thanksgiving

this year for thanksgiving, p came out to california with me and we played in the sun for a whole week. 

things we did:

beach

ducks v blackhawks game

thanksgiving feast

nd v usc game

sup around the lake

taco tuesday

kickball

i always take patrick to a different eatery whenever we go home so he can appreciate good food (especially mexican and sushi!) this trip i took him to la sirena grill in laguna beach because they have the best food on the planet. 

i also took super cool videos and pictures with my dads go pro, but being a child in this fast-growing, technologically-advanced society, i have no idea how to transfer them from the usb drive to my computer. daaaaaaaaaad!!!! 

 first stop was DOBVIOUSLY in-n-out

 about to nom on the best carne asada torta he will ever nom

 view from the top of the montage

 i love california in november

 this midwesterner deep fried us a damn good turkey

 ducks v blackhawks tradition shall live on, forever.

 tried to bring the tailgate goonery to usc

i love my fam bam

my studly friends and i after thanksgiving kickball

what a great trip this was and even though we had to cut it short due to work circumstances, we had the best time. thanks mom and dad! and thanks california sunshine! im really missing my vitamin d out here...

an official illinoisian

i am officially a resident of chicago, illinois! what an emotional feeling. i never thought i would feel sad relinquishing my californian id, but it hit me like a wave when i was handed my new one. my californian id was one of the last things i had to prove my roots and now i only have my vans collection and the use of saying "dude, totally" a lot. and soon my license plate will change, and im getting my own health insurance and car insurance and and and. i dont know. its a weird feeling being an official big kid and being on your own and having a full time job (!) and a life that is brand new and having new favorite restaurants and different tv channels and different weather and not having my family close by and and and and and im far from home, on my own, and right now i want nothing more than to be sitting on the floor of my kitchen, talking with my mom, and petting my pup. and eating in n out. 

BUT i am grateful to be here, with my new friends who are turning into family, with p, in my tiny apartment, with a tiny kitchen, and drafty windows, and having new favorite restaurants, and seasons that i can get excited about, and having the job of my dreams, and being in a city with heart and pride. i guess im in a weird transition right now between wanting my own adventure and not being able to let go of my old one. i just know i cant wait to be home again. and i cant wait to make chicago my new one. 

giving thanks

things i am thankful for:

my parents for their constant support and love no matter what 

my family for always being there for me

my friends for being more like family to me

my patrick for being the most amazing human 

my health and the health of all those i love

my cousins always having new babies to play with

my pupperoni, luna, for being a puppy 

my small, cozy apartment in chicago that is a stones throw away from patrick

my roommate for being so easy going and funny

my best restaurant homeslice for the amazing gf pizza

and finally getting the job of my dreams in the NICU at Loyola

what a blessed life to have so many things to be thankful for.