I landed in Chicago last Monday and stayed downtown in Chicago Hostel International for 3 nights for training. I had always heard horrible things about hostels abroad but was pleasantly surprised with my stay at HI. The training at times was long but very resourceful. As someone who loves community organizing it was fun to take a crash course in it just for the labor movement and the faith community. There was a lot of self-reflection that I didn’t expect about how I pursue activism and community involvement. The training wrapped up on Thursday and I said bye to all the wonderful people who are pursuing internships all across the country. Thankfully we all see each other in August for our debrief post interning.
On Wednesday afternoon we had free time to explore Chicago. We enjoyed a few bags of Garret’s popcorn, Buckingham fountain, The Bean, Millennial Park, a free concert and some great memories.
I moved into my apartment in Rogers Park on Thursday night. Living two blocks away from the Loyola “L” stop means my commute to work is only 15 min max. THANK YOU, HIGHER POWER. My room probably has lead paint on the walls but gets a lot of sunlight, so that balances out. I am directly located behind a Starbucks, a thai café, and a Chinese restaurant. I’m also a 5 min walk to Chipotle and one block away from the beach.
I know you are probably jealous and want to punch me in my face, but don’t stop reading this post; I’m not done. K. Thanks.
Any who, this past weekend I started at the full moon on the beach, I went to the Chicago Jazz Fest, Navy Pier for the weekly fireworks and apparently the Ferris wheel that was in Divergent. I also participated in the Loyola/Pratt Beach painting bench extravaganza with my roommates. The theme for the bench painting was “Dreamin It Real” and ironically this is probably the theme of my summer. Being here in some ways feels like a dream. When I was in high school I so desperately wanted to be in a large metropolitan area but of course could only follow where my family‘s wallet could accommodate; PC/Providence. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE PVD and Little Rhody in general but to have this chance to pursue what my life could have been like/what I wanted my life to be like is surreal. I am in kind of a “Wow/OMG/glad things worked out the way they did/what if” mood. Of course this a big transition for a such a small amount of time, so my emotions are all over the place. But for the most part, my dreams have come true. I AM dreaming it REAL. Though, I do wish I wasn’t dreaming it real alone, I actually have not missed my family and friends more in my life than I have while being here, I hope that I gain the spirit to cope with this so that it does not dampen my experience.
Here’s a bulleted list of what my first impressions/lessons are of ChiTown and my new micro-chapter in life:
· Deep Dish Pizza is weird. I don’t mind it but not something I want to actively pursue again, thank goodness it was free during dinner for training.
· Argo Tea is Heaven. Why cant this expand of Chicago?!
· SeaBands saved my life. Seriously, if you are sensitive to motion sickness, check these suckers out.
· Paying the rent on time might be passage to adulthood
· I may or may not hate taxes.
· Cheesy popcorn and caramel popcorn eaten together is werid but do-able
· Wish I enjoyed my college meal plan because now I live in a food dessert.
· Water Tower Place might ruin my sense of being and my bank account.
Well, the first day of my internship starts tomorrow. I am hoping that all goes well and that this truly is the learning experience that I need it to be.
xo
KK