It's officially the middle of July, and it is STILL not really summer in Chicago yet. Granted, this winter was bad and maybe the memo to bring warmer weather (more than 1 day a week) was lost in the mail or tundra from the past winter. Who knows, but I miss my Florida/Charlotte summers! That doesn't change the fact, however, that I LOVE this place.
Chicago thus far has more than lived up to its name and reputation. I've learned a tremendous amount about myself here and my ability to go outside my comfort level. I have had the opportunity to see the Cubbies play, see two of my favorite bands at Taste of Chicago, watch fireworks on the lake, run in the city and eat at some of this cities best restaurants to name a few. There is WAY more to do, but just being here for so many of these awesome events has been worth it. On a side note, I have had the chance to check out where the majority of The Dark Knight (newest batman) was filmed and also seen where all of John Dillinger's old haunts were. For those of you who don't know who he is, he's the gangster Johny Depp plays in the new movie Public Enemies. I live within blocks of quite a few places that you'll see in these movies and it's cool to think some of our biggest stars and biggest gangsters were all right here!
In the coming months, I plan on doing the sky box at Sears Tower, Signature Room at the Hancock building, Navy Pier, see a broadway show in the theater district, gangster and/or architecture tours, half marathons in the city and checking out the film festival. Of course that's the start of my list, but it seems to grow exponentially every week so I'll keep it at that.
I suppose the biggest change about being here is being alone. I don't have a shy bone in my body so it's not uncomfortable, but it's different. Learning how to appreciate what old cities like this have to offer, branching out to new groups of people and trying stuff that never looked appealing before are all imperative to surviving out here. I've heard plenty of stories about new graduates coming here alone and leaving within six months because they don't' like not knowing anyone. Rather than giving up, however, I will take that as just one more challenge and add that feather to my cap when I do establish a group of people here. I do miss Charlotte and Lake Mary, but would never trade this experience for anything. It's funny though, I always assumed I would make it into corporate America and be in Chicago at the end of my career...Who would have guessed that it would happen within two months after graduation? Lucky me :)
Ford is still going very very well for me. I love the plant, the people and my team of analysts that I work with. We certainly stay busy, but it's better to have work to do than not enough right? And the best part you ask? Well, outside of making the flagship vehicle for Ford, I also ACTUALLY USE all of my education from Queens. I kid you not, there are plenty of things to learn, but the overall concepts, terms, ideas behind big business at Ford are all terms I've become very very familiar with at Queens. My capstone business course and accounting classes so far have proved to be the most influential in surviving here. I kid you not, there is no greater feeling than knowing that you're hard work, late nights, early mornings and cramming all paid off in the end. What seemed like "useless knowledge" at times has actually become very beneficial so NEVER count out your QU education :)
Well, I've got to get running and finish some more laundry, but I hope the summer is shaping up well for you all and you are getting pumped about going back to QU. I know I'm sure bummed I won't be back for a while, but so very excited for everyone who is making their trip to college for the first time :) As always let me know if you have any questions and good luck! Have a great week!
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