A Denver Weekend in D.C.

The capital building sits luminously in the distance as we make our way onto the grassy field of the mall. We pick the perfect spot, line up together and wait for our cue. One...two...three...jump. We leap high in the air, creating a blur of orange and blue, before landing and quickly hopping up again, numerous times. This is the process one must take to get the perfect jumping picture. You have to try different poses and angles, make sure the light is just right. And, most important, have fun with it!

Achieving the perfect jumping shot was one of the tasks on our D.C. to-do list. The others included a beer fest, watching the Broncos at the only Denver bar in the city and, of course, spending time with each other.

I hadn't been back to D.C. since eighth grade, when I visited for a class trip. This time, I went to visit my friend Hannah who lives in Arlington with her fiancé Jason. She's getting her phd at Georgetown, and is planning to graduate in May, so I knew the opportunity to see her was running out. My friends Elise and Emily also decided to come into town, making it a mini-GC reunion.

I arrived late afternoon on Friday, followed shortly by Emily. Hannah and Elise picked us up from the airport and we headed back to Hannah's apartment. It was weird being back in D.C., because even though it had been over 15 years since I'd been back, I remembered it very vividly, at least the parts of the city I had seen. What I really looked forward to was seeing some different parts of D.C. and Arlington. When we arrived, we poured ourselves some drinks and dove right into updates on our lives, and it felt as if I'd never spent a day away from them. It was so easy to fall into the conversation, discussing intimate, important details, with no inhibitions and no risk of judgement. Something I really appreciate about these girls.

That night, we went to dinner in DuPont Circle, an historic district in northwest D.C. anchored by a large traffic circle. We took one of the bus lines (only $1) over the river to DuPont, and walked over to the Luna Grill & Diner. After a delightfully filling meal (try the Jambalaya Penne Pasta, yum!), we walked around the neighborhood to check out the bar scene. We went to Buffalo Billards, a huge sports bar with shuffleboard, pool tables, skeeball and plenty of televisions. We played a few games of shuffleboard before realizing we were some of the oldest people there, so we decided to call it a night. After all, we had a big day of drinking ahead of us.

The next morning, we took part in Jason and Hannah's Saturday morning tradition and had brunch at Brooklyn Bagel Bakery, a cute little bagel shop just up the road from their apartment. This is a clearly a neighborhood favorite, as it was packed when we arrived. We got in line, ordered our bagel sandwiches (I got the Lox, onions and eggs breakfast sandwich--delicious!) and proceeded to devour our food in near record time.

Then, I got my first experience riding the D.C. metro. Now, let me just preface this by saying that I really like Chicago's public transit system, it's efficient and convenient. But D.C.'s transit...amazing. It's so clean and spacious and very easy to use. It can pretty much get you anywhere you need to go, with the exception of a few areas--but that's similar to Chicago. We took the Orange line to Metro Central, transferred to the Red Line and took that to NoMa, home of the Snallygaster Gargantuan Beer Jamboree.

Hannah and Jason have gone to this every year since they moved to D.C., so we were happy to take part in yet another of their traditions. Snallygaster is described as "an epic day of inimitable imbibery and monstrous merriment," and I can certainly attest to that. It cost $10, which included admission and a mug. Once we had our drink tickets, we headed into the fest for a long afternoon of drinking, and it was a blast. I tried a ton of great beers (including the Game of Thrones draft), Emily and Hannah played a game of bear pong (which is basically a large-scale version of the traditional college game) and we had a crazy dance party with hundreds of other fest-goers.

Four hours later, we left the fest and headed back to Arlington, where we had a low-key evening.

Sunday, we pulled on our Broncos gear and headed out for the day. Hannah took us over the river to Georgetown and showed us the campus. It was gorgeous. Colonial-style buildings, cobblestone streets and treelined paths, bright colorful homes and a peaceful vibe. It almost made me want to move there. We walked around Georgetown, which has a great shopping district, and we gladly took advantage. Hannah took us to one of her favorite lunch spots, Tackle Box, D.C.'s first and only lobster shack. While we should have got lobster, none of us decided to go for it this time. I got the Tackle Box Meal with Blue Fish, grilled zucchini and lemon garlic aioli (highly recommend). Everything is fresh and cooked to order, and I would definitely go back again.

After lunch, we walked along the river toward the Lincoln Memorial and reflecting pool. We hung out there briefly and then made our way through the World War II Memorial, past the Washington Monument and over to the Old Post Office Building, which has been transformed into an indoor mall. But it still has the original bell tower, where you can get an unobstructed view of D.C. (at no cost) Jason was waiting for us there and we all went inside to check out the view.

After that, we headed over to the mall to knock another item off our list. It was here we took our jumping pictures. As I mentioned before, it takes a long time, and many tries, to get the perfect shot. But I think we got it.

Next up, we headed over to the last stop on the itinerary, Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, the only Denver Broncos bar in D.C. Hannah has been raving about this place forever, and, after visiting, I can certainly see why. The vibe here is immeasurable. The whole crowd performs the chants done at Mile High Stadium (Not it's official name anymore, but it will always be Mile High to me), there are Broncos shots (blue and orange), everyone is decked out in their best Broncos gear, there are free jello shots at half-time and everyone is super friendly. And even though the Broncos lost (definitely the low point of the trip), it was still a ton of fun hanging out for hours at the bar, cheering on our favorite team together.

We left the bar after midnight and made our way back to the apartment. Emily and I packed up most of our stuff since we had super early flights, and then crashed for about three hours before heading to the airport.

Washington, D.C. was definitely fun the second time around, and I would love the chance to go back and see some more of the city. Maybe check out some of the monuments again, refresh my memory a bit more. But what I really appreciated about this trip was that I got to enjoy it with my friends, even if it was only for a couple days. It's these brief moments that we'll truly cherish, because who knows how many more of them we'll get to do. More weddings are in the future, and soon kids will join the picture. But, for now, we are taking every chance we get, and living every moment to the fullest.

The Drama of Travel

There are varying levels of drama when it comes to travel. There's the stressful itinerary and planning aspect that relates to catching your flight on time, or dealing with lost luggage, or arguing with a stewardess over a missed connection, or realizing the hotel does not have your reservation saved, or discovering the tour you wanted to do has been sold out since January. Those are all scenarios we have dealt with and are prepared to deal with if they happen to arise. But then there's the unforseen drama of travel, the experiences we never see coming. These usually involve travel companions or acquaintances we meet along the way, and they can usually cause more anguish and turmoil than an unfortunate shift in plans, because the drama is always personal.

When you make plans to travel with friends or family, or go visit someone for a trip, there is always the chance that issues can arise. First, money. People usually set budgets for themselves when they travel--unless they are those lucky individuals who have the luxury of splurging without worrying about what it will do to their savings account. On average, most people will decide ahead of time what they want to spend money on, whether it be a few dinners at upscale restaurants or a shopping spree or sightseeing tours. However, when you travel with others, more likely than not, their budget is different. While it may seem like this should not cause problems, money is probably the number one culprit for arguments, especially when traveling. One person may get jealous that another is spending so much, or may feel pressure to spend more than he or she has. There's also the reverse side, where one may feel guilty purchasing an expensive outfit or meal while their friend cannot afford it. Money is always a difficult subject to deal with, and I know from personal experience that it can create some extremely tense situations. The best thing to do is to discuss your budget well ahead of time, making sure your travel companion knows exactly how you feel about expenses. It may not solve everything, but at least there is an understanding established before the trip begins.

Second, personal agendas. Everyone has activities they want to do and sites they want to visit, but the reality is that a group trip is not all about one person. If you have travel buddies, you need to respect that there may be things they want to do that you do not, and vice versa. Sometimes there are two extremes, with one person wanting to spend their vacation relaxing, no agenda necessary; and the other scheduling one event after another hoping to keep every minute of the day occupied with something. This can create some real problems, and in those cases, it's best to go your separate ways, even just for a day. Otherwise, neither one will get what they want out of the trip.

Third, general proximity. Being around the same people for a certain amount of time can become irksome for anyone, especially people who like their privacy or enjoy alone time. Also, there are some personalities that just clash, no matter how well you know the person or how tolerant you may be. And travel can add a whole other level since it takes you out of your comfort zone and into a different world. You are already dealing with the new environment, and a conflicting personality in your travel group will not help the situation. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at this, thinking only an idiot would go on a trip with someone he or she did not get along with. Well, you would be surprised how travel can bring out sides of people you never expected. Once again, if this kind of drama comes up, taking a step back from it and spending some time alone is probably the best solution. Either that, or you could take the confrontational approach and let the person know their voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

These are some of the most common dramatic events--at least that I've experienced. And I can only hope that my next two trips will be completely drama free. If not, the best thing to do is roll with the punches, and make every effort to avoid a ruined vacation. But overall, I have found that traveling with friends can be one of the most memorable experiences, and nothing should interfere.

Thanksgiving Celebration Across the Ocean

This year was the third year in a row that I spent Thanksgiving away from home. With work posing scheduling conflicts and my family living so far away that I have to buy an expensive plane ticket, it was too difficult to make the trip. So once again, I ventured to Crystal Lake, Illinois to spend the holiday with my boyfriend's family. I'm not complaining; in fact, it's developing into a nice tradition--that will probably continue as long as things keep progressing with my relationship. But there is still a part of me that aches to be home for Thanksgiving. I miss my mom preparing the turkey, mixing the potatoes and baking pumpkin pie. Sure, I can see that being done anywhere, but it isn't my mom, it isn't my kitchen, it isn't my family. I miss the conversations we have around the dinner table after the plates have been whipped clean of their delicious contents. I miss the way my dog begs for any remaining scraps. I miss how I'm usually the only one--besides my grandpa--who dips into the warm pie, because I always make room for dessert. I've made some incredible memories at home, and I know I'll make many more in the future here in Chicago. And even though I missed home this holiday, my mind kept wandering back to the first Thanksgiving I ever spent away from home back in 2006.

It was during my semester studying abroad in Italy. My friend, Sari, and I decided to fly up to England to visit our friend Emily who was living in London for the semester. We figured since we couldn't be with our families, we might as well surround ourselves with friends. Now, the British do not acknowledge Thanksgiving, so locating all the traditional fixings was a little difficult. We couldn't just walk into a store like in the states and have a Thanksgiving display there with everything we needed. It took a couple trips, some scrounging and some substituting, but we eventually located a turkey, cranberries, potatoes, green beans, stuffing ingredients and, of course, pumpkin pie. The preparations started early, with Emily's roommates clearing the kitchen and making the pre-dinner snacks, our friend Harris taking over turkey duty, and the rest of us selecting various dishes to work on. I peeled the potatoes, while Sari made the stuffing and Emily made the gravy and cranberry sauce. After a long afternoon in the kitchen performing the work our parents usually handle, we pulled the turkey out of the oven, placed all the food in serving plates and laid it all out on the table. Paired with a couple bottles of wine and some fresh bread purchased from the baker down the street, our British Thanksgiving looked pretty impressive. After loading our plates, passing food between all of us, we took a moment to reflect on our hard work and the incredible feast we were about to enjoy. I said a silent prayer, thanking God for giving me the chance to be with friends and have a lovely meal. Then we raised our glasses to our country's holiday and then dug in.

After dinner, as we all unbuttoned our pants just a little, Emily grabbed a candle from her room and lit it. The tradition is, she said, that you pass the candle around the room, and everyone says what they are thankful for this year. Some people's were simple, some humorous, others long-winded, but what everyone said they were thankful for was being in great company. Because that is what Thanksgiving is really all about; being around people you care about and who care about you. So even if you were far away from home this Thanksgiving, I hope you were surrounded by a good group of people.

How a Vacation Brightened my Mood...

And I haven't even gone on it yet.

Earlier this week, I was feeling completely down on myself. As you remember, graduation is coming up, and I have begun the job hunt. I made a goal of submitting at least one application a day--and usually I submit up to three--in the hopes that shear volume would get me somewhere. However, after almost three weeks of applying, I have only received rejections--3 to be exact. On top of that, I am also trying to finish up my masters and get through my final class. Luckily, the class work isn't too demanding, but it's still there and I still have to do it. Another factor contributing to my sorrow--money. Right now I have a job that pays and one that doesn't. Both are ending in about three weeks time and I will have zero income. My finances are already in shambles, so this will only make them worse. And finally, the project I've been working on for my apprenticeship is starting to come to a close, and people are frantically trying to get everything done, including me. I find myself having barely enough time in the day to get it all done. Not to mention I'm using a website system that has so many bugs and cliches, it's impossible to accomplish anything.

But despite everything wrong in my life, there was one thing that lifted my spirits this week: A trip to Calgary to visit my dad. I won't be going until mid-May, but just the thought of a long weekend in Canada just hanging out with my father made me so much happier. Perhaps it's the knowledge that I'll soon be getting away from all the stress in my life, or maybe that I'll get to spend quality time with my dad, or maybe that the last time I was in Calgary I had an incredible time.

The last time I visited was in 2005, the summer after my freshman year of college. I went on a road trip with my two best friends, and we drove up to Alberta from Colorado. It was one of the best trips I've ever had, and whenever I think of Calgary, I remember the vacation fondly. Now this upcoming travel adventure will be a little different. I have a few more years behind me and no friends to party with. I had always planned to return to Calgary with those two friends, or any of my college friends, or my boyfriend. But that doesn't mean I'm any less excited to go back this time. I'm ready for a great experience. I'm eager to pack a suitcase--I know I'm crazy for enjoying packing;--to get on the plane, sip a complimentary drink, and catch up on my reading; to shuffle off the plane and see my dad waiting for me at arrivals.

Even more exciting than the journey is the destination. Calgary is a modern city less than an hour away from the Canadian Rockies. It reminds me of Denver with its size and fresh downtown nightlife. Some worthy attractions are Olympic Park, built for the 1986 Winter Olympics. The Pedestrian Mall downtown is brimming with local vendors selling clothes, jewelry, art and food. The Calgary Tower offers a panoramic view of the city and the mountains in the distance as well as a glass floor experience peering straight down to the streets below.

One of my favorite parts of the city is the river. In the summer, locals rent rafts--or bring their own if they have them--and float along the gentle current, sipping on beer or wine. My friends and I had the privilege of experiencing this relaxing cruise, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who visits. I may not be able to do it this time around due to weather, but if I do, I'll be sure to report back about it.

It's comforting to know that something as simple as a weekend away is enough to brighten my demeanor. Rays penetrate my darker-than-a-rainy-day attitude, and I feel a sense of relief. If just the thought of a trip can have this effect, I wonder how the actual vacation will permeate my thoughts.

Just a Quick Thought...

...First, I'm sorry the entries have been lacking. I just finished the fall quarter last week, and now I have all this time on my hands and somehow I do not know how to handle it. I promise more posts to come.

...Second, IT'S DECEMBER!!! Christmas season is in full swing!! The Christmas lights and trees are going up all over the city!! The snow is falling--and for all the Chicagoans, it just started today!!

And with this holiday season comes the office blues. No one wants to be sitting in an office when the fectivities are taking place. Plus, the weather can be dreary, except when the snow is falling and settling nicely on the ground--and causing no traffic problems whatsoever in a perfect world. So to ease those times when you're feeling a little blue about sitting at a desk all day, find ways to celebrate the season while working.

1. Throw a holiday party at work-it doesn't have to be big and extravagent. Take a lunch hour, bring in Christmas cookies and some delicious casseroles--or sandwiches work, too--and have some sparkling cider. People will appreciate the break from the grind.
2. Find a Christmas Market: Plenty of cities have small markets selling crafts, gifts, and food. Chicago has the Christkindlemart in Daley Plaza. It's German, but anyone can go and enjoy the hot wine served in little boots, beer, brats, strudels, pretzels, and numerous vendors with delicate creations from all corners of Germany and beyond. What a way to experience the holiday and another culture all at once.
3. Take a trip!--Sure it's the holidays, and you should spend it with your family at home with a Christmas tree and presents. But why not jet off somewhere to go skiing? How about lazing on the beach? Or enjoying a nice mountain cabin? There are a lot of winter deals out there, so check them out and book a spontaneous vacation. That will certainly lift your spirits.

Personally, I'm looking forward to heading back to Colorado for two weeks to snowboard, lounge around the mountains, and spend time with my family and friends. It doesn't get much better than that.

Shipping up to Boston

This past week/weekend, I went to Boston, Massachusetts.

I had never been to beantown before, but I had expectations built up in my head. Historic buildings and architecture, classy neighborhoods, cold weather, good food, and, um, cultured people. And to my delight and dismay, most of those assumptions were correct.
On my first night in Boston, I was greeted by my best friend from high school, Emily, and she helped me hop the T--still not sure why it's called that--to my parent's hotel, the Taj. After dropping off my luggage, we headed out to meet everyone at a local seafood restaurant, Legal Seafood. My brother, his friends, and my parents were all a couple drinks in and still waiting for their food, so we joined the festivities. A couple samples from each person's dish, and I was convinced that Boston would have a promising food selection, and I would have to divulge in a full meal the next day. After dinner, Emily and I headed off with my brother and his entourage to a place called Foundation Lounge. Your pretty average loungy bar and hot night spot. We received bottle service--pretty classy right?--and relaxed on couches reserved for our group. After Emily left because she worked early the next morning, the bar continued to thrive with more and more people arriving. But what became clear was that this was not really my scene, and the people were not all that thrilled with our presence there either. My brother began dancing around tables and got a couple sharp glances from the local crowd. Apparently some behavior is just unacceptable in Boston.

After stumbling back to the hotel at 2 a.m.--so not my style on a Wednesday night--I crashed until about 9 a.m. or so. Once showered and a bottle of water in hand, my parents and I hit Newbury Street--the Michigan Avenue of Boston. Expensive clothing stores, cute boutiques, and fashionistas galore lined the street as we walked through the chilly fall air. Since it was almost noon when we finally started our day, we headed to a highly recommended restaurant on Newbury called Stephanie's. The warm setting, with a cozy fireplace and white linen table clothes, was welcoming for a group of tourists. After scanning the menu, which listed things from lobster salad rolls to citrus crusted salmon, I opted for an old classic which I have never had the opportunity to taste--New England Clam Chowder. Just a cup of this creamy mixture, and my entire body felt warm and satisfied. Definitely an item I will be eating again. The rest of the afternoon was spent scouring the shops for dresses--mostly for my mom--and I am happy to report that after four hours of searching, she finally found one she liked.

That night we all got dressed up for my brother's movie screening--the whole reason I went to Boston in the first place. Emily, her roommates, and I quickly dolled ourselves up in dresses and heels, while munching on cheese and crackers and sipping pinot grigio. Then we headed over to Cambridge--just across the river from Boston--to the theater where the movie was showing. We were greeted with free drinks and a spread of food. Once most guests had arrived, we moved into the theater, took our seats, and waited for the movie to begin. The Lonliest Road in America is the product of over a year of hard work and dedication from my brother, Colin Day, and his friend, Mardana Mayginnes (forgive the harmless plug). And it seems it was received with plenty of praise from the Boston crowd, and they aren't the easiest people to impress. The night ended with an after party at a local Irish pub with more drinks and food.

It's pretty clear I was well fed on this trip.

My last full day in Boston, I went sight seeing with my parents. We pretty much saw everything one should see while they're there: Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston Common--to see the colors change,-- The Massachusetts State House, the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, and Quincy Market. At first, we had every intention of just making our way through Boston Common, and then we were not even sure what we would do next. But as it turns out, and this surprised me, Boston is not that big. Once we got through the Commons, there was the State House with its famous gold dome. Then we realized we were close to downtown, and it was an easy walk to the Old State House and Quincy Market. It was actually a very pleasant walk--minus the rain that seemed to follow us through the day. And while the city is not the easiest to navigate because the streets were not built on a grid system and there is no logical order to how they are set up, we were able to figure out--with help from street maps and my mom's GPS on her iphone--where we were and how to get to the next place. When we arrived at Quincy Market, we were starving. So we found a little cafe under the building called Salty Dog Grille and Cafe (sorry, couldn't find a website.) Now because of the location, it was pretty much known as a tourist spot. But we were hungry, it was raining, and we just needed some place to rest. We didn't want to wait for a table so we just sat at the bar, which turned out to be the best choice. It felt a lot more personal and comfortable, and the bartender was extremely friendly. My parents both got fish and chips and I opted for the crab cakes--another meal I was told I had to try while there. We each got a Sam Adams brew--them the Boston Lager, me the Oktoberfest--and they were very enjoyable.

After a long day of sightseeing, we headed back to the hotel, relaxed, showered and got ready to meet Emily for our last dinner in Boston. We went to a french restaurant that was recommended to us called Troquet. A quiant little place perfect for the theater crowd. A little fancier than I anticipated, but wonderful nontheless. My parents both ordered the lamb, Emily sampled the langoustines, and I nibbled on a rich pasta dish with mushrooms and truffle. If ever you're in Boston and you have a little extra money to spare, check this restaurant out, it is delicious.

Before my flight left on Saturday, there was still one more thing I had not done in Boston. I needed to go to the Omni Parker House and order a Boston Cream Pie--a round cake split and filled with custard and frosted with chocolate--the official desert of Massachusetts. The hotel apparently invented this sweet confection, though it is difficult to prove, so I figured why not go to the place where it all started. So after a large brunch with Emily and our friend Erik who came up to visit from New York, we headed over to the hotel. We ordered one piece to pie to share, and when it was placed on the table we all gazed in awe at its beauty. I almost didn't want to dig my fork into the perfect frosting...but I did! And heaven never tasted so good.

So maybe the people could have been nicer and the weather a little less dreary, but overall the trip to Boston was memorable. Add family, good friends, beautiful sights, strong drinks, and scrumptious food, and you've got yourself a darn good time in beantown.

O'zapft is!--Not For Much Longer

"It's Tapped!" was screamed enthusiastically by the mayor of Munich on September 19th, and the drinking began. Now in it's final week, Oktoberfest is as popular today as it was when it first began.

The first official Oktoberfest was actually a celebration to commemorate the marriage of Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen back in 1810. Since then, the festival has grown each year and become a national tradition for Germany, as well as other countries around the world who have created their own Oktoberfests. Now millions flock to Munich every year, dressed head to toe in Sennerhut, Lederhosen, and Dirndl. They crowd the beer halls and stuff their faces with Hendl (chicken), Schweinsbraten (roast pork), Haxn (knuckle of pork), Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick), Wurstel (sauseges), Brezeln (pretzel), Sauerkraut, and various other Bavarian delicacies.

But the most popular aspect of Oktoberfest is--of course--the steins of beer clinking together over the long,wooden tables. These steins have been a tradition at Oktoberfest since before the 1900s, and I think they will remain a staple for many more years to come.

While Oktoberfest is known for being a wild drunkfest, it is about much more than drinking. It is a time when people from all over Germany and the world can come together for one big party. Differences are put aside, problems are washed down with each sip of beer, laughter and music can be heard throughout the streets. It is truly a chance to broaden your horizons and step outside your comfort zone.

I have never had the opportunity to visit Munich, but if I ever do, I hope it is during Oktoberfest. I would love to sit at those long tables with a stein in one hand and a large Brezeln in the other enjoying the company of strangers. Next year marks the 200 year anniversary of the festival--who knows, maybe I'll gete the chance to stop on by for the big event.

A little older, maybe a little wiser...

So, yesterday was my 23rd birthday. Since it was on a Monday, I celebrated over the weekend. And despite being in graduate school and being out of the college scene for over a year, I still managed to party a little too hard for my liking and spent most of the day Sunday recovering. However, it was a good time--and a good learning experience--and I'm glad I went out with my friends.

While going out to the bars and drinking on Saturday night was entertaining and enjoyable, I really appreciated my Friday night plans. My boyfriend took me to a nice dinner, where we enjoyed a four course Italian meal and a bottle of wine. It truly was a contrast to the following nights festivities, but it definitely showed how much I have matured in the past year. I prefer a nice quiet dinner over a crazy night of partying. And while I acknowledged my younger side this year, I also embraced my age.

Most people would argue that 23 is not old, and I agree with that. However, it isn't 18 either. I do not have the ability anymore to stay up until the wee hours of the morning or drink shot after shot of hard alcohol. My idea of a good time, now, is a low key evening with friends. And after our dinner on Friday, I realized that I desperatly want to return to Italy. I see it even more now, with an extra year under my belt, that traveling is my passion and the true thing that I hope to do with my life. I would have taken a trip for my birthday if I could have, but unfortunately I do have school and work to attend to. But maybe next year for my 24th--depending on the job situation--I can plan a weekend trip with friends somewhere. A place we can relax, eat well, enjoy a drink or two, and just live in the moment.

Sometimes You Just Need Some Girl Time

I have a tendency to be better friends with guys, mostly because there is less drama, I feel comfortable, and I can just chill with them and watch some sports. But when I went up to Milwaukee this past weekend to visit my Marquette friends, it my good girlfriend Ashley who I spent the most time with. It felt nice to just catch up on girl talk, gossip, and bad reality television.

We spent all day Saturday shopping, watching movies, talking, eating delicious chips and guacamole, and going out for martinis. Every once and a while, you need a girls day. I just need to schedule in little day trips with my girlfriends. I have such a busy schedule, and so do my friends, plus the fact that I do not have many girlfriends works against me. But I know that I need a break from the guys here and there.

So I am now researching fun girl trips to take with my friends. Whether the trips are just small treks around the city or drives to other states or journeys to distant countries, traveling can really help girls connect with each other. Also, I read an article in Women's Health Magazine that talked about friendships between women and how we need to work hard to maintain them sometimes. We tend to put a lot into our friendships and if we do not work at them, there is a potential for them to end.

So grab some girlfriends, or just one, and take a trip to Paris or Mexico or New York or maybe just the mall.

"Slow Motion" in Milwaukee

Sitting bare-foot on a tiny stage in the skylight room of Mi-keys restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, Third Eye Blind front man Stephan Jenkins reminisces about his childhood in the small Midwest town. He recalls his first memories were of skating on a pond somewhere outside the city. Milwaukee clearly holds a special place in his heart. Listening to him speak fondly of the city he spent only 5 short years in, I can't help but relate to his feelings.

I spent 4 years there as I attended Marquette University for my undergraduate education. And--as cliche as it sounds--they were some of the best years of my life. I met my best friends there, studied til the wee hours of the morning, drank until good judgment went out the window, and discovered a new part of myself. Going back this weekend for the Third Eye Blind concert, I expected to remember memories from my middle school years, when the band's albums came out and I spent weeks replaying "Semi-Charmed Life" until my family couldn't take it anymore. But instead, the experience awakened thoughts of college. Seeing good friends again who I used to hang out with on a daily basis was bittersweet. I reveled in the chance to catch-up, laugh, gossip, and recount our past days at MU. But it made me sad to think that, even though I only live 1 1/2 hours south of them, I don't get to see them on a regular basis. And despite the proximity of Milwaukee and Chicago, we're still far away from each other.

As I sat in the Riverside theater listening to 3eb, I heard a song I hadn't heard in close to 10 years..."Motorcycle Drive By." And, needless to say, when you're 12, the lyrics don't mean nearly the same thing as they do when you're 22.

And this is our last time
We'll be friends again
I'll get over you, you'll wonder who I am
And there's this burning
Just like there's always been
I've never been so alone
And I've never been so alive

Sure, the song is probably about a romantic relationship, but the beauty of songs is that they are open to interpretation by the listener.

Obviously, I will go back to Milwaukee. I have too many friends--and memories--there not to visit. It's sad that I'm not near the people I lived with for so long, but I'm in the next stage of my life now. And I'm happy with where I live and what I'm doing. It's all a part of growing up.