Turning Up the Heat

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Things are starting to heat up now. Not all academically speaking, either. Yes there are deadlines, most of which seem way too soon because I'm having trouble just starting, but also with relationships. I have a group of friends here at school, ones that I love dearly, and as we each have our own stresses and worries it rubs off on the others. It's a whole thing to deal with, and not necessarily negatively. I'm not complaining about it, I'm just learning how to deal with it. Worrying about things is a no no, and I'm trying to apply that mindset to life. I'm only human, though.

And the heat is physically coming on now. The last few days I have been able to feel the heat on in my room and it has been wonderful. So cozy!!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

Self Portrait (44/52)

While it would be respectful of me to say that I sat in bed yesterday like a good student and finished this book then wrote the report with plenty of time left in the day, the reality is that I read for a little while, then FaceTimed with my family. Well, we were on FaceTime, but talked on the phone because it kept disconnecting and we couldn't hear each other. Ghetto, perhaps, but worth it.

While on the phone with them, I remembered that Nik Wallenda's walk across the river was tonight! I had wanted to go, but none of my friends were available, so I decided to post about it in our bro/sis Facebook group. Thankfully, one of the girls on my floor texted me not long after and said she was there. It only took a little deliberation with Ally to decide to go, so I grabbed the essentials and booked it to the river.

Once I got down there it was a little crazy, but really not too busy. It was only difficult trying to figure out how to get to the loop side because they had some sidewalks blocked off, but eventually I figured it out and was able to meet up with my friend. I got there about six, which was when the broadcast began. We saw him testing the wire not long after that, yet he didn't start walking until 7:30. We were able to get a few updates from those we knew watching on TV or online.

It was pretty surreal to see it in person. His first walk, at a 15 degree incline, went over the river from Marina City's West Tower to the Leo Burnett Building. We could see his feet moving! Very smooth. It hurt my neck to look up for those six minutes, but it was definitely worth it. Once he finished, some headed back to campus because we didn't know how long it would be until the next walk, but I stayed with a few others that booked it over to a better spot so we could see the second walk, which involved him going back to the West Tower (by car..he didn't walk back over) and crossing to the East Tower while BLINDFOLDED. We watched from under the el, but it happened so fast.

We headed back to campus, stopping at Subway for dinner. I took Ally her Subway dinner, ended up watching half a movie with Leslie and Marika, then finished the book and finished my paper. I didn't go to bed until 3:45, but it was worth it to see Nik Wallenda!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

20-Hour Day

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The city at 7am is kinda beautiful. Almost makes me want to wake up that early every morning! My phone read 5:45 when I woke up this morning. There were cinnamon rolls and pigs in a blanket involved, though, which was a nice motivator. It's been a long day, rounding up with a trip to Taco Burrito King with some coworkers. Now would probably be a good time to go to bed, however, so I can actually utilize that extra hour of sleep!

- rl

(p.s. this is part of my 14 goals for 2014. You can view all my goals here.)

2014 Goals Update: October

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HOW IS OCTOBER OVER?? It was a big month. A lot has happened. And what does it all end with? Snow flurries + sleet all day. I walked a little on Michigan Avenue a few times today on the way to and from the hospital (where a dear friend is still at while being tested for her health) and the wind! I know it's not called the Windy City because of the gusts, but it applies in that sense as well!! I think I heard that it got to 50mph? Absolutely crazy. And this is only the start...

Anyway, I've got sleep to catch up on, so here's how I did on my goals this month!

1: one self portrait (per week)
Success! 
week forty | week forty-one | week forty-two | week forty-three

2: compose photos (every day)
Success! At least I'm going to consider it one. It will be very interesting when I compile all these pictures together at the end of the year...
276 | 277 | 278 | 280 | 282 | 283 | 284 | 285 | 286 | 289 | 290 | 291 | 294 | 299 | 300 | 303 | 304 - which is at the top of this post

3: read the Bible (every day)
"Not for quiet time purposes. I'm only human..." Same as last month!

4: journal (daily)
"Nope. And it doesn't bother me. I probably should do one of those "day in the life" or something, though..." Also the same as last month!

5: blog (daily)
Yup! I've mentioned this ritual to multiple people this month and they're always impressed, so that's kind of cool. I'm definitely glad I've stuck with this.

6: walk
Oh yes. Definitely not as much as some, but definitely more than I ever have before.

7: bike
Nope. I should probably attempt this at the gym...

8: 52 projects
Yes! I made progress! I definitely won't hit the 52 mark, but I'm so fine with that. I blogged a lot of these this month.
project 23 | project 24 | project 25 | project 26

9: 52 books
Well, I finished one book this month! I just need to get into a better routine - discipline! ugh!
what I read this month

10: experiment with photography
Always experimenting, but I got out of my comfort zone in particular while Jenna and Emily were here last weekend.
one

11: make six new meals for the family
A little difficult 900 miles away...

12: learn to play the keyboard
Nope.

13: at least one photo book
Not yet!

14: travel
Once again, it's just about exploring the city.

- rl

Previous 2014 Goals Posts:
Original List
January Update
February Update
March Update
April Update
May Update
June Update
July Update
August Update
September Update

What I Read This Month

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Hey-o! I finished a book this month! Crazy, I know! I made it a point this month to read more, which worked. How? Attempting to read at least a chapter before bed, as well as leaving for work a little early to read a little, and read when I finish my break food but still have time in my break. They're just little things, and I can probably add even more time if I really try!

 So, without further ado, the books I read this month:

46. A Royal Match by Tyne O'Connell
I think I gave this book four stars, but I'm not sure why. It's a lot more YA than I thought. Very childish, really. It was quite disappointing when I got into and saw how young she is (14), but I wanted to know what happened! I would not read it again, however, so I should probably change the rating to a three star.

And the book I'm reading going into November:
- A Royal Mess by Tyne O'Connell
Yup, the sequel. I considered picking up another book instead, but then decided it will probably be best to just get it all over with at once. Hopefully I can finish it this month, though, and move onto some other books.

- rl

Previous What I Read This Month posts:

January 2014
February 2014
March 2014
April 2014
May 2014

June 2014

July 2014

August 2014

September 2014