one year

Well, tomorrow marks my official one year anniversary in Chicago. It seems so..surreal. I can't believe it's been a year. I moved here with an uncertain future and I feel like I'm in the same boat now, but with less money, more friends, and a bunch of places that I can recommend to visitors ("Have you been to Kuma's Corner? Best burger place in town!"). I was hoping to fall in love with this place and feel like I would never have to move again, but my wanderlust has won out, and I can't wait to move. With that being said though, I have loved this year: I've been through some of my roughest times, been surrounded by tons of great people and had some of the loneliest times of my life, been through a blizzard that shut the city down and an unbearable heat wave, have made the greatest friends and had some of them leave me already, from shit jobs to wonderful jobs, and... it's only been a year. I've decided to do a little recap of my favorite pictures and moments from Chicago.

First picture of my new home. [September 1, 2010]


Driving around the airport with Joe, blaring Mumford & Sons and Lady Gaga. [September 7, 2010]


Multiple trips to the Lincoln Park Zoo, especially when I was unemployed. [September 15, 2010]


My daily walks by the lake. [October 18, 2010]


Graceland Cemetery [October 31, 2010]

Sanctuary. [November 11, 2010]

My first real job in the big city. [November 15, 2010]


Wandering Macy's with three of my favorite boys (and girl, not pictured). [December 30, 2010]


New friends made, and a city finally explored. [January 17, 2011]


BLIZZARD. [February 3, 2011]


Multiple trips on the Metra. [February 25, 2011]


First day of warmth. [March 16, 2011]


New place of work. [April 16, 2011]


New hobbies. [May 22, 2010]


Claire & Seth [May 28, 2011]


MUMFORD & SONS! Not in Chicago, but I can't pass up an opportunity to talk about my boys. [June 5, 2011]


Oak Street Beach. [June 17, 2011]


Back alley photo shoots. [June 29, 2011]


The Decemberists at the Aragon. [July 25, 2011]


The el. [August 6, 2011]


Lindsey & Tony (I know I just posted this, but God, I love these two). [August 25, 2011]

Year two, let's go.