When life hands you $5...find a good happy hour!

If you're keeping track, a lot happened since my last post: my twin sister's wedding, a family vacation, the start of a new job... You know, big (and good) things...

Here are just a few photos:

(Okay, so there were ten photos instead of "just a few" - oops.)

But this post isn't about all of that; though, it very well could be. I'll save that for another time. Instead, I thought I'd share something fun a friend and I have started doing since I got back from all that summer stuff...

I thought figuring out a 8-10 day road trip each summer was pretty brilliant on our part, but that only happens once a year. What if we could do something fun (yet strategic) on a weekly basis?

Enter rotating happy hour. Half off burgers on Monday? Awesome. Taco Tuesday? Wonderful. You get the idea - my friend and I have started meeting up once a week (a different day each week) to find some of the best happy hour deals on food and drinks in our neck of the woods.

Truth be told, we haven't been disappointed yet. Here's what we've tried so far:

Monday special: Dos Tacos (half off burgers & fries with the purchase of a beverage) - In case you were wondering, the burgers were delicious, and, perhaps surprisingly, margaritas do pair nicely with this food option.
Tuesday special: Rocks (3 for $6 tacos, 1/2 priced cocktails) - Though the tacos are small and limited to three choices (that you can mix and match or go with the same choice for all three), they were quite tasty.
Wednesday special: We had to skip Wednesday this week (and next), so the jury is still out on this one (obviously).
Thursday special: Diag Bar and Grill ($5 classic burgers & side, $5 cans and bottles) - it's hard to go wrong when you can get a hearty and yummy meal (and adult beverage) for less than $15 (including tip) in Chicago. #winning

And that's the extent of our HH adventures to date. But don't you worry, there is more to come - in a few months' time we will have found the best HH places from Lakeview to Downtown.

Sometimes, life requires you to mix it up a little. So, cheers to the adventure and fun to come!

End of Year Smiles

The end of the school year brings a mixed bag of emotions no matter what plans for the next school year may bring. But this year, emotions are running especially high, as I am changing jobs/schools and my sister is getting married - both good things, but they bring with them big changes and the unknown...

I haven't been one for many words lately, so why should today be any different? Instead, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. (Currently I am twiddling my thumbs, waiting to be checked out of my classroom at school...)

mom came to town for Marisa's bridal shower so we went to see a show

some of my wonderful coworkers at our end-of-year luncheon

notes from Marisa's students for the shower

there will be more sunflowers at the wedding...

champagne, games, and candy :)

the socks were a hit

the book of prayers and poems was a hit too

I gave the bouquet making job to another friend - wouldn't have looked half as good if I had attempted it...

she's ready for the wedding...

the whole crew - what a great shower!

both of these ladies are getting married this summer :)

Are you twins or something? ;) ;)

just dancing and doing our thing...

Soul Cycle class with my coworkers #tonightweride

I am so incredibly grateful for the past 7 years at my school, and I am excited for the adventures to come (this summer and beyond). Cheers!

When does life become too busy?

If ever again I think it's a good idea to tackle grad school, coach a sport, run a marathon, and help plan a wedding in the same year, someone please make sure I get my head examined.

At times, when my schedule comes up in conversation, it becomes almost comical -->

Friend at church: Oh, so once you're done with grad school, you can start coaching again, right?
Me: I'm coaching volleyball this spring.
Friend: And you're training for your marathon.
Me: Yep.
Friend: Wait, so what hobby are you going to take up next year?
Me: Guitar?

And this one -->

Principal: What are you going to do with all your free time next year once grad school is over?
Me: Maybe I'll finally get a life.

And people wonder why I haven't been dating recently.

It's not that I regret any of it - as you can see, I apparently love being busy. But, in all honesty, I'm not quite sure what I was thinking. (Though, in all fairness, the combo of grad school and my sister's wedding was not part of the deal when I started Remick.) But, at times I worry because being so busy is exactly what got me into trouble last year - I wasn't able to take the time and space to just sit with my thoughts and reflect on what was happening in my life, especially in some of my relationships.

I can start to see the light at the end of the tunnel (at least this one currently in front of me - who knows when the next tunnel will start), though - I've only one more paper (granted, it's a big one) due for grad school this semester, and the marathon is just about two weeks away. Once my sister's bridal shower is over, the only thing I'll really need to worry about for the wedding is working on my speech. And, perhaps best of all, I am turning off my phone and going on a camping road trip right after school gets out. Talk about finding time and space to clear your head!

Being busy (with the right things that give life meaning and purpose) is good, but there is such a thing as being too busy (even with lots of the "right stuff") in my humble opinion. Here's hoping that I can find that balance sooner rather than later.

And then, just maybe I will finally get a life...

Wedding Bells

Wedding bells rang for two of the most wonderful people this weekend...so glad we had a chance to be a part of it!

Love, love, love!

November Memories

Ah, November - what a beautiful month you've been so far...and it's not even Thanksgiving yet! While school was super busy with end of the trimester report cards and parent-teacher conferences, I still found time to share with friends (both planned and unplanned)...

1) One of my best friends from college and her husband flew in/out of O'Hare for a wedding (in FL) earlier this month - before heading back home, we got to spend a couple of hours out by the airport enjoying a delicious brunch and great conversation. I am so glad she texted that they'd be here and wanted to meet up. 

2) Just this past weekend I was blessed to attend the wedding of a fellow ACE grad (a few years behind me) - both she and her now husband have such love for each other and for God. They are wonderful witnesses for all of us! Dinner and dancing were fun too...but that was just a bonus.

3) My sister's kiddos had their Girls On The Run 5K race last weekend. After many weeks of mild temperatures, the thermometer plummeted, and we pretty much froze...but it was awesome. The girls were so cute, and it was fun to hang out with some of my sister's co-workers too.

And now it's off to visit family and friends for the holiday...

I hope you and your loved ones (near and far) have a blessed and beautiful Thanksgiving! Advent is just around the corner...

Goodbye October

October, one of the busiest months of the year

It's hard to believe November is here...

So much has happened, so much's been done.

Lots of smiles and show-stopping fun.

Here are a few photos from a wedding and show,

as well as a shout-out to our team: "Go Cubs go!"

Chicago skyline on way to Adler Planetarium for wedding reception

inside, at the reception

the cake - one of the layers was pumpkin!

same night the Cubs clinched the NL division title

Hamilton! The night had finally arrived!

The Schuyler Sisters...and Peggy

waiting with baited breath

In honor of the Cubs, for Halloween I was the "#FlytheW" sign

Made it to Navy Pier on my run yesterday - they were flying the W flag too

Thanksgiving break is so close I can taste it
As a break from teaching and grad school, you can bet I won't waste it.

Happy November everyone!