The Windy City

Chicago! I’m ecstatic to be here. This is the first time I’ve ever spent actual time in Chicago. There have been a few times driving through the city and several trips through O’Hare, but not actual time spent in the city. When I was 17 I was able to twist my parents’ arms enough to get them to bring me to a Smashing Pumpkins concert in Chicago. That was a one night deal and a couple hours at the Field Museum the next morning, but not really seeing the city.

I found myself at The Sears Tower as soon as I got out of the train station. I didn’t hesitate to go straight to the top, 103 stories in the sky. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and the view is astonishing.

Afterwards I met up with my friend Jen from MSU. Jen was a photographer at the MSU yearbook while I was the photography editor. Now Jen attends DePaul University here in Chicago where she started the women’s lacrosse team under her own ambitions. She’s all about Chicago and the big city. She seems to know just about everything about the city and cruises around the streets in her little car without a challenge. Although I said I would try not to stay with anyone I knew on the trip, it’s just the way it worked out given the situation.

It took me 23 years to get to my first Major League Baseball game and it was at one of the greatest baseball fields ever built, Wrigley Field. A while ago MSN had an article online of top 10 things to do in the United States. So what was number one? …seeing a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Check that off the list. Despite all the struggles the Cubs are having they won 4-0 against the Reds. It was a great time and a perfect day for baseball. It couldn’t have been better. My favorite part, hmm… bleachers on top of the apartments across from the stadium. If I’m rich one day, forget buying a big mansion on the beach, I’m buying one of the apartment buildings with bleachers on top next to Wrigley Field.

My favorite part of any city is being at the bottom of the skyscrapers. I endlessly look up at them in awe and fascination. Along with that are places like Millennium Park, a beautiful area where I could sit for hours watching people, relaxing and enjoy life. Here’s to the Windy City. Thanks for fascinating me. -xo