here it goes …

I'll be home in less than two days. I remember my first week in Chicago went by really slowly, but after that it just kinda took off and I'm not quite sure what happened!

I won't recap the whole summer — if you've read this at all you kind of have an idea of what happened — but I guess it can be summed up by saying that I met some amazing people and learned a whole lot. I went to a ton of shows and learned that I really love writing concert reviews. I also wrote more album reviews, which still is not my forté, but I at least feel a little more confident. I learned how a magazine is run, and lots of other stuff. It's a hectic job, and I love it.

It really does feel like home here, in the sense that I know my way around pretty well (I'm proud of that).

A few things I'll miss:

- My roommates (OK, I already do miss them, since they're all gone)
- Everyone else I've met here
- Argo Tea Café - Amazing local café half a block away from me, where I know half the staff. My wallet, however, will be thrilled.
- Sunflower Market - A grocery store similar to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but local and usually less expensive
- Schubas Tavern - The concert venue I visited most this summer. It has a capacity of only about 200 people
- Clarke's - 24-hour diner with fantastic food
- Tempo Café - another 24/hour place; possibly my favorite restaurant in the city
- GOOD H&M stores (keyword: good)
- Not having to drive/pay for gas
- The huge couches in my apartment
- Venus. Venus Venus Venus Venus Venus. I never want to leave.


A few things I won't miss:

- 9 percent sales tax
- Waiting forever for buses and the El
- Cigarette smoke in the apartment
- Expensive groceries
- Expensive everything
- Our crazy-bitch landlady
- Sleeping on an air mattress (which really wasn't that bad)
- Hearing the train go by 237489 a day, and drowning out the TV

Honestly, it kind of feels like this summer didn't even happen, like it was some kind of fantasy. Is that weird?

After I leave here it'll be kind of a whirlwind of rushing to see friends and family at home, moving into my co-op house and starting back up at The State News. Work should be interesting, and probably not easy this semester, but I'm up for the challenge and I know it'll be a great experience.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I'm already thinking about next summer?

Yeah, it's time for bed.

Until next time, Chicago.