers of course for lunch and dinner. But one of the perks of living above a funeral home is that you get an awesome porch with the best view. 

We would stay up late and sit on the porch, eating popsicles and ice cream (and as we got older... sipping adult beverages) to catch all of the neighborhood fireworks. We were able to see the ones from peoples houses as well as other neighborhoods. (Yup, we were that high up. It was great.)

If we weren't at home over the 4th, we would travel to Indiana to visit my mom's family. My cousin had a birthday two days after mine, so there were a lot of family birthday parties spent by the pool.

We also would check out their fireworks show as well.

Once, we sat so close to where they were setting them off, one of the reminents of the fireworks landed right in front of my sister, my cousin, and I. My cousin was so freaked out and couldn't tell what it was and thought they hit a bird!

We still tease her about it to this day and she hates us for it.

Love you!

There was even one year, the summer I turned 21, my college friends came to my house for the 4th. Then I went to them for my birthday the next day!

Me and my friend Sam on my 21st.

What were some of your favorite 4th of July memories growing up?

July To Be Read Pile

Hey guys, guess what?

July is in like 3 days.

When did that happen?

That means, it's time for new books to be read. Hoorray!!!!

Unfortunately, between Romeo and Juliet, Vacation Bible School, and preparing for going to Texas with 19 teenagers and summer camp... reading kind of fell to the back burner.

I'm still working on Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs, but that should be done before I leave for Texas. I also completed City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

However, these books were totally forgotten about:

I also checked out The Time Traveler's Wife by Audry Niffinger for the Favorite Books Project, but didn't have a chance to read it and I need to return it. Sigh.

Which means they are going into my July To Be Read Pile.

I'll be adding a couple of other books to my list for the month though.

With all of my traveling, I'm going to do my best to read from my iPad as much as I can so I'm not lugging around a million hard cover books all over the place.

I'll start with The Help by Kathryn Stockett which I downloaded this week from my local library. I have it for two weeks so I want to be sure to get this one done before it's taken away.

Then I'll also work on Clockwork Angel by Cassandara Clare (The Infernal Devices #1). I'm so excited for this book! I started reading The Mortal Instruments because this trilogy looked AMAZING and I've heard a lot about the character William Harendale. So as soon as The Help is done, I'm moving onto this! It's been waiting on my iPad very patiently for a couple months now, so I feel like it deserves to be read sooner rather than later.

If I still need another book to read during my travels in July, I'll then go on to read Struck By Lightening by Chris Colfer. Being a Gleek, I love Chris Colfer. I think he's awesome and crazy talented.He's in his early 20s, stars in a hit TV show where he sings and dances, wrote and directed a movie, and then wrote a book based off of his movie. So yes... he's awesome. I haven't seen the movie yet, but you can be sure that it's on my Netflix Queue and I'll be watching it once I read the book!

But that book will be there if I have time after I read the ones I missed in June and my travel books.

I also still need to pick a book to read from my Favorite Books Project list. Any of them you want me to get my hands on right away?

As always, if you really want to follow me along in my reading adventures, see where I'm at, my reviews and such, follow me on GoodReads!

Throwback Birthday

A few weeks ago Bonnie from The Life of Bon started a weekly link-up called "Throwback Thursdays." She gives topics about childhood, growing up, the past, etc, and we all write about that topic and link it up with her blog.

Well... I've kind of forgotten to do it the last two weeks.

However, with my crazy being out of town a lot this summer I decided it was better late than never and it was the perfect thing for me to do. Pre-made topics I can write about in advance and schedule them to go up on Thursday.

Also - today's topic is perfect.

Throwback birthday!!!!!

With my birthday being in 8 days, it's the best time to talk about memorable birthdays of my past.

Speaking of my birthday... if you're still trying to figure out that perfect gift for me, check this out: http://www.lovewokemeupthismorning.com/2013/06/what-do-i-want-so-glad-you-asked.html

I feel like the most memorable of my childhood birthdays was my 6th.

I've always had a variety of interests and an issue with making choices. My 6th birthday (at least I think it was my sixth... it's been a few years since then. Haha) was the perfect example of this. I decided I wanted to have a teddy bear picnic/costume party/if you don't have a costume a hat will be fine. Which means I made all of my friends dress up in costumes in the middle of July, go to the park, sit in the grass, and bring their teddy bears. I think one boy brought his Barney stuff animal.

Teddy bear...

Stuffed purple dinosaur...

Same thing.

I remember this one girl also had the coolest mermaid costume in the history of the universe and I was totally jealous. How dare someone have a better costume than me on my birthday?

I don't even remember what my costume was. Probably Snow White because EVERYTHING I did was Snow White back then.

Anyways, it was a good time. At least I think it was. And just for the time being. 

Because about 1/2 way through the party, sirens began to go off.

Tornado sirens. 

Oh the joy. My poor mom having to clean up an outdoor party and than haul myself and my sister back home after a failed party. We also ended up having to take home the pastor's son because his parents couldn't pick him up yet.

Then we spent the remainder of the day downstairs in the funeral home. Since we didn't have a basement, that was the safest place to go. Have I told you all that I grew up above a funeral home? Well... for those of you who don't know, I grew up above a funeral home. Just call me Veda.

Don't worry, I didn't scare the other kids in the neighborhood by showing them dead bodies like she did.

Honestly, I remember being happy the whole time. Which I guess is a good thing.

Why should you let a tornado ruin you're awesome teddy bear picnic costume party anyways?

I'm sure my mom wasn't as happy as me though. Sorry, Mom.

What's your most memorable childhood birthday?

Also- I'm guest blogging on my friend Rachel's blog Life in the Moment, today! http://lifeinthemmnt.blogspot.com/2013/06/life-in-june-learning-from-friends-3.html

The View From Backstage

Today you have more pictures to look at.

YAY! 

Mainly because I have been far too tired to write out actual blog posts this week - especially when I don't get home from rehearsals until midnight. 

I fully intended to take more pictures last night during our final dress rehearsal for Romeo and Juliet, but then I got busy with running lines, make-up, costumes, etc. Then there were a few photos that I took which actually just looked awkward and I won't succumb my cast mates to bad pictures on the internet. (You're welcome.) 

So here are the three I took last night. Maybe by the end of the weekend I'll have more to share.

Happy Thursday everyone!

A Vivid Memory

Here's the thing about vivid memories - I don't have any.

If I do, they're bad ones. Sad memories or times I've gotten hurt. Things that I really don't want to put on the internet.

I have memories. My mind is full of them. As I searched my brain for the perfect story to tell for the final Blog Everyday in May prompt (A Vivid Memory), I thought of several events in my life.

Life Update

Life here has been pretty...

Insane.

It really has been a crazy few weeks, so I felt like it would be a good idea to give you a quick update on my life. Especially since I don't actually talk about my life all that often on here.

I feel as though a lot is changing, yet staying the same. It's as though things around me are changing, but I'm still right where I was before. It's strange.

BLOG SWAP DAY!!!!!!

It's 20SB Blog Swap Time!

 

Well, it's the first day of school here. As I was getting ready for work this morning, I saw the school buses full of children driving down the street and I could almost hear their groans about not wanting to go back to school. I used to be one of those kids. The word "summer" used to conjure the feeling of the wind in my hair as I rode my bike all over our small town and the taste of banana milk shakes. Now "summer" has a different connotation: it's the time for adventures before the time where you can share them with other people. 

This new definition (not that it is really coherent) came from some of my experiences in college. I went from summers of fun to summers of trying to predict my future through internships.  In the summer of 2008, I found myself left in my college town with an internship at a hotel. I had no idea what I was doing and I was basically on my own. Until I discovered that some mutual acquaintances from school were also in town for the summer, working some mindless summer jobs. We got together for one of our birthdays early in the summer and that started it all. As our mother put it, we became "the Foursome," a close-knit bunch who loved to do everything together. 

The Foursome on One of Our First Adventures

We all brought something different to the table in terms of our sense of humor, style, and interests, but when we came together our adventures were always epic, which was only added to by the fact that I, the youngest in the group, turned 21 that summer. It was great. We had our inside jokes, ridiculous summer playlists that distinguished us from anyone else, and crazy nicknames that nobody understood but us. 

That August, the fall of our senior year, I went back to school for the first time wanting to be there. To share the summer's adventures with my other friends. We all seemed to be that way. While it was difficult for people outside of the foursome to comprehend the fact that we had all become such great friends, it was evident that things were changed forever and we would have to integrate our friend groups. So, at a time when most college students are upset about leaving behind college, we were developing a circle of lifelong friends. Even after graduation, the foursome stayed behind in our college town for one last summer of internships and hilarity, even though we knew that in August two of us would leave for graduate school and the others would start "real" jobs. 

It's been three years since the foursome was together for a summer of fun, but our friendship is still there in the weekly phone calls and the cross-country trips to see each other. I can always get back to that summer with our Summer 2008 playlist and some "Bennie and the Jets".

- Molly



If you like my writing, or if you want to read Emmy's 20sb Blog Swap Post, check out my blog! www.adventuresonmainst.blogger.com

Beautiful Things

Because some things just can't be put into words...

Pictures from BigStuf Camp in Panama City Beach  last week:

There's nothing like sand under your feet

And So It Begins

louisebittersweet.deviantart.com

Summer has officially started here in Cape. Well... maybe not officially since summer doesn't technically start until June 21st. HOWEVER - it has already hit 100, school is out, my summer wedding schedule is mapped out, we have done camp counselor training with the high school youth, and Vacation Bible School is only two weeks away.

It's summer.