My "30th Birthday U.S. Tour"

I began, what Alison has so poignantly titled, my "30th Birthday U.S. Tour" on the 14th of July (Bastille Day, as some of you may already know). I have now been in Chicago for about 10 days and am leaving tomorrow for Phoenix, which is the second leg of my trip. I'll get to hang out with my brother and his girlfriend Natalie while I'm in Phoenix. I will also be the first in the family to check out Josh's new house. Yay! I will be in Phoenix for about a week before heading to Wine Country in California. I'll be meeting Ann, Tara, Nora, and a few others for a final celebration of our 30th birthdays this summer. We will be traveling around Sonoma, Napa, Healdsburg, and whatever other small towns are on the agenda as we attend wine tastings and relax. Then I leave on a red-eye flight the night of August 7th for the final leg of my trip: Naples, Florida. Of course, I'll be visiting my dad there and will spend a week recouping from the wine tastings while hopefully spending some time in the sun. I return home from all my travels on August 15th and have to return promptly to school on the 17th, so I won't have any time to miss my friends, family, or traveling before diving into work again. It's all going to fly by because my time in Chicago certainly has!

I've spent my time in Chicago exercising ("couch to 5K" running regimen), practicing yoga at a studio around the corner from Alison and Chris's condo, taking pictures, relaxing at their condo, sleeping in late, getting up early and taking naps in the afternoon, walking around in the heat, and generally enjoying not having a whole lot to do. Alison let me borrow her car one day so that I could drive to her work and meet some of her "newer" co-workers (in the past year or so) that I haven't had a chance to meet, and of course, I finally got to meet her crazy boss. It was GREAT. Then I went to see Midnight in Paris by myself while Alison finished her afternoon work. I think it was the first time I have gone to a movie by myself, and it wasn't too bad. It was kind of enjoyable actually. I really liked the movie, so you should check it out if you get a chance.

Below are some of the pictures I have taken so far on my trip. The first two pictures were taken before we all went out the first Saturday night I was in Chicago. It was really the only night we went out; now that we're so old, going out doesn't seem as appealing as it used to seem. Then, the rest of the pictures I took while I walked around last Thursday; it was so hot that I was sweating profusely for every second that I spent outside. It was awesome (sarcasm). Today is finally nice out again, so I'm hoping to head out in a little while to take some more pictures and enjoy my last day in the city.

A Wedding...

I have just recently finished editing wedding pictures that I took back in April for my co-worker's daughter's wedding. I have realized that it takes a wee bit more time to edit pictures when you have a full time job. Now that another year of teaching has come to a close, I have had plenty of time to devote to editing pictures. Yay! I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I finish editing a batch of pictures. It can sometimes seem lengthy and tedious, but the truth is, I love it. I love being there to take the pictures, I love reviewing the pictures after they've been taken, I love sifting through and editing the pictures to "near perfection" (although I do not believe in absolute perfection), and I love compiling the finished product and sending it off to the people involved. It's not something I've gotten to do a lot, but I have had enough opportunities to know that, regardless of time, it's a process I truly enjoy. I hope that you also enjoy this small sampling of the pictures I took and maybe ask me to take pictures for some event of yours soon?! :)

30 ... once, twice ... and soon to be thrice...

My dad came to town the week before my birthday and threw me this wonderful party at 411 West. I didn't take the pictures, but I did edit them and add fun finishes. I have to thank Laura and Jonas for taking my camera and being in charge of pictures, so that I didn't have to do that at my own bday party. Thanks guys! After the dinner party, some of us went out to the Crunkleton, which is a bar in Chapel Hill. Then, for my actual birthday weekend, I flew to Chicago and spent my big day with Alison and Chris. My final birthday celebration will take place in early August with Ann, Nora, Tara, and a few other close friends. Ann, Nora, Tara, and I will all be 30 at that point and are "throwing ourselves" a joint birthday bash in Napa. It should be a blast, especially since it's now less than a month away. Enjoy the plethora of pictures from my fantastic birthday party in CH and my bday weekend in Chi-town!