you’re welcome, cubs.

Monday – Memorial Day – I got to witness the Cubs break a 12 game losing streak AND get to see Wrigley for the first time in my life! It was, in one word, awesome.

After another big breakfast Pete and I headed down to Wrigleyville and walked around the stadium. I was fasinated with the bleachers on top of the buildings in the outfield and the sheer number of people everywhere. It felt more like a college football game than am MLB baseball game.

Before we went in the stadium I got my picture taken with Harry Caray.

Once we got in I was all set to people watch. The bullpens at Wrigley are far more old school than what I’m used to. In fact the whole element of the stadium is. I had already remarked to Pete how much smaller it felt from the outside – from the inside it’s true to my assessment.

Pete pointed out to me that it seems that folks at Wrigley drink a lot more than they do in Atlanta. That was quickly confirmed when I realized the only game plays I’d missed were because they guy selling beer was directly in front of me. Of course, I had to join in with an Old Style (or two).

I can’t recall how many home runs there were total in the game but I do recall when it hit 8 (4 for the Cubs, 4 for the Padres). I definitely didn’t fly to Chicago for a boring baseball game. I can’t think of anything better to be spending Memorial Day doing than to be at a MLB game and I’m so thankful I was able to do that on Monday. Not to mention the weather was absolutely beautiful.

After the win we headed to The Gingerman Tavern for a couple of Green Lines. I sat by the window and watched the droves of people pass by outside and the couples inside making out. It was spectacular.

I think this trip did it for sure — I am head over heels in love with Chicago. Sorry, Columbia.

so, i went to chicago.

I had the best Memorial Day weekend this past weekend in, like, ever. About a month ago I booked a flight to go visit my friend Pete in the windy city! I got into O’Hare around 8:30 am Friday morning. We immediately made our way downtown and to Eggsperience for breafast. Holy panini that place was good. Our first stop afterwards was to the tennis courts to see if my game still existed. I wasn’t 2.0 but I wasn’t 4.0 either.

Afterwards we picked up drinks (chai for me) and walked around for a while. We saw the Buckingham Fountain, the Bean, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the set up for an Express Fashion Show.

There was a bunch of lavender outside of the Art Institute, which prompted Pete and I to have the following conversation:

Me: It’s me!

Pete: It’s a flower.

Me: What is it that Amos Lee says? My heart is a flower?

Pete: That’s your third terrible quote of the day. You’re done.

WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS!?

Friday night we headed to iO for an improv show. It was absolutely ‘I almost spit my beer out’ hilarious. I don’t think I have laughed so hard in far, far too long. I tried to explain to my neighbor last night what I thought was so funny about the show and, well, when I describe it … it doesn’t translate as well as it did in the moment on stage. Good thing my neighbor has mastered the courtesy laugh.

We followed it up with a late dinner at Cozy Noodles & Rice where we were able to bring our own wine and I dined on spring rolls and truly incredible shrimp pad thai (sans egg).

Pad Thai

Stir-fried thin rice noodles with bean sprouts, green onion, egg, ground peanuts (on the side) and slice lime. Your choice of chicken or tofu or shrimp.

The restaurant’s decorations were, in one word, incredible. The women’s bathroom was filled wall-to-wall with pez dispensers. The back room, where we were, was lined with shelves of Disney character figurines. I couldn’t help but love every inch of quirk.

Saturday morning we woke up and headed to Pete’s office where I got to see THIS view. Freaking incredible. Pete gets to walk over that river ever day twice a day and all he has to say about it is “it smells.” !!!!!

Afterwards, we all but joined in the Memorial Day parade. I’m pretty sure no one would’ve noticed except for the fact that I was wearing denim rather than an ROTC uniform.

Next, we decided to go on a run downtown and up to lake side. Or really Pete decided and I told him I’d see if I could keep up with him. We ran about a mile and a half to the beach. Once we were there we did a little number called “run until Kristin wants to take another picture.” I believe at this point mind = blown and my dialogue was something like “THIS IS SO AMAZING I JUST CAN’T QUITE CAPTURE IT ALL.” Seriously, the juxtaposition of the buildings and the water were just too cool for school. After our run, we made our way to Pequod’s for some deep dish pizza. We split a pizza with basil leaves, spinach, and peppers and washed it down with a Goose Island Green Line. Hello, delicious.

We went over to meet some of Pete’s friends afterwards. It was an adorable apartment in Lincoln Park. We stopped by the largest Whole Foods in the midwest (omg THE CHEESE!) on the way. I drank a lot of Abita strawberry harvest lager, shazammed some new songs, and played circle of death. It was fun and collegiate and I loved it all.

Sunday morning we got up and headed back to the beach. Pete had plans to join some people for beach volleyball and I had plans to do exactly as I did: try to hit the ball twice and then collapse in the sand and spend the next hour trying to make sure my previously earned tan didn’t go anywhere while I was up north. Mission accomplished.

I was fascinated by the number of volleyballers. It’s, like, a thing there. Like kickball is to Columbia. Also, their beach population was worse than Myrtle Beach at first week. And the people watching did NOT disappoint. Unfortunately I was informed that my sunglasses did not make me invisible. Bollocks.

Sunday afternoon we headed back to south side. It’s such a different view of south side than what I saw last summer when I was there for Dave Matthews. This was beautiful.

We went back to Grant Park so Pete could play some tennis and I could catch up with Reagan on the phone and listen to the new John Mayer while watching the guys play.

I was exhausted from sitting (and Pete from tennis in the suffocating heat – what a weakling) so we headed back and Pete started fixing dinner. He made the most divine veggie burgers and I actually consumed some sweet potato! They were super good and I feasted on them and the corn avocado tomato salsa he also picked up at Whole Foods.

From the beach to the veggie burgers, it was all pretty wonderful.

what i love lately.

1. John Mayer’s new cd. I haven’t heard a bad lyric yet.

2. Guy’s night with my brother, my new neighbor, and my 3 favorite dreadheads.

3. Finishing Season 5 of Lost.

4. Running, even in the heat, even when I don’t want to.

5. Dinner with an old friend who I’ve missed dearly.

6. The places that reading A Well Traveled Woman and Tete Rouge take me.

7. Sarah, Laura, and Alyson.

8. Getting a gift bag together for Mom, hoping to make her smile.

9. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.

10. Phillip Phillips.

i work out.

Outside of work, setting up my new place, and spending time with my friends and family, this year has been spent primarily doing one thing: running. I took the week off last week and didn’t feel great about it. So this week, I set up some small goals for myself and hit the pavement. I have one thing to say about that: hot. I’m a hot weather girl but clearly I’m not a hot weather runner. Which doesn’t comfort me much about having to start training again in the next month.

After I ran, I walked into the gym to do some ab work and saw this:

Gross. At least my abs hurts today.

the new rules.

“Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” – Carrie Bradshaw

Last night, in my cable and internet free home, I sat in my room listening to the sounds of frogs and ducks and whatever there may be contributing to the chorus of a forest outside of my bedroom window. I’d been thinking a lot lately about how big this year has been for me, how happy I’ve been. And how much I have to show for it, even. I am the happiest I have ever been. Life’s not perfect. But it feels pretty damn perfect.

Last night, in the silence, I was thinking over the weekend and how there are things I get out of so many people that I didn’t even get in my last relationship. Every day I’m learning about new things to expect, to hope for, to not settle without.

1. I want someone who laughs at my obscure jokes.

2. If I ask a stupid question, I want someone who will answer it. Someone who will be understanding of my forgetfulness and respectful of my desire to know things about random topics like minor league baseball and chemistry and greek mythology.

3. I want someone who uses correct grammar. All the time.

4. I don’t care if you have a beard (swoon) or a mustache (gooo) or what have you. I want someone with a face that I can stand to look into for a long time, with eyes that I can see into, and who doesn’t mind me looking all the time.

5. I want someone who loves me so much he loves everyone around me too. My friends and my family and even my boss, on the good days and the bad days with each of them. I want that somebody to want to spend time with my somebodies. Because they’re the ones who are always there for me.

Always the wise one, Peter says it so much more eloquently than I. All that I’ve learned and all that I’ve hoped for is here.

a perfect weekend.

Early Saturday morning I was up and at ‘em and out running errands at an hour in which I had to figure out which stores would be open yet because certainly not all of them would be. Daniel called me when he woke up and we decided to go find a spot to have breakfast. We were stupefied when we realized that most Columbia brunch spots don’t open until 11 am. I suggested we head down to the All Local Farmer’s Market at 701 Whaley and see what was there. Daniel had never been so I was excited to share it with him.

We were trying to decide on where to grab breakfast when we walked over to this:

I was so excited to try their breakfast taco. It included scrambled eggs, cheese, black bean and corn salsa, and bacon. I got it sans bacon or, as the cook called it, “hold the fun.”

So dang good. After breakfast, we went out to Fleet Feet where Daniel bought me a 13.1 magnet for my car and then we stopped by Sims Music for Customer Appreciation Day. Our friend Mark’s band was the first band to play out there, so we got to catch him on the drums.

After I’d successfully picked out a ukulele I want, we left there. Ashley had her bridal portraits the rest of the afternoon and I was on call as a bridesmaid to attend a hair and makeup appointment and to help with the portraits. She will no doubt be the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. We all headed to Za’s afterwards for supper and wine. I ended up going with a zone for supper instead of pizza.

Five Cheese Zone

Traditional sauce, mozzarella, monterey jack, cheddar, provolone and feta cheese. Served with a side of marinara sauce.

Sunday morning I woke up and headed to Cristen’s house for breakfast. She cooked for her Spanish roommate and a friend of his who is in town from Spain and invited me over as well. When I got there she had a plate full of scrambled eggs, purple and sweet potatoes, and goat cheese. It was, needless to say, delicious. She adopted it from a brunch she had recently at 116 State. When we finished with breakfast, Cristen and I went back to my place and sat out by the pool for the remainder of the day.

I love people watching by the pool and yesterday didn’t disappoint. After we’d been out there approximately 7 hours, we, along with my neighbor Jeff, headed to Pawley’s for an early dinner. Jeff and I both ordered fish tacos and sweet potato fries.

Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos

With grilled corn & black bean salsa, chipotle pepper sour cream and shredded cabbage.

I also drank a few Sweetwater Blues. It was a great Sunday funday and followed up with Jeff and I watching the Sunday night episode of Girls on HBO which, while we’re both big fans of the show, is an interesting choice for mixed company.

things i want to do this summer.

Inspired by Kaleigha and Emily.

1. Go to a Cubs game.

2. Go paddleboarding.

3. Have friends over and serve brunch.

4. Go wine tasting.

5. Perfect my own taco recipe.

6. Go camping.

7. Visit a farm I haven’t been to before.

8. Spend an entire weekend in a bikini.

9. Make my own martinis and mohitos.

10. Host a dinner party.

{via}

re-lax-a-tion.

Today started off with some reading, a doctor’s appointment, and then a trip to Starbucks for a chai latte. It hadn’t started raining yet and was turning out to be a pretty decent Columbia day.

After work and after having a telephone conversation with every member of my immediate family, I headed to Cafe Caturra for girl’s night. It was there we spotted RYAN GOSLING’S SOUTH CAROLINA TWIN. (Katie had already given me the heads up that he bartended there. I have no shame.)

Girl’s night was great. I’m extremely blessed to have such wonderful girl friends in Columbia. Something it felt like growing up was so difficult to find.

Tonight at dinner I had the margherita pizza:

Margherita

A wisp of sauce, sliced tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella di bufala, basil & extra virgin olive oil

So good. And I already know what I’m planning to get on my next trip to Cafe Caturra.

I ended my night with a bath, a new book, and Van Morrison on pandora. Happy Wednesday indeed.

every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.

I feel like I should listen to a commencement speech once a year. A swift kick in the ass is always good. Like a breakfast with Dad. Every now and then Steve Jobs should be heard just to be reminded at what he’s said. Today, it’s Aaron Sorkin at Syracuse:

Develop your own compass, and trust it. Take risks, dare to fail, remember the first person through the wall always gets hurt …

The rules are about to change, and one of them is this: Decisions are made by those who show up. Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world.

Don’t ever forget that you’re a citizen of this world, and there are things you can do to lift the human spirit, things that are easy, things that are free, things that you can do every day. Civility, respect, kindness, character. You’re too good for schadenfreude, you’re too good for gossip and snark, you’re too good for intolerance — and since you’re walking into the middle of a presidential election, it’s worth mentioning that you’re too good to think people who disagree with you are your enemy …

Don’t ever forget that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has.

Rehearsal’s over. You’re going out there now, you’re going to do this thing. How you live matters. You’re going to fall down, but the world doesn’t care how many times you fall down, as long as it’s one fewer than the number of times you get back up.

… I wish you joy. I wish you health and happiness and success, I wish you a roof, four walls, a floor and someone in your life that you care about more than you care about yourself. Someone who makes you start saying “we” where before you used to say “I” and “us” where you used to say “me.” I wish you the quality of friends I have and the quality of colleagues I work with. Baseball players say they don’t have to look to see if they hit a home run, they can feel it. So I wish for you a moment — a moment soon — when you really put the bat on the ball, when you really get a hold of one and drive it into the upper deck, when you feel it. When you aim high and hit your target, when just for a moment all else disappears, and you soar with wings as eagles. The moment will end as quickly as it came, and so you’ll have to have it back, and so you’ll get it back no matter what the obstacles. A lofty prediction, to be sure, but I flat out guarantee it.

recipe for a tuesday.

Lunch today at The Gourmet Shop with Mims + Mary Beth where Mims got her famous cheese plate and Mary Beth and I each got this:

Fresh Goat Cheese & House Made Basil Pesto Panini

Whipped Goat Cheese Layered with our Basil Pesto and Sliced Tomato.

Mine with a side of pesto pasta, hers with the tomato bisque.

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Gifs that make me laugh like this:

Responding to an email angry..

And this:

You after the office Christmas Party..

And also this:

When asked for honest feedback about someone’s writing..

That latter one happens a lot. Which is why I refuse to edit for many.

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Yoga, wine, and a bridesmaid dress for June finally set to be in my hands tonight.