The Civil Wars

I'm obsessed. This duo from Nashville is amazing. :)

Bonnaroo

The line up looks amazing!! I'm so sad because I don't think I can go, knowing that I'll have to start my rotations the very next day. :( Wahhhhhh, being a medical student makes me want to cry some days! When else will I ever get to check this show off of my bucket list?

Lineup:
Eminem • Arcade Fire • Widespread Panic • The Black Keys • Buffalo Springfield feat Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Rick Rosas, Joe Vitale • My Morning Jacket • Lil Wayne • String Cheese Incident • Robert Plant & Band of Joy • Mumford & Sons • The Strokes • The Decemberists • Ray Lamontagne • Bassnectar • Iron & Wine • Girl Talk • Primus • Dr. John and The Original Meters performing Desitively Bonnaroo • Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas • Pretty Lights • Florence + the Machine • SuperJam featuring Dan Auerbach and Dr. John • Explosions in the Sky • STS9 • Gogol Bordello • Beirut • Big Boi • Scissor Sisters • Gregg Allman • Ratatat • Robyn • Warren Haynes Band • & Many More!

The Arts of Life

I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer at the most amazing organization in Chicago this summer, The Arts of Life. They are two art studios for adults with and without developmental disorders who are working as artists, musicians, and performers. Not only is this an outlet of self expression for the artists, but they are also integrating in to the community, taking pride in their responsibilities and work, and of course, warming the hearts of all who are around them! I made so many new friends and learned more about how to interact with and teach these disabled adults than I can put in to words. (Thanks to my wonderful mentors who taught me!) I can honestly say that it has been my favorite service I have ever done. I hope that I helped and made in difference in even some small way. Honestly, they gave me so much more that I could've ever given them though. This organization will always have an incredibly special place in my heart!!

On Thursday Arts of Life had their annual award show. I was so happy to see each artist be called up for an award and receive a medal. Some said short thank you speeches, others didn't, but you could see each an every one of them light up with pride when their name was called. Just seeing their smiles gave me so much joy! Nights like these remind me of how great a little kindness from another can touch our lives.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from volunteering:



And I just have to add that I am so grateful one of my best friends, Caroline, was able to join me at the awards ceremony! We had so much fun visiting with the artists, drinking wine, flirting, and seeing who could sing the loudest. :)

Highlights?

I'm really feeling like a change.... maybe highlighting my hair? I love Amanda Seyfried's hair. Always have. I'm thinking of highlighting to her shade. Nothing too drastic. Just a little brightening for the summer. What do you think?

While googleing pictures of her to look at her hair, I came across these photos of her that I think are gorgeous! Now not only has she inspired my next hair do, but she has also given me ideas for the next photos I want to take of Steph! I just had to share them. :)

I swear this girl is the most beautiful actress in Hollywood right now!

A great Chicago weekend!

Since school has been slightly less busy the past few days, I decided to explore places in Chicago that I hadn't been to over the weekend. Hey, I'm sticking to that new year's list I made! :)


Friday night I went dancing in Boystown, and it was so much fun! I have never been to a club where literally EVERYONE dances, but at this one they did. The dance floor was totally packed, the music was hella good, and I was in great company. And can I just say that gay guys are so fun to dance with? Because they are! Unfortunately I got minimal attention from them. LOL. I can't wait to go back.



Saturday night I was so happy to be invited to see Les Miserables with my dear friend, Steve. I didn't know the story prior to seeing the show, so I really didn't know what to expect. I was so moved by the story! It's about a criminal who turns his life around by helping others in need during the French Revolution. Loved it. Plus, the Cadillac theatre was gorgeous!! And Steve's company was wonderful, like always. A perfect night... minus my road rage due to awful traffic. Thanks for putting up with me Steve. ;)

All in all, I have to admit, I'm warming up to Chicago quite a bit. If it weren't for the terribly cold weather, horrible traffic, high taxes, and enormous state debt, it would the perfect place to live! Perfect because, yes... there's tons to do and lots of opportunity... but more because I love the friends I have made here. I'm so blessed.

The Grammy's

Oh dear, I have caught a fever... the Bieber Fever! He and Jaden Smith were adorable!!! I'm going to see his movie, Never Say Never, and I'm not ashamed. :) Really, the whole show has been great! Are you watching?

Like usual, I'm going to share my red carpet favorites: (Selena Gomez and Nicole Kidman)


My favorite moment of the whole show has to be Katy Perry on the red carpet with her grandma. It was so adorable. They were both wearing Versace, and her grandma was walking with a jewel covered cane. If I ever had the chance to walk on a red carpet, I'd take my grandma too!


Oh, and Eminem won best Rap album. Holla!!! :)

Eat, Pray, Love

A very lovely friend of mine let me borrow this book when I was in desperate need of reading the words within it. Likewise, she came into my life when I was in desperate need of a friend exactly like her. She is one of the most warm, brilliant, and affectionate women I have ever met. I was so happy to meet her and my best friends in medical school to celebrate her birthday last night. It was a ball, like always!

Happy Birthday Nicole! I love you so dearly and am incredibly blessed by your friendship.



Below I’m sharing some of my favorite lines from the book, which is written by Elizabeth Gilbert by the way.

"I want God to play in my bloodstream the way sunlight amuses itself on the water."

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. A true soul mate is probably the most important person you'll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave. A soul mates purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master..."

"L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle." = The love that moves the sun and the other stars.

Melts my heart

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

There are days when the words of this prayer help me so much. Today is one of them!

There's nothing funnier than a fart.

I went dancing last night for my girl-friend, Christina's birthday, and I had the funniest dance ever with some random guy! (Well, his name was Bobby.) Bless his heart, he was a little awkward to begin with... but after he introduced himself and asked for a dance, I accepted. I could tell he was really nervous- so nervous that he practically crapped in his pants, because all of a sudden I couldn't breath. I was gagging. The smell of rotten eggs was so overwhelming! I know he could see it on my face because he said, "Wow. I'm sorry. That really stinks." And then he plugged his nose! I was laughing so hard! (Luckily, he laughed too.)

I'm sorry, but there is NOTHING funnier than a fart!!!!!!!


Happy Birthday Christina!!! :)

Thundersnow

I've never experienced a storm like this one! Last night there was heavy snow, extremely strong winds, AND thunder and lightening! I woke up this morning and the news is reporting 19.5" of snow in Chicago, but the drifts around my apartment are 3-4 feet! It's still snowing, still blowing, and I'm not going anywhere! :)

Elle hates all the snow. I don't blame her. It's so much deeper than she is tall! When I opened my door this morning she saw the big drift , turned her back, and ran to hide in my room! LOL. Stinker.

Abby is a little unsure what to think, but I put on my snow clothes, wrapped her up in her winter coat, and we went out to play! (Mind you we couldn't get off my porch. We were literally playing in the snow right beside my front door.)


We are truly snowed in! What an experience- I'll never forget this!

Snow Day

There is a blizzard in Chicago!! The National Weather Service calls it a "life threatening" storm saying "strong wings and blinding snow will make travel nearly impossible". Weather.com suggests "this may be the biggest snowstorm the city has seen". And we just got a snow day in medical school- seriously, that's unheard of! I have absolutely no desire to drive in it, but it' s actually really pretty looking out my window with Abby and Elle cuddled next to me. :)

I think I'll enjoy this snow while I'm stuck in it. Maybe tomorrow I'll go sledding or roll around in the two feet of snow we are expected to get with the dogs, and I'll even make a snow angel. Here is a picture of Abby playing the snow when we lived in Indy. Darling, isn't she?

I may be stuck in the cold, but I'm dreaming of warm weather, sunshine, pina coladas, and the ocean. Why?? Because I'm going to Los Cabos, Mexico for spring break!!! I'm so totally thrilled. My Grandma Willie and I will be staying here:

And we will be relaxing in this pool:

And this is the sunset in Cabo:

Yayyy!! I mean really, I don't think I could dream of a better spring break! Well, unless I could bring the dogs with me...

This is a silly picture I took of us with Photo Booth since we are snowed in today. Abby looks weird. Haha :)

Stay safe out there everyone!!