funny how you don't always know just how much you need a little vacation until the moment is upon you.
i've done a bit of traveling this summer--quick trips to boston and connecticut, even taking on the city as a tourist upon the visit of my mother.
but there is something about this vacation--these few days in chicago--that is entirely selfish. entirely for me. {and sometimes that's important}.
it all happened because at a family dinner just days before christmas last year i mentioned a band. and my brother mentioned liking them. so i bought tickets--got him a christmas gift. and we saw a show. and it was love. and i was in love with live music.
so i saw another show. and another. became that person always in search of the next great harmonic high. and then i got a ticket for lollapalooza. by myself. and a year ago this never would have happened.
and that's kinda what this trip is about: vacation and rest and really great music, but also that i'm doing what i couldn't have done one year ago.
life changes and it gets better.
and you wake one morning and the oatmeal you've ordered with blueberries and toasted almonds and brown sugar is better than any donut you've ever had in your life.
{well, okay, almost better}.
36 comments:
What a lovely place to vacate- Chicago! Wishing you all the most joy and beauty these few days. Indulge in good food (gotta get some homerun, or deep dish pizza!) and music. La vita e bella!
Your trip sounds wonderful! I'm heading to Chicago for the first time in a couple weeks ... can you make any suggestions for meals, must-sees, etc.?
I'm so jealous and happy for you at the same time. Is that possible? I think it is.
ahhh! i wish i was going to lolla this year! we could eat blueberries and almonds together.
Welcome to my city :) I've never been to lolla but I frequently indulge in oatmeal :) Enjoy your 'selfish' time here, you deserve a break!
It looks like you were at milk&honey! Which is a fantastic spot with delicious oats!
I love Chicago, very jealous of your getaway :) Oatmeal looks fantastical! xo
i love a hot bowl of oatmeal (with fruit and sugar oh my!), but i know you're a houston girl, so i feel okay saying that there's no way in hell that oatmeal is better than shipleys.
Sounds like some really great "me time"! Enjoy your time here. And if the mindset is right, oatmeal can most definitely be better than a donut.
Hope you're having a great time! "Next harmonic high" - love that! Music soothes the soul. Loud or soft. It's just damn good.
I am perpetually nodding along with your words, it seems. There is a music festival in New England new month and I just may buy a ticket. Life is lovely, isn't it?
P.S. I had the same thought over a bowl of spiced chai oatmeal the other day...though nothing will ever beat a Boston creme donut for me. I may have them instead of a wedding cake if I ever get married!
have the best time in Chicago! And by the way, I'll take a bowl of oatmeal over a donut any day.
Good for you! Have a blast at Lolla--I'm going there myself. It's my fourth year going and so much fun every time. Enjoy it!
I want to go to Chi-town badly. I think it's amazing you're going by yourself...you are my hero!
Haha what a great post and what a great realization. I must say, I absolutely love reading your blog. You have a way with words! Excited to hear about your experiences at Lolla!
- Mel
Chicago's the best! Ok so I live here and am a bit biased, but enjoy the festival and the beauty of the city. Don't forget to make it over to the water. There's something really beautiful about standing on the beach with the tall sky scrapers rising up above you!
fun fun fun! I live in the Chicago area and have yet to attend lollapalooza, sadly... I guess it's different when you live in the place where a large event goes down every year and you hear all the negatives from friends...
I hope you have so much fun and the city is good to you! If I hear enough positives this year from friends, I think I'll have to cave and give lollapalooza a chance in the future!
Welcome to Chicago!
yippy skippy! i'm so proud of you for doing something for yourself, not to mention something new and bold. you're really a pretty fantastic gal. :)
ps: i now LOVE noah and the whale...thank you for that.
I like the way you think!
Sigh. This just warms my heart. Oatmeal. Music. Vacation. Sounds dreamy:-) xoxo
Good for you! I hope you have the best time.
xo,
Sarah
I hope you have an excellent time girl :)
It sounds so amazing, I can't wait to hear about it! And that's so inspiring and brave that you're going by yourself :) xoxo
I live this and i love that you are as adventurous and brave as you are. Have fun and dance...a lot! -Cassie
Nothing like a good vacation. Enjoy your me time.
that's how the concert addiction starts. soon you will be working your way up to three concerts in a week, like i have. it's deliciously sickening yet worth it :) hope you have a lovely trip! chicago is so fantastic, definitely left a little piece of my heart there.
that's wonderful! I've always wanted to take a trip by myself...to meet someone who you see some parts of the day but not all. And that oatmeal looks scrumpdidlyumptious!
is that oatmeal from milk & honey! wish we would've been in town this weekend...could have shown you some of our favorite food spots ;) glad your time has been restful!
I think you might be talking a little about recovery here, and if so, I'd like to say, "I hear you, girl." I, too, have moments where I realize I'm doing things and thinking things that I couldn't have imagined possible just a year ago. Incredibly exciting. I hope you are enjoying yourself!
Your trip sounds so lovely!! I just discovered your blog and I love it so much! :)
Love me a music festival. The line up looks amazing , have fun and can't wait to see pics.
Myrna
http://mybeatboutique.blogspot.com/
I love that you took some time for yourself and were brave enough to travel alone and see a concert. I applaud you. :)
"life changes and it gets better"
exactly. i try to remind myself of this as often as possible. but sometimes i forget, or sometimes it just doesn't seem true. then it does again. life's funny like that.
i just stumbled across your blog a couple of days ago. and i'm still licking your words up like ice cream. and i completely dig your honesty. so much so that i mentioned it in my own little space: http://forwardemotion.blogspot.com/2011/08/blog-post_6115.html
bel. x
Your breakfast looks as delicious as your time away from it all is probably is. That's what I hope, at least.
So fun! I'm jealous!! Have a great time. :)
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