Moments of Musing

Forward

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This weekend was one of growth and progress for me. On Friday night, I stepped out of my comfort zone and ventured out to one of my friend’s birthday celebrations. Almost everyone knew someone there but they were so welcoming. And the country bar was so much fun — Live country music + mason jars = perfection. I can’t wait to go with T when he’s here!

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/old-crow-smokehouse-chicago?select=-tATMerDEt3WFsAt627bZA#-tATMerDEt3WFsAt627bZA

  via yelp since I obviously don’t drink alcohol — though my red bull and water were given to me in mason jars 🙂
Prior to stepping out, I indulged in some necessary wedding/marriage research . . .

 
On Saturday, I went to brunch with a friend of a friend’s. I figure if I’m going to be living here I might as well meet more people. I was so glad to have met up — the girl was super sweet and brunch was delish. Afterwards, I returned something at my mall — Magnificent Mile. I still think it’s pretty cool that such an iconic avenue, Michigan Avenue, is my mall. 
 
Then, I did something I haven’t done in too long — I started reading a book. It’s a Holocaust fiction story called “The Book Thief.”

I also worked out and ate well this weekend — well, besides the 20 chicken nuggets I had on Friday night 🙂
 
And of course, Happy MLK Jr. Day!

6 on Saturday

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I’m starting a new series on my blog. Since I work 50+ hour weeks, live blogging doesn’t happen much anymore. You’ve probably noticed because some of my content is a bit shorter and straight to the point. I miss writing and really expressing myself, though, so that is what the weekends will be for.
On some Saturdays, I will list 6 things (our wedding date is the 16th so it seems fitting 😉 ) ranging from favorites, to dislikes, to locations, dream vacations, and so on. The possibilities are endless. If you’d like to join in on the party, let me know! I can’t wait to begin so without further ado, here are my 6 current favorites.
 
 
1. Work
This probably seems like a weird #1 but work makes me happy and most days, it makes me feel like I really have found my (at least current) purpose in life. Sure, it’s stressful and on some days, I feel like I’m doing things wrong. But then there are those days when I realize I know my stuff.. and when the judge tells me “good job today, go grab a drink…” So I treated myself to one. Since I no longer drink alcohol, I grabbed my version of a drink — a Peppermint Mocha Latte.

 
 
2. Tim’s Anniversary Status
I woke up on Tuesday to find myself being tagged in this status. It melted my heart. He always does the littlest things to make me smile… like change our wedding website song to his favorite song that reminds him of me and us …or send me a humidifier because the air in my apartment is dry. And then there are the big things like put in for active reserve orders instead of active orders because it fits better for my career. I still don’t know how I got so lucky in Vegas but he makes me feel luckier every day.

 
3. nutella
Well, this was a favorite and a not-so-favorite. I bought a small jar of nutella for the first time in as long as I can remember. Good idea at the time because I thought I deserved a treat. Bad idea looking back because I ate the entire thing in pretty much two evenings. Since I’m convinced I am hooked on chocolate and have not been working out despite our upcoming wedding, I’ve asked Tim to do the Paleo diet with me. Starting Monday, we’ll be back at it.
 
 
4. Our Engagements Photos Will Be Ready VERY Soon

There will most definitely be a whole other post dedicated to said photos but we are so flipping excited to see them. Though it’s touted the Most Unsafe City in the U.S., I really enjoy the gems Detroit, Tim’s hometown and where we took our photos, has to offer.

 
 
5. I live in Chicago.
 I don’t  know why, but this week I’ve had a few moments. I’ve stopped in my tracks and looked around. I’ve paused my thoughts and said out loud “I really live here.” I’ve stared at my screen when I see my current home as Chicago, Illinois on my facebook. I hadn’t even ever visited, let alone thought about living in Chicago prior to interviewing for my job. And yet here I am. I live in what has become my second favorite city in the country (NYC is my first, duh). What is becoming home. I am falling in love with a place I never ever expected to. There are no coveted palm trees and this windy winter is no joke but I am completey in my element here.

 
 
6. Following My Dreams
This week, an attorney and I introduced ourselves to one another prior to our trial. He learned I was from New York and due to the ring on my left finger, assumed I moved here for my “husband” (not sure why but many people thing my engagement ring means that I am married). That I followed Tim here. I am always proud to clarify this “mix-up” because the only thing I followed here were my dreams. Now do not get me wrong — I would follow Tim if my career allowed me to, however, it’s just not possible … and I’m not sure I could deal with having to live farther away from family than I do right now. But I can’t help but wonder if such an assumption would be made of a married man…
 

Studying On a Student’s Budget?

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Although I’m pretty much done with school for life . . . I sometimes miss it. 
 
College was full of little responsibility and much fun. And law school, well law school was pretty much the complete OPPOSITE but I still had breaks that do not exist in adulthood. On the other hand, I also had much bigger bills for my school books, which is why CampusBookRentals is a GREAT idea. By renting your books, you save lots of money. Think  40-90% off of bookstore prices AND free shipping both ways. 
 
Let’s be real — how many times do we not even open up a book that we buy. Wouldn’t you feel THAT much better about doing so if you know you saved a LOT of money by renting as opposed to buying?! I know I would and I wish I’d have rented when I was in school. If you’re still in school, the good news is you can do so. (And highlight as if it’s your own for those books you do actually read and use!)
Simply visit http://www.campusbookrentals.com/ and rent away!
Oh, and if you need another reason to rent–the company donates to  Operation Smile and has committed to donate a minimum of 80 additional surgeries between June 2013 and June 2014.
 

 
This post was sponsored by CampusBookRentals.
 
 

Engaged But Still Dating

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Each other that is.
 
Sometimes I “slip” and say I’m dating Tim. But he and I are more than okay when it’s said. Because we are dating. And we will date — for forever, actually. We’ll hopefully always go on dinner dates, and movie dates, and even our stay-in-and-order-food-and-watch-tv dates.
 
Because isn’t that what true lovers do? I think it is.
 
I think it’s important to date. Pursue your significant other. Make them feel special. Giggle at their jokes. Like they’re young again. Give them butterflies. Make them blush. Call them handsome and beautiful.
I think it’s important to do all these things no matter how much time has passed since the very first date.

One of our first dates — lunch at the Seaport followed by dessert at a chocolate cafe and a walk in Central Park.

I’m excited — and pretty lucky — to date my best friend for the rest of my life.
And in just 10 months we have a really amazing date — the day we become Mr. & Mrs.

This post was inspired by the blog post “I’m Dating Someone Even Thought I’m Married.”
 
 

You + Me = We, for 3

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I choose you. Day in and day out. Following fleeting moments and rescheduled flights three whole years ago. 
Less than an hour was all it took. 

For sparks to fly. For you to reschedule your flight to stay longer with me. For us to know this was something worth taking chances for. And now here we are three year later — with some of your clothes in the closet, because we are closing the gap of distance and engaged to be married.

It’s amazing what fate can do. And it’s more amazing what true, strong love can do. I am so proud of what we have overcome and I am so excited for all that’s to come. 

Cheers to three years of adventure and a lifetime to go!

Cheers to a lifetime of choosing you.
Love you, boo.