Wish Granting Factory

I bought The Fault in Our Stars last week to read on my Colorado trip. Except I didn’t make it that far. Instead, I laid in bed reading for five hours until I finished the book. That’s one of my favorite feelings in the world; getting so consumed by a book the only way to stop is for the book to run out of pages and words.

I can say of all the years of book reading, I’ve never cried in a book. Sure, I might have cried during a movie adaptation, but I’ve never cried while reading. I’ve actually found myself a tad jealous of those who can get so lost in their imaginations and the written word to produce such powerful emotion.

And then it happened. The eyes welled up. A few tears trickled down. I regained composure. A full-on sob. Followed by I-can’t-quite-breathe sobs. And then again, pulling it together to finish the ending and more sobs. Then for some reason, I felt compelled to reread the ending. Puffy eyes greeted me in the morning.

The tale is about two teens who meet during a cancer support group. You know something bad/sad is going to happen, it’s inevitable right? But man oh man, the way John Green makes you fall in love with these characters so that you’re not worrying about their stories but more so their thoughts and feelings is truly genius. You get so wrapped up in Hazel’s and Augustus’s day-to-day that you don’t even have time to contemplate, read into foreshadowing or figure out where the story’s landing.

Just like Augustus and Hazel, I finally got my wish.

Starry Nights

The minute I get out of the city, all I can harp on are “Look there’s a star!”, “Oh, there’s a constellation!” and “I love/miss the stars!” Whenever I see a few stars when I am in Chicago, I simply marvel at the wonder. And when I’m in Colorado? My neck starts cramping from just sitting in a chair around the fire pit, sitting in silence.

When I came across Thierry Cohen‘s photography exhibition entitled Darkened Cities, I immediately started to have a new appreciation for city stargazing. Here, Thierry captured the cities without their usual glow and instead, played with the skyline shadowing against a starry night. And the result is quite moving.

My personal favorite is the San Francisco one. Time to go back I guess.

 

New York City

San Francisco

Tokyo

 

 

 

 

It’s A Nice Day For A, White Dining

Thank the lord for social media. If it weren’t for CHIRP Radio‘s tweet early this week, I would have surely missed out on this. I wouldn’t have been in the kitchen on Wednesday night cooking up a storm. And I wouldn’t have been planning my day around “table and chair rental” releases.

Twenty-five years ago, Paris started Dîner en Blanc–a flash mob, white, dinner party. You bring it all. From food and dishware to tables and linens. All white. And you yourself are dressed head to toe in white. You sign up for a night of good friends, good food and good dancing at a city spot. Now, the organization boasts 24 international cities for this pop-up event. While Chicago had a similar event last year, this is the city’s first event in accordance with this group.

At 7 o’clock tonight, we’ll meet up with our “row” at a designated spot and begin the trek to an unknown location for this event. We’ll get to the destination, set up our eating area and wave our white napkins in the air for the event to begin.

New York City had their party a few days ago. And per this CNN video, 3,500 people made the list with 30,000 left on the wait list. It’s a party everyone wants a seat to.

The images speak for themselves (sparklers?!) and I for one, cannot wait. Heading over with some friends and even a long lost pal from Student Council Camp we both attended in Colorado during high school.

C’est bien!

Photos from Dîner en Blanc-New York, Paris and Montreal Facebook pages

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Going Coastal

The silence is over, sort of. My apologies for not writing nearly as much as I should have been…the month of July just got lost beyond me. And I’ve returned from my coastal adventure to the East where my friend and I attended a few concerts and slept on a pirate ship. It was to say the least, amazing.

But instead of rehashing a vacation, I want to talk about something else, friendship. Amanda and I affirmed a friendship a year ago when we went on vacation to Colorado. Since that last summer, we’ve logged four other trips and most recently, this eastern adventure. I could not imagine a better travel companion to navigate a city alongside.

My true aha! moment of man, life is good, came while we were in New York. We made our way down to NYC to catch The Lumineers and Old Crow Medicine Show in Central Park and decided to hit up our New York friends for couches to crash on. Most of the “closer” friends were traveling, so we were coming up empty-handed. Then I reached out to Christin, a girl I studied abroad with in Ireland and hadn’t seen since we left the Emerald Isle. And to be fair, we hadn’t really talked much. But she insisted we come and crash with her.

The minute we walked in to Christin’s place, it was like we were back in Ireland. As we readied ourselves and wandered the city, we managed to find a bar with a vacant rooftop where we spent the afternoon catching up on life. It was just perfection and as if this was an everyday thing we did. When we got to the show, I was so overcome with joy that I nearly started crying. It was just so moving to know that there are people in this world that vouch for you and want to spend time with you, no matter how much time has passed.

I have many friends like this in Chicago, but I’ve certainly taken them for granted over the years…just assuming they’re always there. But upon our return to Sweet Home Chicago, I realized how truly lucky I am to live in a city I love, surrounded by water and people that I cannot help but have on fantastic time.

It might have taken all of July for me to realize this, as well as a northeastern adventure, but I’m going in to my 27th year with a much better grasp on life. And I for one, I am eager to see what awaits next.

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And here’s the lastest Mumford & Son’s song (saw them in Maine last week), which I think is so very fitting:

My Best Friend’s Wedding

Well it’s finally here! Lisa’s getting married this Saturday at Spruce Mountain Ranch. And with a set up like this, I don’t know how anyone can possibly contain their excitement. Off to hang with some fantastic people and celebrate this exciting day. Blogging to return upon my return.

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.

 

Book It

This year, I’ve vowed to read 65 books, as my Goodreads account states. And I must say, while at times it’s been challenging to ensure I’m on track (currently 4 ahead after my vacay to Colorado), I will revel in the achievement this December. As it stands, I’m 39 books in on this year. Many ask how I have the time to read that much, it’s all due to public transit. I seriously wonder how I would spend my time while on the bus if I wasn’t reading…

Seeing as it’s summer and beach reading time, I’ve put together a list of the top 5 books I’ve read thus far. Now to be fair, my reading tastes have shifted this year as I’ve opt for more nonfiction work (which I always thought I didn’t like. I blame this on book reports in elementary school that FORCED you to do one on at least one nonfiction book), but as you’ll see from my list below, I just love me some fiction.

1) Commencement— J. Courtney Sullivan
A tale about four girls who meet in college and the life journey that awaits them as they prepare to marry, have children, fall in and out of love and blaze their career paths. Very realistic for those, who like me, still feel like they’re navigating their place in the adult world while your closest friends seem to already have found their way. Plus with Lisa’s wedding next year and me and Katie in the bridal party line-up, the whole wedding bit seemed to be predicting my future.

 

2) Night Road–Kristin Hannah
Living with Maggie has its perks and among them, our library grows when her mom’s in town as she does a book drop. Lately, her books have been stellar and this one was no exception. Hannah has written many books (think Jodi Picoult without all of those tears) and does so in a concise way. I find no matter which of her books I’m reading, I can’t stop. Mainly because each chapter is told from another character’s perspective. The minute I get hooked on one, I find myself continuing to read until their next chapter comes up.
Night Road dives into young teenage love, parental love, wrongful death and consequences themes against the canvas of a privileged lifestyle and a not so privileged lifestyle. The minute you think someone’s to blame for the book’s events, you find yourself warming up to that character.

3) The Violets of March–Sarah Jio
I fell in love with this book within the first few pages due to Jio’s magnificent writing on a setting. The book takes place in The Sound of Washington and Jio’s writing not only makes you picture it, but you can smell and hear it too. The book follows a character trying to rebuild her life after a divorce while working on her second book. She seeks refuge in The Sound with a family member and uncovers all sorts of family secrets, those kind some wish to take to the grave. A deeply engrossing story leaving you reading faster and faster on the last 30 pages.

 

4) Bossypants–Tina Fey
No surprise that Fey’s book made my list. I love everything about the woman and am pretty sure I’m Liz Lemon. Fey takes you on a rollercoaster of short essay stories from her childhood to today, making sure there’s something for every reader. I must say, I read her Chicago chapters with added excitement, especially when she talks about this man in Evanston who always hassles you about wearing a helmet when riding your bike. To think she experienced that in her twenties and so did I! I felt at times I was reading my future on some of her chapters.

5) The Hunger Games Trilogy–Suzanne Collins
Alright, you didn’t really think that after reading 30+ books this year, I’d only be able to pick 5 did you? The Hunger Games Trilogy includes three books; The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. I’ll admit, I’ve had a withdrawl from serial books after Harry Potter and never really got in to Twilight despite my best efforts. If you haven’t read this trilogy yet, don’t read the back cover. It’s weird and makes the books sound way too sci-fi like. Sci-fi isn’t really my cup of tea, though these books sort of reminded me of The Giver. Collins writes about this other world and their grisly games in a way making it impossible to ever stop reading. Equally excited for the movie next year!

 

Adventurous Spirit Endures

After taking my adventurous, thrill-seeking self to lofty heights last week, I’ve been coerced into taking them to the water over the Fourth during the trip to Denver/Breckenridge.

“You just cannot fall out. Don’t be that person.” — Lisa’s pep talk

Note: Never done this. My track record on boats/rafts is not that great unless I’m doped up on Dramamine.

You only live once right? And good ‘ol Eleanor said you should do something everyday that scares you right?

Right?

 

Some R&R

Retreating to Colorado for some much needed time with my gal pals. Looking forward to taking residence in the Allen Cabin-sion in Breckenridge while checking out Lisa’s new digs in The Springs. Ah, vacay, you look splendid.