Oh Beautiful

Happy Fourth of July everyone! I cannot help but recall this scene from one of my favorite summer movies today. Heading down to the Pier to watch tonight. There’s just something about a sky, city and water lighting up from these things.

Starry Night

If there’s one thing I love more than sleeping in a top bunk at the Allen Cabin-sion and spending time with the Allen Fam and laughing with Lisa, it’s staring at the sky. In fact, I love staring at the sky whenever I’m out of the city. It is so mesmerizing and awe-inspiring.

Which is why today’s 1000 Awesome Things really made me crave a trip: #22 Stars. Growing up, I don’t think I ever really had an appreciation for them. And then while Lisa and I camped in one of Katie’s parents’ rooms, we turned the lights off and behold! The ceiling was covered in those plastic stars from growing up. Ever since then, I’ve had an appreciation. Especially upon moving to Chicago where literally, the skyline is your gateway to stars. It’s why I love walking Oscar around the neighborhood late at night so I can just stargaze.

While walking to The Head & the Heart show 2 weeks ago, Chicago graced us with 5 stars. It was crazy cool. Cause there are stars…up above.

If every night were like this, I would invest in a hammock and sleep outdoors.

 

RedBall Project

Saw this total cool, traveling exhibit from artist Kurt Perschke. He plants a red ball in various spaces throughout the city. Apparently it’s already come to Chicago and I’ve missed it. And it already appeared in St. Louis (how Mom missed this is beyond me). Guess I’ll just have to hit up another city!

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Paint With All the Colors of (And Run Like) the Wind

Stumbled upon this 5k race that sounds right up my alley. After completing my first last month for The Arthritis Foundation in their Mingle Jingle run, I didn’t think I wanted to do one again any time soon. I mean, I finished that 5k without much training, but thanks to the snow that was falling, the sidewalks we ran on turned into ice from all the packing the snow down. So while it was beautiful to run in some Chicago snow, it was pretty scary. Had a great group of gals who ran with me and friends came out to cheer me on. Plus, running for a cause that was dear to me was pretty important. My team and I raised $500 for The Foundation, so I was pretty happy. And wasn’t even thinking of my next 5k run.

Then I came across this 5k, The Color Run. At every kilometer, you get “spritzed” with color powder. Each kilometer is a different color and at the end of the race, you’re just colored from head to toe and then participate in a color bomb/blast. I’ve been pitching the Holi Festival idea in a bunch of brainstorms, but no one’s taking the bait. It’s always been something I’ve wanted to be a part of. It just looks so spirited, so lively and well, so colorful.

Gotten a bunch of gals from work and around the city to participate with me. Should be in pretty good shape for it since I’m working out and taking water aerobics with other arthritis gals (all over the age of 50). And hopefully, no snow will be around. Now it’s just time to think of a colorful name for the team.