#26- Check!

I met my fave author! Christina and I went to Theater Wit for a viewing of Sixteen Candles (I had never watched it start to finish!), and then for a book signing. We had a champagne toast at the beginning of the movie, received a copy of the book that Jen signed, and I got to talk to her. For real, I talked to her. She was as nice as could be, and seriously, she's so cool that I was afraid she wasn't going to be nice and then my heart would be broken. So glad that wasn't the case! Her new book comes out in May and I cannot wait!

Not the best picture of me...I had a bit of a mist/major humidity hair disaster. Luckily I had a couple bobby pins and was able to do a quick fix, without a mirror!

Christina and I with the infamous husband, Fletch.

Jen and I. That girl has the picture pose down. I need lessons from her!

The three of us. I'd like to be her friend...Jen, can we be friends?!

Tina comes to Chicago!

Christina and I went through Rush (ahem, I mean recruitment) together at Eastern almost 12 years ago. We joined different houses, but stayed friends and tried out and made the cheer squad Spring of our Freshman year. We became great friends and she stayed with me for a few weeks that summer for practices. She ended up leaving Eastern late that summer, but I saw her a year after she left when she came back to Eastern for a visit. We lost touch, but thanks to facebook got back in touch a few years ago. What a small world that she was now living in St. Louis and myself in Chicago!

A few years ago, she was asking for book recommendations on facebook, and I suggested Jen Lancaster's books (if you haven't read them, go buy them. Now.). She loved her books (let's be serious, though. Everyone who reads them, loves them!). Well, Jen was hosting a viewing party of Sixteen Candles (one of her fave movies) for 100 people here in Chicago to promote her latest book coming out in paperback. I told Christina she should come visit and we should go...and she agreed! I was so beyond excited!

We had a fabulous weekend of girl time, wine drinking, exploring Chicago, going to the local bar, good food. It was just a great time! I hope to get to St. Louis soon to visit her!

Book Review #9

Let me explain something about my book buying/reading techniques. I have a love for book sales. Library sales are my absolute favorite, but I had quite a good time when Borders went out of business. I adored Borders and seriously haven't been into a "real" bookstore since they closed. Oh, Borders, how I miss you. Anyway, I tend to always have 50+ books on my shelves, and I'm a little OCD, so I must read them in the order they are on the shelf. I figured getting through 30 books before June would really help justify my going out and buying more.

On to my book review. I had picked this book up when Borders was closing. I had seen the youtube video of the guys reuniting with the lion they had left behind in Africa and since I'm a sucker for cute animal videos, I immediately fell in love. When I realized they had a book on their story, I was so excited! This was a super easy, quick read, and was a cute, but sad story. They have great messages about illegal animal trafficking that I thought was great they were addressing. Overall, I really enjoyed the book.

Just because she makes me laugh.

Yes, I'm really that crazy cat lady, and I have no problem admitting it. Who the heck needs a kid when you have a cat as crazy and devilish as mine?! She's seriously like having a two year old...She's running around getting into everything, and I feel like I'm constantly saying, "No, Zoe. Zoe, don't. Bad kitty. Don't do that. No, Zoe. No! " Oh, the life of a cat lady. It had been super warm here in Chicago and since Larry and I are beyond cheap, we didn't want to turn on the AC. We had the windows open and ceiling fans on, but seriously, it was still 85 degrees in here. I walked into the bedroom and found this. I think someone was a little warm and thought it would be cool under the bed. Unfortunately, her fat ass doesn't fit under there very well...

Book Review #8

I had my eye on this book for awhile, and found it at a library sale and picked it up. I'm a sucker for memoirs and have always wondered what "fat camp" is really like. I must admit, I was disappointed. I was expecting something comical, and I felt the author was trying to be humorous, but it was really just sad. Maybe attempting to be funny is her way with dealing with pain?

Tucson Trip

Larry and I were desperate for some sunshine, and we've also been on a hunt to find where we would eventually like to live...Which in turn took us to Tucson. In the few months I've been working and traveling for work, I have managed to acquire an incredible number of Hilton Honors points. Because of this, we were able to stay at a fabulous resort, the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador. It was gorgeous! We treated ourselves to massages, ate In N Out (my first meat since I did my 30, which turned into 36 days of Veggie!), went hiking, spent time with Larry's friends Matt and Mary, drove around, went to the Pima Air Museum, drove to Eloy and saw my aunt and uncle's new house being built and got to have dinner with both of my aunts and uncles. Whew. We were busy! We loved Tucson, but unfortunately, it's just not a great area for pilots to commute out of. Not many flights and they always seem full=Bad sign for commuters. We will be searching other areas in the Midwest, but we are thinking Vegas or Phoenix area. Here are some pictures from our little excursion!

The military boneyard in Tucson.

Getting ready to start our hike

Larry next to a cactus on the hike

The view from our room. It was beautiful!

This was a bit of a sad story. I was so excited for In N Out, but was so disappointed. I had been eating Vegetarian for over a month and I couldn't believe how gross I felt after eating it! Not to mention, in August I was introduced to Culver's, and I would much rather eat Culver's than In N Out. So sad.

Book Review #7

I have a deep, dark secret...That's about to no longer be a secret. I seriously adore V.C. Andrews novels. I remember sneaking them off my mom's bookshelf when I was entirely too young to be reading about twisted families with secrets in the attic and incestuous relationships. Whatever. It created a lifelong love of this genius author. Well, I still read her books and that is the latest of my book reviews, Daughter of Darkness. I was a little apprehensive about reading it because I am SO not into vampire stories (no, I haven't read the Twilight series yet, although it's on my shelf and I will be reading it as part of my 30 books). I have to admit, V.C. Andrews (or whomever is now writing her books since she is long deceased), surprised me. I loved it! It was full of everything her books are about; sick, twisted, incestuous relationships.

Changes to List?

I'm quickly realizing with less than 4 months until my birthday that I may have to make some changes to my list. Maybe this is partly because of my self doubt regarding finishing tasks (see previous post), but I'm feeling like a few items just aren't going to work logistically. Heading to both Europe and the Caribbean in the next four months just seems pretty much impossible. The time between now and my birthday are very busy for both locations, due to Spring break and then summer vacations. I'm feeling super guilty about changing things up, but I just think I'll have to...

Meat free for 31 days!

Well, I did it. I made it 30 days (now 31) without meat. Check that off my list! It felt good to put my mind to something and follow through with it. I tend to have issues with finishing lists, projects, school (I finished, but not without much doubt and many frustrations!), etc. I had about one week when I really struggled without meat, and while Larry made himself hamburgers, I seriously thought I might cry from the insanely good smell in our condo. I think I will eat much less often than I did before (even though I didn't eat it very often before), but dang, somebody get me a cheeseburger! I'm hoping for some In N Out in my near future, and yes, I realize that requires a plane trip out West, but I deserve it, damn it!

Book Review #6

This story left me with such mixed feelings. I had followed the coverage pretty closely when they were missing, and had always wondered what the story of the survivor was (he wasn't very vocal with details, understandably so). While the book did give many details (some more gruesome and horrifying than I maybe wanted to know), it also left me with more questions. It was such a sad book, that left me crying more than once. I can't imagine how the families of the three men who died must feel, even 3 years later. I think that anytime someone dies and you're not able to bury a body or to have ashes with you, there must always be some form of closure that is missing. Sad. This book was so sad and left my heart aching for all of them. Amazing how small decisions can lead to such horrific consequences.

Book Review #5

Who doesn't love a good, 'ol fashioned Anita Shreve style love story filled with affairs, passion, and tragedy?! End of story.

Lincoln Park Zoo

A picture or two to prove I was there :)

I can cross yet another item off my 30 before 30! Larry and I were able to take an afternoon last week and head to the zoo. This is a free zoo that is in the city, and I wasn't expecting much. I have to be honest that I was pleasantly surprised! They had a great cat exhibit, and the primate exhibit was awesome! I will definitely be taking visitors here!

Book Review #4

I had seen a lot of media coverage about this book, and I found it in the bargain book section when Borders was going out of business. Oh Borders, I could cry that I no longer have you in my life. This book was cute, and made me wish that I had a large group of close girlfriends. I have close girlfriends, but from different parts of my life. The book was a bit slow at times, but it was fun to follow the journey of their friendships.

Book Review #3

I had been so excited to read this book...The name is cute, and yes, I judge a book by its cover. I have to be honest, it was not as funny as I thought it would be. I'm a huge memoir fan, but this one just didn't cut it for me. There were a couple funny parts, but, eeehhh, it was just okay.