First Week in the CHI

By popular demand, it has been requested that I begin a blog about all my wonderful adventures and experiences in my wonderful, new city---Chicago! I must admit, I have a huge grin on my face just typing that. "My wonderful, new city---Chicago" has such a great ring to it!!!! I am still having moments where I'm like "Wow! I live here now!" I am not on vacation. I LIVE HERE FRIENDS!!!

Today marks that I have been here for exactly one week! Isn't that crazy?! My first week down and who knows how many more to go? It has been an incredible first week. I cannot express how much I am loving it here and how incredibly blessed I feel. I feel that God has shifted my spirit to feel more free. I don't really know how to explain it other than the fact that I don't feel restless or suffocated like I did back in Texas. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas, but I needed a stretch. Here I have an opportunity to explore new cultures, meet more interesting people that live a completely different lifestyle, and it is all so exciting!

Something about this city just makes me wanna be healthy. You literally cannot go anywhere without seeing people riding their bikes or running with their iPods, and on nearly every corner there is some type of organic market with fresh produce. It's awesome. I have truly enjoyed walking everywhere exploring things first-hand. I pass people and wonder who they are? where they're going? where they just came from? The possibilities are endless. With that said, I am going to do what I consider the impossible. I have decided that I want to become a runner. Yes friends, you read that right. It is not a typo. My overweight self is about to conquer this battle. Watch! In the past year and 1/2 I have lost a total of 43 pounds and I am determined to lose another 43. With God, all things are possible...and I sure am going to need to rely on Him for strength to do this... So yesterday marked Day 1 of becoming a runner and let's just say God has a sense of humor. What I am about to share with you actually happened. I promise you can't make this stuff up.

4/13/10 Day 1: I put on my drawstring athletic pants, a t-shirt, strap on my iPod, put on my running shoes and I head out the door. I make my way down the street doing a good warm up jog. As I approach the main street Milwaukee, I decide to increase my speed. At this point, I didn't want to look like a beginner so I keep up my fast stride, but realize that my pants keep wanting to creep down. So I continue running and I non-chalantly keep pulling up my pants. Moments later the unmaginable happens. My pants fall all the way down past my knees. MORTIFIED!!! There I am on a busy street showing my butt to the world!!!! Not that you need a mental picture, but can you honestly wrap your head around this? I freak out!!!!!! I pull them up quickly, hoping that noone is around. I was too mortified and embarassed to look around and look anyone in the eye. I duck into the first neighborhood street I can find, tighten my pants, and then I burst out laughing hysterically at myself. I was like "Really Lord?!??? Really?!!!" My first day of trying to lead a healthier lifestyle something like this happens. You'll be happy to know that despite this ridiculous incident, I continued to run. I ran/jog/walked/dry heaved a total of 2.3 miles!!! Today is Day 2; however, I will be wearing different pants :D.

I'm happy to report that the rest of my day went pretty smoothly. I found my way to the Bucktown-Wicker Park Public Library where I got my first form of Chicago identification!!! I now have a library card. The cutest, sweetest, little old man helped me. He had to be in his early sixties and was a major flirt. He kept calling me "Ms. Heathaaaahhhh *insert snotty British accent*" when he wasn't giving me a hard time about my southern drawl---which everyone here likes to point out! They honestly repeat everything I say, giggle, and then tell me how cute it is. I'm not used to that. Random side thought: I just love how everyone seems to call me "Ms.Heather." It's like people who don't know me seem to call me that. It's like God has deemed that a part of me. I do hope to change that "'Ms" to a "Mrs." one day :)

My library card. I may now begin checking out books for my "New to Town" Book Club I just joined! I found this Book Club on this awesome website called meetup.com. It's a site in which you can search for specific special interest groups and they meet all over the city. This book club meets everywhere from happy hours to restaurants and markets. Our book for the month of April: Julia Childs, My Life in France and our first meeting is at a tapas bar next Wednesday evening :). Im excited!!!

Since this post is getting pretty lengthy I will post some random photos of things I have done this week.

Enjoy...

My wonderful, fabulous, precious, insanely talented, loving roomates!

From L to R: Heidi, Karen, and Brittney in the back.

My new favorite thing:The French Press. You have not had good coffee, until you've had it from this baby. It is crazy tasty. This is Heidi's. I am off to buy one today with my Target giftcard. Thank you Peggy!

Water taxi ride with Kate & Karen. Well worth $4. It was a gorgeous day!!!

This one is for my dad... doing Tai Chi in Chinatown! LOL, I'm special.



At Villian's on S. Clark with my new friends Bree & Myles Hayes. They are wonderful. It was such a fun night of sharing, laughing, and good jazz music while enjoying Bree's drink "Pranqsters" (insanely good beer). Random side note: Bree grew up in Tyler, was 2 years older than me, we went to all the same schools, but our paths never crossed until tonight! We clicked instantly and I couldn't be more thankful to Mandy for connecting us. Thanks, Mandy!

Alright lovelies I will post more later...

I will leave you with these two gifts:

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again; Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your mind in Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:4-7

www.myspace.com/missyhiggins

This girl is amazing. I cannot get enough of her music lately. Listen to the song "Going North."

My roomie Heidi said it's my song...

Love to you all from the Windy City,

xoxox

Heather