Cheers to 4 years

It's my 4 year Chicago anniversary. In honor of that, I want to post a little bit on how my life changed after I joined S3 sports leagues.

I moved to Chicago this date in 2011. I didn't know a soul. I only knew that I felt drawn to the city and like I was meant to live there. I fell in love with the city that first year. I went and explored the lakefront by running, I went to museums on free days by myself, I found the nature museum and flower garden in Lincoln Park, went to classical concerts in the park, and found a little cafe that I studied at every week. I learned how to be independent, to be happy while being alone, and to find my way around somewhere totally new. Something was missing though. There wasn't anyone to look to and say, "Man, this is freaking awesome."

My life post joining S3:

For anyone who may not know, S3 is a sports league here in Chicago that matches you up with other people your age. It's very social because there is a sponsor bar that all teams go to afterward. I joined my first team at the end of October in 2012. It was a volleyball team. I met Rene through that team and Carlos. I had a blast going out and meeting new people and stepping out of my comfort zone. For the few here that knew me back then I was little quieter then but that quickly changed. I joined team after team after that and ever since then every single person I am friends with here I have met through the leagues or friends of friends in the leagues. 

Now I have people to play volleyball with all of the time, which is a huge part of my life. I have people to text and go out for dinner and drinks with. I have friends to go to concerts in the park with and nights out at the museum. I have friends who have become some of my absolute best friends in the world. These people are why this is now somewhere I will always consider home no matter where I may end up. So thank you to my awesome friends. I will never stop being grateful to have you in my life. When you don't have something for so long, you understand even better how important it is to your life.

What is Home?

What is home?

I've been thinking about this a lot tonight. I've been away from Chicago for the last week and a half. I wrote a little about this in my last post. I went home first for my grandmother's funeral. Seeing all of my family there remembering and celebrating my grandma's life made me so thankful to have the family that I do. It also makes me feel sad that I can't live in more than one place at a time.

I also traveled out to Colorado and New Mexico. The mountains will always feel like home to me. From the first moment I saw them, something changed in me. I knew there were bigger things out there that I had to see and explore. The openness of the land, the stars in the sky, the colors of the mountains and the valleys, and the smell and feel of the fresh mountain air are indescribable. That is also home.

Also, coming back to KC before going to Chicago again, I got to spend more time with my family and got to go to another Royals game. I am so so lucky to have such an amazing family. We have so much fun together. And the energy at the Royals games this year is incredible. I hope to be back shortly for a playoff game and at some point a World Series victory parade. Home.

And finally Chicago. Chicago made me who I am. I have been able to grow personally and professionally and become the fullest expression of myself. I have been lucky to make wonderful friends who have helped to make the city home for me.

I love this quote from Sarah Dessen: “Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.”

You can come home again

Every time I come home and appreciate it a little more. I went home this time because of something sad. My grandma, who had been sick for quite a while, died, and I came home for the funeral. I had been going home anyway a few days later, but headed home a little early because of this. I have some of the best memories because of, and with, my grandmother. When we were little, we saw her all of the time because Mom helped her with a lot of things. We also saw her at our huge family gatherings for birthdays and holidays. She passed down her recipes and love of baking to Mom, who has passed them down to me.  Our family will still be close, but it won't be the same without grandma at the middle connecting us all. I know she's with Aunt Annie and Grandpa now somewhere beautiful.  I only hope that I can raise such a wonderful loving family of my own one day.

Coming home I also have the opportunity to spend time with friends who I don't normally get to see a lot. Had a really fantastic day today with my friend, Ciara, We did yoga at Loose Park, one of my favorite spots in the city. It was so peaceful and awesome. I love yoga and I love being outdoors. We then had brunch at a really cool, delicious place called Urban Table. I had a waffle with a sausage patty and eggs overeasy on top, with maple pecan syrup. Um, why doesn't every place have this?? The guy gave me coffee to go to, so this place will be one of my favorite places forever. Then we went to a pet store and I got my kitties some new things, and we got to pet a puppy!!! Dear God, there is almost nothing that could make me happier than snuggling a puppy. Finally, we went to check out a cool natural grocery store that has some pretty sweet stuff.

Last night, I also had such a fun time at the Royals game with Sara, Catherine, and Bethany. A win at the most beautiful stadium with fireworks after?

KC, you're actually pretty cool.