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Well I'm sitting in some miscellaneous restaurant in Chicago-Midway, online via iPhone tethering (thank you Gorby), and I'm doing my best to burn time prior to boarding my flight, and reflect upon my trip. I'm happy with the success of the trip and with the experiences I have collected during my time here in the US's 3rd largest city. It's been on my to do list for some time, and I don't think I've ever had as many suggestions from so many of my friends on things to do and places to see during one of my travels... which was both great and overwhelming at times, haha. Clearly there is a passion about this city that is shared by those who've experienced it, and it's easy to understand why. This city has a unique cultural charm about it that makes it distinct among other cities of similar size. Full of a vibrant energy that infectious among its visitors, the residents here are very passionate about their city and is easiest spotted with their love for their city's sports teams, but can also be witnessed in the pride they take for their landmarks and history. They love their city. And while they may lack the hospitality and politeness that Atlanta has, they have an advantage over a city like Boston, which carried a more terse vibe amongst fellow strangers throughout the city. I was happy to have found a very alive and vibrant gay community here. They seem very content and very active within the city. The sprawling area of Lakeview proves evident that the spirit is very healthy and alive here. There seemed to be no tension among areas where straight and gays were in mixed company. No tension from either group I should add. Everyone seemed to mix very well, which I will say is not a quality found in Atlanta. Some regrets from my trip? I regret not being able to see a couple of my friends who live here. Scheduling was tough to work out. I also regret not being able to see the "Silver Bean" aka the Cloud Gate downtown. I also wish I had more time to spend at some of the museums. I also would have liked to eat at more of numerous restaurants in town, and to taken in a water taxi or boat tour. Clearly, there's enough to do here that you could easily spend 1-2 weeks here. My 4 days have provided a window into the city, and hopefully I can continue to explore on future visits. On traveling alone: There are certain advantages to traveling alone. You set your own pace. You are singularly to blame when things go wrong. The experiences are raw, as there is nobody else to "cloud" or diffuse an experience. Certainly and conversely, there are downsides. There are moments within a trip that are just best shared. Moments when being able to dissect and enjoy an experience is best with someone else. Safety reasons. And finally someone to brainstorm options and ideas of things to do. I can't say with fervent deceleration which is best. I think they both have their place. But I feel content in my solo travels thus far. They are for me, a bit of self-exploration too. And that, for me, is something I definitely have to travel solo to accomplish. Tags: chicago, mobile, travel, traveling solo, via laptop
Current Location: United States, Chicago, S Cicero Ave,
Current Mood:  contemplative
Current Music: Mariah Carey - Obsessed
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Something occurred to me recently, that there is something to be said for the struggle. I feel sorry for those who have never longed for something or someone so badly, so deeply, that they have risen up and fought tirelessly towards obtaining it. To always have things handed to oneself with little effort is a luxury I’ve never been afforded. I would argue though that it is in the struggle that we realize the true value and our true determination. We all know the people who seem to have all the joys of the world fall into their lap. We’ve all seen it too. We all know those friends who always seem to have everything work out just right for them. They never go wanting for things or for companionship. But at the same time, they’ve never had to take a risk, to go out on a limb trying to get a job or experienced the pressures of rejection when pursuing a person they’re interested in. The times they’ve ever received a “no”, they’ve never fought against it and worked at it. They simply accepted it and moved on because they knew soon enough another opportunity would be along to carry them forward. The things that I value most in this world, the experiences that stick with me for the duration, are the ones that I have worked at and fought hard for. When I want something (or someone) and everyone else around me tells me that I’m being foolish and overreaching, it’s then that I know I might be onto something good. I’ve gotten pretty good at going against the grain of expectations and common conventionality, and I’m not sure I know any other way now. There’s a real payoff of getting something that others believe you weren’t entitled to or expected you to have. I only wish that certain others in my life were passionate enough to fight for things in that way. I think even in the end, if you don't get what you set out for, you've dared to try, and there is something to be said for the struggle. “Brick walls are there for a reason. They are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop people who don’t want it badly enough.”
Professor Randy Pausch
Carnegie Mellon University Current Mood:  morose
Current Music: Chris Brown - Forever
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Wow, so here we are right? July is almost gone and with it, the sudden realization that more than half of the year has passed. I look back on the events of this past year and it seems strange to me. Some events seem like they occurred only yesterday, when in fact, they occurred a while ago, and the inverse with events that seem distant, actually occurring recently. There’s a temporal inconsistency it seems. Nevertheless, with much coming down the road for me right now and I endeavor to stay focused, optimistic, and excited. I realize that I’m not so worried about the challenges. Now, I know that grad school for example will place me in a position to face strong obstacles. Additionally, I know that work will continue to prove challenging as I learn more and progress forward. But, what I am occasionally apprehensive about is the emotional unknown. Where will my “heart” be in 6 months? 12 months? 2 years? What I mean by that is: Where will my passion be? What/Who/Where will my passions be invested in? And lastly, how strongly? I suppose that one reason I have thoughts about this are because I know how emotionally invested I can get. I know that I have the ability to throw all my passion at a thing/place/person. Maybe that’s a bad thing? I suppose at the very least it certainly can be a liability at times. But on the whole, it’s allowed me to delve into areas of myself that I think I might not otherwise have ventured. I’ll admit that it can cause me to be sentimental, and I’ll admit that it can cause me to leap before I look. But sometimes that’s where I find my biggest commitment and inspiration. They can often be the things that lead me off the beaten path onto new opportunities of growth and enrichment. I love my parents dearly, and I was joking to a friend recently (in the fondest of terms of course) that I’m the offspring of an emotionally passionate mother, and a visionary but pragmatic father. In some senses those mix like oil and water, and yet, here I am. I certainly have both sides to my personality and they surface in different ways. I’d love to think I had control over the faucets that control the when and where they surface, but no such luck. I think therein lies my trepidation looking forward. Current Mood:  curious
Current Music: Chris Brown - Forever
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