Since We Last Talked…

Hi! It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. Over two weeks… because finals. You know how most of my quarter was light and easy and allowed me to explore Chicago? Well, finals put that nonsense to a screeching halt. I’m looking forward to getting back to a regular posting schedule, though. Thanks for bearing with me. Let’s catch up!

Since we last talked…

…I told myself I wouldn’t blog until after finals. I knew that if I just said I would do it when I had time, I would make time by staying up too late or rushing through studying, so I just took a break.

…I read three sports economics books. That is probably more books than I have read in a year – and definitely more whole books. Technically, I probably should have read them earlier in the quarter, but since I needed specific details from them for the final, that didn’t feel like a good use of time. For the most part, I actually enjoyed reading them, and they’re some of the few school books I will keep because I like them.

…I completed my first group project in college. It was a very stressful and last-minute experience, which is so not how I typically operate. I finished editing it and adding an abstract 25 minutes before I turned it in. However, it must have worked out well because we all did very well in the class. If you want to read a sports econ research paper, you know where to find me.

…I took three finals. I only know one of my class grades, but I would say two went pretty well and one didn’t, but that was pretty much expected. It was my last finals week at UChicago, since the classes abroad occur in sequence and each end with a final. Also, I’m done with my major classes!

…I spent my last night at the UChicago Hyatt Place with my parents till graduation, and my last few days ever studying there. My parents came to help me pack up 90% of my stuff Memorial Day weekend. We packed and packed, left all my stuff in the apartment, hung out at Eataly and in the hotel that evening, and then loaded up their car Sunday morning.

{This shrimp was amazing.} 

{And this is where I realized I don’t love gelato. And got crabby because I was #hangry.}

It was a really good thing I wasn’t riding home with them, because it was a seriously full car. Then, when I was in serious study mode, I spent some time studying in the lobby during my finals week because it’s good to have a change of scenery when you’re studying all day. Seriously, the people there have been the nicest and I will miss them.

…I ate at Chipotle four days in a row. It’s easy, doesn’t upset my stomach, and I had gift cards.

Their guac makes me happy. It was my finals week.

…I had dinner at Nando’s with Susie and Alex. It was our goodbye-for-now dinner. I so appreciate them coming down to Hyde Park and giving me a break and a meal and some laughs. They’re wonderful and I’m going to miss them.

…I rushed around like a crazy person on my last day in Chicago. That was entirely not planned. I thought I would finish my final at 12:30, take care of my bank/treasurer stuff, ship my textbook rentals, and toss my stuff in my two suitcases with no problem. I thought I would document all my “lasts” at UChicago. Hahahahahaha. Instead, I finished my final a half hour early, dealt with the money stuff, ate lunch, and desperately tried to cram what seemed like not that much stuff into my suitcases. I ended up having to sit on them to close them. Then, I shipped my books, headed back, said goodbye, and didn’t leave until a little after 4:00. 

Ordinarily, that wouldn’t be an issue for a 5:45 flight, but it was Friday, rush hour, and Alumni Weekend at UChicago. I didn’t get to the airport until 10 to 5:00, but was magically through security and at my gate with snacks (because I didn’t have time or food to pack my own) by 5:12, 3 minutes before my boarding time. Beautiful.

…I didn’t put my body wash in a Ziploc bag when I packed. I swear I have done this before and it was fine. Not this time. It exploded all over the bottom of my suitcase. Somehow, it left pretty much everything but the suitcase untouched. My dad and I cleaned it as soon as we got home.

…I unpacked all my clothes, found a home for the ones I wanted, and decided to sell and donate tons. I’ve seriously had 50% the same wardrobe for 6 years. It’s time for it to go.

…I became a Manitoba Hemp Hearts Ambassador.

So, prepare to see more hemp hearts around here and on Instagram. 🙂 I adore their nutty flavor, crunchy-chewy texture, and the fact that they’re packed with protein and healthy fats. 

…I ran with my dad, walked my dog, and shopped with my mom. My favorite things.

…I went to the casino for the first time. My dad is an avid poker player, so he spends a decent amount of time there, but you have to be 21 to go, and I’ve been in Chicago for most of my 21+ days. On Saturday night, we made a family night of it.

While we waited for a seat at the restaurant, we got me all set up and started to play. The problem was that I broke every machine I sat down at. Nothing was working for a while, and then when it did, we had to go eat. I had no issue with this because I was starving. I got a truly enormous salad, with romaine, bacon, egg, avocado, blackened shrimp, red onion, and tomatoes, plus a cheddar jalapeño cornbread muffin that was divine.

{Excuse the restaurant lighting. Totally recreating that.}

Actually, it was all freaking delicious. I also had a few bites of a brownie sundae for dessert, but it was a little too sweet for me.

Then, we were back to playing. I played through all the free money I got for being new to the casino, plus my winnings, which took a while. I was betting really low so I could play more, and when I had 25 cents left, I hit 4 of a kind and won $12. Perfect timing.

I’m not addicted, but I’d go back for sure. 🙂

…I made some food for my first week of my internship. Hemp-tahini carrot noodles, roasted butternut squash, and homemade protein bars make for a good start.

…I went to bed super early. Like, in bed before 9pm early. For orientation today, they want us there by 7:30. Long day, man.

Your turn:

What’s been going on with you since we last talked?