29 and Feeling AMAZING....No rhyme, see what I did there?

A lot of fun things have happened recently. Most notably, I had an amazing birthday with some of my favorite people in the world. My wonderful friend, Ciara, came in for a visit. It was a triple birthday celebration: my birthday, Ciara's, and Rachel 2s. Ciara, Christine, and I got sushi for dinner and then we met up with friends at the Hangge Uppe, a dance bar I had never been to. They played really fun classic rock music that was great for dancing and signing along to. At one point I looked around at the people surrounding me, and every single person was someone who I loved and knew I could count on. That is probably the best feeling a person can have. So thank you, my lovely friends. For being there for me, accepting me for who I am, and for helping to make this my home. Here's to many more memories together!

Here's to 28!

Life is pretty amazing. It's almost my birthday and y'all know how I love to reflect for things like this. Birthdays, graduations, the New Year, the new school year. I can't help myself. Life keeps getting better and better each year. I'm figuring out how to grow more each year. I have so many plans for places I want to go and things I want to learn to do. I'm only turning 28. And I'm pretty psyched about it. Yeah I have a lot of debt. But I wouldn't trade where I am for the world. I'm so lucky and so blessed to have the family that I do and the friends that I do. I've already accomplished one of my promises to myself for this year--I made it to New York City! I can't wait to accomplish the rest. So shout out to some of the great things that have been happening lately and all of the amazing things yet to come.

Here's to 26!

I have never written a blog post when I was this excited so bear with me.  Today was the best birthday I have ever had. Let's recap as I try to control my emotions.

I got to sleep in today because classes were shortened for the last day of classes. So I mean I already won before I even woke up because I got to sleep in!
Then I went to class and I just felt so good and positive and happy. I got my free huge Starbucks drink--venti skim iced caramel macchiato with extra shot and whip--and classes were just great. I feel so proud and so good about how far I've come. Can't believe only have summer classes left before internship.

Then I went home because I had a break before systems presentations. I went running and fought through the most brutal run I've had in a long time. Terrible cold wind! My mental toughness is the only thing that kept me going.

This evening we presented our Systems projects that have been tormenting us all semester. Proud of the final result!!! And I loved looking like a hot young professional coming from her high paying job in the Loop (I wish!).

Finally it was time for Sara! My favorite artist of all time--Sara Bareilles. I hopped in a cab to make it in time and got a seat in the first row of the balcony. It was at Park West, a super intimate venue. I had a pretty sweet view. Sara is such an amazingly talented singer/songwriter. She was on tour solo because this is her Brave Enough tour, and she's showing that we have to be brave and put ourselves out there and show our true selves even though it can be the scariest thing we've ever done.

She completely mesmerized us with her voice of course and was hilarious throughout in between songs. My favorite moment was definitely Once upon another time. It was absolutely haunting. I also loved the one where we got to sing along about how "that guy's an asshole, that girl's a bitch." Check out Sweet as Whole if you're curious. After the show I of course was thinking like my good The Vampire Diaries friend, Vicky, whom I met on twitter--you only live once! Go meet her!

So it is freezing outside but I resolve myself to stay as long as it takes. I find the crowd of people shivering waiting for Sara to come out. I tweeted about freezing to death and Ana, another girl I had been tweeting, tweeted that she was out there too and we met up! I love twitter for real!
Finally Sara came out and signed autographs and took photos. I was able to tell her how much I loved her show and that it was even better because it was my birthday! She wished me Happy Birthday twice!

So I am on top of the world. I'll never forget this night or this birthday.