Goodbye Chicago

I'm leaving Chicago tomorrow.

This city has truly been so good to me. If it weren't for the body-numbing cold of the winters, everyone would live here. The summers are downright phenomenal. Once it starts getting warm, it's like people literally come out of hibernation. Pedestrians and cyclers flock the streets like the salmon of Capistrano. Runners abound on the lake path, and pasty girls crowd the parks to soak up the UV rays and Vitamin D. I realize it's like this in every city that has a winter, but for some reason Chicago just radiates. I remember the first warm weekend back in May, and honestly feeling like the city was bursting at the seams with joy.

I'm really going to miss it here. I've spent so much time over the past few months looking forward to Argentina, but right now I can only think about all the great things I'm leaving behind in Chicago. I went to my roommate's new apartment today, which is in the middle of downtown, and we went up to the rooftop deck on the 60th floor. I looked around and couldn't help but feel incredibly proud. This place has been my home for the past 2 years and I've gotten more out of it than I could have possibly imagined. I've met so many great people from such interesting backgrounds, and will miss them all terribly. One of these friends gave me a card today that brought me to tears, because it also sums up exactly how I feel about my closest friends. It reads:

"Once in a while, someone comes along, someone who just naturally makes everyone feel a little happier, a little more alive to life. You've been that someone to me. You've given me a new perspective on a lot of things- including myself. There are things you've said to me I'll always remember and ways you've helped me I'll never forget. The times we spend together are always good times that leave me looking forward to the next time. So thanks for being the wonderful person you are. I'm very glad and grateful that you're in my life." -D. Walley

I cherish my best friends so much, and this just says it all.

Off to bed, as we'll be up and at 'em around 7am to pick up the Uhaul trucks. Kristen and I hired a few guys to help, because moving my excessive amount of crap into our 3rd floor apartment was quite possibly the most horrendous experience ever. Hamstrings were shot for days. Anywho, once everything's loaded up, my mama, Lexi the cat, and I will be hitting the road for Louisville... and Kristen will go to her spiffy little 45th-floor bachelorette pad downtown. While she'll be spending the next 2 weeks admiring her new views of Lake Michigan and the Hancock building, I'll be figuring out how to stuff my life into 2 suitcases.

Buenas noches, Chicago... for the last time.