Chicago

I was just reading an article called "Don't Move to New York City."  Now for 2 reasons this article spoke to me.  Frist, growing up NYC was mecca.  It was somewhere I always wanted to go and thought I would eventually live.  That never happened.  Visited, yes.  7+ times and I love it every time I go.  The second reason was this passage:

"Unless you want to be attached to this place forever. When you first move here, buildings will just be gorgeous buildings. The skyline will look like it needs a pair of braces and will smile at you funny. But soon the buildings and the stores and the street corners will be splattered painted with recollections. That Sunglass Hut in Herald Square will never just be the Sunglass Hut in Herald Square. It’ll become the spot when you started falling for a guy you just met. The Starbucks on 86thstreet will be the place you spent an afternoon crying over the frightening future with your best friend. The nail salon on 3rd avenue will be the spot you remember falling down onto your knees in hysteria after you learned you got your very first job in New York City. Soon, you won’t be able to walk around this place without feeling like the buildings and the streets are whispering hints of memories, laughing and crying with you as you simply just pass them by."

I moved to Chicago the summer of 2009 for graduate school.  This was my chance to live in a big city and run around like I was living in NYC.  After living in Chicago for 2 years and then going to NYC to visit I realized that I would much rather live in Chicago.  It had completely stolen my heart.

It is completely true about buildings grabbing your memories and shouting out to you as you pass by.  The steps in front of the Hancock building remind me of a time when I thought I couldn't be more stressed out about moving to a new apartment, my job, and school and I just felt like I needed to cry.  I was inside the Hancock at the post office getting a change of address form and I went outside, called my mom, and cried...on the steps.  And it was such a nice release of stress and emotion.

Grant Park will forever remind me of the amazing 3 days I spent there with one of my best friends attending Lollapalooza.

A tiny little park just off of Lake Shore Drive and Pearson St. where I spent my first afternoon reading for grad school.  I was back in school, living in a big city, and was completely overwhelmed, calm, and excited.

So many buildings, parks, and restaurants hold special memories that will forever live in Chicago and are incredibly special to me.