Textbooks - Spring 2015

The semester is over halfway done, but I just remembered about doing this. Better late than never, right? If anything, it's nice to actually post about these and already know so much about them. These are the books I had to get for this semester. I only own one or two of these, and even those are shared with Ally, my roommate.

There are several of these books, however, which I would love to own some day.I saw something online last semester about how one way to save money in college is to sell back the textbooks you have to buy. I am taking this to heart by only borrowing the books I need for class, or buying them and then selling them at the next semester's book sale. Worst case scenario, I'll come back to Chicago several years after graduation and buy some of these same used books from students at that time.

- rl

Maggie Daley Park

Elizabeth was super stoked to finally get to see the bean!

 Inside of the bean is just as epic every time.

 Just walking over a large roadway on a super cool bridge. #Chicago

This about expresses our joy over these swings! 

 We also did some pirate-ing!

Last weekend, I messaged Elizabeth, a girl I serve with each week, to see if she was at all interested in joining me to this epic park sometime. We went back and forth on times, and finally got together after lunch yesterday.

It was a bit colder outside than either of us expected, but it was worth it. We took the train into the loop and trekked over to the park. First, though, we had to make a stop at the Bean in Millennium Park because Elizabeth had never been! It was crazy as ever, but worth it for her to see it after two months of living in Chicago! On our way to Maggie Daley park, I pointed out and told Elizabeth about the jazz festival at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in August and ice skating at the Ice Ribbon in January. It's hard to believe I've done these things here in Chicago! (I'm feeling pretty blessed). Once we reached the park, we were getting giddy. I don't know whether you would call the park child-friendly or adult-friendly, because there were both there! We were definitely not alone in waiting in line for the epic swings or climbing up inside the lighthouse just to go down the slide.

We really didn't want to leave, but our hands were cold and I had work, so we slowly made our way back to the train. Elizabeth was excited to find out that the station we got on our train at was the same one they filmed While You Were Sleeping at! (Randolph and Wabash, for those that don't know).

- rl

Basically the Worst Blogger Ever

How does one go from blogging daily for an entire year, to not blogging for a month? And I did that twice this year. Aye! Now that I sit here typing, however, it feels good. I PINKY PROMISE I will try harder to blog more often. I know my parents and loved ones will appreciate the effort.

Pictured above is Ally and I's roomie time yesterday. We made orange chicken and jasmine rice. We also did some knitting while watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It's nice to be roommates in similar fandoms!

- rl

To a Most Beloved Sister,

Today is this cutie's birthday! This was her last month, trying to get the hang of crochet. After a craft night with friends we happen to work with, we headed over to one's apartment to watch Austenland. Such a hilarious movie for us Pride & Prejudice fans! My mom had helped Jenna learn to crochet a few days before this, so we had gone over the basics again and she got a lot done! It's so much fun to watch people learn how to knit.

Today, though, Jenna is probably at work. I wish I was with you, Jenna! Our working together last year made us a lot closer, so it's such a treat now when I come back home and we see each other almost daily again. Jenna's the best sister (and manager!) a girl could ask for. J-bird, you inspire me all the time. I miss you daily. I love you dearly. See you in two weeks!

- rl

Founder's Week: Part Two

Another snippet of Founder's Week, brought to you by my iPhone. These pictures are all from Friday, the busiest, but best, day for me.

A few weeks ago, my mom texted me, asking if I would be willing to sit at a table following the morning session to sell books. This wasn't suspicious to me, as explained in this blog post! I was excited to have a special part in the week, and especially with someone that I've known a long time! It was a little confusing and crazy to know what my actual purpose was, but it all worked out fine.

After Dr. Richard finished speaking, I sold books at a table in the lobby for close to an hour, then packed everything up and met with him and a few others to have lunch. After lunch, I rushed over to the Rend Collective Q&A, which I had missed the most of but still got a lot of laughs out of.

I didn't have much time after that to get ready and head off to PCM. On the way back, we got off a stop early and walked to Moody Church. I sat directly behind the sound booth with a few others from my group, which was especially fun to observe while Rend Collective played (#lovethepassion). I worked on my knitting while David Jeremiah gave his message, which was encouraging, because I sometimes forget that our bodies should be well taken care of. I walked back to school with a few bro/sis, with a stop at Jewel.

It wasn't long after we returned to the dorm, however, that I heard a yell in the hall that the brother floor was going to do the polar plunge. More on that another time, however. (;

- rl