MBFTIBMTTIF: Runaway Baby

Before we get started... please click this link. I'm in the mood to give this blog a soundtrack today.

Feeling good? Alright, let's start. With 17 days left til the race, I've got a lot to catch up on. Here was Week 8 in numbers.

2.5 with a stroller.
3 on a treadmill with wet feet.
6.5 in the rain.
8 in the snow.
4 out of anger and confusion.
All 18 miles out of choice.

I think I'm officially a runner. I signed up for this marathon out of a desire to do something for me. All 18 of those miles were for me. Week 8 happened to be the week of the Boston bombing. That week, Monday's miles were to cope with the shock. Friday wasn't much different. I've been tossing ideas around in my head in regards to my feelings about the event, and frankly, many other people have put my thoughts into words in a prettier fashion and you should probably read this, this, or this. (Okay, that last one is just hilarious.)

Dealing with the one year anniversary of a friend's passing, plus Boston, plus the normal turbulent tumult of my ever transient twenties has made the last few weeks less than excellent. But instead of bringing everyone down further, I've made a small departure from my usual blogging style and compiled a list of ten things that made me feel better over the last few weeks  -- hopefully some of them will lift your spirits as well.

1. RUNNING. On Monday, April 15, I ran through Diversey Harbor. Nay, sprinted. I was angry at the news and I couldn't slow myself down until after mile two. I was missing the Boston skyline and instead had this insane view of Chicago midstorm. Boston in my heart, Chicago on the horizon. And I felt better.

2. THIS LINK came to me from my good friend Dani. As someone who is paid to look after a tiny person, I can say that I have multiple experiences like this every day. Henry is a fan of shutting himself in his dog's kennel. Why? I do not know. But it makes me laugh each and every time.

3. TURTLE RACING. What's that you may ask? Exactly what it sounds like. Go to the bar. Buy beer. Get tickets. If your ticket gets pulled you choose a turtle. If that turtle wins the race, you get a free drink or a tshirt. We didn't actually get to race a turtle but I'm 100% going back. It was 100% hilarious and 100% worth the beer I drank out of a solo cup. I recommend this wholeheartedly. 100%.

4. OMG EDITH. Special shout out to THE BLOG THAT PRODUCED THIS MEME.

5. EATING STUFF. Making good use of all of the food Chicago has to offer also helped out over the last few weeks. Right now I'm trying to decide which was better. Eating this Chi Dog Pizza at Dimo's or getting free rhubarb pie last week at Bang Bang. (Side note: Free pie officially makes us regulars! I've always wanted to be a regular somewhere. Couldn't have picked a better spot to make our own.) Shout out to Leor for being present on both food-tastic

occasions.

SERIOUSLY THOUGH GUYS. THAT'S CHICAGO DOG PIZZA.

6. LOVE. Phone calls and texts with my loved ones. I spent so much time on the phone during the week of the bombing. I talked to my parents, my friends in Boston and beyond. And I was overwhelmed at the number of texts I received asking if my family and friends in Boston were okay. Thank you to everyone who looked out for me. I appreciate the gesture more than you know. (Except I just told you, so now you know.)

7. SARA BAREILLES released a new single. Which means a new CD and another tour. Gosh this girl is incredible.

8. THIS ARTICLE. Please tell me these are real comments and not something made up by a comedian. Please, please, please. Not sure you want to click one more thing? This is a preview:

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?

You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.
- Derrick, age 8 

HILARIOUS RIGHT!??! Get reading.

9.  CULOTTES. I'm happy to report that I've gotten a lot better at biking since last year. But one thing that drives me crazy is always having to wear shorts under my dresses and skirts while I bike. Well, thanks to Target, my problem is solved! Check out these babies, you only THINK they're a skirt. THEY'RE ACTUALLY SHORTS. Mine are adorable like this:

10. PRIDE. I've run with this hat a lot during the past few weeks, and all I can say is, I'm so proud to be from Massachusetts. Proud, proud, proud. And that's helped me getting through. (And yeah, that's Ollie the Owl and me showing some Boston/Brandeis pride. And maybe a little sadness.)

PS - That's me trying to look disheartened. I realize now that I kind of look like I'm saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Deal with it.

Well, Erika, (you might be saying), that certainly was random. It sure was, dear readers. But here's what I've got. Messy things are going to happen every day. Sad things are going to happen every day. But so are the happy and the silly. So all I've got for now is -- just keep running.

Til next time my loves.

xoxo,
E

Number 62: Head to the airport and fly - anywhere

Hey All -

Welcome back to my blog. When I started this blog (quite some time ago), I thought I would accomplish 62 tasks in 365 days. Well. That didn't come anywhere close to happening. When I decided to make the move from Boston to Chicago, I considered creating a new blog to chart my adventures and keep my friends and family (on the East coast and otherwise) up to date on my life. Taking a page out of the books of fellow bloggers, (like JF and Rachel Bertsche) I've decided that instead of creating a brand new blog, I would simply give my current blog a facelift. Because, let's face it, you guys still want me to complete some of these adventures, no? :)

So. Let's start with Number 62. "Head to the airport and fly - anywhere." 

 

Five days ago, I picked up my entire life and moved it to Chicago, IL. (And okay, we didn't fly. We drove. But I said I'd be making some changes to the blog. Deal with it.) Some people thought I was crazy. Some people thought I was doing it for all of the wrong reasons. And some people (fortunately) were very supportive of my decision.

Here are the facts:

1. I will admit this to you – I’ve probably never thought about anything more and less at exactly the same time. I’ve been mulling over the Chicago move since I visited almost a year ago this June. (And that time I flew!) Or really since 2008 when I had a  pipe dream with two wonderful gentleman I left behind in Boston. But the details were always fuzzy. All I had was: I’ll find an apartment, I’ll find a job, I’ll make a life.
2. Everything is easier said than done.
3. I’m a little scared. This was a hard decision and I’m sad to have left behind a large number of people on the East Coast.
4. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. I’m here for a reason. I just don’t know what it is yet.
5. I’m excited.
6. There are many cupcake shops here.

No matter what age I am, no matter what I’m going through in my life, I’ve always coped with change through writing. I love to do it, always have and hopefully always will. So here I am, experiencing a huge change. And here you are, reading about it.

So far... I have good news to share.

1. I have a job! I was recently hired by The Chicago Park District to work at Theatre On The Lake, an outdoor summer theatre festival. They (we -eek!) will put on eight plays in eight weeks. I'll be working in the box office as well as helping with some publicity and community programming. I couldn't be more stoked.
2. Wait for it -- I have a second job?! That's right ladies and gentleman. Tuesday was a good day for hiring me here in the Windy City. I'll also be waitressing at Frances' Deli on Clark. Thanks, CCF. You were instrumental in getting hired. I'll say though... wearing jeans and sneakers is a step up from wearing my whites. No big deal or anything though.
3. My apartment is adorable. I'll choose my vocabulary wisely because well, the entire apartment is about the size of bedroom back in Allston BUT it's all mine! It has some quirks... I have to stand on a chair to reach my microwave... but hey, maybe this will make me cook more! Or you know... just invest in a really cute step stool. :) So all you folks looking to come visit, I'm ready to snuggle with you! Come on over!

And that's what I've got going on so far. You know, a little of this and a little of that. So stay tuned as I stir up trouble in The Windy City. Looking forward to adventuring with you!

XOXO,
E

Hanging out with Mom and Dad (and Patrick?) at Navy Pier. See? Trouble already. :)